164 TRAVELS THjioucH 



over with a fineTpunge dipt in a folution of rock 

 fait, which mixes the blood with the black, con- 

 tracting the fkin which has been flung, and ren- 

 ders the figure indelible. This is not done with- 

 out fome pain ; but as it is a kind of knighthood 

 to which they "are only intit led by great adions, 

 they fuffer. with pleafure, in order to pafs for 

 men of courage; Thefe marks of diilindlion 

 multiply in proportion to the fine actions they 

 do in war. 



If one of them fhould get himfelf marked, 

 without having previoufly dillinguifhed himfelf 

 in battle, he would be degraded, and looked 

 upon as a coward, unworthy of an honour, 

 which only belongs to thofe who generoully ex- 

 pofe their lives in defence of their' country. The 

 Indians only value the fons of Caciques, in as 

 much as they are brave and virtuous after the 

 example of their fathers and anceflors. 



I faw pn Indian, who, though he had never 

 fignalized himfelf in defence of the nation, 

 however chofe to get a mark on- his body, in 

 order to deceive thofe who only judged from ap- 

 pearances. He would pafs for a man of courage 

 with a view to obtain one of the prettied girls 

 of the nation in marriage, who, favage as flie was, 



was 



