THE CREEKS. 165 



bj natural increase and accessions from other tribes, a nation of Seminoles^ or 

 wanderers.^'^ 



Mr. Bartram describes the Creek women as of short stature but well formed : 

 their visage, says he, is round, their features regular and beautiful: the brow is 

 high and arched ; the eye large, black and languishing, and expressive of modesty, 

 and diffidence. " They are, I believe, the smallest race of women yet known, 

 seldom above five feet high, and the greater number never arrive to that stature : 

 their hands and feet are not larger than those of Europeans of nine or ten years 

 of age ; yet the men are of gigantic stature, a full size larger than Europeans ; 

 many of them above six feet, and few under that, or five feet eight or ten 

 inches."! He adds that their complexion is much darker than that of any tribe 

 he had seen to the north of them. 



Bernard Romans observes, that they are remarkably well shaped and a very 

 hardy race. " What deserves notice here is, that their thorax is very shallow, so 

 that a savage of this race may appear almost a giant by the breadth of his 

 shoulders, yet not measure so much in circumference as an ordinary European ; 

 but whether this is the effect of art or nature, I cannot pretend to decide." Their 

 women, he adds, are handsome, and the whole nation so hospitable that they are 

 always ready to share their pipe and board with a stranger. On the other hand 

 they are adepts in cruelty when they wreak their vengeance on a captive enemy.J 



Bartram confirms this picture, by stating that they are fond of their wives 

 and children, and kind to travellers who pass through their country with pacific 

 intentions. " I have been weeks and months amongst them in their towns," says 

 he ; "I never observed the least sign of contention or wrangling ; never saw an 

 instance of an Indian beating his wife or reproving her in anger. In this case 

 they stand as examples of reproof to the most civilised nations, as not being 

 deficient in justice, gratitude and a good understanding. "§ 



Bartram has justly characterised the Creeks as a proud and arrogant people, 

 " valiant in war, ambitious of conquest, restless, and perpetually exercising their 

 arms, yet magnanimous and merciful to a vanquished enemy, when he submits, 

 and seeks their friendship and protection." They habitually unite the subjected 



* Sketch of the Indian Tribes known under the appellation of Muskogee, with some general 

 remarks on the Manners and Customs, &c., of the American Aborigines. By Samuel Forry, M. D., 

 Medical Staff, U. S. Army. MS. 



t Trav. in Florida, p. 484. j Nat. Hist, of Florida, I, p. 92. 



§ Trav. in Florida, p. 490. 

 42 



