hem return again by the same name, as the
moon of stags, the corn moon, the first and second moon of _cobonks_,
&c. They have no distinction of the hours of the day, but divide it only
into three parts, the rise, power, and lowering of the sun. And they
keep their account by knots on a string, or notches on a stick, not
unlike the Peruvian quippoes.

Sec. 37. In this state of nature, one would think they should be as pure
from superstition, and overdoing matters in religion, as they are in
other things; but I find it is quite the contrary; for this simplicity
gives the cunning priest a greater advantage over them, according to the
Romish maxim, "_Ignorance is the mother of devotion._" For, no bigotted
pilgrim appears more zealous, or strains his devotion more at the
shrine, than these believing Indians do, in their idolatrous adorations.
Neither do the most refined Catholics undergo their pennance with so
much submission, as these poor Pagans do the severities which their
priests inflict upon them.

They have likewise in other cases many fond and idle superstitions, as
for the purpose. By the falls of James river upon Colonel Byrd's land,
there lies a rock which I have seen, about a mile from the river,
wherein are fairly imprest several marks like the footsteps of a
gigantic man, each step being about five feet asunder. These they aver
to be the track of their God.

This is not unlike what the fathers of the Romish Church tell us, that
our Lord left the print of His feet on the stone, whereon he stood while
he talked with St. Peter; which stone was afterward preserved as a very
sacred relic; and after several translations, was at last fixed in the
Church of St. Sebastian, the martyr, where it is kept, and visited with
great expressions of devotion. So that the Indians, as well as these,
are not without their pious frauds.

Sec. 38. As the people have a great reverence for the priest, so the priest
very oddly endeavours to preserve their respect, by being as hideously
ugly as he can, especially when he appears in public; for besides, that
the cut of his hair is peculiar to his function, as in tab. 4, book 3,
and the hanging of his cloak, with the fur reversed and falling down in
flakes, looks horridly shagged, he likewise bedaubs himself in that
frightful manner with paint, that he terrifies the people into a
veneration for him.

The conjuror is a partner with the priest, not only in the cheat, but in
the advantag