Chap. III.
Of thePequantsandNarragansets,Indiansinhabiting Southward.
ThePequantsbe a stately warlike people, of whom I never heard any misdemeanour; but that they were iust and equall in their dealings; not treacherous either to their Country-men, orEnglish: Requiters of courtesies, affable towards theEnglish. Their next neighbours theNarragansets, be at this present the most numerous people in those parts, the most rich also, and the most industrious; being the store-house of all such kind of wild Merchandize as is amongst them. These men are the most curious minters of theirWampompeageandMowhakes, which they forme out of the inmost wreaths of Periwinkle-shels. The Northerne, Easterne, and WesterneIndiansfetch all their Coyne from these SoutherneMint-masters. From hence they have most of their curious Pendants & Bracelets; from hence they have their great stone-pipes, which wil hold a quarter of an ounce of Tobacco, which they make with steele-drils and other instruments; such is their ingenuity & dexterity, that they can imitate theEnglishmold so accurately, that were it not for matter and colour it were hard to distinguish them; they make them of greene, & sometimes of blacke stone; they be much desired of ourEnglishTobaconists, for their rarity, strength, handsomnesse, and coolnesse. Hence likewise ourIndianshad their pots wherein they used to seeth their victuals before they knew the use of Brasse. Since theEnglishcame, they have employed most of their time in catching of Beavers, Otters, and Musquashes, which they bring downe into the Bay, returning backe loaded withEnglishcommodities, of which they make a double profit, by selling them to more remoteIndians, who are ignorant at what cheape rates they obtaine them, in comparison of what they make them pay, so making their neighbours ignorance their enrichment. Although these be populous, yet I never heard they were desirous to take in hand any martiall enterprize, or expose themselves to the uncertaine events of warre: wherefore thePequantscall them Women-like men; but being uncapable of a jeare, they rest secure under the conceit of their popularitie, and seeke rather to grow rich by industrie, than famous by deeds of Chevalry. But to leave strangers, and come to declare what is experimentally knowne of theIndians, amongst whom we live: of whom in the next Chapter.