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61 6 63 predecessor in office, being then about to resign it, on account? of his age, being turned of fifty (or sixty as some say) selected four men who had been distinguished officers, but were now, like himself, superanuated, to wait on the candidate, and conduct him to the place appointed. These men accordingly, after washing themselves completely and putting on their official dress, went to his house. He had previously washed by bathing in water. They then proceeded with him to the council house in the following order. One walked before him carrying a war club, painted red. Another walked at his right hand, carrying a handful of ointment. One went at his left hand, with an Eagle feather, and the fourth was behind. On arriving at the council house, they marched round it once, and then entered, and placed the candidate on the red seat prepared for this purpose. On this occasion the seats were arranged as follows, viz. the white seats for the civil and religious authorities, as usual in the form of a semicircle, in the back part of the house. Within these, placed in the same order & made in the same manner, were the seats of the war chiefs. The only difference was these, instead of being white, were painted red. The candidate being seated, the four attendants marched round him, singing a certain song of four verses. While singing this, they marched round him four times. It was said to be dangerous for common people to sing this song, and therefore but few learned it. This ceremony being ended, the person appointed to undress the candidate did so, leaving only his breeches (flap). The man who had the ointment went to him and made seven streaks across each side of his face, red and black, alternately. Then with his finger made a mark from the top of his head down along his nose to his breast, and then two marks from his forehead to the back part of his head, leaving the tuft in the middle. Then putting his finger on the thumb nail of his right hand, drew it up his arm to his breast and thence to the great toe nail. All these marks were red, except the alternate black streaks across the face. The man who carried the Eagle feather, then fastened it on his head. This was done as follows, viz . The quill end of the feather was inserted into a short piece of cane, and then the cane tied to the tuft of hair on the top of the head, so as to cause the feather to stand erect. The feather had as many red stripes across it, as the candidate had killed enemies. The other attendant then put on him his official dress. This was of deer skin painted deep red. The coat, belt, legings, garters, & mocasins were all red. This being done, his predecessor in office, arose and addressed the warriors, charging them to obey implicitly the command of the young office, and never go forward in any war expedition without his knowledge and advice; and then assigned his authority & seat to his successor. The young officer then replied