CXXiV A GENERAL HISTORY

time they tamely fubmit to the Knifteneaux, who are not fo numerous

as themfelves, when they treat them as enemies.

They do not affeét that cold referve at meeting, either among them-
felves or f{trangers, which is common with the Knifteneaux, but com-
municate mutually, and at once, all the information of which they are
poffefled. Nor are they roufed like them from an apparent torpor to
a ftate of great a€tivity. They are confequently more uniform in this
refpe&t, though they are of a very perfevering difpofition when their

intereft is concerned.

_ As thefe people are not addiéted to f{pirituous liquors, they have a
regular and uninterrupted ufe of their underftanding, which is always
direGted to the advancement of their own intereft; and this difpofition,
as may be readily imagined, fometimes occafions them to be charged
with fraudulent habits. They will fubmit with patience to the fevereft
treatment, when they are confcious that they deferve it, but will never
forget or forgive any wanton or unneceflary rigour. A moderate
conduét I never found to fail, nor do I hefitate to reprefent them,
altogether, as the moft peaceable tribe of Indians known in North
America.

There are conjurers and high-priefts, but I was not prefent at any of
their ceremonies; though they certainly operate in an extraordinary
manner on the imaginations of the people in the cure of diforders.
Their principal maladies are, rheumatic pains, the flux and confumption.
The venereal complaint is very common; but though its progrefs is

flow,