The Song was begun again, the Women mixing in the Chorus, and the Concert was heightned by great hollow Calabashes or Gourds, in which there were large Gravel Stones, to make a Noise, the Indians striking on them by Measure, to answer the Tone of the Choir; and the pleasantest of all was, that one of the Indians plac’d himself behind Monsieur Cavelier to hold him up, whilst at the same Time he shook and dandled him from Side to Side, the Motion answering to the Musick.
That Concert was scarce ended, when the Master of the Ceremonies brought two Maids, the one having in her Hand a Sort of Collar, and the other an Otter’s Skin, which they plac’d on the wooden Forks abovemention’d, at the Ends of the Pipe. Then he made them sit down, on each Side of Monsieur Cavelier, in such a Posture, that they look’d one upon the other, their Legs extended and intermix’d, on which the same Master of the Ceremonies laid Monsieur Cavelier’s Legs, in such Manner, that they lay uppermost and across those of the two Maids.
Whilst this Action was performing, one of the Elders made fast a dy’d Feather to the back Part of Monsieur Cavelier’s Head, tying it to his Hair. The Singing still continu’d all that Time, so that Monsieur Cavelier grown weary of its Tediousness, and asham’d to see himself in that Posture between two Maids, without knowing to what Purpose, made Signs to us to signify the same to the Chief, and having given him to understand, that he was not well, two of the Indians immediately took hold of him under the Arms, conducted him back to the Cottage and made Signs to him to take his Rest. This was about Nine in the Evening, and the Indians spent all the Night in Singing, insomuch that some of them could hold out no longer.
In the Morning they return’d to Monsieur Cavelier, conducted him again out of the Cottage, with the same Ceremony and made him sit down, still singing on. Then the Master of the Ceremonies took the Pipe, which he fill’d with Tabacco, lighted and offered it to Monsieur Cavelier, but drawing back and advancing six Times before he gave it him. Having at last put it into his Hands, Monsieur Cavelier made as if he had smok’d and return’d it to them. Then they made us all smoke round, and every one of them whiff’d in his Turn, the Musick still continuing.
About Nine in the Morning, the Sun growing very hot, and Monsieur Cavelier being bare Headed, made Signs that it did him Harm. Then at last they gave over singing, and conducted him back into the Cottage, took the Pipe, put it into a Case, made of a Wild-Goat’s Skin, with the two wooden Forks and the red Stick that lay across them, all which one of the Elders offer’d to Monsieur Cavelier, assuring him that he might pass thro’ all the Nations that were ally’d to them by Virtue of that Token of Peace, and should be every where well receiv’d.Cahaynohoua Nation. This was the first Place where we saw the Calumet, or Pipe of Peace, having no Knowledge of it before, as some have writ. This Nation is call’d Cahaynohoua.
Indians expect Presents. This Sort of Ceremonies being never perform’d among the Indians without the Expectation of receiving some Present, and we having besides observ’d, that some of them had withdrawn themselves, with Tokens of Dissatisfaction, perhaps because we had interrupted their Ceremony, we thought it convenient to give them something more, and I was appointed to carry them an Ax, four Knives and some Strings of Beads, with which they were satisfied.
We afterwards shew’d them an Experiment of our Arms, the Noise and Fire whereof frighted them. They earnestly press’d us to stay with them, offering us Wives and whatsoever else we should want. To be the better quit of them, we promis’d to return, saying we were going to fetch Commodities, Arms and Tools, which we stood in Need of, that we might afterwards stay with them.
The 9th and 10th were spent in Visits, and we were inform’d by one of the Indians that we were not far from a great River, which he describ’d with a Stick on the Sand, and shew’d it had two Branches, at the same Time pronouncing the word Cappa, which, as I have said, is a Nation near the Missisipi. We then made no longer Question, that we were near what we had been so long looking after. We entreated the Elders to appoint some men to conduct us, promising to reward them well, which they granted, and we set out the 11th, to the great Sorrow of those good People, who had entertain’d us so courteously.
The Journey prosecuted. We travell’d several different Ways, which we could never have found, had we wanted Guides, and so proceeded till on the 12th, one of our Guides pretended to be sick, and made Signs that he would go back; but observing, that we seem’d to be no Way concern’d, which we did on Purpose, he consulted with his Companion, and then came to tell us, he was recover’d. We made him eat and smoke, and continued our Journey the 13th, finding the Way very bad and difficult.
The 14th, our Indians, having seen the Track of Bullocks, signify’d they would go kill some, to eat the Flesh, which made us halt for two or three Hours. Whilst we stay’d for our Hunters, we prepar’d some Sagamite, or their Sort of Hasty-Pudding. They return’d loaded with Flesh, Part whereof we dress’d, and eat it with very good Stomachs. Then we proceeded on our Journey till the 18th, and by the Way kill’d three Bullocks and two Cows, which oblig’d us to halt, that we might use of our Flesh, drying it.