Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/152

142 about one hundred, who are viewed as a distinguished military order of men; they have many old men and strangers, who live amongst them, amounting to nearly an equal number with the Caddos. This nation has great influence over the Yattassees, Nandakoes, Nabadaches, Inies, Nagogdoches, Keychies, Adaize, and Natchitoches, who all speak the Caddo language, look up to them as their fathers, intermarry among them, and join them in all their wars. They cultivate corn, beans, pumpkins, melons, and tobacco.

The Yattasees live on Bayau Pierre or Stony creek, which falls into Red river fifty miles above Natchitoches. Their village is in a large prairie fifty miles above Natchitoches, and about midway to the Caddos. They are surrounded by a settlement of French families; but the Spanish government exercises jurisdiction over this settlement, where they keep a guard of a non-commissioned officer, and eight soldiers. The French formerly had a station and factory here, and another on the Sabine, about one hundred northwest of this settlement. Of the ancient Yattassees, there are about eight men remaining, and twenty-five women, besides children; but a number of men of other nations have intermarried, and live with them. They live on rich land; raise plenty of corn, beans, tobacco, and other vegetables: have horses, cattle, hogs, and poultry.

The Nandakoes live on the Sabine river, sixty or seventy miles to the westward, near where the