KAH-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH. 45

to drive the Ojebwas from their land, they fought many battles with them in the regions now called Canada West; but in these they suffered much, and were de- feated. It was then, probably, that the Hurons and Iraquois leagued together, hoping by their combined forces to conquer us. This accounts forthe Confederacy that existed when the whites came among them.

The migration of the Ojebwas has been traced from the upper part of Lake Superior, and even several hun-

dred miles above its head, along the shore of Lake Su- perior, down to Lake Huron, St. Clair, the foot of Lake Michigan, north of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and some distance down the St. Lawrence.

They now inhabit a portion of land extending about two thousand miles east and west, and from two hun- dred and fifty to three hundred miles from north to south. They have in each village, a chief who governs them, besides a great number of war chiefs. Each village ha-s a council of its own, made up of the different tribes. A

tribe is a band of Indians whose sign or mark is the same ; for example, such as wear the sign of the crane, recognize each other as relatives; and although each village may be composed of different tribes, yet they must be of the same nation.

Councils ofpeace must be held by two nations. These councils are held in high esteem. When two nations are at war, if either sues for peace, they hand to each other some token, such as a belt of Wampum (or beads,)

or a calumet (a long pipe.) There was once a general council held, between the

Hurons and the Ojebwas ; it was conducted in the fol-