0018

The Town of Secota

Their towns that are not inclosed with poles are commonly fairer than such as are inclosed, as appeareth in this figure which lively expresseth the town of Secota. For the houses are scattered here and there, and they have gardens, expressed by the letter E, wherein groweth tobacco which the inhabitants call uppowoc. They have also groves wherein they take deer, and fields wherein they sow their corn. In their corn fields they build as it were a scaffold whereon they set a cottage like to a round chair, signified by F, wherein they place one to watch, for they would soon devour all their corn. For which cause the watchman maketh continual cries and noise. They sow their corn with a certain distance, noted by H, otherwise one stalk would choke the growth of another and the corn would not come unto his ripeness G, for the leaves thereof are large, like unto the leaves of great reeds. They have also a several broad plots C, where they meet with their neighbours to celebrate their chief solemn feasts as we have already mentioned above; and a place D where after they have ended their feast they make merry together. Over against this place they have a round plot B where they assemble themselves to sow pumpkins. Also a place marked with K wherein they make a fire at their solemn feasts, and hard without the town a river L, from whence they fetch their water. These people are void of all covetousness and live cheerfully and at their hearts' ease. They solemnize their feasts in the night, and therefore they keep very great fires to avoid darkness and to testify their joy.

Monday, 15-May-95 14:17:42 PDT