NO. l6 CAI-UIiKOX LETTER WIvXHOLD [3 



On one side is a granary supported by 12 beams, which they call a 

 ciarita, where they store the wheat, corn and other things they harvest. 



During January they burn the grass and weeds from the fields 

 preparatory to cultivation, surrounding them all at one time with fire 

 so that the deer, wild ducks and rabbits, fleeing from it fall into their 

 hands. This sort of hunting they call hurimelas. Then they enter the 

 forests in pursuit of bears, bison and lions which they kill with bows 

 and arrows, and this they call ojeo. Whatever they secure in either 

 way they bring to the principal cacique, in order that he shall divide it, 

 he keeping the skins which fall to his share. Offering is made to the 

 church of the best parts, and this serves for the support of the mis- 

 sionary priest, to whom they are in such subjection that they obey 

 his orders without question. 



In April they commence to sow, and as the man goes along opening 

 the trench, the woman follows sowing. All in common cultivate and 

 sow the lands of the caciques. As alms for the missionaries and the 

 needy widows, they sow wheat in October and harvest it in June. This 

 is a crop of excellent quality in the province of Apalache, and so 

 abundant that it produces seventy fanegas " from one fanega sown. 



Each village has a council house called the great hujio, constructed 

 of wood and covered with straw, round, and with a very large opening 

 in the top. Most of them can accommodate from 2,000 to 3,000 

 persons. They are furnished all around the interior with niches called 

 barhacuas, which serve as beds and as seats for the caciques and chiefs, 

 and as lodgings for soldiers and transients. Dances and festivals are 

 held in them around a great fire in the center. The missionary priest 

 attends these festivities in order to prevent indecent and lewd conduct, 

 and they last until the bell strikes the hour of las dnimas. 



These Indians do not covet riches, nor do they esteem silver or gold, 

 coins of which do not circulate among them, and their only barter is 

 the exchange of one commodity for another, which exchange they call 

 reseated'' The most common articles of trade are knives, scissors, axes, 

 hoes, hatchets, large bronze rattles," glass beads, blankets which they 

 call congas, pieces of rough cloth/" garments and other trifles. 



" A fanega is about a bushel and a half. 



" Rcscafe is a good Spanish word of Latin origin, meaning " ransom " hut with 

 " barter " as a secondary meaning. 



^'Cascabeles grandcs dc hroncc. Cascabclcs are properly small IjcIIs of the 

 tyiK' used on harness. 



"" Jerguetas. 



