, in some of the houses more than 300 bushels.
They make canoes and barrels of the bark of trees, and sew with bark as
well. We had a good many pumpkins cooked and baked that they called
anansira. None of the chiefs were at home, but the principal chief is
named Adriochten, who lived a quarter of a mile from the fort in a
small house, because a good many savages here in the castle died of
smallpox. I sent him a message to come and see us, which he did; he
came and bade me welcome, and said that he wanted us very much to come
with him. We should have done so, but when already on the way another
chief called us, and so we went to the castle again. This one had a
big fire lighted, and a fat haunch of venison cooked, of which we ate.
He gave us two bearskins to sleep upon, and presented me with three
beaver skins. In the evening Willem Tomassen, whose legs were swollen
from the march, had a few cuts made with a knife therein, and after
that had them rubbed with bear grease. We slept in this house, at
heartily of pumpkins, beans and venison, so that we were not hungry,
but were treated as well as is possible in their land. We hope that
all will succeed.

December 14. Jeronimus wrote a letter to our commis (factor), Marten
Gerritsen, and asked for paper, salt, and atsochwat--that means tobacco
for the savages. We went out to shoot turkeys with the chief, but
could not get any. In the evening I bought a very fat one for two
hands of seewan. The chief cooked it for us, and the grease he mixed
with our beans and maize. This chief showed me his idol; it was a male
cat's head, with the teeth sticking out; it was dressed in duffel
cloth. Others have a snake, a turtle, a swan, a crane, a pigeon, or
the like for their idols, to tell the fortune; they think they will
always have good luck in doing so. From here two savages went with
their skins to Fort Orange.

December 15. I went again with the chief to hunt turkeys, but could
not get any; and in the evening the chief again showed us his idol, and
we resolved to stay here for another two or three days till there
should be an opportunity to proceed, because all the footpaths had
disappeared under the heavy snowfalls.

December 16. After midday a famous hunter came here named Sickarus,
who wanted very much that we should go with him to his castle. He
offered to carry our goods and to let us sleep and remain in his house
as long as we liked; and because he was offeri