INHABITANTS OF COLOMBIA. 



177 



they cajDture in large numbers. Usually the Goajiros go naked, donning a 

 cotton mantle only when they visit the frontier market towns. Their physical 

 appearance, speech, and haughty bearing show that they are an isolated branch 

 of the Carib race. 



Although they now keep aloof from the Colombian whites and half-breeds, 

 the Goajiros appear to have formerly shown themselves well disposed towards 

 the Spaniards. Their various tribes, occupying the Goajira Peninsula and the 

 shores of Lake Maracaibo as far as the Merida and Trujillo mountains, had 

 accepted the ministration of the missionaries, and even called themselves 



0to5 

 Fathoms. 



Fig. 67. — Goajira Peniksxtla. 

 Scale 1 : 'J.SOO.OOO. 



Depths. 



5 to 10 

 Fathoms. 



10 to 50 



Fathoms. 



50 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



62 Miles. 



" Christians." More intelligent and industrious than most other Indians, they 

 became the most useful allies of the Spaniards, but were driven to revolt by the 

 greed and lust of the whites. The abduction of some Goajiro women was followed 

 bv a o-eneral rising of the Indians, who wasted the plantations and destroyed the 

 houses of the settlers, and even killed many of the residents of Trujillo. Since 

 the end of the sixteenth century, when these events took place, the Goajiros, 

 solemnly abjuring the religion of their oppressors, have maintained their 

 freedom in the Goajira Peninsula. After expelling all strangers, they con- 

 stituted the Pdo Rancheria an impassable frontier tow^ards Colombia, and these 

 13 



