Page 539
An.1691
Their Houses.
the Sun two or three hours together in the heat of the day , to destroy them. Indeed most Indi- ans that live remote from the Equator , are mo- lefted with Lice , though their Garments afford less shelter for Lice , than these Hottantots Sheep- skins do. For all those Indians who live in cold Countries , as in the North and South parts of America , have some fort of Skin or other to cover their Bodies , as Deer , Otter , Beaver or Seals Skins , all which they as constantly wear , without shifting themselves , as these Hottantots do their Sheep Skins. And hence they are lowfy too , and strong scented , though they do not daub them- selves at all , or but very little ; for even by reason of their Skins they smell strong.
The Hottantots Houses are the meanest that I did ever see. They are about 9 or 10 foot high , and 10 or 12 from side to side. They are in a manner round , made with small poles stuck into the ground , and brought together at the top where they are fastned. The sides and top of the House are filled up with Boughs coursely watled be- tween the poles , and all is covered over with long Grass , Rushes , and pieces of Hides ; and the House appears at a distance just like a Hay cock. They leave only a small hole on one side about three or four foot high , for a door to creep in and out at ; but when the wind comes in at this door , they stop it up , and make another hole in the opposite side. They make the Fire in the middle of the House , and the smoak ascends out of the crannies , from all parts of the House. They have no Beds to lye on , but tumble down at night round the fire.
Their Houshold furniture is commonly an earth- en pot or two to boyl Victuals , and they live very miserably and hard ; it is reported that they will fast two or three days together , when they travel about the Country.
Their