In fine, we suffered 'em to survey
us as they pleased, and we thought they would never have done admiring
us. When Caesar, and the rest, saw we were received with such
wonder, they came up to us; and finding the Indian trader whom they
knew (for 'tis by these fishermen, called Indian traders, we hold a
commerce with 'em; for they love not to go far from home, and we never
go to them), when they saw him, therefore, they set up a new joy,
and cried in their language, Oh! here's our Tiguamy, and we shall
now know whether those things can speak. So advancing to him, some
of 'em gave him their hands, and cried, Amora Tiguamy; which is as
much as, How do you do? or, Welcome, Friend: and all, with one din,
began to gabble to him, and asked if we had sense and wit? If we could
talk of affairs of life and war, as they could do? If we could hunt,
swim, and do a thousand things they use? He answered 'em, we could.
Then they invited us into their houses, and dressed venison and
buffalo for us; and, going out, gathered a leaf of a tree called a
sarumbo leaf, of six yards long, and spread it on the ground for a
table-cloth and cutting another in pieces, instead of plates, set us
on little low Indian stools, which they cut out of one entire piece of
wood, and paint in a sort of Japan-work. They serve every one their
mess on these pieces of leaves; and it was very good, but too
high-seasoned with pepper. When we had eat, my brother and I took
out our flutes, and played to 'em, which gave 'em new wonder; and I
soon perceived, by an admiration that is natural to these people,
and by the extreme ignorance and simplicity of 'em, it were not
difficult to establish any unknown or extravagant religion among them,
and to impose any notions or fictions upon 'em.
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