A Boat of Bark

The brown-skinned people have another kind of boat which requires much skill in the management, lest it be overset; and so light is one even fourteen or sixteen feet in length, that I may readily carry it on my shoulder.

It is made from the bark of the white birch tree, which does not grow here in abundance, but is found farther away, in that land bordering on the Dutch settlements.

I have never seen one made; but the Indian lads tell me that it is a task that may be performed even by one who has not had much experience, since it remains only to give shape to the canoe by means of thin ribs, or strips of wood, no thicker than the cloth of my doublet, which are attached to a light frame-work that forms what you would call the gunwale of the vessel.

When these thin strips, bent to the required form by being held in the steam of boiling water, have been fastened to the rail, or, in other words, to pieces which have been shaped like unto a couple of bows brought together with the bent parts outward, one covers this framework, or skeleton, with bark of the birch tree, fastening it in place by sewing with the sinew of the deer, and afterward covering the holes made by the needles, and the edges where two pieces of bark are set together, with pitch from the fat pine tree.

Then, across the rails are fastened light, narrow strips of wood, which serve not only the purpose of thwarts, or seats, but also form handles by which to carry the craft.