i-8b On the defcent of the American Indians from the y
lofe their people at war, if they have not corrupted their primitive cuftoms, are fo obfervant of this kindred duty, as to appropriate fome time to col lect the bones of their relations; which they call bone gathering^ or " ga thering the bones to their kindred," according to the Hebrew idiom*.. The Cheerake* by reafon of their great intercourfe with foreigners, have dropped that friendly office : and as they feem to be more intelligent than the reft of our Englifh-American Indians in their religious rites, and cere monial obfervances, fo I believe, the fear of pollution has likewife contri buted to obliterate that ancient kindred duty. However, they ieparate thofe of their people who die at home, from others of a different nation ; and every particular tribe indeed of each nation bears an intenfe love to. itfelf, and divides every one of its people from the reft, both while living,, and after they are dead.
When any of them die at a diftance, if the company be not driven: and purfued by the enemy, they place the corpfe on a fcaffold, covered, with notched logs to fecure it from being torn by wild beafts, or fowls of prey: when they imagine the flefh is confumed, and the bones are thoroughly dried, they return to the place, bring them home, and inter them in a very folemn manner. They will not aflbciate with us, when we are burying any of our people, who die in their land : and they are un willing we fhould join with them while they, are performing this kindred duty to theirs. Upon which account, though I have lived among them in the raging time of the fmall pox, even of the confluent fort, I never favv. but one buried, who was a great favourite of the Englifh, and chieftain of, Ooeafa, as formerly defcribed. ,
The Indians ufe the fame ceremonies to the bones of their dead, as if they were covered with their former fkin, flefh, and ligaments. It is but a few days fince I faw fome return with the bones of nine of their people, who had been two months before killed by the enemy. They were tied in white deer-fkins, feparately ; and when carried by the door of one of the- houfes of their family, they were -laid down oppofite to it, till the female
- With the Hebrews-, " to gather," ufually fignified to die. Gen. xlix. 33. Jacob is faid
to be gathered to his people. Pfal. xxvi. 9. Gather not my foal with finners, And Numb. xx, 24. Aaron (hall be gathered to his people.
relations
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