In other respects they are grave, chary of speech, which, after mature consideration, is slowly uttered and long remembered. The understanding being somewhat sharpened by the Hollanders, they evince sufficient ability to distinguish carefully good from evil. They will not suffer any imposition. No wise disposed to gluttony, they are able patiently to endure cold, heat, hunger and thirst. They are remarkably addicted to the use of sweating baths, made of earth and lined with clay. A small door serves as an entrance, The patient creeps in, seats himself down, and places heated stones around the sides. Whenever he hath sweated a certain time, he immerses himself suddenly in cold water ; from which he derives great security against all sorts of sickness. Though this people do not make such a distinction between man and

Zeawant.

Singular hot bath.

man as other nations, yet they have high and low families ; infe- _

rior and superior chiefs, whose authority remains hereditarily in the houses. The military offices are disposed of only according to the valorous prowess of each person. The commander does not divide his soldiers into regiments, companies or files, but leads them on merely to overreach the enemy from an ambuseade. They undertake the most of their expeditions in the night. They do not maintain their position long against a sudden onslaught, unless surrounded, then they fight to the last man. Whenever they anticipate any

Mode of war.

Fea ah tae:

DESCRIPTION OF NEW NETHERLAND. 129

danger, the women and children are placed in a secure hiding place. Their weapons used formerly to be the arrow, bow and war club. They now use the snap-haunce at which they are very expert. .A square shield covers the body up to the shoulders. A snake skin is tied around the head from the centre of which sticks up a fox's or bear's tail.