72 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. i. 



pure nature. Their hair was tied simply with a fillet 

 over their foreheads, or suffered to flow gracefully on 

 their shoulders and bosoms. Their limbs were finely 

 proportioned, and their complexions, though brown, 

 were smooth, shining and lovely. The Spaniards 

 were struck with admiration, believing that they be- 

 held the dryads of the woods, and the nymphs of the 

 fountains, realizing ancient fable. The branches 

 which they bore in their hands, they now delivered 

 with lowly obeisance to the lieutenant, who, enter- 

 ing the palace, found a plentiful, and according to the 

 Indian mode of living, a splendid repast already pro- 

 vided. As night approached, the Spaniards were 

 conducted to separate cottages, wherein each of them 

 was accommodated with a cotton hammock; and the 

 next morning they were again entertained with dan- 

 cing and singing. This was followed by matches of 

 wrestling, and running for prizes; after w r hich two 

 great bodies of armed Indians unexpectedly appear- 

 ed, and a mock engagement ensued; exhibiting their 

 modes of attack and defence in their wars with the 

 Charaibes. For three days were the Spaniards thus 

 royally entertained, and on the fourth, the affectionate 

 Indians regretted their departure. 



.*- 



III. The submissive and respectful deportment of 

 these placid people towards their superiors, and those 

 they considered as such, was derived probably, in 

 some degree, from the nature of their government; 

 which, contrary to that of the Charaibes under a simi- 

 lar climate, was monarchical and even absolute. The 

 regal authority however, though not circumscribed by 



