Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/202

 October, they obtained their main support from the nuts which grew in such teeming abundance in the woods, the grain of their maize, the vegetables maturing in the early autumn, roots, berries, deer, fish, and oysters. When November arrived, the wild fowl had returned to the rivers and estuaries, and in winter there were oysters and the stores of maize to supply the deficiencies of the chase.

It was remarked of the Indians that they grew fat or lean according to the season. When the season furnished an abundance of food, they stuffed themselves night and day, falling to as soon as their eyes were opened, and unless compelled by unforeseen emergencies to arouse themselves, dropping to sleep as soon as their stomachs were filled. So ravenous were their appetites that a colonist employing an Indian was forced to allow him a quantity of food double the amount that was given to the English laborer. In a period of want and hardship, the warrior simply drew his belt more tightly about his waist to appease the pangs of hunger. It was rare, however, that the products of the country were curtailed by natural causes, and this is the true explanation of the aboriginal improvidence and apparent lack of foresight. As their maize was planted in the moist and fertile soil of the land along the streams, the most severe drought had but little effect in shortening the crops; a heavy wind and hail storm might inflict serious damage, but its force was always lessened by the barrier of the surrounding forests. There was no hostile influence whatever to diminish the vast abundance of fish and wild fowl. The early wild fruits