and greatly increases then Distresses
arrayd in their best Clothing & Ornaments
They assemble twice in the Year to ren
der Thanks to the Good Spirit for the
favours which he hath conferd upon
them - the first is in the Fall of the Year
when the Corn, Beans, Squashes &
Potatoes are ripe & the other about the
middle of Winter when they return with
Game & Skins from Hunting - At these
Times the men, Women, & Children Col
lect & an examination takes place
what uneasinesses are among them and
what evil acts each one has committed
of there it is also common that they
make Confession, the design of
which is that all wrong things should
be done away & that where Differences
have existed a reconcilliation take
place & a promise on the part of
the Offenders to by to do better for the future
which done the Council assembled forgive them.
They then divide into small Companies Men &
Women apart & dance around & in each
House in the Town. These Dancing Com
panies are preceeded by two Men, ap
pointed for the purpose, who are dressd
in the most frightful manner they can