and accepts the price of his fellow creatures liberty with as little reluctance as the enlightened merchant.  Accordingly he falls on his neighbours, and a desperate battle ensues.  If he prevails and takes prisoners, he gratifies his avarice by selling them; but, if his party be vanquished, and he falls into the hands of the enemy, he is put to death:  for, as he has been known to foment their quarrels, it is thought dangerous to let him survive, and no ransom can save him, though all other prisoners may be redeemed.  We have fire-arms, bows and arrows, broad two-edged swords and javelins:  we have shields also which cover a man from head to foot.  All are taught the use of these weapons; even our women are warriors, and march boldly out to fight along with the men.  Our whole district is a kind of militia:  on a certain signal given, such as the firing of a gun at night, they all rise in arms and rush upon their enemy.  It is perhaps something remarkable, that when our people march to the field a red flag or banner is borne before them.  I was once a witness to a battle in our common.  We had been all at work in it one day as usual, when our people were suddenly attacked.  I climbed a tree at some distance, from which I beheld the fight.  There were many women as well as men on both sides; among others my mother was there, and armed with a broad sword.  After fighting for a considerable time with great fury, and after many had been killed our people obtained the victory, and took their enemy’s Chief prisoner.  He was carried off in great triumph, and, though he offered a large ransom for his life, he was put to death.  A virgin of note among our enemies had been slain in the battle, and her arm was exposed in our market-place, where our trophies were always exhibited.  The spoils were divided according to the merit of the warriors.  Those prisoners which were not sold or redeemed we kept as slaves:  but how different was their condition from that of the slaves in the West Indies!  With us they do no more work than other members of the community, even their masters; their food, clothing and lodging were nearly the same as theirs, (except that they were not permitted to eat with those who were free-born); and there was scarce any other difference between them, than a superior degree of importance which the head of a family possesses in our state, and that authority which, as such, he exercises over every part of his household.  Some of these slaves have even slaves under them as their own property, and for their own use.

As to religion, the natives believe that there is one Creator of all things, and that he lives in the sun, and is girted round with a belt that he may never eat or drink; but, according to some, he smokes a pipe, which is our own favourite luxury.  They believe he governs events, especially our deaths or captivity; but, as for the doctrine of eternity, I do not remember to have ever heard of it:  some however believe in the transmigration of souls in