CHAP, in.] WEST INDIES. 71 



that they considered them as beings of a superipr 

 nature, whose presence consecrated their dwellings, 

 and brought a blessing with it. J 



The reception which Bartholomew Columbus, who 

 was appointed lieutenant, or deputy governor, in the 

 absence of the admiral, afterwards met with, in his 

 progress through the island to levy tributes from the 

 several caciques or princes, manifested not only kind- 

 ness and submission, but on many occasions munifi- 

 cence, and even a high degree of politeness. These 

 caciques had all heard of the wonderful eagerness of 

 the strangers for gold ; and such of them as possessed 

 any of this precious metal, willingly presented all 

 that they had to the deputy governor. Others, who 

 had not the means of obtaining gold, brought provi- 

 sions and cotton in great abundance. Among the 

 latter, was Behechio, a powerful cacique, who invi- 

 ted the lieutenant and his attendants to his dominions j 

 and the entertainment which they received from this 

 hospitable chief is thus described by Martyr. As they 

 approached the king's dwelling, they were met by 

 his wives, to the number of thirty, carrying branches 

 of the palm-tree in their hands; who first saluted the 

 Spaniards with a solemn dance, accompanied with a 

 general song. These matrons were succeeded by a 

 train of virgins, distinguished as such by their ap- 

 pearance ; the former wearing aprons of cotton cloth, 

 while the latter were arrayed only in the innocence or 



J Herrera, dec ad. i. lib.i. c. xiv. F. Cel. c. xxvii. 

 $ P. Martyr, decad. i. lib. v. 



