which is a readie very wholesome food, which they eate with a little water, hot or cold; I have travelled with neere 200. of them at once, neere 100. miles through the woods, every man carrying a little Basket of this at his back, and sometimes in a hollow Leather Girdle a­bout his middle, sufficient for a man three or foure daies:

With this readie provision, and their Bow and Arrowes, are they ready for War, and tra­vell at an houres warning. With a spoonfull of this meale and a spoonfull of water from the Brooke, have I made many a good dinner and supper.

From this the English call their Samp, which is the Indian corne, beaten and boild, and eaten hot or cold with milke or butter, which are [Page 12] mercies beyond the Natives plaine water, and which is a dish exceeding wholesome for the English bodies.

A people so called (living be­tween three and foure hundred miles West in­to the land) from their eating only Mihtūch­quash, that is, Trees: They are Men­eaters, they set no corne, but live on the bark of Ches­n [...]t and Walnut, and other fine trees: They dry and eat this bark with the fat of Beasts, and somtimes of men: This people are the terrour of the neighbour Natives; and yet these Re­bells, the Sonne of God may in time subdue.

They generally all take Tobacco; and it is commonly the only plant which men labour in; the women managing all the rest: they say they take Tobacco for two causes; first, against the rheume, which cavseth the tooth­ake, which they are impatient of: secondly, to revive and refresh them, they drinking no­thing but water.

Whomsoever commeth in when they ar [...] eating, they offer them to eat of that whic [...] they have, though but little enough prepar [...] for themselves. If any provision of fish [...] flesh come in, they make their neighbou [...] partakers with them.

If any stranger come in, they presentl [...] give him to eate of what they have; many [...] time, and at all times of the night (as I hav [...] fallen in travell upon their houses) when no thing hath been ready, have themselves an [...] their wives, risen to prepare me some r [...] ­freshing.

Which have knowne them contentedly doe, by a fi [...] under a tree, when sometimes some Engli [...] have (for want of familiaritie and languag [...] with them) been fearefull to entertaine the [...]

In Summer-time I have knowne them ly [...] abroad often themselves, to make roome f [...] strangers, English, or others.

Howling an [...] shouting is their Alarme; they having n [...] Drums nor Trumpets: but whether an en [...] ­mie approach, or fire breake out, this Alarm [...] passeth from house to house; yea, commo [...] ­ly, if any English or Dutch come amongst the [...] they give notice of strangers by this signe; y [...] I have knowne them buy and use a Dut [...] [Page 19] Trumpet, and knowne a Native make a good Drum in imitation of the English.

This they doe plentifully when they lie down to sleep winter and summer, abundance they have and abundance they lay on: their Fire is instead of our bedcloaths. And so, themselves and any that have occasion to lodge with them, must be content to turne often to the Fire, if the night be cold, and they who first wake must repaire the Fire.

When they have a bad Dreame, which they conceive to be a threatning from God, they fall to prayer at all times of the night, especi­ally early before day: So Davids z [...]alous heart [Page 20] to the true and living God: At midnight wil [...] [...]rise &c. I prevented the dawning of the day, &c. Psal. 119. &c.

I once travailed to an Iland of the wildest i [...] our parts, where in the night an Indian (as he said) had a vision or dream of the Sun (whom they worship for a God) darting a Beam [...] into his Breast which he conceived to be the Messenger or his Death: this poore Native call'd his Friends and neighbours▪ and prepa­red some little refreshing for them, but him­selfe was kept waking and Fasting in grea [...] H [...]miliations and Invocations for 10. daye [...] and nights: I was alone (having travailed from my Barke the wind being contrary) and little could I speake to them to their understand­ings especially because of the change of ther Dialect or manner of Speech from our neigh­bours: yet so much (through the help of God [...] I did speake of the True and living only Wis [...] God▪ of the Crcation: of Man, and his fal [...] [Page 21] from God, &c. that at parting many burst forth, Oh when will you come againe, to bring us some more newes of this God?

From their Sleeping: The Observation generall.

Sweet rest is not confind to soft Beds, for, not only God gives his beloved sleep on hard lodgings: but also Nature and Custome gives sound sleep to these Americans on the Earth, on a Boord or Mat. Yet how is Europe bound to God for better lodging, &c.

More particular.

Having no Letters nor Arts, 'cis admirable how quick they are in casting up great num­bers, with the helpe of grames of Corne, in­stead of Europes pens or counters.

They hold the band of brother-hood so [...] deare, that when one had commited a mur [...] ther and fled, they executed his brother; an [...] [Page 29] 'tis common for a brother to pay the debt of a brother deceased.

Their Virgins are distinguished by a bash­ [...]ll falling downe of their haire over their eyes.

There are no beggars amongst them▪ nor fa­therlesse children unprovided for.

Their affections, especially to their children, are very strong; so that I have knowne a Fa­ther take so grievously the losse of his ch [...]de, that hee ha [...]h cut and stob d himselfe with g [...]iefe and rage.

This extreme affection, together with want of learning, makes ther children sawcie, bold, and undutifull.

[Page 30] I once came into a house an requested so [...] water to drinke; the father bid his sonne ( [...] some 8. yeeres of age) to fetch some water: t [...] boy refused, and would not stir; I told the f [...] ­ther, that I would correct my child, if he shou [...] so disobey me, &c. Upon this the father to [...] up a sticke, the boy another, and flew at his [...] ­ther: upon my perswasion, the poor fat [...] made him smart a little threw down his sti [...] and run for water, and the father confessed t [...] benefit of correction, and the evill of their t [...] indulgent affections.

From their Relations Observation generall.

In the [...]nes of depraved mankinde, are yet be founde Natures distinctions, and Natures [...]ections.

More particular:

Which is a solemne word amongst them; and no man wil offer any hinderance to him, who after some absence is going to visit his Family, and useth this word Nicqu [...]num (con­fessing the sweetnesse even of these short tem­ [...]orall homes.)

which [...]eir women and maids live apart in, four [...], [Page 32] five, or six dayes, in the time of their moneth­ly sicknesse, which custome in all parts of the Countrey they strictly observe, and no Ma [...] may come into that house.

which commonly men get and fix, and then the wo­men cover the house with mats, and lin [...] them with embroydered mats which the wo­men make, and call them Mannotaúbana, o [...] Hangings, which amongst them make as fair [...] a show as Hangings with us.

an [...] Chesout barke which they dresse finely, an [...] make a Summer-covering for their houses.

[Page 33] Two Families will live comfortably and [...]vingly in a little round house of some four­ [...]en or sixteen foot over, and so more and [...]ore families in proportion.

And then th [...] point with the hand to the Sunne by who [...] highth they keepe account of the day and b [...] the Moone and Stars by night, as wee doe b [...] clocks and dialls, &c.

[Page 36] Obs. They are as full of businesse, and as impatient of hinderance (in their kind) as any Merchant in Europe.

Obs. Commonly they never shut thei [...] doores, day nor night; and 'tis rare that an [...] hurt is done.

Obs. In steed of shelves, they have severa [...] baskets, wherein they put all their houshold­stuffe: [Page 37] they have some great bags or sacks made of Hempe, which will hold five or sixe bushells.

Obs. Their women constantly beat all their corne with hand: they plant it, dresse it, ga­ther it, barne it, beat it, and take as much paines as any people in the world which la­bour is questionlesse one cause of their extra­ordinary ease of childbirth.

[Page 38] Obs. Whence they call English-men Cháu­quaquock, that is, Knive-men, stone formerly being to them in stead of Knives, Awle-blades, Hatchets and Howes.

Obs. It is almost incredible what burthens the poore women carry of Corne, of Fish, of Beanes, of Mats, and a childe besides

Obs. Most commonly their houses are o­pen, their doore is a hanging Mat, which be­ing lift up, falls downe of it selfe; yet many of them get English boards and nailes, and make artificiall doores and bolts themselves, and [Page 39] others make slighter doores of Burch or Ches­nut barke, which they make fast with a cord in the night time, or when they go out of town, and then the last (that makes fast) goes out at the Chimney which is a large opening in the middle of their house, called:

[Page 40] Obs. They nurse all their childrem them­selves; yet, if she be an high or rich woman, she maintaines a Nurse to tend the childe.

Obs. Many of them begin to be furnished with English Chests; others, when they goe forth of towne, bring their goods (if they live neere) to the English to keepe for them, and their money they hang it about their necks, or lay it under their head when they sleepe.

Obs. They have also amongst them natu­rall fooles, either so borne, or accidentally de­prived of reason.

Ob. Many of them naturally Princes, or e [...] industrious persons, are rich; and the poo [...] amongst them will say, they want nothing [...]

[...]hich bewailing is very solemne amongst [...]em morning and evening and sometimes in the night they bewaile their lost husbands, wives, children brethren or sisters &c. Some­times a quarter, halfe, yea, a whole yeere, and longer, if it be for a great Prince.

In this time (unlesse a dispensation be given) they count it a prophane thing either to play (as they much use to doe) or to paint them­selves, for beauty, but for mourning; or to be angry, and fall out with any, &c.

Obs. Which some doe not but they are ra [...] Birds; for generally all the men throughou [...] the Countrey have a Tobacco-bag, with a pip [...] in it hanging at their back: sometimes the [...] make such great pipes, both of wood and ston [...] [Page 45] [...]at they are two foot long, with men or [...]asts carved so big or mafsie, that a man [...]ay be hurt mortally by one of them; but [...]ese comonly come from the Mauquáuwogs, [...] the Men eaters, three or foure hundred [...]les from us: They have an exc [...]llent Art [...] cast our Pewter and Brasse into very neate [...]nd artificiall Pipes: They take their Wuttam­ [...]uog (tkat is, a weake Tobacco) which the men [...]ant themselves, very frequently; yet I ne­ [...]r see any take so excessively, as I have seene [...]en in Europe; and yet excesse were more [...]lerable in them, because they want the re­ [...]eshing of Beare and Wine, which God hath [...]uchsafed Europe.

A [...]ame taken from the English Chicke, because [...]ey have no Hens before the English came.

Obs. Which they figuratively transferre [...]rom the frequent troublesome clamour of [...] Cocke.

Whic [...] they doe upon these occasions: From thic [...] warme vallies. where they winter, they re [...] move a little neerer to their Summer fields [...] when 'tis warme Spring, then they remove t [...] their fields where they plant Corne.

In middle of Summer because of the abun [...] dance of Fleas, which the dust of the house breeds. they will flie and remove on a sudde [...] from one part of their field to a fresh place [...] And sometimes having fi [...]lds a mile or two [...] or many miles asunder. when the worke of [...] one field is over, they remove house to the [...] other: If death fall in amongst them, they pr [...]sently remove to a fresh place: If an ene­mie approach, they remove into a Thicket, or Swampe. unlesse they have some Fort to re­move unto.

Sometimes they remove to a hunting house in the end of the yeere, and forsake it not un- [Page 47] Snow lie thick, and then will travel home, [...]n, women and children, thorow the snow, [...]rtie, yea, fiftie or sixtie miles; but their [...]at remove is from their Summer fields to [...]rme and thicke woodie bottomes where [...]y winter: They are quicke; in halfe a day, [...], sometimes at few houres warning to be [...]he and the house up elsewhere. especially, [...] they have stakes readie pitcht for their [...]ats.

I once in travel lodged at a house, at which [...]my returne I hoped to h [...]ve lodged againe [...]re the nex night, but the house was gone [...]that interim, and I was glad to lodge un­ [...] a tree:

The men make the poles or stakes, but the [...]men make and set up, take downe▪ order, [...] carry the Mats and housholdstuffe.

[Page 49] Obs. Yet some cut their haire round, and some as low and as short as the sober English; yet I never saw any so to forget nature it selfe in such excessive length and monstrous fashi­on, as to the shame of the English Nation, I now (with griefe) see my Countrey-men in England are degenerated unto.

Ob. In the braine their opinion is, that the soule (of which we shall speake in the Chapter of Religion) keeps her chiefe seat and residence:

For the temper of the braine in quick ap­prehensions and accurate judgements (to say no more) the most high and soveraign God and Creator, hath n [...]t made them inferiour to Europeans.

The Mauquaûogs, or Men-eaters, that live two or three miles West from us, make a de­licious monstrous dish of the head and brains of their enemies; which yet is no barre (when the time shall approach) against Gods call, and their repentance and (who knowes but) a greater love to the Lord Jesus? great sinners forgiven love much.

Obs. Which is the onely paine will force their stout hearts to cry; I cannot heare of any disease of the stone amongst them (the corne of the Countrey, with which they are fed from the wombe, being an admirable cleanser and opener:) but the paine of their womens childbirth (of which I shall speake af­terward in the Chapter of Marriage) never forces their women so to cry, as I have heard some of their men in this paine.

In this paine they use a certaine root dried, not much unlike our Ginger.

which they are most skilfull to doe in fight: for, when ever they wound, and their arrow sticks in the body of their enemie they (if they be valourous, and possibly may) they follow their arrow, and falling upon the per­s [...]n wounded and tearing his head a little aside by hi [...] Locke, they in the twinckling of an eye [Page 51] fetch off his head though but with a sorry knife.

I know the man yet living, who in time of warre, pretended to fall from his owne campe to the enemie, proffered his service in the front with them against his own Armie from whence he had revolted. Hee propounded such plausible advantages, that he drew them out to battell himselfe keeping in the front; but on a sudden, shot their chiefe Leader and Captaine and being shot, in a trice fetcht off his head and returned immediatly to his own againe, from whom in pretence (though with this trecherous ntention) hee had revolted: his act was false and trecherous, yet herein appeares policie, stoutnesse and activitie, &c.

Obs. This speech they use when ever they professe their honestie; they naturally con­fessing that all goodnesse is first in the heart.

Ob. They are much delighted after battell t0 hang up the hands and heads of their enemies: (Riches, long Life, and the Lives of enemies being objects of great delight to all men na­turall; but Salomon begg'd Wisedome before these.)

Obs. Hence they call a Blackamore (them­selves are tawnie, by the Sunne and their an­noyntings, yet they are borne white:)

For, Sucki is black, and Waûtacone, one that weares clothes, whence English, Dutch, French, Scotch, they call Wautaconâ [...]og, or Coatmen.

Obs. Their desire of, and delight in newes, is great as the Atkemans, and all men, more or leste; a stranger that can relate newes in their owne language, they will st [...]le him [...], a God.

Obs. [...] manner is upon any tidings to sit round double or treble or more as their numbers be; I have seene ne [...]r a thousand in a round, where [...] could not well neere halfe so many have si [...]ten: Every man hath his pipe of their Tobacco, and a d [...]epe silence they make, an [...] attention give to him that speaketh; and many of them will deliver themselves either in a relation of news, or in a consultation with very emphaticall speech and great action, commonly an houre, and sometimes two houres together.

[Page 56] Obs. They are impatient (as all men and God himselfe is) when their speech is not at­tended and listened to.

Obs. This word and and the next are words of great flattery which they use each to other, but constantly to their Princes at their spee­ches, for which, if they be cloquent, they esteeme them Gods as Heroa among the Iewes.

Obs. As one answered me when I had dis­coursed about many points of God, of the creation. of the soule, of the danger of it, and the saving of it, he assented; but when I spake o [...] the rising againe of the body, he cryed out, I shall never believe this.

Obs. Canounicus, the old high Sachim of the Nariganset Bay (a wise and peaceable Prince) [...]nce in a solemne Oration to my self, in a so­ [...]emne assembly, using this word, said, I have [Page 58] never suffered any wrong to be offered to th [...] Engl [...]sh since they landed; nor never will: [...] often repeated this word, [...], Eng▪ lishman; if the Englishman speake true, if h [...] meane truly, then shall I goe to my grave i [...] peace, and hope that the Eng [...]sh and my poste [...] ritie shall live in love and peace tog [...]ther. [...] replied, that he had no cause (as I hoped) t [...] question Englishmans, [...] that i [...] faithfulnesse he having had long experience o [...] their friendlincsse and trust [...]nefle. He tooke [...] sticke, and broke it into ten pieces▪ and relat [...] ten instances (laying downe a sticke to ever [...] instance) which gave him cause thus to fear [...] and say; I satisfied him in some presently, a [...] presented the rest to the Governours of th [...] English, who, I hope, will be far from givin [...] just cause to have [...] to question thei [...] Wunnaumwâuanck, or faithfulnesse.

Obs. This word they use just as the Greeke [...]ngue doth that verbe, [...]: for believing [...] obeying as it is often used in the new Te­ [...]meni, and they say C [...]annáumatous, I will [...]ey you.

[...]his Ablative case absolute they much use, [...]nd comp ise much in little;

[...]is they call us, as much as to say, The [...]e [...]ngers.

Th [...]t is▪ Coat-men, or clothed.

Obs. This question they oft put to me: Why [...]ome the Englishmen hither? and measuring others by themselves; they say, It is because [Page 60] you want firing: for they, having burnt up the wood in one place, (wanting draughts to bring wood to them) they are faine to follow the wood; and so to remove to a fresh new place for the woods sake.

Obs. If it be in time of warre, he that is a Messenger runs swiftly, and at every towne the Messenger comes, a fresh Messenger is sent: he that is the last, comming within a mile or two of the Court, or chiefe house, he hollowes often and they that heare answer him. untill by mutuall hollowing and answering hee is brought to the place of audience whereby this meanes is gathered a great confluence of peo­ple to entertaine the newes.

[...]hommin, to paint; for, having no letters, [...]heir painting comes the neerest.

Obs. That they have often desired of me [...]pon many occasions; for their good and [...]eace, and the English also, as it hath pleased [...]od to vouchsafe opportunitie.

Obs. THey are punctuall in measuring the [...] Day by the Sunne, and their Night by the Moon and the Starres, and their lying much abroad in the ayre; and so living in the open fields, occasioneth even the youngest among [...] them to be very observant of those Heavenly Lights.

Obs. They are punctuall in their promises [...] keeping time; and sometimes have charged [...]ee with a lye for not punctually keeping [...]ime, though hindred.

Obs. They have thirteen Moneths accordi [...] to the severall Moo [...]es; and they give to ea [...] of them significant names: as,

Obs. If the yeere proove drie, they have great and solemne meetings from all parts at one high place, to supplicate their gods, and to beg [...]aine, and they will continue in this worship ten dayes, a fortnight; yea, three weekes, untill raine come.

Obs. It is admirable to see, what paths their naked hardned feet have made in the wilder­nesse in most stony and rockie places.

Obs. The wildernesse being so vast, it is a mercy, that for a hire a man shall never want guides, who will carry provisions, and such as hire them over the Rivers and Brookes, and find out often times hunting-houses, or other lodgings at night.

Obs. I have heard of many English lost, and have oft been lost my selfe, and my selfe and others have often been found, and succoured by the Indians.

Obs. They are generally quick on foot, [...]rought up from the breasts to running: their [...]gs being also from the wombe stretcht and [...]ound up in a strange way on their Cradle [...]ackward, as also annointed; yet have they [...]ome that excell: so that I have knowne many [...]f them run betweene fourescoure or an hun­ [...]red miles in a Summers day, and back with­ [...]n two dayes: they doe also practice running [...]f Races; and commonly in the Summer, [...]hey delight to goe without shoes, although [...]hey have them hanging at their backs: they [...]re so exquisitely skilled in all the body and [...]owels of the Countrey (by reason of their [...]untings) that I have often been guided twen­ [...]ie, thirtie, sometimes fortie miles through [...]e woods, a streight course. out of any path.

Obs. Having no Horses, they covet them above other Cattell, rather preferring ease in riding, then their profit and belly, by milk and butter from Cowes and Goats, and they are loth to come to the English price for any.

Obs. These thick Woods and Swamps (like the Boggs to the Irish) are the Refuges for Women and children in Warre, whil'st the [Page 73] men fight. As the Country is wondrous full of Brookes and Rivers, so doth it also abound with fresh ponds, some of many miles com­passe.

Obs. They are joyfull in meeting of any in travell, and will strike fire either with stones or sticks, to take Tobacco, and dis­course a little together.

Obs. They use this word properly in wan­dring toward Winter night, in which case I have been many a night with them, and many times also alone, yet alwayes mercifully preserved.

[Page 75] Obs. Sometimes a man shall meet a lame man or an old man with a Staffe: but gene­rally a Staffe is a rare sight in the hand of the eldest, their Constitution is so strong, I have upon occasion travelled many a score, yea many a hundreth mile amongst them, without need of stick or staffe for any ap­pearance of danger amongst them: Yet it is a rule amongst them, that it is not g [...]od for a man to travell without a Weapon nor a­lone.

Obs. I once travalled with neere 200 who had word of neere 700. Enemies in the way, yet generally they all resolved that it was a shame to feare and goe back.

Obs. If any Robbery fall out in Travell, between Person of diverse States, the offend­ed State sends for Justice, If no Justice bee granted and recompence made, they grant out a kind of Letter of Mart to take satisfa­ction themselues, yet they are carefull not to exceed in taking from others, beyond the Proportion of their owne losse.

Obs. I could never heare that Murthers or Robberies are comparably so frequent, as in parts of Europe amongst the English, French, &c.

(Obs.) By which they acknowledge the Sun, and adore for a God or divine power.

Obs. And so they use the same rule, and words for the course of the Moone in the Night, as they use for the course of the Sun by Day, which wee mentioned in the Chapter of the [...]oure, or time of the Day concerning the Sunnes rising, course, or Sunne setting.

Obs. The Moone so old, which they mea­sure by the setting of it, especially when it shines till Wómpan, or day.

Obs. By occasion of their frequent lying in the Fields and Woods, they much observe the Starres, and theirvery children can give Names to many of them, and observe their Motions, and they have the same words for their rising-courses and setting, as for the Sun or Moone, as before.

Mosk or Paukúnawaw the great Beare, or Charles Waine, which words Mosk or Pau­kúnnawwaw signifies a Beare, which is so much the more observable, because, in most Lan­guages that signe or Constellation is called the Beare.

Obs. It may bee wondred why since New-England is about 12. degrees neerer to the Sun yet some part of Winter it is there ordinari­ly more cold then here in England: the rea­son is plaine: All Ilands are warmer then maine Lands and Continents, England being an Iland, Englands winds are Sea winds, which are commonly more thick and vapoury, and warmer winds: The Nor-West wind (which occcasioneth New-England cold) comes over the cold frozen Land, and over many milli­ons of Loads of Snow: and yet the pure wholsomnesse of the Aire is wonderfull, and the warmth of the Sunne, such in the sharp▪ est weather, that I have often seen the Na­tives Children runne about starke naked in [Page 83] the coldest dayes, and the Indians Men and Women lye by a Fire, in the Woods in the [...]oldest nights, and I have been often out my [...]elfe such nights without fire, mercifully, and [...]onderfully preserved.

Obs. From this the Natives conceiving [...] consimilitude between our Guns and Thun­der, they call a Gunne Péskunck, and to dis­charge Peskhommin that is to thunder.

Obs. Some of them account of seven, some [...]ight, or nine; and in truth, they doe upon [...]he matter reckon and observe not onely the [...]oure, but the eight Cardinall winds, although [...]hey come not to the accurate division of [...]he 32. upon the 32. points of the compasse, as we doe.

Obs. This is the pleasingest, warmest wind in the Climate, most desired of the Indians, making faire weather ordinarily; and there­fore they have a Tradition, that to the South­west, which they call Sowwaniu, the gods chief­ly dwell; and hither the soules of all their Great and Good men and women goe.

This Southwest wind is called by the New-English, the Sea turne, which comes from the Sunne in the morning, about nine or ten of the clock Southeast, and about South, and then strongest Southwest in the after-noone, and towards night, when it dies away.

It is rightly called the Sea turne, because the wind commonly all the Summer, comes [Page 87] off from the North and Northwest in the [...]ight, and then turnes againe about from the South in the day: as Salomon speaks of the va­ [...]itie of the Winds in their changes, Eccles. 1. 6.

Obs. Of this sort there be millions, which are great devourers of the Indian corne as soon as it appeares out of the ground; Unto this sort of Birds, especially, may the mysticall Fowles, the Divells be well resembled (and so it pleaseth the Lord Jesus himselfe to ob­serve, Matth. 13. which mysticall Fowle fol­low the sowing of the Word, and picke it up from loose and carelesse hearers, as these Black-birds follow the materiall seed.

Against the Birds the Indians are very care­full, both to set their corne deep enough that it may have a strong root, not so apt to be pluckt up, (yet not too deep, lest they bury it, and it never come up:) as also they put up little watch-houses in the middle of their fields, in which they, or their biggest children lodge, and earely in the morning prevent the Birds▪ &c.

Obs. These Birds, although they doe the corne also some hurt, yet scarce will one Na­tive [Page 90] amongst an hundred wil kil them, because they have a tradition, that the Crow brought them at first an Indian Graine of Corne in one Eare, and an Indian or French Beane in another, from the Great God Kaután [...]uwits field in the Southwest from whence they hold came all their Corne and Beanes.

Obs. The Indians having abundance of these sorts of Foule upon their waters, take great pains to kill any of them with their Bow and Arrowes; and are marvellous desirous of our English Guns, powder and shot (though they are wisely and generally denied by the Eng­lish) yet with those which they get from the French, and some others (Dutch and English) they kill abundance of Fowle, being naturally excellent marks-men; and also more hardned to endure the weather, and wading, lying, and creeping on the ground, &c.

I once saw an exercise of training of the English, when all the English had mist the mark [Page 91] set up to shoot at, an Indian with his owne Peece (desiring leave to shoot) onely hit it.

Obs. These they take in the night time, where they are asleepe on rocks, off at Sea, and bring in at break of day great store of them:

Ob. This they doe on shore, and catch many fowle upon the plaines, and feeding under Okes upon Akrons, as Geese, Turkies, Cranes, and others, &c.

Obs. In that place these Fowle breed abun­dantly, and by reason of their delicate Food (especially in Strawberrie time when they pick up whole large Fields of the old grounds of the Natives, they are a delicate fowle, and because of their abundance, and the facility [Page 94] of killing of them, they are and may be plen­tifully fed on.

Sachim: a little Bird about the bignesse of a swallow, or lesse, to which the Indians give that name, because of its Sachim or Princelike courage and Command over greater Birds, that a man shall often see this small Bird pur­sue and vanquish and put to flight the Crow, and other Birds farre bigger then it selfe.

That is the saying of the Natives, when the Geese and other Fowle at the approach of Winter betake themselves, in admirable Or­der and discerning their Course even all the night long.

That is when they returne in the Spring. There are abundance of singing Birds whose names I have little as yet inquired after, &c.

The Indians of Martins vineyard, at my late being amongst them, report generally, and confidently of some Ilands, which lie off from them to Sea, from whence every morn­ing early, certaine Fowles come and light a­mongst them, and returne at Night to lodg­ing, which Iland or Ilands are not yet disco­vered, though probably, by other Reasons they give, there is Land, &c.

Whch the Indians keep tame about their houses to keepe the little Birds from their Corne.

Obs. The Natives are very exact and pun­ctuall in the bounds of their Lands, belonging to this or that Prince or People, (even to a River, Brooke) &c. And I have knowne them make bargaine and sale amongst them­selves for a small piece, or quantity of Ground: notwithstanding a sinfull opinion amongst many that Christians have right to Heathens Lands: but of the delusion of that phrase, I have spoke in a discourse concer­ning the Indians Conversion.

Obs. The Indians have an Art of drying their Chesnuts, and so to preserve them in their barnes for a daintie all the yeare.

These Akornes also they drie, and in case of want of Corne, by much boyling they make a good dish of them: yea some times in plentie of Corne doe they eate these Acornes for a Novelty.

Of these Wallnuts they make an excellent [Page 98] Oyle good for many uses, but especially for their annoynting of their heads. And of the chips of the Walnut-Tree (the barke taken off) some English in the Countrey make ex­cellent Beere both for Tast, strength, colour, and in offensive opening operation:

Obs. This Berry is the wonder of all the Fruits growing naturally in those parts: It is of it selfe Excellent: [...]o that one of the chief­est Doctors of England was wont to say, that God could have made, but God never did make a better Berry: In some parts where the Natives have planted, I have many times seen as many as would filla good ship with­in few miles compasse: the Indians bruise them in a Morter, and mixe them with meale and make Strawberry bread.

Sasemineash another sharp cooling Fruit growing in fresh Waters all the Winter, Ex­cellent in conserve against Feavers.

Of which there are divers sorts sweete like Currants, some opening, some of a bin­ding nature.

Saūtaash are these Currants dried by the Natives, and so preserved all the yeare, whi [...]h they beat to powder, and mingle it with their parcht meale, and make a delicate dish which they cal Sautáuthig; which is as sweet to them as plum or spice cake to the English.

They also make great use of their Straw­berries having such abundance of them, ma­king Strawberry bread, and having no other [Page 100] Food for many dayes, but the English have ex­ceeded, and make good Wine both of their Grapes and Strawberries also in some places as I have often tasted.

Obs. There be diverse sorts of this Corne and of the Colours: yet all of it either boil [...] in milke, or buttered, if the use of it wer [...] knowne and received in England (it is the opi­nion of some skillfull in physick) it migh [...] save many thousand lives in England, occasio­ned by the binding nature of English wheat the Indian Corne keeping the body in a con­stant moderate loosenesse.

Obs. The Women set or plant, weede, and hill, and gather and barne all the corne, and [Page] Fruites of the field: Yet sometimes [...] [...]an himselfe, (either out of love to h [...] [...] [...] care for his Children, or being an [...] [...]an) will help the Woman which (by the [...]ustome of the Countrey) they are n [...] [...]ound to.

When a field is to be broken up▪ they [...] [...]very loving sociable speedy way to disp [...] [...]: All the neighbours men and Women [...] [...], fifty, a hundred &c, joyne, and come in to [...]elp freely.

With friendly joyning they breake up th [...]ir [...]elds, build their Forts, hunt the [...], [...]op and kill fish in th [...] Rivers, it being true [...]ith them as in all the World in the Affaires [...] Earth or Heaven: By concord little [...]hings grow great, by discord the greatest [...]ome to nothing Concordiâ parvae res crescunt, [...]iscordiâ magnae dilabuntur.

The Indian Women to this day (notwith­ [...]anding our Howes, doe use their naturall [...]owes of shells and Wood.

Which they doe carefully upon heapes and Mats many dayes, before they barne it up­covering it up with Ma [...]at night, and open­ing when the Sun is hot.

Obs. The woman of the family will com­monly raise two or three heaps of twelve fifteene, or twentie bushells a heap, which they drie inround broad heaps; and if she hav [...] helpe of her children or friends much more [...]

Askútasquash, their Vine aples, which the English from them call Squashe [...] about the big­nesse of Apples of severall colours, a sweet, light wholesome refreshing.

This name the Indians give to tame [...] yea, and Birds also which they keepe [...] [...]bout their houses:

Obs. This is a Beast of wonder; for cut­ting and drawing of great pieces of trees with his teeth, with which, and sticks and earth I have often seen, faire streames and rivers damm'd and stopt up by them: upon these streames thus damm'd up, he builds his house with stories, wherein he sits drie in his cham­bers, or goes into the water at his pleasure.

Obs. The Indians say they have black Foxes; which they have often seene, but never could take any of them: they say they are Manittóoes, that is, Gods Spirits or Divine powers, as they say of every thing which they cannot comprehend.

Ockqutchaun-n [...]g. A wild beast of a reddish haire about the bignesse of a Pig, and rooting like a Pig; from whence they give this name to all our Swine.

Obs. They have a reverend esteeme of this Creature, and conceive there is some Deitie in it.

Obs. This Termination suck, is common in their language; and therefore they adde it to our English Cattell, not else knowing what names to give them;

Y [...]t the varietie of their Dialects [...]nd proper speech within thirtie or fort [...] [...] each of [Page 107] other, is very great, as appeares in that word,

So that although some pronounce not L, nor R. yet it is the most proper Dialect of other places, contrary to many reports.

or, that name which they give that Deitie or God­head which they conceive to be in the Sea.

Obs. Mishoòn an Indian Boat, or Canow made of a Pine or Oake, or Chesnut-tree: I have seene a Native goe into the woods with his hatchet carrying onely a Basket of Corne [Page 109] with him, & stones to strike fire when he had feld his tree (being a chesnut) he made him a lit­tle House or shed of the bark of it, he puts fire and followes the burning of it with fire, in the midst in many places: his corne he boyles and hath the Brook by him, and sometimes angles for a little fish: but so hee continues burning and hewing untill he hath within ten or twelve dayes (lying there at his worke a­lone) finished, and (getting hands,) lanched his Boate; with which afterward hee ven­tures out to fish in the Ocean.

Some of them will not well carry above three or foure: but some of them twenty, thirty, forty men.

Obs. Although themselves have neither, yet they give them such names, which in their Language signifieth carrying Vessells.

Obs. Their owne reason hath taught them, to pull of a Coat or two and set it up on a small [...]ole, with which they will saile before a wind ten, or twenty mile, &c.

Obs. It is wonderfull to see how they will venture in those Canoes, and how (being oft overset as I have my [...]elfe been with them) they will swim a mile, yea two or more safe to Land: I having been necessitated to passe waters diverse times with them, it hath plea­sed God to make them many times the in­struments of my preservation: and when sometimes in great danger I have questioned safety, they have said to me: Feare not, if we be overset I will carry you safe to Land.

Obs. I have knowne thirty or forty of their Canowes fill'd with men, and neere as many more of their enemies in a Sea-fight.