Page 432
An.1687
Their Ammunition, Politie, &c.
These men had Wooden Lances, and a few Lances headed with Iron ; which are all the Wea- pons that they have. Their Armour is a piece of Buffaloe-hide, shaped like our Carters Frocks, be- ing without Sleeves, and sowed both sides toge- ther, with holes for the Head and the Arms to come forth. This Buff-Coat reaches down to their Knees: It is close about their Shoulders, but below it is 3 foot wide, and as thick as a Board.
I could never perceive them to worship any thing, neither had they any Idols : neither did they seem to observe any one day more than other. I could never perceive that one man was of greater power than another ; but they seemed to be all equal : only every man ruling in his own House, and the Children respecting and honouring their Parents.
Yet 'tis probable that they have some Law, or Custome, by which they are governed : for while we lay here we saw a young man buried alive in the Earth ; and 'twas for Theft, as far as we could understand from them. There was a great deep hole dug, and abundance of people came to the place to take their last farewel of him: Among the rest, there was one Woman who made great lamentation, and took off the condemned persons Ear-rings. We supposed her to be his Mother. After he had taken his leave of her and some others he was put into the pit, and covered over with Earth. He did not struggle, but yielded very qui- etly to his punishment : and they cramm'd the Earth close upon him, and stifled him.
They have but one Wife, with whom they live and agree very well ; and their Children live very obediently under them. The Boys go out a Fish- ing with their Fathers, and the Girls live at home with their Mothers : and when the Girls are grown pretty strong, they send them to their Plantations to