270 THE INDIAN OCCUPANCY 



from poles above the sleeping apartments were ears of corn 

 and dried squashes. 



Along the outer ends and sides of the house was rudely 

 painted the symbol of the clan to which the occupants belonged. 

 Outside at each doorway, was a malodorous heap of refuse, 

 ashes and offal. 



The Neutrals used clothing for warmth, not for decency. 

 In the winter a small piece of fur sufficed. In the summer 

 many wore no clothing at all. But though they adorned their 

 bodies not at all with clothing, they decorated them by means 

 of tattooing. Many covered their bodies with designs of birds, 

 animals and imaginary monsters (i). 



The operation of tattooing was long and painful (2). The 

 operator first drew on the skin the desired design. Following 

 the lines of the design he pricked the skin with a fine awl or a 

 thorn and into the punctures he rubbed charcoal. When the 

 punctures healed the design showed black through the skin. 



Physically the Neutrals were strong and well-built (3). The 

 missionaries noted with surprise that they were stronger, taller 

 and better made than the Hurons. Father Dallion, in his stay 

 of three months amongst them saw neither cripples nor de- 

 formed persons. 



Though at peace with the Iroquois and Hurons, they were 

 warlike, and in war were more cruel than even their cruel 

 kindred. In 1638 their war- parties defeated the Mascoutins, 

 and brought droves of captives back to their Neutral homes. 

 Five years later two thousand Neuters captured a Mascoutin 

 town after a bloody fight and burned many captives. They 

 then cut off the lips and put out the eyes of the old people, and 

 set them at liberty. The remainder they took home. 



They admired courrage and honored brave warriors. Sou- 

 harissen was absolute chief because of his brave deeds. "He 

 acquired this honor", wrote Father Dallion, "by his courage, 

 and having been repeatedly at war with seventeen nations, 

 which are their enemies, taken heads or brought in prisoners 

 from them". 



1. Father Lalement, Jes Rel. Vol. 21, P. 197, Burrows ed 



2. Father Bressani, Jes. Relation 1653, 'A Brief Account of Certain 

 Missions", Chap 2, P. 251, in Burrows edition. 



3. Father Lalement, Jes. Rel. Vol 21, P. 199, Burrows ed. 



