The 18th, we were surpriz’d to see several Women come into our Cottage, their Faces all besmear’d with Earth, and they set up their Throats, singing several Songs as loud as they were able,[109] whereof we understood not one Word. That done, they fell a Dancing in a Ring, and we could not tell, what to think of that Rejoicing, which lasted full three Hours; after which we were inform’d, they had receiv’d Advice of the Victory obtain’d by their Warriors over their Enemies. The Dance concluded, those in the Cottage gave some Bits of Tobacco to those without.
The same Day, about Noon, we saw him that had brought the News, who affirm’d they had kill’d at least Forty of their Enemies. After the Rejoicing, all the Women apply’d themselves to make ready their Provisions, some to pound _Indian_ Corn, others to boil Meal, which they call _Grouller_, and others to bake Bread, to carry to the Warriors. They all set out the 19th to meet them, and we thought it in policy convenient to send Meat to our Men which was done by the _French_ Man of _Provence_, who went with the Women.
[Sidenote: _Account of the Battle fought by the_ Cenis.]
That same Day, at Night, the Victorious Army returned, and we were informed, that their Enemies whom they call _Cannohatinno_, had expected them boldly, but that having heard the Noise, and felt the Effects of our Mens Fire Arms, they all fled, so that the _Cenis_ had either kill’d or taken Forty Eight Men and Women. They had slain several of the latter, who fled to the Tops of Trees, for want of Time to make their Escape otherwise; so that many more Women had perish’d than Men.
[Sidenote: _Barbarity of the Men towards a Woman taken._]
They brought Home two of those Women alive, one of whom had her Head flead for the Sake of her Hair and Skin. They gave that wretched Creature a Charge of Powder and a Ball, and sent Her home, bidding her carry that Present to her Nation, and to assure them, they should be again treated after the same Manner, that is, kill’d with Fire Arms.
The other Woman was kept to fall a Sacrifice to the Rage and Vengeance of the Women and Maids; who having arm’d themselves with thick Stakes, sharp Pointed at the End, Conducted that Wretch to a By-Place, where each of those Furies began to torment her, sometimes with the Point of their Staff, and sometimes laying on her with all their Might. One tore off her Hair, another cut off her Finger, and every one of those outrageous Women endeavour’d to put her to some exquisite Torture, to revenge the Death of their Husbands and Kinsmen, who had been kill’d in the former Wars; so that the unfortunate Creature expected her Death Stroke, as Mercy.