Part 8

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

CHAP. VIII.

_Of their hardinesse._

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

CHAP. IX.

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

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

CHAP. X.

_Of their Kings government, and Subjects obedience._

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

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

CHAP. XI.

_Of their Marriages._

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

CHAP. XII.

_Of their worship, invocations, and conjurations._