SwANTON] INDIANS OF THE SOUTHEASTEKN UNITED STATES 233 



standard of preferment instead of riches, and, in spite of the revolt- 

 ing manner in which martial virtue was exercised, we must admit 

 that it was more closely bound up with individual character than 

 wealth could have been. 

 Timberlake says of the Cherokee: 



They are of a very gentle and amicable disposition to those they think their 

 friends, but as implacable in their enmity, their revenge being only compleated 

 in the entire destruction of their enemies. They were pretty hospitable to 

 all white strangers, till the Europeans encouraged them to scalp; but the 

 great reward offered has led them often since to commit as great barbarities 

 on us, as they formerly only treated their most inveterate enemies with. They 

 are very hardy, bearing heat, cold, hunger and thirst, in a surprizing manner; 

 and yet no people are given to more excess in eating and drinking, when it 

 is conveniently in their power; the follies, nay mischief, they commit when 

 inebriated, are entirely laid to the liquor; and no one will revenge an injury 

 (murder excepted) received from one who is no more himself; they are not 

 less addicted to gaming than drinking, and will even lose the shirt off their 

 back, rather than give over play, when luck runs against them. 



They are extremely proud, despising the lower class of Europeans; and in 

 some athletick diversions I once was present at, they refused to match or 

 hold conference with any but officers. 



Here, however, the vulgar notion of the Indians uncommon activity was 

 contradicted by three officers of the Virginia regiment, the slowest of which 

 could outrun the swiftest of about 700 Indians that were in the place: but 

 had the race exceeded two or three hundred yards, the Indians would then have 

 acquired the advantage, by being able to keep the same pace a long time 

 together ; and running being likewise more general among them, a body of them 

 would always greatly exceed an equal number of our troops. 



They are particularly careful of the superannuated, but are not so till of a 

 great age. . . . 



They have many of them a good uncultivated genius, are fond of speaking 

 well, as that paves the way to power in their councils ; and I doubt not but the 

 reader will find some beauties in the harangues I have given him, which I 

 assure hinj are entirely genuine. . . . 



They seldom turn their eyes on the person they speak of, or address them- 

 selves to, and are always suspicious when people's eyes are fixed upon them. 

 They speak so low, except in council, that they are often obliged to repeat what 

 they are saying; yet should a person talk to any of them above their common 

 pitch, they would immediately ask him, if he thought they were deaf. (Tim- 

 berlake, Williams ed., 1927, pp. 78-81.) 



Calderon describes the Indians of Florida and southern Georgia 

 as "weak and phlegmatic as regards work, though clever and quick to 

 learn any art they see done, and great carpenters as is evidenced in 

 the construction of their wooden churches which are large and pains- 

 takingly wrought." (Calderon, 1936, p. 12.) 



Until the recent extensive exploitation of Florida, the Seminole 

 who remained there after their relatives had been taken to Okla- 

 homa were held in high esteem by their white neighbors, MacCauley 

 says of them ; 



