Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/156

146 years; affording a light by night, and a thick smoke by day, which has deceived and endangered vessels approaching the shoal waters on this coast. There is emitted from this burning coal, a gummy substance, which the Spaniards call cheta; it is thrown on the shore by the surf, and collected in considerable quantities; it has a strong aromatic smell, and not disagreeable to the taste. It is collected for the purpose of chewing, for which the Spaniards have a particular fondness.

The Cances are very numerous, consisting of a large number of different bands, occupying different parts of the country, from the bay of Saint Bernard, cross the river Grand, towards La Vera Cruz. They are unfriendly to the Spaniards, and kill them when they have opportunity; but are strongly attached to the French. They principally use the bow, and are good hunters. These people are very particular in their dress, differing from most of the other Indians. The dress of the men is straight leather leggins, which resemble pantaloons, and a leather hunting shirt, or frock. The women dress in a long, loose robe, which so entirely covers them, that nothing but their heads and feet are to be seen. No estimate can be made of the numbers of this nation. The Spaniards made slaves of these Indians, and sold numbers of them to the French at Natchitoches; but this practice was prohibited by the King of Spain, and those made slaves were emancipated;