which they were found

by the English," that they, being a more fierce, cruel, and warlike people than the rest of the Indians, came down out of the inland parts of the conplanted

"

tinent,

and by force seized upon the became

goodliest places near the sea, and a terror to all their neighbors."

Indian

Wars, 14. The relationship between the Mahicans and Pequots is so conclusively shown that one must have apparently originated the other.

THE INDIAN TRIBES

by the Dutch under the names of Wappingers, Montauks and Mahicans.

The tradition which the Mahicans give of their origin states

" The

country formerly owned by the

:

Muhheakunnuk nation,

was situated partly in Massachusetts, and partly in the states of Vermont and New York. The inhabitants dwelt chiefly in little towns and Their chief seat *was on Hudson's villages. river, now it is called Albany, which was called Pempotowwuthut-Muhhecanneuw, or the fire-place of the Muhheakunnuk nation, where their allies used to come on any business whether covenants of their friendship or other matters. etymology of the word Muhheakunnuk, according to

relative

The

to

the

original signification, is great waters or sea, which are constantly in motion, either ebbing or flowing. Our forefathers asserted

that they were emigrants from west-by-north of another country ;

that they passed over great waters, where this and the other country are nearly connected, called Ukhkokpeck ; it signifies

snake water or water where snakes are abundant ; and that they lived by side of a great water or sea, from whence they derive the name of Muhheakunnuk nation. Muhheakunneuw signifies