History of the Caribs. 229 
better made, they have more women there and a num- 
ber of children, no work is done, every thing grows 
without being sown ; one does nothing but drink 
and dance, and one never gets ill. What they say of 
the origin of the sea, and of waters in general, resembles 
in some degree the account of the deluge. The great 
master of the Chemeens y who are their high spirits, being 
at that time vexed with the Caribs, who were then very 
bad, and had ceased offering him any more cassava 
and ouicou caused rain to fall so heavily for several 
days, that nearly all the Caribs were drowned, with 
the exception of some who saved themselves by means 
of small boats and landed on the top of a moun- 
tain, which was then the only one. This deluge caused 
the formation of hills, rocks, and the separation of islands 
from the mainland. When asked where the waters came 
from, they say that there are rivers in the higher 
regions and that the first waters came from the urine 
and sweat of the Chemeens. This is why the sea is salt ; 
and they say that fresh water is the result of water from 
the sea passing through the earth and getting purified. 
Racumon was one of the first Caribs made by Lou- 
QUO. He was transformed into the shape of a large 
snake with the head of a man. He was always seated 
on a Cabatas (a hard and high tree). He lived on its 
fruit, which resembles a large plum or small apple, 
and which he gave sometimes to those who passed. He 
is now changed into a star. 
SAVACOU was also a Carib. He was changed into a 
large bird, he is the captain of the storms and thunders ; 
he has caused the heavy rains, and is also a star 
now. 
