Natives in land battles and Native items

[Luther]

The manual says that natives that appear in land battles can appear on either side of the battle. I've never once had natives appear on my side. Was this another inconsistency between the manual and what got in the game?

The native items, shrunken head and jewelled totem, do these really do anything? It says they are supposed to impress native leaders. I've never, ever had a native leader (at an Indian village) turn me away. They always offer to attack someone for you. I thought maybe the items applied to the former land battle issue, but have seen no effect. What gives?

 

[General Hankerchief]

I've never had it happen either, don't know what to say. I don't mind though, seeing as a band of Pirates can whip a group of Scouts any day of the week. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whippa.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="whippa.gif" />

Possibly like the Jesuit items, where you can go back to them faster. That's my only thought. And they're probably unfriendly if you sink their War Canoes and not many country ships.