Of buskined limb, and swarthy lineament.
“In the Indian tribes there is a great similarity in their colour, stature, &c. They are all, except the Snake Indians, tall in stature, straight, and robust. It is very seldom they are deformed, which has given rise to the supposition that they put to death their deformed children. Their skin is of a copper colour; their eyes large, bright, black, and sparkling, indicative of a subtile and discerning mind: their hair is of the same colour, and prone to be long, seldom or never curled. Their teeth are large and white; I never observed any decayed among them, which makes their breath as sweet as the air they inhale.”—Travels through America by Capts. Lewis and Clarke, in 1804-5-6.
Note to [Page 48].
Peace be to thee! my words this belt approve.
“The Indians of North America accompany every formal address to strangers, with whom they form or recognise a treaty of amity, with a present of a string, or belt, of wampum. ‘Wampum,’ says Cadwalladar Colden, ‘is made of the large whelk shell, Buccinum, and shaped like long beads: it is the current money of the Indians.’”—History of the five Indian Nations, p. 34. New York edition.
Note to [Page 48].
The paths of peace my steps have hither led.
In relating an interview of Mohawk Indians with the Governor of New York, Colden quotes the following passage as a specimen of their metaphorical manner:—“Where shall I seek the chair of peace? where shall I find it but upon our path? and whither doth our path lead us but unto this house?”