At the trading-house I found a very large party of the Lower Creeks
encamped in a grove, just without the pallisadoes. This was a predatory
band of the Siminoles, consisting of about forty warriors destined
against the Chactaws of West Florida. They had just arrived here from
St. Augustine, where they had been with a large troop of horses for
sale, and furnished themselves with a very liberal supply of spirituous
liquors, about twenty kegs, each containing five gallons.
These sons of Mars had the continence and fortitude to withstand the
temptation of even tasting a drop of it until their arrival here, where
they purposed to supply themselves with necessary articles to equip
them for the expedition, and proceed on directly; but here meeting with
our young traders and pack-horse men, they were soon prevailed on to
broach their beloved nectar; which in the end caused some disturbance,
and the consumption of most of their liquor; for after they had once
got a smack of it, they never were sober for ten days, and by that time
there was but little left.
In a few days this festival exhibited one of the most ludicrous
bachanalian scenes that is possible to be conceived. White and red men
and women without distinction, passed the day merrily with these
jovial, amorous topers, and the nights in convivial songs, dances, and
sacrifices to Venus, as long as they could stand or move; for in these
frolicks both sexes take those liberties with each other, and act,
without constraint or shame, such scenes as they would abhor when sober
or in their senses; and would endanger their ears and even their lives;
but at last their liquor running low, and being most of them sick
through intoxication, they became more sober; and now the dejected
lifeless sots would pawn every thing they were in possession of, for a
mouthful of spirits to settle their stomachs, as they termed it. This
was the time for the wenches to make their market, as they had the
fortitude and subtilty by dissimulation and artifice to save their
share of the liquor during the frolick, and that by a very singular
stratagem; for, at these riots, every fellow who joins in the club, has
his own quart bottle of rum in his hand, holding it by the neck so
sure, that he never loses hold of it day or night, drunk or sober, as
long as the frolick continues; and with this, his beloved friend, he
roves about continually, singing, roaring, and reeling to and fro,
either alone, or arm in arm with a brother toper, presenting his bottle
to every one, offering a drink; and is sure to meet his beloved female
if he can, whom he complaisantly begs to drink with him. But the modest
fair, veiling her face in a mantle, refuses, at the beginning of the
frolick; but he presses and at last insists. She being furnished with
an empty bottle, concealed in her mantle, at last consents, and taking
a good long draught, blushes, drops her pretty face on her bosom, and
artfully discharges the rum into her bottle, and by repeating this
artifice soon fills it; this she privately conveys to her secret store,
and then returns to the jovial game, and so on during the festival; and
when the comic farce is over, the wench retails this precious cordial
to them at her own price.
There were a few of the chiefs, particularly the Long Warrior their
leader, who had the prudence and fortitude to resist the alluring
temptation during the whole farce; but though he was a powerful chief,
a king and a very cunning man, he was not able to controul these
madmen, although he was acknowledged by the Indians to have communion
with powerful invisible beings or spirits, and on that account esteemed
worthy of homage and great respect.
After the Indians became sober, they began to prepare for their
departure. In the morning early the Long Warrior and chiefs sent a
messenger to Mr. M’Latche, desiring to have a talk with him upon
matters of moment; accordingly, about noon they arrived. The conference
was held in the piazza of the council house: the Long Warrior and
chiefs who attended him took their seats upon a long bench adjoining
the side or front of the house, reaching the whole length of it, on one
hand; and the principal white traders on the other, all on the same
seat. I was admitted at this conference; Mr. M’Latche and the Long
Warrior sat next to each other; my late companion, the old trader, and
myself sat next to him.
The Long Warrior spake, saying, that he and his companions were going
to fight their enemies the Chactaws; and that some of his associates
being in want of blankets, shirts, and some other articles, they
declined supplying themselves with them at St. Augustine, because they
had rather stick close to their old friend Mr. Spalding, and bring
their buckskins, furs and other produce of their country (which they
knew were acceptable) to his trading house, to purchase what they
wanted. But not having the skins, &c. with them to pay for such things
as they had occasion for, they doubted not, but that on their return,
they should bring with them sufficient not only to pay their debts,
about to be contracted, but be able to make other considerable
purchases, as the principal object of this expedition was hunting on
the plentiful borders of the Chactaws. Mr. M’Latche hesitating, and
expressing some dissatisfaction at his request, particularly at the
length of time and great uncertainty of obtaining pay for the goods;
and moreover his being only an agent for Messrs. Spalding and Co. and
the magnitude and unprecedented terms of the Long Warrior’s demands;
required the company’s assent and directions before he could comply
with their request.
This answer displeased the Indian chief, and I observed great agitation
and tumult in his passions, from his actions, hurry and rapidity of
speech and expression. The old interpreter who sat by asked me if I
fully understood the debate; I answered that I apprehended the Long
Warrior was displeased, he told me he was so, and then recapitulated
what had been said respecting his questions, and Mr. M’Latche’s answer;
adding that upon his hesitation he immediately replied, in seeming
disgust and great expressions of anger, “Do you presume to refuse me
credit? certainly you know who I am, and what power I have: but perhaps
you do not know, that if the matter required it, and I pleased, I could
command and cause the terrible thunder[39] now rolling in the skies
above, to descend upon your head, in rapid fiery shafts, and lay you
prostrate at my feet, and consume your stores, turning them instantly
into dust and ashes.” Mr. M’Latche calmly replied, that he was fully
sensible that the Long Warrior was a great man, a powerful chief of the
bands of the respectable Siminoles, that his name was terrible to his
enemies, but still he doubted if any man upon earth had such power, but
rather believed that thunder and lightning were under the direction of
the Great Spirit; but however, since we are not disposed to deny your
power, supernatural influence and intercourse with the elements and
spiritual agents, or withhold the respect and homage due to so great a
prince of the Siminoles, friends and allies to the white people; if you
think fit now, in the presence of us all here, command and cause yon
terrible thunder, with its rapid fiery shafts, to descend upon the top
of that Live Oak[40] in front of us, rend it in pieces, scatter his
brawny limbs on the earth and consume them to ashes before our eyes, we
will then own your supernatural power, and dread your displeasure.
After some silence the prince became more calm and easy; and returned
for answer, that recollecting the former friendship and good
understanding which had ever subsisted betwixt the white people and red
people of the Siminole bands, and in particular, the many acts of
friendship and kindness received from Mr. M’Latche, he would overlook
this affront; he acknowledged his reasoning and expostulations to be
just and manly, that he should suppress his resentment, and withhold
his power and vengeance at present. Mr. M’Latche concluded by saying,
that he was not in the least intimidated by his threats of destroying
him with thunder and lightning, neither was he disposed in any manner
to displease the Siminoles, and should certainly comply with his
requisitions, as far as he could proceed without the advice and
directions of the company; and finally agreed to supply him and his
followers with such things as they stood most in need of, such as
shirts, blankets and some paints, one half to be paid for directly, and
the remainder to stand on credit until their return from the
expedition. This determination entirely satisfied the Indians. We broke
up the conference in perfect amity and good humour, and they returned
to their camp and in the evening, ratified it with feasting and
dancing, which continued all next day with tolerable decorum. An
occurrence happened this day, by which I had an opportunity of
observing their extraordinary veneration or dread of the rattle snake.
I was in the forenoon busy in my apartment in the council-house,
drawing some curious flowers; when, on a sudden, my attention was taken
off by a tumult without, at the Indian camp. I stepped to the door
opening to the piazza, where I met my friend the old interpreter, who
informed me that there was a very large rattle snake in the Indian
camp, which had taken possession of it, having driven the men, women
and children out, and he heard them saying that they would send for
Puc-Puggy (for that was the name which they had given me, signifying
the Flower Hunter) to kill him or take him out of their camp. I
answered that I desired to have nothing to do with him, apprehending
some disagreeable consequences; and desired that the Indians might be
acquainted that I was engaged in business that required application and
quiet, and was determined to avoid it if possible. My old friend turned
about to carry my answer to the Indians. I presently heard them
approaching and calling for Puc-Puggy. Starting up to escape from their
sight by a back door, a party consisting of three young fellows, richly
dressed and ornamented, stepped in, and with a countenance and action
of noble simplicity, amity and complaisance, requested me to accompany
them to their encampment. I desired them to excuse me at this time;
they plead and entreated me to go with them, in order to free them from
a great rattle snake which had entered their camp; that none of them
had freedom or courage to expel him; and understanding that it was my
pleasure to collect all their animals and other natural productions of
their land, desired that I would come with them and take him away, that
I was welcome to him. I at length consented and attended on them to
their encampment, where I beheld the Indians greatly disturbed indeed;
the men with sticks and tomahawks, and the women and children collected
together at a distance in affright and trepidation, whilst the dreaded
and revered serpent leisurely traversed their camp, visiting the
fire-places from one to another, picking up fragments of their
provisions, and licking their platters. The men gathered around me,
exciting me to remove him: being armed with a lightwood knot, I
approached the reptile, who instantly collected himself in a vast coil
(their attitude of defence) I cast my missile weapon at him, which
luckily taking his head, dispatched him instantly, and laid him
trembling at my feet. I took out my knife, severed his head from his
body, then turning about, the Indians complimented me with every
demonstration of satisfaction and approbation for my heroism, and
friendship for them. I carried off the head of the serpent bleeding in
my hand as a trophy of victory; and taking out the mortal fangs,
deposited them carefully amongst my collections. I had not been long
retired to my apartment, before I was again roused from it by a tumult
in the yard; and hearing Puc-Puggy called on, I started up, when
instantly the old interpreter met me again, and told me the Indians
were approaching in order to scratch me. I asked him for what? he
answered for killing the rattle snake within their camp. Before I could
make any reply or effect my escape, three young fellows singing, arm in
arm, came up to me. I observed one of the three was a young prince who
had, on my first interview with him, declared himself my friend and
protector, when he told me that if ever occasion should offer in his
presence, he would risk his life to defend mine or my property. This
young champion stood by his two associates, one on each side of him:
the two affecting a countenance and air of displeasure and importance,
instantly presenting their scratching instruments, and flourishing
them, spoke boldly, and said that I was too heroic and violent, that it
would be good for me to lose some of my blood to make me more mild and
tame, and for that purpose they were come to scratch me. They gave me
no time to expostulate or reply, but attempted to lay hold on me, which
I resisted; and my friend, the young prince, interposed and pushed them
off, saying that I was a brave warrior and his friend; that they should
not insult me; when instantly they altered their countenance and
behaviour: they all whooped in chorus, took me friendly by the hand,
clapped me on the shoulder, and laid their hands on their breasts in
token of sincere friendship, and laughing aloud, said I was a sincere
friend to the Siminoles, a worthy and brave warrior, and that no one
should hereafter attempt to injure me. They then all three joined arm
in arm again and went off, shouting and proclaiming Puc-Puggy was their
friend, &c. Thus it seemed that the whole was a ludicrous farce to
satisfy their people, and appease the manes[41] of the dead rattle
snake.
The next day was employed by the Indians in preparations for their
departure, such as taking up their goods from the trading house,
collecting together their horses, making up their packs, &c. and the
evening joyfully spent in songs and dances. The succeeding morning,
after exhibiting the war farce, they decamped, proceeding on their
expedition against their enemy.
[39] It thundered, lightened, and rained in a violent manner during
these debates.
[40] A large ancient Live Oak stood in the yard about fifty yards
distant.
[41] These people never kill the rattle snake or any other serpent,
saying if they do so, the spirit of the killed snake will excite or
influence his living kindred or relatives to revenge the injury or
violence done to him when alive.