Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-16
CHAPTER XIII.
TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES.


On the goth of December Guacana-
Eari came on board of the caravel Nina
10 visit the admiral. and observing him
to DO very much detected was moved to
tears. He repeated the message which
he had sent, entreating Columbus not to
be cast down by his misfortune, and Of
fering everything he possessed that
might render him aid or consolation.
He had already given three houses to
shelter the Spanards and to receive the
effects landed from the wreck, and he
offered to furnish more If necessary
While they were conversing O canoe
arrived from another part of the island,
bringing pieces of gold to be exchanged
for hawks bells. There was nothing
upon which the natives set so much
value as upon these toys. The Indians
were extravagantly fond of the dance,
which they performed to the cadence of
certain songs, accompanied by the sound
of a kind of drum made from the trunk
of a tree, and the rafting Of hollow bits
of wood, but when they hung the hawks
bells about their persons and heard the
clear musical sounds responding to the
movements of the dance, nothing could
exceed their wild delight.
The sailors who came from the shore
informed the admiral that considerable
quantities Of gold had been brought to
barter, and large pieces were eagerly
given for the merest trifle. This in
formation had cheering effect upon
Columbus. The attentive cacique, per-
ceiving the lighting up Of his counte-
nance, asked what the sailors had COM
munlcated. When he learned Its pur
port, and found that the admiral WAS
extremely DESTROYS of procuring gold, he
assured him by signs that there was
place not far off, among the mountains.
where it abounded to such degree as
to be held in little value, and promised
to procure him thence as much as he de-
sired. The place to which he alluded,
and which he called Cibao. was in fact
mountainous region afterward found
to contain valuable mines; but Column
bus still COMPOUNDED the name with that
of Cipango.
Guacanagari dined on board of the
caravel with the admiral, after which he
invited him to visit his residence. Here
he had prepared collation., as choice
and abundant as his simple means at
forded, consisting of utias, or conys,
fish, roots and various fruits. He did
everything in his power to honor his
guest and cheer him under his misfor-
tune, showing warmth of sympathy
yet delicacy of attention, which could
not have been expected from his savage
state. Indeed, there was degree of in
nate dignity and refinement displayed in
his manners that often surprised the
Spaniards. He was remarkably nice
and decorous in his mode of eating.
which was slow and with moderation,
washing his hands when he had finished
and rubbing them with sweet and odor-
ferrous herbs, which Columbus supposed
was done to preserve their delicacy and
softness. He was served with great
Difference by his Subjects and conducted
himself toward them with gracious
and princelike majesty. His whole de-
pertinent, in the enthusiastic eyes of
Columbus, betokened the Unborn grace
and dignity of lofty lineage.
In fact, the sovereignty among the peo-
pie of this island was hereditary, and
they had simple but sagacious mode Of
IN oOllc OCb Ice, luO NclllJ
of descent. On the death Of cacique
without children his authority passed
to those of his sisters, in preference to
those of his brothers, being considered
most likely to be of his blood, for they
observed that q brothers reputed chill
dren may by accident have no consan-
guinity with their uncle; but those OF
his sister must certainly be the children
of their mother. The form of govern
ment was completely despotic; the ca
ciques had entire control over the lives,
the property and even the religion Of
their subjects. They had few laws, and
ruled according to their judgment and
their will; but they ruled mildly, and
were implicitly and cheerfully obeyed.
Throughout the course Of the disastrous
history of these islanders after their dis
covery by the Europeans there are con-
tinual proofs of their affectionate and
devoted fidelity to their caciques.
After the collation. Guacanagan con-
Quoted Columbus to the beautiful groves
which surrounded his residence. They
We're attended by upward of q thousand
of the natives, all perfectly naked, who
performed several national games and
dances, which Guacanagari had ordered
to amuse the melancholy of his guest.
When the Indians had finished their
games Columbus gave them IN enter
tainment in return, calculated at the
same time to impress them with for
rnidable idea Of the military power OF
the Spaniards. He sent on board the
caravel for Moorish bow and a culver
Of arrows, and Castilian who had
served in the wars Of Granada and was
skillful in the use Of them. When the
cacique beheld the accuracy with which
this man used his weapons, he was great.
ly surprised, being himself Of an unwar.
like character and little accustomed to
the use Of arms. He told the admiral
that the Caribs, who often made de-
scents upon his territory and carried of
his subjects, were likewise armed with
bows and arrows. Columbus assured
him Of the protection of the Castiliar