45 
parties are put to death according to their laws. 
They caution strangers to respect their wives, and 
to avoid treating them with levity or immodesty, 
but they offer them their daughters. 
Their favourite amusements are singing and danc¬ 
ing; the women practise the former, and are very 
ready at extempore composition upon the slightest 
occasions : these songs are generally replete with 
satire or encomium; in the former they stigmatize 
unworthy actions, and, in the latter, celebrate good 
ones: the remarkable deeds of their forefathers 
form the frequent subject of their songs. These 
amusements, which generally occupy the evening, 
are conducted with propriety of behaviour, and a 
freedom from those excesses which too frequently 
attend those of more polished nations. 
However much they may be addicted to plundering 
those with whom they are at war, amongst themselves 
their conduct is marked with a degree of honesty that 
would reflect honour on the most civilized people. 
No stronger proof of this can be given, than that they 
make no use of either bars, bolts, or locks, to their 
houses. Every precaution is taken to prevent being 
surprised by an enemy; and their towns and villages, 
as we have already observed, are doubly defended 
and guarded ; but within their intrenchments, all is 
security and confidence, no further precaution being 
necessary than laying a few thorns at the door, or 
fastening it on the outside, to prevent the fowls or 
cattle from entering. 
