saw their bowes and arrowes, which I tooke vp and drew an arrow in
one of them, which I found to be of strength able to carry an arrow
fiue or sixe score stronglie; and one of them tooke it and drew as
we draw our bowes, not like the Indians. Their bow is made of Wich
Hazell, and some of Beech in fashion much like our bowes, but they
want nocks, onely a string of leather put through a hole at one end,
and made fast with a knot at the other. Their arrowes are made of
the same wood, some of Ash, big and long, with three feathers tied
on, and nocked very artificiallie: headed with the long shanke bone
of a Deere, made very sharpe with two fangs in manner of a harping
iron. They haue likewise Darts, headed with like bone, one of which
I darted among the rockes, and it brake not. These they vse very
cunningly, to kill fish, fowle and beasts.
Our Captaine had two of them at supper with vs in his cabbin to see
their demeanure, and had them in presence at seruice: who behaued
themselues very ciuilly, neither laughing nor talking all the time,
and at supper fed not like men of rude education, neither would they
eat or drinke more than seemed to content nature; they desired pease
to carry a shore to their women, which we gaue them, with fish and
bread, and lent them pewter dishes, which they carefully brought
againe.
In the evening another boat came to them on the shore, and because
they had some Tabacco, which they brought for their owne vse, the
other came for vs, making signe what they had, and offered to carry
some of vs in their boat, but foure or fiue of vs went with them in
our owne boat: when we came on shore they gaue vs the best welcome
they could, spreading fallow Deeres skins for vs to sit on the ground
by their fire, and gaue vs of their Tabacco in our pipes, which was
excellent, and so generally commended of vs all to be as good as
any we euer tooke, being the simple leafe without any composition,
strong, and of sweet taste; they gaue us some to carry to our
Captaine, whom they called our Bashabes; neither did they require any
thing for it, but we would not receiue any thing from them without
remuneration.
Heere we saw foure of their women, who stood behind them, as
desirous to see vs, but not willing to be seene; for before,
whensoeuer we came on shore, they retired into the woods, whether it
were in regard of their owne naturall modestie, being couered only
as the men with the foresaid Beauers skins, or by the commanding
jealousy of their husbands, which we rather suspected, because it is
an inclination much noted to be in Saluages; wherfore we would by no
meanes seeme to take any speciall notice of them. They were very well
fauoured in proportion of countenance, though coloured blacke, low of
stature, and fat, bare headed as the men, wearing their haire long:
they had two little male children of a yeere and half old, as we
judged, very fat and of good countenances, which they loue tenderly,
all naked, except their legs, which were couered with thin leather
buskins tewed, fastened with strops to a girdle about their waste,
which they girde very streight, and is decked round about with little
round peeces of red Copper; to these I gaue chaines and bracelets,
glasses, and other trifles, which the Saluages seemed to accept in
great kindnesse.
At our comming away, we would haue had those two that supped with vs,
to go abord and sleepe, as they had promised; but it appeared their
company would not suffer them. Whereat we might easily perceiue they
were much greeued; but not long after our departure, they came with
three more to our ship, signing to vs, that if one of our company
would go lie on shore with them, they would stay with vs. Then Owen
Griffin (one of the two we were to leaue in the Country, if we had
thought it needfull or conuenient) went with them in their Canoa, and
3 of them staied aborde vs, whom our whole company very kindly vsed.
Our Captaine saw their lodging prouided, and them lodged in an old
saile vpon the Orlop; and because they much feared our dogs, they
were tied vp whensoeuer any of them came abord vs.
Owen Griffin, which lay on the shore, reported vnto me their maner,
and (as I may terme them) the ceremonies of their idolatry; which
they performe thus. One among them (the eldest of the Company, as he
judged) riseth right vp, the other sitting still, and looking about,
suddenly cried with a loud voice, Baugh, Waugh: ♦_Powwow_♦ then the
women fall downe, and lie vpon the ground, and the men all together
answering the same, fall a stamping round about the fire with both
feet, as hard as they can, making the ground shake, with sundry
out-cries, and change of voice and sound. Many take the fire-sticks
and thrust them into the earth, and then rest awhile: of a sudden
beginning as before, they continue so stamping, till the yonger sort
fetched from the shore many stones, of which euery man tooke one,
and first beat vpon them with their fire-sticks, then with the stones
beat the earth with all their strength. And in this maner (as he
reported) they continued aboue two houres.
After this ended, they which haue wiues take them apart, and withdraw
themselues seuerally into the wood all night.
The next morning, as soone as they saw the Sunne rise, they pointed
to him to come with them to our shippe: and hauing receiued their
men from vs, they came with fiue or sixe of their Canoas and Company
houering about our ship; to whom (because it was the Sabbath day)
I signed they should depart, and at the next Sun rising we would
goe along with them to their houses; which they vnderstood (as we
thought) and departed, some of their Canoas coursing about the Iland,
and the other directly towards the maine.
This day, about fiue a clocke after noone, came three other Canoas
from the maine, of which some had beene with vs before; and they
came aboord vs, and brought vs Tabacco, which we tooke with them
in their pipes, which were made of earth, very strong, blacke, and
short containing a great quantity: some Tabacco they gaue vnto our
Captaine, and some to me, in very ciuill kind maner. We requited them
with bread and peaze, which they caried to their Company on shore,
seeming very thankefull. After supper they returned with their Canoa
to fetch vs a shore to take Tabacco with them there: with whom six
or seuen of vs went, and caried some trifles, if peradventure they
had any trucke, among which I caried some few biskets, to try if
they would exchange for them, seeing they so well liked to eat them.
When we came at shore, they most kindly entertained vs, taking vs
by the hands, as they had obserued we did to them aboord, in token
of welcome, and brought vs to sit downe by their fire, where sat
together thirteene of them. They filled their Tabacco pipe, which was
then the short claw of a Lobster, which will hold ten of our pipes
full, and we dranke of their excellent Tabacco as much as we would
with them; but we saw not any great quantity to trucke for; and it
seemed they had not much left of old, for they spend a great quantity
yeerely by their continuall drinking: and they would signe vnto vs,
that it was growen yet but a foot aboue ground, and would be aboue
a yard high, with a leafe as broad as both their hands. They often
would (by pointing to one part of the maine Eastward) signe vnto vs,
that their Bashabes (that is, their King) had great plenty of Furres,
and much Tabacco. When we had sufficiently taken Tabacco with them, I
shewed some of our trifles for trade; but they made signe that they
had there nothing to exchange; for (as I after conceiued) they had
beene fishing and fowling, and so came thither to lodge that night by
vs: for when we were ready to come away, they shewed vs great cups
made very wittily of barke, in forme almost square, full of a red
berry about the bignesse of a bullis, which they did eat, and gaue
vs by handfuls; of which (though I liked not the taste) yet I kept
some, because I would by no meanes but accept their kindnesse. They
shewed me likewise a great piece of fish, whereof I tasted, and it
was fat like Porpoise; and another kinde of great scaly fish, broiled
on the coales, much like white Salmon, which the Frenchmen call
Aloza, ♦_Shad_♦ for these they would haue had bread; which I refused,
because in maner of exchange, I would alwayes make the greatest
esteeme I could of our commodities whatsoeuer; although they saw
aboord our Captaine was liberall to giue them, to the end we might
allure them still to frequent vs. Then they shewed me foure yoong
Goslings, for which they required foure biskets, but I offered them
two; which they tooke and were well content.
At our departure they made signe, that if any of vs would stay there
on shore, some of them would go lie aboord vs: at which motion two of
our Company stayed with them, and three of the Saluages lodged with
vs in maner as the night before.
Early the next morning, being Munday the third of June, when they
had brought our men aboord, they came about our ship, earnestly
by signes desiring that we would go with them along to the maine,
for that there they had Furres and Tabacco to traffique with vs.
Wherefore our Captaine manned the light-horseman with as many men as
he could well, which were about fifteene with rowers and all; and we
went along with them. Two of their Canoas they sent away before, and
they which lay aboord vs all night, kept company with vs to direct vs.
This we noted as we went along, they in their Canoa with three oares,
would at their will go ahead of vs and about vs, when we rowed with
eight oares strong; such was their swiftnesse, by reason of the
lightnesse and artificiall composition of their Canoa and oares.
When we came neere the point where we saw their fires, ♦_Pemaquid_♦
where they intended to land, and where they imagined some few of
vs would come on shore with our merchandize, as we had accustomed
before; when they had often numbred our men very diligently, they
scoured away to their Company, not doubting we would haue followed
them. But when we perceiued this, and knew not either their intents,
or number of Saluages on the shore, our Captaine, after consultation,
stood off, and wefted them to vs, determining that I should go on
shore first to take a view of them, and what they had to traffique:
if he, whom at our first sight of them seemed to be of most respect
among them, and being then in the Canoa, would stay as a pawne for
me. When they came to vs (notwithstanding all our former courtesies)
he vtterly refused; but would leaue a yoong Saluage: and for him
our Captaine sent Griffin in their Canoa, while we lay hulling a
little off. Griffin at his returne reported, thay had there assembled
together, as he numbred them, two hundred eighty three Saluages,
euery one his bowe and arrowes, with their dogges, and wolues which
they keepe tame at command, and not anything to exchange at all;
but would haue drawen vs further vp into a little narrow nooke of a
riuer, for their Furres, as they pretended.
These things considered, we began to joyne them in the ranke of other
Saluages, who haue beene by trauellers in most discoueries found very
trecherous; neuer attempting mischiefe, vntill by some remisnesse,
fit opportunity affoordeth them certaine ability to execute the same.
Wherefore after good advice taken, we determined so soone as we could
to take some of them, least (being suspitious we had discouered their
plots) they should absent themselues from vs.
Tuesday, the fourth of June, our men tooke Cod and Hadocke with hooks
by our ship side, and Lobsters very great; which before we had not
tried.
About eight a clocke this day we went on shore with our boats, to
fetch aboord water and wood, our Captaine leauing word with the
Gunner in the shippe, by discharging a musket, to giue notice if
they espied any Canoa comming; which they did about ten a clocke. He
therefore being carefull they should be kindly entreated, requested
me to go aboord, intending with dispatch to make what haste after
he possibly could. When I came to the ship, there were two Canoas,
and in either of them three Saluages; of whom two were below at the
fire, the other staied in their Canoas about the ship; and because we
could not entice them abord, we gaue them a Canne of pease and bread,
which they carried to the shore to eat. But one of them brought backe
our Canne presently and staid abord with the other two; for he being
yoong, of a ready capacity, and one we most desired to bring with vs
into England, had receiued exceeding kinde vsage at our hands, and
was therefore much delighted in our company. When our Captaine was
come, we consulted how to catch the other three at shore which we
performed thus.
We manned the light horseman with 7 or 8 men, one standing before
carried our box of Marchandise, as we were woont when I went to
traffique with them, and a platter of pease, which meat they loued:
but before we were landed, one of them (being too suspitiously
feareful of his owne good) withdrew himselfe into the wood. The other
two met vs on the shore side, to receiue the pease, with whom we went
vp the Cliffe to their fire and sate downe with them, and whiles we
were discussing how to catch the third man who was gone, I opened
the box, and shewed them trifles to exchange, thinking thereby to
haue banisht feare from the other, and drawen him to returne: but
when we could not, we vsed little delay, but suddenly laid hands
vpon them. And it was as much as fiue or sixe of vs could doe to get
them into the light horseman. For they were strong and so naked as
our best hold was by their long haire on their heads; and we would
haue beene very loath to haue done them any hurt, which of necessity
we had beene constrained to haue done if we had attempted them in a
multitude, which we must and would, rather than haue wanted them,
being a matter of great importance for the full accomplement of our
voyage.
Thus we shipped fiue Saluages, two Canoas, with all their bowes and
arrowes.
The next day we made an end of getting our wood aboord, and filled
our empty caske with water.
Thursday, the 6 of June, we spent in bestowing the Canoas vpon the
orlop safe from hurt, because they were subject to breaking, which
our Captaine was carefull to preuent.
Saturday the eight of June (our Captaine being desirous to finish
all businesse about this harbour) very early in the morning, with
the light horseman, coasted fiue or sixe leagues about the Ilands
adjoining, and sounded all along wheresoeuer we went. He likewise
diligently searched the mouth of the Harbour, and about the rocks
which shew themselues at all times, and are an excellent breach of
the water, so as no Sea can come in to offend the Harbour. This he
did to instruct himselfe, and thereby able to direct others that
shall happen to come to this place. For euery where both neere the
rocks, & in all soundings about the Ilands, we neuer found lesse
water than foure and fiue fathoms, which was seldome; but seuen,
eight, nine and ten fathoms is the continuall sounding by the shore.
In some places much deeper vpon clay oaze or soft sand: so that if
any bound for this place, should be either driuen or scanted with
winds, he shall be able (with his directions) to recouer safely his
harbour most securely in water enough by foure seuerall passages,
more than which I thinke no man of judgement will desire as
necessarie.
Vpon one of the Ilands (because it had a pleasant sandy Coue for
small barks to ride in) we landed, and found hard by the shore a
pond of fresh water, which flowed ouer the banks, somewhat ouer
growen with little shrub trees, and searching vp in the Iland, we saw
it fed with a strong run, which with small labour, and little time,
might be made to driue a mill. In this Iland, as in the other, were
spruce trees of excellent timber and height, able to mast ships of
great burthen.
While we thus sounded from one place to another in so good deepes,
our Captaine to make some triall of the fishing himselfe, caused a
hooke or two to be cast out at the mouth of the harbour, not aboue
halfe a league from our ship, where in small time only, with the
baits which they cut from the fish and three hooks, we got fish
enough for our whole Company (though now augmented) for three daies.
Which I omit not to report, because it sheweth how great a profit the
fishing would be, they being so plentifull, so great, and so good,
with such conuenient drying as can be wished, neere at hand vpon the
Rocks.
This day, about one a clocke after noone, came from the Eastward two
Canoas abord vs, wherein was he that refused to stay with vs for a
pawne, and with him six other Saluages which we had not seene before,
who had beautified themselues after their manner very gallantly,
though their clothing was not differing from the former, yet they
had newly painted their faces very deep, some all blacke, some red,
with stripes of excellent blew ouer their vpper lips, nose and
chin. One of them ware a kinde of Coronet about his head, made very
cunningly, of a substance like stiffe haire coloured red, broad, and
more than a handfull in depth, which we imagined to be some ensigne
of his superioritie; for he so much esteemed it as he would not for
any thing exchange the same. Other ware the white feathered skins
of some fowle, round about their head, jewels in their ears, and
bracelets of little white round bone, fastned together vpon a leather
string. These made not any shew that they had notice of the other
before taken, but we vnderstood them by their speech and signes,
that they came sent from the Bashabes, and that his desire was that
we would bring vp our ship (which they call as their owne boats, a
Quiden) to his house, being, as they pointed, vpon the main towards
the East, from whence they came, and that he would exchange with vs
for Furres and Tabacco. But because our Company was but small, and
now our desire was with speed to discouer vp the river, we let them
vnderstand, that if their Bashabes would come to vs, he should be
welcome, but we would not remoue to him. Which when they vnderstood
(receiuing of vs bread and fish, and euery of them a knife) they
departed; for we had then no will to stay them long abord, least they
should discouer the other Saluages which we had stowed below.
Tuesday, the 11 of June, we passed vp into the riuer with our ship,
about six and twenty miles. Of which I had rather not write, then by
my relation to detract from the worthinesse thereof. For the Riuer,
besides that it is subject by shipping to bring in all traffiques
of Marchandise, a benefit alwaies accounted the richest treasury to
any land: for which cause our Thames hath that due denomination,
and France by her nauigable Riuers receiueth hir greatest wealth;
yet this place of it selfe from God and nature affoordeth as much
diuersitie of good commodities, as any reasonable man can wish, for
present habitation and planting.
The first and chiefest thing required, is a bold coast and faire land
to fall with; the next, a safe harbour for ships to ride in.
The first is a speciall attribute to this shore, being most free from
sands or dangerous rocks in a continuall good depth, with a most
excellent land-fall, which is the first Iland we fell with, named by
vs, Saint Georges Iland. ♦_Monhegan_♦ For the second, by judgement
of our Captaine, who knoweth most of the coast of England, and most
of other Countries, (hauing beene experienced by imployments in
discoueries and trauels from his childhood) and by opinion of others
of good judgement in our shippe, heere are more good harbours for
ships of all burthens, than England can affoord, and far more secure
from all winds and weathers, than any in England, Scotland, France
or Spaine. For besides without the Riuer in the channell, and sounds
about the ilands adjoining to the mouth thereof, no better riding can
be desired for an infinite number of ships. The Riuer it selfe as
it runneth vp into the main very nigh forty miles toward the great
mountaines, beareth in bredth a mile, sometime three quarters, and
halfe a mile is the narrowest, where you shall neuer haue vnder 4 and
5 fathoms water hard by the shore, but 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 fathoms
all along, and on both sides euery halfe mile very gallant Coues,
some able to conteine almost a hundred saile, where the ground is
excellent soft oaze with a tough clay vnder for anker hold, and where
ships may ly without either Cable or Anker, only mored to the shore
with a Hauser.
It floweth by their judgement eighteen or twenty foot at high water.
Heere are made by nature most excellent places, as Docks to graue or
Carine ships of all burthens; secured from all windes, which is such
a necessary incomparable benefit, that in few places in England, or
in any parts of Christendome, art, with great charges, can make the
like.
Besides, the bordering land is a most rich neighbour trending all
along on both sides, in an equall plaine, neither mountainous nor
rocky, but verged with a greene bordure of grasse, doth make tender
vnto the beholder of hir pleasant fertility, if by clensing away the
woods she were conuerted into meddow.
The wood she beareth is not shrubbish fit only for fewell, but goodly
tall Firre, Spruce, Birch, Beech, Oke, which in many places is not
so thicke, but may with small labour be made feeding ground, being
plentifull like the outward Ilands with fresh water, which streameth
downe in many places.
As we passed with a gentle winde vp with our ship in this Riuer, any
man may conceiue with what admiration we all consented in joy. Many
of our Company who had beene trauellers in sundry countries, and in
the most famous Riuers, yet affirmed them not comparable to this they
now beheld. Some that were with Sir Walter Ralegh in his voyage to
Guiana, in the discouery of the Riuer Orenoque, which echoed fame to
the worlds eares, gaue reasons why it was not to be compared with
this, which wanteth the dangers of many Shoules, and broken ground,
wherewith that was incombred. Others before that notable Riuer in
the West Indies called Rio Grande; some before the Riuer of Loyer,
the Riuer Seine, and of Burdeaux in France, which although they be
great and goodly Riuers, yet it is no detraction from them to be
accounted inferiour to this, which not only yeeldeth all the foresaid
pleasant profits, but also appeared infallibly to vs free from all
inconueniences.
I will not prefer it before our riuer of Thames, because it is
Englands richest treasure; but we all did wish those excellent
Harbours, good deeps in a continuall conuenient breadth, and small
tide-gates, to be as well therein for our countries good, as we found
thē here (beyond our hopes) in certaine, for those to whom it shall
please God to grant this land for habitation; which if it had, with
the other inseparable adherent commodities here to be found; then
I would boldly affirme it to be the most rich, beautifull, large &
secure harbouring riuer that the world affoordeth.
Wednesday, the twelfth of June, our Captaine manned his
light-horseman with 17 men, and ranne vp from the ship riding in the
riuer vp to the codde thereof, ♦_A bend or narrow portion_♦ where we
landed, leauing six to keepe the light-horseman till our returne. Ten
of vs with our shot, and some armed, with a boy to carry powder and
match, marched vp into the countrey towards the mountaines, ♦_Camden
Hills_♦ which we descried at our first falling with the land. Vnto
some of them the riuer brought vs so neere, as we judged our selues
when we landed to haue beene within a league of them; but we marched
vp about foure miles in the maine, and passed ouer three hilles: and
because the weather was parching hot, and our men in their armour not
able to trauel farre and returne that night to our ship, we resolued
not to passe any further, being all very weary of so tedious and
laboursom a trauell.