He told me, but I recall little of it, many a strange story of their habits and appearance, to illustrate how greatly they differed from other tribes of savages with whom he had met.

They worshipped the sun." "'T is true of the Creeks." "Ay! they play at it, but with the Natchez 't is a real religion; they had a priesthood and altars of sacrifice, on which the fires were never quenched.

Their victims died with all the ardor of fanaticism, and in peace and war the sun was their god, ever demanding offering of blood.
But see, the moment comes when we must front those fiends again." The afternoon sun had lowered so that its glaring rays no longer brightened the depths of the canyon, all upon our side of the stream lying quiet in the shadow.

The Indians began their advance toward us in much the same formation as before, but more cautiously, with less noisy demonstration, permitting me to note they had slung their weapons to their backs, bearing in their hands ugly fragments of rock.

The old matted-hair savage, who had received a severe slash upon his shoulder during our last _melee_, hung well to the rear, contenting himself with giving encouragement to the others.
"Stand stoutly to the work, friend Cairnes," I called across to him, feeling the heartsome sound of English speech might prove welcome.