DANCES. 
231 
place at the meeting of different tribes. Each tribe 
performs in turn, and as there is much rivalry, there 
is a corresponding stimulus to exertion. The dances 
usually commence an hour or two after dark, and 
are frequently kept up the greater part of the night, 
the performers becoming so much excited that, not- 
withstanding the violent exercise required to sustain 
ail their evolutions, they are unwilling to leave off. 
It is sometimes difficult to induce them to commence 
a dance ; but if they once begin, and enter into the 
spirit of it, it is still more difficult to induce them to 
break up. 
The females of the tribe exhibiting, generally sit 
down in front of the performers, either irregularly, 
in a line, or a semicircle, folding up their skin cloaks 
into a hard ball, and then beating them upon their 
laps with the palm of their hand, and accompanying 
the noise thus produced with their voices. It is sur- 
prising to see the perfect time that is kept in this 
way, and the admirable manner in which the motions 
of the dancers accord with the music. There is no 
confusion, irregularity, or mistake. Each person is 
conversant with his part ; and all exhibit a degree 
of elasticity and gracefulness in their movements 
which, in some of the dances, is very striking and 
beautiful. 
In many of the figures, weapons are carried, such 
as the waddy, the shield, the spear, &c. and in 
these it is amazing to behold the facility and skill 
with which they form in close array, spread into 
