TRAVELS IN' 
260 
the head of the ferpent bleeding in my hand as m 
trophy of vidlory; and taking out the mortal fangs* 
depofited them carefully amongfl my collections. I 
had not been long retired to my apartment, before 
1 was again roufed from it by a tumult in the yard; 
and hearing Puc-Puggy called on, I flarted up* 
when inflantly the old interpreter met me again*, 
and told me the Indians were approaching in order 
to fcratch me. I afked him for what ? he anfwer- 
ed for killing the rattle fnake within their camp. 
Before I could make any reply or effeCl my efcape* 
three young fellows finging, arm in arm, came up 
to me. I obferved one of the three was a young 
prince who had, on my firft interview with him, de- 
clared himfelf my friend and prote&or, when he 
told me that if ever occafion fhould offer in his pre- 
fence, he would rifk his life to defend mine or my 
property. This young champion flood by his two 
affociates, one on each fide of him : the two affect- 
ing a countenance and air of difpleafure and impor- 
tance, inflantly prefenting their fcratching inftru- 
ments, and fiourifhing them, fpoke boldly, and faid 
that I was too heroic and violent, that it would be 
good for me to lofe fome of my blood to make me 
more mild and tame, and for that purpofe they were 
come to fcratch me. They gave me no time to ex- 
populate or reply, but attempted to lay hold on 
me, which I refilled ; and my friend, the young 
prince, Interpofed and pufhed them off, faying that 
I was a brave warrior and his friend ; that they 
fhould not infult me; when inflantly they altered 
their countenance and behaviour : they all whoop- 
ed in chorus, took me friendly by the hand, clapped 
me on the fhoulder, and laid their hands on their 
breaks in token of flncere friendfhip, and laughing 
aloud, faid I was a fincere friend to the.Simineles, 
a wor- 
