Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Curious Account Of The Characters, Customs, And Manners, Of The Savages Of Cape Breton.
and indefatigable in the use of their canoes , i his hand , wtuch you behold now withered , has more than once plunged the poiguard into the bosoms of prisoners , who were delivered up to me for my diversion . The woods and the banks of rivers can attest , that they have seen me pluck out the heart , the entrails , and the tongues of enemies , committed to " my avenging hand : they can tell whether I have changed colour " , or whether my courage was in the least daunted
, when I was called upon to serve my country . How often have I bedecked myself and my daughters with the scalps of those traitors ! How strongly have I encouraged ouryoung people to bring me those marks of their valour , for which they were to be rewarded with heaven and glory ! 1 have done something more : for 1 have removed every difficulty that obstructed those marriages which were
founded in love ; and heaven has blest my endeavours . All the matches of my making have been successful ; they have been productive of men , who were the props of the nation ; men capable of perpetuating our race , ancl of screening us from the insults of outenemies . 1 am like those old fir trees , full of knots from the upper ' bough to the rootthe very bark of which drops off with age
, , though it covers their internal juice . No longer arn 1 what 1 formerly was . My skin is wrinkled and furrowed ; and my bones do almost pierce through me on every side . As to my external part , I appear to be an useless being ; but the courage which still inspires me , is as deserving as ever of the esteem of all my acquaintance . ' After this eulogium upon her own person , which is generally
founded in truth , and so far respectable , the old woman adds a word of thanks to the giver of the feast . But in time of war , and during the preparatory solemnities , it is quite a different thing : then the women use all their eloquence , and the charms of their persons , to encourage those warriors that are getting ready for battle . Each , according as they are more or less excited , requires a certain number of the enemy ' s scalps from her lover ; and they assure the menthat
, they will grant no favours , but to those who shall be possessed of such testimonies of courage . I shall not trouble my readers with a detail of those foolish ceremonies previous to a declaration of war , which the Savages used to practise in the times of Idolatry ; you will find them described at full length in authors that have written the history of those people . Besides , will it not be easy for you to form
an idea of their absurdity , from the knowledge you have attained of the superstition of other nations . Could it be understood of those people only , that fear and hope -had given birth to the gods , determined different worships , and consecrated superstition ? But what 1 intetid to recommend to observation , is the manner in which they used to beginand do still begin hostilities . The le that
, peop act upon the offensive , make an inroad upon the lands of the nation they intend to attack . There they commit all the havoc possible , destroying the game , 'demolishing all the beaver huts , and breaking up the roads , which are none of the best . After these operations they hold a council of war , at which the men think , re-VOL . V . Ji . * T t
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Curious Account Of The Characters, Customs, And Manners, Of The Savages Of Cape Breton.
and indefatigable in the use of their canoes , i his hand , wtuch you behold now withered , has more than once plunged the poiguard into the bosoms of prisoners , who were delivered up to me for my diversion . The woods and the banks of rivers can attest , that they have seen me pluck out the heart , the entrails , and the tongues of enemies , committed to " my avenging hand : they can tell whether I have changed colour " , or whether my courage was in the least daunted
, when I was called upon to serve my country . How often have I bedecked myself and my daughters with the scalps of those traitors ! How strongly have I encouraged ouryoung people to bring me those marks of their valour , for which they were to be rewarded with heaven and glory ! 1 have done something more : for 1 have removed every difficulty that obstructed those marriages which were
founded in love ; and heaven has blest my endeavours . All the matches of my making have been successful ; they have been productive of men , who were the props of the nation ; men capable of perpetuating our race , ancl of screening us from the insults of outenemies . 1 am like those old fir trees , full of knots from the upper ' bough to the rootthe very bark of which drops off with age
, , though it covers their internal juice . No longer arn 1 what 1 formerly was . My skin is wrinkled and furrowed ; and my bones do almost pierce through me on every side . As to my external part , I appear to be an useless being ; but the courage which still inspires me , is as deserving as ever of the esteem of all my acquaintance . ' After this eulogium upon her own person , which is generally
founded in truth , and so far respectable , the old woman adds a word of thanks to the giver of the feast . But in time of war , and during the preparatory solemnities , it is quite a different thing : then the women use all their eloquence , and the charms of their persons , to encourage those warriors that are getting ready for battle . Each , according as they are more or less excited , requires a certain number of the enemy ' s scalps from her lover ; and they assure the menthat
, they will grant no favours , but to those who shall be possessed of such testimonies of courage . I shall not trouble my readers with a detail of those foolish ceremonies previous to a declaration of war , which the Savages used to practise in the times of Idolatry ; you will find them described at full length in authors that have written the history of those people . Besides , will it not be easy for you to form
an idea of their absurdity , from the knowledge you have attained of the superstition of other nations . Could it be understood of those people only , that fear and hope -had given birth to the gods , determined different worships , and consecrated superstition ? But what 1 intetid to recommend to observation , is the manner in which they used to beginand do still begin hostilities . The le that
, peop act upon the offensive , make an inroad upon the lands of the nation they intend to attack . There they commit all the havoc possible , destroying the game , 'demolishing all the beaver huts , and breaking up the roads , which are none of the best . After these operations they hold a council of war , at which the men think , re-VOL . V . Ji . * T t