lodges of their foes completely undefended, and they slew every
human being in the captured village. The Meherrins left their
old homes in despair and disappeared in the west. This occurred
after many white people had settled in the Albemarle country.

10. Such a state of society necessitated the control of one
leader; so the Indian tribes were governed by chiefs, who led
them to battle and in pursuit of game. Some of these chiefs,
like Powhatan and King Philip, were men of marked ability, and
extended their power over other tribes. When a chief died his
son succeeded to his office only when fitted for the place; if
weak or cowardly, some other brave was chosen. In this way the
honor was not strictly hereditary.

11. The Indians had no knowledge as to the working of iron. They
had only bows, arrows, stone tomahawks and such weapons for war.
They lived in small communities, embracing from ten to thirty
cabins, for protection, but had no large towns, because of the
impossibility of feeding great numbers at one point. They held
it a part of their religion to seek vengeance for all injuries,
real and imaginary, and their general traits of character were as
savage as their habits. In war they had no pity on captives, no
reverence for helpless age, and were strangers to the sentiments
of honor and justice. They were brave, yet much given to cunning
and treachery. They rarely forgot benefits or forgave injuries.

12. Many relics of these savages are yet to be found in almost
every county throughout the State. Broken pieces of pottery,
arrowheads and tomahawks are often plowed up in the fields; and
mounds of various sizes, made by the Indians, are still seen in