156 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull.TS 
From this point we will follow the narrative consecutively: 
The cacique was at home, in a piazza. Before his dwelling, on a high place, was 
spread a mat for him, upon which two cushions were placed, one above another, to 
which he went and sat down, his men placing themselves around, some way removed, 
So that an open circle was formed about him, the Indians of the highest rank being 
nearest to his person. One of them shaded him from the sun with a circular umbrella, 
spread wide, the size of a target, with a small stem, and having a deerskin extended 
over cross-sticks, quartered with red and white, which at a distance made it look of 
taffeta, the colours were so very perfect. It formed the standard of the chief, which 
he carried into battle. His appearance was full of dignity: he was tall of person, 
muscular, lean, and symmetrical. He was the suzerain of many territories and of a 
numerous people, being equally feared by his vassals and the neighboring nations. 
The field marshal, after he had spoken to him, advanced with his compajiy, their 
steeds leaping from side to side, and at times towards the chief, when he, with great 
gravity, and seemingly with indifference, now and then would raise his eyes and look 
on as in contempt. 
The governor approached him, but he made no movement to rise; he took him by 
the hand, and they went together to seat themselves on the bench that was in the 
piazza. 
Here follows the speech of the chief, real or imaginary, which we 
will omit. 
The governor satisfied the chief with a few brief words of kindness. On leaving, he 
determined for certain reasons, to take him along. The second day on the road he 
came to a town called Piache: a great river ran near, and the governor asked for canoes. 
The Indians said they had none, but that they could have rafts of cane and dried 
wood, whereon they might readily enough go over, which they diligently set about 
making, and soon completed. They managed them; and the water being calm, the 
governor and his men easily crossed. . . . 
After crossing the river of Piache, a Christian having gone to look after a woman 
gotten away from him, he had been either captured or killed by the natives, and the 
governor pressed the chief to tell what had been done; threatening, that should the 
man not appear, he would never release him. The cacique sent an Indian thence 
to Mauilla, the town of a chief, his vassal, whither they were going, stating that he 
sent to give him notice that he should have provisions in readiness and Indians for 
loads; but which, as afterwards appeared, was a message for him to get together there 
all the warriors in his country. 
The governor marched three days, the last of them continually, through an inhabited 
region, arriving en Monday, the eighteenth day of October, at Mauilla. He rode 
forward in the vanguard, with fifteen cavalry and thirty infantry, when a Christian he 
had sent with a message to the cacique, three or four days before, with orders not to 
be gone long, and to discover the temper of the Indians, came out from the town and 
reported that they appeared to him to be making preparations for that while he was 
present many weapons were brought, and many people came into the town, and work 
had gone on rapidly to strengthen the palisade. Luis de Moscoso said that, since the 
Indians were so evil disposed, it would be better to stop in the woods; to which the 
governor answered, that he was impatient of sleeping out, and that he would lodge in 
the town. 
Arriving nea.r, the chief came out to receive him, with many Indians singing and 
playing on flutes, and after tendering his services, gave him three cloaks of marten 
skins. The governor entered the town with the caciques, seven or eight men of his 
guard, and three or four cavalry, who had dismounted to accompany them; and they 
seated themselves in a piazza. The cacique of Tastaluca asked the governor to allow 
