Chapter IV: Front Matter (4)

To enter into a serious discourse concerning the naturall conditions of these _Indians_, might procure admiration from the people of any civilized Nations, in regard of their civility and good natures. If a Tree may be judged by his fruite, and dispositions calculated by exteriour actions; then may it be concluded, that these _Indians_ are of affable, courteous, and well disposed natures, ready to communicate the best of their wealth to the mutuall good of one another; and the lesse abundance they have, to manifest their entire friendship; so much the more perspicuous is their love, in that they are as willing to part with their Mite in poverty, as treasure in plenty. As he that kills a Deere, sends for his friends, and eates it merrily: So he that receives but a piece of bread from an _English_ hand, parts it equally betweene himselfe and his comerades, and eates it lovingly. In a word, a friend can command his friend, his house, and whatsoever is his, (saving his Wife) and have it freely: And as they are love-linked thus in common courtesie, so are they no way sooner dis-joynted than by ingratitude; accounting an ungratefull person a double robber of a man, not onely of his courtesie, but of his thankes which he might receive of another for the same proffered, or received kindnesse. Such is their love to one another, that they cannot endure to see their Countrey-men wronged, but will stand stiffely in their defence: plead strongly in their behalfe, and justifie one anothers integrities in any warrantable action. If it were possible to recount the courtesies they have shewed the _English_, since their first arrivall in those parts, it would not onely steddy beleefe, that they are a loving people, but also winne the love of those that never saw them, and wipe off that needelesse feare that is too deepely rooted in the conceits of many, who thinke them envious, and of such rankerous and inhumane dispositions, that they will one day make an end of their _English_ inmates. The worst indeede may be surmised, but the _English_ hitherto have had little cause to suspect them, but rather to be convinced of their trustinesse, seeing they have as yet beene the disclosers of all such treacheries as have bin practised by other _Indians_. And whereas once there was a proffer of an universall League amongst all the _Indians_ in those parts, to the intent that they might all joyne in one united force, to extirpate the _English_, our _Indians_ refused the motion, replying, they had rather be servants to the _English_, of whom they were confident to receive no harme, and from whom they had received so many favours, and assured good testimonies of their love, than equals with them, who would cut their throates upon the least offence, and make them the shambles of their cruelty. Furthermore, if any roaving ships be upon the coasts, and chance to harbour either East-ward, North-ward, or South-ward in any unusuall Port, they will giue us certaine intelligence of her burthen and forces, describing their men either by language or features; which is a great priviledge and no small advantage. Many wayes hath their advice and endeavour beene advantagious unto us; they being our first instructers for the planting of their _Indian_ Corne, by teaching us to cull out the finest seede, to observe the fittest season, to keepe distance for holes, and fit measure for hills, to worme it, and weede it; to prune it, and dresse it as occasion shall require.

These _Indians_ be very hospitable, insomuch that when the _English_ have trauelled forty, fifty, or threescore miles into the Countrey, they have entertained them into their houses, quartered them by themselves in the best roomes, providing the best victuals they could, expressing their welcome in as good termes as could be expected from their slender breeding; shewing more love than complement, not grumbling for a fortnights or three weekes tarrying; but rather caring to provide accommodation correspondent to their _English_ custome. The doubtfull traveller hath oftentimes beene much beholding to them for their guidance thorow the unbeaten Wildernesse: my selfe in this particular can doe no lesse in the due acknowledgment of their love, than speake their commendations, who with two more of my associates bending our course to new _Plimouth_, lost our way, being deluded by a misleading path which we still followed, being as we thought too broad for an _Indian_ path (which seldome is broader than a Cart's rutte) but that the dayly concourse of _Indians_ from the _Narragansets_ who traded for shooes, wearing them homewards had made this _Indian_ tract like an _English_ walke, and had rear'd up great stickes against the trees, and marked the rest with their hatchets in the _English_ fashion, which begat in us a security of our wrong way to be right, when indeed there was nothing lesse: The day being gloomy and our compasses at home, we travelled hard till night to lesse purpose than if we had sat still, not gaining an inch of our journey for a dayes travell: but happily wee arrived at an _Indian Wigwamme_, where we were informed of our misprision, and invited to a homely lodging, feasted with the haunch of a fat Deere, and the ensuing morning the son of my naked hoast, for a peece of Tobacco, and a foure penny whittle, tooke the clew of his traveling experience, conducting us through the strange labyrinth of unbeaten bushy wayes in the woody wildernesse twentie miles to our desired harbour.

A second demonstration of their love in this kind may appeare in a passage of the same nature. An unexperienced wood man ranging in the woods for Deere, traveled so farre beyond his knowledge, till he could not tell how to get out of the wood for trees, but the more he sought to direct himselfe out, the more he ranne himselfe in, from the home he most desired; the night came upon him preventing his walking, and the extremitie of cold seasing upon his right foote for want of warming motion, deprived him of the use thereof, so that he could not remoove farther than his snowie bed, but had there ended his dayes, had not sixe commiserating _Indians_, who heard of his wandering, found him out by diligent search, being almost dead with despaire and cold: but after they had conquered his despaire with the assurance of his safe conduction to his habitation, and expelled the cold by the infusion of strong waters which they brought for the same purpose; they framed a thing like a hand barrow and carryed this selfe-helpelesse person on their bare-shoulders twelve miles to his residence: many other wandring benighted coasters have beene kindly entertained into their habitations, where they have rested and reposed themselves more securely than if they had beene in some blind obscure old _Englands_ Inne, being the next day directed in their right way: many lazie boyes that have runne away from their masters, have beene brought home by these ranging foresters, who are as well acquainted with the craggy mountaines, and the pleasant vales, the stately woods, and swampie groves, the spacious ponds, and swift running rivers, and can distinguish them by their names as perfectly, and finde them as presently, as the experienced Citizen knows how to finde out Cheape-side crosse, or _London_ stone. Such is the wisedome and pollicie of these poore men, that they will be sure to keepe correspondence with our _English_ Magistrates, expressing their love in the execution of any service they command them, so far as lyes in their power, as may appeare in this one particular. A certaine man having layd himselfe open to the Kings lawes, fearing attachment, conviction, and consequently execution: sequestred himselfe from the honest societie of his neighbours, betaking himselfe unto the obscure thickets of the wildernesse, where hee lived for a time undiscovered, till the _Indians_ who leave no place unsearched for Deere, found out his haunt, and having taken notice by diverse discourses concerning him, how that it was the governers desire to know where he was; they thought it a part of their service to certifie him where he kept his rendevouze, who thereupon desired if they could to direct men to him for his attachment, but he had shifted his dwelling, and could not be found for the present, yet he was after seene by other _Indians_, but being double pistold, and well sworded, they feared to approach so neere him as to grapple with him: wherefore they let him alone till his owne necessary businesse cast him upon them; for having occasion to crosse a river, he came to the side thereof, where was an _Indian Cannow_, in which the _Indians_ were to crosse the river themselves, hee vauntingly commanded wastage; which they willingly graunted, but withall plotting how they might take him prisoner, which they thus effected; having placed him in the midship of their ticklish wherrie, they lanched forth into the deepe, causing the capering _Cannow_ to cast out her combersome ballast into the liquid water; which swomme like a stone, and now the water having dank't his pistoles, and lost his _Spanish_ progge in the bottome, the _Indians_ swomme him out by the chinne to the shore, where having dropt himselfe a little dry, he began to bluster out a storme of rebellious resistance, till they becalmed his pelting chafe with their pelting of pibles at him, afterward leading him as they list to the governour. These people be of a kinde and affable disposition, yet are they very warie with whom they strike hands in friendshippe: nothing is more hatefull to them than a churlish disposition, so likewise is dissimulation: he that speakes seldome, and opportunely, being as good as his word, is the onely man they love. The _Spaniard_ they say is all one _Aramouse_ (_viz._ all one as a dog) the _Frenchman_ hath a good tongue, but a false heart: The _English_ man all one speake, all one heart; wherefore they more approve of them than of any Nation: garrulitie is much condemned of them, for they utter not many words, speake seldome, and then with such gravitie as is pleasing to the eare: such as understand them not, desire yet to heare their emphaticall expressions, and lively action; such is the milde temper of their spirits that they cannot endure objurgations, or scoldings. An _Indian Sagamore_ once hearing an _English_ woman scold with her husband, her quicke utterance exceeding his apprehension, her active lungs thundering in his eares, expelled him the house; from whence he went to the next neighbour, where he related the unseemelinesse of her behaviour; her language being strange to him, hee expressed it as strangely, telling them how she cryed Nannana Nannana Nannana Nan, saying he was a great foole to give her the audience, and no correction for usurping his charter, and abusing him by her tongue. I have beene amongst diverse of them, yet did I never see any falling out amongst them, not so much as crosse words, or reviling speeches, which might provoke to blowes. And whereas it is the custome of many people in their games, if they see the dice runne crosse or their cards not answere their expectations: what cursing and swearing, what imprecations, and raylings, fightings and stabbings oftentimes proceede from their testy spleene. How doe their blustering passions, make the place troublesome to themselves and others? But I have knowne when foure of these milder spirits have sit downe staking their treasures, where they have plaied foure and twentie houres, neither eating drinking or sleeping in the Interim; nay which is most to be wondered at, not quarreling, but as they came thither in peace so they depart in peace: when he that had lost all his _wampompeage_, his house, his kettle, his beaver, his hatchet, his knife, yea all his little all, having nothing left but his naked selfe, was as merry as they that won it: so in sports of activitie at footeball though they play never so fiercely to outward appearance, yet anger-boyling blood never streames in their cooler veines, if any man be throwne he laughes out his foyle, there is no seeking of revenge, no quarreling, no bloody noses, scratched faces, blacke eyes, broken shinnes, no brused members, or crushed ribs, the lamentable effects of rage; but the goale being wonne, the goods on the one side lost; friends they were at the footeball, and friends they must meete at the kettle. I never heard yet of that _Indian_ that was his neighbours homicide or vexation by his malepart, saucy, or uncivill tongue: laughter in them is not common, seldome exceeding a smile, never breaking out into such a lowd laughter, as doe many of our _English_. Of all things they love not to be laught at upon any occasion; if a man be in trade with them and the bargaine be almost strucke, if they perceive you laugh, they will scarce proceed, supposing you laugh because you have cheated them: the _Crocodiles_ teares may sooner deceive them, than the _Hienas_ smiles: although they be not much addicted to laughter, yet are they not of a dumpish sad nature, but rather naturally chearefull: As I never saw a gigling _Democrite_, so I never saw a teare dropping _Heraclite_; no disaster being so prevalent as to open the flood-gate of their eyes, saving the death of friends, for whom they lament most exceedingly.

CHAP. VIII.

_Of their hardinesse._

For their hardinesse it may procure admiration, no ordinary paines making them so much as alter their countenance; beate them, whip them, pinch them, punch them, if they resolve not to whinch for it, they will not; whether it be their benummed insensiblenesse of smart, or their hardie resolutions, I cannot tell; It might be, a _Perillus_ his Bull, or the disjoynting racke might force a roare from them, but a Turkish drubbing would not much molest them, and although they be naturally much affraid of death, yet the unexpected approach of a mortall wound by a Bullet, Arrow, or Sword, strikes no more terrour, causes no more exclamation, no more complaint, or whinching, than if it had beene a shot into the body of a tree: such wounds as would be suddaine death to an _English_ man, would be nothing to them. Some of them having beene shot in at the mouth, and out under the eare, some shot in the breast, some runne thorough the flankes with Darts, and other many desperate wounds which eyther by their rare skill in the use of vegitatives, or diabolicall charmes they cure in short time. Although their hardinesse beare them out in such things wherein they are sure death will not ensue, yet can it not expell the feare of death, the very name and thoughts of it is so hideous to them, or any thing that presents it, or threatens it, so terrible; insomuch that a hundred of them will runne from two or three Guns, though they know they can but dispatch two or three at a discharge, yet every man fearing it may be his lot to meete with his last, will not come neare that in good earnest, which he dare play withall in jest. To make this good by a passage of Experience. Three men having occasion of trade amongst the Westerne _Indians_, went up with some such commodities as they thought most fit for trade; to secure their person they tooke a Carbine, two Pistoles and a sword, which in outward shew was not great resistance to a hundred well skilled bow men: The _Indians_ hearing their gunnes making a thundring noyse, desired to finger one of them, & see it discharged into a tree, wondring much at the percussion of the bullet; but they abiding two or three dayes, the gunnes were forgotten, and they began to looke at the oddes being a hundred to three, whereupon they were animated to worke treason against the lives of these men, and to take away their goods from them by force; but one of the _English_ understanding their language, smelt out their treachery, and being more fully informed of their intent by the _Indian_ women, who had more pitty, hee steps to their King, and hailing him by the long haire from the rest of his councell, commanded him either to goe before him and guide him home, or else he would there kill him. The Sagamore seeing him so rough, had not the courage to resist him, but went with him two miles; but being exasperated by his men who followed him along, to resist, and goe no further; in the end hee would not, neither for faire promises nor fierce threatnings, so that they were constrained there to kill him, which struck such an amazement and daunting into the rest of that naked crew, with the sight of the guns, that though they might easily have killed them, yet had they not the power to shoot an arrow, but followed them, yelling and howling for the death of their King forty miles; his goods being left among them, he sent word by other _Indians_, that unlesse they sent him his goods againe, which hee there left, hee would serve them as hee served their King, whereupon they returned him his commodities, with intreaty of peace, and promises of fairer trade if he came again. If these heartlesse _Indians_ were so cowed with so slender an onset on their owne dunghill, when there were scarce six families of ours in the Countrie, what need wee now feare them being growne into thousands, and having knowledge of martiall discipline? In the night they neede not to be feared, for they will not budge from their owne dwellings for feare of their _Abamacho_ (the Devill) whom they much feare, specially in evill enterprizes, they will rather lye by an _English_ fire than goe a quarter of a mile in the darke to their owne dwellings: but they are well freed from this scarecrow since the comming of the _English_, and lesse care for his delusions; and whereas it hath beene reported, that there are such horrible apparitions, fearefull roarings, thundering and lightning raised by the Devill, to discourage the _English_ in their settling, I for mine owne part never saw or heard of any of these things in the Countrie: nor have I heard of any _Indians_ that have lately beene put in feare, saving two or three, and they worse scar'd than hurt, who seeing a Black-more in the top of a tree, looking out for his way which he had lost, surmised he was _Abamacho_ or the Devill, deeming all Devils that are blacker than themselves; and being neare to the plantation, they posted to the _English_, intreated their aide to conjure this Devill to his owne place, who finding him to be a poore wandring Black-more, conducted him to his Master.

CHAP. IX.

_Of their wondering at the first view of any strange
invention._

These _Indians_ being strangers to Arts and Sciences, and being unacquainted with the inventions that are common to a civilized people, are ravisht with admiration at the first view of any such sight: They tooke the first Ship they saw for a walking Iland, the Mast to be a Tree, the Saile white Clouds, and the discharging of Ordinance for Lightning and Thunder, which did much trouble them, but this thunder being over, and this moving Iland stedied with an Anchor, they manned out their cannowes to goe and picke strawberries there, but being saluted by the way with a broad side, they cried out, what much hoggery, so bigge walke, and so bigge speake, and by and by kill; which caused them to turne back, not daring to approach till they were sent for. They doe much extoll and wonder at the _English_ for their strange Inventions, especially for a Wind-mill, which in their esteeme was little lesse than the worlds wonder, for the strangenesse of his whisking motion, and the sharpe teeth biting the corne (as they terme it) into such small peeces; they were loath at the first to come neere to his long armes, or to abide in so tottering a tabernacle, though now they dare goe any where so farre as they have an _English_ guide. The first plow-man was counted little better than a luggler: the _Indians_ seeing the plow teare up more ground in a day, than their Clamme shels could scrape up in a month, desired to see the workemanship of it, and viewing well the coulter and share, perceiving it to be iron, told the plow-man, hee was almost _Abamocho_, almost as cunning as the Devill; but the fresh supplies of new and strange objects hath lessen'd their admiration, and quickned their inventions, and desire of practising such things as they see, wherein they expresse no small ingenuitie, and dexterity of wit, being neither furthered by art, or long experience. It is thought they would soon learne any mechanicall trades, having quicke wits, understanding apprehensions, strong memories, with nimble inventions, and a quicke hand in using of the Axe or Hatchet, or such like tooles: much good might they receive from the _English_, and much might they benefit themselves, if they were not strongly fettered in the chaines of idlenesse; so as that they had rather starve than worke, following no employments, saving such as are sweetned with more pleasures and profit than paines or care, and this is indeede one of the greatest accusations that can be laid against them, which lies but upon the men, (the women being very industrious) but it may be hoped that good example, and good instructions may bring them to a more industrious and provident course of life. For already, as they have learned much subtiltie & cunning by bargaining with the _English_, so have they a little degenerated from some of their lazie customes, and shew themselves more industrious. In a word, to set them out in their best colours, they be wise in their carriage, subtle in their dealings, true in their promise, honest in defraying of their debts, though poverty constraine them to be something long before; some having died in the _English_ debt, have left Beaver by order of Will for their satisfaction: They be constant in friendship, merrily conceited in discourse, not luxuriously abounding in youth, nor dotingly froward in old age, many of them being much civilized since the _English_ Colonies were planted, though but little edified in Religion: They frequent often the _English_ Churches, where they will sit soberly, though they understand not such hidden mysteries. They doe easily beleeve some of the History of the Bible, as the creation of the World, the making of man, with his fall: but come to tell them of a Saviour, with all the passages of the Gospell, and it exceeds so farre their _Indian_ beleefe, that they will cry out (_Pocatnie_) _id est_, is it possible? yet such is their conviction of the right way, that when some _English_ have come to their houses, victuals being offered them, forgetting to crave Gods blessing upon the creatures received, they have beene reproved by these, which formerly never knew what calling upon God meant: thus farre for their naturall disposition and qualities.

CHAP. X.

_Of their Kings government, and Subjects obedience._

Now for the matter of government amongst them: It is the custome for their Kings to inherite, the sonne always taking the Kingdome after his fathers death. If there be no sonne, then the Queene rules; if no Queene, the next to the blood-royall; who comes in otherwise, is but counted an usurping intruder, and if his faire carriage beare him not out the better, they will soone unscepter him.

The Kings have no Lawes to command by, nor have they any annuall revenewes; yet commonly are they so either feared or beloved, that halfe their Subjects estate is at their Service, and their persons at his command; by which command he is better knowne than by any thing else. For though hee hath no Kingly Robes, to make him glorious in the view of his Subjects, nor dayly Guardes to secure his person, or Court-like attendance, nor sumptuous Pallaces; yet doe they yeeld all submissive subjection to him, accounting him their Soveraigne; going at his command, and comming at his becke, not so much as expostulating the cause, though it be in matters thwarting their wills; he being accounted a disloyall subject that will not effect what his Prince commands. Whosoever is knowne to plot Treason, or to lay violent hands on his lawfull King, is presently executed. Once a yeare he takes his progresse, accompanied with a dozen of his best Subjects to view his Countrey, to recreate himselfe, and establish good order. When he enters into any of their houses, without any more complement, he is desired to sit downe on the ground; (for they use neither stooles nor cushions) and after a little respite, all that be present, come in, and sit downe by him, one of his Seniors pronouncing an Oration gratulatory to his Majesty for his love; and the many good things they enjoy under his peacefull government. A King of large Dominions hath his Viceroyes, or inferiour Kings under him, to agitate his State-affaires, and keepe his Subjects in good decorum. Other Officers there be, but how to distinguish them by name is some-thing difficult: For their Lawes, as their evill courses come short of many other Nations, so they have not so many Lawes, though they be not without some, which they inflict upon notorious malefactors, as Traytors to their Prince, inhumane murtherers, and some say for adultery; but I cannot warrant it for a truth. For theft, as they have nothing to steale worth the life of a man, therefore they have no law to execute for trivialls; a Subject being precious in the eye of his Prince, where men are so scarce. A malefactor having deserved death, being apprehended, is brought before the King, and some other of the wisest men where they enquire out the originall of a thing; after proceeding by aggravation of circumstances, he is found guilty, and being cast by the Iury of their strict inquisition, he is condemned, and executed on this manner: The Executioner comes in, who blind-folds the party, sets him in the publike view, and braines him with a _Tamahauke_ or Club; which done, his friends bury him. Other meanes to restraine abuses they have none, saving admonition or reproofe; no whippings, no Prisons, Stockes, Bilbowes, or the like.

CHAP. XI.

_Of their Marriages._

Now to speake something of their Marriages, the Kings or great _Powwowes_, _alias_ Conjurers, may have two or three Wives, but seldome use it. Men of ordinary Ranke, having but one; which disproves the report, that they had eight or tenne Wives apeece. When a man hath a desire to Marry, he first gets the good-will of the Maide or Widdow, after, the consent of her friends for her part; and for himselfe, if he be at his owne disposing, if the King will, the match is made, her Dowry of _Wampompeage_ payd, the King joynes their hands with their hearts, never to part till death, unlesse Shee prove a Whore; for which they may, and some have put away their Wives, as may appeare by a story. There was one _Abamoch_ married a Wife, whom a long time he intirely loved above her deservings, for that shee often in his absence entertained strangers, of which hee was oftentimes informed by his neighbours, but hee harbouring no sparke of jealousie, beleeved not their false informations (as he deemed them) being in a manner angry they should slander his Wife, of whose constancy hee was so strongly conceited: A long time did her whorish gloazing and Syren-like tongue, with her subtle carriage, establish her in her Husbands favour, till fresh complaints caused him to cast about, how to finde out the truth, and to prove his friends lyars, and his Wife honest, or her a Whore, and his friends true: whereupon hee pretended a long journey to visite his friends, providing all accoutraments for a fortnights journey; telling his Wife it would be so long before she could expect his returne, who outwardly sorrowed for his departure, but inwardly rejoyced, that she should enjoy the society of her old _Lemman_; whom she sent for with expedition, not suspecting her Husbands plot, who lay not many miles off in the Woods; who after their dishonest revelings, when they were in their midnight sleepe, approaches the Wiggwamme, enters the doore, which was neither barred nor lockt; makes a light to discover what hee little suspected; but finding his friends words to bee true, hee takes a good bastinado in his hand brought for the same purpose, dragging him by the haire from his usurped bed, so lamentably beating him, that his battered bones and bruised flesh made him a fitter subject for some skilfull Surgeon, than the lovely obiect of a lustfull strumpet; which done, hee put away his wife, exposing her to the curtesie of strangers for her maintenance, that so curtesan-like had entertained a stranger into her bosome.

CHAP. XII.

_Of their worship, invocations, and conjurations._

Now of their worships: As it is naturall to all mortals to worship something, so doe these people, but exactly to describe to whom their worship is chiefly bent, is very difficult; they acknowledge especially two, _Ketan_ who is their good God, to whom they sacrifice (as the ancient Heathen did to _Ceres_) after their garners bee full with a good croppe: upon this God likewise they invocate for faire weather, for raine in time of drought, and for the recovery of their sick; but if they doe not heare them, then they verifie the old verse, _Flectere si nequeo Superos, Acharonta movebo_, their Pow-wows betaking themselves to their exorcismes and necromanticke charmes, by which they bring to passe strange things, if wee may beleeve the _Indians_, who report of one _Pissacannawa_, that hee can make the water burne, the rocks move, the trees dance, metamorphize himselfe into a flaming man. But it may be objected, this is but _deceptio visus_. Hee will therefore doe more, for in Winter, when there is no greene leaves to be got, he will burne an old one to ashes, and putting those into the water, produce a new greene leafe, which you shall not onely see, but substantially handle and carrie away; and make of a dead snakes skinne a living snake, both to be seene, felt, and heard; this I write but upon the report of the _Indians_, who confidently affirme stranger things. But to make manifest, that by Gods permission, thorough the Devils helpe, their charmes are of force to produce effects of wonderment; An honest Gentle-man related a storie to mee, being an eye-witness of the same: A Pow-wow having a patient with the stumpe of some small tree runne thorough his foote, being past the cure of his ordinary Surgery, betooke himselfe to his charmes, and being willing to shew his miracle before the _English_ stranger, hee wrapt a piece of cloth about the foote of the lame man; upon that wrapping a Beaver skinne, through which hee laying his mouth to the Beaver skinne, by his sucking charmes he brought out the stumpe, which he spat into a tray of water, returning the foote as whole as its fellow in a short time. The manner of their action in their conjuration is thus: The parties that are sick or lame being brought before them, the Pow-wow sitting downe, the rest of the _Indians_ giving attentive audience to his imprecations and invocations, and after the violent expression of many a hideous bellowing and groaning, he makes a stop, and then all the auditors with one voice utter a short _Canto_; which done, the Pow-wow still proceeds in his invocations, sometimes roaring like a Beare, other times groaning like a dying horse, foaming at the mouth like a chased bore, smiting on his naked brest and thighs with such violence, as if he were madde. Thus will hee continue sometimes halfe a day, spending his lungs, sweating out his fat, and tormenting his body in this diabolicall worship; sometimes the Devill for requitall of their worship, recovers the partie, to nuzzle them up in their divellish Religion. In former time hee was wont to carrie away their wives and children, because hee would drive them to these Martens, to fetch them again to confirme their beliefe of this his much desired authoritie over them: but since the _English_ frequented those parts, they daily fall from his colours, relinquishing their former fopperies, and acknowledge our God to be supreame. They acknowledge the power of the _English_-mans God, as they call, him, because they could never yet have power by their conjurations to damnifie the _English_ either in body or goods; and besides, they say hee is a good God that sends them so many good things, so much good corne, so many cattell, temperate raines, faire seasons, which they likewise are the better for since the arrivall of the _English_; the times and seasons being much altered in seaven or eight yeares, freer from lightning and thunder, long droughts, suddaine and tempestuous dashes of raine, and lamentable cold Winters.

CHAP. XIII.

_Of their Warres._

Of their Warres: Their old souldiers being swept away by the Plague, which was very rife amongst them about 14 yeares agoe, and resting themselves secure under the _English_ protection, they doe not now practice any thing in martiall feates worth observation, saving that they make themselves Forts to flie into, if the enemies should unexpectedly assaile them. These Forts some be fortie or fiftie foote square, erected of young timber trees, ten or twelve foote high, rammed into the ground, with undermining within, the earth being cast up for their shelter against the dischargements of their enemies, having loope-holes to send out their winged messingers, which often deliver their sharpe and bloody embassies in the tawnie sides of their naked assailants, who wanting butting Rammes and battering Ordinances to command at distance, lose their lives by their too neare approachments. These use no other weapons in warre than bowes and arrowes, saving that their Captaines have long speares, on which if they returne conquerours they carrie the heads of their chiefe enemies that they slay in the wars: it being the custome to cut off their heads, hands, and feete, to beare home to their wives and children, as true tokens of their renowned victorie. When they goe to their warres, it is their custome to paint their faces with diversitie of colours, some being all black as jet, some red, some halfe red and halfe blacke, some blacke and white, others spotted with divers kinds of colours, being all disguised to their enemies, to make them more terrible to their foes, putting on likewise their rich Iewels, pendents and Wampompeage, to put them in minde they fight not onely for their Children, Wives, and lives, but likewise for their goods, lands and liberties; Being thus armed with this warlike paint, the antique warriers make towards their enemies in a disordered manner, without any souldier like marching or warlike postures, being deafe to any word of command, ignorant of falling off, or falling on, of doubling rankes or files, but let fly their winged shaftments without eyther feare or wit; their Artillery being spent, he that hath no armes to fight, findes legges to run away.

CHAP. XIIII.

_Their games and sports of activitie._

Bvt to leave their warres, and to speake of their games in which they are more delighted and better experienced, spending halfe their dayes in gaming and lazing. They have two sorts of games, one called _Puim_, the other _Hubbub_, not much unlike Cards and Dice, being no other than Lotterie. _Puim_ is 50. or 60. small Bents of a foote long which they divide to the number of their gamesters, shuffling them first betweene the palmes of their hands; he that hath more than his fellow is so much the forwarder in his game: many other strange whimseyes be in this game; which would be too long to commit to paper; hee that is a noted gamster, hath a great hole in his eare wherein hee carries his _Puims_ in defiance of his antagonists. _Hubbub_ is five small Bones in a small smooth Tray, the bones bee like a Die, but something flatter, blacke on the one side and white on the other, which they place on the ground, against which violently thumping the platter, the bones mount changing colours with the windy whisking of their hands too and fro; which action in that sport they much use, smiting themselves on the breast, and thighs, crying out, _Hub, Hub, Hub_; they may be heard play at this game a quarter of a mile off. The bones being all blacke or white, make a double game; if three be of a colour and two of another, then they affoard but a single game; foure of a colour and one differing is nothing; so long as a man winns, he keepes the Tray: but if he loose, the next man takes it. They are so bewitched with these two games, that they will loose sometimes all they have, Beaver, Moose-skinnes, Kettles, Wampompeage, Mowhackies, Hatchets, Knives, all is confiscate by these two games. For their sports of activitie they have commonly but three or foure; as footeball, shooting, running and swimming: when they play country against country, there are rich Goales, all behung with Wampompeage, Mowhackies, Beaver skins, and blacke Otter skinnes. It would exceede the beleefe of many to relate the worth of one Goale, wherefore it shall be namelesse. Their Goales be a mile long placed on the sands, which are as even as a board; their ball is no bigger than a hand-ball, which sometimes they mount in the Aire with their naked feete, sometimes it is swayed by the multitude; sometimes also it is two dayes before they get a Goale, then they marke the ground they winne, and beginne there the next day. Before they come to this sport, they paint themselves, even as when they goe to warre, in pollicie to prevent future mischiefe, because no man should know him that moved his patience or accidentally hurt his person, taking away the occasion of studying revenge. Before they begin their armes be disordered, and hung upon some neighbouring tree, after which they make a long scrowle on the sand, over which they shake loving hands, and with laughing hearts scuffle for victorie. While the men play the boyes pipe, and the women dance and sing trophies of their husbands conquests; all being done a feast summons their departure. It is most delight to see them play, in smaller companies, when men may view their swift footemanship, their curious tossings of their Ball, their flouncing into the water, their lubberlike wrestling, having no cunning at all in that kind, one _English_ being able to beate ten _Indians_ at footeball. For their shooting they be most desperate marksmen for a point blancke object, and if it may bee possible _Cornicum oculos configere_ they will doe it: such is their celerity and dexterity in Artillerie, that they can smite the swift running Hinde and nimble winged Pigeon without a standing pause or left eyed blinking; they draw their Arrowes between the fore fingers and the thumbe; their bowes be quicke, but not very strong, not killing above six or seaven score. These men shoot at one another, but with swift conveighance shunne the Arrow; this they doe to make them expert against time of warre. It hath beene often admired how they can finde their Arrowes, be the weedes as high as themselves, yet they take such perfect notice of the flight and fall that they seldome loose any. They are trained up to their bowes even from their childhood; little boyes with Bowes made of little stickes and Arrowes of great bents, will smite downe a peece of Tobacco pipe every shoot a good way off: as these _Indians_ be good marksmen, so are they well experienced where the very life of every creature lyeth, and know where to smite him to make him dye presently. For their swimming it is almost naturall, but much perfected by continuall practise; their swimming is not after our _English_ fashion of spread armes and legges which they hold too tiresome, but like dogges their armes before them cutting through the liquids with their right shoulder; in this manner they swimme very swift and farre, either in rough or smooth waters, sometimes for their ease lying as still as a log; sometimes they will play the dive-doppers, and come up in unexpected places. Their children likewise be taught to swimme when they are very young. For their running it is with much celeritie and continuance, yet I suppose there be many _English_ men who being as lightly clad as they are, would outrun them for a spurt, though not able to continue it for a day or dayes, being they be very strong winded and rightly clad for a race.

CHAP. XV.

_Of their huntings._

For their hunting, it is to be noted that they have no swift foote Grayhounds, to let slippe at the sight of the Deere, no deepe mouthed hounds, or senting beagles, to finde out their desired prey; themselves are all this, who in that time of the yeare, when the Deere comes downe, having certaine hunting houses, in such places where they know the Deere usually doth frequent, in which they keep their randevowes, their snares and all their accoutraments for that imployment: when they get sight of a Deere, Moose or Beare, they studie how to get the wind of him, and approaching within shot, stab their marke quite through, if the bones hinder not. The chiefe thing they hunt after is Deere, Mooses, and Beares, it greeves them more to see an _English_ man take one Deere, than a thousand Acres of land: they hunt likewise after Wolves, and wild Catts, Rackoones, Otters, Beavers, Musquashes, trading both their skinnes and flesh to the _English_. Besides their artillery, they have other devices to kill their game, as sometimes hedges a mile or two miles long, being a mile wide at one end, and made narrower and narrower by degrees, leaving onely a gap of sixe foote long, over against which, in the day time they lye lurking to shoot the Deere which come through that narrow gut; so many as come within the circumference of that hedge, seldome returne backe to leape over, unlesse they be forced by the chasing of some ravenous Wolfe, or sight of some accidentall passinger; in the night at the gut of this hedge, they set Deere traps, which are springes made of young trees, and smooth wrought coards; so strong as it will tosse a horse if hee be caught in it. An _English_ Mare being strayed from her owner, and growne wild by her long sojourning in the Woods ranging up and downe with the wilde crew, stumbled into one of these traps which stopt her speed, hanging her like _Mahomets_ tombe, betwixt earth, and heaven; the morning being come, the _Indians_ went to looke what good successe their Venison trappes brought them, but seeing such a long scutted Deere, praunce in their Merritotter, they bade her good morrow, crying out, what cheere what cheere _Englishmans squaw_ horse; having no better epithite than to call her a woman horse, but being loath to kill her, and as fearefull to approach neere the friscadoes of her Iron heeles, they posted to the _English_ to tell them how the case stood or hung with their _squaw_ horse, who unhorsed their Mare, and brought her to her former tamenesse, which since hath brought many a good foale, and performed much good service. In these traps Deeres, Mooses, Beares, Wolves, Catts, and Foxes, are often caught. For their Beavers and Otters, they have other kinde of trappes, so ponderous as is unsupportable for such creatures, the massie burthen whereof either takes them prisoners, or expells their breath from their squised bodyes. These kinde of creatures would gnaw the other kind of trappes asunder, with their sharpe teeth: these beasts are too cunning for the _English_, who seldome or never catch any of them, therefore we leave them to those skilfull hunters whose time is not so precious, whose experience bought-skill hath made them practicall and usefull in that particuler.

CHAP. XVI.

_Of their Fishings._

Of their fishing, in this trade they be very expert, being experienced in the knowledge of all baites, fitting sundry baites for severall fishes, and diverse seasons; being not ignorant likewise of the removall of fishes, knowing when to fish in rivers, and when at rockes, when in Baies, and when at Seas: since the _English_ came they be furnished with _English_ hookes and lines, before they made them of their owne hempe more curiously wrought, of stronger materials than ours, hooked with bone hookes: but lazinesse drives them to buy more than profit or commendations winnes them to make of their owne; they make likewise very strong Sturgeon nets with which they catch Sturgeons of 12. 14. and 16. some 18. foote long in the day time, in the night time they betake them to their Burtchen _Cannows_, in which they carry a forty fathome line, with a sharpe bearded dart, fastned at the end thereof; then lightning a blazing torch made of Burtchen rindes, they weave it too and againe by their _Cannow_ side, which the Sturgeon much delighted with, comes to them tumbling and playing, turning up his white belly, into which they thrust their launce, his backe being impenetrable; which done they haile to the shore their strugling prize. They have often recourse unto the rockes whereupon the sea beates, in warme weather to looke out for sleepie Seales, whose oyle they much esteeme, using it for divers things. In summer they seldome fish any where but in salt, in winter in the fresh water and ponds; in frostie weather they cut round holes in the yce, about which they wil sit like so many apes, on their naked breeches upon the congealed yce, catching of Pikes, Pearches, Breames, and other sorts of fresh water fish.

CHAP. XVII.

_Of their Arts and Manufactures._

Of their severall Arts and imployments, as first in dressing of all manner of skinnes, which they doe by scraping and rubbing, afterwards painting them with antique embroyderings in unchangeable colours, sometimes they take off the haire, especially if it bee not killed in season. Their bowes they make of a handsome shape, strung commonly with the sinnewes of Mooses; their arrowes are made of young Elderne, feathered with feathers of Eagles wings and tailes, headed with brasse in shape of a heart or triangle, fastned in a slender peece of wood sixe or 8 inches long, which is framed to put loose in the pithie Elderne, that is bound fast for riving: their arrowes be made in this manner because the arrow might shake from his head and be left behind for their finding, and the pile onely remaine to gaule the wounded beast. Their cordage is so even, soft, and smooth, that it lookes more like silke than hempe; their Sturgeon netts be not deepe, nor above 30. or 40. foote long, which in ebbing low waters they stake fast to the ground, where they are sure the Sturgeon will come, never looking more at it, till the next low water. Their _Cannows_ be made either of Pine-trees, which before they were acquainted with _English_ tooles, they burned hollow, scraping them smooth with Clam-shels and Oyster-shels, cutting their out-sides with stone-hatchets: These Boates be not above a foot and a halfe, or two feete wide, and twenty foote long. Their other _Cannows_ be made of thinne Birch-rines, close-ribbed on the in-side with broad thinne hoopes, like the hoopes of a Tub; these are made very light, a man may carry one of them a mile, being made purposely to carry from River to River, and Bay to Bay, to shorten Land-passages. In these cockling fly-boates, wherein an _English_ man can scarce sit without a fearefull tottering, they will venture to Sea, when an _English_ Shallope dare not beare a knot of sayle; scudding over the overgrowne waves as fast as a winde-driven Ship, being driven by their padles; being much like battle doores; if a crosse wave (as is seldome) turne her keele up-side downe, they by swimming free her, and scramble into her againe.

CHAP. XVIII.

_Of their Language._

Of their Language which is onely peculiar to themselves, not inclining to any of the refined tongues. Some have thought they might be of the dispersed _Iewes_, because some of their words be neare unto the _Hebrew_; but by the same rule they may conclude them to be some of the gleanings of all Nations, because they have words which sound after the _Greeke_, _Latine_, _French_, and other tongues: Their Language is hard to learne; few of the _English_ being able to speake any of it, or capable of the right pronunciation, which is the chiefe grace of their tongue. They pronounce much after the Diphthongs, excluding _L_ and _R_, which in our _English_ Tongue they pronounce with as much difficulty, as most of the _Dutch_ doe _T_ and _H_, calling a Lobster a _Nobstann_. Every Countrey doth something differ in their Speech, even as our Northerne people doe from the Southerne, and Westerne from them; especially the _Tarrenteens_, whose Tongues runne so much upon _R_, that they wharle much in pronunciation. When any ships come neare the shore, they demand whether they be King _Charles_ his _Torries_, with such a rumbling sound, as if one were beating an unbrac't Drumme. In serious discourse our Southerne _Indians_ use seldome any short _Colloquiums_, but speake their minds at large, without any interjected interruptions from any: The rest giving diligent audience to his utterance; which done, some or other returnes him as long an answere, they love not to speake _multa sed multum_, seldome are their words, and their deeds strangers. According to the matter in discourse, so are their acting gestures in their expressions. One of the _English_ Preachers in a speciall good intent of doing good to their soules, hath spent much time in attaining to their Language, wherein he is so good a proficient, that he can speake to their understanding, and they to his; much loving and respecting him for his love and counsell. It is hoped that he may be an instrument of good amongst them. They love any man that can utter his minde in their words, yet are they not a little proud that they can speake the _English_ tongue, using it as much as their owne, when they meete with such as can understand it, puzling stranger _Indians_, which sometimes visite them from more remote places, with an unheard language.

CHAP. XIX.

_Of their deaths, burials, and mourning._

Although the _Indians_ be of lusty and healthfull bodies, not experimentally knowing the Catalogue of those health-wasting diseases which are incident to other Countries, as Feavers, Pleurisies, Callentures, Agues, Obstructions, Consumptions, Subfumigations, Convulsions, Apoplexies, Dropsies, Gouts, Stones, Tooth-aches, Pox, Measels, or the like; but spinne out the thread of their dayes to a faire length, numbering three-score, foure-score, some a hundred yeares, before the worlds universall summoner cite them to the craving Grave: But the date of their life expired, and Deaths arestment seazing upon them, all hope of recovery being past, then to behold and heare their throbbing sobs and deepe-fetcht sighes, their griefe-wrung hands, and teare-bedewed cheekes, their dolefull cries, would draw teares from Adamantine eyes, that be but spectators of their mournefull Obsequies. The glut of their griefe being past, they commit the corpes of their diceased friends to the ground, over whose grave is for a long time spent many a briny teare, deepe groane, and _Irish_-like howlings, continuing annuall mournings with a blacke stiffe paint on their faces: These are the Mourners without hope, yet doe they hold the immortality of the never-dying soule, that it shall passe to the South-west _Elysium_, concerning which their _Indian_ faith jumps much with the _Turkish Alchoran_, holding it to be a kinde of Paradise, wherein they shall everlastingly abide, solacing themselves in odoriferous Gardens, fruitfull Corne-fields, greene Medows, bathing their tawny hides in the coole streames of pleasant Rivers, and shelter themselves from heate and cold in the sumptuous Pallaces framed by the skill of Natures curious contrivement; concluding that neither care nor paine shall molest them, but that Natures bounty will administer all things with a voluntary contribution from the overflowing store-house of their _Elyzian_ Hospitall, at the portall whereof they say, lies a great Dogge, whose churlish snarlings deny a _Pax intrantibus_, to unworthy intruders: Wherefore it is their custome, to bury with them their Bows and Arrows, and good store of their _Wampompeage_ and _Mowhackies_; the one to affright that affronting _Cerberus_, the other to purchase more immense prerogatiues in their Paradise. For their enemies and loose livers, whom they account unworthy of this imaginary happines, they say, that they passe to the infernall dwellings of _Abamocho_, to be tortured according to the fictions of the ancient Heathen.

CHAP. XIX.