Purchas his pilgrimes. part 4 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. II.

Of the Warre, Battailes, Fortitude, and Weapons of the Barba∣rians: and of their Religion. [ 40]

ALthough our Tououpinambaultij Tonpinenquin make immortall warre against diuers bor∣dering Nations, after the manner of all the rest of the Barbarians. Notwithstanding, they contend not by warre to inlarge their bounds (for they possesse more ••ands then they need) or thinke of the getting of Riches, by the spoiles, ransomes, and armes of the conquered. For as they all confesse, they are prouoked through no other affection then that they might most seuerely auenge the death of their Parents and Friends long since taken, and deuoured by the enemie. Moreouer, when war is first proclaimed betweene certaine of these people, all of them agreeing in this, that the enemie vnto whom injurie is done, will perpetually thinke on the reuenging of the same, and therefore that it is to be attributed to cowardi••e▪ if be∣ing [ 50] brought into their power, they suffer him to escape vnpunished: their enmities are so inue∣terate, and of such continuance, that they can neuer be reconciled each to other.

But the manner whereby our Tououpinambaultij assemble, being readie to goe to the warres, is this, as much as I could obserue. Although they haue no Kings or Princes among them, but are almost equall in dignitie, yet this is giuen them by nature (which also was most exactly in for∣mer times obserued by the Lacedemonians) that they admire and reuerence the elder sort whom they call Peoreru Picheh, for their experience of things: therefore in euerie Village no contempti∣ble seruice and obedience is performed vnto them. These occasions being offered, either walking or sitting in their Cotton hanging beds, exhort the rest with these, or the like words. [ 60]

What (say they speaking by turne, without interruption of speech) were our Ancestors who not only fought against so many enemies, but also vanquished, slue and deuoured them, an Exam∣ple vnto vs, that wee should perpetually lye lurking heere at home? Shall wee suffer our Nation,

which in former times was so great a terrour to all the rest, that they could not in any sort indure their sight, to be so much reproached to eur great disgrace, that our enemies should assaile vs by Warre euen in our owne houses? Shall we through our cowardize cause, that the Margaites and Peros-ergaipa (that is, th••se wicked Nations) assault vs first? Then that Orator clapping his▪ shoulders and buttocks with his hands, addeth these words with exclamation: Erima, Erima, Tououpinambaults, C••∣nom••ou••ssou Tan, Tan, &c. that is to say, My Countrimen, and most valiant young men, wee are not so to doe: but rather let vs prepare vs for the fight, and bequeathe our selues to death and slaughter, or auenge our people.

With these Orations therefore of the elders, which sometimes are prolonged for six houres, the hearers who most attentiuely hearken, so that they forget not so much as one syllable, being [ 10] increased both in strength and courage, speaking each to other in euerie Village, assemble as speedily as they may, at the prefixed place in great multitudes. But before wee bring our Tououpinambaultij to the Batta••le, wee are to declare with what Weapons they are furnished.

And first surely, they haue Tacapes, that is, Clubs, or Swords made some of redde, and some of blacke wood: they are commonly of the length of fiue or sixe feete, round at the ends, or of an ouall shape, of the breadth of a foote, and of the thicknesse of a Thumbe in the middest, but the edges are verie finely sharpened, for they are made of verie heauie wood, such as Boxe is, and are little inferiour to the edge of a verie sharpe Axe: so that I easi∣ly beleeue, that one Tououpinambaultian armed with such a Clubbe, and inraged with [ 20] furie, would bee able to put two of our Countrie Fencers to much trouble, and driue them to their shifts.

Moreouer, they haue Bowes, which they call Orapats, made of the same kinde of wood, to wit, redde and blacke: and they exceed ours so much in length and thicknesse, that none of our men is able either to bend or vnbend them: insomuch as they are of necessitie to vse all their strength for the bending of the Bowes of Children of tenne yeeres old. They vse the herbe called Tocon, for strings, which although it bee verie slender, yet is it of so great a strength, that it may indure the force of an Horse. Their Arrowes are of the length of an Ell, made with three ioynts: the middle part consisting of a Cane or Reede, and the other two of blacke wood: and those pieces are so aptly bound together with certaine barkes of Trees, [ 30] that they could not bee more firmely glued. They apply two little feathers vnto them, of the length of a foote, which they binde together with a Cotton Thread, because Glue is not in vse with them: they aptly ioyne very sharpe bones on the ends, sometimes a piece of a drie Reed, of the length of a mans hand, cut smooth after the manner of a Surgeons Launce: and somtimes the verie end of the taile of the fish Raye, which as I haue elsewhere said, is verie venemous. But, since the Frenchmen and the Portugals came into those Countreyes, the Barbarians, after their manner haue accustomed to strengthen their Arrowes with Iron heads, or at the least, with verie sharpe Nailes.

We haue alreadie spoken what their dexteritie is, in handling their Clubs: but as touching the Bowes, I hope that all they who haue seene the Barbarians, will confirme that with their [ 40] naked armes, they shoot so speedily, and so certainly, that (bee it spoken by the Englishmens leaue, who are yet accounted the most skilfull Archers) putting their Arrowes in the hand wherewith they hold their Bow, twelue may sooner bee shot by them, then sixe by the Englishmen.

Lastly, they haue Targets of the Hide of Tapiroussou, which I mentioned before, broad, plaine, and round, like to the bottome of a Germane D••umme, with these they couer not themselues in fight, after the manner that our Souldiers vse, but fighting, receiue the Arrowes of the Enemies with them. So these are all the Weapons of the Americans: for they couer not their bodies with other Armour: but contrarily (excepting their Caps of Feathers, Brace∣lets, and other short attire, wherewith as aforesaid, they decke their bodie, if they wore but a [ 50] shirt, being about to goe vnto the batta••le, they would presently put it off, fearing least they might be intangled and incumbred therewith.

If they receiued Iron Swordes from vs, as I gaue one to a certaine Moussacat of mine, they presently cast away the sheathes: they did the like also receiuing Kniues, delighting in the brightnesse of them, and thought them more seruiceable for the cutting of the boughes of Trees, then for fight.

Eight or tenne thousand people being gathered together after the manner which hath beene spoken, with no small number of women, not to fight, but to carrie their bagge and bag∣gage, and prouision of victuall, assembling vnto the Campe, they of the elder sort, who haue slaine and deuoured the greatest number of enemiess, haue the chiefe command and conducting [ 60] of the forces: who being their Leaders, they prepare themselues for the journie. And although they goe without order, yet when they march trooping, the most valiant men keeping the Front of the Armie, it is a wonder how well all that whole multitude conuey them∣selues

without Tribunes, and Quarter-masters, so that at the sound of the Trumpet they verie speedily assemble in battell array.

But there are some, who with hornes, which they call Inubia, of the length of an elle and an halfe, and of the thicknesse of our Country Speare, of the bredth of an hand at the lower end like a Trumpet, raise the Souldiers, both going out of their Countrie, and when the Campe remoueth. Some also carrie Whistles made of the bones of their enemies, slaine and deuoured in former time, wherewith they continually pipe by the way, that they might stirre vp the mindes of their companions, and increase their desire to kill the enemies in like manner. But if, which often happeneth, they please to vndertake a Voyage, against the Enemie, by Boat, they passe along the shoares, and commit not themselues vnto the maine Sea. They order themselues in their Boats, which they call Ygat, euery one whereof consisteth of the barke of [ 10] one tree, taken off, and appointed to this vse; yet are they of such largen••sse, that euery one of them may receiue fiftie men. Standing therefore after their manner, they driue the Boat for∣ward with an Oare, plaine on both sides; which they hold in the middle▪ Moreouer, these Boats seing they are plaine, are rowed with very little trouble; yet is there no vse of them in the maine Sea, or it a tempest arise. But, our Barbarians going a warfare, in a great calme, you may see a Fleet consisting of sixtie such Boats. And these passe the Seas with so swift a motion, that they are presently gone out of ••ight. So, these are the Armies of the Toupinenquin, both by Sea, and Land.

Being furnished after this manner, they sometimes goe fiftie miles into the Enemies borders. [ 20] And first they vse this stratagem. All the most valiant, leaue the rest with the women and car∣riages, one or two dayes Iourney behind them: they approach with great silence, and possesse the Woods, lying in waite to entrappe the Enemie, for whom they so diligently watch, that of∣tentimes they lie hid there, for foure and twentie houres. And if they set vpon the Enemie vnawares, as many men, women and children as they meete with, are not onely brought away, but also slaine by the Enemies returning into their Countrey, and put vpon Boucan in pieces, and at length deuoured. And they surprize them so much the more easily, because the Villages (for they haue no Cities) are not compassed with walls, and the Cottages (which yet are foure∣score or an hundred paces long) haue no Doores, but in their stead, they set the boughs of Palmes, or the stalke of the ••erbe Pind•• at their Gates. Yet they haue now learned to fortifie and intrench certaine Villages round about, which border vpon the Enemies, with postes of [ 30] Palmes, of sixe foot long, besides they strengthen the entrances with woodden stakes sharpe at the end: if therefore the Enemies will assaile those Villages by night, which is common with them, then, the Inhabitants of the Village issue safely forth vpon them, whereby it commeth to passe, that whether they fight, or flee, they neuer escape, but some are ouerthrowne through the paine of their wounded feete, who are presently rosted and eaten by the Inhabitants.

But, if they desire to fight in open warre, bringing forth their forces on both sides▪ it is scarce credible, how cruell and horrible the battell is: whereof my selfe was a beholder, and there∣fore can iustly make report thereof. I, with another Frenchman, somewhat more curiously, to our great danger, determined to accompanie our Barbarians going to the warres: for if we had [ 40] beene taken, or hurt by the Margaiates, wee had certainely beene deuoured. These being foure thousand men in number, fought with the Enemie neere vnto the shoare, with such fiercenesse, that they would haue ouercome euen the most furious and outragious.

The Tououpinambanitij, as soone as they saw the Enemie, brake out into so great and loude howling and exclamation, as they who here hunt Wolues, make no out-cries comparable with those: for the clamour so pierced the aire, that thunder then could scarse haue beene heard. But, comming neerer, they doubled their cries, and blew their Hornes, and lastly, whistled with their Pipes, the one threatned the other, and in a brauery shewed the bones of their dead Ene∣mies: and also the teeth, whereof some wore them hanging about their neckes, strung vpon a threed aboue two elles long: and lastly, they terrified the beholders with their gesture. But, when they came to ioyne battell, matters fell out farre worse: for, a multitude of Arrowes was shot on both sides, like swarming Flyes in number. Such as were wounded, who were not ••ew, [ 50] stoutly plucked the Arrowes out of their bodies, which they bit like madde Dogs, and yet ab∣stayned not therefore from the battell. For this Nation is so fierce and cruell, that so long as they haue any little strength, they fight continually, and neuer betake themselues to flight: we with∣drawing our selues a little from the conflict, were contented with that spectacle. In the meane space, I protest, who haue diuers times here seene mightie Armies both of horse and foot orde∣red in battell array, that I was neuer so much delighted in seeing the Legions of footmen in their glittering Armour, as in beholding these Tououpinambaultij, while they were fighting. For be∣sides that they were pleasantly seene whistling, leaping, and very speedily and nimbly gathe∣ring [ 60] themselues round in a ring: a very thicke cloude of Arrowes was moreouer added; the fea∣thers whereof being rose-colour, blue, red, greene, and of other such like colours, gaue a radiant lustre in the Sunne; their garments also, Caps, Bracelets, and other ornaments of feathers, which made a wonderfull glittering showe in the eyes of the beholders.

This battell being ended in the space of three houres, and many slaine and wounded on both sides, our Tououpinambaultij carried away the victorie, and brought about thirtie captiues more or lesse, both men and women, to their people. And wee, who performed no other seruice, but encouraged the Barbarians with our drawne swords, and small shot, somtimes discharging them, as we beheld them fighting (in that it was most acceptable vnto them if strangers went with them to the warres) procured so great an opinion of vs, that from that time the elder sort em∣braced vs with a speciall good-will and loue.

The Captiues therefore being placed in the middest of the Armie, and some of the stronger bound with ropes, we went vnto the Bay of Ganabara, from which we were distant about foure and twenty miles. A few dayes after, certaine Barbarians, who had captiues with them, came vnto our Castle, whom by Interpreters, we intreated that they would sell certaine slaues to Vil∣lagagno. [ 10] So, a great part of the captiues was deliuered from the iawes of the Barbarians: yet hardly, and against the will of the Barbarians; which not long after was plainly declared vnto mee. I bought a certaine woman with her little childe scarce two yeeres old, the price was cer∣taine merchandise, the value whereof amounted to three French pounds. But hee that sold them, complained thus vnto mee: What will be hereafter I know not, but since Paycolas (for so they named Villagagno) arriued here, wee haue scarce eaten the halfe part of our captiues. I greatly desired to keepe that little childe vnto my selfe, but Villagagno, restoring my merchan∣dises, challenged both the mother and the sonne. I sometimes said, vnto the mother, that when I passed ouer Sea, I would transport the little childe hither. But shee (the desire of taking re∣uenge [ 20] is so inherent in the mindes of that Nation) answered that shee had rather that he should be deuoured by the Tououpinambaultij, then to be carried into so remote Countries: for shee ho∣ped, that growing older, he might by some meanes escape, and conuey himselfe vnto his Coun∣trymen, and reuenge the death of his kindred.

ALthough that saying of Cicero, be held for a most certaine Axiome by the common account of all men, that there is no Nation so sauage, nor so fierce, that doth not know that they are to haue a God, although they be ignorant what manner of God they ought to haue: yet, how this may appeare to be true in our Tououpinambaultij, I doe not sufficiently knowe. For, they are ignorant of the true God, and neither acknowledge nor worship any false Gods, either celestiall or ter∣restriall: [ 30] and therefore haue no publike place where they may assemble for the cause of Reli∣gion. They are ignorant also of the creation of the World, distinguish not dayes by names, nor preferre one before another: they obserue not weekes, moneths and yeeres, but measure times by the Moones. They are not onely altogether ignorant of Scripture, whether it be sacred or profane, but also vtterly without Characters, wherewith they might bee able to write the meaning of the minde. When I first came into those Countries, I writ certaine words and sentences, to acquaint my selfe with their Speech, and read them presently before them. They thinking it to be a iuggling tricke, spake one to another in these words: Is it not a wonder, that this man, who yesterday, knew not so much as one word of our Language, (by the meanes and helpe of this Paper which teacheth him to speake our words) should now so skilfully pronounce [ 40] them, that they may be vnderstood of vs?

As often as we talked with them, and happened to make mention of God, we said, that we beleeued in one God, Creator of Heauen and Earth, who as he hath made the World, and what∣soeuer things are therein, so he gouerneth all things at his pleasure. When they heard this, loo∣king one vpon another, and breaking out into this word Teh, which is a familiar token of ad∣miration with them, they stood still, fixed, and astonished: Moreouer, because, as wee shall speake in his proper place, they are vehemently terrified with the noise of Thunder (which they call Toupan) if bearing with their rudenesse, wee tooke occasion thereby to instruct them, and said, that that was the God whereof we spake vnto them, who that he might declare his power, shooke Heauen and Earth after that manner: they answered, that that God by whom they were [ 50] so terrified, was a naughty one. I doe not beleeue that there is any Nation in the whole World, which may be more estranged from all Religion. Yet, that I may also declare how little appa∣rance of light I perceiued, among those thicke mysts of darknesse wherewith they are blinded: I affirme, that they doe not onely beleeue the immortalitie of the soules: but are also certainly perswaded, that after death their soules who haue embraced vertue (but they define vertue af∣ter their manner, to wit, to auenge them of their Enemies, and to eate very many) flying be∣yond the highest Mountaines, are gathered to the soules of their Fathers and Grand-fathers, and there, in most pleasant Gardens, leade a ioyfull life in perpetuall delights, and dansing: (this is that long peregrination of Socrates, and the Poets Elysian fields) but contrarily the soules of the fearefull cowards, who liued ingloriously, without any care of defending their Countrie, are [ 60] violently carried away by Aygnan (for so they call the Deuill) and liue in perpetuall torment with him.

These most miserable Barbarians are wofully euen in this life tormented by the Deuill (whom by another name they call K••ag••rre): For, I haue sometimes seene them, euen while they were

talking with vs, immediatly crying out like frantike men, Hei, hei, helpe vs, for Aygnan bea∣teth vs. Nay, they affirmed, that the wicked spirit was seene of them sometimes in the shape of a cruell Beast, sometimes of a Bird, and sometimes also in some monstrous forme. And because they greatly wondred that wee were not vexed by the Deuill: therefore, wee tel∣ling them that we were deliuered from those torments by that God, whereof wee often spake vnto them, who was farre aboue Aygnan, and hindered him from procuring vs any trouble. It somtimes happened that danger enforcing them, they promised to beleeue in God, but being de∣liuered, they were vnmindfull of the promise. But, that it may euidently appeare, that the tor∣ments wherwith they are vexed, are no pastimes, I my selfe haue somtimes seen them so stricken with a shiuering and quaking feare, remembring that miserie, that sweating through anguish, [ 10] and clapping their thighes with their hands, they complained vnto vs with these words. Mair Atourassap, Acequeiey Aignan Atoupané: that is, My foole, my companion, I feare the Deuill aboue all other euils. But contrariwise, if any of vs spake vnto him in these words, Naceque∣icy Aygnan, I feare not the Deuill: then, bewailing their condition, they said; Ah, how happie were we, if thereby we might be secured from him: whereupon we answered, that therefore they were to beleeue in him who is mightier then Aygnan. But although, as hath beene said, in the present danger they promised that they would doe it, yet they presently returned to their owne disposition of nature.

Therefore, although our Americans confesse not God with the mouth, seeing among them∣selues they are conuinced that there is some diuine power; therby I gather, that they shal neither [ 20] be excusable, nor iustly take occasion to pretend Ignorance. But besides those things which haue beene spoken by mee, concerning the immortalitie of the Soule, which they beleeue; of the Thunder, whereof they are horribly affraid; and Deuils, by whom they are tormented: (which three things are first of all to be noted) I will moreouer adde a fourth principall matter. That they haue Prophets or certaine Priests among them, which they call Caraibes, who going from Village to Village, perswade those miserable men, that they (because they haue familiaritie with Spirits) giue not onely fortitude and courage to whomsoeuer they please, whereby they might ouercome their enemies in warre, but also that through their helpe, all fruits, and those great Roots growe, which we haue said that the American soile produceth. Moreouer, (as farre as I vnderstood by the Neustrian Interpreters, who had liued many yeeres in those Countries) the [ 30] Tououpinambaultians haue this custome, that euery third, or fourth yeere they assemble together. At which assemblie, as shall immediatly be declared, I was present vnawares: concerning which I am to report that which followeth. I, with a certaine Frenchman named Iacobus Ruffus, and also a certaine Neustrian Interpreter, trauelling farre from home, turned in to a certaine Village to lodge; the next day after, wee prepared our selues early in the morning for our Iourney, at which time we saw the Borderers come flocking thither from all places. So, the Inhabitants of that Village ioyned themselues with them that came, and presently wee saw sixe hundred ga∣thered together in a cerraine voide plat of ground. We demand the cause of that meeting, and saw that multitude diuided into three parts. All the men went into a certaine Cottage, the women into another, and the children also went into the third. I, who had seene certaine Ca∣raibes [ 40] intermingled with the men, suspecting that some vnaccustomed and strange thing should be done by them, earnestly entreated my companions, that they would stand still there with me to obserue the whole matter: which I obtayned of them. The Caraibes, before they depar∣ted from the women and children, with great care forbid the women to goe out of their Cot∣tages, but diligently to attend to the singing, and also charged vs to keepe our selues close in that Cottage where the women were: Being earnestly busied about our break-fast, and igno∣rant of those things which they purposed to doe, we heard a certaine lowe and soft muttering noise breaking out of the house into the which the men had seuered themselues (for that Cottage was almost thirtie paces distant from ours) the women which were about two hundred in num∣ber, standing, and giuing eare, gather themselues as it were on an heape. But the men lifting vp their voices by little and little, so that their distinct words were heard of vs exhorting, and like∣wise [ 50] repeating this Interiection, 〈♫〉〈♫〉 He he he he he he he he he he. we heard the women presently, with a trembling voice singing the same Interiection againe, he, he, he, &c. And they lifted vp their voices with so great vehemency of minde, and that for the space of one whole quarter of an houre, that they drew vs who were the beholders into ad∣miration. [ 60] And surely, they did not onely horribly howle, but also leaped forth with great vio∣lence, and shaked their paps, and fomed at the mouth, nay some of them (not vnlike vnto those that are troubled with the Falling-sicknesse) fell downe dead. So that I thinke, that the Deuill entred into their bodies, and they suddenly became possessed with the Deuill. Moreouer, hauing

plainly perceiued those things which Bodinus writeth, in the Booke which he called Daemono∣mania, concerning the extasie of Witches, which hee affirmeth to bee common to all Witches, who haue made an expresse couenant with the Deuill, and who are often violently carried away in spirit, the bodie remayning voide of all sense, although also they are sometimes carried away both in bodie and minde. Adde (saith he) that they neuer meete together in any place, but they danse, among which, as farre as he could gather by the confession of certaine Witches, they all crie cut together, Har, har, (which very well agreeth with He, he, of our Americans) the De∣uill crieth, Danse hither, danse hither: and others answere, Sabbath, Sabbath, that is, A festiuall day, or day of rest; lifting vp their hands, and the crops of herbes or trees which they haue in their hands, that they may shew a most assured token of ioy, and signifie that they serue the De∣uill [ 10] with all their heart: and so, that they imitate the adoration due vnto God. For, in the Law of God, it was prescribed to the Israelites, that they should lift vp their hands vnto the Lord, and shew themselues cheerefull before him. These things, I say, being certainly knowne, I gather, that Satan is Lord of them both: and that they are led by the same spirit, so that the distance of places hindereth not, but that the Father of lyes may worke here and there vpon them who through the iust iudgement of God are deliuered vnto him. Likewise, when I heard the children crying altogether (although I had now liued halfe a yeere with the Barbarians, and was almost acquainted with their manners) yet, not to dissemble, I was then somewhat afraid, especially, seeing I knew not what should be the end of that matter. At length those cries were ended, the men being somewhat silent, the children and women also altogether holding their [ 20] peace, presently the men began to sing so sweetly, and with so great harmonie, that I was won∣derfully desirous to see them. But when I would haue gone out of the Cottage, I was both kept backe by the women, and also admonished by the Interpreter, that he (who had already liued se∣uen yeeres among the Barbarians) durst neuer come to those solemne meetings; and lastly, that if I went vnto them I should not doe wisely. Whereby he caused me to stay a while, for feare of danger; yet, because hee alledged no probable reason thereof, the women and Interpreter somewhat resisting, I went forth: relying vpon the friendship of certaine ancient men, Inha∣bitants of that Village. Going therefore vnto that place where I heard that Musicall harmonie, I made an hole through the roofe of the Cottage, that I might the better perceiue what was done within. For, they are somewhat long, and round, after the manner of our Countrie garden [ 30] Arbours, and couered with grasse from the top to the bottome. Then, making a signe with my finger, I called my companions, and at length wee entred into that Cottage. As soone as wee saw that the Barbarians were not moued through our presence (which thing the Interpreter suspected, would haue been done) and that they kept their order very well, and proceeded with their Verses: we went apart into a certaine corner, and beheld them without feare. These are their gestures in dansing. They were ordered in a round circle, standing close each to other: yet so, they tooke not one another by the hand stooping, with their bodie somwhat bending down∣ward, shaking onely one of their legs, to wit, the right, with their right hand laid vpon their buttockes, and the left hanging downe, and after this fashion they both dansed and sung. All that whole multitude made three such round Circles, in the middle whereof were three or foure [ 40] Caraibes, attired with Caps. Garments, and Bracelets of feathers. Each of them in either hand carried Maraca, that is, that rattle of a fruit exceeding the bignesse of an Estridges egge, where∣of we haue made mention before, for that vse, as they said, that the Spirit might speake out of them: and that they might rightly consecrate them, they continually shooke them.

Moreouer, those Caraibes dansing, sometimes, went forward, and sometimes backward, and did not continually stand still in the same place, as the rest. Further, I obserued that with a very long Cane, wherein they put the herbe Petum set on fire, they often turned themselues hither and thither, and blew out the fume of that herbe vpon them that stood round about them, with these words: Receiue the spirit of fortitude, whereby you may all ouercome your enemies. And this was often done by these Caraibes. The celebrating of these Rites and Ceremonies was [ 50] prolonged for the space of two houres: those men continually dansing and singing. And their tunable singing was so sweet, that to the vnskilfull it is scarce credible, how excellently well that harmonie agreed, especially, seeing the Barbarians are vtterly ignorant of the Art of Mu∣sike. And surely, although in the beginning I was stricken with a certain feare, as I lately mentio∣ned, yet contrarily I was then so much ouer-ioyed, that I was not only rauished out of my selfe: but also now, as often as I remember the tunable agreement of many voices, both my minde reioyc••th, also mine eares seeme continually to ring therewith: but especially the burden of the song yeelded a pleasing sound vnto the eares, which at the end of euery Verse, they sung after this manner.

〈♫〉〈♫〉

Heu heura, heura, heura, heura, heura, heura, heura, oueck. [ 60]

Being about to make an end of that tunable singing, shaking the ground with the right foote more vehemently then before, they all spit also, and all with one voice, and that hoarse, sing this Song often repeated.

〈♫〉〈♫〉

He he hua he hua hua hua.

Then because I did not yet plainly vnderstand their Language, and conceiued not many things which had beene spoken by them, I intreated the Interpreter that hee would declare them vnto [ 10] me. He signifieth, that these men, first lamented their dead Ancestors, who were most valiant, but in the end were hereby comforted, in that they hoped that after death they should at length go vnto them beyond the Mountaines, and dance with them, and celebrate merrie meetings: and that afterward they most grieuously threatned the O〈…〉〈…〉tes, (which are a people not farre re∣mooued from them, with whom they haue perpetuall enmitie, whom also they could neuer o∣uercome) and foretold, that it should shortly come to passe, that they should be taken and deuou∣red, as the Caraibes luckily ghessed. Moreouer, I know not what they intermingled with their Songs concerning a floud, that the waters in times past so ouerflowed, that they couered the whole earth: and that through that inundation all men perished except only their Ancestors, who climbed vp into exceeding high Trees. Which last thing commeth very neere vnto the sa∣cred [ 20] Historie, and I neuer once heard it from them before.

The same day they were sumptuously receiued by the Barbarians, for they liberally entertained both with most exquisite meates, and plentifull drinke Canoin. I also with my companions, who were present at those Feasts of Bacchus vnexpected, were most honourably entertained by our Moussacat, that is the Masters of the house, who giue food to their guests. But beside those things which haue bin spoken by me, those daies being past (wherein these solemne meetings are celebrated euery third or fourth yeere among the Tououpinambaultij) sometimes also before they came thither, those Caraibes goe about from Village to Village, and command three or foure of those Rattles which they call Maraca, to bee decked with the best feathers in euery Family: which being so decked, they sticke the longer part of the staffe, wherewith they are thrust [ 30] through in the ground, and then command meate and drinke to be set before them. Whereby it commeth to passe, that those miserable people, through the perswasion of those Impostors, be∣leeue that those hollow fruits decked after that manner deuoure the meats. Wherefore euery Moussacat carefully setteth before them, not only meale with flesh and fish: but also Caouin. More∣ouer, they serue those Maracas being so stucke in the ground, for fifteene whole daies together with very great diligence. Lastly, those miserable people after that so great bewitching of those Maraca, (which they continually carrie in their hands) conceiue an opinion, attributing holi∣nesse vnto them, that while they are shaken by them, a certaine Spirit speaketh with them from the middest thereof. And they were so bewitched with those delusions, that if we trauelling that way, seeing some more delicate meates, which they had set before their Maraca, tooke them to [ 40] eate (which we oftentimes did) the Barbarians supposing that some great misfortune would thereby happen vnto vs, were offended. Moreouer, if taking occasion thereby to discouer their errours, we signified that they were deceiued by the Caraibes, not only because they taught them that Maraca did eate and drinke, but especially in this, that they most falsly vaunted that through their meanes, the fruits, and great Roots which they eate, increased and grew: which only was to be attributed vnto God, from whom wee were to beleeue that wee had receiued the same: these things, I say, were of so great moment with them, as if any here should speake a∣gainst the Pope, or at Paris, denie that the Image of Genouef would procure raine. For which cause those Impostors the Caraibes did no lesse hate vs, then sometimes the false Prophets of Baal did Elias detecting their delusions. And therefore they shunned our sight.

But although our Tououpinambaultij, as hath beene declared by mee in the beginning of this [ 50] Chapter, neither honour their Caraibes, nor Maraca, with any externall rite, no not with knee∣ling vnto them, nor worship any thing created, much lesse adore it, or call vpon it for helpe. I will adde an example of those Relikes of Religion which I obserued among them. When by chance I was sometimes with other Frenchmen in a certaine Towne (which they call Ocarentim) and that we supped abroad in the open Aire, the Barbarians Inhabitants of that Village flocking together to see vs, not to feast with vs (for this is their vsuall custome, that they neuer sit toge∣ther at meate, with those whom they reuerence most) the elder men especially with many to∣kens of friendship stood ••ound about vs as our guard or attendants: and holding in their hands the bone of the beake of a certaine fish, of three or foure foot long, in the forme of a Sawe, they [ 60] droue away the children from vs, with these words: Get you hence Knaues: for you are vn∣worthy to come vnto these men. So they beheld vs attentiuely, and holding their peace, not speaking the least word the meane while: vntill the Banket being ended, a certaine elderly man obseruing vs to beginne meate with Prayers, and also to end Supper with Prayer, comming vn∣to

vs, spoke thus. What meaneth this custom, which you now vsed, when taking of your caps, you all kept silence, saue one, that spoke? to whom appertained that speech which he made? to any of you that are present, or to some that are absent? There fitly taking that occasion offered, that I might speake vnto them concerning the true worship of God, seeing besides the largenesse of that village, & the great resort of people (I also perceiued the Barbariās more attentiue then they were wont) I intreated our Interpreter that he would declare my speech vnto them in their Language, that they might conceiue the same. Then beginning with the question of the old man, I answe∣red that our Prayers were directed vnto God: and that although he could not see him, he had not only plainly heard vs, but also did apparantly know whatsoeuer we had hid in our hearts. From thence comming to the Creation of the World, I first of all laboured to teach them, that among [ 10] the creatures God made man the most noble and excellent, that hee should so much the more en∣deuour to extoll the glorie of his Creator. And that we surely in that we worshipped him, were deliuered by his hand from infinite dangers of a very long Nauigation, in so vast a Sea, and depen∣ding vpon his helpe, were freed from a•••• feare of Aignan, both in this life and in the life to come. Wherefore, if they would reiect the delusions of their Caraibes, and that barbarous cu∣stome of deuouring mans flesh, they should vndoubtedly obtaine the same gifts of God, which they saw we had. Moreouer, we added many things concerning the corruption and fall of Man∣kind, that we might prepare their minds vnto Christ, applying Reasons and Examples to their capacitie, as much as might be. Now when they had harkened vnto vs aboue the space of two ho••res with great attention and admiration: one of them reuerent for his authoritie and yeeres, [ 20] discoursed after this manner: Surely, you haue here told vs wonderfull and excellent things; and such as we haue neuer heard before, and certainly your speech hath brought into my memorie, what wee haue often heard our Grandfathers report: To wit, that euen from ancient time, and so many Moones since, as we cannot now remember, a certaine Mair (that is a Frenchman, or stranger of any other Nation) came into these Countries, attir••d after your manner, and hauing a beard. And that hee, to the ••nd hee might draw them to the obedience of your God, made such a speech vnto them, as you deliuered vnto vs this day. But, as it was reported vnto vs by tradition from our Fathers, they will not giue credit to his words. Therefore, presently another succeeded, who gaue them a Sword, in token of a curse. Hereupon, followed warres amongst vs, and from that time, wee haue not ceassed to exercise crueltie one towards a∣nother, through mutuall slaughters. But now, after we haue accustomed our selues to these outrages by [ 30] continuall vse, if we should now suddenly leaue our ancient custome, wee should become a laughing stocke, and derision, to the neighbouring Nations.

Heere wee testified with great vehemencie and earnest speech, that it was so farre off, that they ought to be mooued with the scoffes of the borderers, that contrarily, if they seriously wor∣shipped that Creator both of Heauen and Earth, they should carrie away the victorie from all those, who for that cause, should willingly be trouble some vnto them. Lastly, the Lord gaue that efficacie to our words, that not only many Barbarians afterwards promised to frame their liues according to that Law which they had learned of vs, and that they would neuer eate the flesh of their slaine enemies any more: but also according to this conference, kneeling on the ground, gaue thankes with vs, vnto God. That Prayer which was made vnto God, by one of [ 40] our men, with a loude voice, in the middest of their assembly, was presently expounded vnto them by our Interpreter: and so they brought vs to sleepe in those hanging beds of Bombasin Cotton. But sleepe had not yet taken vs, when, behold, wee heare these Barbarians singing and crying out together, that they were to take vengeance on their Enemies, and that more should be eaten then before. Behold the inconstancie of this miserable people, and the lamentable ex∣ample of humane nature. Yet surely, I perswade my selfe, if Villagagno had neuer reuolted from the true Religion, and that wee had stayed longer in those Countries, it would haue happened, that at length, some should haue beene wonne vnto Christ.

Another time I being with three Sauages, and singing the 104. Psalme, at the request of one of them I declared the sense and antiquitie thereof, so many thousand Moones. Whereat he cried [ 50] Teh, how happie are you Mair, who know so many secrets, which are hid from vs poore mise∣rable men. Afterward, one of them to gratifie mee, presented mee with a certaine little beast, which he carried, called Agouti, speaking vnto mee in these words. Heere, take you this, be∣cause you haue sung sweetly. I haue willingly added this digression, to the intent I might de∣clare that the Barbarous Americans, although outragious against their enemies, are not yet so rude that they cannot discerne those things which they heare, with iudgement. Nay, I dare af∣firme, that they are more apt in framing speeches, then our Countrie Peasants are, and very many of them also, who esteeme highly of themselues. [ 60]

Notes

• Chap. 14. For what cause the American•• make warre.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cannot be re∣conciled to their enemies.
• Senatus. The Americans yeeld obedi∣ence to the elder sort. The Oratio•• of ••he elder Americans.
• Tacape a kinde of woodden Club.
• Orapat, a Bow.
• The herbe To∣cou, s••ru••ng in steed of Bow strings. The length of their Arrowes.
• The Americans most skilfull Archers.
• Targets of Leather.
• The Barbarians little esteeme Iron Swords.
• The elder Bar∣barians, Cap∣taines of the Armie.
• The Barbarians keeping no or∣der, yet march without con∣fusion. Inubia, huge hornes. Whistles, of mens bones.
• Ygat, a Boat of the barke of a tree.
• The first stra∣gem of the Barbarians.
• The howling and exclama∣tion of the Barbarians comming to the ••••ttell. The sh••wing of the bones of the slaine.
• The Barbarians are exceeding fierce.
• The bodies & weapons of the Barbarians decked with feathers.
• The captiues are bound.
• Captiues bought by the Frenchmen.
• Their feasting with mans flesh, &c. is here omitted, though fully handled by the Author: be∣cause we haue glutted you al∣ready, &c.
• Chap. 16. Of their Reli∣gion. Cicero 1. de Le∣gibus. The Tououpi∣nambaultij are ignorant of the true God, and acknow∣ledge no false gods, nor the creation of the world. Computation of times. What the Bar∣barians thinke of the Scrip∣ture.
• The Barbarians hearing of the true God, con∣tinue standing still and won∣dring. Toupan, Thun∣der. Psal. 29.
• The Americans beleeue the immortalitie of the soule.
• Aygnan an euill Spirit vexeth the Sauages.
• Master Kniuet, which liued long with the Sauages hath told me, that he knew one of their Ca∣raibes or Diui∣ners con••erre with this Spi∣rit in tormen∣ting one of his fellowes; and threatning if he so dealt with them, that they would all goe to the white men, &c. whereupon the man reco∣uered, whereas many other had died. And this shewes that which Tully saith of the vniuersali∣tie of religion, how o••uer these want so∣lemne formes of it. Deos fecit timor. They which will not Deum vereri tanquam paren∣tem, timebunt vt hoslem, Varto, They are so much liker the Deuiil which worships: not God, yet belee∣ueth and trem∣bleth. Iam. 2. Caraibes false Prophets. A relation of a great solem∣nitie of the Barbarians.
• The singing of the Barba∣rians.
• The howling, and horrible gestures of the Americane wo∣men.
• Lib. 3. cap. 3.
• Lib. 2. cap. 3. & lib. 3. cap. 1.
• Deut. 12. 6. 7.
• The Americane women a••e led with the same spirit, where∣with our coun∣trie Witches are. I once saw To∣mocomo a Vir∣ginian dance, with such ••x∣ta icall visages and diabolicall behauiour, as if the Deuill had beene in him.
• The forme of the American Cottages.
• The gesture of the Barbarians dansing in a round circle.
• The Caraibes consecrating Maraca.
• Petum by the Authour is thought to dif∣fer from To∣bacco, because it hath a plea∣sing sent, &c. I thinke it the same. The Caraibes blowing vpon the Barbarians.
• The confused opinion of the Barbarians concerning the floud.
• Feast follow∣ing.
• The decking of Maraca.
• A grosse Su∣perstition.
• A most grosse Errour.
• 1. Reg. 18. 19.
• Truth putteth falshood to flight.
• How the an∣cient Barbari∣ans entertaine the Frenchmen.
• The occasion of declaring the true God vnto the Bar∣bariaus.
• The Barbarians hearing speech of the true God, were astonished. A relation of a Barbarian most worthy to bee noted.
• The Barbarians promise to em∣brace the wor∣ship of God, & are present at Prayers.
• The Barbarians acknowledge their owne ig∣norance and blindnesse.