of North Carolina. 285 



their Nakedness, and some few with a Blanket, or some such 

 like piece of Cloth about their Shoulders. 



As soon as they have sold their Deer-Skins for those 

 Necessaries they had occasion for, and had drank what quan- 

 tity of Rum they were allowed, or thought fit to make use 

 of, they came out into the Street, to act the Indian War, 

 which to any one bred in Europe, seemed rather like a Scene 

 of Madness, than a Warlike Exercise, for one while they 

 were Hooping and Hollowing, another while stamping alto- 

 gether like Madmen, another time creeping, as if they were 

 surprizing their Enemies, and many other antick Postures 

 and Gestures, too tedious to name. Though these Kings 

 may seem despicable and meane to us, yet are they most 

 absolute, putting to death those they judge worthy of it; 

 therefore it may not be amiss to give some Instances, because 

 they seem cruel and barbarous, if compared with our Laws 

 for punishing Offenders, as may appear by the following 

 Account, viz. 



An Indian came to a Planters House in this Province, 

 and finding no body at home but a Servant Maid, he at- 

 tempted to lie with her, but she not complying with his 

 Desires, he was so provoked, that to be revenged, he shot 

 the Planters Dog as he was going away. The Planter com- 

 plained to the Governour of the injury the Indian had done 

 him, in order to have him punished for the offence. A Mes- 

 senger is immediately dispatched to their King to demand 

 Satisfaction for the trespass the Inaian had been guilty of. 

 The Messenger coming late that Evening to the Indian- 

 town the King courteously received him and prevailed u])on 

 him to stay all Night, and that the next Day when the Sun 

 was up, at such a height (as he expressed it) he would de- 

 liver him the Offender. Accordingly he remained there all 



Nifijht, 



