358 The Natural History 



carried her awaj; the Governor desired them immediately 

 to pursue them, and if it were possible to recover the Woman, 

 which two of them accordingly did: In travelling some 

 Days, they brought back the Woman, and the Skins of the 

 Heads of their Enemies; though they had been three Days 

 gone off with the Woman before the others pursued them; 

 how they could discover which way they went, in those 

 Yv^oods, and Desarts, is not a little surprizing, and few or 

 none can account for but themselves. 



In their War Expeditions they have certain Hieroglyph- 

 icks, whereby each Party inform the other of the success or 

 losses they have met with ; all of which is so exactly per- 

 formed by their Sylvan Marks and Characters, that they 

 are never at a loss to understand one another, yet there never 

 were found any Letters among the People in this Province, 

 and I am persuaded that there are neither Letters or Learn- 

 ing to be met with amongst any of the Natives in all 

 America, 



It is admirable to see how exactly they will draw Maps 

 of all the Pivers, Towns, Mountains, and Poads, or what 

 you shall enquire of them, which may be drawn by their 

 Directions, and come to a small matter of Latitude, reckon- 

 ing by the Daj'S Journies. These Maps they will draw 

 in the Ashes of the Eire, and sometimes on a Mat or piece 

 of Bark. 



I have likewise seen a Pen put into one of their Hands, 

 wherewith he has not only drawn the Pivers, Bays, and other 

 parts of this Country, but likewise has imitated the Hand 

 Writing of those in Company very nicely, but whenever .hey 

 make these Discoveries to us, we must be very much in their 

 Favour, otherwise they will not show you any thing they do 

 or know. 



There 



