Page:Good Newes from New England.djvu/73

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many other wiues, yet are they no other then concubines or ſervants, and yeeld a kinde of obedience to the principall, who ordereth the family, and them in it. The like their men obſerue alſo, and will adhere to the firſt during their liues; but put away the other at their pleaſure.

This gouernment is ſucceſſiue and not by choyce. If the father die before the ſonne or daughter be of age, then the childe is committed to the protection and tuition of ſome one amongſt them, who ruleth in his ſtead till he be of age, but when that is I know not.

Every Sachim knoweth how farre the bounds and limits of his owne Countrey extendeth, and that is his owne proper inheritance, out of that if any of his men deſire land to ſet their corne, hee giueth them as much as they can vſe, and ſets them their bounds. In this circuit whoſoever hunteth, if they kill any veniſon, bring him his fee, which is the fore parts of the ſame, if it be killed on the land, but if in the water, then the skin thereof: The great Sachims or Kings, know their owne bounds or limits of land, as well as the reſt.

All trauellers or ſtrangers for the moſt part lodge at the Sachims, when they come they tell them how long they will ſtay, and to what place they goe, during which time they receiue entertainement according to their perſons, but want not.

Once a yeere the Pnieſes vſe to prouoke the people to beſtow much corne on the Sachim. To that end they appoint a certain time and place neere the Sachims dwelling, where the people bring many baskets of corne, and make a great ſtack thereof. There the Pnieſes ſtand ready to giue thanks to the people on the Sachims behalfe, and after acquainteth the Sachims therewith, who fetcheth the ſame, and is no leſſe thankefull, beſtowing many gifts on them.

When any are viſited with ſickneſſe, their friends reſort vnto them for their comfort, and continue with them oft-