New search | Notes | Abstract
<< First Page | < Previous Page | Page #23 of 94 | Next Page > | Last Page >>
|
Wentzel, Willard Ferdinand. Fifteen letters from Wentzel at Mackenzie River to Roderick Mackenzie, 1807-1824. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0012 21 and weight little, being encumbered with little wood i.e. varangues and Lices[.] These People have Chiefs, but these being little minded by the Rest hardly merit the Title they enjoy[.] Na-Kan-au-bettau or Great Chief is the only one who is a little respected and A little obeyed among them, he is a middling Size corpulent Fellow, not without a Competent Share of Common Sense, at least enough to procure Skins and Provns without Hunting for them[.] Their manner of making war is like all other Indians[.] They go in quest of their Enemies in the Summer & when they discover a family or So lulling in a Fatal Security – they approach them abut or near day break when Slumber is Sound & then Kill as many as possible whose Scalps they never [rose], but Stripp'd them of their Dresses with this they Shew of upon a return to their own Families[.] They tell me that they never began a war with any of their neighbours – when Hunting sometimes they would fall in with another Hunting Party of their Enemies, whether is was in the day or at night they all lent a Hand to fell a great many trees the branches of which they Sharpened in order to answer the perpose of Cheveaux de Frise[.] [B]ehind this entrenchment they defended themselves untill Peace was called for by either Party which is made Known by the display of a Piece of meat fastened to the End of a long Stick[.] [T]his the conquered Party would offer to their conquerors – if this did not prove effectual an Arrow was Sent by a resolute fellow[.] [T]his last always prevailed[;] supposing it did the embassador was never hurt but quietly sent back[.] Their war Dress consisted [21] L E G E N D : |
View bigger image in JPEG format [ 157k ] |