^. 



282 lawson's history 



backward and forward as we do, nor contemplate 

 on the affairs of loss and gain, the things which 

 daily perplex us. They are dexterous and steady, 

 both as to their hands and feet, to admiration. 

 They will walk over deep brooks and creeks on 

 the smallest poles, and that without any fear or 

 concern. Nay, an Indian will walk on the ridge 

 of a barn or house and look down the gable end, 

 and spit upon the ground as unconcerned as if he 

 was walking on terra firma. In running, leaping 

 or any such other exercise, their legs seldom mis- 

 carry and give them a fall ; and as for letting any 

 thing fall out of their hands, I never yet knew one 

 example. They are no inventers of any arts or 

 trades worthy mention ; the reason of which I 

 take to be, that they are not possessed with that 

 care and thoughtfalness, how to provide for the 

 necessaries of life as the Europeans are ; yet they 

 will learn any thing very soon. I have known an 

 Indian stock guns better than most of our joiners, 

 although he never saw one stocked before ; and 

 besides, his working tool was only a sorry knife. 

 I have also known several of them that were slaves 

 to the English, learn handicraft trades very well 

 and speedily. I never saw a dwarf amongst them, 

 nor but one that was hump-backed. Their teeth 

 are yellow with smoking tobacco, which both men 

 and women are much addicted to. They tell us that 

 they had tobacco amongst them before the Euro* 

 peans made any discovery of that continent. It 

 differs in the leaf from the sweet scented, and 



