ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS* 355 



attack have greatly the advantage, thy make ter- 

 rible havoc among the men ; but they labour to 

 take as many of their women and children alive, 

 as they possibly can, in order to carry them home 

 as slaves. They never torture these captives; 

 but keep them to perform the menial service 

 about their tents, or dispose of them to others. 

 Sometimes they are adopted into the families of 

 their enemies, in the place of children that they 

 have lost ; and then they are treated with all the 

 tenderness and affection, which would be exercis- 

 ed toward a near relation. 



On their return from the expedition, the war 

 party approach the tents of their band, with their 

 faces blackened, and singing the war song. Their 

 relations immediately make a feast, at which the 

 warriours dance, with the scalps of their enemies 

 which they have taken, in their hands ; and re- 

 count the history of the expedition, particularly 

 relating the manner in which they fell upon their 

 enemies, the number of men that they killed, and 

 of slaves, horses, &c. which they have taken. 

 They then distribute a part of the booty, among 

 the aged chiefs, and most respectable men of the 

 tribe, who remained at home. The young men, 

 who deserted the party, are treated with con- 

 tempt ; and the young women, whose charms may 



