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 . This hand , winch you behold now withered , has more than once plunged the poignard into the bosoms of prisoners , who were delivered up to rne ^ 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 ! I have done something more : for I 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 , and of screening us from the insults of our enemies . 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 am I what I 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 absurdit y , 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 intend to recommend to observation , is the manner in which they used to beginand do still begin hostilitiesThe le that
, . peop act upon the offensive , make an inroad upon the lands of the nation they intend to attack . There they commit ail 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 , VJI . " 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 . This hand , winch you behold now withered , has more than once plunged the poignard into the bosoms of prisoners , who were delivered up to rne ^ 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 ! I have done something more : for I 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 , and of screening us from the insults of our enemies . 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 am I what I 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 absurdit y , 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 intend to recommend to observation , is the manner in which they used to beginand do still begin hostilitiesThe le that
, . peop act upon the offensive , make an inroad upon the lands of the nation they intend to attack . There they commit ail 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 , VJI . " T t