collected, a pouch of parched corn and

maple sugar prepared,

Then came the war dance and

and the body painted black. other nations, yet they have high and low

proportion to the number of troops under

and superior chiefs, whose authority remains hereditary in the

his

families;

houses.

inferior

The military

officers

are

disposed of only according to the valorous prowess of each person." Documentary History of New York, iv, 128. captain among the Indians, is what

we should call a commander or general,

He

has several subordinate

officers,

in

command.

neither first

elective

The rank of captain is nor hereditary. The

occasion to this appointment is generally a dream, early in life, which a young or his friends interpret as a

man

destiny

for the

office of captain. Jig therefore endeavors to attain the necessary qualifications for this dignity, and to prove his

prowess by feats of valor.

Loskiel.

THE INDIAN TRIBES

war song

and the paths of the forest received the avenging horde, to return to peace only when compelled by necessity or the intervention of mediators. ;

The ceremonies of war and peace were somewhat different when the alliance of one tribe with another was called.

In

such cases an embassy was dispatched bearing a piece of tobacco, a belt of

wampum, and a hatchet with a red handle.

The

tobacco invited a friendly smoke and consideration, the belt described by certain figures the tribe against whom alliance was desired, and the hatchet determined the purpose.

The princi