[Edward Manning Ruttenber (1872)] hunting. When taken prisoners and belt and fifteen bloody sticks sent by the about to suffer torture, they asked permis-Missiosagaes, the like is very common, sion to dance the kintc-kaye. The and the Indians use sticks as well to ex-first dance witnessed by the Europeans press the alliance of castles as the number was by the savages assembled on the point of individuals in a party. These sticks of land just above Newburgh, which still are generally about six inches in length bears the name of Dans hammer^ or and very slender, and painted red if the dance chamber. subject is war, but without any peculiarity 1 " As to the information which you as to shape. — Documentary History of observe I formerly transmitted to the Neiv York, iv, 437. 30 THE INDIAN TRIBES sachem in order that a full explanation might be made. At these assemblies the will of the sachem was supreme, for al though permitting full debate, mutiny was punished by death. Lands held by them were obtained by conceded original occupation or by conquest. If conquered, original right ceased and vested in the conquerors; if reconquered, the title returned to its original owners. This rule they applied also to the sale of lands to the Dutch. As often as they sold to the latter and subsequently drove off the settlers, so often was repurchase necessary, and, if it was not made, cause of grievance and future war remained.