Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/433

 the North American Indians.. 421

riing, and a prodigious fpring, they reckon fuch a bed is the firft rudi ments of war. Biu it is worthy of notice, they change the regimen in nurturing their young females, thefe they lay on the fkins of fawns, or buffalo calves, becaufe they are fhy and timorous : and, if the motHer be in- difpofcd by fickneft, her nearefl female relation fuckles the child, but only till (he recovers. This practice gives a friendly leffon to fuch mothers, who, oftrich like, as foon as the tender infant fucks in the firft breath of air, commit it to the fwarthy breads of a fcetid African to graft it on her grofs ftock.

Their flools they cut out of poplar wood, all of one piece, and of a convenient height and fhape. Their chefts are made of clap-boards fewed to crofs bars with fcraped wet buffalo firings. Their domeftic utenfils con- fid of earthen pots, pans, jugs, mugs, jars, &c. of various antiquated- forts, which would have puzzled Adam, to have given them fignificant names. Their wooden dimes, and fpoon& made of wood and buffalo- horn, fhew fomething of a newer invention and date, being of nicer work- manfhip, for the fculpture of the laft is plain, and reprefents things that are within the reach of their own ideas.

Every town has a large edifice, which with propriety may be called the mountain houfe, in comparifon of thofe already defcribed. But the only difference between it, and the winter houfe or (love, is in its dimenfions, and application. It is ufually built on the top of a hill ; and, in that fepa- rate and imperial (late houfe, the old beloved men and head warriors meet on material bufinefs, or to divert themfelves, and feaft and dance with the reft of the people. They furnifh the infide with genteel couches, either to fit or lie on, about feven feet wide, and a little more in length, with a defcent towards the wall, to fecure them from falling off when afleep. Every one takes his feat,, according to his reputed merit ; a worthlefs cox comb dare not be guilty of the leaft intrufion mould he attempt it, he is ordered to his proper place, before the multitude, with the vileft difgrace, and bears their flinging laughter. This may not be an unprofitable leffon to fome of our young red coated men, who never traverfed the rough bloody fields of Flanders, they would be more refpecled if they were more modeft, and difplayed fuperior virtues to thofe whom they affe<5t to deipife. Thou, who boafteft of the noble blood of the Scijgios running in thy veins,

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