C 71 ) 



on thefe fkins, whether with the hair of the porcu- 

 pine or fimple colours. 



There are other dances which are more fimple, 

 or which feem to have no other view befides giving 

 the warriors opportunity of relating their own ex- 

 ploits. This is what the Indians covet above all 

 things, and in doing of which they are never 

 weaned. He who gives the feaft, caufes invite the 

 whole village by beat of drum ; and it is in hi* 

 cabbin they affemble, if it be capable of containing 

 all the guefts. The warriors dance here by turns, 

 afterwards they ftrike upon the poft, fiience is pro- 

 claimed, when they fay any thing they have a mind, 

 paufing from time to time in order to receive the 

 congratulations of the fpe&ators who are not fparing 

 of incenfe. But if they perceive that any one boafts 

 without grounds, any one is at liberty to take earth 

 or afhes, and to fmear his head all over or to do 

 him any other affront they have a mind. The ge- 

 neral way is to black his face, accofting him in thefe 

 words, *' This I do to conceal your fhame ; for 

 *< the firft time you fee the face of an enemy, you 

 ** will become as pale as afhes." Thus, it feems to 

 be a receivedjmaxim amongft all nations, that the 

 fureft mark of a coward is boafting. He who has 

 thus punifhed the recreant takes his place, and if 

 he has the misfortune to fall into the fame fault 

 the other is fure to pay him back in kind. The. 

 greateft chiefs have no privilege above the common 

 in this refpecl, and mull take all without murmu- 

 ring. This dance is always performed in the night- 

 time. 



In the weftern parts they have another fort of 

 dance, which is called the, Buffalo dance. The dan- 

 cers form feveral circles within each other, and the 



F 4 mufick 



