| 266. CONSTITUTION AND CHARACTER
course, for a handle by which the trophy could be
borne in a conspicuous and triumphant manner.
There were certain ceremonies to be performed
with the fresh scalps as soon as the party taking
them had reached home, by way of public recognition
of them as warlike trophies. These ceremonies
consisted of feastings and rejoicings, accompanied
with songs and dances—that is, if such
wailing and unearthly succession of sounds as they
made could be called songs, or their horrid contortions
and gesticulation dances. When these
ceremonies were completed the scalps were considered
as duly consecrated, and were thenceforth
preserved with great care in the wigwam, or worn
upon the person,, as badges of the highest distinc-
tion and honor.
TREATMENT OF WOMEN.
The Indians have been accused of treating their
women as slaves, and there is no doubt that the
women were always held by them in a state of
very complete and absolute subordination to the
men. They were employed all the time in arduous
labors, but this was a matter of necessity, for the
continual toil of both men and women was in most
cases necessary for the maintenance of the family.
The woman had the house to put up and take
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