290 LAWSON'S HISTORY 



bark of trees, that is proper for that use, as elm 

 is, or sometimes the moss that grows on the trees, 

 and is a yard or two long, and never rots ; then 

 they brace them with other poles to make them 

 strong; afterwards cover them all over with bark, 

 so that they are very warm and tight, and will 

 keep firm against all the weathers that blow. They 

 have other sorts of cabins without windows, which 

 are for their granaries, skins, and merchandises, 

 and others that are covered over head ; the rest 

 left open for the air. These have reed hurdles, 

 like tables, to lie and sit on, in summer, and serve 

 for pleasant banqueting houses in the hot season 

 of the year. The cabins they dwell in have benches 

 all round, except where the door stands, on these 

 they lay beasts skins, and mats made of rushes, 

 whereon they sleep and loll. In one of these sev- 

 eral families commonly live, though all related to 

 one another. 



As to the Indians' food, it is of several sorts, 

 which are as follows : 



Venison, and fawns in the bags, cut out of the 

 does belly; fish of all sorts, the lamprey eel except- 

 ed, and the sturgeon, our salt water Indians will 

 not touch ; bear, and bever, panther, polecat, wild 

 cat, possum, raccoon, hares, and squirrels, roasted 

 with their guts in ; snakes, all Indians will not 

 eat them, though some do ; all wild fruits, that 

 are palatable, some of which they dry and keep 

 against winter, as all sort of fruits, and peaches, 

 which they dry and make quiddonies and cakes, 



