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94 P.21. 96 fastened a small bell, in such a manner as to hang down in the bosom.

4. Dress and ornaments for the arms, legs, & feet. The men wore bands round their wrists, and about the arm below the elbow. These had little bells attached to them. On becoming able to obtain silver, they had those ornaments made of it.The legings, mocasins & garters of the men, nearly as at present, only the garter frequently had bells fastened to them. The women wore petticoats made of wild hemp, and wove, or knit close, down as low as the knees, and then a fringe extended to the ankles. Some had feathers curiously wrought into this fringe. They wore no legings, but their mocasins made some like half boots, extended half way up the leg, having small bells fastened to them about the ankles. Rings for the fingers were common to both sexes.

Blankets were made not only of skins, but also of Turkey feathers. The feathers being plucked off, were rubbed, and made as soft as possible. Then a narrow strip of soft, pliable bark, as long as the blanket was to be wide, was put down and feathers placed on it from end to end. Then a similar strip of bark was laid on the top, and there two strips of bark were sewed together with bard thread. Then another strip was put under, and another tier of feathers and strip of bark over, and so on, till one, or more blankets were finished. This, with Turkey feathers & dress hair it is said, they made the covering for the tabernacle in the wilderness.

Domestic concerns

Formerly the women got their own wood for cooking, unless as they might be assisted by very old men. They also carried all the water for family use. It was considered disgraceful for men or boys to be seen carrying water. The women pounded all the corn, and prepared food for the family. They also performed the washing. Women, not only performed the labours of the kitchen, but they also assisted in the field. Formerly, it was the custom for a whole town to inclose one large field in which each family had its particular share. In this, all the town men and women worked together, first in one part, and then in another, avowing to the direction of one whom they had selected to manage the business, and whom therefore, in this respect, they called their head man. Individual fields were separated from each by a ridge thrown up, or by stones, or unclear up.