rendered sufficiently obvious to the reader in the text
itself, or in the accompanying notes.  Still there is so
much obscurity in the Indian traditions, and so much
confusion in the Indian names, as to render some explanation
useful. 

Few men exhibit greater diversity, or, if we may so express
it, greater antithesis of character, than the native warrior
of North America.  In war, he is daring, boastful, cunning,
ruthless, self-denying, and self-devoted; in peace, just,
generous, hospitable, revengeful, superstitious, modest, and
commonly chaste.  These are qualities, it is true, which do
not distinguish all alike; but they are so far the
predominating traits of these remarkable people as to be
characteristic. 

It is generally believed that the Aborigines of the American
continent have an Asiatic origin.  There are many physical
as well as moral facts which corroborate this opinion, and
some few that would seem to weigh against it.