The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-10-23

tney brought 10 the 6h1PS. Sno was per-
fectly naked-a bad omen as to the civ
ilization of the island-but an ornament
of gold in the nose gave hope of the pre-
cious metal. The admiral soon soothed
her terror by his kindness, and by pres
ents of beads, brass rings, hawks bells
and other trinkets, and having had her
clothed, sent her on shore, accompanied
by several Of the crew and three of the
Indian interpreters So well pleased
was she with her finery and with the
kind treatment she had experienced that
she would gladly have remained with
the Indian women whom she found on
board. The party sent with her returned
on board late in the night without ven-
turing to her village, which was far in
land. Confident of the favorable i'm
preston which the report given by the
woman must produce, the admiral on
the following day dispatched nine stout
hearted. well armed men to seek the
village, accompanied by a native Of
Cuba as an interpreter. They found it
about four and half leagues to the
southeast, In fine valley, on the banks
of q beautiful river. It contained 1000
houses, but the inhabitants fed as they
approached.
The interpreter overlook them and as
sured- them Of the goodness Of these
strangers who had descended from the
skies and went about the world making
precious and beautiful presents. Thus
assured, the natives ventured back to
the number Of 1900. They ap-
preached the Spaniards with slow and
trembling steps. often pausing and
putting their hands upon their heads,
in token Of profound reverence and
submission. They were well formed
race, fairer and handsomer than the
natives Of the other islands. While
the Spaniards were conversing with
them by means of their interpreter, an
other multitude approached. headed by
the husband OF the female captive.
They brought her in triumph on their
shoulders, and the husband was profuse
In his gratitude for the kindness with
which she had been treated. and the
magnificent presents which had been be-
slowed upon her.
The Indians pow conducted the Span
iards to their houses, and set before
them cassava bread, fish, roots and fruits
Of various kinds They brought also
great numbers of domesticated parrots,
and indeed offered freely whatever they
possessed. The great river flowing
through this valley was bordered with
noble forests, among which were palms,
bananas, and many trees covered with
fruit and flowers. The air was mild as
in April; the birds sang all day long,
and some were even heard in the night.
The Spaniards had not learned as yet to
account for the difference of seasons in
this opposite part of the globe; they
were astonished to hear the voice of this
supposed nightingale singing in the
midst Of December. and considered it
proof that there was no winter in this
happy climate. They returned to the
ships enraptured with the beauty Of the
country, snrpassing, aa they said, even
the luxuriant plains of Cordoya. All
that they complained of was that they
saw no signs of riches among the natives.
{ And here 1t is impossible to refrain
from dwelling on the picture given by
the first discoverers of the state of man.
ners In this eyentful island before the
arrival of the white men. According to
their accounts the people Of Hayti ex-
iated In that state Of primitive and saw
age simplicity which some philosophers
have fondly pictured as the most envi-
able on earth, surrounded by natural
blessings. without even knowledge Of
artificial wants. The fertile earth pro
duced the chief part Of their food almost
WithoNt culture; their rivers and sea-
coast ahnunded with ash. and they
caught the utia, the guiana, and vari-
ETY. Of birds. This, to beings of their
frugal and temperate habits, was great
abundance, and what nature furnished
thus spontaneously they willingly shared
with all the world.
Hospitality. wa are told, was with
them q law of nature universally OBJ
served; there was no need of being
known to receive its succors; every
house was as. open to the stranger as his
own. Columbus. too. in letter to Luis
de st. Angel. Observes: "YFne it is that
after they felt eQnfdance and lost their
fear OF IA, they were 80 liberal with
what they possessed that It would not
be believed by those who had not seen
1t. II anything was asked of them they
never said no. but rather gave it cheer
fully. and showed as much amitE as If
they gave thaiF VeFY hearts; and whether
the thing were Of value or Of little price
they were content with whatever was
given in return. In all these islands it
appears to me that the men are all con-
tent with one wife. but they give twenty
to their chieftain or king. The women
seem to work more than the men, and
have not been able tn understand wheth-
er they possess Individual property, but
rather think that whatever one has all
tAe rest share, especially In all articles
Of provisions.
One of the most pleasing descriptions
Of the inhabitants Of this island is given
by old Peter Martyr, Eh0 gatAssed It, as
he says, fgam tAas 6onvsrsations Of the
Admiral himself at is certain" SAYS
he. ''that the land among these people is
% common as the sun and water, and
that mine and thine the seeds Of all
mischief, have no plaza with them
They are content with so little that in SO
large country they have rather super
fluffy than scarceness. so that they seem
to live in the golden world without toll,
living in open gardepa. pat intrenched
With dikes, divided with hedges or de-
Tended with walls. They deal truly one
with another, without laws, without
books and without judges. Thav take