[Edward Manning Ruttenber (1872)] If the belt was accepted, nothing more was said, that act being considered a solemn promise to lend every assistance; but if neither the hatchet was lifted up nor the belt accepted, it was understood that the tribe would remain neutral. The consideration of the matter was usually circumspect and slow, and the decision regarded with no little reverence. The lives of prisoners taken in war were rarely spared, ex cept those of women and children, who were treated leniently and adopted by their conquerors to recruit their numbers. Male prisoners were subjected to great torture, usually by fire, and a savage cunning indeed was practiced in prolonging the sufferings of the victims. The next of kin was an avenger and might inflict death on a murderer, provided he was enabled to do so within twenty-four hours. After the lapse of that time the avenger himself was liable to death if death came by 1 Heckewelder gives the following as Prevent their mourning on my account the war song of the Lenape warriors : Grant that I may be successful in this «' O poor me attempt, Who am going out to fight the enemy, That I may slay my enemy, And know not whether I shall return And bring home the trophies of war again, To my dear family and friends, To enjoy the embraces of my children That we may rejoice together. And my wife. O take pity on me !