NORTH AMERICA 
fmall found wood di veiled of its bark, there is but 
little fmoak. All around the infide of the buildings 
betwixt the fecond range of pillars and the wall, is 
a range of cabins or fophas, confifting of two or 
three fteps, one above or behind the other, in the- 
atrical order, where the affembly fit or lean down - 
thefe fophas are covered with mats or carpets, very 
curioufly made of thin fplints of Afh or Oak, woven 
or platted together; near the great pillar in the 
centre the fire is kindled for light, near which the 
mulicians feat themfelves, and round about this the 
performers exhibit their dances and other fhows at 
public feftivals, which happen almoft every night 
throughout the year. 
About the clofe of the evening I accompanied 
Mr. Galahan and other white traders to the rotun- 
da, where was a grand fefiival, mufic and dancing. 
This aflembly was held principally to rehearfe the 
ball-play dance, this town being challenged to play 
againfl another the next day. 
The people being affembled and feated in order* 
and the mulicians having taken their Ration, the 
ball opens, firft with a long harangue or oration^ 
fpoker* by an aged chief, in commendation of the 
manly exercife of the ball-play, recounting the 
many and brilliant victories which the town of 
Co we had gained over the other towns in the na- 
tion* not forgetting or negledling to recite his own 
exploits, together with thofe of other aged men 
now prefent, coadjutors in the performance of thefe 
athletic games in their youthful days. 
This oration was delivered with great fpirit and 
eloquence, and was meant to influence the pafikms 
\ v£ 
