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SWANTox] CHOCTAW SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL LIFE 233
and gently placed us over the fence into tlie field; then handing the frying
pan, chunk of fire, and sticks, onr weapons, to us, with a word of encouragement
whispered in our ears to prove ourselves valiant and worthy of our
traditional fame, they bade us charge the foe. The plan of the campaign was
to attack the enemy first in the center; there build a hot fire with the dry
wood, previously prepared by the thoughtful Choctaws, upon which place the
frying pan and into which throw all prisoners without discrimination, as our
flag bore the motto "Neither giving nor asking quarter;" and likewise also at
the four corners of the field. The centre was gained, the fire made, and upon
it placed the pan ; then we made a vigorous attack upon the strongholds of
the enemy dislodging them and at the same time taking them prisoners of
war; then hurrying them to the centre hurled them ho)-s de combat into the
frying pan heated to a red heat, and with our ready sticks stirred them
vigorously, while the wreaths of smoke that ascended from the scene of
carnage and floated away before the summer breeze, together with the odor,
not as fragrant to the sensitive nose, however, as the lily or the rose, gave
undisputed evidence of our victories ; while our waiting Choctaw friends,
acknowledged their approval from the outside of the field, (since the tradition
forbade them sharing in the dangers of the conflict—the Paloktas must
fight alone) filling oiir hearts with heroic emotions unfelt before or afterwards.
After we had immolated two or three paufulls of the enemy at the center
and at each corner of the field, nor lost a man, we returned in triumph to our
waiting friends, by whom we were received with unfeigned manifestations
of affection and pride. Thence we were borne as before to other fields, where
were enacted the same prodigies of valor, with similar results until the declining
sun gave warning of their promise not being fulfilled if the Paloktas
were not returned ere the sun went down. Therefore we were carried from
our last field of slaughter back to the village in " glorious triumph," where
never were offered to frail mortality more sincere homage and unfeigned devotion
than were bestowed upon the Paloktas by those grateful Choctaws. They
seemed only to regret not being able to manifest a still greater degree of
gratitude, and to do more for us as a manifestation of their appreciation of
the great favor we had conferred upon them. With zealous care they watched
over us while under their care, that no harm might befall us. As we came
so we returned, and safely reached home ere the sun sank behind the western
horizon. We were afterwards frequently called upon, much to our gratification
and delight, it was fun for us, to bring into requisition our mysteriously delegated
power in behalf of their cornfields; and we became the special favorites
of that kind-hearted and appreciative people; and woe to him or them who
should impose upon or attempt to injure their little pets, the pale-face
Paloktas."
The feast for the sick reminds one of those indulged in by the
Chickasaw at their Pishofa dances.
The anonymous Frenchman says that the Choctaw took medicines
internally consisting of herbs and the roots of trees boiled together,
" and to make themselves vomit they run feathers down their
throats." ^° It seems that the majority were in his time suffering
from a kind of debility " with pains over the entire body."
«Cushmaii, Hist. Inds., pp. 273-275.
** Appendix, p. 251 ; Mem. Am. Antlirop. Assn., vol. v, No. 2, p. 64.
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