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Joseph Clark's Of a second Visit to the Indian Country, 1801

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ed with awe, in considering what manner of persons those ought to be who come among this people. In this room were six or seven women, and a little babe fixed upon a kelah of exquisite workman-ship, covered with two silk handkerchiefs. They informed me by their fingers that the age of the child was four weeks and four days. After some time, the wife of the chief spoke a few words; at which, all present assumed an air of seriousness. Then, going across the room, the others followed her, and placed themselves three on each side of her. She then took down from the wall, a curious, twisted string, of considerable length, containing a number of knots; and to every seventh knot, a piece of red wool was attached. This was her calendar. One of the women informed me that every knot was a day, and every red mark was a week; constituting the time since the chiefess had buried a valuable daughter. This circumstance was attended with more solemnity than some of our funerals. After recommending the distribution of the pre-sents I had in charge; and through favour, all things appearing to harmonize,—a proposition was made to smoke,—a practice in high esteem among the Indians: but I not being accustomed to it, did not accept the offer. Whereupon John Scanadoe gave me two curious pipes as presents. I now took leave of my Indian friends and set out for Utica, accompanied by John Dean. On our arrival there, we called at the house of a lawyer, where Grace, the daughter of John Crossly, resi-ded. I requested of my companion, that he would make choice of some retired house for a lodging; my mind being disposed for silence and meditation,