Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/393

 the North American Indians. 381

gain that favourite point, fome of the aged warriors narrowly watch the young men who are newly initiated, left they fhould prove irreligious, and prophane the holy faft, and bring misfortunes on the out-ftanding camp. A gentleman of my acquaintance, in his youthful days obferved one of their religious fafts, but under the greateft fufpicion of his virtue, in this refpecl:, though he had often headed them againft the common enemy : during their three days purification, he was not allowed to go out of the fancYified ground, without a trufty guard,, left hunger mould have, tempted him to violate their old martial law, and by that means have raifed the burning wrath of the holy fire againft the whole camp. Other particulars of this facred procefs for war, have been related in their proper place. *

When they have finifhed their faft and purifications, they fet off, at the; fixed time,, be it fair or foul, firing their guns, whooping, and halloo ing, as they march. The war-leader goes firft, carrying the fuppofed holy/ ark : he foon ftrikes up the awful and folemn fong before mentioned, which they never fing except on that occafion. The reft follow, in one line, at the diftance of three or four fteps from each other, now and then found ing the war whoo-whoop, to make the leader's fong the more ftriking to the people. In this manner they proceed, till quite out of the fight, and hear ing of their friends. As foon as they enter the woods, all are filenr ; and,, every day they obferve a profound filence in their march, that their ears may be quick to inform them of danger : their fmall black eyes are almoft as iharp alfo as thofe of the eagle, or the lynx ; and with their feet they re- femble the wild cat, or the cunning panther, crawling up to its prey.. Thus they proceed, while things promife them good fuccefs; but, if. their dreams portend any ill, they always obey the fuppofed divine, intimation and return home, without incurring the lead cenfure. They, reckon that their readinefs to ferve their country, mould not be fubfervienc. to their own knowledge or wimes, but always regulated by the divine im- pulfe. I have known a whole company who fet out for war, to return in. fmall parties, and fometimes by fingle perfons, and be applauded by the united voice of the people ; becaufe they afted in obedience to their Nana I/htohoollO) " or guardian angels," who imprefiedthem in the vifions of night, with the friendly caution. As their dreams are reckoned ominous, fo there: is a fmall uncommon bird, called the " kind ill meffenger," which they


 * Vide p. 145 &c.,

always,

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