A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England / Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.

by Roger Williams

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.

Kitônuck,	A Ship.
Kitónuckquese,	A little Ship.
Mishíttouwand,	A great Canow.
Peeswàsu,	A little one.
Paugautemissaûnd,	An Oake Canow
Kowawwawaûnd,	A pine Canow.
Wompmissaûnd,	A chesnut Canow.
Ogwhan,	A boat adrift.
Wuskon-tógwhan,	It will goe adrift.
Cuttunnamíinnea,	Help me to Launch.
Cuttunnummútta,	Let us launch.
Cuttúnnamoke,	Launch.
Cuttánnummous,	I will help you.
Wútkunck,	A paddle or Oare.
Namacóuche cómishoon,	Lend me your Boate.
Paûtousnenótehunck,	Bring hither my paddle.
Comishoónhom?	Goe you by water?
Chémosh-chémeck,	Paddle or row.
Maumínikish and	Pull up, or row lustily.
Maumanetepweéas,
Sepâkehig,	A Sayle.
Sepagehommaûta,	Let us saile.
Wunnâgehan,	We have a faire wind.

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.

Paupaútuckquash,	Hold water.
Kínnequass,	Steere.
Tiáckomme kínniquass,	Steere right.
Kunnósnep,	A Killick, or Anchor.
Chowwophómmin,	To cast over-board.
Chouwóphash,	Cast over-board.
Touwopskhómmke,	Cast anchor.
Mishittashin,	It is a storme.
Awêpesha,	It caulmes.
Awêpu,	A calme.
Nanoúwashin,	A great caulme.
Tamóccon,	Floud.
Nanashowetamóccon,	Halfe Floud.
Keesaqúshin,	High water.
Taumacoks,	Upon the Floud.
Mishittommóckon,	A great Floud.
Maùchetan and skàt,	Ebb.
Mittâeskat,	A low Ebb.
Awánick Paûdhuck?	Who comes there?

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.