CHAP. XVIII.
Of the Sea.
| Wechêkum, } | The Sea. |
| Kítthan, } |
Paumpágussit, the Sea-God, or that name which they give that Deitie or Godhead which they conceive to be in the Sea.
Obs: Mishoòn, an Indian Boat, or Canow made of a Pine or Oake, or Chesnut-tree: I have seene a Native goe into the woods with his hatchet carrying onely a Basket of Corne with him, and stones to strike fire when he had felled his tree (being a Chesnut) he made him a little House or shed of the bark of it, he puts fire and followes the burning of it with fire, in the midst in many places: his corne he boyles and hath the Brook by him, and sometimes angles for a little fish: but so hee continues burning and hewing untill he hath within ten or twelve dayes (lying there at his worke alone) finished, and (getting hands,) lanched his Boate; with which afterward hee ventures out to fish in the Ocean.
| Mishoonémese, | A little Canow. |
Some of them will not well carry above three or foure: but some of them twenty, thirty, forty men.
| Wunnauanoûnuck, | A shallop. |
| Wunnauanounuckquèse, | A skiffe. |
Obs: Although themselves have neither, yet they give them such names, which in their Language signifieth carrying Vessells.
Obs: Their owne reason hath taught them, to pull off a Coat or two and set it up on a small pole, with which they will saile before a wind ten, or twenty mile &c.
| Wauaúpunish, | Hoyse up. |
| Wuttáutnish, | Pull to you. |
| Nókanish, | Take it downe. |
| Pakétenish, | Let goe or let flie. |
| Nikkoshkowwaûmen, | We shall be drown’d. |
| Nquawu pshâwmen, | We overset. |
| Wussaûme pechepaûsha, | The sea comes in too fast upon us. |
| Maumaneeteántass, | Be of good courage. |
Obs: It is wonderfull to see how they will venture in those Canoes, and how (being oft overset as I have myselfe been with them) they will swim a mile, yea two or more safe to Land: I having been necessitated to passe Waters diverse times: with them, it hath pleased God to make them many times the instruments of my preservation; and when sometimes in great danger I have questioned safety, they have said to me: Feare not, if we be overset I will carry you safe to Land.
Obs: I have knowne thirty or forty of their Canowes fill’d with Men, and neere as many more of their enemies in a Sea fight.
| Caupaûshess, | Goe ashoare. |
| Caupaushâuta, | Let us goe ashoare. |
| Wusséheposh, | Heave out the water. |
| Asképunish, | Make fast the Boat. |
| Kspúnsh & Kspúnemoke, | Tie it fast. |
| Maumínikish, | Tie it hard. |
| Neene Cuthómwock, | Now they goe off. |
| Kekuthomwushánnick, | They are gone already. |
Generall Observations of the Sea.
How unsearchable are the depths of the Wisedome and Power of God in separating from Europe, Asia and Africa such a mightie vast continent as America is? and that for so many ages? as also, by such a Westerne Ocean of about three thousand of English miles breadth in passage over?
More particular:
They see God’s wonders that are call’d
Through dreadfull Seas to passe,
In tearing winds, and roaring seas,
And calmes as smooth as glasse.
I have in Europes ships, oft been
In King of terrours hand;
When all have cri’d, Now, now we sinck,
Yet God brought safe to land.
Alone ’mongst Indians in Canoes,
Sometime o’return’d, I have been
Halfe inch from death, in Ocean deepe,
Gods wonders I have seene.