Expedition, &c. 301 



penetrated with indignation, promptly assembled in arms, 

 and led by the great Washingguhsahba or Black Bird, 

 marched to revenge such unheard-of indignity. When with- 

 in a short distance of the devoted village, they placed their 

 squaws in a secure situation, under a proper guard, and 

 proceeded to the attack. They urged the contest so fiercely 

 that the enemy was driven from lodge to lodge, until four 

 lodges only were left to them, in which they succeeded in 

 defending themselves ; the town, with the exception only of 

 the four lodges, was then burned to the ground, and the vic- 

 tors retired after destroying nearly one hundred of the enemy, 

 and wounding a great number, with the loss, to themselves, 

 of only fifteen warriors. 



Under the same great leader, the nation, on another occa- 

 sion, attacked the Puncaws ; this act was induced by the 

 practice of the latter of stealing squaws and horses from the 

 Omawhaws. The Puncaws, for the purpose of defending 

 themselves against the fire of the enemy, threw up an ear- 

 then embankment ; but finding, notwithstanding the protec- 

 tion it afforded them, that their numbers rapidly diminished 

 under the galling fire opposed to them, they determined to 

 sue for peace ; for this purpose two pipe bearers were sent 

 out successively towards the enemy, but they were both shot 

 down. A chief then dressed up his handsome daughter, and 

 sent her forth with a pipe to the Omawhaws. This mission 

 was respected, the stern victors were vanquished by beauty, 

 the proffered pipe was accepted, and unhesitatingly smoked, 

 and a peace was concluded, which has not since been infract- 

 ed by the Omawhaws. Soon after the death of Washingguh- 

 sahba, his successor Mushchinga, the Big Rabbit, led thena- 

 tion against the Otos, whom they attacked in their village. 

 It was the intention of the assailants to burn the village, and 

 exterminate the nation. With this view they provided them- 

 selves with dry grass, which was twisted into the form of 

 thick ropes, and secured to their girdles. When within the 



