THE INDIANS. 



180 



skin upon their shoulders, walking at a regular 

 pace, which is not altered by rough or smooth. 

 Though a horse may outstrip one of these men 

 for the first few days, still if the journey conti- 

 nues long, the Indian will, in the end, arrive 

 before him. If a criminal has eluded the dili- 

 gence of the police officers, Indians are sent in 

 pursuit of him, as a last resource. It is well 

 known that they will not take him alive ; each 

 man who sees the offender fires, for they do not 

 wish to have any contention. Nor is it possible 

 for the magistrate to fix upon the individual of 

 the party who shot the criminal ; for if any of 

 them are asked who killed him, the answer in- 

 variably is, " os homemSy" the men. 



It is usually said, that a party of Indians will 

 fight tolerably well ; but that two or three will 

 take to their heels at the first alarm. Some of 

 them however are resolute, and sufficiently cou- 

 rageous ; but the general character is usually 

 supposed to be cowardly, inconstant, devoid of 

 acute feelings, as forgetful of favours as of inju- 

 ries, obstinate in trifles, regardless of matters of 

 importance. The character of the negro is more 

 decided ; it is worse, but it is also better. From 

 the black race the worst of men may be formed ; 

 but they are capable likewise of great and good 

 actions. The Indian seems to be without energy 

 or exertion ; devoid of great good or great evil. 

 Much may at the same time be said in their 



