THE ABORIGINES OF THE WEST INDIES. 309 
separation, but the early writers give them a common description. 
The Caribbean Islands were inhabited by avery different people. 
The two races were no doubt off-shoots from different portions 
of the neighboring continent. While the Caribs were bold, rug- 
ged, aggressive and warlike, the former were amiable, docile, 
kind-hearted, gencrous and affectionate, and only fought when 
driven to it by the instinct of self-preservation. The contrast 
was that of the wolf andthe lamb. The blood of the Caribs had 
not been exposed to the soothing influences of the atmosphere of 
their island homes long enough to have climinated the cruel 
and savage taint it acquired in the cold, bleak, barren region 
where it no doubt reccived its race-mark. The inhabitants of the 
West Indies were confiding, frank, gentle and good-natured. The 
sexual passion was strong. ‘‘ Love with this happy people was 
not a transient and fitful ardor only, but the source of all their 
pleasures, and the chief business of life. * * -* They gave 
full indulgence to the instincts of nature, while the influence of 
the climate heightened the sensibility of the passions.” 
«‘ They had Jess strength and endurance than the Spaniards. 
Their limbs were: pliant and active, and in their motions they 
displayed both gracefulness and case. They were expert divers, 
and their agility was eminently conspicuous in their dances, 
wherein they delighted and excclled, devoting the cool hours of 
night to this employment. It was their custom to dance from 
evening to dawn.” Herrera says that their public dances, (for 
they had others highly licentious, ) were appropriated to particular 
solemnities, and being accompanied with historical songs, were 
called Arretoes. 
They had an elastic ball game like that of cricket, which was 
called Bato. The ball was not caught in the hand, or returned 
with an instrument, but received on the head, the elbow or foot, 
“‘and the dexterity and force with which it was repelled was as- 
tonishing and inimitable.” 
