HORTH AMERICA* 497 
to hie fc incredibly inhuman and horrid, that it 
%vas with the utmoffc difficulty I aflumed refolu- 
tion fufficient to inquire into it. 
The traders allured me that they knew no in- 
ftance of fuch barbarifm ; but that there had been 
inftances of the communities performing fuch a 
deed at the earned: requeft of the vi&irm ' 
When I was at Mucclalfe town, early one 
morning, at the invitation of the chief trader, we 
repaired to the public fquare, taking with us fome 
prefents for the Indian chiefs. On our arrival we 
took our feats in a circle of venerable men, round 
a fire in the centre of the area : other citizens 
were continually coming in, and amongfl them I 
was ftruck with awe and veneration at the ap- 
pearance of a very aged man ; his hair, what lit- 
tle he had, was as white as fnow ; he was con- 
ducted by three young men, one having hold of 
each arm, and the third behind to fteady him* 
On his approach the whole circle fainted him* 
welcome,” and made way for him : he looked 
as fmiling and cheerful as youth, yet Hone-blind 
by extreme old age: he was the molt ancient 
chief of the town, and they all feemed to rever- 
ence him. Soon after the old man had feated 
himfelf, I dillributed my prefents, giving him a 
very fine handkerchief and a twill of choice to- 
bacco, which palfed through the hands of an el- 
derly chief who fat next him, telling him it was a 
prefent from one of their white brothers, lately 
arrived in the nation from Charlefton: he received 
the prefent with a fmile, and thanked me, return- 
ing the favour immediately with his own Hone 
pipe and cat fkin of tobacco : and then compli- 
mented me with a long oration, the purport of 
which was the value he fee on the friendlhip of 
K k the 
