ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 



353 



among the Indians ; though they frequently em- 

 ploy much time in the winter, in providing bows, 

 arrows, guns and ammunition, with reference to 

 a campaign, the ensuing season. Preparatory to 

 hostilities, the chiefs, toward the close of win- 

 ter, send young men with presents of tobacco, 

 to the whole tribe, who are scattered over 

 their territory, inviting them to meet, at a spe- 

 cified place, early in the spring, in general 

 council. At this meeting, chiefs are appointed to 

 conduct the war. The war pipe is then lighted 

 up, and those who are willing to become soldiers 

 in the campaign, smoke the pipe. None are com- 

 pelled to enlist ; but, to excite in the young men 

 a martial spirit, and to stimulate them to become 

 his followers, the war chief makes a long ha- 

 rangue, in which he relates the injuries, that they 

 have received from their enemies. By a strong 

 appeal to their savage feelings, he labours to con- 

 vince them, that it will be sweet and manly, to re- 

 venge these insults ; and to return from the war, 

 with the scalps of their enemies, and with their 

 wives, and children, and horses, &c. 



A feast is then made, of which all partake? 

 after which, the young men dance, and sing war 

 songs. After these ceremonies are ended, the 

 chief or chiefs set out on the war expedition, with 

 as many as choose to follow them ; and as they 

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