Indian Warfare -- Part I Adair

 From Adair, from "General Observations"

an individual durſt ever presume to infringe on another ' s liberties . They are all equal - the only precedence any gain is by Superior virtue , oratory , or prowess ; and they esteem themselves bound to live and die in defence of their country . A warrior will accept of no hire for performing virtuous and heroic actions ; they have exquiſite pleaſure in purſuing their own natural dićtates . The head - men reward the worthy . with titles of ho hour , according to their merit in ſpeaking , or the number of enemies , ſcalps they bring home . Their hearts are fully ſatisfied , if they have re veñged crying blood , enobled themſelves by war actions , given cheerfulneſs . to their mourning country , and fired the breaſts of the youth with a ſpirit of emulation to guard the beloved people from danger , and revenge the wrongs of their country . Warriors are to protect all , but not to moleft or injure the meaneſt . If they attempted it , they would pay dear for their folly . The reaſon they are more earneſt than the reſt of mankind , in maintaining that divine law of equal freedom and juftice , I apprehend , is the notion imbibed from their ( ſuppoſed ) Hebrew anceſtors of the divine theocracy , and that inexpreſſible abhorrence of ſlavery , which muft have taken place after their captivity by the Affyrians , or the Babylonians . 

Every warrior holds his honour , and the love of his country , in ſo high eſteem , that he prefers it to life , and will ſuffer the moſt exquiſite tortures rather than renounce it : there is no ſuch thing among the Indians as deſertion in war , becauſe they do not fight like the Swiſs for hire , but for wreaths of ſwan - feathers . If the Engliſh acted on that noble principle , or were encouraged by an able , public - ſpirited miniſtry , to cheriſh it , Britan nia need neither ſue , nor pay any of the German princes for protection , or alliances .

The equality among the Indians , and the juſt rewards they always confer on merit , are the great and leading the only motives that warm their hearts with a ſtrong and permanent love to their country . Governed by the plain and honeſt law of nature , their whole conſtitution breathes nothing but liberty ; and , when there is that equality of condition , man ners , and privileges , and a conſtant familiarity in ſociety , as prevails in every Indian nation , and through all our Britiſh colonies , there glows ſuch a chearfulneſs and warmth of courage in each of their breaſts , as cannot be deſcribed . It were to be wiſhed , that our military and na . val officers of all ranks , inſtead of their uſual harſh and imperious beha viour , would act the part of mild and good - natured patrons to thoſe under them : kind , perſuaſive language has an irreſiſtible force , and never fails to overcome the manly and generous heart , and love is ſtrong as death . If the governed are convinced that their fuperiors have a real affection for them , they will efteem it their duty and intereſt to ſerve them and take pleaſure in it . The late gallant Lord Howe , General Wolfe , and Ad miral Warren , are ſtill alive in the grateful hearts of the Americans , and alſo of the ſoldiers and ſeamen , whº fought under them . No ſervice was too difficult to oblige them , and they were alhamed to do any thing amiſs . If every Britiſh officer ſet the like example , there would be little occaſion for new mutiny acts , and other ſuch like penal regulations . We have frequent inſtances in America , that merely by the power of affa bility , and good - natured language , the favage Indian , drunk and foaming with rage and madneſs , can be overcome and brought to weep . Lately , ſome came among us , inflamed and diſtracted foes ; we perſuaded them of our conſtant kindly intentions , and they repented , made atonement in re gard to themſelves , and checked the mad conduct of others .

The Indians are not fond of waging war with each other , unleſs prompted by ſome of the traders : when left to themſelves , they conſider with the greateſt exactneſs and foreſight , all the attending circumſtances of war . Should any of the young warriors through forwardneſs , or paſſion , violate the treaty of peace , the aggreſſing party uſually ſend by ſome neutral Indians , a friendly embally to the other , praying them to accept of equal retribution , and to continue their friendſhip , aſſuring them that the raſh unfriendly action did not meet with the approbation , but was highly con demned by the head - men of the whole nation . If the propoſal be accepted , the damage is made up , either by ſacrificing one of the aggreffors , of a weak family , or by the death of ſome unfortunate captive , who had been ingrafted in a waſted tribe . If a perſon of note was killed , the offended party take im mediate ſatisfaction of their own accord , and ſend back the like embaſſy , acquainting them , that as crying blood is quenched with equal blood , and their beloved relation ' s ſpirit is allowed to go to reſt , they are fond of con tinuing the friend - knot , and keeping the chain of friendthip clear of ruſt , according to the old beloved fpeech ; but , if they are determined for war , they ſay Mattle , Mattle , “ it is finiſhed , they are weighed , and found light . ” In that cafe , they proceed in the following manner .

A war captain announces his intention of going to invade the common enemy , which he, by conſent of the whole nation , declares to be ſuch : he then beats a drum three times round his winter houſe , with the bloody colours Aying , marked with large ſtrokes of black , - the grand war ſignal of blood and death . On this , a fufficient number of warriors and others , com monly of the family of the murdered perſon , immediately arm themſelves , and each gets a ſmall bag of parched corn - four , for his war - ſtores . They then go to the aforeſaid winter houſe , and there drink a warm decoction of their ſuppoſed holy conſecrated herbs and roots for three days and nights , ſometimes without any other refreſhment . This is to induce the deity to guard and proſper them , amidſt their impending dangers . In the moſt promiſing appearance of things , they are not to take the leaſt nourithment of food , nor ſo much as to ſit down , during that time of ſanctifying themſelves , till after ſunſet . While on their expedition , they are not allowed to lean themſelves againſt a tree , though they may be exceedingly fatigued , after a ſharp day ' s march ; nor muſt they lie by , a whole day to refreſh themſelves , or kill and barbicue deer and bear for their war journey . The more virtuous they are , they reckon the greater will be their fucceſs againſt the enemy , by the bountiful ſmiles of the deity . To gain that favourite point , ſome of the aged warriors narrowly watch the young men who are newly initiated , leſt they ſhould prove irreligious , and prophane the holy faſt , and bring misfortunes on the out - ſtanding camp . A gentleman of my acquaintance , in his youthful days obſerved one of their religious fafts , but under the greateſt ſuſpicion of his virtue in this reſpect , though he had often headed them againſt the common enemy : during their three days purification , he was not allowed to go out of the fanctified ground , without a truſty guard , leſt hunger ſhould have tempted him to violate their old martial law , and by that means have raiſed the burning wrath of the holy fire againſt the whole camp . Other particulars of this ſacred proceſs for war , have been related in their proper place .

When they have finiſhed their faſt and purifications , they ſet off , at the fixed time , be it fair or foul , firing their guns , whooping , and balloo ing , as they march . The war - leader goes firſt , carrying the ſuppoſed holy ark : he ſoon ſtrikes up the awful and ſolemn ſong before mentioned , which they never fing except on that occaſion . The reſt follow , in one line , at the diſtance of three or four ſteps from each other , now and then found ing the war whoo - whoop , to make the leader ' s ſong the more ſtriking to the people . In this manner they proceed , till quite out of the ſight , and hear ing of their friends . As ſoon as they enter the woods , all are ſilent ; and , every day they obſerve a profound ſilence in their march , that their ears may be quick to inform them of danger : their ſmall black eyes are almoſt as ſharp alſo as thoſe of the eagle , or the lynx ; and with their feet they re ſemble the wild cat , or the cunning panther , crawling up to its prey . Thus they proceed , while things promiſe them good ſucceſs ; but , if their dreams portend any ill , they always obey the ſuppoſed divine intimation and return home , without incurring the least cenſure . They reckon that their readineſs to ſerve their country , ſhould not be ſubfervient to their own knowledge or wiſhes , but always regulated by the divine im pulſe . . I have known a whole company who ſet out for war , to return in ſmall parties , and ſometinies by ſingle perſons , and be applauded by the united voice of the people ; becauſe they acted in obedience to their Nana ihtohoollo , " or guardian angels , " who impreſſed them in the viſions of night , with the friendly caution . As their dreams are reckoned ominous , ſo there , is a finall uncommon bird , called the “ kind ill meſſenger , ” which they always deem to be a true oracle of bad news . If it ſings near to them , they are much intimidated : but , if it perches , and ſings over the war camp , they ſpeedily break up . This fuperftitious cuſtom prevailed with the early heathens , who pretended to propheſy by the fight of birds , and it reached even down to the time of the Romans .

Every war captain chuſes a noted warrior , to attend on him and the company . He is called Etiſſú , or “ the waiter . ” Every thing they eat or drink during their journey , he gives them out of his hand , by a rigid ab ſtemious rule — though each carries on his back all his travelling convenien cies , wrapt in a deer ſkin , yet they are ſo bigoted to their religious cuſtoms in war , that none , though prompted by ſharp hunger or burning thirſt , dares relieve himſelf . They are contented with ſuch trilling allow ance as the religious waiter diſtributes to them , even with a ſcanty hand . Such a regimen would be too mortifying to any of the white people , let their opinion of its violation be ever ſo dangerous .

When I roved the woods in a war party with the Indians , though I car : ried no fcrip , nor bottle , nor ſtaff , I kept a large hollow cane well corked at each end , and uſed to ſheer off now and then to drink , while they ſuf fered greatly by thirſt . The conſtancy of the favages in mortifying their bodies , to gain the divine favour , is aſtoniſhing , from the very time they beat to arms , till they return from their campaign . All the while they are out , they are prohibited by ancient cuſtom , the leaning againſt a tree , either ſitting or ſtanding : nor are they allowed to fit in the day - time , under the ſhade of trees , if it can be avoided ; nor on the ground , during the whole journey , but on ſuch rocks , ſtones , or fallen wood , as their ark of war reſts upon . By the attention they invariably pay to thoſe ſevere rules of living , they weaken themſelves much more than by the unavoidable fa tigues of war : but , it is fruitleſs to endeavour to diffuade them from thoſe things which they have by tradition , as the appointed means to move the deity , to grant them ſucceſs againſt the enemy , and a ſafe return home .

It may be expected I ſhould deſcribe the number of men their war compa nies conſiſt of , but it is various , and uncertain : ſometimes , two or three only will go to war , proceed as cautiouſly , and ſtrike their prey as panthers . In the year 1747 , a couple of the Mohawk Indians came againſt th : lower towns of the Cheerake , and ſo cunningly ambuſcaded them through moſt part of the ſpring and ſummer , as to kill ' above wenty in different attacks , before they were diſcovered by any party of the enraged and dejected people . They had a thorough knowledge of the moſt convenient ground for their purpoſe , and were extremely ſwift and long winded - when ever they killed any , and got the ſcalp , they made off to the neighbouring mountains , and ran over the broad ledges of rocks , in contrary courſes , as . occaſion offered , ſo as the purſuers could by no means trace them . Once , when a large company was in chace of them , they ran round a ſteep hill ac . the head of the main eaſtern branch of Savana river , intercepted , killed , and ſcalped the hindmoft of the party , and then made off betwein them and Keeowhee : as this was the town to which the company belonged , they haftened home in a cloſe body , as the proper place of ſecurity from : fuch enemy wizards . In this manner , did thoſe two ſprightly gallant fa . . vages perplex and intimidate their foes for the ſpace of four moons , in the greateſt ſecurity ; . though they often were forced to kill and barbicue what they chiefly lived upon , in the midſt of their watchful enemies . Having fufficiently revenged their relations ' blood , and gratified their own ambition with an uncommon number of ſcalps , they reſolved to captivate one , and run home with him , as a proof of their having killed . none but the ene mies of their country . Accordingly , they approached very near to Keeo - - whee , about half - a - mile below the late Fort Prince George , advancing : with the uſual caution on ſuch an occaſion - one crawled along under the beſt cover of the place , about the diſtance of an hundred yards a - head , while the other ſhifced from tree to tree , looking ſharply every way . In : the evening , however , an old beloved man diſcovered them from the top : of an adjoining hill , and knew them to be enemies , by the cut of their hair , light trim for running , and their poſtures ; he returned to the town , and called firſt at the houſe of one of our traders , and informed him of the affair , enjoining him not to mention it to any , left the people ſhould ſec off againſt them without ſucceſs , before their tracks were to be diſco . vered , and he be charged with having deceived them . But , contrary to the true policy of traders among unforgiving favages , that thoughtleſs member of the Choktah Sphynx - company buſied himſelf as uſual out of his proper ſphere , fent for the head - men , and told them the ſtory . 

As the Mohawks were our allies , and not known to : moleſt any of the traders , in the paths and woods , he ought to have obſerved a ſtrict neutrality , The youth of the town , by order of their head - men , carried on their noiſy public diverſions in their uſual manner , to prevent their foes from having any ſuſpicion of their danger , while runners were ſent from the town to their neighbours , to come ſilently and aſſiſt them to ſecure the prey , in its ſtate of ſecurity . They came like ſilent ghoſts , concerted their plan of operation , paſſed over the river at the old trading ford , oppoſite to the late Fort , which lay between two contiguous commanding hills , and proceeding downward over a broad creek , formed a large femi - circle from the river bank , while the town ſeemed to be taking its uſual reſt . They then cloſed into a narrower compaſs , and at laſt diſcovered the two brave unfortunate men lying cloſe under the tops of ſome fallen young pine trees . The company gave the war ſignal , and the Mohawks bounding up , bravely repeated it : but , by their ſudden ſpring from under thick cover , their arms were uſeleſs ; they made deſperate efforts however to kill or be killed , as their ſituation required . One of the Cheerake , the noted half breed of Iſtanare town , which lay two miles from the was at the firſt onſet , knocked down and almoſt killed with his own cutlaſs , which was wreſted from him , though he was the ſtrongeſt of the whole nation . But they were overpowered by numbers , captivated , and put to the moſt exquiſite tortures of fire , amidſt a prodigious crowd of exulting foes .

One of the preſent Choktah traders who was on the ſpot , told me , that when they were tied to the ſtake , the younger of the two diſcovering our traders on a hill pretty near , addreſſed them in Engliſh , and entreated them to redeem their lives . The elder immediately ſpoke to him , in his own lan guage , to defiſt - - on this , he recollected himſelf , and became compoſed like a ſtoic , manifeſting an indifference to life or death , pleaſure or pain , accord ing to their ſtandard of martial virtue ; and their dying behaviour did not reflect the leaſt diſhonour on their former gallant actions . All the pangs of fiery torture ſerved only to refine their manly ſpirits : and as it was out of the power of the traders to redeem them , they according to our uſual cuſtom retired , as ſoon as the Indians began the diabolical tragedy .

The common number of an Indian war company , is only from twenty to forty , left their tracks ſhould be diſcovered by being too numerous, but if the warring nations are contiguous to each other , the invading party generally chuſes to out - number a common company , that they may ſtrike the blow with greater ſafety and ſucceſs , as their art of war is chiefly kil ling by ſurpriſe ; confident that in caſe of a diſappointment , their light heels will enſure their return to their own country . When a ſmall company go to war , they always chuſe to have a ſwamp along ſide of them , with a thick covert for their ſhelter , becauſe à ſuperior num ber will ſcarcely purſue them where they might reaſonably expect to loſe any of their warriors . When they arrive at the enemies hunting ground , they act with the greateſt caution and policy . They ſeparate them zes , as far as each can hear the other ' s travelling ſignal , which is the mimicking ſuch birds and beaſts as frequent the ſpot . And they can ex actly imitate the voice and found of every quadruped and wild fowl through the American woods . In this way of travelling , they uſually keep an hundred yards apart on the courſe agreed upon at camp . When the leader thinks it the ſureſt way of ſucceeding againſt the enemy , he ſends a few of the beſt runners to form an ambuſcade near their towns : there , they ſometimes fix the broad hoofs of buffalos , and bear ' s paws upon their feet , to delude the enemy : and they will for miles together , make all the windings of theſe beaſts with the greateſt art . But , as both parties are extremely wary and ſagacious , I have known ſuch arts to prove fatal to the delu ders .

At other times , a numerous company will walk in three different rows , by way of a decoy , every one lifting his feet ſo high , as not to beat down the graſs or herbage ; and each row will make only one man ' s track , by taking the ſteps of him who went before , and a gigantic fellow takes the rear of each rank , and thereby ſmooths the tracks with his feet . When they are convinced the enemy is in purſuit of them , at ſo conſiderable à diſtance from the country , as for themſelves not to be over - powered by numbers , they poſt themſelves in the moſt convenient place , in the form of an half - moon , and patiently wait a whole day and night , till the enemy runs into it , and in ſuch a caſe , the victory at one broad - ſide is uſually gained .

When they diſcover the tracks of enemies in their hunting ground , or in the remote woods , it is ſurpriſing to ſee the caution and art they aſe , both to ſecure themſelves , and take advantage of the enemy . If a ſmall company be out at war , they in the day time crawl through thickets and fwamps in the manner of wolves - - now and then they climb trees , and run to the top of hills , to diſcover the ſmoke of fire , or hear the report of guns : and when they croſs through the open woods , one of them Itands behind a tree , till the reſt advance about a hundred yards , looking out peeping every where around , they love to walk on trees which haye been blown down , and take an oblique courſe , till they inſwamp themſelves , again , in order to conceal their tracks , and avoid a purſuit . As we can gain , nothing by blows , with ſuch warriors , it is certainly our intereſt , as a trading people , to uſe proper meaſures to conciliate their affections ; for whether we are conquerors , or conquered , we are always great loſers in an Indian war .

When the invaders extend themſelves crofs the woods , in queſt of their prey , if they make a plain diſcovery , either of freſh tracks , or of the enemy , they immediately , paſs the war - lignal to each other , and draw their wings toward the centre . If the former , they give chace , and com monly , by their wild - cat - method of crawling , they ſurround , and ſurpriſe the purſued , if unguarded - however , I have known them to fail in ſuch attempts ; for the Indians generally are ſo extremely cautious , that if three of them are in the woods , their firſt object is a proper place for defence , and they always ſit down in a triangle , to prevent a ſurpriſe . When enemies diſcover one another , and find they can take no advantage , they make them felves known to each other ; and by way of inſulting bravado , they ſpeak aloud all the barbarities . they ever committed againſt them ; - that they are now , to vindicate thoſe actions , and make the wound for ever incurable ; that they are their moſt bitter enemies , and equally contemn their friendſhip and enmity . In the mean while , they throw down their packs , ſtrip them felves naked , and paint their faces and breaſts , red as blood , intermingled with black ſtreaks . Every one at the ſignal of the Thrill - founding war - cry , inſtantly . covers himſelf behind a tree , or in ſome cavity of the ground where it admits of the beſt ſafety . The leader , on each ſide , immediately blows , the ſmall whiſtle he carries for the occaſion , in imitation of the ancient trumpet , as the laſt ſignal of engagement . Now . hot work begins - The guns are firing ; the chewed bullets flying ; the ſtrong hiccory bows . a twanging the dangerous barbed arrows , whizzing as they fly ; the furea , fhafted javelin ſtriking death wherever it reaches ; , and the well - aimed to mohawk , killing , or diſabling its enemy . Nothing ſcarcely can be heard for the Thrill echoing noiſe of the war and death - whoop , every one fu riouſly purſues his adverſary from tree to tree , ſtriving to incircle him for his prey ; and the greedy jaws of pale death are open on all fides , to ſwallow them up . One dying foe is intangled in the hateful and fal tering arms of another : and each party deſperately attempts both to ſave their dead and wounded from being ſcalped , and to gain the ſcalps of their opponents . On this the battle commences anew But raſh attempts fail , as their wary ſpirits always forbid them from entering into a gene ral cloſe engagement . Now they retreat : then they draw up into various figures , ſtill having their dead and wounded under their eye . Now they are flat on the ground loading their pieces - - then they are up firing behind trees , and immediately ſpring off in an oblique courſe to recruit — and thus they act till winged victory declares itſelf .

The vanquiſhed party makes for a ſwampy thicket , as their only afy lum : but ſhould any of them be either unarmed , or ſlightly wounded , the ſpeedy purſuers captivate them , and ufually reſerve them for a worſe death than that of the bulleć . On returning to the place of bactle , the victors begin , with mad rapture , to cut and flaſh thoſe unfortunate perfonis , who fell by their arms and power ; and they diſmember them , after a moſt inhuman manner . If the battle be gained near home , one hero cuts off and carries this meinber of the dead perſon , another chat , as joyful trophies of a deciſive victory . If a ſtranger ſaw them thus loaded with human fleſh , wichi out proper information , he might conclude them to be voracious canibals , according to the ſhameful accounts of our Spaniſh hiſtorians . Their firſt aim however is to take off the ſcalp , when they perceive the enemy hath , a proper ſituation , and ſtrength to make a dangerous reſiſtance . Each of them is ſo emulous of exceeding another in this point of honour , that it frequently ſtops them in their purſuit .

This honourable ſervice is thus performed — They ſeize the head of the diſabled , or dead perſon , and placing one of their feet on the neck , they with one hand twiſted in the hair , extend it as far as they can with the other hand , the barbarous artiſts ſpeedily draw their long ſharp pointed ſcalping knife out of a ſheath from their breaſt , give a Naſh round the top of the ſkull , and with a few dexterous ſcoops , foon ftrip it off . They are fo expeditious as to take off a ſcalp in two minutes . When they have performed this part of their martial virtue , as ſoon as time per . mits , they tie with bark or deer ' s ſinews , their ſpeaking trophies of blood in a ſmall hoop , to preſerve it from putrefaction , and paint the interior part of che ſcalp , and the hoop , all round with red , their Aouriſhing emblematical colour of blood .

It has been long too feelingly known , that inſtead of obſerving the ge . nerous and hoſpitable part of the laws of war , and ſaving the unfortunate who fall into their power , that they generally devote their captives to death , with the moſt agonizing tortures . No repreſentation can poſſibly be given , ſo ſhocking to humanity , as their unmerciful method of tormenting their devoted priſoner ; and as it is ſo contrary to the ſtandard of the reſt of the known world , I ſhall relate the circumſtances , ſo far as to convey proper information thereof to the reader . When the company return from war , and come in view of their own town , they follow the leader one by one , in a direct line , each a few yards behind the other , to magnify their triumph . If they have not ſucceeded , or any of their warriors are loft , they return quite filent ; but if they are all ſafe , and have ſucceeded , they fire off the Indian placcon , by one , two , and three at a time , whooping and inſulting their priſoners . They camp near their town all night , in a large ſquare plot of ground , marked for the purpoſe , with a high war - pole fixed in the middle of it , to which they ſecure their priſoners . Next day they go to the leader ' s houſe in a very folemn proceſſion , but ſtay without , round his red - painted war pole , till they have determined concerning the fate of their priſoners . If any one of the captives ſhould be fortunate enough to get looſe , and run into the houſe of the archi - magus , or to a town of refuge , he by ancient cuſtom , is ſaved from the fiery torture - thefe places being a ſure aſylum to them if they were invaded , and taken , but not to invaders , becauſe they came to Thed blood .

Thoſe captives who are pretty far advanced in life , as well as in war - gra dations , always atone for the blood they ſpilt , by the tortures of fire . They readily know the latter , by the blue marks over their breaſts and arms ; they being as legible as our alphabetical characters are to us . Their ink is made of the foot of pitch - pine , which ſticks to the inſide of a greaſed earthen pot ; then delineating the parts , like the ancient Picts of Britain , with their wild hieroglyphics , they break through the ſkin with gair - fiſh - teeth , and rub over then that dark compoſition , to regiſter them among the brave ; and the impreſſion is laſting . I have been told by the Chikkaſah , that they formerly erazed any falſe marks their warriors proudly and privately gave themſelves in order to engage them to give real proofs of their martial virtue , being ſurrounded by the French and their red allies ; and that they degraded them in a public manner , by ſtretching the marked parts , and rubbing them with the juice of green corn , which in a great degree took out the impreſſion .

The young priſoners are ſaved , if not devoted while the company were ſanctifying themſelves for their expedition ; but if the latter be the caſe , they are condeinned , and tied to the dreadful ſtake , one at a time . The victors firſt ſtrip their miſerable captives quite naked , and put on their feet a pair of bear - ſkin maccaſeenes , with the black hairy part outwards ; others faften with a grape - vine , a burning fire - brand to the pole , a little above the reach of their heads . Then they know their doom - deep black , ard buroing fire , are fixed ſeals of their death - warrant . Their puniſh ment is always left to the women ; ' and on account of their falſe ſtandard of education , they are no way backward in their office , but perform it to the entire ſatisfaction of the greedy eyes of the ſpectators . Each of them pre pares for the dreadful rejoicing , a long bundle of dry canes , or the heart of fat pitch - pine , and as the victims are led to the ſtake , the women and their young ones beat them with theſe in a moſt barbarous manner . Happy would it be for the miſerable creatures , if their ſufferings ended here , or a merciful tomohawk finiſhed them at one ſtroke ; but this ſhameful treat ment is a prelude to future ſufferings .

The death - ſignal being given , preparations are made for acting a more tragical part . The victims arms are fait pinioned , and a ſtrong grape - vine is tied round his neck , to the top of the war - pole , allowing him to track around , about fifteen yards . They fix fome tough clay on his head , to re cure the ſcalp from the blazing torches . Unſpeakable pleaſure now fills the exulting crowd of ſpectators , and the circle fills with the Amazon and mercileſs executioners - The ſuffering warrior however is nut diſmayed , with an inſulting manly voice he ſings the war - fong ! and with gallant con tempe he tramples the rattling gourd with pebbles in it to pieces , and outbraves even death itſelf . The women make a furious on - ſet with their burning torches : his pain is foon ſo excruciating , that he ruſhes out from the pole , with the fury of the moſt favage beaſt of prey , and with the vine Îweeps down all before him , kicking , biting , and trampling them , with the greateſt deſpite . The circle immediately fills again , either with the ſame , or freſh perſons : they attack him on every ſide - now he runs to the pole for ſhelter , but the Aames purſue him . Then with champing teeth , and ſparkling eye - balls , he breaks through their contracted circle afreſh , and acts every part , that the higheſt courage , moſt raging fury , and blackeſt deſpair can prompt him to . But he is ſure to be over - power ' d by numbers , and after ſome time the fire affects his tender parts . Then they pour over him a quantity of cold water , and allow him a proper time of reſpite , eill his ſpirits recover , and he is capable of ſuffering new tortures . Theni the like cruelties are repeated till he falls down , and happily becomes in ſenſible of pain . Now they , ſcalp him , in the manner before deſcribed : diſmember , and carry off all the exterior branches of the body , ( pudendis non exceptis ) in ſhameful , and ſavage triumph . This is the moſt favour able treatment their devoted captives receive : it would be too ſhocking to humanity either to give , or peruſe , every particular of their conduct in ſuch doleful tragedies - nothing can equal theſe ſcenes , but thoſe of the merciful Romilh inquiſition .

Not a foul , of whatever age or ſex , manifeſts the leaſt pity during the priſoner ' s tortures : the women ſing with religious joy , all the while they are torturing the devoted victim , and peals of laughter reſound through the crowded theatre - eſpecially if he fears to die . But a warrior puts on ld auftere countenance , and carries it through all his pains : - as long as he can , he whoops and out - braves the enemy , deſcribing his own martial deeds againſt them , and thoſe of his nation , who he threatens will force many of them to eat fire in revenge of his fate , as he himſelf had often done to ſome of their relations at their coft .

About four years before the Shawano Indians were forced to remove from the late Savanah town , they took a Muſkohge warrior , known by the name of “ Old Scrany ; " they baſtinadoed him in the uſual manner , and condemned him to the fiery torture . He underwent a great deal , without Thewing any concern ; his countenance and behaviour were as if he ſuffered not the leaſt pain , and was formed beyond the common laws of nature . He told them , with a bold voice , that he was a very noted warrior , and gained moſt of his martial preferment at the expence of their nation , and was deſirous of ſhewing them in the act of dying , that he was ſtill as much their ſuperior , as when he headed his gallant countrymen againſt them . - That although he had fallen into their hands , in forfeiting the protection of the divine power , by ſome impurity or other , when care rying the holy ark of war againſt his devoted enemies ; yet he had ſtill ſo much remaining virtue , as would enable him to puniſh himſelf more ex quiſitely than all their deſpicable ignorant crowd could poſſibly do , if they gave him liberty by untying him , and would hand to him one of the red hot gun - barrels out of the fire . The propoſal , and his method of addreſs , ap peared ſo exceedingly bold and uncommon , that his requeſt was granted . Then he ſuddenly ſeized one end of the red barrel , and brandiſhing it from ſide to ſide , he forced his way through the armed and ſurpriſed multitude , and leaped down a prodigious ſteep and high bank into a branch of the river , dived through it , ran over a ſmall iſland , and paſſed the other branch , amidſt a ſhower of bullets from the commanding ground where Fort - Moore , or New Windſor - garriſon ſtood ; and though numbers of his eager enemies were in cloſe purſuit of him , he got to a bramble ſwamp , and in that naked , mangled condition , reached his own country . He proved a ſharp thorn in their ſide afterwards to the day of his death .

this a head - warrior leaped up , and ſaid , they had ſeen plain enough , that he was a warrior , and not afraid of dying ; nor ſhould he have died , only that he was both ſpoiled by the fire , and devoted to it by their laws : how ever , though he was a very dangerous enemy , and his nation a treache rous people , it ſhould appear they paid a regard to bravery , even in one , who was marked over the body with war ſtreaks , at the coſt of many lives of their beloved kindred . And then by way of favour , he , with his friendly tomohawk , inſtantly put an end to all his pains : - though the merciful but bloody inſtrument was ready fome minutes before it gavo the blow , yet I was aſſured , the ſpectators could not perceive the ſufferer co change , either his poſture , or his ſteady erect countenance , in the leaſt .this a head - warrior leaped up , and ſaid , they had ſeen plain enough , that he was a warrior , and not afraid of dying ; nor ſhould he have died , only that he was both ſpoiled by the fire , and devoted to it by their laws : how ever , though he was a very dangerous enemy , and his nation a treache rous people , it ſhould appear they paid a regard to bravery , even in one , who was marked over the body with war ſtreaks , at the coſt of many lives of their beloved kindred . And then by way of favour , he , with his friendly tomohawk , inſtantly put an end to all his pains : - though the merciful but bloody inſtrument was ready fome minutes before it gavo the blow , yet I was aſſured , the ſpectators could not perceive the ſufferer co change , either his poſture , or his ſteady erect countenance , in the leaſt .