The Wilmingtonian., 1823-10-02

and Immediately preceded their hortlcui-
tural operations, for the success OF winch
lit appears to have been instituted.
breach of this duty, the performance OF
which they believed to be required by the
Great Star, it was supposed would be sue
ceeded BY the total failure OF their crops
I of maize, beans, and pumpkins, and the
consequent total privation Of their vege-
table food.
To obyiate a national calamity so for
midable, any person was at liberty to Of
fer up prisoner of either sex, that by his
|prowess in war he had become possessed
lnf.
| The devoted individual was clothed in
the eayest and most costly attire; pro-
fusely supplied with the choicest food,
and constantly attended by the magi, who
anticipated all his wants, cautiously con-
cealed from him the real object of their
sedulous attentions, and endeavoured to
preserve his mind in a state OF cheerful
ness, with a view of promoting obesity,
and thereby rendering the sacrifice more
acceptable to their Ceres.
When the victim was thus sufficient,
fattened for their purpose, a suitable day
was appointed for the performance OF the
rite, that the whole nation might attend.
The victim was bound to cross, in
presence of the assembled multitude,
when solemn dance was performed, and
latter some other ceremonies, the warrior,
whose prisoner he had been, cleaved his
Ihead with the tomahawk, and his speedy
death was insured by numerous archers,
who penetrated his body with their ar
Rows.
| A trader informed us that the squaws
cut pieces of flesh from the deceased,
with which they creased their hoes but
this was denied by another who had been
present at one of these sacrifices. How.
ever this may be, the ceremony was be-
.licved to call down blessing upon their
abours of the field, and they proceeded
to planting without delay.
The present mild and humane chief OF
the nation, Latelesha, or knife-chlet, had
long regarded this sacrifice as an unne-
cessary and cruel exhibition of power, ex-
ercised upon unfortunate and defenceless
individuals, whom they were bound to pro-
ltect, and he yainly endeayoured TO abolish
it by phianthropic admonitions.
An Ietan woman who was brought cap
tive into the village, was doomed to the
Great Star by the warrior, whose proper
| ty she had become by the fate of war. She
underwent the usual preparations, and, on
1.-THE appointed day, was led to the cross,
amid great concourse of people. as ca
iser, perhaps, as their civilized fellow men,
to witness the horrors of an execution.
The victim was bound to the cross with
thongs of skin, and the usual ceremo-
nies being performed, her dread OF more
terrible death was about to be terminated
by the tomahawk and arrow. At this cri-
Itlcal juncture, Petalesharoo (son OF the
Knife -chef) stepped forward into the area
, land in hurried but firm manner declared
THAT it was his fathers wish to aboiisl
This sacrifice that Tor himself, he had
!, ,,prpsented himself before them, for thu
'|purpose of laying down his life upon th
spot, or of releasing the victim. He theI
cut the cords which hound her to thu
5 |cross, carried her swiftly through tn
! crowd to a horse, which lie presented t
i her, and having mounted another himself
lhe conveyed her beyond the reach OF i'm
mediate pursuit; when, after having sup
! piled her with food, and admonishing hel
, ito make the best OF her way to her owl
tInation, which was at the distance of a
Ileast four hundred miles, he was con
! strained to return to his village. Tn
!, emancipated Ictan had, however, the goo'
d fortune, on her journey of the subsequen
day, to meet with war party OF her owl
q people, by whom she was conveyed to he
o own family in safety.
This daring deed would, almost to
: certainty, have terminated in an unsuc
J. eessful attempt, under the arm of an,
q other warrior. and Petalesharoo was, n
. doubt, indebted for this successful an,
,fn0ble achievement to the distinguishes
:. renuwn, which his feats of chivalry ha
q already gained for him, and which com
!. nanded high respect Of all his rival war
q. riors.
l. Notwithstanding the signal success o
ID this enterprise, another display of the firm
a ness and determination of the young war
'nIrior was required to abolish this sacrifice
A. it is to be hoped, forever. The succedin
,c spring, warrior, who had captured fin
Sc Spanish boy, vowed to sacrifice him t
i. the Great Star, and, accordingly, place.
,fIhim under the care of the magi for tina
s purpose.