CHAPTER V. 



STAY AT VILLA DE ST. SALVADOR, AND VISIT TO THE PURIS 

 AT ST. FIDELIS. 



Villa dc St. Salvador — Ride to St. Fidelis — T/ie Coroados Indians — 



The Puris. 



The plains, which extend to the south of the river Paraiba, were 

 formerly inhabited by the savage warlike tribe of the Uetacas, or 

 Goaytacases, whom Vasconcellos reckons among the Tapuyas, be- 

 cause they spoke a language differing from the dialects of the lingoa 

 geral. They were divided into three tribes, the Goaytaca ass/i, Go- 

 ay taca Jacorito, and Goaytaca mopi; and lived in perpetual hostility 

 with each other, and with all their neighbours. Contrary to the 

 custom of the other Indian tribes, they suffered their hair to grow 

 long, and hang down ; were distinguished by a lighter colour, more 

 robust make, and greater ferocity, from all their brethren, and also 

 fought more bravely in the open field. On this subject we find some 

 information in the Biography of Father Jose de Anchietta, where, 

 among other things, we are told : " These people were the most 

 savage and inhuman on the whole coast ; they were of gigantic 

 stature, possessed great strength, were skilled in the management of 

 the bow, and enemies to all other nations," &c. Again : " The dis- 

 trict which they inhabited was small, extending from the river 

 Paraiba to the Maccahe," &c. Father Joao de Almeida found among 



