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

pal captain of the embassy made a speech, on delivering these If the belt was accepted, nothing credentials of his authority.

more was said, that act being considered a solemn promise to lend every assistance ; but if neither the hatchet was lifted up nor the belt accepted, it was understood that the tribe would

remain neutral.

The consideration of the matter was usually

circumspect and slow, and the decision regarded with no

little

reverence.

The lives of prisoners taken in war were rarely spared, ex cept those of women and children, who were treated leniently and adopted by their conquerors to recruit their numbers. Male prisoners were subjected to great torture, usually by fire, and a savage cunning indeed was practiced sufferings of the victims.

in prolonging the

The next of kin was an avenger

and might inflict death on a murderer, provided he was enabled to do so within twenty-four hours. After the lapse of that time the avenger himself was liable to death if death came by Heckewelder gives the following as the war song of the Lenape warriors :