APPENDIX. 427 
liver, &c. whilst the animal was yet alive; the blood from the heart he sprinkled 
upwards towards the sun, the other priests doing the same with the blood 
from the body. They (the priests) then devoured the heart, liver, lights, 
and entrails, reeking with blood ; whilst the caciques were permitted to eat 
the body of the sacrifice. * 
The sacrifice being finished, they proceeded to their divination or pro- 
phecies; and as their revelations were of the most flattering nature, the 
council was permitted to be opened under the auspices of the Sun. The 
Indians were naked, as they are in all functions of war, council, religion, or 
athletic exercises. Their long hair was more than usually ornamented by 
white, red, blue, or yellow plumes; and their faces frightfully painted with 
black, red, and white earths. 
The oldest cacique sitting cross-legged on a cloth prepared for that pur- 
pose, the next in seniority sat in the same manner on his left, and so in 
succession, till the junior cacique came to close the circle on the right of 
the senior. ‘The General and his interpreters were seated in the centre of 
this circle. Our officers and the Indian captains formed a second and third 
rank round the circle; where we stood, to hear these turbulent sons of liberty 
represent their constituents in the open air, exposed to the rays of a scorching 
sun. All being seated, a profound silence reigned, which was at length 
interrupted by the principal or oldest cacique, in a short speech directed to 
the members, intimating the object of their union, &c. He then addressed 
himself to Carrera, saying, that having assembled — tribe of Indians in 
council, he was authorized and required by their authority, and in their name, 
to congratulate and welcome the Pichi Rey to their country; to enquire re- 
specting his health, and the difficulties he might have met in his march 
hither; the state of the country from whence he came; the strength of the 
military establishment there, and how employed, or likely to be employed ; 
a particular relation of the wrongs which he had suffered from his enemies, 
&c. &c.; and to inform him, that as they were convinced that he was the 
true friend to the Indians, he had only to command their tribe, and they 
* It is curious that the account given here by Mr. Yates, of the sacrifice of the colt, 
agrees with what we are told of the ceremonies practised by the ancient Mexicans at a 
human offering. It should seem, therefore, that the horse is only a substitute for a man. 
The way is now open, and J do not doubt that an intelligent observer might find among 
the Araucanians much to throw light on the history of the more polished ancient Ame- 
rican states. 
312 
