Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/411

 the North American Indians.

��399

��tuting war-leaders, are always worked with feathers of the tail of the che rubic eagle, which caufes them to be three or four inches higher than the former. This latter cuftom bears a (Inking refemblance to the ufage of the ancients on fimilar occafions, according to the conftitutio-n of their dif ferent forms of government.

They are exceedingly pointed againft our methods of war, and con ferring of titles. By the furprifing conduct of a Georgia governor, both the Mufkohge and Cheerake, who attended our army in the war be fore the laft, againft St. Auguftine, have entertained, and will continue to have the meaneft opinion of the Carolina martial difpofition, till by fome notable brave actions, it wears off. The Indians concluded that there was treachery in our letting prifoners of diftinction return ta the fort to put the reft on their guard, and in our fhutting up the batteries for four or five days fucceflively, not having our cannon difmounted, nor an noying the enemy, but having flags of truce frequently paffing and repaf- fmg. They faid, that it was plain to their eyes, we only managed a fliam fight with the Spaniards and they became very uneafy, and held many conferences about our friendly intercourfe with the garrifon ; concluding that we had decoyed them down to be flaughtered, or delivered to the Spaniard to purchafe a firm peace for ourfelves and they no fooner reached their own countries, than they reported the whole affair in black colours, that we al lured them to a far-diftant place, where we gave them only a fmall quan tity of bad food -, and that they were obliged to drink faltifh water, which, inftead of allaying, inflamed their thirft, while we were caroufing with various liquors, and fliaking hands with the Spaniard, and fending the white beloved fpeech to one another, by beat of drum, although we had the affurance to affirm that we held faft the bloody tomohawk. The minuted circumftance was fo ftrongly reprefented, that both nations were on the very point of commencing war againft us. But the " Raven'* of Euwafe, a leading head warrior of the Cheerake, was confined in Au- gufta garrifon, till he fent up runners to ftop a war, that his fpreches and meffages had nearly fomented his life was threatened on failure, and he had large promifes given, if he complied and fucceeded.

The Indians are much addicted to gaming, and wilt often ft ake every thing they poflefs. Ball-playing is their chief and mod favourite game : and is fuch fevere exercife, as to mew it was originally calculated for a

hardy

�� �