76 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK i. 



ther, became queen of Xaraguay.f It is obvious 

 that this regulation was intended to prevent the mis- 

 chiefs of a disputed succession, among children 

 whose pretensions were equal. 



The principal cacique was distinguished by regal 

 ornaments, and numerous attendants. In travelling 

 through his dominions, he was commonly borne on 

 men's shoulders, after a manner very much resembling 

 the use of the palanquin in the East Indies. J Ac- 

 cording to Martyr, he was regarded by all his sub- 

 jects with such reverence, as even exceeded the 

 bounds of nature and reason; for if he ordered any of 

 them to cast themselves headlong from a high rock, 

 or to drown themselves in the sea, alleging no cause 

 but his sovereign pleasure, he was obeyed without a 

 murmur; opposition to the supreme authority, being 

 considered, not only as unavailing, but impious. 



Nor did their veneration terminate with the life of 

 the prince; it was extended to his memory after 

 death; a proof that his authority, however extrava- 

 gant, was seldom abused. When a cacique died, his 

 body was embowelled, and dried in an oven, mode- 

 rately heated; so that the bones, and even the skin 

 were preserved entire. [| The corpse was then placed 

 in a cave with those of his ancestors, this being (ob- 

 serves Oviedo) among these simple people the only 



. 



f- Herrera, lib. vi. c. ii. 

 J Herrera, lib. i. c. xvi. 

 Martyr, clecad. i. c. i. 

 ^y Herrera, lib. iii. c, iii. F. Columbus, c. Ixu 



