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[Page 33]
and he fell dead on the spot; the chief who remained near us all this time turned around at the report and seeing his companion fall, instantly fled up the hill; a general flight succeeded, but many were seen skulking about the place as we quitted it.
Among these savages I could distinctly observe gradations of rank, founded most probably on personal qualities and appearance; in these respects the chief far excelled the rest, his figure was masculine and well proportioned, and his air bold and commanding, besides his cloak which was only distinguished by its superior Size, he wore a necklace of reed, and several strings of twisted hair over his breast; on his head a coronet of wing feathers of the swan, was very neatly arranged and had a pleasing effect. The faces of several were painted with red, yellow & white clays, others had a reed stuck through the septum of the nose, apparently increasing in length according to rank, as the chiefs was by far the longest and measured at least two feet. Ornamental scars on the shoulders were universal, and the face of one was deeply pitted as if by the small pox, though that disease is not supposed to have yet reached this part of the world.
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