.MTA1MQ.NzAzMTg

From Newberry Transcribe
Jump to navigation Jump to search

59 should serve in the present occasion, (as there were generally a number of them) and appointed a messenger to give him notice of the appointment and also to be his assistant or right hand man during the expedition. This man accordingly notified the war priest, and on his accepting the appointment, the messenger, now his assistant, went back to the town (probably to the treasure house, back of the council house) to a place where seven dressed deer skins had been deposited, and took them to the priest. The priest then wrapped his u lu sa ta in those seven deer skins, and gave it to his assistant to carry, going forward while he with the holy ark followed behind. This ark was made either like an earthen box with a lid, or as in some cases like an earthen pot having a lid. In this the holy fire was constantly kept burning, but should it go out new fire must be made. But in case the warriors of each town chose to have a war priest from each of their respective towns they could do so, and the seven counsellors of each war chief could appoint their respective priests. The seven counsellors appointed women to prepare provision for the army. This consisted of parched corn mean, and corn bread. The bread was made in long cakes, about six inches wide. This was baked on the hot hearth, covered with leaves and hot ashes. In general each town furnished provision for its own men. The warriors carried their own provisions. Of course on some expeditions they were heavily loaded when they first started. They also furnished themselves with weapons, and armour. Their war club & in later times their tomahawk, they carried in the belt. The whole army being assembled, a day and night were devoted prayer, fasting, and wakefulness. None must eat or sleep. And no one must take anything whatever from the house of another, but the thing to be passed from one to another, must be dropped on the ground and picked up. On this day the seven counsellors above mentioned appointed the under officers for the first company, musicians, Doctor, cooks, &c. &c. Then seven counsellors from the next two towns appointed officers & for their strikeout: town company & so on, each two towns forming together one company. The principal officers were as follows, viz. First. The great war chief, now called the Raven, has a raven skin fastened about his neck. Second, the Ka ta ti ka ne hi, or flag carrier, considered an equal in almost all respects with the first. The flag was raised on a hole painted red, and consisted of a red cloth, or a deer skin painted red.