A key into the language of America, or, An help to the language of the natives in that part of America called New-England together with briefe observations of the customes, manners and worships, &c. of the aforesaid natives, in peace and warre, in life and death : on all which are added spirituall observations, generall and particular, by the authour ... / by Roger Williams ...

CHAP. XXIX. Of their Warre, &c. (Book 29)

A Quène.	Peace.
Nanoúeshin, & Awêpu.	A peaceable calme; for Awēpu signifies a calme.
Chépewess, & Mishittâshin.	A Northern storme of warre,

as they witti∣ly speake, and which England now wofully feeles, untill the Lord Jesus chide the winds, and rebuke the raging seas.

Nummusquântum.	I am angry.
Tawhitch musquaw∣naméan?	Why are you angry?
Aquie musquántash.	Cease from anger.
Chachépissu, nish∣qûetu.	Fierce.
Tawhitch chachepi∣séttit nishquéhet∣•…•…it?	Why are they fierce?

Cummusquáuna∣muck	He is angry with you.
Matwaûog.	Souldiers.
Matwaûonck.	A Battle.
Cnmmusqnaúnamish	I am angry with you.
Cummusquawname?	Are you angry with me?
Miskisaûwaw.	A quarrelsome fellow.
Tawhitch niskqúe∣kean?	Why are you so fierce?
Ntatakcómmuck qun ewò.	He strucke mee.
Nummokókunitch	I am robbed.
Ncheckéqunnitch.
Mecaûtea.	A fighter.
Mecâuntitea.	Let us fight.
Mecaúnteass.	Fight with him.
Wepè cummécautch.	You are a quarreller.
Jûhettitea.	Let us fight.
Jûhetteke.	Fight,

Which is the word of incouragement which they use when they animate each other in warre; for they use their tongues in stead of drummes and trumpets.

Awaún necáwni aum piasha?	Who drew the first bow, or shot the first shot?
Nippakétatunck.	He shot first at me.
Nummeshannantam Nummayaôntam.	I scorne, or take it indig∣nation.

Obs. This is a common word, not only in warre, but in peace also (their spirits in naked bodies being as high and proud as men more gallant) from which sparkes of the lusts of pride and passion, begin the flame of their warres.

Whauwháutowaw ánowat.	There is an Alarum.
Wopwawnónckquat.	An hubbub.
Amaumuwaw paud∣sha.	A Messenger is come.
Keénomp Muckquomp paûog.	Captaines, or Valiant men.
Negonsh•…•…chick.	Leaders.
Kuttówonck.	A Trumpet.
Popowutráhig.	A Drumme.

Obs Not that they have such of their owne making; yet such they have from the French: and I have knowne a good Drumme made a∣mongst them in imitation of the English.

Quaquawtatatteaug	They traine.
Machippog.	A Quiver.
Caúquat -tash.	Arrow, Arrowes.
Onúttug.	An halfe Moone in war.
Péskcunck.	A Gunne.
Saûpuck.	Powder.
Mátit.	Vnloden.
Méchimu.	Loden.

Mechimúash.	Lode it.
Shottash.	Shot;

A made word from us, though their Gunnes they have from the French, and often sell many a score •…•…o the English, when they are a little out of frame or Kelter.

Pummenúmmin teáuquash.	To contribute to the warres.
Askwhitteass.	Keep watch.
Askwhitteâchick.	The Guard.
Askwhitteaûg.	Is •…•…s the Guard.

Obs. I once travelled (in a place concei∣•…•…ed dangerous) with a great Prince, and his Queene and Children in company, with a Guard of neere two hundred, twentie, or thir∣•…•…ie fires were made every night for the Guard 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Prince and Queene in the midst) and •…•…entinells by course, as exact as in Europe; •…•…nd when we travelled through a place where •…•…mbushes were suspected to lie, a speciall Guard, like unto a Life-guard, compassed some neerer, some farther of) the King and Queen, my selfe and some English with me.

They are very copious and patheticall in O∣•…•…ations to the people, to kindle a flame of •…•…rath, Valour or revenge from all the Com∣•…•…on places which Commanders use to insist •…•…n.

We•…•…assu	Afraid.
Cowésass.	Are you afraid?
Tawhitch wesase∣an?	Why feare you?
Manowêsass.	I feare none.
Kukkushickquock.	They feare you.
Nosemitteūnck quock	They fly from us.
Onamatta cowaûta	Let us pursue.
Nuckqusha.	I feare him.
Wussémo-wock.	He flies, they flie.
Npauchippowem	I flie for succour.
Keesaūname.	Save me.
Npummuck.	I am shot.
Chenawaūsu.	Churlish.
Waumaûsu.	Loving.
Tawhitch chenawaû sean?	Why are you churlish?
Aumansk.	A Fort.
Waukaunòsint.
Cupshitteaûg.	They lie in the way.
Aumanskitteaūg.	They fortifie.
Kekaúmwaw.	A scorner or mocker.
Nkekaūmuck ewò.	He scornes me.
Aq•…•…ekekaúmowash.	Doe not scorne.

Obs. This mocking (between their great ones) is a great kindling of Warres amongst them: yet I have known some of their chief∣est say, what should I hazard the lives of my

precious Subjects, them and theirs to kindle a Fire, which no man knowes how farre, and how long it will burne, for the barking of a Dog?

Sekineam.	I have no mind to it.
Nissékineug	He likes not me.
Nummánneug.	He hates me.
Sekinneauhettūock.
Maninnewauhet∣tuock.	They hate each other.
Nowetompátimmin	We are Friends.
Wetompâchick.	Friends.
Nowepinnátimin.	We joyne together.
Nowepinnâchick.	My Companions in War, or Associats.
Nowechusettimmin.	We are Confederates.
Néchuse ewò	This is my Associate.
Wechusittûock.	They joyne together.
Nwéche kokkêwem.	I will be mad with him.
Chickaūta wêtu.	An house fired.

Once lodging in an Indian house full of peo∣ple, the whole Company (Women especial∣ly) cryed out in apprehension that the Ene∣my had fired the House, being about mid∣night: The house was fired but not by an Enemy: the men ran up on the house top, and with their naked hands beat out the Fire: One scorcht his leg, and suddenly after they

came into the house againe, undauntedly cut his leg with a knife to let out the burnt blood.

Yo ánawhone	There I am wounded.
Missinnege	A Captaine.
Nummissinnàm ewo.	This is my Captive.
Waskeiûhettim∣mitch.	At beginning of the fight.
Nickqueintónck∣quock	They come against us.
Nickqueintouôog.	I will make Warre upon them.
Nippauquanaūog.	I will destroy them.
Queintauatittea.	Let us goe against them.
Kunnauntatáuhuck∣qun.	He comes to kill you.
Paúquana.	There is a slaughter.
Pequttôog paúqua∣nan.	The Pequts are slaine.
Awaun Wuttúnnene?	Who have the Victory.
Tashittáwho?	How many are slaine?
Neestáwho.	Two are slaine?
Piuckqunneanna.	Ten are slaine.

Obs. Their Warres are farre lesse bloudy, and devouring then the cruell Warres of Eu∣rope; and seldome twenty slaine in a pitcht field: partly because when they fight in a wood every Tree is a Bucklar.

When they fight in a plaine, they fight

with leaping and dancing, that seldome an Arrow hits, and when a man is wounded, unlesse he that shot followes upon the wound∣ded, they soone retire and save the wound∣•…•…d: and yet having no Swords, nor •…•…uns, all •…•…hat are slaine are commonly slain with great Valour and Courage: for the Conquerour entures into the thickest, and brings away •…•…he Head of his Enemy.

Niss-nissoke.	Kill kill.
Kunnish	I will kill you.
Kunnishickqun ewò.	He will kill you.
Kunnishickquock.	They will kill you.
•…•…iuckissûog.	They are stout men.
Nickummissūog	They are Weake.
Nnickummauná∣maûog.	I shall easily vanquish. them.
Neene núppamen.	I am dying?
Cowaúnckamish.	Quarter, quarter.
Kunnanaumpasúm∣mish.	Mercy, Mercy.
Kekuttokaūntá,	Let us parley.
Aquétuck.	Let us cease Armes.
•…•…unnishaūnta.	Let us agree.
Cowammáunsh.	I love you.
•…•…unnêtu ntá.	My heart is true.
•…•…uppaûntash.	Consider what I say.

Tuppaūntamoke.	Doe you all consider.
Cummequaunum cummittamussus∣suck ka cummucki∣aûg.	Remember your Wives, and Children.
Eatch kèen anawâye∣an.	Let all be as you say•…•….
Cowawwunnaûwem.	You speake truly.
Cowauôntam.	You are a wise man
Wetompátitea.	Let us make Friends.

Generall Observations of their Warres.

How dreadfull and yet how righteous is it with the most righteous Judge of the whole World, that all the generations of Men be∣ing turn'd Enemies against, and fight∣ing against Him who gives them breath and Being, and all things, (whom yet they cannot reach, should stab, kill, burne, mur∣ther and devoure each other?

More Particular.

The Indians count of Men as Dogs, It is no Wonder then:Line 1 They teare out one anothers throats! But now that English Men,

That boast themselves Gods Children, and Members of Christ to be,)Line 2 That they should thus break out in flames. Sure 'tis a Mystery!

The second sea'ld Mystery or red Horse, Whose Rider hath power and will, * 1.1 To take away Peace from Earthly Men, They must Each other kill.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rev. 2. 6.