LAWSON'S HISTORY 41 



these parts, although he is head but of a small 

 people, in respect to some other nations of Indians, 

 that I have seen. He can put any of his people to 

 death that hath committed any fault which he 

 judges worthy of so great a punishment. This 

 authority is rarely found amongst these savages, 

 for they act not (commonly) by a determinative 

 voice in their laws towards any one that hath com- 

 mitted murder, or such other great crime, but 

 take this method ; him to whom the injury was 

 done, or if dead, the nearest of -his kindred, pros- 

 ecutes by way of an actual revenge, being himself 

 if opportunity serves his intent, both judge and 

 executioner, performing so much mischief on the 

 offender or his nearest relation, until such time 

 that he is fully satisfied. Yet this revenge is not 

 so infallible but it may be bought off with beads, 

 tobacco, and such like commodities that are use- 

 ful amongst them, though it were the most sable 

 villainy that could be acted by mankind. 



Some that attend the king presented me with 

 an odoriferous balsamic root, of a fragrant smell 

 and taste, the name I know not. They chew it 

 in the mouth, and by that simple application heal 

 desperate wounds both green and old. That 

 small quantity I had was given inwardly to those 

 troubled with the belly ache, which remedy failed 

 not to give present help, the pain leaving the pa- 

 tients soon after they had taken the root. 



Near to these cabins are several tombs made 

 after the manner of these Indians ; the largest 



