Not But That The Indians Have As Many Lying Stories
Of Spirits And Conjurers, As Any People In The World;
But they tell it
with no Disadvantage to themselves; for the great Esteem
which the Old Men bring themselves to,
Is by making the others believe
their Familiarity with Devils and Spirits, and how great a Correspondence
they have therewith, which if it once gains Credit, they ever after are held
in the greatest Veneration imaginable, and whatever they after impose
upon the People, is receiv'd as infallible. They are so little startled
at the Thoughts of another World, that they not seldom murder themselves;
as for Instance, a Bear-River Indian, a very likely young Fellow,
about twenty Years of Age, whose Mother was angry at his drinking
of too much Rum, and chid him for it, thereupon reply'd,
he would have her satisfied, and he would do the like no more;
upon which he made his Words good; for he went aside, and shot himself dead.
This was a Son of the politick King of the Machapunga, I spoke of before,
and has the most Cunning of any Indian I ever met withal.
Most of the Savages are much addicted to Drunkenness, a Vice
they never were acquainted with, till the Christians came amongst them.
Some of them refrain drinking strong Liquors, but very few of that sort
are found amongst them. Their chief Liquor is Rum, without any Mixture.
This the English bring amongst them, and buy Skins, Furs,
Slaves and other of their Commodities therewith.
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