W * *• - 



ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 357 



surprise, as on this circumstance the success of an 

 attack depends, is considered as the first requisite 

 in a military leader. It is considered necessary, 

 also, that he should be well acquainted with the 

 situation of the territories of the enemy, and with 

 the course leading to them, in which provisions 

 can most easily be obtained. A war party some- 

 times consists of several hundreds ; but frequently 

 it does not amount to more than twenty. The 

 war chief has no authority over his followers, 

 but his advice is generally respected and follow- 

 ed. 



It is not often that two tribes, which have been 

 in the habit of carrying on w 7 ar against each oth- 

 er, formally enter into terms of peace. When 

 such an event does take place, the following cir- 

 cumstances attend it. One chief or more, and 

 several young men of his tribe, go with their pipe 

 of peace, to find their enemies 5 and on their ar- 

 rival among them, they express a desire to hold a 

 council with them. Upon this, all the elders of 

 the tribe visited, are called together ; and the 

 chief, who is an ambassadour for peace, makes 

 known his business, and strives to convince his en- 

 emies, that it will be for their advantage to live 

 on amicable terms with his tribe. 



Should the terms of peace be agreed on, the 

 parties smoke in each other's pipes, after which a 



