are like the Brazilians in color,
or as yellow as the people who sometimes pass through the Netherlands
and are called Gypsies. The men generally have no beard, or very little,
which some even pull out. They use very few words, which they consider
well. Naturally they are very modest, simple and inexperienced; though
in their actions high-minded enough, vigorous and quick to comprehend or
learn, be it right or wrong, whenever they are so inclined. They are
not straightforward as soldiers but perfidious, accomplishing all
their enterprises by treachery, using many strategems to deceive their
enemies, and usually ordering all their plans, involving any danger, by
night. The desire of revenge appears to be born in them. They are very
obstinate in defending themselves when they cannot run, which however
they do when they can; and they make little of death when it is
inevitable, and despise all tortures which can be inflicted upon them
while dying, manifesting no sorrow, but usually singing until they are
dead. They understand how to cure wounds and hurts, or inveterate sores
and injuries, by means of herbs and roots, which grow in the country,
and which are known to them. Their clothing, both for men and women, is
a piece of duffels or leather in front, with a deer skin or elk's hide
over the body. Some have bears' hides of which they make doublets;
others have coats made of the skins of raccoons, wild-cats, wolves,
dogs, otters, squirrels, beavers and the like, and also of turkey's
feathers. At present they use for the most part duffels cloth, which
they obtain in barter from the Christians. They make their stockings
and shoes of deer skins or elk's hide, and some have shoes made of
corn-husks, of which they also make sacks. Their money consists of
white and black zeewant, which they themselves make. Their measure and
valuation is by the hand or by the fathom; but their corn is measured
by deontas, which are bags they make themselves. Ornamenting themselves
consists in cutting their bodies, or painting them with various colors,
sometimes even all black, if they are in mourning, yet generally in the
face. They hang zeewant, both white and black, about their heads,
which they otherwise are not want to cover, but on which they are now
beginning to wear hats and caps bought of the Christians. They also put
it in their ears, and around their necks and bodies, wherewith after
their manner they appear very fine. They have long deer