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p.7. 66 68 his predecessor and the other war chiefs, in effect, as follows. You have now put me in blood up to my knees. I shall not, however, stain my hands with the blood of infants - of women, or old men, or any unable to defend themselves. Yet if I hear the war whoop in my path, and see our enemies with warlike weapons in their hands, I will fight & subdue them or die in the conflict. You have made me A ska yu gu sta e ga, and I shall take care of my young warriors, and never engage in war without a sufficient cause. At this, all shouted Wawh. This day none of the people ate till noon, when the above ceremonies were ended. Then all in the house shook hands with the young officer, and the young warriors, separating into seven companies, repaired to seven houses where victuals had been prepared for them. Victuals was then taken into the council house, and placed before the chiefs, civil & military. None must eat with them, or in the house except such strangers as might be present. These could eat after the priests or officers had done. But the young officer, and his four attendants ate nothing all that day and night, but kept their seats. Also, all the chiefs kept their seats and watched with the,. If water or anything was wanted, boys were sent for it. The next day all remained on their seats till noon. Then the young officer descended from his seat, walked to the door, & said Now I am gone. To which all exclaimed Wawh. Then the next in authority of the war officers, saying the same & having the same response. And thus till all had left the house but one. Then he arose, went to the door, and said the same. (without any to reply). All the war officers then accompanied this young leader to his house, where he, and his four attendants, continued their fast till midnight, and then washed all over, plunging entirely seven times, and afterwards ate.
During the whole of the above ceremonies, all must be solemn & still. Any rude or light behaviour was punished. When the time arrived for the young officer to commence hostilities, he called the people together at the council house. His predecessor then went into the house and took from the holy place, where they had been deposited, his bows, arrows, quiver, shield, helmet, & bracelet, (all painted red) and delivered them to his successor. Also his raven skin which he put on his neck. Shield eater (or Thomas Smith)
Warfare Now suppose the enemy approached suddenly, this office shake, and with a low voice called the warriors to arms. But in case the warriors in the town