Page:Good Newes from New England.djvu/76

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Sachim himſelfe, before whom being naked he kneeleth, and will not offer to run away though hee beat him never ſo much, it being a greater diſparagement for a man to cry during the time of his correction, then is his offence and puniſhment.

As for their apparell they weare breeches and ſtockings in one like ſome Iriſh, which is made of Deare skinnes, and haue ſhooes of the ſame leather. They weare also a Dears skin looſe about them like a cloake, which they will turne to the weather ſide. In this habit they travell, but when they are at home or come to their iourneys end, preſently they pull off their breeches, ſtockins, and ſhooes, wring out the water if they bee wet, and dry them, and rub or chafe the ſame. Though theſe be off, yet haue they another ſmall garment that couereth their ſecrets. The men weare alſo when they goe abroad in colde weather an Otter or Foxe skin on their right arme, but onely their bracer on the left. Women and all of that ſexe weare ſtrings about their legs, which the men neuer doe.

The people are very ingenious and obſervatiue, they keepe account of time by the moone, and winters or ſummers; they know diuerſe of the ſtarres by name, in particular, they know the North-ſtarre and call it maske, which is to ſay the beare. Alſo they haue many names for the windes. They will gueſſe very well at the winde and weather before hand, by obſervations in the heauens. They report alſo, that ſome of them can cauſe the winde to blow in what part they liſt, can raiſe ſtormes and tempeſts which they vſually doe when they intend the death or deſtruction of other people, that by reavon of the vnſeaſonable weather they may take advantage of their enemies in their houſes. At ſuch times they performe their greateſt exployts, and in ſuch ſeaſons when they are at enmity with any, they keepe more carefull watch then at other times.

As for the language it is very copious, large, and difficult, as yet we cannot attain to any great meaſure thereof;