Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-07-22

I'LL
that they had not effected their object. I
endeavored, however, to render Ivy socie-
ty agreeable 10 them. Wher entered The
council house, there were about Fifty CT
sixty persons there. The building was a.
bout eighty feet long. and about twelve OF
fourteen iect wide. Across the beams
over head were several poles, hanging
from which were some lsaces OF mouliy
corn T; & Oh each side OF the building were
benches Tor seats. There was no ho,r to
the house, and at each end Of it there wa.
upon the ground, large council fire.
AT little distance from these, there were
two parties engaged in war dance. This
is a custom in which these Indian. vii,
not relinquish. Some of them ere naked,
and many OF them covered with ornaments,
They wore strings oftrinkets around their
ANGLES, the object Of which appeared 10 be
TO produce music in dancing. They also
had much jewellery in their ears and
noses.
| La their war dance, they initiate every
part Of an engagement the onset, retreat
OF the enemy, pursuit, &c. Here the
young warrior acquires martial spirit and
the love OF fame and here too the aged We.
teran reminds his tribe OF what he has done,
and oil what bis spirit tells him he could do
again. During the dance, was much in.
! terested in the appearance OF youth,
son OF chief, whose zeal Tor his nation
caused him, in the teigned pursuit Of The
enemy, to leap over the prescribed circle
OF dance, into the fire. An old aud deere.
pid Chief 100, here evinced no less deyo.
ton TO hls country. This appearance ex-
cited admiration and pity. He was ema-
ciated by disease, SCARED in battle, and
bent with weight OF years. He evnced in
his efforts the greatest energy OF spirit,
whilst such was his decrepitude that be
could not lir his eyes fiCm the ground
His lrlnkels ratified upon his aged limbs,
and his wheeling lungs sounded in his lol-
| low trunk. Poor child OF nature !-Heayen
| careth for Thee
The dance commenced with the beat
Of an old kettle drum, and was ended by
rap with club apon the benches. At the
conclusion. OF each dance one OF the chiefs
addressed the company. and passed pipe
OF tobacco, as token, which they under.
stood better than myself.
In the course OF an hour or two alterl
lett this scene of war, entered one OF the
huts. Many came here to see me, and
seemed desIrOus to know from wheuCeI
come, whittier was going, &c. A few OF
them could imperieclIy speak English
An old chlei attracted by bis ugliness, C,y
particular attention. lie was about sixty
years OF age his skin was coarse and shri.
yelled, his face was covered with scars.
anu one Ut his eyes was protuberant, blood
shot and sghtless, and bis hair was mat
ted by thick red paint, having the appear.
ance Of blood. Some of The men were
likely, the old women squallid, and the
young ones undressing. The children,
however, were pretty.
1t is said that the Indians ofNorth Anne.
] RIGA treat their wives with GOODNESS and
neglect but am Of different opinion.
Certain it is that their affection towards
their offspring il, lively and tender.
After taking some refreshment ] laid
down under deerskins, b good FIRE, and
slept well. | trusted TO my dogs Tor secu-
rity. In the morning feasted upon veni-
SON. and conversed with several Of the In
dams upon variety Of subjects, particu-
larly upon the good will which ough! to
prevail among mankind, without any re-
ference to difference Of complexion
Fhe Indians were very DESTROYS Of obtain
ing my dogs, and would have given me
very high price for them. did not know
but they might wish me out of the way,
for the purpose Of procuring them.
The appearance Of the village is inte'
resting. II is situated upon plain, and
contains about 100 huts: Through the cen
tire of the village runs narrow serpentine
creek, which affords in summer, an abun.
dance of fish. The name of the creek ];
Tohewanto, and that Of the tribe Tondan'
wandeys.
- q - q ~ q ~ 0-
From q Poem on Woman.