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ed party. And what is not less singular than this public abandonment, is the calm resignation with which those who are thus devoted await the execution prepared for them. Not an effort is made to resist, or to escape it. The warriors of the injured nation, deputed to inflict it, appear, and, without a murmur they offer their heads to the vengeful tomahawk, now the minister of peace; and the harmony of the two nations is cemented by the blood of the murderers.*
If a determination for war is the result of the national council, the resolution is received with a universal shout. They raise the war song,- they mingle in the war dance, which is a horrible imitation of all the most atrocious actions of their cruel warfare:- they run to prepare their weapons;- they send to invite their allies;- they paint their bodies, and especially their faces, with a variety of coarse, fantastic, colours and figures, which they suppose

[[footnote 1]]* This resignation appears to be the result of a noble sentiment of patriotism to save their countrymen from the calamities which would otherwise fall upon them; or of a full conviction that, when abandoned by their tribe, it is no longer possible to escape the vengeance of their enemies: and, as they do not fear death, they would not seem to wish to delay it.

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will be at once beautiful to their friends, and terrible to their enemies; -- they equip themselves for the expedition; -- they chuse a chieftain to conduct it. Frequently it happens that some noted warrior, confiding in the reputation which his past achievements have gained him, offers himself to be a leader, and is received with enthusiasm. When the election is to be made out of the mass of warriors, the choice is said to be, in many instances, determined by the physiognomy of the chief. For, savages not being accustomed to disguise their emotions, and leaving their features to be formed or modified by the natural and unconstrained sentiments and passions of the mind, often exhibit in their countenance a striking mirror of their character. His features should be fierce, his eye bold, and penetrating, his muscles strong, his limbs active, and his whole aspect and demeanor haughty and intrepid. A loud and terrible voice is, likewise, a great recommendation to a leader in their esteem as it was among the ancient Germans. For, in battle, he must endeavour by his shouts to rouse the courage of his own troops, and to terrify those of his enemy. The voice of the chief serves them, instead of trumpets, to sound the charge; and must often direct their

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