NEW ENGLAND'S PROSPECT. A true, lively, and experimental description of that part of America, commonly called NEW ENGLAND: discovering the state of that Country, both as it stands to our new-come English Planters; and to the old Native Inhabitants. Laying down that which may both enrich the knowledge of the mind-travelling Reader, or benefit the future Voyager. BY WILLIAM WOOD Printed at London by Tho. Cotes, for john Bellamy, and are to be sold at his shop, at the three Golden Lions in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange. 1634. To the Right Worshipful, my much honoured Friend, Sir WILLIAM ARMYNE, Knight and Baronet. Noble Sir. THe good assurance of your native worth, and thrice generous disposition, as also the continual manifestation of your bounteous favour, and love towards myself in particular, hath so bound my thankful acknowledgement, that I count it the least part of my service to present the first fruits of my far-fetched experience, to the kind acceptance of your charitable hands: well knowing that though this my work, own not worth enough to deserve your patronage, yet such is your benign humanity, that I am confident you will deign it your protection, under which it willingly shrouds itself. And as it is reported of that man whose name was Alexander, being a cowardly milksop by nature, yet hearing of the valiant courage of that magnificent Hero, Alexander the Great, whose name he bore, he thenceforth became stout and valorous; and as he was animated by having the very name of puissant Alexander; so shall these my weak and feeble labours, receive life and courage by the patronage of your much esteemed self; whereby they shall be able to outface the keenest fangs of a black mouthed Momus. For from hence the world may conclude, that either there was some worth in the book, that caused so wise a person to look upon it, and to vouchsafe to own it; or else if they suppose that in charity he fostered it, as being a poor helpless brat, they may thence learn to do so likewise. If here I should take upon me the usual strain of a soothing Epistolizer, I should (though upon better grounds than many) sound forth a full mouthed encomiasticke of your incomparable worth: but though your deserts may justly challenge it, yet I know your virtuous modesty would not thank me for it; and indeed your own actions are the best Heralds of your own praise, which in spite of envy itself must speak you Wise, and truly Noble: and I for my part, if I may but present any thing, which either for its profit or delight may obtain your favourable approbation, I have already reaped the harvest of my expectation; only I must desire you to pardon my bold presumption, as thus to make your well deserving name, the frontispiece to so rude and ill deserving frame. Thus wishing a confluence of all blessings both of the throne, and footstool, to be multiplied upon yourself, and your virtuous Consort, my very good Lady, together with all the Stems of your Noble family, I take my leave and rest, Your Worships to serve and be commanded, W. W. To the Reader. Courteous Reader, THough I will promise thee no such voluminous discourse, as many have made upon a scanter subject, (though they have travailed no further than the smoke of their own native chimneys) yet dare I presume to present thee with the true, and faithful relation of some few years' travels and experience, wherein I would be loath to broach any thing which may puzzle thy belief, and so justly draw upon myself, that unjust aspersion commonly laid on travellers; of whom many say, They may lie by authority, because none can control them; which Proverb had surely his original from the sleepy belief of many a homebred Dormouse, who comprehends not either the rarity or possibility of those things he sees not, to whom the most classicke relations seem riddles, and paradoxes: of whom it may be said as once of Diogenes, that because he circled himself in the circumference of a tub, he therefore contemned the Port and Palace of Alexander, which he knew not. So there is many a tub-brained cynic, who because any thing stranger than ordinary, is too large for the straight hoops of his apprehension, he peremptorily concludes it is a lie: But I decline this sort of thicke-witted readers, and dedicate the mite of my endeavours to my more credulous, ingenious, and less censorious Countrymen, for whose sake I undertook this work; and I did it the rather, because there hath some relations heretofore past the Press, which have been very imperfect; as also because there hath been many scandalous and false reports passed upon the Country, even from the sulphurous breath of every base ballad-monger: wherefore to perfect the one, and take off the other, I have laid down the nature of the Country, without any partial respect unto it, as being my dwelling place where I have lived these four years, and intent God willing to return shortly again; but my conscience is to me a thousand witnesses, that what I speak is the very truth, and this will inform thee almost as fully concerning it, as if thou wentest over to see it. Now whereas I have written the latter part of this relation concerning the Indians, in a more light and facetious style, than the former; because their carriage and behaviour hath afforded more matter of mirth, and laughter, than gravity and wisdom; and therefore I have inserted many passages of mirth concerning them, to spice the rest of my more serious discourse, and to make it more pleasant. Thus thou mayest in two or three hours' travail over a few leaves, see and know that, which cost him that writ it, years and travail, over Sea and Land before he knew it; and therefore I hope thou wilt accept it; which shall be my full reward, as it was my whole ambition, and so I rest, Thine bound in what I may, W. W. To the Author, his singular good Friend, Mr. William Wood THanks to thy travel, and thyself, who hast Much knowledge in so small room, comptly placed, And thine experience thus amount dost make, From whence we may New England's Prospect take, Though many thousands distant: wherefore thou Thyself shalt sit upon mount Praise her brow. For if the man that shall the short cut find Unto the Indies, shall for that be shrined; Sure thou deservest then no small praise, who, So short cut to New England here dost show; And if then this small thanks, thou getst no more, Of thanks I then will say the world's grown poor. S. W. The Table. Part. 1. Chap. 1. OF the Situation, Bays, Havens, and Inlets. Page. 1 Chap. 2. Of the seasons of the year, Winter and Summer, together with the heat, cold, snow, rain, and the effects of it. Page. 3 Chap. 3▪ Of the Climate, length, and shortness of day and night, with the suiteablenesse of it to English bodies for health and sickness. Page. 8 Chap. 4. Of the nature of the Soil. Page. 10 Chap. 5. Of the Herbs, Fruits, Woods, Waters, and Minerals. Page. 13 Chap. 6. Of the Beasts that live on the land. Page. 18 Chap. 7. Beasts living in the water. Page. 24 Chap. 8. Of the Birds and Fowls both of land and water. Page. 26 Chap. 9 Of Fish. Page. 32 Chap. 10. Of the several plantations in particular. Page. 36 Chap. 11. Of the evils, and such things as are hurtful in the plantation. Page. 44 Chap. 12. What provision is to be made for a journey at Sea, and what to carry with us for our use at Land. Page. 49 Part. 2. Chap. 1. OF the Connectacuts, Mowhacks, or such Indians as are Westward. Page. 56 Chap. 2. Of the Tarrenteenes or the Indians inhabiting East-ward. Page. 60 Chap. 3 Of the Pequants and Narragansets, inhabiting southward. Page. 61 Chap 4. Of the Aberginians or Indians Northwards Page. 62 Chap. 5. Of their Apparel, Ornaments, Paintings, etc. Page. 64 Chap. 6. Of their diet, cookery, etc. Page. 66 Chap. 7. Of their dispositions and good qualifications, as friendship, etc. Page. 69 Chap. 8. Of their hardiness. Page. 75 Chap. 9 Of their wondering at the first view of any strange invention. Page. 77 Chap. 10. Of their King's government, and Subject's obedience. Page. 79 Chap. 11. Of their Marriages, Page. 81 Chap. 12. Of their worship, etc. Page. 82 Chap. 13. Of their Wars. Page. 84 Chap. 14. Their games, sports, etc. Page. 85 Chap. 15. Of their hunt. Page. 88 Chap. 16. Of their Fishing. Page. 89 Chap. 17. Of their Arts, etc. Page. 90 Chap. 18. Of their Language. Page. 91 Chap. 19 Of their deaths, etc. Page. 92 Chap. 20. Of their women, etc. Page. 94 FINIS. Errata. PAge, 13. line 25. for Squnotersquashes read Isquoutersquashes, p. 15. l. 10. he, they, l. 11. his, their. l. 28. spoiling, spoil. p 16. l. 10. mast, masts p. 17. l. 37. boats, bowls p. 23. l. 12. us, up p. 24. l. 4 an. the. p. 27. l. 21. humiliters, Humilitees l. 22. million, millions. p. 29. l. 7. tide, tides p. 31. l. 26. those, their. p 32 l. 26. Hage, Haicke. p. 37. l. 33. Clarly, Charles p. 41. l. 10. land, Inland. p. 42.8. stone, stop. l. 16. lands, ponds. l. 36. breach, Beach. p 45. l. 29. house, horse. p. 46. l. 9 lid, lie. l. 18. by, her. l. 24. a (left out;) l. 30. musketor, musketoe. p. 47. l. 2. Fen (left out) p 50. l. 3. it (left out,) p 53. l. 20. handsome, handy. l. 36. Country, Gentry p 54. l 6. many▪ If any. l. 8. he, they. p. 57 l. 14. here, there. p. 60. l. 1 placed, placing l. 33. hath (too much,) p. 70. l. 20. warm. worm. p. 82. l. 8. object, subject. p. 83. l. 38. English ans, English man's. The South part of New-England, as it is Planted this year, 1634. NEW ENGLAND'S PROSPECT. CHAP. I. Of the Situation, Bays, Havens, and Inlets. FOr as much as the Kings most excellent Majesty hath been graciously pleased by the grant of his Letters Patents, at first to give life to the plantations of New England, and hath daily likewise by his Favours and Royal protection cherished their growing hopes; whereby many of his Majesty's faithful Subjects have been emboldened to venture persons, states, and endeavours, to the enlargement of his Dominions in that Western Continent: Wherefore I thought fit (for the further encouragement of those that hereafter, either by Purse, or Person shall help forward the Plantation,) to set forth these few observations out of my personal and experimental knowledge. The place whereon the English have built their Colonies, is judged by those who have best skill in discovery, either to be an Island, surrounded on the North side with the spacious River Cannada, and on the South with hudson's River, or else a Peninsula, these two Rivers overlapping one another, having their rise from the great Lakes which are not far off one another, as the Indians do certainly inform us. But it is not my intent to wander far from our Patent; wherefore I refer you to the thrice memorable discoverer of those parts, Captain Smith, who hath likewise fully described the Southern and North-east part of New England, with the noted headlands, Capes, Harbours, Rivers, Ponds, and Lakes, with the nature of the Soil, and commodities both by Sea and Land, etc. within the degrees of forty one and forty five. The Bay of Massachusets' lieth under the degree of forty two and forty three, bearing South-west from the Lands end of England: at the bottom whereof are situated most of the English plantations: This Bay is both safe, spacious, and deep, free from such cockling Seas as run upon the Coast of Ireland, and in the Channels of England: there be no stiff running Currents, or Rocks, Shelves, Bars, Quicksands. The Mariners having sailed two or three Leagues towards the bottom, may behold the two Capes embracing their welcome Ships in their Arms, which thrust themselves out into the Sea in form of a halfmoon, the surrounding shore being high, and showing many white Cliffs in a most pleasant prospect with diverse places of low land, out of which diverse Rivers vent themselves into the Ocean, with many openings, where is good Harbouring for Ships of any burden; so that if an unexpected storm or cross wind should bar the Mariner from recovering his desired Port, he may reach other Harbours, as Plymouth, Cape, Ann, Salome, Marvill Head; all which afford good ground for Anchorage, being likewise land-lockt from Wind and Seas. The chief and usual Harbour, is the still Bay of Massachusets', which is close aboard the plantations, in which most of our ships come to anchor, being the nearest their mart, and usual place of landing of Passengers; it is a safe and pleasant Harbour within, having but one common and safe entrance, and that not very broad, there scarce being room for 3. Ships to come in board and board at a time, but being once within, there is room for the Anchorage of 500 Ships. This Harbour is made by a great company of Lands, whose high Cliffs shoulder out the boisterous Seas, yet may easily deceive any unskilful Pilot; presenting many fair openings and broad sounds, which afford too shallow waters for any Ships, though navigable for Boats and small pinnaces. The entrance into the great Haven is called Nantascot; which is two Leagues from Boston; this place of itself is a very good Haven, where Ships commonly cast Anchor, until Wind and Tide serve them for other places; from hence they may sail to the River of Wessaguscus, Naponset, Charles River, and Mystic River, on which Rivers be seated many Towns. In any of these forenamed harbours, the Seamen having spent their old store of Wood and Water, may have fresh supplies from the adjacent Lands, with good timber to repair their weatherbeaten Ships▪ Here likewise may be had Masts or Yards, being store of such Trees as are useful for the same purpose. CHAP. II. Of the Seasons of the year, Winter and Summer, together with the Heat, Cold, Snow, Raine, and the effects of it. FOr that part of the Country wherein most of the English have their habitations: it is for certain the best ground and sweetest Climate in all those parts, bearing the name of New England, agreeing well with the temper of our English bodies, being high land, and sharp Air, and though most of our English Towns border upon the Sea-coast, yet are they not often troubled with Mists, or unwholesome fogs, or cold weather from the Sea, which lies East and South from the Land. And whereas in England most of the cold winds and weathers come from the Sea, and those situations are counted most unwholesome, that are near the Sea-coast, in that Country it is not so, but otherwise; for in the extremity of Winter, the North-east and South wind coming from the Sea, produceth warm weather, and bringing in the warme-working waters of the Sea, loosneth the frozen Bays, carrying away their Ice with their Tides, melting the Snow, and thawing the ground; only the Northwest wind coming over the Land, is the cause of extreme cold weather, being always accompanied with deep Snows and bitter Frost, so that in two or three days the Rivers are passable for horse and man. But as it is an Axiom in Nature, Nullum violentum est perpetuum, No extremes last long, so this cold wind blows seldom above three days together, after which the weather is more tolerable, the Air being nothing so sharp, but peradventure in four or five days after this cold messenger will blow a fresh, commanding every man to his house, forbidding any to outface him without prejudice to their noses: but it may be objected that it is too cold a Country for our English men, who have been accustomed to a warmer Climate, to which it may be answered, (Igne levatur hyems) there is Wood good store, and better cheap to build warm houses, and make good fires, which makes the Winter less tedious: and moreover, the extremity of this cold weather lasteth but for two Months or ten weeks, beginning in December, and breaking up the tenth day of February; which hath been a passage very remarkable, that for ten or a dozen years the weather hath held himself to his day, unlooking his icy Bays and Rivers, which are never frozen again the same year, except there be some small frost until the middle of March. It is observed by the Indians that every tenth year there is little or no Winter, which hath been twice observed of the English; the year of new Plymouth men's arrival was no Winter in comparison; and in the tenth year after likewise when the great company set led themselves in Massachusets' Bay, was a very mild season, little Frost, and less Snow, but clear serene weather, few Northwest winds, which was a great mercy to the English coming over so rawly and uncomfortably provided, wanting all utensils and provisions which belonged to the well being of Planters: and whereas many died at the beginning of the plantations, it was not because the Country was unhealthful, but because their bodies were corrupted with sea-diet, which was naught, their Beef and Pork being tainted, their Butter and Cheese corrupted, their Fish rotten, & voyage long, by reason of cross Winds, so that winter approaching before they could get warm houses, and the searching sharpness of that purer Climate, creeping in at the crannies of their crazed bodies, caused death and sickness; but their harms having taught future voyagers more wisdom, in shipping good provision for Sea, and finding warm houses at landing, find health in both. It hath been observed, that of five or six hundred passengers in one year, not above three have died at Sea, having their health likewise at Land. But to return to the matter in hand daily observations makes it apparent, that the piercing cold of that Country produceth not so many noisome effects, as the raw winters of England. In public assemblies it is strange to hear a man sneeze or cough as ordinarily they do in old England; yet not to smother any thing, lest you judge me too partial in reciting good of the Country, and not bad; true it is, that some venturing too nakedly in extremity of cold, being more fool hardy than wise, have for a time lost the use of their feet, others the use of their fingers; but time and Surgery afterwards recovered them: Some have had their overgrown beards so frozen together, that they could not get their strong water-bottells into their mouths; I never heard of any that utterly perished at land with cold, saving one English man and an Indian, who going together a Fowling, the morning being fair at their setting out, afterward a terrible storm arising, they intended to return home; but the storm being in their faces, and they not able to withstand it, were frozen to death, the Indian having gained three slight-shot more of his journey homeward, was found reared up against a tree with his Aquavitae bottle at head. A second passage (concerning which many think hardly of the country in regard of his cold) was the miscarriage of a boat at sea, certain men having intended a voyage to new Plymouth, setting sail towards night, they wanted time to fetch it, being constrained to put into another harbour, where being negligent of the well mooring of their Boat, a strong wind coming from the shore in the night, loosened their killocke, and drove them to Sea, without sight of land, before they had awaked out of sleep; but seeing the eminent danger, such as were not benumbed with cold, shipped out their Oars, shaping their course for Cape Cod, where the Indians met them, who buried the dead, and carried the Boat with the living to Plymouth, where some of them died, and some recovered. These things may fright some, but being that there hath been many passages of the like nature in our English Climate, it cannot dishearten such as seriously consider it, seeing likewise that their own ruins sprung from their own negligence. The Country is not so extremely cold, unless it be when the Northwest wind is high, at other times it is ordinary for Fishermen to go to Sea in january and February, in which time they get more Fish, and better than in Summer, only observing to reach some good Harbours before night, where by good fires they sleep as well and quietly, (having their main sail tented at their backs, to shelter them from the wind) as if they were at home. To relate how some English bodies have borne out cold, will (it may be) startle belief of some, it being so strange, yet not so strange as true. A certain man being something distracted, broke away from his Keeper, and running into the Wood, could not be found with much seeking after; but four days being expired, he returned, to appearance as well in body, as at his egress, and in mind much better: for a mad man to hit home through the unbeaten Woods, was strange, but to live without meat or drink in the deep of Winter, stranger, and yet return home bettered, was most strange: but if truth may gain belief, you may behold a more superlative strangeness. A certain Maid in the extremity of cold weather, (as it fell out) took an uncertain journey, in her intent short, not above four miles, yet long in event; for losing her way, she wandered six or seven days in most bitter weather, not having one bit of bread to strengthen her, sometimes a fresh Spring quenched her thirst, which was all the refreshment she had; the Snow being upon the ground at first, she might have tracked her own footsteps back again, but wanting that understanding, she wandered, till God by his special providence brought her to the place she went from, where she lives to this day. The hard Winters are commonly the forerunners of pleasant Spring-times, and fertile Summers, being judged likewise to make much for the health of our English bodies: It is found to be more healthful for such as shall adventure thither, to come towards Winter, than the hot Summer; the Climate in Winter is commonly cold and dry, the Snow lies long, which is thought to be no small nourishing to the ground. For the Indians burning it to suppress the under-wood, which else would grow all over the Country, the Snow falling not long after, keeps the ground warm, and with his melting conveys the ashes into the pores of the earth, which doth fatten it. It hath been observed, that English Wheat and Rye proves better, which is Winter sown, and is kept warm by the Snow, than that which is sown in the Spring. The Summers be hotter than in England; because of their more Southern latitude, yet are they tolerable; being often cooled with fresh blowing winds, it seldom being so hot as men are driven from their labours, especially such whose employments are within doors, or under the cool shade: servants have hitherto been privileged to rest from their labours in extreme hot weather, from ten of the clock till two, which they regain by their early rising in the morning, and double diligence in cool weather. The Summers are commonly hot and dry, there being seldom any reins; I have known it six or seven weeks, before one shower hath moistened the Ploughman's labour, yet the Harvest hath been very good, the Indian Corn requiring more heat than wet; for the English Corn, it is refreshed with the nightly dews, till it grow up to shade his roots with his own substance from the parching Sun. In former times the Rain came seldom, but very violently, continuing his drops, (which were great and many) sometimes four and twenty hours together; sometimes eight and forty, which watered the ground for a long time afrer; but of late the Seasons be much altered, the rain coming oftener, but more moderately, with less thunder and lightnings, and sudden gusts of wind. I dare be bold to affirm it, that I saw not so much rain, raw colds, and misty fogs in four years in those parts, as was in England in the space of four Months the last Winter; yet no man at the years end, complained of too much drought, or too little rain. The times of most Rain, are in the beginning of April, and at Michaelmas. The early Springs and long Summers make but short Autumns and Winters. In the Spring when the Grass begins to put forth, it grows apace, so that where it was all black by reason of Winter's burnings, in a fortnight there will be Grass a foot high. CHAP. III. Of the Climate, length, and shortness of day and night, with the suiteablenesse of it to English bodies for health and sickness. THE Country being nearer the Equinoctial than England, the days and nights be more equally divided. In Summer the days be two hours shorter, and likewise in Winter two hours longer than in England. In a word, both Summer and Winter is more commended of the English there, than the Summer winter's, and Winter Summer of England; and who is there that could not wish, that England's Climate were as it hath been in quondam times, colder in Winter, and hotter in Summer? or who will condemn that which is as England hath been? Virginia having no Winter to speak of, but extreme hot Summer, hath dried up much English blood, and by pestiferous diseases swept away many lusty bodies, changing their complexion not into swarthiness, but into Paleness; so that when as they come for trading into our parts, we can know many of them by their faces. This alteration certainly comes not from any want of victuals or necessary food, for their soil is very fertile and pleasant, yielding both Corn and Cattle plenty, but rather from the Climate, which indeed is found to be hotter than is suitable to an ordinary English constitution. In New England both men and women keep their natural complexions, in so much as Sea men wonder when they arrive in those parts, to see their Countrymen so fresh and ruddy: If the Sun doth tanne any, yet the Winter's cold restores them to their former complexion; and as it is for the outward complexion, so it is for the inward constitution; not very many being troubled with inflammations, or such diseases as are increased by too much heat: and whereas I say, not very many, yet dare I not exclude any; for death being certain to all, in all Nations there must be something tending to death of like certainty. The soundest bodies are mortal and subject to change, therefore fall into diseases, and from diseases to death. Now the two chief messengers of mortality, be Fevers and Callentures; but they be easily helped, if taken in time, and as easily prevented of any that will not prove a mere fool to his body. For the common diseases of England, they be strangers to the English now in that strange Land. To my knowledge I never knew any that had the Pox, Measles, Green-sickness, headaches, Stone, or Consumptions, etc. Many that have come infirm out of England, retain their old grievances still, and some that were long troubled with linger diseases, as Coughs of the lungs, Consumptions, etc. have been restored by that medicineable Climate to their former strength and health. God hath been pleased so to bless men in the health of their bodies, that I dare confidently say it, out of that Town from whence I came, in three years and a half, there died but three, one of which was crazed before he came into the Land; the other were two Children borne at one birth before their time, the Mother being accidentally hurt. To make good which losses, I have seen four Children Baptised at a time, which wipes away that common aspersion, that women have no Children, being a mere falsity, there being as sweet lusty Children as many other Nation, and reckoning so many for so many, more double births than in England; the women likewise having a more speedy recovery, and gathering of strength after their delivery than in England. The last Argument to confirm the healthfulness of the Country, shall be from mine own experience, who although in England I was brought up tenderly under the careful hatching of my dearest friends, yet scarce could I be acquainted with health, having been let blood six times for the Pleurisy before I went; likewise being assailed with other weakening diseases; but being planted in that new Soil and healthful Air, which was more correspondent to my nature, (I speak it with praise to the merciful God) though my occasions have been to pass thorough heat and cold, wet, and dry, by Sea and Land, in Winter and Summer, day by day, for four years together, yet scarce did I know what belonged to a day's sickness. CHAP. FOUR Of the nature of the Soil. THe Soil is for the general a warm kind of earth, there being little cold-spewing and, no Morish Fens, no Quagmires, the lowest grounds be the Marshes, over which every full and change the Sea flows: these Marshes be rich ground, and bring plenty of Hay, of which the Cattle feed and like, as if they were fed with the best upland Hay in New England; of which likewise there is great store which grows commonly between the Marshes and the Woods. This Meadow ground lies higher than the Marshes, whereby it is freed from the overflowing of the Seas; and besides this, in many places where the trees grow thin, there is good fodder to be got amongst the Woods. There be likewise in diverse places near the plantations great broad Meadows, wherein grow neither shrub nor Tree, lying low, in which Plains grows as much grass, as may be thrown out with a scythe, thick and long, as high as a man's middle; some as high as the shoulders, so that a good mower may cut three loads in a day. But many object, this is but a course fodder: True it is, that it is not so fine to 〈◊〉 eye as English grass, but it is not sour, though it grow thus rank; but being made into Hay, the Cattle eat it as well as it were Lea-hay and like as well with it; I do not think England can show, fairer Cattle either in Winter, or Summer, than is in those parts both Winter and Summer; being generally larger and better of milch, and bring forth young as ordinarily as Cattle do in England, and have hitherto been free from many diseases that are incident to Cattle in England. To return to the Subject in hand, there is so much hay-ground in the Country, as the richest voyagers that shall venture thither, need not fear want of fodder, though his Herd increase into thousands, there being thousands of Acres that yet was never meddled with. And whereas it hath been reported, that some hath mown a day for half of a load of Hay: I do not say, but it may be true, a man may do as much, and get as little in England, on Salisbury Plain, or in other places where Grass cannot be expected: So Hay-ground is not in all places in New England: Wherefore it shall behoove every man according to his calling, and estate, to look for a fit situation at the first; and if he be one that intends to live on his stock, to choose the grassy Valleys before the woody Mountains. Furthermore, whereas it hath been generally reported in many places of England, that the Grass grows not in those places where it was cut the foregoing years, it is a mere falsehood; for it grows as well the ensuing Spring as it did before, and is more spiery and thick, like our English Grass: and in such places where the Cattle use to graze, the ground is much improved in the Woods, growing more grassy, and less weedy. The worst that can be said against the meddow-grounds, is because there is little edish, or after-pasture, which may proceed from the late mowing, more than from any thing else; but though the edish be not worth much, yet is there such plenty of other Grass and feeding, that there is no want of Winter-fodder till December, at which time men begin to house their milch-cattles and Calves: Some, notwithstanding the cold of the Winter, have their young Cattle without doors, giving them meat at morning and evening. For the more upland grounds, there be different kinds, in some places clay, some gravel, some a red sand; all which are covered with a black mould, in some places above a foot deep, in other places not so deep. There be very few that have the experience of the ground, that can condemn it of barrenness; although many deem it barren, because the English use to manure their land with fish, which they do not because the land could not bring corn without it, but because it brings more with it; the land likewise being kept in hart the longer: beside, the plenty of fish which they have for little or nothing, is better so used, than cast away; but to argue the goodness of the ground, the Indians who are too lazy to catch fish, plant corn eight or ten years in one place without it, having very good crops. Such is the rankness of the ground that it must be sown the first year with Indian Corn, which is a soaking grain, before it will be fit for to receive English seed. In a word, as there is no ground so purely good, as the long forced and improved grounds of England, so is there none so extremely bad as in many places of England, that as yet have not been manured and improved; the woods of New England being accounted better ground than the Forests of England or woodland ground, or heathy plains. For the natural soil, I prefer it before the country of Surry, or Middlesex, which if they were not enriched with continual manurings, would be less fertile than the meanest ground in New England, wherefore it is neither impossible, nor much improbable, that upon improvements the soil may be as good in time as England. And whereas some gather the ground to be naught, and soon out of hart, because Plymouth men remove from their old habitations, I answer, they do no more remove from their habitation, than the Citizen which hath one house in the City & another in the Country, for his pleasure, health, & profit. For although they have taken new plots of ground, and built houses upon them, yet do they retain their old houses still, and repair to them every Sabbath day; neither do they esteem their old lots worse than when they first took them: what if they do not plant on them every year? I hope it is no ill husbandry to rest the land, nor is always that the worst that lies sometimes fallow. If any man doubt of the goodness of the ground, let him comfort himself with the cheapness of it▪ such bad land in England I am sure will bring in store of good money. This ground is in some places of a soft mould, and easy to plow; in other places so tough and hard, that I have seen ten Oxen toiled, their Iron chains broken, and their Shares and Coulters much strained: but after the first breaking up it is so easy, that two Oxen and a Horse may plow it; there hath as good English Corn grown there, as could be desired; especially Rye and Oats, and Barley: there hath been no great trial as yet of Wheat, and Beans; only thus much I affirm, that these two grains grow well in Gardens, therefore it is not improbable, but when they can gather seed of that which is sown in the country, it may grow as well as any other Grain: but commonly the seed that cometh out of England is heated at Sea, and therefore cannot thrive at land. CHAP. V. Of the Herbs, Fruits, Woods, Waters and Minerals. THe ground affords very good kitchen Gardens, for Turnips, Parsnips, Carrots, Radishes, and Pompions, Muskmillions, Squonterquashes, Coucumbers, Onions, and whatsoever grows well in England, grows as well there, many things being better and larger: there is likewise growing all manner of Herbs for meat, and medicine, and that not only in planted Gardens, but in the Woods, without either the art or the help of man, as sweet Marjoran, Purslane, Sorrell, penerial, Yarrow, Myrtle, Saxifarilla, Bayes, etc. There is likewise Strawberries in abundance, very large ones, some being two inches about; one may gather half a bushel in a forenoon: In other seasons there be Gooseberries, Bilberies, Resberies', Treackleberies, Hurtleberries, Currants; which being dried in the Sun are little inferior to those that our Grocers sell in England: This land likewise affords Hemp and Flax, some naturally, and some planted by the English, with Rapes if they be well managed. For such commodities as lie underground, I cannot out of mine own experience or knowledge say much, having taken no great notice of such things; but it is certainly reported that there is Iron, stone; and the Indians inform us that they can lead us to the mountains of black Lead, and have shown us lead over, if our small judgement in such things do not deceive us: and though no body dare confidently conclude, yet dare they not utterly deny, but that the Spaniards bliss may lie hid in the barren Mountains, such as have coasted the country affirm that they know where to fetch Seacole if wood were scant; there is plenty of stone both rough and smooth, useful for many things, with quarries of Slate, out of which they get covering for houses, with good clay, whereof they make Tiles and Bricks, and pavements for their necessary uses. For the Country it is as well watered as any land under the Sun, every family, or every two families having a spring of sweet waters betwixt them, which is far different from the waters of England, being not so sharp, but of a fatter substance, and of a more jetty colour; it is thought there can be no better water in the world, yet dare I not prefer it before good Beer, as some have done, but any man will choose it before bad Beer, Wheay, or Buttermilk▪ Those that drink it be as healthful, fresh, and lusty, as they that drink beer; These springs be not only within land, but likewise bordering upon the Sea coasts, so that some times the tides overflow some of them, which is accounted rare in the most parts of England. No man hitherto hath been constrained to dig deep for his water, or to fetch it far, or to fetch of several waters for several uses; one kind of water serving for washing, and brewing and other things. Now besides these springs, there be diverse spacious ponds in many places of the Country, out of which run many sweet streams, which are constant in their course both winter and summer, whereat the Cattle quench their thirst, and upon which may be built water mills, as the plantation increases. The next commodity the land affords, is good store of Woods, & that not only such as may be needful for fuel, but likewise for the building of Ships, and houses, & Mills, and all manner of waterwork about which Wood is needful. The Timber of the Country grows strait, and tall, some trees being twenty, some thirty foot high, before he spread forth his branches; generally the Trees be not very thick, though there be many that will serve for Mill posts, some being three foot and a half o'er. And whereas it is generally conceived, that the woods grow so thick, that there is no more clear ground than is hewed out by labour of man; it is nothing so; in many places, diverse Acres being clear, so that one may ride a hunting in most places of the land, if he will venture himself for being lost: there is no underwood saving in swamps, and low grounds that are wet, in which the English get Osiers, and hazels, and such small wood as is for their use. Of these swamps, some be ten, some twenty, some thirty miles long, being preserved by the witness of the soil wherein they grow; for it being the custom of the Indians to burn the wood in November, when the grass is withered, and leaves dried, it consumes all the underwood, and rubbish, which otherwise would over grow the Country, making it unpassable, and spoiling their much affected hunting: so that by this means in those places where the Indians inhabit, there is scarce a bush or bramble, or any cumbersome underwood to be seen in the more champion ground. Small wood growing in these places where the fire could not come, is preserved. In some places where the Indians died of the Plague some fourteen years ago, is much underwood, as in the mid way betwixt Wessaguscus and Plymouth, because it hath not been burned; certain Rivers stopping the fire from coming to clear that place of the country, hath made it unuseful and troublesome to travel thorough, in so much that it is called ragged plain, because it tears and rends the clothes of them that pass. Now because it may be necessary for mechanical artificers to know what Timber, and wood of use is in the Country, I will recite the most useful as followeth. Trees both in hills and plains, in plenty be, The long lived Oak, and mournful Cypris tree, sky towering pines, and Chestnuts coated rough, The lasting Cedar, with the Walnut tough: The rezin dropping Fir for mast in use, The boatmen seek for Oars light, neat, grown sprewse, The brittle Ash, the over-trembling Asps, The broad-spread elm, whose concave harbours wasps, The water spungy Alder good for nought, Small Eldern by th' Indian Fletcher's sought, The knotty Maple, pallid Birtch, Hawthornes, The Horn bound tree that to be cloven scorns; Which from the tender Vine oft takes his spouse, Who twines embracing arms about his boughs. Within this Indian Orchard fruits be some, The ruddy Cherry, and the jettie Plumbe, Snake murdering hazel, with sweet Saxaphrage, Whose spurns in beer allays hot fevers rage. The Dyer's Shumach, with more trees there be, That are both good to use, and rare to see. Though many of these trees may seem to have epithets contrary to the nature of them as they grow in England, yet are they agreeable with the Trees of that Country. The chief and common Timber for ordinary use is Oak, and Walnut: Of Oaks there be three kinds, the red Oak, white, and black; as these are different in kind, so are they chosen for such uses as they are most fit for, one kind being more fit for clappboard, others for sawn board, some fitter for shipping, others for houses. These Trees afford much Mast for Hogs, especially every third year, bearing a bigger acorn than our English Oak. The Walnut tree is something different from the English Walnut, being a great deal more tough, and more serviceable, and altogether as heavy: and whereas our Guns that are stocked with English Walnut, are soon broken and cracked in frost, being a brittle Wood; we are driven to stock them new with the Country Wallnut, which will endure all blows, and weather; lasting time out of mind. These trees bear a very good Nut, something smaller, but nothing inferior in sweetness and goodness to the English Nut, having no bitter pill. There is likewise a tree in some part of the Country, that bears a Nut as big as a small pear. The Cedar tree is a tree of no great growth, not bearing above a foot and a half square at the most, neither is it very high. I suppose they be much inferior to the Cedars of Lebanon so much commended in holy writ. This wood is more desired for ornament than substance, being of colour red and white like Yew, smelling as sweet as juniper; it is commonly used for ceiling of houses, and making of Chests, Boxes, and staves. The Fir and Pine be trees that grow in many places, shooting up exceeding high, especially the Pine: they do afford good masts, good board, Rozin and Turpentine. Out of these Pines is gotten the candlewood that is so much spoken of, which may serve for a shift amongst poor folks; but I cannot commend it for singular good, because it is something sluttish, dropping a pitchy kind of substance where it stands. Here no doubt might be good done with saw mills; for I have seen of these stately highgrowne trees, ten miles together close by the River side, from whence by shipping they might be conveyed to any desired Port. Likewise it is not improbable that Pitch and Tar may be forced from these trees, which bear no other kind of fruit. For that country Ash, it is much different from the Ash of England, being brittle and good for little, so that Wallnut is used for it. The Horne-bound tree is a tough kind of Wood, that requires so much pains in riving as is almost incredible, being the best for to make boats and dishes, not being subject to crack or leak. This tree growing with broad spread Arms, the vines wind their curling branches about them; which vines afford great store of grapes, which are very big both for the grape and Cluster, sweet and good: These be of two sorts, red and white, there is likewise a smaller kind of grape, which groweth in the Islands which is sooner ripe and more delectable; so that there is no known reason why as good wine may not be made in those parts, as well as in Burdevax in France; being under the same degree. It is great pity no man sets upon such a venture, whereby he might in small time enrich himself, and benefit the Country, I know nothing which doth hinder but want of skilful men to manage such an employment: For the country is hot enough, the ground good enough, and many convenient hills which lie toward the south Sun, as if they were there placed for the purpose. The Cherry trees yield great store of Cherries, which grow on clusters like grapes; they be much smaller than our English Cherry, nothing near so good if they be not very ripe▪ they so fur the mouth that the tongue will cleave to the roof, and the throat wax horse with swallowing those red Bullies (as I may call them,) being little better in taste. English ordering may bring them to be an English Cherry, but yet they are as wild as the Indians. The Plums of the Country be better for Plums than the Cherries be for Cherries, they be black and yellow about the bigness of a Damson, of a reasonable good taste. The white thorn affords haws as big as an English Cherry, which is esteemed above a Cherry for his goodness and pleasantness to the taste. CHAP. VI Of the Beasts that live on the land HAving related unto you the pleasant situation of the Country, the healthfulness of the climate, the nature of the soil, with his vegetatives, and other commodities; it will not be amiss to inform you of such irrational creatures as are daily bred and continually nourished in this country, which do much conduce to the well being of the Inhabitants, affording not only meat for the belly, but clothing for the back. The beasts be as followeth. The kingly Lion, and the strong armed Bear The large limned Moose, with the tripping Dear, Quill darting Porcupines, and Rackcoones be, Castelld in the hollow of an aged tree; The skipping Squerrell, Rabbit, purblind Hare, Immured in the selfsame Castle are, Lest red-eyd Ferrets, wily Foxes should Them undermine, if rampird but with mould. The grim faced Ounce, and ravenous howling Wolf, Whose meager paunch sucks like a swallowing gulf▪ Black glistering Otters, and rich coated Beaver, The Civet scented Musquash smelling ever. Concerning Lions, I will not say that I ever saw any myself, but some affirm that they have seen a Lion at Cape Anne which is not above six leagues from Boston: some likewise being lost in woods, have heard such terrible roar, as have made them much aghast; which must either be Devils or Lions; there being no other creatures which use to roar saving Bears, which have not such a terrible kind of roaring: beside, Plymouth men have traded for Lion's skins in former times. But sure it is that there be Lions on that Continent, for the Virginians saw an old Lion in their plantation, who having lost his jackall, which was wont to hunt his prey, was brought so poor that he could go no further. For Bears they be common, being a great black kind of Bear, which be most fierce in Strawberry time, at which time they have young ones; at this time likewise they will go upright like a man, and climb trees, and swim to the Islands; which if the Indians see, there will be more sportful Bear baiting than Paris Garden can afford. For seeing the Bears take water, an Indian will leap after him, where they go to water cuffs for bloody noses, and scratched sides; in the end the man gets the victory, riding the Bear over the watery plain till he can bear him no longer. In the winter they take themselves to the cliffs of rocks, and thick swamps, to shelter them from the cold; and food being scant in those cold and hard times, they live only by sleeping and sucking their paws, which keepeth them as fat as they are in Summer; there would be more of them if it were not for the Woolves, which devour them; a kennel of those ravening runnagadoes, setting on a poor single Bear, will tear him as a Dog will tear a Kid: it would be a good change if the country had for every Wolf a Bear, upon the condition all the woolves were banished; so should the inhabitants be not only rid of their greatest annoyance, but furnished with more store of provisions, Bears being accounted very good meat, esteemed of all men above Venison▪ again they never pray upon the English cattle, or offer to assault the person of any man, unless being vexed with a shot, and a man run upon them before they be dead, in which case they will stand in their own defence, as may appear by this instance. Two men going a fowling, appointed at evening to meet at a certain pond side, to share equally, and to return home; one of these Gunners having killed a Seal or Sea calf, brought it to the side of the pond where he was to meet his comrade, afterwards returning to the Sea side for more gain; and having loaded himself with more Geese and Ducks, he repaired to the pond, where he saw a great Bear feeding on his Seal, which caused him to throw down his load, and give the Bear a salute; which though it was but with Goose shot, yet tumbled him over and over, whereupon the man supposing him to be in a manner dead, ran and beat him with the hand of his Gun; The Bear perceiving him to be such a coward to strike him when he was down, scrambled up, standing at defiance with him, scratching his legs, tearing his clothes and face, who stood it out till his six foot Gun was broken in the middle, then being deprived of his weapon, he ran up to the shoulders into the pond, where he remained till the Bear was gone, and his mate come in, who accompanied him home. The beast called a Moose, is not much unlike red Dear, this beast is as big as an Ox; slow of foot, headed like a Buck, with a broad beam, some being two yards wide in the head, their flesh is as good as Beef, their hides good for clothing; The English have some thoughts of keeping them tame, and to accustom them to the yoke, which will be a great commodity: First because they are so fruitful, bringing forth three at a time, being likewise very uberous. Secondly, because they will live in winter without any fodder. There be not many of these in the Massachusets' bay, but forty miles to the North-east there be great store of them; These poor beasts likewise are much devoured by the Woolves: The ordinary Dear be much bigger than the Dear of England, of a brighter colour, more inclining to red, with spotted bellies; the most store of these be in winter, when the more Northern parts of the country be cold for them; they desire to be near the Sea, so that they may swim to the Islands when they are chased by the Woolves: It is not to be thought into what great multitudes they would increase, were it not for the common devourer the Wolf; They have generally three at a time, which they hide a mile one from another, giving them suck by turns; thus they do, that if the Wolf should find one, he might miss of the other. These Dear be fat in the deep of winter; In Summer it is hard catching of them with the best Greyhounds that may be procured, because they be swift of foot. Some credible persons have affirmed, that they have seen a Dear leap three score feet at little or no forcement; beside, there be so many old trees, rotten stumps, and Indian barns, that a dog cannot well run without being shoulder-shot: yet would I not dissuade any from carrying good dogs; for in the winter time they be very useful; for when the snow is hard frozen, the Dear being heavy, sinks into the snow, the dogs being light run upon the top and overtake them, and pull them down: some by this means have gotten twenty Bucks and Does in a winter, the horns of these Dear grow in such a strait manner, (overhanging their heads) that they cannot feed upon such things as grow low, till they have cast their old horns: of these Dear there be a great many, and more in the Massachusets' bay, than in any other place, which is a great help and refreshment to these planters. The Porcupine is a small thing not much unlike a Hedgehog; something bigger, who stands upon his guard and proclaims a Noli me tangere, to man and beast, that shall approach too near him, darting his quills into their legs, and hides. The Rackoone is a deep furred beast, not much unlike a Badger, having a tail like a Fox, as good meat as a Lamb; there is one of them in the Tower. These beasts in the day time sleep in hollow trees, in the moon shine night they go to feed on clammes at a low tide, by the Sea side, where the English hunt them with their dogs. The Squerrells be of three sorts, first the great grey Squerrell, which is almost as big as an English Rabbit; of these there be the greatest plenty, one may kill a dozen of them in an afternoon, about three of the clock they begin to walk. The second is a small Squerrell, not unlike the English Squerrell, which doth much trouble the planters of Corn, so that they are constrained to set diverse Traps, and to carry their Cats into the Corn fields, till their corn be three weeks old. The third kind is a flying Squerrell, which is not very big, slender of body, with a great deal of loose skin which she spreads square when she flies, which the wind gets, and so wafts her Batlike body from place to place; it is a creature more for sight and wonderment, than either pleasure or profit. The Rabbits be much like ours in England. The Hares be some of them white, and a yard long; these two harmless creatures are glad to shelter themselves from the harmful Foxes, in hollow trees, having a hole at the entrance no bigger than they can creep in at: if they should make them holes in the ground, as on English Rabbits do, the undermining Renoilds would rob them of their lives, and extirpate their generation. The beasts of offence be Squunckes, Ferret's, Foxes, whose impudence sometimes drives them to the good wife's Hen roost, to fill their Paunch: some of these be black; their fur is of much esteem. The Ounce or the wild Cat, is as big as a mongrel dog, this creature is by nature fierce, and more dangerous to be met withal than any other creature, not fearing either dog or man; he useth to kill Dear, which he thus effecteth: Knowing the deer's tracts, he will lie lurking in long weeds, the Dear passing by he suddenly leaps upon his back, from thence gets to his neck, and scratcheth out his throat; he hath likewise a devise to get Geese, for being much of the colour of a Goose he will place himself close by the water, holding us his bob tail, which is like a Goose neck; the Geese seeing this counterfeit Goose, approach nigh to visit him, who with a sudden jerk apprehends his mistrustless prey. The English kill many of these, accounting them very good meat. Their skins be a very deep kind of Fur, spotted white and black on the belly. The Woolves be in some respect different from them of other countries; it was never known yet that a Wolf ever set upon a man or woman. Neither do they trouble horses or cows; but swine, goats and red calves which they take for Dear, be often destroyed by them, so that a red calf is cheaper than a black one in that regard; in Autumn and the beginning of the Spring, these ravenous rangers do most frequent our English habitations, following the Dear which come down at that time to those parts. They be made much like a Mongrel, being big boned, lank paunched, deep breasted, having a thick neck, and head, prick ears, and long snout, with dangerous teeth, long staring hair, and a great bush tail; it is thought of many, that our English Mastiffs might be too hard for them; but it is no such matter, for they care no more for an ordinary Mastiff, than an ordinary Mastiff cares for a Cur; many good Dogs have been spoilt with them. Once a fair Grayhound hearing them at their howl run out to chide them, who was torn in pieces before he could be rescued. One of them makes no more bones to run away with a Pig, than a Dog to run away with a Marrow bone. it is observed that they have no joints from the head to the tail, which prevents them from leaping, or sudden turning, as may appear by what I shall show you. A certain man having shot an Wolf, as he was feeding upon a Swine, breaking his leg only, he knew not how to devise his death, on a sudden, the Wolf being a black one, he was loath to spoil his fur with a second shot, his skin being worth five or six pound Sterling; wherefore he resolved to get him by the tail, and thrust him into a River that was hard by; which effected, the Wolf being not able to turn his joyntlesse body to bite him, was taken. That they cannot leap, may appear by this Wolf, whose mouth watering at a few poor impaled Kids, would needs leap over a five-foote pale to be at them; but his foot slipping in the rise, he fell a little short of his desire, and being hung in the Carpenter's stocks, howled so loud, that he frighted away the Kids, and called the English, who killed him. These be killed daily in some place or other, either by the English, or Indian; who have a certain rate for every head: Yet is there little hope of their utter destruction, the Country being so spacious, and they so numerous, travelling in the Swamps by Kennels: sometimes ten or twelve are of a company. Late at night, and early in the morning, they set up their howl, and call their companies together at night to hunt, at morning to sleep; in a word they be the greatest inconveniency the Country hath, both for matter of damage to private men in particular, and the whole Country in general. CHAP. VII. Beasts living in the water. FOr all creatures that lived both by Land and Water, they be first Otters, which be most of them black, whose fur is much used for Muffs, and are held almost as dear as Beaver. The flesh of them is none of the best meat, but their Oil is of rare use for many things. Secondly, martin's, a good fur for their bigness: Thirdly, Musquashes, which be much like a Beaver for shape, but nothing near so big; the Male hath two stones which smell as sweet as Musk, and being killed in Winter, never lose their sweet smell: These skins are no bigger than a Coney-skinne, yet are sold for five shillings a piece, being sent for Tokens into England. One good skin will perfume a whole housefull of clothes, if it be right and good. Fourthly, the Beaver, concerning whom if I should at large discourse, according to knowledge or information, I might make a Volume. The wisdom and understanding of this Beast, will almost conclude him a reasonable creature: His shape is thick and short, having likewise short legs, feet like a Mole before, and behind like a Goose, a broad tail in form like a shoe-sole, very tough and strong; his head is something like an Otters head, saving that his teeth before, be placed like the teeth of a Rabbit, two above, and two beneath; sharp and broad, with which he cuts down Trees as thick as a man's thigh, afterwards dividing them into lengths, according to the use they are appointed for. If one Beaver be too weak to carry the log, than another helps him; if they two be too weak, then Multorum manibus grande levatur onus; four more adding their help, being placed three to three, which set their teeth in one another's tough tails, and laying the load on the two hindermost, they draw the log to the desired place. That this may not seem altogether incredible, remember that the like almost may be seen in our Ants, which will join sometimes seven or eight together in the carrying of a burden. These Creatures build themselves houses of wood and clay, close by the Ponds sides, and knowing the Seasons, build them answerable houses, having them three stories high, so that as land-floods are raised by great Rains, as the waters arise, they mount higher in their houses; as they assuage, they descend lower again. These houses are so strong, that no creature saving an industrious man with his penetrating tools can prejudice them, their ingress and egress being under water. These make likewise very good Ponds, knowing whence a stream runs from between two rising Hills, they will there pitch down piles of Wood, placing smaller rubbish before it with clay and sods, not leaving, till by their Art and Industry they have made a firm and curious damme-head, which may draw admiration from wise understanding men. These creatures keep themselves to their own families, never parting so long as they are able to keep house together: And it is commonly said, if any Beaver accidentally light into a strange place, he is made a drudge so long as he lives there, to carry at the greater end of the log, unless he creep away by stealth. Their wisdom secures them from the English, who seldom, or never kills any of them, being not patient to lay a long siege, or to be so often deceived by their cunning evasions, so that all the Beaver which the English have, comes first from the Indians, whose time and experience fits them for that employment. CHAP. VIII. Of the Birds and Fowls both of Land and Water. HAving showed you the most desirable, useful, and beneficial creatures, with the most offensive carrions that belong to our Wilderness, it remains in the next place, to show you such kinds of Fowl as the Country affords: They are many, and we have much variety both at Sea and on Land; and such as yield us much profit, and honest pleasure, and are these that follow; as The Princely Eagle, and the soaring Hawk, Whom in their unknown ways there's none can chawke: The Humberd for some Queen's rich Cage more fit, Than in the vacant Wilderness to sit. The swift winged Swallow sweeping to and fro, As swift as arrow from Tartarian Bow. When as Aurora's infant day new springs, There th'morning mounting Lark her sweet lays sings. The harmonious Thrush, swift Pigeon, Turtledove, Who to her mate doth ever constant prove: The Turky-Phesant, Heathcocke, Partridge rare, The carrion-tearing Crow, and hurtful Stare, The long lived Raven, th'ominous Screech-owl, Who tells as old wives say, disasters foul. The drowsy Madge that leaves her day-loved nest, And loves to roave when day-birds be at rest: Th'eel-murdering Hearne, and greedy Cormorant, That near the Creeks in morish Marshes haunt. The bellowing Bitterne, with the long-leged Crane, Presaging Winters hard, and dearth of grain. The Silver Swan that tunes her mournful breath, To sing the dirge of her approaching death. The tattling Oldwines, and the cackling Geese, The fearful Gull that shuns the murdering Piece, The strong winged Mallard, with the nimble Teal, And ill-shapeed Loon who his harsh notes doth squeale. There Widgins, Sheldrackes and Humiliteers, Snites, Doppers, Sea-Larkes, in whole million flees. The Eagle's of the Country be of two sorts, one like the Eagles that be in England, the other is something bigger with a great white head, and white tail: these be commonly called Gripes; these prey upon Ducks and Geese, and such Fish as are cast upon the Seashore. And although an Eagle be counted King of that feathered regiment, yet is there a certain black Hawk that beats him; so that he is oonstrayned to soar so high, till heat expel his adversary▪ This Hawk is much prized of the Indians, being accounted a Sagamores ransom. To speak much of Hawks, were to trespass upon my own judgement, and bring upon myself a deserved censure, for abusing the Falconers terms: But by relation from those that have more insight into them than myself: There be diverse kinds of Hawks: their Aieries are easy to come by, being in the holes of Rocks, near the shore, so that any who are addicted to that sport, if he will be but at the charge of finding Poultry for them, may have his desires. We could wish them well mewed in England; for they make havoc of Hens, Partridges, Heathcockes, and Ducks; often hindering the Fowler of his long looked for shoot. The Humbird is one of the wonders of the Country, being no bigger than a Hornet, yet hath all the dimensions of a Bird, as bill, and wings, with quills, spider-like legs, small claws: For colour, she is as glorious as the rainbow; as she flies, she makes a little humming noise like a Humblebee: wherefore she is called the Humbird. The Pigeon of that Country, is something different from our Dove-house Pigeons in England, being more like Turtles, of the same colour; but they have long tails like a Magpie: And they seem not so big, because they carry not so many feathers on their backs as our English Doves, yet are they as big in body. These Birds come into the Country, to go to the North parts in the beginning of our Spring, at which time (if I may be counted worthy, to be believed in a thing that is not so strange as true) I have seen them fly as if the Airy regiment had been Pigeons; seeing neither beginning nor ending, length, or breadth of these Millions of Millions. The shouting of people, the rattling of Guns, and pelting of small shot could not drive them out of their course, but so they continued for four or five hours together: yet it must not be concluded, that it is thus often; for it is but at the beginning of the Spring, and at Michaelmas, when they return back to the Southward; yet are there some all the year long, which are easily attained by such as look after them. Many of them build amongst the Pine-trees, thirty miles to the North-east of our plantations; joining nest to nest, and tree to tree by their nests, so that the Sun never sees the ground in that place, from whence the Indians fetch whole loads of them. The Turkey is a very large Bird, of a black colour, yet white in flesh; much bigger than our English Turkey. He hath the use of his long legs so ready, that he can run as fast as a Dog, and fly as well as a Goose: of these sometimes there will be forty, threescore, and a hundred of a flock, sometime more and sometimes less; their feeding is Acorns, Haws, and Berries, some of them get a haunt to frequent our English corn: In winter when the Snow covers the ground, they resort to the Sea shore to look for Shrimps, & such small Fishes at low tide. Such as love Turkey hunting, must follow it in winter after a new fall'n Snow, when he may follow them by their tracts; some have killed ten or a dozen in half a day; if they can be found towards an evening and watched where they peirch, if one come about ten or eleven of the clock he may shoot as often as he will, they will sit, unless they be slenderly wounded. These Turkeys remain all the year long, the price of a good Turkey cock is four shillings; and he is well worth it, for he may be in weight forty pound; a Hen two shillings. Pheasons be very rare, but Heathcockes, and Partridges be common; he that is a husband, and will be stirring betime, may kill half a dozen in a morning. The Partridges be bigger than they be in England, the flesh of the Heathcockes is red, and the flesh of a Partridge white, their price is four pence a piece. The Ravens, and the Crows be much like them of other countries. There are no Magpies, jackedawes, Cuckoos, jays, Sparrows, etc. The Stairs be bigger than those in England, as black as Crows, being the most troublesome, and injurious bird of all others, pulling up the corns by the roots, when it is young, so that those who plant by reedy and seggy places, where they frequent, are much annoyed with them, they being so audacious that they fear not Guns, or their fellows hung upon poles; but the Corn having a week or nine days growth is passed their spoiling. The Owls be of two sorts; the one being small speckled, like a Partridge, with ear, the other being a great Owl, almost as big as an Eagle, his body being as good meat as a Partridge. Cormorants be as common as other fowls, which destroy abundance of small fish, these are not worth the shooting because they are the worst of fowls for meat, tasting rank, and fishy: again, one may shoot twenty times and miss, for seeing the fire in the pan, they dive under the water before the shot comes to the place where they were; they use to roost upon the tops of trees, and rocks, being a very heavy drowsy creature, so that the Indians will go in their Cannowes in the night, and take them from the Rocks, as easily as women take a Hen from roost; No ducking ponds can afford more delight than a lame Cormorant, and two or three lusty Dogs. The Crane although he be almost as tall as a man by reason of his long legs, and neck; yet is his body rounder than other fowls, not much unlike the body of a Turkey. I have seen many of these fowls, yet did I never see one that was far, I suppose it is contrary to their nature to grow fat▪ Of these there be many in Summer, but none in winter, their price is two shilling. There be likewise many Swans which frequent the fresh ponds and rivers, seldom consorting themselves with Ducks and Geese; these be very good meat, the price of one is six shillings. The Geese of the country be of three sorts, first a brant Goose, which is a Goose almost like the wild Goose in England, the price of one of these is six pence. The second kind is a white Goose, almost as big as an English tame Goose, these come in great flocks about Michelmasse, sometimes there will be two or three thousand in a flock, these continue six weeks, and so fly to the southward, returning in March, and staying six weeks more, returning again to the Northward; the price of one of these is eight pence. The third kind of Geese, is a great grey Goose, with a black neck, and a black and white head, strong of flight; these be a great deal bigger than the ordinary Geese of England, some very fat, and in the Spring so full of Feathers, that the shot can scarce pierce them; most of these Geese remain with us from Michaelmas to April; they feed on the Sea of Fish, and in the woods of Acorns, having as other Fowl have, their pass and repass to the Northward and Southward: the accurate marksmen kill of these both flying and sitting; the price of a good grey Goose is eighteen pence. The Ducks of the country be very large ones and in great abundance, so is there of Teal likewise; the price of a Duck is six pence, of a Teal three pence. If I should tell you how some have killed a hundred Geese in a week, 50. Ducks at a shot, 40. Teals at another, it may be counted impossible, though nothing more certain. The Oldwives, be a foul that never leave tattling day or night, something bigger than a Duck. The Loon is an ill shaped thing like a Cormorant; but that he can neither go nor fly; he maketh a noise sometimes like a Sowgelder's horn. The Humilities or Simplicities (as I may rather call them) be of two sorts, the biggest being as big as a green Plover, the other as big as birds we call knots in England. Such is the simplicity of the smaller sorts of these birds, that one may drive them on a heap like so many sheep, and seeing a fit time shoot them; the living seeing the dead, settle themselves on the same place again, amongst which the Fowler discharges again. I myself have killed twelve score at two shoots: these bird are to be had upon sandy brakes at the latter end of Summer before the Geese come in. Thus much have I showed you as I know to be true concerning the Fowl of the country. But me thinks I hear some say that this is very good if it could be caught, or likely to continue, and that much shooting will fright away the fowls. True it is, that every one's employment will not permit him to fowl: what then? yet those employments furnish them with silver Guns with which they may have it more easy. For the frighting of the fowl, true it is that many go blurting away their powder and shot, that have no more skill to kill, or win a Goose, than many in England that have rusty Muskets in their houses, knows what belongs to a Soldier, yet are they not much affrighted. I have seen more living and dead the last year than I have done in former years. CHAP. IX. Of Fish. HHving done with these, let me lead you from the land to the Sea, to view what commodities may come from thence; there is no country known, that yields more variety of fish winter and summer: and that not only for the present spending and sustentation of the plantations, but likewise for trade into other countries, so that those which have had stages & make fishing voyages into those parts, have gained (it is thought) more than the new found land jobbers. Codfish in these seas are larger than in new found land, six or seven making a quintal, whereas there they have fifteen to the same weight; and though this they seem a base and more contemptible commodity in the judgement of more neat adventurers, yet it hath been the enrichment of other nations, and and is likely to prove no small commodity to the planters, and likewise to England if it were thoroughly undertaken. Salt may be had from the salt Islands, and as is supposed may be made in the country. The chief fish for trade is Cod, but for the use of the country, there is all manner of fish as followeth. The king of waters, the Sea shouldering Whale, The snuffing Grampus, with the oily Seal, The storm praesaging Porpus, Herring-Hogge, Line shearing Shark, the Catfish, and Sea Dog, The Scale-fenced Sturgeon, wry mouthed Hollibut, The flounsing Salmon, Codfish, Greedigut: Cole, Haddock, Hage, the Thornebacke, and the Scate, Whose slimy outside makes him seld in date, The stately Basse old Neptune's fleeting post, That tides it out and in from Sea to Coast. Consorting Herrings, and the bony Shad, Big bellied Alewives, Machrills richly clad With Rainbow colours, th'Frost fish and the Smelled, As good as ever lady Gustus felt. The spotted Lamprons, Eels, the Lamperies, That seek fresh water brooks with Argus eyes: These watery villagers with thousands more, Do pass and repass near the verdant shore. Kind's of all Shellfish. The luscious Lobster, with the Crabfish raw, The Brinish Oyster, Muscle, Periwig, And Tortoise sought for by the Indian Squaw, Which to the flats dance many a winter's jig, To dive for Cocles, and to dig for Clamms, Whereby her lazy husband's guts she crams. To omit such of these as are not useful, therefore not to be spoken of, and only to certify you of such as be useful. First the Seal which is that which is called the Sea Calf, his skin is good for diverse uses, his body being between fish and flesh, it is not very delectable to the palate, or congruent with the stomach; his Oil is very good to burn in Lamps, of which he affords a great deal. The Shark is a kind of fish as big as a man, some as big as a horse, with three rows of teeth within his mouth, with which he snaps asunder the fisherman's lines, if he be not very circumspect: This fish will leap at a man's hand if it be over board, and with his teeth snap off a man's leg or hand if he be a swimming; These are often taken, being good for nothing but to put on the ground for manuring of land. The Sturgeons be all over the country, but the best catching of them be upon the shoals of Cape Cod, and in the River of Mirrimacke, where much is taken, pickled and brought for England, some of these be 12.14.18. foot long: I set not down the price of fish there, because it is so cheap, so that one may have as much for two pence, as would give him an angel in England. The Salmon is as good as it is in England and in great plenty. The Hollibut is not much unlike a please or Turbut, some being two yards long, and one wide: and a foot thick; the plenty of better fish makes these of little esteem, except the head and fins, which stewed or baked is very good: these Hollibuts be little set by while Basse is in season. Thornebacke and Scates is given to the dogs, being not counted worth the dressing in many places. The Basse is one of the best fishes in the country, and though men are soon wearied with other fish, yet are they never with Basse; it is a delicate, fine, fat, fast fish, having a bone in his head, which contains a sawcerfull of marrow sweet and good, pleasant to the palate, and wholesome to the stomach. When there be great store of them, we only eat the heads, and salt up the bodies for winter, which exceeds Ling or Gaberdine. Of these fishes some be three and some four foot long, some bigger, some lesser: at some tides a man may catch a dozen or twenty of these in three hours, the way to catch them is with hook and line: The Fisherman taking a great Cod-line, to which he fasteneth a piece of Lobster, and throws it into the Sea, the fish biting at it he pulls her to him, and knocks her on the head with a stick. These are at one time (when Alewives pass up the Rivers) to be catched in Rivers, in Lobster time at the Rocks, in Macrill time in the Bays, at Michaelmas in the Seas. When they use to tied it in and out to the Rivers and Creeks, the English at the top of an high water do cross the Creeks with long scanes or Basse Nets, which stop in the fish; and the water ebbing from them they are left on the dry ground, sometimes two or three thousand at a set, which are salted up against winter, or distributed to such as have present occasion either to spend them in their houses, or use them for their ground. The Herrings be much like them that be caught on the English coasts. Alewives be a kind of fish which is much like a Herring, which in the latter end of April come up to the fresh Rivers to spawn, in such multitudes as is almost incredible, pressing up in such shallow waters as will scarce permit them to swim, having likewise such longing desire after the fresh water ponds, that no beat with poles, or forcive agitations by other devices, will cause them to return to the sea, till they have cast their Spawn. The Shaddes be bigger than the English Shaddes and fatter. The Macrells be of two sorts, in the beginning of the year are great ones, which be upon the coast; some are 18. inches long. In Summer as in May, june, july, and August, come in a smaller kind of them: These Macrills are taken with drailes which is a long small line, with a lead and hook at the end of it, being baited with a piece of red cloth: this kind of fish is counted a lean fish in England, but there it is so fat, that it can scarce be saved against winter without reisting. There be a great store of Salt water Eeles, especially in such places where grass grows: for to take these there be certain Eel pots made of Osyers', which must be baited with a piece of Lobster, into which the Eels entering cannot return back again: some take a bushel in a night in this manner, eating as many as they have need of for the present, and salt up the rest against winter. These Eels be not of so luscious a taste as they be in England, neither are they so aguish, but are both wholesome for the body, and delightful for the taste: Lamprons and Lampreyes' be not much set by; Lobsters be in plenty in most places, very large ones, some being 20. pound in weight; these are taken at a low water amongst the rocks, they are very good fish, the small ones being the best, their plenty makes them little esteemed and seldom eaten. The Indians get many of them every day for to bait their hooks withal, and to eat when they can get no Basse: The Oysters be great ones in form of a shoe horn, some be a foot long, these breed on certain banks that are bare every spring tide. This fish without the shell is so big that it must admit of a division before you can well get it into your mouth. The Periwig is a kind of fish that lieth in the oaze like a head of hair, which being touched conveys itself leaving nothing to be seen but a small round hole. Muscles be in great plenty, left only for the Hogs, which if they were in England would be more esteemed of the poorer sort. Clamms or Clamps is a shellfish not much unlike a cockle, it lieth under the sand, every six or seven of them having a round hole to take air and receive water at. When the tide ebbs and flows, a man running over these Clamm banks will presently be made all wet, by their spouting of water out of those small holes: These fishes be in great plenty in most places of the country, which is a great commodity for the feeding of Swine, both in winter, and Summer; for being once used to those places, they will repair to them as duly every ebb, as if they were driven to them by keepers: In some places of the country there be Clamms as big as a penny white loaf, which are great dainties amongst the natives, and would be in good esteem amongst the English, were it not for better fish. CHAP. X. Of the several plantations in particular. HAving described the situation of the country in general, with all his commodities arising from land and Sea, it may add to your content and satisfaction to be informed of the situation of every several plantation, with his conveniences, commodities, and discommodities, etc. where first I will begin with the outmost plantation in the patent to the South ward, Wessagustus which is called Wessagutus an Indian name: this as yet is but a small Village, yet it is very pleasant, and healthful, very good ground, and is well timbered, and hath good store of Hey ground; it hath a very spacious harbour for shipping before the town; the salt water being navigable for Boats & Pinnaces two leagues. Hear the inhabitants have good store of fish of all sorts, and Swine, having Acorns and Clamms at the time of year; here is likewise an Alewife river. Three miles to the North of this is mount Walleston, a very fertile soil, and a place very convenient for Farmer's houses, there being great store of plain ground, without trees. This place is called Massachusets' fields where the greatest Sagamore in the country lived, before the Plague, who caused it to be cleared for himself. The greatest inconvenience is, that there is not very many Springs, as in other places of the country, yet water may be had for digging: A second inconvenience is, that Boats cannot come in at a low water, nor ships ride near the shore. Six miles further to the North, lieth Dorchester; Dorchester. which is the greatest Town in New England; well woodded and watered; very good arable grounds, and Hay-ground, fair Corne-fields, and pleasant Gardens, with Kitchen-gardens. In this plantation is a great many Cattle, as Kine, Goats, and Swine. This plantation hath a reasonable Harbour for ships: Here is no Alewife-river, which is a great inconvenience. The inhabitants of this town, were the first that set upon the trade of fishing in the Bay, who received so much fruit of their labours, that they encouraged others to the same undertake. A mile from this Town lieth Roxberry, which is a fair and handsome Countrey-towne; Roxberry. the inhabitants of it being all very rich. This Town lieth upon the Maine, so that it is well woodded and watered; having a clear and fresh Brook running through the Town: Up which although there come no Alewives, yet there is great store of Smelts, and therefore it is called Smelt-brooke. A quarter of a mile to the North-side of the Town, is another River called Stony-river; upon which is built a water-mill. Here is good ground for Corn, and Meadow for Cattle: Up westward from the Town it is something rocky, whence it hath the name of Roxberry; the inhabitants have fair houses, store of Cattle, impaled Corne-fields, and fruitful Gardens. Here is no Harbour for ships, because the Town is seated in the bottom of a shallow Bay, which is made by the neck of land on which Boston is built; so that they can transport all their goods from the Ships in Boats from Boston, which is the nearest Harbour. Boston is two miles' North-east from Roxberry: His situation is very pleasant, being a Peninsula, Boston. hemmed in on the Southside with the Bay of Roxberry, on the North-side with Clarly-river, the Marshes on the backside, being not half a quarter of a mile over; so that a little fencing will secure their Cattle from the Wolves. Their greatest wants be Wood, and Medow-ground, which never were in that place; being constrained to fetch their building-timber, and firewood from the Lands in Boats, and their Hay in Loiters: It being a neck and bare of wood: they are not troubled with three great annoyances, of Woolves, Rattle-snakes, and Musketoes. These that live here upon their Cattle, must be constrained to take Farms in the Country, or else they cannot subsist; the place being too small to contain many, and fittest for such as can Trade into England, for such commodities as the Country wants, being the chief place for shipping and Merchandise. This Neck of land is not above four miles in compass, in form almost square, having on the Southside at one corner, a great broad hill, whereon is planted a Fort, which can command any ship as she sails into any Harbour within the still Bay. On the North-side is another Hill, equal in bigness, whereon stands a Windmill. To the Northwest is a high Mountain with three little rising Hills on the top of it, wherefore it is called the Tramount. From the top of this Mountain a man may overlook all the Lands which lie before the Bay, and descry such ships as are upon the Sea-coast. This Town although it be neither the greatest, nor the richest, yet it is the most noted and frequented, being the Centre of the Plantations where the monthly Courts are kept. Here likewise dwells the Governor: This place hath very good land, affording rich Corne-fields, and fruitful Gardens; having likewise sweet and pleasant Springs. The inhabitants of this place for their enlargement, have taken to themselves Farme-houses, in a place called Muddy-river, two miles from their Town; where is good ground, large timber, and store of Marshland, and Meadow. In this place they keep their Swine and other Cattle in the Summer, whilst the Corn is on the ground at Boston, and bring them to the Town in Winter. On the North-side of Charles River is Charles Town, which is another neck of Land, Charles-Towne. on whose North-side runs Misticke-river. This Town for all things, may be well paralleled with her neighbour Boston, being in the same fashion with her bare neck, and constrained to borrow conveniences from the Maine, and to provide for themselves Farms in the Country for their better subsistence. At this Town there is kept a Ferry-boate, to convey passengers over Charles River, which between the two Towns is a quarter of a mile over, being a very deep Channel. Here may ride forty ships at a time. Up higher it is a broad Bay, being above two miles between the shores, into which runs Stony-river, and Muddy-river. Towards the South-west in the middle of this Bay, is a great Oyster-banke: Towards the Northwest of this Bay is a great Creek, upon whose shore is situated the Village of Medford, Medford. a very fertile and pleasant place, and fit for more inhabitants than are yet in it. This Town is a mile and a half from Charles Town, and at the bottom of this Bay the River begins to be narrower, being but half a quarter of a mile broad. Newtowne. By the side of this River is built Newtowne, which is three miles by land from Charles Town, and a league and a half by water. This place was first intended for a City, but upon more serious considerations it was not thought so fit, being too far from the Sea; being the greatest inconvenience it hath. This is one of the nearest and best compacted Towns in New England, having many fair structures, with many handsome contrived streets. The inhabitants most of them are very rich, and well stored with cattle of all sorts; having many hundred Acres of ground paled in with one general fence, which is about a mile and a half long, which secures all their weaker Cattle from the wild beasts. On the other side of the River lieth all their Meadow and Marsh-ground for Hay. Half a mile Westward of this plantation, is Water-towne; a place nothing inferior for land, wood, meadow, and water to Newtowne. Within half a mile of this Town is a great Pond, which is divided between those two Towns, which divides their bounds Northward. A mile and a half from this Town, is a fall of fresh waters, which convey themselves into the Ocean through Charles River. A little below this fall of waters, the inhabitants of Water-towne have built a Wayre to catch Fish, Water-towne. wherein they take great store of Shads and Alewives. In two Tides they have gotten one hundred thousand of those Fishes: This is no small benefit to the plantation: Ships of small burden may come up to these two Towns, but the Oyster-bankes do bar out the bigger Ships. Misticke. The next Town is Mystic, which is three miles from Charles Town by land, and a league and a half by water: It is seated by the water's side very pleasantly; there be not many houses as yet. At the head of this River are great and spacious Ponds, whither the Alewives press to spawn. This being a noted place for that kind of Fish, the English resort thither to take them. On the West side of this River the Governor hath a Farm, where he keeps most of his Cattle. On the East side is Master Craddockes plantation, where he hath impaled a Park, where he keeps his Cattle, till he can store it with Deer: Here likewise he is at charges of building ships. The last year one was upon the Stocks of a hundred Tun, that being finished, they are to build one twice her burden. Ships without either Ballast or loading, may float down this River; otherwise the Oyster-banke would hinder them which crosseth the Channel. Winnisimet. The last Town in the still Bay, is Winnisimet; a very sweet place for situation, and stands very commodiously, being fit to entertain more planters than are yet seated: Lands there it is within a mile of Charles Town, the River only parting them. The chief Lands which keep out the Wind and the Sea from disturbing the Harbours, are first Dear Island, which lies wirhin a flightshot of Pullin-point. This Island is so called, because of the Dear which often swim thither from the Maine, when they are chased by the Woolves: Some have killed sixteen Deer in a day upon this Island. The opposite shore is called Pullin-point, because that is the usual Channel. Boats use to pass thorough into the Bay; and the Tide being very strong, they are constrained to go ashore, and hale their Boats by the sealing, or roads, whereupon it was called Pullin-point. The next Island of note is Long Island, so called from his longitude. Divers other Lands be within these: viz. Noddles Isle, Round I'll, the Governors' Garden, where is planted an Orchard and a Vine-yard, with many other conveniences; and Slate-Iland, Glasse-Iland, Bird-Iland, etc. These Isles bound with Woods, and Water, and Medow-ground; and whatsoever the spacious fertile Maine affords. The inhabitants use to put their Cattle in these for safety, viz. their Rams, Goats, and Swine, when their Corn is on the ground. Those Towns that lie without the Bay, are a great deal nearer the Maine, and reap a greater benefit from the Sea, in regard of the plenty both of Fish and Fowl, which they receive from thence: so that they live more comfortably, and at less charges, than those that are more remote from the Sea in the Land-plantations. The next plantation is Saugus, Saugus. six miles' North-east from Winnesimet: This Town is pleasant for situation, seated at the bottom of a Bay, which is made on the one side with the surrounding shore, and on the other side with a long sandy Beach. This sandy Beach is two miles long at the end, whereon is a neck of land called Nahant: Nahant. It is six miles in circumference; well woodded with Oaks, Pines, and Cedars: It is beside well watered, having beside the fresh Springs, a great Pond in the middle; before which is a spacious Marsh. In this neck is store of good ground, fit for the Blow; but for the present it is only used for to put young Cattle in, and weather-goates, and Swine, to secure them from the Wolves: a few posts and rails from the low water-markes to the shore, keeps out the Woolves, and keeps in the Cattle. One Black William, an Indian Duke, out of his generosity gave this place in general to this plantation of Saugus, so that no other can appropriate it to himself. Upon the Southside of the sandy Beach the Sea beateth, which is a true prognostication, to presage storms and foul weather, and the breaking up of the Frost: For when a storm hath been, or is likely to be, it will roar like Thunder, being heard six miles; and after storms casts up great store of great Clammes, which the Indians taking out of their shells, carry home in baskets. On the North-side of this Bay is two great Marshes, which are made two by a pleasant River which runs between them. Northward up this River, goes great store of Alewives, of which they make good Red Herrings; in so much that they have been at charges to make a wayre, and a Herringhouse, to dry these Herrings in; the last year were dried some 4 or 5 Last for an experiment, which proved very good; this is like to prove a great inrichment to the land, (being a staple commodity in other Countries) for there be such innumerable companies in every river, that I have seen ten thousand taken in two hours by two men, without any weire at all, saving a few stones to stone their passage up the river. There likewise come store of Basse, which the Indians and English catch with hook and line, some fifty or threescore at a tide. At the mouth of this river runs up a great creek into that great Marsh, which is called Rumny Marsh, which is 4 miles long and a miles broad; half of it being Marsh ground and half upland grass, without tree or bush: this Marsh is crossed with diverse creeks, wherein lie great store of Geese, and Ducks. There be convenient lands for the planting of Duckcoyes. Here is likewise belonging to this place diverse fresh meadows, which afford good grass and four spacious ponds like little lakes, wherein is store of fresh fish: within a mile of the town, out of which runs a curious fresh brook that is seldom frozen by reason of the warmness of the water; upon this stream is built a water Milne, and up this river comes Smelts and frost fish much bigger than a Gudgeon. For wood there is no want, there being store of good Oaks, Wallnut, Cedar, Asp, Elm; The ground is very good, in many places without trees, fit for the plough. In this plantation is more English tillage, than in all new England, and Virginia beside; which proved as well as could be expected, the corn being very good especially the Barley, Rye, and Oats. The land affordeth the inhabitants as many ratities as any place else, and the sea more: the Basse continuing from the middle of April to Michaelmas, which stays not above half that time in the Bay: beside here is a great deal of Rockcod and Macrill, insomuch that shoals of Basse have driven up shoals of Macrill from one end of the sandy breach to the other, which the inhabitants have gathered up in wheel-barrowes. The Bay that lieth before the Town at a low spring tied, will be all flatts for two miles together, upon which is great store of Muscle banks, and Clam banks, and Lobsters amongst the rocks and grassy holes. These flatts make it unnavigable for ships, yet at high water great Boats, Loiters, and Pinnaces of 20, and 30 tun, may sail up to the plantation, but they need have a skilful Pilot, because of many dangerous rocks and foaming breakers, that lie at the mouth of that Bay. The very aspect of the place is fortification enough to keep off an unknown enemy, yet may it be fortified at a little charge, being but few landing places there about, and those obscure. Four miles' North-east from Sangus lieth Salem, Salem. which stands on the middle of a neck of land very pleasantly, having a South river on the one side, and a North river on the other side: upon this neck where the most of the houses stand is very bad and sandy ground, yet for seven years together it hath brought forth exceeding good corn, by being fished but every third year; in some places is very good ground, and very good timber, and diverse springs hard by the sea side. Here likewise is store of fish, as Bases, Eels, Lobsters, Clammes, etc. Although their land be none of the best, yet beyond those rivers is a very good soil, where they have taken farms, and get their Hay, and plant their corn; there they cross these rivers with small Cannowes, which are made of whole pine trees, being about two foot & a half over, and 20. foot long: in these likewise they go a fowling, sometimes two leagues to sea; there be more Cannowes in this town than in all the whole Patent; every household having a water-house or two. This Town wants an Alewife river, which is a great inconvenience; it hath two good harbours, the one being called Winter, and the other Summer harbour, which lieth within Derbies' Fort, which place if it were well fortified, might keep ships from landing of forces in any of those two places. Marvill Head is a place which lieth 4 miles full South from Salem, and is a very convenient place for a plantation, especially for such as will set upon the trade of fishing. There was made here a ships loading of fish the last year, where still stands the stages, and drying scaffolds; here be good harbour for boats, and safe riding for ships, Agowamme is nine miles to the North from Salem, Agowam. which is one of the most spacious places for a plantation, being near the sea, it aboundeth with fish, and flesh of fowls and beasts, great Meads and Marshes and plain ploughing grounds, many good rivers and harbours and no rattle snakes. In a word, it is the best place but one, which is Merrimacke, lying 8 miles beyond it, where is a river 20 leagues navigable, Merrimack river. all along the river side is fresh Marshes, in sums places 3 miles broad. In this river is Sturgeon, Sammon, and Basse, and diverse other kinds of fish. To conclude, the Country hath not that which this place cannot yield. So that these two places may contain twice as many people as are yet in new England: there being as yet scarce any inhabitants in these two spacious places. Three miles beyond the river of Merrimacke is the outside of our Patent for the Massachusetts Bay. These be all the Towns that were begun, when I came for England, which was the 15 of August 1633. CHAP. XI. Of the evils, and such things as are hurtful in the Plantation. I have informed you of the Country in general and of every plantation in particular, with their commodities and wherein one excelleth another. Now that I may be every way faithful to my reader in this work, I will as fully and truly relate to you what is evil, and of most annoyance to the inhabitants. First those which bring most prejudice to their estates are the ravenous Woolves, which destroy the weaker cattle, 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 half long, as thick in the middle as the small of a man's leg, she hath a yellow belly, her back being spotted with black, russet, yellow, and green colours, placed like scales; at her tail is a rattle, with which she makes a noise when she is molested, or when she seeth any approach near her, her neck seems to be no thicker than a man's thumb yet can she swallow a Squerill, having a great wide mouth, with teeth as sharp as needles, wherewith she biteth such as tread upon her: her poison lieth in her teeth, for she hath no sting. When any man is bitten by any of these creatures, the poison spreads so suddenly through the veins & so runs to the heart, that in one hour it causeth death, unless he hath the Antidote to expel the poison, which is a root called snakeweed, which must be champed, the spittle swallowed, and the root applied to the sore; this is present cure against that which would be present death without it: this weed is rank poison, if it be taken by any man that is not bitten: whosoever is bitten by these snakes his flesh becomes as spotted as a Leper until he be perfectly cured. It is reported that if the party live that is bitten, the snake will dye, and if the party die, the snake will live. This is a most poisonous and dangerous creature, yet nothing so bad as the report goes of him in England. For whereas he is said to kill a man with his breath, and that he can fly, there is no such matter, for he is naturally the most sleepy and unnimble creature that lives, never offering to leap or bite any man, if he be not trodden on first, and it is their desire in hot weather to lie in paths, where the sun may shine on them, where they will sleep so soundy that I have known four men stride over one of them, and never awake her: 5 or 6 men have been bitten by them, which by using of snakeweede were all cured, never any yet losing his life by them. Cow's have been bitten, but being cut in diverse places, and this weed 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 Country there be none of them, as at Plymouth, Newtowne, Igowamme, Nahant, etc. In some places they will live on one side of the river, and swimming but over the water, as soon as they be come into the woods, they turn up their yellow bellies and dye. Up into the Country westward from the plantations is a high hill, which is called rattlesnake hill, where there is great store of these poisonous creatures. There be diverse other kind of snakes, one whereof is a great long black snake, two yards in length which will glide through the woods very swiftly; these never do any hurt, neither doth any other kind of snakes molest either man or beast. These creatures in the winter time creep into cliffs of rocks and into holes under ground, where they lid close till May or june. Here likewise be great store of frogs, which in the Spring do chirp and whistle like a bird, and at the latter end of summer croak like our English frogs. here be also toads which will climb 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 Worms or Moles, but pismires and spiders be there. There are likewise troublesome flies. First there is a wild Bee or Wasp, which commonly guards the grape, building by cobweb habitation amongst the leaves: secondly a great green fly, not much unlike our horse flies in England; they will nip so sore that they will 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 fly continues but for the Month of june. The third is Gurnipper which is a small black 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 busy but in close mornings or evenings, and continues not above three weeks, the least wind or heat expels them. The fourth is a Musketor which is not unlike to our gnats in England; In places where there is no thick woods or Swampes, there is none or very few. In new Plantations they be troublesome for the first year, but the wood decaying they vanish: these Flies cannot endure wind, heat or cold, so that these are only troublesome in close thick weather, and against rain 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 year, never swell the second: for my own part I have been troubled as much with them or some like them, in the country of England as ever I was there: Here be the flies that are called cantharides, so much esteemed of Surgeons, with diverse kinds of Butterflies. Thus have you heard of the worst of the country: but some peradventure may say no, and reply that they have heard that the people have been often driven to great wants and extremities; To which I answer, it is true that some have lived for a certain time with a little bread, other without any, yet all this argues nothing against the country in itself, but condemns the folly and improvidence of such as would venture into so rude and unmanaged a country, without so much provisions as should have comfortably maintained them in health and strength till by their labours they had brought the land to yield his fruit. I have myself 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 Canvas Booths & old houses, supposing at the first to have found walled towns, fortifications and corn fields, as if towns could have built themselves, or corn fields have grown of themselves, without the husbandry of man. These men missing of their expectations, returned home and railed against the Country. Others may object that of late time there hath been great want; I deny it not, but look to the original, and tell me from whence it came. The root of their want sprung up in England, for many hundreds hearing of the plenty of the Country, were so much their own foes and Country's hindrance, as to come without provision; which made things both dear and scant: wherefore let none blame the Country so much as condemn the indiscreetnesse of such as will needs run themselves upon hardship. And I dare further assure any that will carry provision enough for a year and a half, shall not need to fear want, if he either be industrious himself, or have industrious agents to manage his estate and affairs. And whereas many do 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 sweat of another man's brows: surely they were much deceived, or else ill informed, that ventured thither in hope to live in plenty and idleness, both at a time: and it is as much pity as he that can work and will not, should eat, as it is pity that he that would work and cannot, should fast. I condemn not such therefore as are now there, and are not able to work; but I advise for the future those men that are of weak constitutions to keep at home, if their estates cannot maintain servants. For all new England must be workers in some kind: and whereas it hath been formerly reported that boys of ten or a twelve years of age might do much more than get their living, that cannot be, for he must have more than a boys head, and no less than a man's strength, that intends to live comfortably; and he that hath understanding and Industry, with a stock of an hundred pound, shall live better there, than he shall do here of twenty pound per annum. But many I know will say if it be thus, how comes it to pass then that they are so poor? To which I answer, that they are poor but in comparison, compare them with the rich Merchants or great landed men in England, and then I know they will seem poor. There is no probability they should be exceeding rich, because none of such great estate went over yet; beside, a man of estate must first scatter before he gather, he must lay out moneys for transporting of servants, and cattle and goods, for houses and fences and gardens, etc. This may make his purse seem light, and to the eye of others seem a leaking in his estate, whereas these disbursments are for his future enrichments: for he being once well seated and quietly settled, his increase comes in double; and howsoever they are accounted poor, they are well contented, and look not so much at abundance, as a competency; so little is the poverty of the Country, that I am persuaded if many in England which are constrained to beg their bread were there, they would live better than many do here, that have money to buy it. Furthermore when corn is scarce, yet may they have either or flesh for their labour: and surely that place is not miserably poor to them that are there, where four Eggs may be had for a Penny, and a quart of new Milk at the same rate: Where Butter is sixpences a pound, and Cheshire-Cheese at five pence; sure Middlesex affords London no better pennyworths. What though there be no such plenty, as to cry these things in the streets? yet every day affords these pennyworths to those that need them in most places. I dare not say in all: Can they be very poor, where for four thousand souls, there are fifteen hundred head of Cattle, besides four thousand Goats, and Swine innumerable? In an ill sheepe-yeare I have known Mutton as dear in Old-England, and dearer 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 journey at Sea, and 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 undertake; although I will use no forcive arguments to persuade 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 amiss to give you directions, what is most necessary to be carried. Many I suppose, know as well, or better than myself; yet all do not, to those my directions tend; although every man have ship-provisions allowed him for his five pound a man, which is salt Beef, Pork, salt Fish, Butter, Cheese, Pease, Pottage, Water-gruel, and such kind of Victuals, with good Biscuits, and sixe-shilling Beer: yet will it be necessary, to carry some comfortable refreshing of fresh victual. As first, for such as have ability, some Conserved, and good Claret Wine to burn at Sea: Or you may have it by some of your Vintners or Wine-coopers' burned here, & put up into vessels, which will keep much better than other burnt Wine, is a very comfortable thing for the stomach; or such as are Sea-sick: salad-oil likewise. Prunes are good to be stewed; Sugar for many things: White Biscuits, and Eggs, and Bacon, Rice, Poultry, and some weather-sheepe to kill aboard the ship; and fine flowre-baked meats, will keep about a week or nine days at Sea. juice 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 dress their victuals in at Sea. For bedding, so it be easy, and cleanly, and warm, it is no matter how old or corpse it be for the use of the Sea; and so likewise for Apparel, the oldest clothes be the fittest, with a long corpse coat, to keep better things from the pitched ropes and planks. Whosoever shall put to Sea in a stout and well-conditioned ship, having an honest Master, and loving Seamen, shall not need to fear, but he shall find as good content at Sea, as at Land. It is too common with many to fear the Sea more than they need, and all such as put to Sea, confess it to be less tedious than they either feared or expected. A ship at Sea may well be compared to a Cradle, rocked by a careful Mother's hand, which though it be moved up and down, yet is it not in danger of falling: So a ship may often be rocked too and again upon the troublesome Sea, yet seldom doth it sink or overturn, because it is kept by that careful hand of Providence by which it is rocked. It was never known yet, that any ship in that voyage was cast away, or that ever fell into the Enemy's hand. For the health of Passengers it hath been observed, that of six hundred souls, not above three or four have died at Sea: It is probable in such a company, more might have died either by sickness or casualties, if they had stayed at home. For Women, I see not but that they do 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 foul bodies to Sea, as did make their days uncomfortable at Land, have been so purged and clarified at Sea, that they have been more healthful for aftertimes; their weak appetites being turned to good stomaches, not only desiring, but likewise digesting such victuals as the Sea affords. Secondly, for directions for the Country, it is not to be feared, but that men of good estates may do well there; always provided, that they go well accommodated with servants. In which I would not wish them to take overmany: ten or twelve lusty servants being able to manage an estate of two or three thousand pound. It is not the multiplicity of many bad servants, (which presently eats a man out of house and harbour, as lamentable experience hath made manifest) but the industry of the faithful and diligent labourer, that enricheth the careful Master; so that he that hath many dronish servants▪ shall soon be poor; and he that hath an industrious family, shall as soon be rich. Now for the encouragement of his men, he must not do as many have done, (more through ignorance than desire) carry many mouths, and no meat; but rather much meat for a few mouths. Want of due maintenance produceth nothing but a grumbling spirit with a sluggish idleness, when as those servants which be well provided for, go through their employments with speed and cheerfulness. For meal, it will be requisite to carry a Hogshead and a half, for every one that is a labourer, to keep him till he may receive the fruit of his own labours, which will be a year and a half after his arrival, if he land in May or june. He must likewise carry Malt, Beef▪ Butter, Cheese, some Pease, good Wines, Vinegar, Strong-waters, etc. Whosoever transports more of these than he himself useth, his overplus being sold, will yield as much profit as any other staple commodity. Every man likewise must carry over good store of Apparel; for if he come to buy it there, he shall find it dearer than in England. Woollencloth is a very good commodity, and Linen better; as Holland, Lockram, flaxen, Hempen, calico stuffs, Linsey-woolfies, and blue Callicoe, green Says for Housewives aprons, Hats, Boots, Shoes, good Irish stockings, which if they be good, are much more serviceable than knit-ones. All kind of grocery wares, as Sugar, Prunes, Raisins, Currants, Honey, Nutmegs, Clover, etc. Soap, Candles, and Lamps, etc. All manner of household stuff is very good Trade there, as Pewter and Brass, but great Iron-pots be preferred before Brass, for the use of that Country. Warming-pannes and Stewing-pannes be of necessary use, and good Traffic there. All manner of Iron-wares, as all manner of nails for houses, and all manner of Spikes for building of Boats, Ships, and fishing stages: all manner of tools for Workmen, Hoes for planters, broad and narrow for setting and weeding; with Axes both broad and pitching-axes. All manner of Angers, piercing bits, Whip-saws, Twohanded saws, Froes, both for the riving of Pails and Laths, rings for Beetles heads, and Iron-wedges; though all these be made in the Country: (there being diverse Blacke-smiths) yet being a heavy commodity, and taking but a little stowage, it is cheaper to carry such commodities out of England. Glass ought not to be forgotten of any that desire to benefit themselves, or the Country: if it be well leaded, and carefully packed up, I know no commodity better for portage or sail. Here likewise must not be forgotten all utensils 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, etc. Such as would eat Fowl, must not forget their sixe-foote Guns, 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 sails for Boats, Roads, and Anchors for Boats and Pinnaces, be good; Sea-coal, Iron, Led, and Millstones, Flints, Ordonances, and whatsoever a man can conceive is good for the Country, 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 himself, or those belonging to him, his munition for the defence of himself and the Country. For there is no man there that bears a head, but that bears military Arms; even Boys of fourteen years of age, are practised with men in military discipline, every three weeks. Who soever shall carry over Drums and English Colours, Pattesons, Halberds, Picks, Muskets, Bandelerous, with Swords, shall not need to fear good gain for them, such things being wanting in the country: Likewise whatsoever shall be needful 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 fear; but because security hath been 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 showed what commodities are most useful, it will not be amiss to show you what men be most fit for these plantations. First, men of good working, and contriving heads, a well experienced common wealth's man for the good of the body politic in matters of advice and counsel, a well skilled and industrious husbandman, for tillage and improvements of grounds; an ingenious Carpenter, a cunning joiner, a handsome Cooper, such a one as can make strong ware for the use of the country, and a good Brickmaker, a Tyler and a Smith, a Leather dresser, a Gardener, and a Tailor: one that hath good skill in the trade of fishing, is of special use, and so is a good Fowler, if there be any that hath skill in any of these trades, if he can transport himself, he needs not fear but he may improve his time and endeavours to his own benefit, and comfort; if any cannot transport himself, he may provide himself of an honest master, and so may do as well. There is is as much freedom 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 poor men grow rich, and the masters and Gentry grow poor; I must needs confess 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 a work are any way impoverished by them; peradventure they have less money by reason of them, but never the less riches; a man's work well done being more beneficial than his money, or other dead commodities, which otherwise would lie by him to no purpose. Many men be so improvident as to set men about building of Castles in the Air, or other unnecessary employments, he may grow poor; but such as employ labourers about planting of Corn, building of houses, fenceing in of ground, fishing, and diverse other necessary occasions, shall receive as much or more by poor men's labours, than those that live in England do from the industry of such as they hire: Wherefore I do suppose this to be but the surmisings of some that are ignorant of the state of the country, 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 damp the unsettled spirits of such as are not greatly affected with those undertake; Some say the Spaniard lays claim 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. Christopher's, and S. Martin's, and those places: but it doth not follow that because he took such places as lay just in his way to the West Indies, that he should come thousands of miles with a great Navy to plantations, as yet not worth the pillage: and when the plantations are grown noted in the eyes of the common foes for wealth, it is hoped that when the Bees have Honey in their Hives, they will have stings in their tails. Hath not Virginia been planted many years which is four hundred miles nearer the Spaniards course, and yet never met with any affrontments; so that this scruple smells of fear and pusillanimity. To wipe away all groundless calumniations, and to answer to every too too curious objections, and frivolous question (some so simple as not ashamed to ask whether the Sun shines there or no) were to run in infinitum; but I hope that the several manuscripts and letters, and informations by word of mouth from such of our honest countrymen 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 been either writ or spoken were a forcive argument, yet would it be two little to steady their belief in any one particular concerning the country. Some are nimble eared to hear faults, and so ready tongued to publish them, yea often times with strained constructions; a false asseveration usually winneth more belief than two verifying negatives can resettle: Some there are who count with Claudian that it is an incomparable happiness to have their birth, life & burying in the same place: these are never likely to remove further than the shell of their own country. 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 travel was observation, so I desire the end of my observation may tend to the information of others: As I have observed what I have seen, and written what I have observed, so do I desire to publish what I have written, desiring it may be beneficial to posterity; and if any man desire to fill himself at that fountain, from whence this tasting cup was taken, his own experience shall tell him as much as I have here related, and thus I pass 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. THE SECOND PART. Of the Indians, their persons, clothing, diet, natures, customs, laws, marriages, worships, conjurations, wars, games, hunt, fishings, sports, language, death, and burials. CHAP. I. Of the Connectacuts, Mowhacks, or such Indians as are Westward. THe country as it is in relation to the Indians, is divided as it were into Shires, every several division being swayed by a several king. The Indians to the East and North east, bearing the name of Churchers, and Tarrenteenes. These in the Southern parts be called Pequants, and Narraganssts; those who are seated Westward be called Connectacuts, and Mowhacks: Our Indians that live to the Northward 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 scum of the country, and would soon root them out of their native possessions were it not for the English. These are a cruel bloody people, which were wont to come down upon their poor neighbours with more than brutish savageness, spoiling of their Corn, burning their houses, slaying men, ravishing women, yea very Cannibals 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 poor Abergenian dead, were here not hopes at hand of relief from English to succour them: For these inhuman homicides confess that they dare not meddle with a white faced man, accompanied with his hot mouthed weapon. These Indians be a people of a tall stature, of long grim visages, slender wasted, and exceeding great arms and thighs, wherein they say their strength lieth; and this I rather believe because an honest gentleman told me, upon his knowledge, that he saw one of them with a fillippe with his finger kill a dog, who afterward fled him and sod him, and eat him to his dinner. They are so hardy that they can eat such things as would make other Indians sick to look upon, being destitute of fish and flesh, they suffice hunger and maintain nature with the use of vegetatives; but that which they most hunt after, is the flesh of man; their custom is if they get a stranger near their habitations, not to butcher him immediately, but keeping him in as good plight as they can, feeding him with the best victuals they have. As a near neighboaring Indian assured me, who found what he had spoke true by a lamentable experience, still wearing the cognizance of their cruelty on his naked arm, who being taken by them eat of their food, lodged in their beds, nay he was brought forth every day, to be new painted, piped unto, and hemmed 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 hewed satire cutteth a gobbit of flesh from his brawny arm, eating it in his view, searing it with a firebrand, lest the blood should be wasted before the morning, at the dawning whereof they told him they would make an end as they had begun; he 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 sat 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 sepulchres; he extends his strength to the utmost, breaketh the bands from his hands, and losing the cords from his feet, thought at once to be revenged for the flesh of his arm, and finding a hatchet, lays one with an arm of revenge to the unliving of ten men at first onset, afterward taking the opportunity of the dead of night, fled through the woods and came to his native home, where he still lives to rehearse his happy escapall; of the rest of their inhuman cruelties let the Dutchmen, (who live among them) testify, as likewise the cruel manner of leading their prisoners captive, whom they do not only opinion with sharp 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 wars than the other Indians; which proceeds not only from the fierceness of their natures, but also in that they know themselves to be better armed and weaponed; all of them wearing sea horse skins and barks of trees, made by their Art as impenetrable it is thought as steel, wearing head pieces of the same, under which thy march securely and undantedly, running, and fiercely crying out, Hadree Hadree succomee succomee we come we come to suck your blood, not fearing the feathered shafts of the strong-armed bowmen, but like unruly headstrong stallions beat them down with their right hand Tamahaukes, and left hand javelins, being all the weapons which they use, counting bows a cowardly fight. Tamahaukes' be staves of two foot and a half long, and a knob at one end as round and big as a football: a javelin is a short spear, headed with sharp sea-horse teeth; one blow or thrust with these strange weapons, will not need a second to hasten death, from a Mowhackes arm. I will conclude this discourse concerning the Mowhackes, in a tragical rehearsal of one of their combats. A Sagamore inhabibiting near these Cannibals, was so daily annoyed with their injurious inhumanity, that he must either become a tributary subject to their tyranny, or release himself from thraldom by the stroke of war, which he was unable to wage of himself: wherefore with fair entreaties, plausible persuasions, forcive arguments, and rich presents he sent to other Sagamores, he procured so many soldiers as summed with his own, made his forces six thousand strong; with the which he resolutely marched towards his enemies, intending either to win the horse or lose the saddle; His enemies having heard of his designs, plotted how to confront him in his enterprise, and overthrow him by treachery; which they thus attempted; knowing their enemies were to swim over a muddy 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, shoot they could not, for swimming was their action; and when they came to the side, they could not run away, for their feet stuck fast in the mud, 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 Duck that escapeth the Spaniel by diving) until they were out of sight of their blood thirsty foes, recovered the shore creeping into the thickets, from whence after a little breathing and resting of their weary limbs, they marched through the woods and arrived at their own homes, relating to their inquisitive survivers the sad event of their war, who a long time after deplored the death of their friends, still placed the remembrance of that day in the Calendar of their mishaps. CHAP. II. Of the Tarrenteenes or the Indians inhabiting Eastward. THe Tarrenteenes' saving that they eat not man's flesh, are little less savage, and cruel than these Cannibals: our Indians do fear them as their deadly enemies; for so many of them as they meet they kill. About 2 years ago, our Indians being busy about their accustomed hunt, not suspecting them so near their own liberties, were on the sudden surprised by them, some being slain, 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 daily trade for with the French, (who will sell his eyes as they say, for beaver:) but these do them more credit than service; for having guns they want powder, or if they have that, they want shot, something or other being always wanting; so that they use them for little, but to salute coasting boats that come to trade, who no sooner can anchor in any harbour; but they present them with a volley of shot, ask for sack and strong liquors, which they so much love since the English used to trade it with them, that they will scarce 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 coats, 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 down strong drink, or use so much as to sip of strong-waters, until our bestial example and dishonest incitation bathe brought them to it; from which I am sure hath sprung many evil consequents, as disorder, quarrels, wrongs, unconscionable and forcive wresting of Beaver and Wampompeage: and from overflowing Cups there hath been a proceeding to revenge, murder and overflowing of blood. As witness Master Ways Boat, which they sunk with stones after they had killed his son, with three more: buzzing the English in the ears, that they see it bulged against the rocks, and the men drowned in the beating surges: but afterwards being betrayed, as many as were caught, were hanged. Another who was situated on Richmond's Island, living as he list amongst them, making his covetous corrupt will his law; after many abuses, was with his family one evening treacherously murdered, under a fair pretence of trade; so that these that lived beside the Law of God▪ and their King, and the light of Nature, died by their hands that cared neither for God, King, nor Nature. Take these Indians in their own trim and natural 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 just and equal in their dealings; not treacherous either to their Countrymen, 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 Merchandise as is amongst them. These men are the most curious minters of their Wampompeage and Mowhakes, which they form out of the inmost wreaths of periwinkle-shells. The Northern, Eastern, and Western Indians fetch all their Coin from these Southern Mint-masters. From hence they have most of their curious Pendants & Bracelets; from hence they have their great stonepipes, which will 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 mould so accurately, that were it not for matter and colour it were hard to distinguish them; they make them of green, & sometimes of black stone; they be much desired of our English Tobaconists, for their rarity, strength, handsomeness, and coolness. Hence likewise our Indians had their pots wherein they used to seethe their victuals before they knew the use of Brass. Since the English came, they have employed most of their time in catching of Beavers, Otters, and Musquashes, which they bring down into the Bay, returning back loaded with English commodities, of which they make a double profit, by selling them to more remote Indians, who are ignorant at what cheap rates they obtain them, in comparison of what they make them pay, so making their neighbour's ignorance their enrichment. Although these be populous, yet I never heard they were desirous to take in hand any martial enterprise, or expose themselves to the uncertain events of war: wherefore the Pequants call them Womenlike men; but being uncapable of a jeer, they rest secure under the conceit of their popularity, and seek rather to grow rich by industry, than famous by deeds of Chivalry. But to leave strangers, and come to declare what is experimentally known of the Indians, amongst whom we live: of whom in the next Chapter. CHAP. IU. Of the Aberginians or Indians Northward. FIrst of their Stature, most of them being between five or six foot high, strait bodied, strongly composed, smooth skinned, merry countenanced, of complexion something more swarthy than Spaniards, black haired, high foreheaded, black eyed, out-nosed, broad shouldered, brawny armed, long and slender handed, out breasted, small wasted, lank bellied, well thighed, flat kneed, handsome grown legs, and small feet: In a word, take them when the blood briske's in their veins, when the flesh is on their backs, and marrow in their bones, when they frolic in their antique deportments and Indian postures; and they are more amiable to behold (though only in Adam's livery) than many a compounded fantastic in the newest fashion. It may puzzle belief, to conceive how such lusty bodies should have their rise and daily supportment from so slender a fostering; their houses being mean, their lodging as homely, commons scant, their drink water, and Nature their best clothing; in them the old proverb may well be verified: (Natura paucis contenta) for though this be their daily portion, they still are healthful and lusty. I have been in many places, yet did I never see one that was borne either in redundance or defect a monster, or any that sickness had deformed, or casuality made decrepit, saving one that had a bleared eye, and an other that had a wen on his cheek. The reason is rendered why they grow so proportionable, and continue so long in their vigour (most of them being 50 before a wrinkled brow or grey hair bewray their age) is because they are not brought down with suppressing labour, vexed with annoying cares, or drowned in the excessive abuse of overflowing plenty, which oftentimes kills them more than want, as may appear in them. For when they change their bare Indian commons for the plenty of England's fuller diet, it is so contrary to their stomaches, that death or a desperate sickness immediately accrues, which makes so few of them desirous to see England. Their swarthiness is the Sun's livery, for they are borne fair. Their smooth skins proceed from the often anointing of their bodies with the oil of fishes, and the fat of Eagles, with the grease of Rackoones, which they hold in summer, the best antidote to keep their skin from blistering with the scorching Sun; 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 hair is natural, yet it is brought to a more jetty colour by oiling, dying, and daily dressing. Sometimes they wear it very long, hanging down in a loose dishevelled womanish manner; otherwhile tied up hard and short like a horse tail, bound close with a fillet, which they say makes it grow the faster: they are not a little fantastical or custom-sick in this particular; their boys being not permitted to wear their hair long till sixteen years of age, and then they must come to it by degrees; some being cut with a long foretop, a long lock on the crown, one of each side of his head, the rest of his hair being cut even with the scalp: the young men and soldiers wear their hair long on the one side, the other side being cut short like a screw; other cuts they have as their fancy befools them, which would torture the wits of a curious Barber to imitate. But though they be thus wedded to the hair of their head, you cannot woo them to wear it on their chins, where it no sooner grows, but it is stubbed up by the roots, for they count it as an unuseful, cumbersome, and opprobrious excrement, insomuch as they call him an English man's 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 Apparel, Ornaments, Paintings, and other artificial deckings. NOw these naked bodies may seem too weak to withstand the assaulting heat of their parching Summers, and the piercing cold of the icy Winters, or it may be surmised that these earthly fabrics should be wasted to nothing by the tempestuous dashings of wind-driven reins, having neither that which may warm within, or shelter without; yet these things they look not after, saving a pair of Indian Breeches to cover that which modesty commands to be hid, which is but a piece of cloth a yard and a half long, put between their groinings, tied with a snakes skin about their middles, one end hanging down with a flap before, the other like a tail behind. In the Winter time the more aged of them wear leather drawers, in form like Irish trousers, fastened under their girdle with buttons; they wear shoes likewise of their own making cut out of a Mooses hide, many of them wear skins about them, in form of an Irish mantle, and of these some be Bears skins, Mooses skins, and Beaver skins sewed together, Otter skins, and Rackoone skins; most of them in the Winter having his deep furred Cat skin, like a long large muff, which he shifts to that arm which lieth most exposed to the wind; thus clad, he busles better through a world of cold in a frost-paved wilderness, than the furred Citizen in his warmer Stoave. If their fancy drive them to trade, they choose rather a good course blanket, through which they cannot see, interposing it between the sun and them; or a piece of broad cloth, which they use for a double end, making it a coat by day, and a covering by night; they love not to be imprisoned in our English fashion: they love their own dog fashion better (of shaking their ears, 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 do. But the chief reasons they render why they will not conform to our English apparel, are, because their women cannot wash them when they be soiled, and their means will not reach to buy new when they have done with their old; and they confidently believe, the English will not be so liberal as to furnish them upon gifture: therefore they had rather go naked than be lousy, and bring their bodies out of their old tune, making them more tender by a new acquired habit, which poverty would constrain them to leave: although they be thus poor, yet is there in them the sparks of natural pride, which appears in their longing desire after many kind of ornaments, wearing pendants in their ears, as forms of birds, beasts, and fishes, carved out of bone, shells, and stone, with long bracelets of their curious wrought wampompeage and mowhackees, which they put about their necks and loins; these they count a rare kind of decking; many of the better sort bearing upon their cheeks certain portraitures of beasts, as Bears, Deer, Mooses, Wolves, etc. some of fowls, as of Eagles, Hawks, etc. which be not a superficial painting, but a certain incision, or else a raising of their skin by a small sharp instrument, under which they convey a certain kind of black unchangeable ink, which makes the desired form apparent and permanent. Others have certain round Impressions down the outside of their arms and breasts, in form of mullets or spur-rowels, which they imprint by searing irons: whether these be foils to illustrate their unparallelled beauty (as they deem it) or Arms to blazon their antique Gentility, I cannot easily determine: but a Sagamore with a Humberd in his ear for a pendant, a black hawk on his occiput for his plume, Mowhackees for his gold chain, good store of Wampompeage begirting his loins, his bow in his hand, his quiver at his back. with six naked Indian spatterlashes at his heels for his guard, thinks himself little inferior to the great Cham; he will not stick to say, he is all one with King Charles. He thinks he can blow down Castles with his breath, and conquer kingdoms with his conceit. This Pompey can endure no equal, till one days adverse lottery at their game (called Puimme) metamorphize him into a Codrus, robbing him of his conceited wealth, leaving him in mind and riches equal with his naked attendants, till a new taxation furnish him with a fresh supplie. CHAP. VI Of their diet, cookery, meale-times, and hospitality at their Kettles. HAving done with their most needful clothing and ornamental deckings; may it please you to feast your eyes with their belly-timbers, which I suppose would be but stibium to weak stomaches as they cook it, though never so good of itself. In Wintertime they have all manner of fowls of the water and of the land, & beasts of the land and water, pond-fish, with Catharres and other roots, Indian beans and Clamms. In the Summer they have all manner of Sea-fish, with all sorts of Berries. For the ordering of their victuals, they boil or roast them, having large Kettles which they traded for with the French long since, and do still buy of the English as their need requires, before they had substantial earthen pots of their own 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 roasted, behemming a round fire with a dozen of spits at a time, turning them as they see occasion. Some of their scullery having dressed these homely cates, presents it to his guests, dishing it up in a rude manner, placing it on the verdant carpet of the earth which Nature spreads them, without either trenchers napkins, or knives, upon which their hunger-sawced stomaches impatient of delays, falls aboard without scrupling at unwashed hands, without bread, salt, or beer: lolling on the Turkish fashion, not ceasing till their full bellies leave nothing but empty platters: they seldom or never make bread of their Indian corn, but seeth it whole like beans, eating three or four corns with a mouthful of fish or flesh, sometimes eating meat first, and corns after, filling chinks with their broth. In Summer, when their corn is spent, Isquoutersquashes is their best bread, a fruit like a young Pompion. To say, and to speak paradoxically, they be great eaters, and yet little meate-men; when they visit our English, being invited to eat, they are very moderate, whether it be to show their manners, or for shamefastness, I know not; but at home they will eat till their bellies stand south, ready to split with fullness; it being their fashion to eat all at some times, and sometimes nothing at all in two or three days, wise Providence being a stranger to their wilder ways: they be right Infidels, neither caring for the morrow, or providing for their own families; but as all are fellows at football, so they all meet friends at the kettle, saving their Wives, that dance a Spaniell-like attendance at their backs for their bony fragments. If their imperious occasions cause them to travel, the best of their victuals for their journey is Nocake, (as they call it) which is nothing but Indian Corn parched in the hot ashes; the ashes being sifted from it, it is afterward beaten to powder, and put into a long leathern bag, trussed at their back like a knapsack; out of which they take thrice three spoonfuls a day, dividing it into three meals. If it be in Winter, and Snow be on the ground, they can eat when they please, stopping Snow after their dusty victuals, which otherwise would feed them little better than a Tyburn halter. In Summer they must stay till they meet with a Spring or Brooke, where they may have water to prevent the imminent danger of choking▪ with this strange viaticum they will travel four ot five days together, with loads fitter for Elephants than men. But though they can far so hardly abroad, at home their chaps must walk night and day as long as they have it. They keep no set meals, their store being spent, they champ on the bit, till they meet with fresh supplies, either from their own endeavours, or their wife's industry, who trudge to the Clambankes when all other means fail. Though they be sometimes scanted, yet are they as free as Emperors, both to their Countrymen and English, be he stranger, or near acquaintance; counting it a great discourtesy, not to eat of their high-conceited delicates, and sup of their un-oat-mealed broth, made thick with Fishes, Fowls, and Beasts boiled all together; some remaining raw, the rest converted by overmuch seething to a loathed mash, not half so good as Irish Boniclapper. CHAP. VII. Of their dispositions and good qualifications, as friendship, constancy, truth, and affability. TO enter into a serious discourse concerning the natural conditions of these Indians, might procure admiration from the people of any civilised Nations, in regard of their civility and good natures. If a Tree may be judged by his fruit, and dispositions calculated by exterior 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 mutual good of one another; and the less 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 Deer, sends for his friends, and eats it merrily: So he that receives but a piece of bread from an English hand, parts it equally between himself and his comerades and eats 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 courtesy, so are they no way sooner disjointed than by ingratitude; accounting an ungrateful person a double robber of a man, not only of his courtesy, but of his thanks which he might receive of another for the same proffered, or received kindness. Such is their love to one another, that they cannot endure to see their Countrymen wronged, but will stand stiffly in their defence: plead strongly in their behalf, and justify one another's integrities in any warrantable action. If it were possible to recount the courtesies they have showed the English, since their first arrival in those parts, it would not only steady belief, that they are a loving people, but also win the love of those that never saw them, and wipe off that needless fear that is too deeply rooted in the conceits of many, who think them envious, and of such rancorous and inhuman dispositions, that they will one day make an end of their English inmates. The worst indeed may be surmised, but the English hitherto have had little cause to suspect them, but rather to be convinced of their trustiness, seeing they have as yet been the disclosers of all such treacheries as have been practised by other Indians. And whereas once there was a proffer of an universal League amongst all the Indians in those parts, to the intent that they might all join in one united force, to extirpiate the English, our Indians refused the motion, replying, they had rather be servants to the English, of whom they were confident to receive no harm, and from whom they had received so many favours, and assured good testimonies of their jove, than equals with them, who would cut their throats upon the least offence, and make them the shambles of their cruelty. Furthermore, if any roving ships be upon the coasts, and chance to harbour either Eastward, Northward, or southward in any unusual Port, they will give us certain intelligence of her burden and forces, describing their men either by language or features; which is a great privilege and no small advantage. Many ways hath their advice and endeavour been advantageous unto us; they being our first instructers for the planting of their Indian Corn, by teaching us to cull out the finest seed, to observe the fittest season, to keep distance for holes, and fit measure for hills, to worm it, and weed it; to prune it, and dress it as occasion shall require. These Indians be very hospitable, insomuch that when the English have traveled forty, fifty, or threescore miles into the Country, they have entertained them into their houses, quartered them by themselves in the best rooms, providing the best victuals they could, expressing their welcome in as good terms as could be expected from their slender breeding; showing more love than compliment, not grumbling for a fortnight's or three weeks tarrying; but rather caring to provide accommodation correspondent to their English custom. The doubtful traveller hath oftentimes been much beholding to them for their guidance thorough the unbeaten Wilderness: myself in this particular can do no less in the due acknowledgement of their love, than speak their commendations, who with two more of my associates bending our course to new Plymouth, lost our way, being deluded by a misleading path which we still followed, being as we thought too broad for an Indian path (which seldom is broader than a Cart's rut) but that the daily concourse of Indians from the Naragansets who traded for shoes, wearing them homewards had made this Indian tract like an English walk, and had reared up great sticks 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 less: The day being gloomy and our compasses at home, we traveled hard till night to less purpose than if we had sat still, not gaining an inch of our journey for a day's travel: but happily we 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 Beer, and the ensuing morning the son of my naked host, for a piece of Tobacco, and a four penny whittle, took the clew of his travelling experience, conducting us through the strange labyrinth of unbeaten bushy ways in the woody wilderness twenty miles to our desired harbour. A second demonstration of their love in this kind may appear in a passage of the same nature. An unexperienced wood man ranging in the woods for Deer, travelled so far beyond his knowledge, till he could not tell how to get out of the wood for trees, but the more he sought to direct himself out, the more he ran himself in, from the home he most desired; the night came upon him preventing his walking, and the extremity of cold seizing upon his right foot for want of warming motion, deprived him of the use thereof, so that he could not remove farther than his snowy bed, but had there ended his days, had not six commiserating Indians, who heard of his wandering, found him out by diligent search, being almost dead with despair and cold: but after they had conquered his despair 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 carried this selfe-helpelesse person on their bare shoulders twelve miles to his residence: many other wand'ring benighted coasters have been kindly entertained into their habitations, where they have rested and reposed themselves more securely than if they had been in some blind obscure old England's Inn, being the next day directed in their right way: many lazy boys that have run away from their masters, have been brought home by these ranging foresters, who are as well acquainted with the craggy mountains, 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 find them as presently, as the experienced Citizen knows how to find out Cheapside cross, or London stone. Such is the wisdom and policy of these poor men, that they will be sure to keep correspondence with our English Magistrates, expressing their love in the execution of any service they command them, so far as lies in their power, as may appear in this one particular. A certain man having laid himself open to the King's laws, fearing attachment, conviction, and consequently execution: sequestered himself from the honest society of his neighbours, betaking himself unto the obscure thickets of the wilderness, where he lived for a time undiscovered, till the Indians who leave no place unsearched for Deer, found out his haunt, and having taken notice by divers discourses concerning him, how that it was the governors desire to know where he was; they thought it a part of their service to certify him where he kept his rendezvous, 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 seen by other Indians, but being double pistold, and well sworded, they feared to approach so near him as to grapple with him: wherefore they let him alone till his own necessary business cast him upon them; for having occasion to cross a river, he came to the side thereof, where was an Indian Cannow▪ in which the Indians were to cross the river themselves, he vauntingly commanded waftage; which they willingly granted, but withal plotting how they might take him prisoner, which they thus effected; having placed him in the midship of their ticklish wherrie, they launched forth into the deep, causing the capering Cannow to cast out her cumbersome ballast into the liquid water; which swom like a stone, and now the water having danked his pistoles, and lost his Spanish progge in the bottom, the Indians swom him out by the chin to the shore, where having dropped himself a little dry, he began to bluster out a storm of rebellious resistance, till they becalmed his pelting chafe with their pelting of pebbles at him, afterward leading him as they list to the governor. These people be of a kind and affable disposition, yet are they very wary with whom they strike hands in friendship: nothing is more hateful to them than a churlish disposition, so likewise is dissimulation: he that speaks seldom, and opportunely, being as good as his word, is the only 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 speak, all one heart; wherefore they more approve of them than of any Nation: garrulity is much condemned of them, for they utter not many words, speak seldom, and then with such gravity as is pleasing to the ear: such as understand them not, desire yet to hear their emphatical expressions, and lively action; such is the mild temper of their spirits that they cannot endure objurgations, or scold. An Indian Sagomore once hearing an English woman scold with her husband, her quick utterance exceeding his apprehension, her active lungs thundering in his ears, expelled him the house; from whence he went to the next neighbour, where he related the unseemliness of her behaviour; her language being strange to him, he expressed it as strangely, telling them how she cried Nannana Nannana Nannana Nan, saying he was a great fool to give her the audience, and no correction for usurping his charter, and abusing him by her tongue. I have been amongst divers of them, yet did I never see any falling out amongst them, not so much as cross words, or reviling speeches, which might provoke to blows. And whereas it is the custom of many people in their games, if they see the dice run cross or their cards not answer their expectations: what cursing and swearing, what imprecations, and railings, fightings and stabbings oftentimes proceed from their testy spleen. How do their blustering passions, make the place troublesome to themselves and others? But I have known when four of these milder spirits have sit down staking their treasures, where they have played four and twenty hours, neither eating drinking or sleeping in the Interim; nay which is most to be wondered at, not quarrelling, 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 batchet, his knife, yea all his little all, having nothing left but his naked self, was as merry as they that won it; so in sports of activity at football though they play never so fiercely to outward appearance, yet angrer-boyling blood never streams in their cooler veins, if any man be thrown he laughs out his foil, there is no seeking of revenge, no quarrelling, no bloody noses, scratched faces, black eyes, broken shins, no bruised members, or crushed ribs, the lamentables effects of rage; but the goal being won, the goods on the one side lost; friends they were at the football, and friends they must meet at the kettle. I never heard yet of that Indian that was his neighbour's homicide or vexation by his malapert, fancy, or uncivil tongue: laughter in them is not common, seldom exceeding a smile, never breaking out into such a loud laughter, as do many of our English. Of all things they love not to be laughed at upon any occasion; if a man be in trade with them and the bargain be almost struck, if they perceive you laugh, they will scarce proceed, supposing you laugh because you have cheated them: the Crocodiles tears may sooner deceive them, than the Hyenas smiles: although they be not much addicted to laughter, yet are they not of a dumpish sad nature, but rather naturally cheerful: As I never saw a giggling Democrite, so I never saw a tear dropping Heraclite; no disaster being so prevalent as to open the floodgate of their eyes, saving the death of friends, for whom they lament most exceedingly. CHAP. VIII. Of their hardiness. FOr their hardiness it may procure admiration, no ordinary pains making them so much as alter their countenance; beat them, whip them, pinch them, punch them, if they resolve not to whinch for it, they will not; whether it be their benumbed insensibleness of smart, or their hardy resolutions, I cannot tell; It might be, a Perillus his Bull, or the disjointing rack might force a roar from them, but a Turkish drubbing would not much molest them, and although they be naturally much afraid of death, yet the unexpected approach of a mortal wound by a Bullet, Arrow, or Sword, strikes no more terror, causes no more exclamation, no more complaint, or whinching, than if it had been a shot into the body of a tree: such wounds as would be sudden death to an English man, would be nothing to them. Some of them having been shot in at the mouth, and out under the ear, some shot in the breast, some run through the flanks with Darts, and other many desperate wounds which either by their rare skill in the use of vegitatives, or diabolical charms they cure in short time. Although their hardiness bear them out in such things wherein they are sure death will not ensue, yet can it not expel the fear 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 run 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 meet with his last, will not come near that in good earnest, which he dare play withal in jest. To make this good by a passage of Experience. Three men having occasion of trade amongst the Western Indians, went up with some such commodities as they thought most fit for trade; to secure their person they took a Carbine, two Pistoles and a sword, which in outward show was not great resistance to a hundred well skilled bow men: The Indians hearing their guns making a thundering noise, desired to finger one of them, & see it discharged into a tree, wondering much at the percussion of the bullet; but they abiding two or three days, the guns were forgotten, and they began to look at the odds being a hundred to three, whereupon they were animated to work 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, smelled out their treachery, and being more fully informed of their intent by the Indian women, who had more pity, he steps to their King, and hailing him by the long hair from the rest of his council, commanded him either to go 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 go no further; in the end he would not, neither for fair promises nor fierce threatenings, 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 unless they sent him his goods again, which he there left, he would serve them as he served their King, whereupon they returned him his commodities, with entreaty of peace, and promises of fairer trade if he came again. If these heartless Indians were so cowed with so slender an onset on their own dunghill, when there were scarce six families of ours in the Country, what need we now fear them being grown into thousands, and having knowledge of martial discipline? In the night they need not to be feared, for they will not budge from their own dwellings for fear of their Abamacho (the Devil) whom they much fear, specially in evil erterprises, they will rather lie by an English fire than go a quarter of a mile in the dark to their own dwellings: but they are well freed from this scarecrow since the coming of the English, and less care for his delusions; and whereas it hath been reported, that there are such horrible apparitions, fearful roar, thundering and lightning raised by the Devil, to discourage the English in their settling, I for mine own part never saw or heard of any of these things in the Country: nor have I heard of any Indians that have lately been put in fear, saving two or three, and they worse scared 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 Devil, deeming all Devils that are blacker than themselves; and being near to the plantation, they posted to the English, and entreated their aid to conjure this Devil to his own place, who finding him to be a poor wand'ring Blackamoor, 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 civilised people, are ravished with admiration at the first view of any such sight: They took the first Ship they saw for a walking Island, the Mast to be a Tree, the Sail white Clouds, and the discharging of Ordinance for Lightning and Thunder, which did much trouble them, but this thunder being over, and this moving Island stedied with an Anchor, they manned out their cannowes to go and pick strawberries there, but being saluted by the way with a broad side, they cried out, what much hoggery, so big walk, and so big speak, and by and by kill; which caused them to turn back, not daring to approach till they were sent for. They do much extol and wonder at the English for their strange Inventions, especially for a Windmill, which in their esteem was little less than the world's wonder, for the strangeness of his whisking motion, and the sharp teeth biting the corn (as they term it) into such small pieces; they were loath at the first to come near to his long arms, or to abide in so tottering a tabernacle, though now they dare go any where so far as they have an English guide. The first ploughman was counted little better than a juggler: the Indians seeing the plough tear up more ground in a day, than their Clamme shells could scrape up in a month, desired to see the workmanship of it, and viewing well the coulter and share, perceiving it to be iron, told the ploughman, he was almost Abamocho, almost as cunning as the Devil; but the fresh supplies of new and strange objects hath lessened their admiration, and quickened their inventions, and desire of practising such things as they see, wherein they express no small ingenuity, and dexterity of wit, being neither furthered by art, or long experience. It is thought they would soon learn any mechanical trades, having quick wits, understanding apprehensions, strong memories, with nimble inventions, and a quick hand in using of the Axe or Hatchet, or such like tools; much good might they receive from the English, and much might they benefit themselves, if they were not strongly fettered in the chains of idleness; so as that they had rather starve than work, following no employments, saving such as are sweetened with more pleasures and profit than pains or care, and this is indeed 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 subtlety & cunning by bargaining with the English, so have they a little degenerated from some of their lazy customs, and show 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 constrain 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 civilised 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 do easily believe 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 Gospel, and it exceeds so far their Indian belief, 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 God's blessing upon the creatures received, they have been reproved by these, which formerly never knew what calling upon God meant: thus far for their natural disposition and qualities. CHAP. X. Of their King's government, and Subjects obedience. NOw for the matter of government amongst them: It is the custom for their Kings to inherit, the son always taking the Kingdom after his father's death. If there be no son, than the Queen rules; if no Queen, the next to the blood-royal, who comes in otherwise, is but counted an usurping intruder, and if his fair carriage bear him not out the better, they will soon unscepter him. The Kings have no Laws to command by, nor have they any annual revenues; yet commonly are they so either feared or beloved, that half their Subject's estate is at their Service, and their persons at his command; by which command he is better known than by any thing else. For though he hath no Kingly Robes, to make him glorious in the view of his Subjects, nor daily Guards to secure his person, or Courtlike attendance, nor sumptuous Palaces; yet do they yield all submissive subjection to him, accounting him their Sovereign; going at his command, and coming at his beck, not so much as expostulating the cause, though it be in matters thwarting their wills; he being accounted a disloyal subject, that will not effect what his Prince commands. Whosoever is known to plot Treason, or to lay violent hands on his lawful King, is presently executed. Once a year he takes his progress, accompanied with a dozen of his best Subjects to view his Country, to recreate himself, and establish good order. When he enters into any of their houses, without any more compliment, he is desired to sit down on the ground; (for they use neither stools nor cushions) and after a little respite, all that be present, come in, and sit down 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 peaceful government. A King of large Dominions hath his Viceroys, or inferior Kings under him, to agitate his State-affairs, and keep his Subjects in good decorum. Other Officers there be, but how to distinguish them by name is something difficult: For their Laws, as their evil courses come short of many other Nations, so they have not so many Laws, though they be not without some, which they inflict upon notorious malefactors, as Traitors to their Prince, inhuman murderers, and some say for adultery; but I cannot warrant it for a truth. For theft, as they have nothing to steal worth the life of a man, therefore they have no law to execute for trivials; 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 inquire out the original of a thing; after proceeding by aggravation of circumstances, he is found guilty, and being cast by the jury of their strict inquisition, he is condemned, and executed on this manner: The Executioner comes in, who blindfolds the party, sets him in the public view, and brains him with a Tamahauke or Club; which done, his friends bury him. Other means to restrain abuses they have none, saving admonition or reproof; no whip, no Prisons, Stocks, Bilbowes, or the like. CHAP. XI. Of their Marriages. NOw to speak something of their Marriages, the Kings or great Powwowes, alias Conjurers, may have two or three Wives, but seldom use it. Men of ordinary Rank, having but one; which disproves the report, that they had eight or ten Wives apiece. When a man hath a desire to Marry, he first gets the goodwill of the Maid or Widow, after, the consent of her friends for her part; and for himself, if he be at his own disposing, if the King will, the match is made, her Dowry of Wampompeage paid, the King joins their hands with their hearts, never to part till death, unless she prove a Whore; for which they may, and some have put away their Wives, as may appear by a story. There was one Abamoch married a Wife, whom a long time he entirely loved above her deservings, for that she often in his absence entertained strangers, of which he was oftentimes informed by his neighbours; but he harbouring no spark of jealousy, believed not their false informations (as he deemed them) being in a manner angry they should slander his Wife, of whose constancy he was so strongly conceited: A long time did her whorish gloazing and Siren-like tongue, with her subtle carriage, establish her in her Husband's favour, till fresh complaints caused him to cast about, how to find out the truth, and to prove his friends liars, and his Wife honest, or her a Whore, and his friends true: whereupon he pretended a long journey to visit his friends, providing all accoutrements for a fortnight's journey; telling his Wife it would be so long before she could expect his return, who outwardly sorrowed for his departure, but inwardly rejoiced, that she should enjoy the society of her old Leman; whom she sent for with expedition, not suspecting her Husband's plot, who lay not many miles off in the Woods; who after their dishonest revel, when they were in their midnight sleep, approaches the Wiggwamme, enters the door, which was neither barred nor locked; makes a light to discover what he little suspected; but finding his friends words to be true, he takes a good bastinado in his hand brought for the same purpose, dragging him by the hair from his usurped bed, so lamentably beating him, that his battered bones and bruised flesh made him a fitter object for some skilful Surgeon, than the lovely object of a lustful strumpet; which done, he put away his wife, exposing her to the courtesy of strangers for her maintenance, that so curtesan-like had entertained a stranger into her bosom. CHAP. XII. Of their worship, invocations, and conjurations. NOw of their worships: As it is natural to all mortals to worship something, so do these people, but exactly to describe to whom their worship is chiefly bend, 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 be full with a good crop: upon this God likewise they invocate for fair weather, for rain in time of drought, and for the recovery of their sick; but if they do not hear them, than they verify the old verse, Flectere si nequeo Superos, Acharonta movebo, their Pow-wows betaking themselves to their exorcisms and necromantic charms, by which they bring to pass strange things, if we may believe the Indians, who report of one Pissacannawa, that he can make the water burn, the rocks move, the trees dance, metamorphize himself into a flaming man. But it may be objected, this is but deceptio visus. He will therefore do more, for in Winter, when there is no green leaves to be got, he will burn an old one to ashes, and putting those into the water, produce a new green leaf, which you shall not only see, but substantially handle and carry away; and make of a dead snakes skin a living snake, both to be seen, felt, and heard; this I write but upon the report of the Indians, who confidently affirm stranger things. But to make manifest, that by God's permission, through the Devils help, their charms are of force to produce effects of wonderment; An honest Gentleman related a story to me, being an eye-witness of the same: A Pow-wow having a patient with the stump of some small tree run through his foot, being past the cure of his ordinary Surgery, betook himself to his charms, and being willing to show his miracle before the English stranger, he wrapped a piece of cloth about the foot of the lame man; upon that wrapping a Beaver skin, through which he laying his mouth to the Beaver skin, by his sucking charms he brought out the stump, which he spat into a trey of water, returning the foot 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 down, 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 Bear, other times groaning like a dying horse, foaming at the mouth like a chased boar, smiting on his naked breast and thighs with such violence, as if he were mad. Thus will he continue sometimes half a day, spending his lungs, sweeting out his fat, and tormenting his body in this diabolical worship; sometimes the Devil for requital of their worship, recovers the party, to nuzzle them up in their devilish Religion. In former time he was wont to carry away their wives and children, because he would drive them to these Matins, to fetch them again to confirm their belief of this his much desired authority 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 supreme. They acknowledge the power of the English-ans God, as they call, him, because they could never yet have power by their conjurations to damnify the English either in body or goods; and beside, they say he is a good God that sends them so many good things, so much good corn, so many cattle, temperate reins, fair seasons, which they likewise are the better for since the arrival of the English; the times and seasons being much altered in seven or eight years, freer from lightning and thunder, long droughts, sudden and tempestuous dashes of rain, and lamentable cold Winters. CHAP. XIII. Of their Wars. OF their Wars: Their old soldiers being swept away by the Plague, which was very rife amongst them about 14 years ago, and resting themselves secure under the English protection, they do not now practise any thing in martial feats worth observation, saving that they make themselves Forts to fly into, if the enemies should unexpectedly assail them. These Forts some be forty or fifty foot square, erected of young timber trees, ten or twelve foot high, rammed into the ground, with undermining within, the earth being cast up for their shelter against the dischargements of their enemies, having loopholes to send out their winged messengers, which often deliver their sharp and bloody embassies in the tawny sides of their naked assailants, who wanting butting Rams and battering Ordinances to command at distance, lose their lives by their too near approachments. These use no other weapons in war than bows and arrows, saving that their Captains have long spears, on which if they return conquerors they carry the heads of their chief enemies that they slay in the wars: it being the custom to cut off their heads, hands, and feet, to bear home to their wives and children, as true tokens of their renowned victory. When they go to their wars, it is their custom to paint their faces with diversity of colours, some being all black as jet, some red, some half red and half black, some black and white, others spotted with diverse kinds of colours, being all disguised to their enemies, to make them more terrible to their foes, putting on likewise their rich jewels, pendents and Wampompeage, to put them in mind they fight not only for their Children, Wives, and lives, but likewise for their goods, lands and liberties; Being thus armed with this warlike paint, the antique warriors make towards their enemies in a disordered manner, without any soldier like marching or warlike postures, being deaf to any word of command, ignorant of falling off, or falling on, of doubling ranks or files, but let fly their winged shaftments without either fear or wit; their Artillery being spent, he that hath no arms to fight, finds legs to run away. CHAP. XIIII. Their games and sports of activity. But to leave their wars, and to speak of their games in which they are more delighted and better experienced, spending half their days 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 Lottery. Puim is 50. or 60. small Bends of a foot long which they divide to the number of their gamesters, shuffling them first between the palms of their hands; he that hath more than his fellow is so much the forwarder in his game: many other strange whimsies be in this game; which would be too long to commit to paper; he that is a noted gamester, hath a great hole in his ear wherein he carries his Puims in defiance of his antagonists. Hubbub is five small Bones in a small smooth Tray, the bones be like a Die, but something flatter, black on the one side and white on the other, which they place on the ground, against which violently themping 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 black or white, make a double game; if three be of a colour and two of another, than they afford but a single game; four of a colour and one differing is nothing; so long as a man wins, he keeps the trey: but if he lose, the next man takes it. They are so bewitched with these two games, that they will lose sometimes all they have, Beaver, Moose-skinnes, Kettles, Wampompeage, Mowhackies, Hatchets, Knives, all is confiscate by these two games. For their sports of activity they have commonly but three or four; as football, shooting, running and swimming: when they play country against country, there are rich Goals, all behung with Wampompeage, Mowhackies, Beaver skins, and black Otter skins. It would exceed the belief of many to relate the worth of one Goal, wherefore it shall be nameless. Their Goals 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 Air with their naked feet, sometimes it is swayed by the multitude; sometimes also it is two days before they get a Goal, than they mark the ground they win, and begin there the next day. Before they come to this sport, they paint themselves, even as when they go to war, in policy to prevent future mischief, 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 arms be disordered, and hung upon some neighbouring tree, after which they make a long scroll on the sand, over which they shake loving hands, and with laughing hearts scuffle for victory. While the men play the boy's pipe, and the women dance and sing trophies of their husband's 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 toss of their Ball, their flouncing into the water, their lubberlike wrestling, having no cunning at all in that kind, one English being able to beat ten Indians at football. For their shooting they be most desperate marks-men for a point blank object, and if it may be possible Cornicum oculos configere they will do it: such is their celerity and dexterity in Artillery, that they can smite the swift running Hind and nimble winked Pigeon without a standing paul or left eyed blinking; they draw their Arrows between the fore fingers and the thumb; their bows be quick, but not very strong, not killing above six or seven score. These men shoot at one another, but with swift conveyance shun the Arrow; this they do to make them expert against time of war. It hath been often admired how they can find their Arrows, be the weeds as high as themselves, yet they take such perfect notice of the flight and fall that they seldom lose any. They are trained up to their bows even from their childhood; little boys with Bows made of little sticks and Arrows of great bents, will smite down a piece of Tobacco pipe every shoot a good way off: as these Indians be good markemen, so are they well experienced where the very life of every creature lieth, and know where to smite him to make him dye presently. For their swimming it is almost natural, but much perfected by continual practice; their swimming is not after our English fashion of spread arms and legs which they hold too tiresome, but like dogs their arms before them cutting through the liquids with their right shoulder; in this manner they swim very swift and far, 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 swim when they are very young. For their running it is with much celerity 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 days, being they be very strong wound and rightly clad for a race. CHAP. XV. Of their hunt. FOr their hunting, it is to be noted that they have no swift foot Grayhounds, to let slip at the sight of the Deer, no deep mouthed hounds, or scenting beagles, to find out their desired prey; themselves are all this, who in that time of the year, when the Deer comes down, having certain hunting houses, in such places where they know the Dear usually doth frequent, in which they keep their randevowes, their snares and all their accoutrements for that employment: when they get sight of a Deer, Moose or Bear, they study how to get the wind of him, and approaching within shot, stab their mark quite through, if the bones hinder not. The chief thing they hunt after is Dear, Mooses, and Bears, it grieves them more to see an English man take one Deer, than a thousand Acres of land: they hunt likewise after Wolves, and wild Cats, Rackoones, Otters, Beavers, Musquashes, trading both their skins 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 only a gap of six foot long, over against which, in the day time they lie lurking to shoot the Deer which come through that narrow gut; so many as come within the circumference of that hedge, seldom return back to leap over, unless they be forced by the chase of some ravenous Wolf, or sight of some accidentatall passenger; in the night at the gut of this hedge, they set Dear traps, which are springs made of young trees, and smooth wrought coards; so strong as it will toss a horse if he be caught in it. An English Mare being strayed from her owner, and grown wild by her long sojourning in the Woods ranging up and down with the wild crew, stumbled into one of these traps which stopped her speed, hanging her like Mahomet's tomb, betwixt earth and heaven; the morning being come, the Indians went to look what good success their Venison traps had brought them, but seeing such a long scutted Deer, prance in their Merritotter, they bade her good morrow, crying out, what cheer what cheer Englishmans squaw horse; having no better epithet than to call her a woman horse, but being loath to kill her, and as fearful to approach near the friscadoes of her Iron heels, 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 tameness, which since hath brought many a good foal, and performed much good service. In these traps Deers, Moose, Bears, Wolves, Cats, and Foxes, are often caught. For their Beavers and Otters, they have other kind of traps, so ponderous as is unsupportable for such creatures, the massy burden whereof either takes them prisoners, or expels their breath from their squised bodies. These kind of creatures would gnaw the other kind of traps asunder, with their sharp teeth: these beasts are too cunning for the English, who seldom or never catch any of them, therefore we leave them to those skilful hunters whose time is not so precious, whose experience bought-skill hath made them practical and useful in that particular. CHAP. XVI. Of their Fishing. OF their fishing, in this trade they be very expert, being experienced in the knowledge of all baits, fitting sundry baits for several fishes, and divers seasons; being not ignorant likewise of the removal of fishes, knowing when to fish in rivers, and when at rocks, when in Bayss, and when at Seas: since the English came they be furnished with English hooks and lines, before they made them of their own hemp more curiously wrought, of stronger materials than ours, hooked with bone hooks: but laziness drives them to buy more than profit or commendations wins them to make of their own; they make likewise very strong Sturgeon nets with which they catch Sturgeons of 12.14, and 16. some 18. foot long in the day time, in the night time they betake them to their Burtchen Cannows, in which they carry a forty fathom line, with a sharp bearded dart, fastened at the end thereof; then lightning a blazing torch made of Burcthen rinds, they wove it too and again 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 lance, his back being impenetrable; which done they hail to the shore their struggling prize. They have often recourse unto the rocks whereupon the sea beats, in warm weather to look out for sleepy Seals, whose oil they much esteem, using it for diverse things. In summer they seldom fish any where but in salt, in winter in the fresh water and ponds; in frosty weater they cut round holes in the ice, about which they will sit like so many apes, on their naked breeches upon the congealed ice, catching of Pikes, Perches, Breames, and other sorts of fresh water fish. CHAP. XVII. Of their Arts and Manufactures. OF their several Arts and employments, as first in dressing of all manner of skins, which they do by scraping and rubbing, afterwards painting them with antique embroydering in unchangeable colours, sometimes they take off the hair, especially if it be not killed in season. Their bows they make of a handsome shape, strung commonly with the sinews of Moose; their arrows are made of young Eldern, feathered with feathers of Eagles wings and tails, headed with brass in shape of a heart or triangle, fastened in a slender piece of wood six or 8 inches long, which is framed to put loose in the pithy Eldern, that is bound fast for riving: their arrows be made in this manner because the arrow might shake from his head and be left behind for their finding, and the pile only remain to gall the wounded beast. Their cordage is so even, soft, and smooth, that it looks more like silk than hemp; their Sturgeon nets be not deep, nor above 30. or 40. foot 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 tools, they burned hollow, scraping them smooth with Clam-shels and Oyster-shels, cutting their outsides with stone-hatchets: These Boats be not above a foot and a half, or two feet wide, and twenty foot long. Their other Cannows be made of thin Birch-rines, close-ribbed on the inside with broad thin hoops, like the hoops 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 fearful tottering, they will venture to Sea, when an English Shallope dare not bear a knot of sail; scudding over the overgrown waves as fast as a wind-driven Ship, being driven by their padles; being much like battle doors; if a cross wave (as is seldom) turn her keel up-side down, they by swimming free her, and scramble into her again. CHAP. XVIII. Of their Language. OF their Language which is only peculiar to themselves, not inclining to any of the refined tongues. Some have thought they might be of the dispersed jews, because some of their words be near unto the Hebrew; but by the same rule they may conclude them to be some of the glean of all Nations, because they have words which sound after the Greek, Latin, French, and other tongues: Their Language is hard to learn; few of the English being able to speak any of it, or capable of the right pronunciation, which is the chief 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 do T and H, calling a Lobster a Nobstann. Every Country do something differ in their Speech, even as our Northern people do from the Southern, and Western from them; especially the Tarrenteens, whose Tongues run so much upon R, that they wharle much in pronunciation. When any ships come near the shore, they demand whether they be King Charles his Torries, with such a rumbling sound, as if one were beating an unbraced Drum. In serious discourse our Southern Indians use seldom any short Colloquiums, but speak their minds at large, without any interjected interruptions from any: The rest giving diligent audience to his utterance: which done, some or other returns him as long an answer, they love not to speak multa sed multum, seldom 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 special good intent of doing good to their souls, hath spent much time in attaining to their Language, wherein he is so good a proficient, that he can speak to their understanding, and they to his; much loving and respecting him for his love and counsel. It is hoped that he may be an instrument of good amongst them. They love any man that can utter his mind in their words, yet are they not a little proud that they can speak the English tongue, using it as much as their own, when they meet with such as can understand it, puzzling stranger Indians, which sometimes visit them from more remote places, with an unheard language. CHAP. XIX. Of their deaths, burials, and mourning. ALthough the Indians be of lusty and healthful bodies, not experimentally knowing the Catalogue of those health-wasting diseases which are incident to other Countries, as Fevers, Pleurisies, Callentures, Agues, Obstructions, Consumptions, Subfumigations, Convulsions, Apoplexies, Dropsies, Gouts, Stones, Tooth-aches, Pox, Measles, or the like, but spin out the thread of their days to a fair length, numbering threescore, fourscore, some a hundred years, before the world's universal summoner cite them to the craving Grave: But the date of their life expired, and Death's arestment seizing upon them, all hope of recovery being past, then to behold and hear their throbbing sobs and deepe-fetcht sighs, their griefe-wrung hands, and teare-bedewed cheeks, their doleful cries, would draw tears from Adamantine eyes, that be but spectators of their mournful Obsequies. The glut of their grief being past, they commit the corpses of their diceased friends to the ground, over whose grave is for a long time spent many a briny tear, deep groan, and Irish-like howl, continuing annual mournings with a black stiff paint on their faces: These are the Mourners without hope, yet do they hold the immortality of the neverdying soul, that it shall pass to the South-west Elysium, concerning which their Indian faith jumps much with the Turkish Koran, holding it to be a kind of Paradise, wherein they shall everlastingly abide, solacing themselves in odoriferous Gardens, fruitful Corne-fields, green Meadows, bathing their tawny hides in the cool streams of pleasant Rivers▪ and shelter themselves from heat and cold in the sumptuous Palaces framed by the skill of Nature's curious contrivement; concluding that neither care nor pain shall molest them, but that Nature's bounty will administer all things with a voluntary contribution from the overflowing store-house of their Elyzian Hospital, at the portal whereof they say, lies a great Dog, whose churlish snarlings deny a Pax intrantibus, to unworthy intruders: Wherefore it is their custom, 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 prerogatives in their Paradise. For their enemies and loose livers, whom they account unworthy of this imaginary happiness, they say, that they pass to the infernal dwellings of Abamocho, to be tortured according to the fictions of the ancient Heathen▪ CHAP. XIX. Of their women, their dispositions, employments, usage by their husbands, their apparel, and modesty. TO satisfy the curious eye of women-readers, who otherwise might think their sex forgotten, or not worthy a record, let them peruse these few lines, wherein they may see their own happiness, if weighed in the woman's balance of these ruder Indians, who scorn the tutering of their wives, or to admit them as their equals, though their qualities and industrious deservings may justly claim the pre-eminence, and command better usage and more conjugal esteem, their persons and features being every way correspondent, their qualifications more excellent, being more loving, pitiful, and modest, mild, provident, and laborious than their lazy husbands. Their employments be many: First their building of houses, whose frames are form like our garden-arbours, something more round, very strong and handsome, covered with close-wrought mats of their own weaving, which deny entrance to any drop of rain, though it come both fierce and long, neither can the piercing North wind find a cranny, through which he can convey his cooling breath, they be warmer than our English houses; at the top is a square hole for the smokes evacuation, which in rainy weather is covered with a pluver; these be such smoky dwellings, that when there is good fires, they are not able to stand upright, but lie all along under the smoke, never using any stools or chairs, it being as rare to see an Indian sit on a stool at home, as it is strange to see an English man sit on his heels abroad. Their houses are smaller in the Summer, when their families be dispersed, by reason of heat and occasions. In Winter they make some fifty or threescore foot long, forty or fifty men being inmates under one roof; and as is their husband's occasion these poor tectonists are often troubled like snails, to carry their houses on their backs sometime to fishing-places, other times to hunting-places, after that to a planting place, where it abides the longest: an other work is their planting of come, wherein they exceed our English husbandmen, keeping it so clear with their Clamme shell-hooes, as if it were a garden rather than a cornfield, not suffering a choking weed to advance his audacious head above their infant corn, or an undermining worm to spoil his spurns. Their corn being ripe, they gather it, and drying it hard in the Sun, convey it to their barns, which be great holes digged in the ground in form of a brass pot, seeled with rinds of trees, wherein they put their corn, covering it from the inquisitive search of their gurmandizing husbands, who would eat up both their allowed portion, and reserved seed, if they knew where to find it. But our hog's having found a way to unhindge their barn doors, and rob their garners, they are glad to implore their husbands help to roll the bodies of trees over their holes, to prevent those pioneers, whose thievery they as much hate as their flesh. An other of their employments is their Summer processions to get Lobsters for their husbands, wherewith they bait their hooks when they go a fishing for Basse or Codfish. This is an every days walk, be the weather cold or hot, the waters rough or calm, they must dive sometimes over head and ears for a Lobster, which often shakes them by their hands with a churlish nip, and bids them adieu. The tide being spent, they trudge home two or three miles, with a hundred weight of Lobsters at their backs, and if none, a hundred scoules meet them at home, and a hungry belly for two days after. Their husbands having caught any fish, they bring it in their boats as far as they can by water, and there leave it; as it was their care to catch it, so it must be their wife's pains to fetch it home, or fast: which done, they must dress it and cook it, dish it, and present it, see it eaten over their shoulders; and their loggerships having filled their paunches, their sweet lullabies scramble for their scraps. In the Summer these Indian women when Lobsters be in their plenty and prime, they dry them to keep for Winter, erecting scaffolds in the hot sunshine, making fires likewise underneath them, by whose smoke the flies are expelled, till the substance remain hard and dry. In this manner they dry Basse and other fishes without salt, cutting them very thin to dry suddenly, before the flies spoil them, or the rain moist them, having a special care to hang them in their smoky houses, in the night and dankish weather. In Summer they gather flags, of which they make Mats for houses, and Hemp and Rushes, with dying stuff of which they make curious baskets with intermixed colours and portraitures of antique Imagery: these baskets be of all sizes from a quart to a quarter, in which they carry their luggage. In winter time they are their hubands' Caterers, trudging to the Clamm banks for their belly timber, and their Porters to lug home their Venison which their laziness exposes to the Woolves till they impose it upon their wife's shoulders. They likewise sew their husband's shoes, and wove coats of Turkey feathers, besides all their ordinary household drudgery which daily lies upon them, so that a big belly hinders no business, nor a childbirth takes much time, but the young Infant being greased and sooted, wrapped in a Beaver skin, bound to his good behaviour with his feet up to his bum, upon a board two foot long and one foot broad, his face exposed to all nipping weather; this little Pappouse travels about with his bare footed mother to paddle in the Icy Clammbankes after three or four days of age have sealed his pass●board and his mother's recovery. For their carriage it is very civil, smiles being the greatest grace of their mirth; their music is lullabies to quiet their children, who generally are as quiet as if they had neither spleen or lungs. To hear one of these Indians unseen, a good care might easily mistake their untaught voice for the warbling of a well tuned instrument. Such command have they of their voices. These women's modesty drives them to wear more clothes than their men, having always a coat of cloth or skins wrapped like a blanket about their loins, reaching down to their hams which they never put off in company. If a husband have a mind to sell his wife's Beaver, petticoat, as sometimes he doth, she will not put it off until she have another to put on: commendable is their mild carriage and obedience to their husbands, notwithstanding all this their customary churlishness and savage inhumanity, not seeming to delight in frowns or offering to word it with their lords, not presuming to proclaim their female superiority to the usurping of the least title of their husband's charter, but rest themselves content under their helpless condition, counting it the woman's portion: since the English arrival comparison hath made them miserable, for seeing the kind usage of the English to their wives, they do as much condemn their husbands for unkindness, and commend the English for their love. As their husbands commending themselves for their wit in keeping their wives industrious, do condemn the English for their folly in spoiling good working creatures. These women resort often to the English houses, where pares cum paribus congregatae, in Sex I mean, they do somewhat ease their misery by complaining and seldom part without a relief: If her husband come to seek for his Squaw and begin to bluster, the English woman betakes her to her arms which are the warlike Ladle, and the scalding liquors, threatening blistering to the naked runaway, who is soon expelled by such liquid comminations. In a word to conclude this woman's history, their love to the English hath deserved no small esteem, ever presenting them some thing that is either rare or desired, as Strawberries, Hurtleberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries, Cherries, Plums, Fish, and other such gifts as their poor treasury yields them. But now it may be, that this relation of the churlish and inhuman behaviour of these ruder Indians towards their patient wives, may confirm some in the belief of an aspersion, which I have often heard men cast upon the English there, as if they should learn of the Indians to use their wives in the like manner, and to bring them to the same subjection, as to sit on the lower hand, and to carry water, and the like drudgery: but if my own experience may out-ballance an ill-grounded scandalous rumour, I do assure you, upon my credit and reputation, that there is no such matter, but the women find there as much love, respect, and ease, as here in old England. I will not deny, but that some poor people may carry their own water, and do not the poorer sort in England do the same, witness your London Tankerdbearers, and your countrie-cottagers? But this may well be known to be nothing, but the rancerous venom of some that bear no good will to the plantation. For what need they carry water, seeing every one hath a Spring at his door, or the Sea by his house? Thus much for the satisfaction of women, touching this entrenchment upon their prerogative, as also concerning the relation of these Indian Squawes. Because many have desired to hear some of the Natives Language, I have here inserted a small Nomenclator, with the Names of their chief Kings, Rivers, Months, and days, whereby such as have insight into the Tongues, may know to what Language it is most inclining; and such as desire it as an unknown Language only, may reap delight, if they can get no profit. A Aberginian an Indian Abbamocho the devil Aunum a dog Ausupp a Rackoone Au so have naut hoc Lobstar Assawog will you play A saw up to morrow Ascoscoi greene Ausomma petuc quanocke give me some bread Appepes naw aug when I see it I will tell you my mind Anno ke nugge a sieve An nu ocke a bed Autchu wompocke to day Appause the morn Ascom quom pauputchim thanks be given to God. B Boquoquo the head Bisquant the shoulderbones C Chesco kean you lie Commouton kean you steal Cram to kill Chicka chava osculari podicem Cowimms sleeps Cocum the navel Cos the nail's Conomma a spoon Cossaquot bow and arrow's Cone the Sun Cotattup I drink to you Coetop will you drink Tobaco Connucke sommona It is almost night Connu good night to you Cowompaum sin God morrow Coepot ice D Dottaguck the back bone Dock taugh he neck what is your name E Et chossucke a knife Eat chumnis Indian corn Eans causuacke 4 fathoms Easu tommoc quocke half a skin of Beaver Epimetsis much good may your meat do you F f. is not used. G Gettoquaset the great toe Genehuncke the fore finger Gettoquacke the knees Gettoquun the knuckles Gettoquan the thumb Gegnewaw og let me see H Haha yes Hoc the body Hamucke almost Hub hub hub come come come Haddo quo dunna moquonash where did you buy that Haddogoe weage who lives here I Isattonaneise the bread Icattop faint with hunger Icatto quam very sleepy K Kean I Keisseanchacke back of the hand Cosetta it hurts me Kawkenog wampompeage let me see money Kagmatcheu will you eat meat Kettotug a whet stone Kenie very sharp Kettotanese lend me money Kekechoi much pain L L is not used. M Matchet It is nought Mattamoi to die Mitchin meat Misquanium very angry Mauncheake be gone Matta no Meseig hair Mamanock the eye breeze Matchanne the nose Mattone the lips Mepeiteis the teeth Mattickeiss the shoulders Mettosowset the little toe Metosaunige the little finger Misquish the veins Mohoc the waist Menisowhock the genitals Mocossa the black of the nail Matchanni very sick Monacus bows and arrows Manehops sit down Monakinne a coat Mawcus sinnus a pair of shoes Matchemauquot it stinketh Muskana a bone Menota a basket Meatchis be merry Mawpaw it snows Mawnaucoi very strong Mutchecu a very poor man Monosketenog what's this Mouskett the breech Matchet wequon very blunt Matta ka tau caushana will you not trade Mowhacheis Indian gold N N a boy Nick squaw a maid Nean you Nip water Nasamp pottadge Nota six Nisquan the elbow Noenaset the third toe Nahenan a black bird Naw naunidge the middle finger Napet the arm Nitchicke the hand Nottoquap the skin Nogcus the heart Nobpaw nock the breast bone Nequaw the thighs Netop a friend Nenmia give me Noeicantop how do you Nawhaw nissis farewell Noei pauketan by and by kill Nenelah ha' I'll fight with you Noei comquocke a codfish Nepaupe stand by No ottut a great journey Necautauh han no such matter Noewamma he laugheth Noeshow a father Nitka a mother Netchaw a brother Notonquous a kinsman Nenomous a kinswoman Nau maeu nais my son Taunais my daughter No einshom give me corn Nemnis take it Nenimma nequitta ta auchu give me a span of any thing. Nees nis ca su acke 2 fathom Notchumoi a little strong Negacawgh hi lend me Nebuks quam adieu Noe winyah come in Naut seam much weary No wammaw ause I love you Net no whaw missu. a man of a middle stature O Ottucke a Dear Occone a Dear skin Oquan the heel Ottump a bow Ottommaocke Tobacco Ottannapeake the chin Occotucko the throat Occasu half a quarter Vnquagh saw au you are cunning Ontoquos a Wolf P Pow-wow a conjurer or wizard Petta sinna give me a pipe of Tobaco Peoke Coltsfoot Pappouse a child Petucquanocke bread Pick a pipe Ponesanto make a fire Papowne winter Pequas a Fox Pausochis a little journey Peamissin a little Peacumshis' work hard Pokitta smoke Petogge a bag Paucasu a quarter Pausawniscosu half a fathom Peunctanmocke much pray Pesissu a little man Pausepissoi the sun is rising Pouckshau it is broken Poebugketaas you burn Poussis a big bellied woman Q Quequas nummos what cheer Quequas nim it is almost day Quog quosh make haste Quenobpuuncke a stool Quenops be quiet R R is never used. S Sagamore a king Sachem idem Sannup a man Squaw a woman Squitta a fire spark Saggig a Basse Sea-sick a rattle snake Shannucke a Squerill Skesicos the eyes Sickeubecke the neck Supskinge the wrist bones Socottocanus the breast bone Squehincke blood Siccaw quant the hams Sis sau causke the shins Suppiske ankle bones Seat the foot Seaseap a duck Suckis suacke a Clam Sequan the summer Sockepup he will bite Sis come out Squi red Swanscaw suacko 3 fathoms Sawawampeago very weak Succomme I will eat you Sasketupe a great man T Taubut nean he Thanks heartily Tantacum beat him Tap in go in Titta I cannot tell Tahanyah what news Tonagus the ears Tannicke a cranny Thaw the calf of the leg Tahascat the sole of the foot Tasse che quonunck the instep Tonokete naum whither go you Tannissin may which is the way Tunketappin where live you Tonocco wam where have you been Tasis a pair of stockings Tockucke a hatchet Towwow a sister Tom maushew a husband Tookesin enough sleep Titto kean cotoquam do you nod and sleep Tau kequam very heavy Tauh coi it is very cold V Vkepemanous the breast bone Vnkesheto will you truck W Wampompeage Indian money Winnet very good Web a wife Wigwam a house Wawmott enough Whenan the tongue Whanksis a Fox Wawpatucke a Goose Wawpiske the belly Who nuncke a ditch Wappinne the wind Wawtom understand you Wompey white Wa aoy the sun is down Waacoh the day breaks Wekemawquot it smells sweet Weneikinne it is very handsome Whissu hochuck the kettle boileth Waawnew you have lost your way Woenaunta it is a warm summer Wompoca to morrow Wawmauseu an honest man Weneicu a rich man Weitagcone a clear day Wawnauco yesterday X X never used Y yeips sit down yaus the sides yaugh there yough yough now yokes lice The number of 20. A quit 1 Nees 2 Nis 3 Yoaw 4 Abbona 5 Ocqinta 6 Enotta 7 Sonaske 8 Assaquoquin 9 Piocke 10 Apponna qiut 11 Apponees 12 Apponis 13 Appoyoaw 14 Apponabonna 15 Apponaquinta 16 Apponenotta 17 Apponsonaske 18 Apponasquoquin 19 Neenisschicke 20 The Indians count their time by nights, and not by days, as followeth. Sawup 1 sleeps Isoqunnocquock 2 sleeps Sucqunnocquocke 3 sleeps Yoawqunnocquock 4 sleeps Abonetta ta sucqunnocquock 5 sleeps Nequitta ta sucqunnocquock 6 sleeps Enotta ta sucqunnocquock 7 sleeps Soesicta sucqunnocquock 8 sleeps Pausa quoquin sucqunnocquock 9 sleeps Pawquo qunnocquock 10 sleeps How they call their Months. A quit-appause 1 months Neec-appause 2 months Nis-appause 3 months Yoaw appause 4 months Abonna appause 5 months Nequit appause 6 months Glotta appause 7 months Sonaske appause 8 months Assaquoquin appause 9 months Piocke appause 10 months Appona quit appause 11 months Appon nees appause 12 months Apponnis appause 13 months Apponyouw appause 14 months Nap nappona appause 15 months Nap napocquint appause 16 months Nap nap enotta appause 17 months Napsoe sick appause 18 months Nappawsoquoquin appause 16 months Neesnischicke appause 20 months Neesnischicke appon a quit appause 21 months Neesnischicke apponees appause 22 months Neesnischick apponis appause 23 months Neesnischick appo yoaw appause 24 months The names of the Indians as they be divided into several Countries. Tarrenteens Churchers Aberginians Narragansets Pequants Nipnets Connectacuts Mowhacks The Names of Sagamores. Woenohaquahham Anglice King john Montowompate Anglice King james Mausquonomend Igowam Sagamore Chickkatawbut Naponset Sagamore Canonicus Narraganset Sagamore Osomeagen Sagamore of the Pequants Kekut Petchutacut Sagamore Nassawwho●an Woesemagen Two Sagamoes of Nipust. Pissacannua A Sagamore and most noted Necromancer. Sagamores to the East and North-east, bearing rule amongst the Churchers and Tarrenteens. Nepawhamis Asteco Assotomowite Nannoponnacund Nattonanite. Noenotchuock The names of the noted Habitations. Merrimack Igowam Igoshaum Chobocco Anglice Nahumkeake Salem Saugus Swampscot Nahant Wìnnisimmet Mishaum Mishaumut Charles town Massachusets' Boston Mistick Pigsgusset Water town Naponset Matampan Dorchester Pawtuxet Plymouth Wessaguscus Conihosset Mannimeed Soewampset Situate Amuskeage Pemmiquid Saketehoc Sempreuiua Cannibek Penopscot Gwinhed Nawquot Musketoquid Nipnet Whawcheusets' At what places be Rivers of note. Cannibeck River Merrimacke River Tchobocco River Saugus River Mistick River Mishaum River Naponset River Wessaguscus River Luddam's Foard Narragausets' River Musk toquid River Hunniborne River Connectacut River FINIS.