and with scrapers rake the trunk, and turn away the fire from
one place to another, till they have deepened the belly of it to their
desire. Thus also they shape the ends, till they have made it a fit
vessel for crossing the water, and this they call a canoe, one of which
I have seen thirty feet long.

When they wanted any land to be cleared of the woods, they chopped a
notch round the trees quite through the bark with their stone hatchets
or tomahawks, and that deadened the trees, so that they sprouted no
more, but in a few years fell down. However, the ground was plant-able,
and would produce immediately upon the withering of the trees. But now
for all these uses they employ axes and little hatchets, which they buy
of the English. The occasions aforementioned, and the building of their
cabins, are still the greatest use they have for these utensils, because
they trouble not themselves with any other sort of handicraft, to which
such tools are necessary. Their household utensils are baskets made of
silk grass, gourds, which grow to the shapes they desire them, and
earthen pots to boil victuals in, which they make of clay.

[Illustration: _Lith. of Ritchies & Dunnavant Richmond, Va._
Tab: 14. Book: 3 Pag: 183]

TAB. 14. Shows their manner of felling great trees (before they had
iron instruments) by firing the root, and bringing them to fit lengths,
and shaping them for use by fire alone.

The Indians of Virginia are almost wasted, but such towns or people as
retain their names and live in bodies are hereunder set down, all which
together can't raise five hundred fighting men. They live poorly, and
much in fear of the neighboring Indians. Each town, by the articles of
peace, 1677, pays three Indian arrows for their land, and twenty beaver
skins for protection every year.

In Accomac are eight towns, viz:

Metomkin is much decreased of late by the small pox, that was
carried thither.

Gingoteague. The few remains of this town are joined with a nation
of the Maryland Indians.

Kiequotank is reduced to very few men.

Matchopungo has a small number yet living.

Occahanock has a small number yet living.

Pungoteague. Governed by a queen, but a small nation.

Onancock has but four or five families.

Chiconessex has very few, who just keep the name.

Nanduye. A seat of the empress. Not above twenty families, but she
hath all the nations of this shore under tribute.

In Northa