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Cherokees substitute the skin of some other small animal; but the ceremony is denominated a Beaver Dance.

Every person who intends to join in the dance, procures a short stick or club;-- both men and women thus prepared, commence a common dance, or something very much resembling it. Previous to the commencement of the dance, or immediately after, an old man takes a rope twelve or fifteen feet in length, with the skin tied to it. Taking an end in each hand, and throwing the centre over a peg driven into the ground for the purpose, (the floor of an Indian dance house is always natural,) he stands prepared to give the skin a rapid movement by pulling the ends of the rope alternately, in quick succession. After dancing half an hour or more, a man and woman leave the ranks, and approach the skin with brandished weapons;-- the man goes foremost, (as is usual on all occasions,) and steadying himself, endeavours to give the skin a blow: having now performed his part, he throws down his stick and retires. The woman performs the same. All the