over this was bark, lapped on the ends and edges, which was A hole was left in kept in its place by withes to the lathings. the roof for smoke to escape, and a single door of entrance

was

provided. Rarely exceeding twenty feet in width, these houses were sometimes a hundred and eighty yards long. " " In those places," says Van der Donck, they crowd a sur prising number of persons, and it is surprising to see them out From sixteen to eighteen families occupied one day."

in open

house, according to its size.

A single fire in the centre served

them all, although each family occupied at night its particular division and mats.

Their castles were strong, firm works, and were usually situated on the side of a steep, high hill, near a stream of water

This plain was with a level plain on the crown of the hill. enclosed with a strong stockade, which was constructed by laying on the ground large logs of wood for a foundation, on both sides of which oak palisades were set in the ground, the

upper ends of which crossed each other and were joined together: a against the rude assaults of rude enemies , these castles were Inside of their walls they not unfrequently had twenty or thirty houses, so that a clan or tribe could be provided safe retreat.

for in winter.

Besides their strongholds, they had villages and

towns which were enclosed or stockaded. The latter usually Near had woodland on one side and corn land on the other. the water sides and at fishing places they not unfrequently had huts for temporary occupancy ; but in the winter they were found in their castles which were rarely, if ever, left altogether.