Chapter III: Front Matter (3)

I have informed you of the Country in generall and of every plantation in particular, with their commodities and wherein one excelleth another. Now that I may be every way faithfull to my reader in this worke, I will as fully and truely relate to you what is evill, and of most annoyance to the inhabitants. First: those which bring most prejudice to their estates are the ravenous Woolves, which destroy the weaker Cattell, but of these you have heard before: that which is most injurious to the person and life of man is a rattle snake which is generally a yard and a halfe long, as thicke in the middle as the small of a mans legge, she hath a yellow belly, her backe being spotted with blacke, russet, yellow, and greene colours, placed like scales; at her taile is a rattle, with which she makes a noyse when she is molested, or when she seeth any approach neere her, her necke seemes to be no thicker than a mans thumbe yet can she swallow a Squerill, having a great wide mouth, with teeth as sharpe as needles, wherewith she biteth such as tread upon her: her poyson lyeth in her teeth, for she hath no sting. When any man is bitten by any of these creatures, the poyson spreads so suddenly through the veines & so runs to the heart, that in one houre it causeth death, unlesse he hath the Antidote to expell the poyson, which is a root called snakeweed, which must be champed, the spittle swallowed, and the root applyed to the sore; this is present cure against that which would be present death without it: this weede is ranck poyson, if it be taken by any man that is not bitten: whosoever is bitten by these snakes his flesh becomes as spotted as a Leaper until hee be perfectly cured. It is reported that if the party live that is bitten, the snake will dye, and if the partie die, the snake will live. This is a most poysonous and dangerous creature, yet nothing so bad as the report goes of him in _England_. For whereas he is sayd to kill a man with his breath, and that he can flye, there is no such matter, for he is naturally the most sleepie and unnimble creature that lives, never offering to leape or bite any man, if he be not troden on first, and it is their desire in hot weather to lye in pathes, where the sunne may shine on them, where they will sleepe so soundly that I have knowne foure men stride over one of them, and never awake her; 5 or 6 men have beene bitten by them, which by using of snake weede were all cured, never any yet losing his life by them. Cowes have beene bitten, but being cut in divers places, and this weede thrust into their flesh were cured. I never heard of any beast that was yet lost by any of them, saving one Mare. A small switch will easily kill one of these snakes. In many places of the Countrie there bee none of them, as at _Plimouth_, _Newtowne_, _Igowamme_, _Nahant_, _&c._ In some places they will live on one side of the river, and swimming but over the water, as soone as they be come into the woods, they turne up their yellow bellies and dye. Vp into the Countrey westward from the plantations is a high hill, which is called rattlesnake hill, where there is great store of these poysonous creatures. There be divers other kinde of snakes, one whereof is a great long blacke snake, two yards in length which will glide through the woods very swiftly; these never doe any hurt, neither doth any other kinde of snakes molest either man or beast. These creatures in the winter time creepe into clifts of rockes and into holes under ground, where they lie close till May or Iune. Here likewise bee great store of frogs, which in the Spring doe chirpe and whistle like a bird, and at the latter end of summer croake like our English frogges. Heere be also toades which will climbe the topes of high trees where they will sit croaking, to the wonderment of such as are not acquainted with them. I never saw any Wormes or Moles, but pismires and spiders be there. There are likewise troublesome flies. First there is a wilde Bee or Waspe, which commonly guards the grape, building her cobweb habitation amongst the leaves: secondly a great greene flye, not much unlike our horse flyes in _England_; they will nippe so sore that they wil fetch blood either of man or beast, and be most troublesome where most Cattle be, which brings them from out of the woods to the houses; this flye continues but for the Moneth of Iune. The third is a Gurnipper which is a small blacke fly no bigger than a flea; her biting causeth an itching upon the hands or face, which provoketh scratching which is troublesome to some; this fly is busie but in close mornings or evenings, and continues not above three weekes, the least winde or heate expells them. The fourth is a Musketoe which is not unlike to our gnats in _England_; In places where there is no thicke woods or Swampes, there is none or very few. In new Plantations they be troublesome for the first yeare, but the wood decaying they vanish: these Flies cannot endure winde, heate or cold, so that these are onely troublesome in close thicke weather, and against raine many that be bitten will fall a scratching, whereupon their faces and hands swell. Others are never troubled with them at all: those likewise that swell with their biting the first yeare, never swell the second: for my owne part I have bin troubled as much with them or some like them, in the Fen country of _England_ as ever I was there: Here be the flies that are called Chantharides, so much esteemed of Chirurgions, with divers kinds of Butterflies. Thus have you heard of the worst of the countrey: but some peradventure may say no, and reply that they have heard that the people have beene often driven to great wants and extremities; To which I answer, it is true that some have lived for a certaine time with a little bread, other without any, yet all this argues nothing against the countrey in it selfe, but condemnes the folly and improvidence of such as would venture into so rude and unmanaged a countrey, without so much provisions as should have comfortably maintained them in health and strength till by their labours they had brought the land to yeeld his fruite. I have my selfe heard some say that they heard it was a rich land, a brave country, but when they came there they could see nothing but a few Canvis Boothes & old houses, supposing at the first to have found walled townes, fortifications and corne fields, as if townes could have built themselves, or corne fields have growne of themselves, without the husbandrie of man. These men missing of their expectations, returned home and railed against the Country. Others may object that of late time there hath beene great want; I denie it not, but looke to the originall, and tell me from whence it came. The roote of their want sprung up in _England_, for many hundreds hearing of the plenty of the Country, were so much their owne foes and Countries hindrance, as to come without provision; which made things both deare and scant: wherefore let none blame the Country so much as condemne the indiscreetnesse of such as will needs runne themselves upon hardship. And I dare further assure any that will carrie provision enough for a yeare and a halfe, shall not neede to feare want, if he either be industrious himselfe, or have industrious agents to mannage his estate and affaires. And whereas many doe disparrage the land saying a man cannot live without labour, in that they more disparage and discredit themselves, in giving the world occasion to take notice of their droanish disposition, that would live of the sweate of another mans browes: surely they were much deceived, or else ill informed, that ventured thither in hope to live in plenty and idlenesse, both at a time: and it is as much pitty as he that can worke and will not, should eate, as it is pitty that he that would worke and cannot, should fast. I condemne not such therefore as are now there, and are not able to worke; but I advise for the future those men that are of weake constitutions to keepe at home, if their estates cannot maintaine servants. For all new _England_ must be workers in some kinde: and whereas it hath beene formerly reported that boyes of tenne or a twelve yeares of age might doe much more than get their living, that cannot be, for he must have more than a boyes head, and no lesse than a mans strength, that intends to live comfortably; and hee that hath understanding and Industrie, with a stocke of an hundered pound, shall live better there, than he shall doe here of twenty pound _per annum_. But many I know will say if it be thus, how comes it to passe then that they are so poore? To which I answere, that they are poore but in comparison, compare them with the rich Merchants or great landed men in _England_, and then I know they will seeme poore. There is no probability they should be exceeding rich, because none of such great estate went over yet; besides, a man of estate must first scatter before he gather, he must lay out monies for transporting of servants, and cattle and goods, for houses and fences and gardens, &c. This may make his purse seeme light, and to the eye of others seeme a leaking in his estate, whereas these disbursments are for his future enrichments: for he being once well seated and quietly setled, his increase comes in double; and howsoever they are accounted poore, they are well contented, and looke not so much at abundance, as a competencie; so little is the poverty of the Country, that I am perswaded if many in _England_ which are constrained to begge their bread were there, they would live better than many doe here, that have money to buy it. Furthermore when corne is scarse, yet may they have either fish or flesh for their labour: and surely that place is not miserably poore to them that are there, where foure Egges may be had for a Penny, and a quart of new Milke at the same rate: Where Butter is sixe-pence a pound, and Cheshire-Cheese at five pence; sure _Middlesex_ affords _London_ no better penny-worths. What though there be no such plenty, as to cry these things in the streetes? yet every day affords these penny-worths to those that neede them in most places. I dare not say in all: Can they be very poore, where for foure thousand soules, there are fifteene hundred head of Cattle, besides foure thousand Goates, and Swine innumerable? In an ill sheepe-yeare I have knowne Mutton as deere in _Old-England_, and deerer than Goates-flesh is in _New-England_, which is altogether as good if fancy be set aside.

CHAP. XII.

_What provision is to be made for a Iourney at Sea, and
what to carry with us for our use at Land._

Many peradventure at the looking over of these relations, may have inclinations or resolution for the Voyage, to whom I wish all prosperity in their undertakings; although I will use no forcive arguments to perswade any, but leave them to the relation; yet by way of advice, I would commend to them a few lines from the Pen of experience. And because the way to _New England_ is over Sea, it will not be amisse to give you directions, what is most necessary to bee carried. Many I suppose, know as well, or better than my selfe; yet all doe not, to those my directions tend; although every man have ship-provisions allowed him for his five pound a man, which is salt Beefe, Porke, salt Fish, Butter, Cheese, Pease, Pottage, Water-grewell, and such kinde of Victuals, with good Biskets, and sixe-shilling Beere: yet will it be necessary, to carry some comfortable refreshing of fresh victuall. As first, for such as have ability, some Conserves, and good Clarret Wine to burne at Sea: Or you may have it by some of your Vintners or Wine-Coopers burned here, & put up into vessels, which will keepe much better than other burnt Wine, it is a very comfortable thing for the stomacke; or such as are Sea-sicke: Sallet-oyle likewise. Prunes are good to be stewed; Sugar for many things: White Biskets, and Egs, and Bacon, Rice, Poultry, and some weather-sheepe to kill aboard the ship; and fine flowre-baked meates, will keepe about a weeke or nine dayes at Sea. Iuyce of Lemons well put up, is good either to prevent or cure the Scurvy. Here it must not be forgotten to carry small Skillets, or Pipkins, and small frying-panns, to dresse their victuals in at Sea. For bedding, so it be easie, and cleanely, and warme, it is no matter how old or coarse it be for the use of the Sea; and so likewise for Apparrell, the oldest cloathes be the fittest, with a long coarse coate, to keepe better things from the pitched ropes and plankes. Whosoever shall put to Sea in a stoute and well-conditioned ship, having an honest Master, and loving Sea-men, shall not neede to feare, but he shall finde as good content at Sea, as at Land.

It is too common with many to feare the Sea more than they neede, and all such as put to Sea, confesse it to be lesse tedious than they either feared or expected. A ship at Sea may well be compared to a Cradle, rocked by a carefull Mothers hand, which though it be moved up and downe, yet is it not in danger of falling: So a ship may often be rocked too and againe upon the troublesome Sea, yet seldome doth it sinke or over-turne, because it is kept by that carefull hand of Providence by which it is rocked. It was never knowne yet, that any ship in that voyage was cast away, or that ever fell into the Enemies hand.

For the health of Passengers it hath beene observed, that of sixe hundred soules, not above three or foure haue dyed at Sea: It is probable in such a company, more might have dyed either by sicknesse or casualities, if they had stayed at home. For Women, I see not but that they doe as well as men, and young Children as well as either; having their healths as well at Sea as at Land: Many likewise which have come with such foule bodies to Sea, as did make their dayes uncomfortable at Land, have beene so purged and clarified at Sea, that they have beene more healthfull for after-times; their weake appetites being turned to good stomackes, not onely desiring, but likewise disgesting such victuals as the Sea affords. Secondly, for directions for the Countrey, it is not to be feared, but that men of good estates may doe well there; alwayes provided, that they goe well accommodated with servants. In which I would not wish them to take over-many: tenne or twelve lusty servants being able to mannage an estate of two or three thousand pound. It is not the multiplicity of many bad servants, (which presently eates a man out of house and harbour, as lamentable experience hath made manifest) but the industry of the faithfull and diligent labourer, that enricheth the carefull Master; so that he that hath many dronish servants, shall soone be poore; and he that hath an industrious family, shall as soone be rich.

Now for the incouragement of his men, he must not doe as many have done, (more through ignorance than desire) carry many mouthes, and no meate; but rather much meate for a few mouthes. Want of due maintenance produceth nothing but a grumbling spirit with a sluggish idlenesse, when as those servants which be well provided for, goe thorough their imployments with speede and cheerefulnesse. For meale, it will be requisite to carry a Hogshead and a halfe, for every one that is a labourer, to keepe him till hee may receive the fruite of his owne labours, which will be a yeare and a halfe after his arrivall, if hee land in _May_ or _Iune_. He must likewise carry Malt, Beefe, Butter, Cheese, some Pease, good Wines, Vinegar, Strong-waters, &c. Whosoever transports more of these than he himselfe useth, his over-plus being sold, will yeeld as much profit as any other staple commodity. Euery man likewise must carry over good store of Apparrell; for if he come to buy it there, he shall finde it dearer than in _England_. Woollen-cloth is a very good comodity, and Linnen better; as Holland, Lockram, flaxen, Hempen, Callico stuffes, Linsey-woolsies, and blew Callicoe, greene Sayes for Housewives aprons, Hats, Bootes, Shooes, good _Irish_ stockings, which if they be good, are much more serviceable than knit-ones. All kind of grocery wares, as Sugar, Prunes, Raisons, Currants, Honey, Nutmegs, Cloves, &c. Sope, Candles, and Lamps, &c. All manner of household-stuffe is very good Trade there, as Pewter and Brasse, but great Iron-pots be preferred before Brasse, for the use of that Country. Warming-pannes and Stewing-pannes bee of necessary use, and good Trafficke there. All manner of Iron-wares, as all manner of nailes for houses, and all manner of Spikes for building of Boates, Ships, and fishing stages: all manner of tooles for Workemen, Hoes for planters, broad and narrow for setting and weeding; with Axes both broad and pitching-axes. All manner of Augers, piercing bits, Whip-saws, Two-handed saws, Froes, both for the riving of Pailes and Laths, rings for Beetles heads, and Iron-wedges; though all these be made in the Countrey: (there being divers Blacke-smiths) yet being a heavy commodity, and taking but a little stoage, it is cheaper to carry such commodities out of _England_. Glasse ought not to be forgotten of any that desire to benefit themselves, or the Countrey: if it be well leaded, and carefully pack't up, I know no commodity better for portage or sayle. Here likewise must not be forgotten all Vtensils for the Sea, as Barbels, splitting-knives, Leads, and Cod-hookes, and Lines, Machrill-hooks and lines, Sharke-hookes, Seanes, or Basse nets, large and strong, Herring-nets, &c. Such as would eate Fowle, must not forget their sixe-foote Gunnes, their good Powder and shot, of all sorts; a great round shot called _Bastable_-shot, is the best; being made of a blacker Lead than ordinary shot: Furthermore, good Pooldavies to make sayles for Boates, Roads, and Anchors for Boates and Pinnaces, be good; Sea-coale, Iron, Lead, and Mil-stones, Flints, Ordonances, and whatsoever a man can conceive is good for the Countrey, that will lie as Ballast, he cannot be a loser by it. And lest I should forget a thing of so great importance, no man must neglect to provide for himselfe, or those belonging to him, his munition for the defence of himselfe and the Countrey. For there is no man there that beares a head, but that beares military Armes: even Boyes of fourteene yeares of age, are practised with men in militarie discipline, every three weeks. Whosoever shall carrie over Drummes and _English_ Colours, Pattesons, Halberds, Pickes, Muskets, Bandelerous, with Swords, shall not neede to feare good gaine for them, such things being wanting in the country: Likewise whatsoever shall be needefull for fortifications of holds and Castles, whereby the common enemy may be kept out in future times, is much desired. They as yet have had no great cause to feare; but because securitie hath beene the overthrow of many a new plantation, it is their care according to their abilities, to secure themselves by fortifications, as well as they can: Thus having shewed what commodities are most usefull, it will not be amisse to shew you what men be most fit for these plantations.

First, men of good working, and contriving heads, a well experienced common wealths man for the good of the body politicke in matters of advice and counsell, a well skilled and industrious husbandman, for tillage and improvements of grounds; an ingenious Carpenter, a cunning Ioyner, a handie Cooper, such a one as can make strong ware for the use of the countrie, and a good Brickmaker, a Tyler and a Smith, a Leather dresser, a Gardner, and a Taylour: one that hath good skill in the trade of fishing, is of speciall use, and so is a good Fowler, if there be any that hath skill in any of these trades, if he can transport himselfe, he needs not feare but he may improve his time and endeavours to his owne benefit, and comfort; if any cannot transport himselfe, he may provide himselfe of an honest master, and so may doe as well. There is as much freedome and liberty for servants as in _England_ and more too; a wronged servant shall have right _volens nolens_ from his injurious master, and a wronged master shall have right of his injurious servant, as well as here: Wherefore let no servant be discouraged from the voyage, that intends it. And now whereas it is generally reported, that servants and poore men grow rich, and the masters and Gentrie grow poore; I must needs confesse that the diligent hand makes rich, and that labouring men having good store of employments, and as good pay, live well, and contentedly; but I cannot perceive that those that set them aworke are any way impoverished by them; peradventure they have lesse monie by reason of them, but never the lesse riches; a mans worke well done being more beneficiall than his monie, or other dead commodities, which otherwise would lye by him to no purpose. If any men be so improvident as to set men about building of Castles in the Aire, or other unnecessary employments, they may grow poore; but such as employ labourers about planting of Corne, building of houses, fenceing in of ground, fishing, and divers other necessary occasions, shall receive as much or more by poore mens labours, than those that live in _England_ doe from the industrie of such as they hire: Wherefore I doe suppose this to be but the surmisings of some that are ignorant of the state of the countrey, or else misinformed by some ill willers to the plantations. Many objections I know are daily invented, to hinder the proceedings of these new plantations, which may dampe the unsetled spirits of such as are not greatly affected with those undertakings; Some say the _Spaniard_ layes claime to the whole country, being the first discoverer hereof, and that he may make invasion upon those parts as well as he hath done upon S. _Christophers_, and S. _Martins_, and those places: but it doth not follow that because he tooke such places as lay just in his way to the _West Indies_, that he should come thousands of miles with a great Navie to plantations, as yet not worth the pillage: and when the plantations are growne noted in the eyes of the common foes for wealth, it is hoped that when the Bees have Honie in their Hives, they will have stings in their tailes. Hath not _Virginia_ beene planted many yeares which is foure hundred miles nearer the _Spaniards_ course, and yet never met with any affrontments; so that this scruple smells of feare and pusill-animitie. To wipe away all groundlesse calumniations, and to answer to every too curious objections, and frivolous question (some so simple as not ashamed to aske whether the Sunne shines there or no) were to run in infinitum; but I hope that the severall manuscripts and letters, and informations by word of mouth from such of our honest countrimen which daily have recourse unto us, have given full satisfaction to such as are well willers to the plantations: and for such as are estranged to it in affection, if every word that hath beene eyther writ or spoken were a forcive argument, yet would it be too little to steddie their beleefe in any one particular concerning the country. Some are nimble eared to heare faults, and so ready tongued to publish them, yea often times with strained constructions; a false asseveration usually winneth more beleefe than two verifying negatives can resettle: Some there are who count with _Claudian_ that it is an incomparable happinesse to have their birth, life & burying in the same place: these are never likely to remove further than the shell of their owne countrie. But because there are some noble spirits that devote their states, and their persons, to the common good of their king and country, I have therefore for their direction and delight made this relation: For as the end of my travell was observation, so I desire the end of my observation may tend to the information of others: As I have observed what I have seene, and written what I have observed, so doe I desire to publish what I have written, desiring it may be beneficiall to posteritie; and if any man desire to fill himselfe at that fountaine, from whence this tasting cup was taken, his owne experience shall tell him as much as I have here related, and thus I passe from the country as it stands to the _English_, and come to discourse how it stands to the old Natives, and they to it, as followeth.

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THE
SECOND
PART.

Of the _Indians_, their persons, cloathings,
diet, natures, customes, lawes,
mariages, worships, conjurations,
warres, games, huntings, fishings,
sports, language, death, and
burials.

CHAP. I.

_Of the _Connectacuts_, _Mowhacks_, or such _Indians
_as are West-ward._

The country as it is in relation to the _Indians_, is divided as it were into Shires, every severall division being swayde by a severall king. The _Indians_ to the East and North east, bearing the name of _Churchers_, and _Tarrenteenes_. These in the Southerne parts be called _Pequants_, and _Narragansets_; those who are seated West-ward be called, _Connectacuts_, and _Mowhacks_: Our _Indians_ that live to the North-ward of them be called _Aberginians_, who before the sweeping Plague, were an Inhabitant not fearing, but rather scorning the confrontments of such as now count them but the scumme of the country, and would soone roote them out of their native possessions were it not for the _English_.

These are a cruell bloody people, which were wont to come downe upon their poore neighbours with more than bruitish savagenesse, spoyling of their Corne, burning their houses, slaying men, ravishing women, yea very Caniballs they were, sometimes eating on a man one part after another before his face, and while yet living; in so much that the very name of a _Mowhack_ would strike the heart of a poore _Abergenian_ dead, were there not hopes at hand of releefe from _English_ to succour them: For these inhumane homicides confesse that they dare not meddle with a white faced man, accompanyed with his hot mouth'd weapon. These _Indians_ be a people of a tall stature, of long grimme visages, slender wasted, and exceeding great armes and thighes, wherein they say their strength lyeth; and this I rather beleeve because an honest gentleman told me, upon his knowledge, that he saw one of them with a fillippe with his finger kill a dogge, who afterward flead him and sod him, and eate him to his dinner. They are so hardie that they can eate such things as would make other _Indians_ sicke to looke upon, being destitute of fish and flesh, they suffice hunger and maintaine nature with the use of vegetatives; but that which they most hunt after, is the flesh of man; their custome is if they get a stranger neere their habitations, not to butcher him immediately, but keeping him in as good plight as they can, feeding him with the best victualls they have. As a neere neighbouring _Indian_ assured me, who found what he had spoke true by a lamentable experience, still wearing the cognizance of their cruelty on his naked arme, who being taken by them eate of their foode, lodged in their beds, nay he was brought forth every day, to be new painted, piped unto, and hem'd in with a ring of bare skinned morris dancers, who presented their antiques before him: In a word, when they had sported enough about this walking Maypole, a rough hewne satyre cutteth a gobbit of flesh from his brawnie arme, eating it in his view, searing it with a firebrand, least the blood should be wasted before the morning, at the dawning wherof they told him they would make an end as they had begun; hee answered that he cared as little for their threats as they did for his life, not fearing death; whereupon they led him bound into a _Wigwam_, where he sate as a condemned Prisoner, grating his teeth for anguish being for the present so hampered, and the next day to be entombed in so many living sepulchers; he extends his strength to the utmost, breaketh the bands from his hands, and loosing the cords from his feete, thought at once to be revenged for the flesh of his arme, and finding a hatchet, layes one with an arme of revenge to the unliving of ten men at first onset, afterward taking the opportunitie of the dead of night, fled through the woods and came to his native home, where he still lives to rehearse his happie escapall; of the rest of their inhumane cruelties let the _Dutchmen_, (who live among them) testifie, as likewise the cruell manner of leading their prisoners captive, whom they doe not onely pinnion with sharpe thongs, but likewise bore holes through their hamstrings, through which they thread a cord coupling ten or a dozen men together.

These _Indians_ be more desperate in warres than the other _Indians_; which proceeds not onely from the fiercenesse of their natures, but also in that they know themselves to be better armed and weaponed; all of them wearing sea horse skinnes and barkes of trees, made by their Art as impenitrable it is thought as steele, wearing head peeces of the same, under which they march securely and undantedly, running, and fiercely crying out, _Hadree Hadree succomee succomee_ we come we come to sucke your blood, not fearing the feathered shafts of the strong-armed bow-men, but like unruly headstrong stallions beate them downe with their right hand Tamahaukes, and left hand Iavelins, being all the weapons which they use, counting bowes a cowardly fight. _Tamahaukes_ be staves of two foote and a halfe long, and a knob at one end as round and bigge as a footeball: a Iavelin is a short speare, headed with sharpe sea-horse teeth; one blow or thrust with these strange weapons, will not neede a second to hasten death, from a _Mowhackes_ arme. I will conclude this discourse concerning the _Mowhackes_, in a tragicall rehearsall of one of their combates. A _Sagamore_ inhabiting neere these Canniballs, was so dayly annoyed with their injurious inhumanitie, that he must either become a tributarie subject to their tyrannie, or release himselfe from thraldome by the stroke of warre, which he was unable to wage of himselfe: wherefore with faire entreaties, plausible perswasions, forcive arguments, and rich presents he sent to other _Sagamores_, he procured so many souldiers as summed with his owne, made his forces sixe thousand strong; with the which he resolutely marched towards his enemies, intending either to win the horse or loose the saddle. His enemies having heard of his designes, plotted how to confront him in his enterprize, and overthrow him by trecherie; which they thus attempted; knowing their enemies were to swimme over a muddie river, they divided their bands lying in ambush on both sides the river, waiting his approach, who suspected no danger looking for nothing but victory; but immediately they were invyroned with their unexpected foes, in their greatest disadvantage: for being in the water, shoote they could not, for swimming was their action; and when they came to the side, they could not runne away, for their feete stucke fast in the mudde, and their adversaries impaled them about, clubbing and darting all that attained the shore; so that all were killed and captived, saving three who swimming further under the waters (like the Ducke that escapeth the Spannell by diving) untill they were out of sight of their blood thirstie foes, recovered the shoare creeping into the thickets, from whence after a little breathing and resting of their weary limbes, they marched through the woods and arrived at their owne homes, relating to their inquisitive survivers the sadde event of their warre, who a long time after deplored the death of their friends, still placing the remembrance of that day in the Callender of their mishappes.

CHAP. II.

_Of the _Tarrenteenes_ or the _Indians_ inhabiting
Eastward._

The _Tarrenteenes_ saving that they eate not mans flesh, are little lesse salvage, and cruell than these Canniballs: our _Indians_ doe feare them as their deadly enemies; for so many of them as they meete they kill. About 2 yeares agoe, our _Indians_ being busie about their accustomed huntings, not suspecting them so neere their owne liberties, were on the suddaine surprized by them; some being slaine, the rest escaping to their _English Asylum_, whither they durst not pursue them; their _Sagamore_ was wounded by an arrow, but presently cured by _English_ Chirurgery. These _Indians_ are the more insolent, by reason they have guns which they dayly trade for with the _French_, (who will sell his eyes as they say, for beaver:) but these doe them more credit than service; for having guns they want powder, or if they have that, they want shot, something or other being alwayes wanting; so that they use them for little, but to salute coasting boates that come to trade, who no sooner can anchor in any harbour; but they present them with a vollie of shot, asking for sacke and strong liquors, which they so much love since the _English_ used to trade it with them, that they will scarse trade for any thing else, lashing out into excessive abuse, first taught by the example of some of our _English_ who to uncloathe them of their beaver coates, clad them with the infection of swearing and drinking, which was never in fashion with them before, it being contrary to their nature to guzell downe strong drinke, or use so much as to sippe of strong-waters, vntill our bestiall example and dishonest incitation brought them to it; from which I am sure hath sprung many evill consequents, as disorder, quarrels, wrongs, unconscionable and forcive wresting of Beaver and Wampompeage: and from over-flowing Cups there hath beene a proceeding to revenge, murther and over-flowing of blood. As witnesse Maister _Wayes_ Boate, which they sunke with stones after they had killed his son, with three more: buzzing the _English_ in the eares, that they see it bulged against the rockes, and the men drowned in the beating surges: but afterwards being betrayed, as many as were caught, were hanged. Another who was situated on _Richmonds_ Iland, living as he list amongst them, making his couetous corrupt will his law; after many abuses, was with his family one evening treacherously murthered, under a faire pretence of trade; so that these that lived beside the Law of God, and their King, and the light of Nature, dyed by their hands that car'd neither for God, King, nor Nature. Take these _Indians_ in their own trimme and naturall disposition, and they be reported to be wise, lofty-spirited, constant in friendship to one another; true in their promise, and more industrious than many others.

CHAP. III.

_Of the _Pequants_ and _Narragansets_, _Indians_ inhabiting
Southward._

The _Pequants_ be a stately warlike people, of whom I never heard any misdemeanour; but that they were iust and equall in their dealings; not treacherous either to their Country-men, or _English_: Requiters of courtesies, affable towards the _English_. Their next neighbours the _Narragansets_, be at this present the most numerous people in those parts, the most rich also, and the most industrious; being the store-house of all such kind of wild Merchandize as is amongst them. These men are the most curious minters of their _Wampompeage_ and _Mowhakes_, which they forme out of the inmost wreaths of Periwinkle-shels. The Northerne, Easterne, and Westerne _Indians_ fetch all their Coyne from these Southerne Mint-masters. From hence they have most of their curious Pendants & Bracelets; from hence they have their great stone-pipes, which wil hold a quarter of an ounce of Tobacco, which they make with steele-drils and other instruments; such is their ingenuity & dexterity, that they can imitate the _English_ mold so accurately, that were it not for matter and colour it were hard to distinguish them; they make them of greene, & sometimes of blacke stone; they be much desired of our _English_ Tobaconists, for their rarity, strength, handsomnesse, and coolnesse. Hence likewise our _Indians_ had their pots wherein they used to seeth their victuals before they knew the use of Brasse. Since the _English_ came, they have employed most of their time in catching of Beavers, Otters, and Musquashes, which they bring downe into the Bay, returning backe loaded with _English_ commodities, of which they make a double profit, by selling them to more remote _Indians_, who are ignorant at what cheape rates they obtaine them, in comparison of what they make them pay, so making their neighbours ignorance their enrichment. Although these be populous, yet I never heard they were desirous to take in hand any martiall enterprize, or expose themselves to the uncertaine events of warre: wherefore the _Pequants_ call them Women-like men; but being uncapable of a jeare, they rest secure under the conceit of their popularitie, and seeke rather to grow rich by industrie, than famous by deeds of Chevalry. But to leave strangers, and come to declare what is experimentally knowne of the _Indians_, amongst whom we live: of whom in the next Chapter.

CHAP. IV.

_Of the _Aberginians_ or _Indians_ Northward._

First of their Stature, most of them being betweene five or six foote high, straight bodied, strongly composed, smooth skinned, merry countenanced, of complexion something more swarthy than _Spaniards_, black hair'd, high foreheaded, blacke ey'd, out-nosed, broad shouldred, brawny arm'd, long and slender handed, out brested, small wasted, lanke bellied, well thighed, flat kneed, handsome growne leggs, and small feete: In a word, take them when the blood briskes in their veines, when the flesh is on their backs, and marrow in their bones, when they frolick in their antique deportments and _Indian_ postures; and they are more amiable to behold (though onely in _Adams_ livery) than many a compounded phantasticke in the newest fashion. It may puzzle beliefe, to conceive how such lustie bodies should have their rise and daily supportment from so slender a fostering; their houses being meane, their lodging as homely, commons scant, their drinke water, and Nature their best cloathing; in them the old proverbe may well be verified: (_Natura paucis contenta_) for though this be their daily portion, they still are healthfull and lusty. I have beene in many places, yet did I never see one that was borne either in redundance or defect a monster, or any that sickneffe had deformed, or casualitie made decrepit, saving one that had a bleared eye, and an other that had a wenne on his cheeke. The reason is rendred why they grow so proportionable, and continue so long in their vigour (most of them being 50 before a wrinkled brow or gray haire betray their age) is because they are not brought downe with suppressing labour, vexed with annoying cares, or drowned in the excessive abuse of overflowing plenty, which oftentimes kils them more than want, as may appeare in them. For when they change their bare _Indian_ commons for the plenty of _Englands_ fuller diet, it is so contrary to their stomacks, that death or a desperate sicknesse immediately accrews, which makes so few of them desirous to see _England_. Their swarthinesse is the Sun's livery, for they are borne faire. Their smooth skins proceede from the often anoynting of their bodies with the oyle of fishes, and the fat of Eagles, with the grease of Rackoones, which they hold in summer, the best antidote to keepe their skinne from blistering with the scorching Sunne; and it is their best armour against the Musketoes, the surest expeller of the hairy excrement, and stops the pores of their bodies against the nipping winters cold. Their black haire is naturall, yet it is brought to a more jetty colour by oyling, dying, and daily dressing. Sometimes they weare it very long, hanging down in a loose dishevel'd womanish manner; otherwhile tied up hard and short like a horse taile, bound close with a fillet, which they say makes it grow the faster: they are not a little phantasticall or custom-sick in this particular; their boyes being not permitted to weare their haire long till sixteene yeares of age, and then they must come to it by degrees; some being cut with a long foretop, a long locke on the crowne, one of each side of his head, the rest of his haire being cut even with the scalpe: the young men and souldiers weare their haire long on the one side, the other side being cut short like a screw; other cuts they have as their fancie befooles them, which would torture the wits of a curious Barber to imitate. But though they be thus wedded to the haire of their head, you cannot wooe them to weare it on their chinnes, where it no sooner growes, but it is stubbed up by the rootes, for they count it as an unuseful, cumbersome, and opprobrious excrement, insomuch as they call him an _English_ mans bastard that hath but the appearance of a beard, which some have growing in a staring fashion, like the beard of a cat, which makes them the more out of love with them, choosing rather to have no beards than such as should make them ridiculous.

CHAP. V.

_Of their Apparell, Ornaments, Paintings, and other artificiall
deckings._

Now these naked bodies may seeme too weake to with-stand the assaulting heat of their parching Summers, and the piercing cold of the icie Winters, or it may be surmised that these earthly fabricks should be wasted to nothing by the tempestuous dashings of wind-driven raines, having neither that which may warme within, or shelter without; yet these things they looke not after, saving a paire of _Indian_ Breeches to cover that which modesty commands to be hid, which is but a peece of cloth a yard and a halfe long, put betweene their groinings, tied with a snakes skinne about their middles, one end hanging downe with a flap before, the other like a taile behinde. In the Winter time the more aged of them weare leather drawers, in forme like _Irish_ trouses, fastned under their girdle with buttons; they weare shooes likewise of their owne making cut out of a Mooses hide, many of them weare skinnes about them, in forme of an _Irish_ mantle, and of these some be Beares skinnes, Mooses skinnes, and Beaver skinnes sewed together, Otter skinnes, and Rackoone skinnes; most of them in the Winter having his deepe furr'd Cat skinne, like a long large muffe, which hee shifts to that arme which lieth most exposed to the winde; thus clad, hee busles better through a world of cold in a frost-paved wildernesse, than the furred Citizen in his warmer Stoave. If their fancie drive them to trade, they choose rather a good course blanket, thorough which they cannot see, interposing it betweene the sunne and them; or a piece of broade cloth, which they use for a double end, making it a coate by day, and a covering by night; they love not to be imprisoned in our _English_ fashion: they love their owne dogge fashion better (of shaking their eares, and being ready in a moment) than to spend time in dressing them, though they may as well spare it as any men I know, having little else to doe. But the chiefe reasons they render why they will not conforme to our _English_ apparell, are, because their women cannot wash them when they bee soyled, and their meanes will not reach to buy new when they have done with their old; and they confidently beleeve, the _English_ will not be so liberall as to furnish them upon gifture: therefore they had rather goe naked than be lousie, and bring their bodies out of their old tune, making them more tender by a new acquired habit, which poverty would constraine them to leave: although they be thus poore, yet is there in them the sparkes of naturall pride, which appeares in their longing desire after many kinde of ornaments, wearing pendants in their eares, as formes of birds, beasts, and fishes, carved out of bone, shels, and stone, with long bracelets of their curious wrought wampompeage and mowhackees, which they put about their necks and loynes; these they count a rare kinde of decking; many of the better sort bearing upon their cheekes certaine pourtraitures of beasts, as Beares, Deares, Mooses, Wolves, &c. some of fowls, as of Eagles, Hawkes, &c. which be not a superficiall painting, but a certaine incision, or else a raising of their skin by a small sharpe instrument, under which they conveigh a certain kind of black unchangeable inke, which makes the desired forme apparent and permanent. Others have certaine round Impressions downe the outside of their armes and brests, in forme of mullets or spur-rowels, which they imprint by searing irons: whether these be foiles to illustrate their unparalleld beauty (as they deeme it) or Armes to blazon their antique Gentilitie, I cannot easily determine: but a Sagamore with a Humberd in his eare for a pendant, a black hawke on his _occiput_ for his plume, Mowhackees for his gold chaine, good store of Wampompeage begirting his loynes, his bow in his hand, his quiver at his back with six naked _Indian_ spatterlashes at his heeles for his guard, thinkes himselfe little inferiour to the great _Cham_; hee will not stick to say, hee is all one with King _Charles_. He thinkes hee can blow downe Castles with his breath, and conquer kingdomes with his conceit. This _Pompey_ can endure no equall, till one dayes adverse lotterie at their game (called _Puimme_) metamorphize him into a _Codrus_, robbing him of his conceited wealth, leaving him in minde and riches equall with his naked attendants, till a new taxation furnish him with a fresh supplie.

CHAP. VI.

_Of their dyet, cookery, meale-times, and hospitality at
their Kettles._

Having done with their most needfull cloathings and ornamentall deckings; may it please you to feast your eyes with their belly-timbers, which I suppose would be but _stibium_ to weake stomacks as they cooke it, though never so good of it selfe. In Winter-time they have all manner of fowles of the water and of the land, & beasts of the land and water, pond-fish, with Catharres and other rootes, _Indian_ beanes and Clamms. In the Summer they have all manner of Sea-fish, with all sorts of Berries. For the ordering of their victuals, they boile or roast them, having large Kettles which they traded for with the _French_ long since, and doe still buy of the _English_ as their neede requires, before they had substantiall earthen pots of their owne making. Their spits are no other than cloven sticks sharped at one end to thrust into the ground; into these cloven sticks they thrust the flesh or fish they would have rosted, behemming a round fire with a dozen of spits at a time, turning them as they see occasion. Some of their scullerie having dressed these homely cates, presents it to his guests, dishing it up in a rude manner, placing it on the verdent carpet of the earth which Nature spreads them, without either trenchers, napkins, or knives, upon which their hunger-sawced stomacks impatient of delayes, fals aboard without scrupling at unwashed hands, without bread, salt, or beere: lolling on the Turkish fashion, not ceasing till their full bellies leave nothing but emptie platters: they seldome or never make bread of their _Indian_ corne, but seeth it whole like beanes, eating three or foure cornes with a mouthfull of fish or flesh, sometimes eating meate first, and cornes after, filling chinkes with their broth. In Summer, when their corne is spent, Isquoutersquashes is their best bread, a fruite like a young Pumpion. To say, and to speake paradoxically, they be great eaters, and yet little meate-men; when they visit our _English_, being invited to eate, they are very moderate, whether it be to shew their manners, or for shamefastnesse, I know not; but at home they will eate till their bellies stand south, ready to split with fulnesse; it being their fashion to eate all at some times, and sometimes nothing at all in two or three dayes, wise Providence being a stranger to their wilder wayes: they be right Infidels, neither caring for the morrow, or providing for their owne families; but as all are fellowes at foot-ball, so they all meete friends at the kettle, saving their Wives, that dance a Spaniell-like attendance at their backes for their bony fragments. If their imperious occasions cause them to travell, the best of their victuals for their journey is _Nocake_, (as they call it) which is nothing but _Indian_ Corne parched in the hot ashes; the ashes being sifted from it, it is afterward beaten to powder, and put into a long leatherne bag, trussed at their backe like a knapsacke; out of which they take thrice three spoonefulls a day, dividing it into three meales. If it be in Winter, and Snow be on the ground, they can eate when they please, stopping Snow after their dusty victuals, which otherwise would feed them little better than a Tiburne halter. In Summer they must stay till they meete with a Spring or Brooke, where they may have water to prevent the imminent danger of choaking. With this strange _viaticum_ they will travell foure or five daies together, with loads fitter for Elephants than men. But though they can fare so hardly abroad, at home their chaps must walke night and day as long as they have it. They keepe no set meales, their store being spent, they champe on the bit, till they meete with fresh supplies, either from their owne endeavours, or their wives industry, who trudge to the _Clam-bankes_ when all other meanes faile. Though they be sometimes scanted, yet are they as free as Emperours, both to their Country-men and _English_, be he stranger, or neare acquaintance; counting it a great discourtesie, not to eate of their high-conceited delicates, and sup of their un-oat-meal'd broth, made thicke with Fishes, Fowles, and Beasts boyled all together; some remaining raw, the rest converted by over-much seething to a loathed mash, not halfe so good as _Irish Boniclapper_.

CHAP. VII.

_Of their dispositions and good qualifications, as friendship,
constancy, truth, and affability._