Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/155

145 honesty and punctuality. They plant and raise large crops of corn.

The Accokesaws live in a rich and beautiful country, over which they rove, often changing their place of residence; but their ancient town, and where they principally reside, is on the west side of Colerado or Rio Rouge. The deer they kill are said to be remarkably large and fat, of which they have an abundance. Their number of men is about eighty; they have a language peculiar to themselves; but they converse much by dumb signs, which they can all readily understand.

The Mayes live on a large creek, called Saint Gabriel, on the bay of Saint Bernard, near the mouth of Guadaloupe river. They are at perpetual war with the Spaniards, but very friendly to the French. Their number of men are computed to be two hundred. They have a language of their own, but speak the Attakapa, and likewise converse by signs.

The Carankouas, inhabit an island, or peninsula, in the bay of Saint Bernard. They are always at war with the Spaniards, and kill them whenever they find them; but kind to the French. They are said to be five hundred men strong; speak the Attakapa language, and are friendly to all other Indians.

On one side of this peninsula is a high bluff, or mountain of coal, which can be seen some distance at sea. It has been on fire for many 13