The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-09-08
THE RsOT0Cs1EsOa.
The Strange Manner I'm which "a Brazilian
Tribe Fights.

Prince Macmillan. of ed-Neuwied, when
travelling in Brazil Witnessed a singular bat
tie fought by two tribes OF the Botocudos
The cause of quarrel was that Capt. June
with his people, had been hunting on the
south bank of the river St. Matthew, on the
grounds Of Capt. Jeparack, and killed some
swine This was considered by the latter as
o great insult, only to be atoned for by war.
First, the warriors OF both parties uttered
short, rough tones of defiance to each other,
walking sullenly round one another like
angry dogs, and at the same time making
ready their poles. Capt. Jeparack then came
forward walked about between the men,
looked goomily and directly before him with
wide-staring eyes, and sung with tremMlous
voice, q long song, which described the af1ront
that he had received. In this manner the adj
verse parties became more iniamed. Sud-
denly two of them advanced, and pushed one
another with the arm on the breast, SO thnt
they staggered back, and then began
regardless whore Che blow fell. His
antagonist bore the first attack seriously
and calmly, without changing countenance;
he then took his turn, and thus they belabored
each other with severe blows, the ma rks Of
which long remained visible on their naked
bodies. AS there were on the poles many
sharp stumps Of branches which had been cut
off, the effect Of the blow was not always con-
fined to bruises, but the blood flowed from the
of them had thus thrashed each other hand
somely, two more came forward, and several
pairs were often seen engaged OF once, but
they never laid hands OH one another When
these combats had continued for some time
they again walked about with serious look,
uttering tones OF defiance, till heroic enthu-
siasm again seized them, and set their poles
In motion.
Meanwhile the women fought most vail
antly; amid continual weeping and bowling
ih,.r nDp1 Nth nv Gtf
with their fists, scratched with their nails
tore the plugs Of wood (which the BotoCudos
wear) out of each others cars and lips, and
scattered them on the field Of battle as tro-
third, who stood behind. seized her by the
legs and threw her down likewise, and then
they pulled each other about on the ground.
The men did not degrade themselves SO far
as to strike the women OF the opposite party,
but only pushed them with the ends of their
poles, or kicked them on the side so that they
rolled over and over The lamentations and
howlngs of the women, and children like
wise, rcsounded from the neighbOring huts
and heightened the effect of this most singu-
lar scene.
In this manner the combat continued for
about an hour. when all appeared weary.
Some of the savages showed their courage
and perseverance by walking about among
Capt. Jeparack, as the principal person of the
offended party, held out to the last; oil
seemed fatgued and exhausted when he, not
yet disposed to make peace, continued to
sing his tremulous song, and encouraged tho
people to renew the combat, till Prince Max
fmian went up to him and told him that he
was valiant warrior, but that it was now
time to make peace; upon which he at length
suddenly quilted the field and went over to
the Quartet. Capt. June had not shown so
much energy; being an old man, he had taken
no part in the combat, but constantly re-
manned in the background.