The Documentary history of the state of New-York; arranged under direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, secretary of State. By E. B. O'Callaghan ...

DESCRIPTION OF NEW NETHERLAND. 129
danger, the women and children are placed in a secure hiding
place. Their weapons used formerly to be the arrow, bow and
war club. They now use the snap-haunce at which
Weapons.
they are very expert. A square shield covers the
body up to the shoulders. A snake skin is tied around the
head from the centre of which sticks up a fox's or bear's tail.
The face is not recognizable on account of its variety of colors.
Prisoners' lives are rarely spared, unless that of
Remarkable treatnet of,,abisoern women and children, who are treated by the conquerors in the same manner as their own, in order
thus to recruit their numbers. If, however, a prisoner be not
put to death immediately after the battle, but handed over to
some person whose relative had been formerly killed by the
conquered party, he is roasted three days long before he gives
up the ghost. It excites uncommon admiration if the sufferer
Laws. constantly sing in the midst of his torture. NotLaws.
withstanding misdemeanors are not punished,
wicked acts are of rare occurrence. Stolen property, whenever
discovered, is ordered by the Chief to be restored. The next
of kin of the murdered man may kill the murderer,
Death punishment.
if he overtake him within four and twenty hours.
But if he avenge himself later, he is subject to be slain by the
relative of the second victim, within the limit of the stated time.
All obligations acquire their force from the acceptreatiets ofpeace. ance of presents. They proceed thus: They take
as many little sticks as there are conditions in their
proposals. If they agree on all, each party, at the conclusion, lays
his presents at the feet of the other. They sometimes hang up
the presents, whilst they deliberate earnestly on the proposal
during three days. If the present be accepted, the negotiation
is firmly concluded;'but if not, they proceed no further in the
matter, unless the applicant change the conditions and the present. On occasions of importance, a general assemublic coucils. bly is held at the house of one of the chiefs; in order
that the sachems there assembled, may explain what has
been concluded. Then the most eloquent rises and endeavours
to render the determination popular with the masses. It someVOL. iv. 9