i^§ CANARY ISLANDS. 



wife, to make a present of cattle to her father according 

 to his ability, as an acknowledgement. When they made 

 a feast, they killed one or two fat lambs, according to the 

 number of guests, and roasted them whole ; these they 

 placed on the ground, and seating themselves round them, 

 never rose until they had entirely devoured them. 



They inflicted no punishment for crimes except murder 

 and theft. The murderer was put to death in the same 

 manner as he killed the deceased. For the first oifence 

 of the thief they put out one of his eyes, and for the second, 

 the other, that he might not see to steal any more. Their 

 punishments were executed by a particular person set 

 apart to perform offices on these occasions. 



When the natives perceived Bethencourt's ships ap- 

 proaching with their white sails, they remembered the 

 prophecy of a man who had formerly lived among them, 

 named Yore, and who was considered a soothsayer or divin- 

 er. This man, when on his death-bed, called the natives to- 

 gether, and told them that long after he was dead and gone, 

 and his flesh should be consumed, and his bones mouldered 

 to dust, their god Eraoranzan would come to them in white 

 houses on the water ; and advised them not to resist him 

 nor fly from him, but adore him, for he was to come to do 

 them good. The natives, who placed great faith in his pre- 

 dictions, buried him in a separate place from the rest of 

 their dead, that his bones might be afterwards distinguished 

 from theirs. On seeing the ships approach with their white 

 sails swelling on the surface of the waves, they firmly be- 

 lieved that the prophecy was fulfilled, and directly went 

 to the cave vvhere Yore was buried, and there found his 

 bones crumbled to dust ; upon which, they ran joyously to 

 the shore to receive their god Eraoranzan. 



The natives of Canary were of a dark complexion, well- 

 proportioned, and of a good stature. They were an active, 

 warlike people, but cheerful and good-natured, and were 

 strictly faithful to their promises. They were very fond 

 of hazardous feats, such as climbing to the top of steep 

 precipices, and pitching poles of so great weight, that one of 

 them was a sufficient burden for a man of ordinary strength 



