ment.

They are very severe in punishing ill breeding, of which every Werowance
is undisputed judge, who never fails to lay a rigorous penalty upon it:
an example whereof I had from a gentleman that was an eye-witness; which
was this:

In the time of Bacon's rebellion, one of these Werowances, attended by
several others of his nation, was treating with the English in New Kent
county about a peace; and during the time of his speech, one of his
attendants presumed to interrupt him, which he resented as the most
unpardonable affront that could be offered him; and therefore he
instantly took his tomahawk from his girdle and split the fellow's head
for his presumption. The poor fellow dying immediately upon the spot, he
commanded some of his men to carry him out, and went on again with his
speech where he left off, as unconcerned as if nothing had happened.

The Indians never forget nor forgive an injury, till satisfaction be
given, be it national or personal: but it becomes the business of their
whole lives; and even after that, the revenge is entailed upon their
posterity, till full reparation be made.

Sec. 45. The titles of honor that I have observed among them peculiar to
themselves, are only Cockarouse and Werowance, besides that of the king
and queen; but of late they have borrowed some titles from us, which
they bestow among themselves. A Cockarouse is one that has the honor to
be of the king or queen's council, with relation to the affairs of the
government, and has a great share in the administration. A Werowance is
a military officer, who of course takes upon him the command of all
parties, either of hunting, traveling, warring, or the like, and the
word signifies a war-captain.

The priests and conjurers are also of great authority, the people having
recourse to them for counsel and direction upon all occasions; by which
means, and by help of the first fruits and frequent offerings, they riot
in the fat of the land, and grow rich upon the spoils of their ignorant
countrymen.

They have also people of a rank inferior to the commons, a sort of
servants among them. These are called black boys, and are attendant upon
the gentry, to do their servile offices, which, in their state of
nature, are not many. For they live barely up to the present relief of
their necessities, and make all things easy and comfortable to
themselves, by the indulgence of a kind climate, without toiling and
perplexing their minds for ri