_Henry Hudson_ relates, That Sailing in the River _Montains_, in forty Degrees, he saw the _Indians_ make strange Gestures in their Dancing and Singing; he observ’d farther, that they carry’d Darts pointed with sharp Stones, Sodder’d to the Wood; that they slept under the Sky on Mats or Leaves; took much Tobacco, and very strong; and that though courteous and friendly, they were very Thieves. He Sailing thirty Leagues further, went in his Boat to an old _Indian_ Commander of forty Men and seventeen Women, who conducted him to the Shore, where they all dwelt in one House, artificially built of the Barks of Oak-trees; round about it lay above three Ships load of Corn, and _Indian_ Beans to dry, besides the Plants which grew in the Fields. No sooner had _Hudson_ enter’d the House, but he was receiv’d on two Mats spread on the ground; and two Men immediately were sent out to shoot Venison or Fowls; and instantly returning, brought two Pigeons; a fat Dog, whom they nimbly flea’d with shells, was also laid down to the fire: They also made other Preparations for _Hudsons_ Entertainment, but not willing to venture himself amongst them, that Night, tasted not of it, notwithstanding the _Indians_ breaking their Darts, threw them into the fire, that thereby they might drive away all fears and jealousies from him. [Illustration] [Sidenote: _New Netherlanders_ Apparel.] The Habits of the Natives, especially of the Men, are few; the Women go more neat than the Men; and though the Winter pinches them with excessive cold, yet they go naked till their thirteenth year: Both Men and Women wear a Girdle of Whale-fins and _Sea-shells_; the Men put a piece of Cloth, half an Ell long, and three quarters broad, between their Legs, so that a square piece hangs behind below his Back, and another before over his Belly. The Women wear a Coat which comes half way down their Legs, so curiously wrought with _Sea-shells_, that one Coat sometimes costs thirty Pounds. Moreover, their Bodies are cover’d with Deer-skins, the lappets or ends of which hang full of Points; a large Skin button’d on the right Shoulder, and ty’d about the middle, serves for an upper Garment, and in the Night for a Blanket: Both Men and Women go for the most part bare-headed; the Women tie their Hair behind in a tuft, over which they wear a square Cap wrought with _Sea-shells_, with which they adorn their Foreheads, and also wear the same about their Neck and Hands, and some also about their middle. Before the _Hollanders_ were Planted here, they wore Shoes and Stockings of _Buffelo_’s-skins; some likewise made Shoes of Wheaten-straw, but of late they come nearer to our Fashions: The Men Paint their Faces with several Colours; the Women only put here and there a black Spot; both of them are very reserv’d. [Sidenote: Their houses.] [Sidenote: Remove.]