If any one commit that offense

(stealing) too often, he is stripped bare of his goods." Documentary History t iv,

129; Wasstnaar, Ib. y in, 44. 2 " do not make such this

Though

a distinction

people

between

man and man as

OF HUDSON'S RIVER.

or captains, as the Europeans called them, 1 who stood in rank according to the services by which they had distinguished them selves, the one highest in the qualifications of prudence, cunning,

resolution, bravery, and good fortune, had powers equivalent In times of war, the tribes were to a commanding general.

under rigid martial law; nothing was done without the consent of the war captains ; no warrior could leave the troop without forfeiting

his

honor and the highly esteemed advantages of

promotion.

To begin a war was called "taking up the hatchet," and could not be done without what were regarded as the most The death of a warrior at the important reasons. hands of a neighboring tribe, was not always a cause for war. The murderer could be surrendered or the offense atoned by

just and

presents ; but when a warrior was killed and scalped, or when, as with the Mohawks, the hatchet was left sticking in the head of

the victim, it was regarded as a declaration 6*f war. In such cases the war captains summoned their followers and addressed

" The bones of your murdered countrymen lie un covered they demand revenge at our hands, and it is our duty to obey them their spirits loudly call upon us, and we must satisfy them ; still greater spirits watching over our honor, inspire