So that, when they go to war they divide their force into tliree -- to wit -- one party, scattered in divers places, hunting ; another forms the main body, wliich is always under arms ; and another party as a van guard, to scout along the river and see whether they will not discover some trail or mark indicating the passage of friends or enemies. This they ascertain by certain marks the chiefs of one nation give to those of another, which are not always alike -, notifying each other from time to time wlien they alter any. By this means they recognize whether those who have passed are friends or enemies. The hunters never hunt in advance of the main body or the scouts, so as not to. create any alarm or disorder ; but in the rear and in tlie direction where they do not apprehend enemies. They thus continue until they are two or tliree days journey from tlie foe, when they advance stealthily by night, all in a body, except tlie scouts, and retire by day into the picket fort where they repose, without wandering abroad, making any noise or building a fire, even for

INTO NORTHERN AND WESTERN NEW-YORK. 5

cooking during that time, so as not to be discovered, should their enemies happen to pass. The only fire they make is, to smoke. They eat dried Indian meal which they steep in water like porridge. They prepare this meal for use when they are pinched, and wlien they are near tlie enemy, or when retreating ; after their attacks they do not amuse themselves hunting, retreating precipitately.