C63 NATIVE TRIBES. 



fearful revolt of the negroes in the Dutch provinces, several 

 tribes of them were engaged by the Dutch Government to 

 assist the whites. Making their way through the forest, and 

 concealing themselves by day, they would sally forth by night 

 and attack the villages of the revolters — setting fire to their 

 roofs, and slaughtering the inmates, who fled from their burning 

 habitations. 



Sir Walter Raleigh describes them as a naked people, but 

 valiant as any under the sky : and thus they remained, still 

 rude and savage, till the common fate of other tribes overtook 

 them. Powerful as they were, these wild hordes could only 

 fight, overrun, oppress, and destroy ; and even in their highest 

 prosperity they were incapable of accomplishing any great 

 and useful work. Up to the close of the last century they 

 were the most numerous, as well as the most warlike, of all 

 the tribes. 



Though their chiefs were not hereditary, if a son equalled 

 his father in courage and skill, he succeeded to his power. 

 To attain that office, it was necessary for him to be acquainted 

 with every art and stratagem of savage warfare, and to pos- 

 sess more strength and bravery than the rest of his tribe. 

 When a Carib aspired to be the chief, it was customary 

 to expose him to the biting of ants ; and if he could bear the 

 torture without flinching, then he was considered fit for the 

 office. 



When a band determined on a predatory excursion, they 

 would often, unlike other tribes, attack their enemies in the 

 daytime, paddling their canoes against the current in order 

 that the sound of their paddles should be heard by their 

 enemies, and allow them time to prepare for battle. That 

 they were cannibals, there appears no doubt ; at least, they 



