NATIVE WEAPONS, 
126 
wliicli they are built, are, for the most part, so 
hiofli as not to allow a cannon to be brouo^ht to 
bear upon them : and it would seem impossible 
to take the place with native weapons ; or in any 
way, except by famine. 
Next in succession, and immediately connected 
with fortifications, we must describe the native 
weapons ; most of which have been superseded by 
the introduction of the musket and the hatchet. — 
First in order, and that most effective in reducing 
a fortified place, is the sling; by which hot stones 
are flung upon the house-tops, and, unless in- 
stantly removed, fire the rushes with which the 
houses are built, and cause universal devastation 
through the Pa. So thickly set together are their 
buildings, and so densely is the place generally 
peopled, that a fire, once gcining a head, would 
inevitably destroy the whole place, and force the 
wretched inhabitants to flee from the devouring 
element into tlie arms of their enemies. It ap- 
pears strange that so effective a method of assault 
should now be altogether laid aside; for I do not 
recollect having heard of its ever having been re- 
sorted to, since European weapons have been so 
universally adopted. There were, formerly, vari- 
ous kinds of offensive weapons, adapted to various 
kinds of warfare : the spear, for distant attack ; 
and the club, and the meri, for more close combat. 
The latter instrument is made of green talc, in 
the shape of a beaver’s tail, and is used for dash- 
ing out the brains or cutting off the head of the 
