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the effect that the Abenaquis had a system of notation or enumeration by peas as units. Like all explanations it is the obvious that is overlooked. I knew that pois was the word for peas - and thought poix might be an early form, but it never occurred to me that peas were available in January, the date of the massacre. Of course they carried the legume as part of their supplies en route from Sellery (their rendezvous) and probably "shelled out" dried peas as the figurative result when reviewing the days job in the evening in camp.

  Does this conform to your knowledge of the Indian custom in counting - say above ten? The fingers were his natural means of expressing numbers.
   I suppose, then, that they brought back cent pois to show to Champigny, the number they had killed. Of course that did not prove anything and the Intendant did not go beyond the statement that they "counted them with peas"
  As you are having (or have had) an Indian reunion of the Penobscot and Passamaquoddies I thought that might add to the gayety of the event, and an excuse for unity.
                                   Yours very truly
                                      Chars. Banks