360 



ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 



The Indians, generally, appear cheerful and con- 

 tented, when oppressed by no present difficulty or 

 danger ; for they take little thought for the things 

 of the morrow. 



The Indians do not often dance, in the day 

 time ; but they frequently spend their long win- 

 ter evenings, in this amusement, accompanied by 

 singing ; and they appear to enjoy themselves 

 fully as well, on such occasions, as civilized peo- 

 ple do, at their more refined assemblies. 



All the Natives are accustomed to make 

 feasts, on various occasions, and particularly when 

 any uncommon or important business is to be 

 transacted. When a band of from thirty to fif- 

 ty tents is collected, scarcely a day passes with- 

 out an entertainment, made by some one of the 

 number. 



When a chief proposes to make a feast, he 

 invites such guests as he pleases, by sending to 

 them quills, or small pieces of wood. Every 

 person, who attends, brings with him a dish and a 

 knife. The chief generally receives his guests, 

 standing, but oftentimes, sitting ; and a person 

 who assists him, seats them, according to their 

 ages or respectability, the most honourable place 

 being next to the chief. After having made a di- 

 vision of what had been provided, into a num- 

 ber of parts, equal to the number of persons 



