The Indians themselves allowed that Murphy died with great
heroism, singing, as his death song, the Drimmendoo, in concert
with Mr Lismahago, who was present at the solemnity. After the
warriors and the matrons had made a hearty meal upon the muscular
flesh which they pared from the victim, and had applied a great
variety of tortures, which he bore without flinching, an old
lady, with a sharp knife, scooped out one of his eyes, and put a
burning coal in the socket. The pain of this operation was so
exquisite that he could not help bellowing, upon which the
audience raised a shout of exultation, and one of the warriors
stealing behind him, gave him the coup de grace with a hatchet.
Lismahago's bride, the squaw Squinkinacoosta, distinguished
herself on this occasion. -- She shewed a great superiority of
genius in the tortures which she contrived and executed with her
own hands. -- She vied with the stoutest warrior in eating the
flesh of the sacrifice; and after all the other females were
fuddled with dram-drinking, she was not so intoxicated but that
she was able to play the game of the platter with the conjuring
sachem, and afterwards go through the ceremony of her own
wedding, which was consummated that same evening.
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