ABORIGINAL USE OF WOOD IN NEW YORK IO3 



sometimes made with straight rafters like our own. In either form 

 it was probably too steep for a resting-place, but onto the natter 

 roof of the vestibule people climbed to 1 see the sights." Morgan, 

 2:299 



Those familiar with Catlin's pictures of Mandan lodges will 

 remember the Indians seated on them, and the curve of the roof 

 differs little from that of the Iroquois lodge. In the latter the outer 

 framework not only aided in climbing, but afforded a secure foot- 

 hold when once on the roof. So* we find this a favorite spot. When 

 Chaumonot entered Onondaga in 1655 he found the roofs covered 

 with children. At Le Moyne's entrance in 1661 the town was 

 scarcely visible, " the pickets, the cabins and the trees were so cov- 

 ered with people." When Bartram was at Tueyahdassoo in 1743, 

 "all the Indians, men, women and children came to gaze at us and 

 our horses, the little boys and girls climbed on the roofs of their 

 cabins, about 10 in number, to enjoy a fuller view." Bartram, p.40 



A severer test came at other times. At the dream feast at Onon- 

 daga in 1656, Garakontie''s brother, it is said, " in the sequel mounts 

 upon the roof, he makes a thousand turns there, crying as though 

 all had been lost. This done he descends, going gravely through 

 all the town." Relation, 1656 



Indoors the Hurons played the game of the bowl, village against 

 village. " All this company crowds into one cabin, and arranges 

 itself on the one side and the other upon poles raised even to the 

 top." Relation, 1636 



Among the Hurons torture took place in the great war captain's 

 cabin. 



So it is called Otinontsiskiaj ondaon, that is to say, the house of 

 the heads cut off. It is there where all the councils of war are 

 held : for the cabin where the affairs of the country are considered, 

 and which regards the polity only, is called Endionrra ondaon, the 

 council house . . . The old men placed themselves above, as 

 upon a sort of scaffolds which run above on both sides the whole 

 length of the cabins; the young people were below, but so much 

 crowded that they were almost one upon another, so that there was 

 scarcely passage there along the fires. Relation, 1637 



