292 TRAVELS THROUGH UPPER CANADA ! 
till the night is considerably advanced, and 
they keep it up till day-break. In the day 
time they lie sleeping in the sun, or sit smok¬ 
ing tobacco, that is, when they have nothing 
particular to engage them. Though the most 
diligent persevering people in the world when 
roused into action, yet when at peace with their 
'neighbours, and having got wherewith to sa¬ 
tisfy the calls of hunger, they are the most 
slothful and indolent possible. 
The dances mentioned are such as the In¬ 
dians amuse themselves with in common. On 
grand occasions they have a variety of others, 
much more interesting to a spectator. The 
dances which you see in common amongst the 
Shawnese, and certain other tribes, are also, it 
is said, much more entertaining than those I 
have described. There were several families 
of the Shawnese encamped on the island of 
Bois Blanc when we were there ; but as there 
was not a sufficient number to form a dance 
'by themselves, we were never gratified with a 
sight of their performances. 
Of their grand dances the war dance must 
undoubtedly, from every account I have re¬ 
ceived of it, for I never had any opportunity 
of seeing it myself, be the one most -worthy the 
attention of a stranger. It is performed both 
on setting out and returning from their war 
parties, and likewise at other times, but never 
