Indians pierced his nose and ears and hung big rings in the smarting
holes. They then took off his clothing and painted his body with every
variety of color. Next they hung a gaily embroidered cloth about his
loins, put a wampum[3] chain about his neck and fastened silver bands on
his right arm. When this was done the whole party gave three shrill
whoops, and men, women, and children crowded around him, making the most
frantic gestures, and uttering the most horrid sounds that ever a poor
fibbing white man heard.

Next the maidens of the tribe rushed upon him, and, hurrying him to a
stream that ran near by, dragged him into the water until it reached his
waist, and tried to force his head under. This of course, aroused all
his spirit of resistance; but, when one of the girls, named She-de-ah
(wild sage), cried into his ear. "No kill! no kill!" he concluded to
submit.

After this he was ducked and held under most unmercifully, until,
believing by this time that "the white blood must be all washed out of
him," they led him up the shore, all shivering and dripping, and
presented him to their principal chief.

The next performance was to dress him in an Indian shirt ornamented with
feathers and beads and bits of porcupine quill. They put leggins on his
legs and moccasins on his feet, and, seating him upon a bear-skin, gave
him flint and steel to strike a light with; then a pouch, a tomahawk,
some tobacco, and a long pipe. Then the chiefs seated themselves beside
him, and smoked in silence. Tom knew well enough that he was expected to
smoke too, and filled and lit his pipe accordingly, never dreaming of
the consequences. Old as he was, nearly twenty, this was his "first
smoke," and very soon the poor fellow found himself growing deadly sick.