Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/195



The Nation of the Accancea's consists of four Villages. The first is call'd Otsotchove, near which we were; the second Toriman, both of them seated on the River; the third Tonginga; and the fourth Cappa, on the Bank of the Missisipi. These Villages are built after a different Manner from the others we had seen before, in this Point, that the Cottages, which are alike as to their Materials and Rounding at the Top, are long, and cover'd with the Bark of Trees, and so very large, that several of them can hold two hundred Persons, belonging to several Families.

The people are not so neat as the Cenis, or the Assonis in their Houses, for some of them lie on the Ground, without any Thing under them but some Mats, or a dress'd Hide. However, some of them have more Conveniencies, but the Generality has not. All their Moveables consist in some Earthen Vessels and oval wooden Platters, which are neatly made, and with which they drive a Trade.

They are generally very well shap'd and active; the Women are handsome, or at least have a much better Presence than those of the other Villages we pass'd thro' before. They make Canoes all of one Piece, which are well wrought. As for themselves they are very faithful, good natur'd, and Warriors like the rest.

The 25th, the Elders being assembled, came to see us, and told the Sieur Couture, that they design'd to sing and dance the Calumet, or Pipe; because the others had sung it, some of them to the late Monsieur de la Sale, and the rest to Monsieur Tonty, and therefore it was but reasonable they should do the same to get a Firelock, as well as the others. Monsieur Cavelier was inform'd of it, and it was requisite to consent to it, to please those Indians, because we stood in need of them.

The Ceremony began with Monsieur Cavelier, who was led under the Arms and seated on a Hide, without the Cottage. The Forks, the Skins laid on it in Honour of the