When the Indians distinguish themselves in war, their names are always compounded,—drawn from certain roots suitable to their intention, and expressive of the characters of the persons, so that their names joined together, often convey a clear and distinct idea of several circumstances—as of the time and place, where the battle was fought, of the number and rank of their captives, and the slain.[86] The following is a specimen: one initiating in war-titles, is called _Tannip-Abe_, “a killer of the enemy;”—he who kills a person carrying a kettle, is crowned _Soonak-Abe-Tuska_; the first word signifies a kettle, and the last a warrior. _Minggáshtàbe_ signifies “one who killed a very great chieftain,” compounded of _Mingo_, _Ash_, and _Abe_. _Pae-Máshtàbe_, is, one in the way of war-gradation, or below the highest in rank, _Pae_ signifying “far off.” _Tisshu Mashtabe_ is the name of a warrior who kills the war-chieftain’s waiter carrying the beloved ark. _Shulashum-mashtabe_, the name of the late Choktah great war-leader, our firm friend _Red-shoes_, is compounded of _Shulass’_, “Maccaseenes,” or deer skin-shoes, _Humma_, “red,” _Ash_, “the divine fire;” _T_ is inserted for the sake of a bold sound, or to express the multiplicity of the exploits he performed, in killing the enemy. In treating of their language, I observed, they end their proper names with a vowel, and contract their war-titles, to give more smoothness, and a rapidity of expression. _Etehk_ is the general name they give to any female creature, but by adding their constant war-period to it, it signifies “weary;” as _Chetehkabe_, “you are weary:” to make it a superlative, they say _Chetehkabe-O_: or _Chetehkabeshto_. The Cheerake call a dull stalking fellow, _Sooreh_, “the turkey-buzzard,” and one of an ill temper, _Kana Cheesteche_, “the wasp,” or a person resembling the dangerous Canaan rabbit, being compounded of the abbreviated name of Canaan, and _Cheesto_ “a rabbit,” which the Israelites were not to meddle with. One of our chief traders, who was very loquacious, they called _Sekakee_, “the grass-hopper,” derived from _Sekako_, “to make haste.” To one of a hoarse voice, they gave the name, _Kanoona_, “the bull-frog.” {193}