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. The face is not recognizable on account of its variety of colors. Prisoners' lives are rarely spared, unless that of

memof mrsonee, Women and children, who are treated by the conquerors in the same manner as their own, in order

thus to recruit their numbers. If, however, a prisoner be not put to death immediately after the battle, but handed over to some person whose relative had been formerly killed by the conquered party, he is roasted three days long before he gives up the ghost. It excites uncommon admiration if the sufferer constantly sing in the midst of his torture. Notwithstanding misdemeanors are not punished, wicked acts are of rare occurrence. Stolen property, whenever discovered, is ordered by the Chief to be restored. The next of kin of the murdered man may kill the murderer, if he overtake him within four and twenty hours. But if he avenge himself later, he is subject to be slain by the

relative of the second victim, within the limit of the stated time.

All obligations acquire their force from the accept-