88 DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 
ity established. The chief declared his own per- 
fect readiness to accede to this innovation ; but ob- 
served, that the mere report of such a step had very 
nearly caused a revolt, and he was convinced, that 
its precipitate execution would be attended with 
the most alarming effects. The father having used 
in vain every argument which could dispel this pa- 
nic, had recourse to more vigorous measures. He 
seized a large staff, and running through the town, 
beat down all the idols stationed in the streets ; 
then collecting the fragments, formed them into a 
lofty pyramid, to which he set fire. The whole 
air was soon in a blaze. The people, alarmed, ran 
from their houses, and having seized the mission- 
ary, immediately prepared to put him to death. 
He had fallen on his knees, to await the last blow, 
when the prince, having heard of his danger, ran 
and rescued him. 
At Esseno, matters came to a still greater extre- 
mity. There was in this place a personage who call- 
ed himself Chitorne Scingilla, or God of the Earth. 
Two stones, with a rivulet flowing before them in 
the middle of the principal square, were reserved 
for his use. On one of them sat himself, and on 
the other his principal concubine ; and here the 
prince, with all the people, came to prostrate them- 
selves before him, and to offer him magnificent pre- 
sents. It was believed, that if these stones were 
moved, or even touched by any profane hand, the 
4 
