“The Indians universally fix upon a particular object as sacred to themselves—­as the giver of prosperity and as their preserver from evil.  The choice is determined either by a dream or some strong predilection of fancy, and usually falls upon an animal, part of an animal, or something else which is to be met with by land, or by water; but the Great Road had made choice of his hair, placing, like Samson, all his safety in this portion of his proper substance!  His hair was the fountain of all his happiness; it was his strength and his weapon—­his spear and his shield.  It preserved him in battle, directed him in the chase, watched over him in the march, and gave length of days to his wives and children.  Hair, of a quality like this, was not to be profaned by the touch of human hands.  I was assured that it never had been cut nor combed from his childhood upward, and that when any part of it fell from his head, he treasured that part with, care; meanwhile, it did not escape all care, even while growing on the head, but was in the especial charge of a spirit, who dressed it while the owner slept.  The spirit’s style of hair-dressing was peculiar, the hair being matted into ropes, which spread in all directions.”

I insert the following account of a visit from some Indians to him at Mackinaw, with a design to frighten him, and one to Carver, for the same purpose, as very descriptive of Indian manners: 

“At two o’clock in the afternoon, the Chippeways came to my house, about sixty in number, and headed by Mina-va-va-na, their chief.  They walked in single file, each with his tomahawk in one hand, and scalping knife in the other.  Their bodies were naked, from the waist upwards, except in a few examples, where blankets were thrown loosely over the shoulders.  Their faces were painted with charcoal, worked up with grease; their bodies with white clay in patterns of various fancies.  Some had feathers thrust through their noses, and their heads decorated with the same.  It is unnecessary to dwell on the sensations with which I beheld the approach of this uncouth, if not frightful, assemblage.”

“Looking out, I saw about twenty naked young Indians, the most perfect in their shape, and by far the handsomest I had ever seen, coming towards me, and dancing as they approached to the music of their drums.  At every ten or twelve yards they halted, and set up their yells and cries.

When they reached my tent I asked them to come in, which, without deigning to make me any answer, they did.  As I observed they were painted red and black, as they are when they go against an enemy, and perceived that some parts of the war-dance were intermixed with their other movements, I doubted not but they were set on by the hostile chief who refused my salutation.  I therefore determined to sell my life as dearly as possible.  To this purpose I received them sitting on my chest, with my gun and pistols beside me; and ordered my men to keep a watchful eye on them, and be also on their guard.