Instead of a trumpet the Indians used to strike into the air with whips. They also had kettledrums which sent up a terrible booming from themselves.[1] But their construction was like this: having hollowed out a log of fir, they fitted into it bells of mountain-bronze.[2] Having covered the mouth of the vessel with bull's hide[3] they carried this kettledrum right-side-up into their battles. But when they wanted to make a great din or to give some signal, turning the wooden vessel over onto its mouth they shook it. The bells in it, which were both many and large, and sounding under cover, sent up an indistinct sort of booming sound from inside. For those who did not know, it was not easy to recognize from what instrument or beast [it came], for it was like a bellowing.