ng in the middle
the figure of a hatchet in white wampum.

The Indian women are very dexterous in weaving the strings of wampum
into belts, and marking them with different figures, perfectly
agreeing with the different subjects contained in the speech. These
figures are marked with white wampum on the black, and with black upon
the white belts. For example, upon a belt of peace, they very
dexterously represent in black wampum two hands joined. The belt of
peace is a fathom long, and of the breadth of a hand. To distinguish
one belt from the other, each has its peculiar mark. No belt, except
the war-belt, must show any red colour. If they are obliged to use
black wampum instead of white, they daub it over with white clay, and,
though the black may shine through, yet in value and import it is
considered as equal to white. These strings and belts of wampum are
also documents by which the Indians remember the chief articles of the
treaties made between themselves, or with the white people. They refer
to them as to public records, carefully preserving them in a chest
made for that purpose. At certain seasons they meet to study their
meaning, and to renew the ideas of which they were an emblem and a
confirmation. On such occasions they sit down around the chest, take
out one string or belt after the other, handing it about to every
person present; and, that they may all comprehend its meaning, they
repeat the words pronounced on its delivery in their whole connexion.
By these means they are enabled to remember the promises reciprocally
made by the different parties. And, as it is their custom to admit
even young boys, who are related to the chiefs, to these assemblies,
they become early acquainted with all the affairs of state; and thus
the contents of their documents are transmitted to posterity, and
cannot be easily forgotten.

LEGEND OF ATON-LARRE[A].

[Footnote A: The burnt weed.]

When the Nansemonds occupied for their hunting-grounds the vast
forests which lie between the Mountains and the Great Arm of the
Sea[B], they were the lords and masters of the wilds, and ruled them
according to their pleasure. Throughout the land there was none equal
to them for swiftness and dexterity in the chase, and they were
foremost amongst the nations for their prowess in war. When their
shout was heard among the distant hills of the Lenapes, the craven cry
of that timid people was, "A Nansemond! a Nansemond!"--when they lau