32 VOYAGE TO THE 



broad thong at the £nd of it ; a discipline which ap- 

 peared the more tyrannical, as the church was not 

 sufficiently capacious for all the attendants, and seve- 

 ral sat upon the steps without ; but the Indian women 

 who had been captured in the affair with the Cose- 

 menes were placed in a situation where they could see 

 the costly images, and vessels of burning incense, and 

 every thing that was going forward. 



The congregation was arranged on both sides of 

 the building, separated by a wide aisle passing along 

 the centre, in which were stationed several alguazils 

 with whips, canes, and goads, to preserve silence and 

 maintain order, and, what seemed more difficult than 

 either, to keep the congregation in their kneeling 

 posture. The goads were better adapted to this pur- 

 pose than the whips, as they would reach a long way, 

 and inflict a sharp puncture without making any 

 noise. The end of the church was occupied by a 

 guard of soldiers under arms, with fixed bayonets ; a 

 precaution which I suppose experience had taught 

 the necessity of observing. Above them there was a 

 choir consisting of several Indian musicians, who 

 performed very well indeed on various instruments, 

 and sang the Te Deum in a very passable manner. 

 The congregation was very attentive, but the gratifi- 

 cation they appeared to derive from the music fur- 

 nished another proof of the strong hold this portion 

 of the ceremonies of the Romish church takes upon 

 uninformed minds. 



The worthy and benevolent priests of the mission 

 devote almost the whole of their time to the duties of 

 the establishment, and have a fatherly regard for those 

 placed under them who are obedient and diligent ; 

 and too much praise cannot be bestowed upon them. 



