Harper's Stereotype Edition.

and Giri's Library

INDIAN TRAITS:

BEING

SKETCHES

OF THE

MANNERS, CUSTOMS, AND CHARACTER

OF THE

NORTH AMERICAN NATIVES.

BY

B. B. THATCHER,

AUTHOR OF "LIVES OF THE INDIANS," IN THE FAMILY
LIBRARY.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the yea 1833, by J. & J. HARPER,

m the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New-York

CONTENTS

OF

THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

GAMES and Sports of the Indians continued-Riding and

Racing-Game of the Platter-Game of the Moccasin-

Buggasauk-Smoking-The Calumet-Feasts-Kniste-

naux Amusements

Page

CHAPTER II.

Anecdotes of Indian Warfare-Indian Ideas of War-Occa-

sions and Modes of commencing it-War-songs-Cere-

monies observed by young Warriors-Stratagems used in

War-Scalping-War-hoops-Anecdotes of Southern

Wars-Torture of Prisoners-Running the Gantlet-

Anecdotes of Whites captured by the Indians-Of their

Mode of fighting the Whites-Of Skirmishes on the

Frontiers -

15

L

CHAPTER III.

The Dancing of the Indians-Dancing-scene among the

Delawares-The Assineboins-The Chippewas-The

42

L

Pago

Missasagas-The Virginians-The Western Indians-

The Fire, Begging, Pipe, Discovery, and War Dances-

Religious Dances-Indian Music

CHAPTER IV.

Government of the Indians-Nature of the Chief's Authority

-Anecdotes illustrating its Exercise-Authority of the

Council-Individual Police-Anecdotes of the Hurons,

Delawares, and other Tribes-Story of the "Cut-nose"-

Of "Poor Tom," the Choctaw-Of King Powhatan

CHAPTER V.

Indian Government continued-Customs of the Council,

ancient and modern-Practices observed by the Mo-

hawks-Sketch of a Council at Detroit-Indian Oratory

-Account of the Council of Fond du Lac, in 1826

CHAPTER VI.

46

62

86

Diseases of the Indians-Deformities-Indian Doctors-

Care of the Sick by their Friends-Small-pox among the

Cherokees-Other Diseases-System of the Indian Doc-

tors-Surgery-Sweating-Bleeding-Burning-Other

Practices-Anecdote of a Natchez Warrior

CHAPTER VII.

- 102

Anecdotes of the Indian Jugglers-Practices of those who

act as Doctors-The Jugglers of the Virginian Tribes--

Of the New-England, Canadian, and Delaware Jugglers

-Jugglers who do not act as Doctors-Weather-wise

Jugglers-Consultation of the Great Turtle-Story of

Chenos Of Mukwah-Of the "Honest Quaker" - 123

CHAPTER VIII.

Religion of the Indians-Traditions of the Creation, Del-

uge, &c.-Ideas of the Soul-of a future State of Virtue