15. The greater portion of the United States east of the Mississippi was peopled by the family of the ALGONQUINS. They were divided into many tribes, each having its local name and tradition. Agriculture was but little practiced by them. They roamed about from one hunting-ground and river to another. When the White men came, the Algonquin nations were already declining in numbers and influence. Only a few thousands now remain. 16. Around the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario lived the HURON-IROQUOIS. At the time of their greatest power, they embraced no fewer than nine nations. The warriors of this confederacy presented the Indian character in its best aspect. They were brave, patriotic, and eloquent; faithful as friends, but terrible as enemies. 17. South of the Algonquins were the CHEROKEES and the MOBILIAN NATIONS. The former were highly civilized for a primitive people. The principal tribes of the Mobilians were the Yamassees and Creeks of Georgia, the Seminoles of Florida, and the Choctaws and Chickasaws of Mississippi. These displayed the usual disposition and habits of the Red men. 18. West of the Mississippi was the family of the DAKOTAS. South of these, in a district nearly corresponding with the State of Texas, lived the wild COMANCHES. Beyond the Rocky Mountains were the Indian nations of the Plains; the great families of the SHOSHONES, the SELISH, the KLAMATHS, and the CALIFORNIANS. On the Pacific slope, farther southward, dwelt in former times the civilized but feeble race of AZTECS. [Illustration: INDIAN LIFE] 19. The Red men had a great passion for war. Their wars were undertaken for revenge rather than conquest. To forgive an injury was considered a shame. Revenge was the noblest of the virtues. The open battle of the field was unknown in Indian warfare. Fighting was limited to the ambuscade and the massacre. Quarter was rarely asked, and never granted. 20. In times of peace the Indian character appeared to a better advantage. But the Red man was always unsocial and solitary. He sat by himself in the woods. The forest was better than a wigwam, and a wigwam better than a village. The Indian woman was a degraded creature--a mere drudge and beast of burden. [Sidenote: =Indian Characteristics.=] 21. In the matter of the arts the Indian was a barbarian. His house was a hovel, built of poles set up in a circle, and covered with skins and the branches of trees. Household utensils were few and rude. Earthen pots, bags, and pouches for carrying provisions, and stone hammers for pounding corn, were the stock and store. His weapons of offense and defense were the hatchet and the bow and arrow. In times of war the Red man painted his face and body with all manner of glaring colors. The fine arts were wanting. Indian writing consisted of half-intelligible hieroglyphics scratched on the face of rocks or cut in the bark of trees.