The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-10-30
CHAPTER XIII.
rnANsAcrroNs w1rn rnr NATIVES.

&aT1 came on DOdfQ Oh Gn6 CdraVel INlud
to visit the admiral, and observing him
to be 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 Spaniards and to receive the
effects landed from the wreck, and he
offered to furnish more if necessary.
While they were conversing 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 extrayagantly 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 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
municated When ne learned it's pur
port, and found that the admiral was
extremely desirous of procuring gold, he
assured him by signs that there was q
place not far off, among the mountains,
where 1t abounded to such q 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
a mountainous region afterward found
to contain valuable mines; bat Colum-
bus still confounded 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 af-
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 decofous 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 inborn grace
and dignity of lofty lineage.
In fact, the sovereignty among the peo-
pie of this island was hereditary, and
they had 2 simple but sagacious node of
maintaining, in some degree, the verify
Of descent. On the death of a 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 0 brothers. Eeputed 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 cpntrol 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 cheerfuily obeyed
Throughout the course of the disastrous
history of these islanders after their dis
covery by the Europeans there aracon-
tinual proofs of their affectionate and
devoted fidelity to their caciques.
After the collation. Guacapagar con-
dppted Columbus TO the beautiful groves
which surrounded his residence They
were attended by upward of thousand
of the natives, all perfectly naked. who
performed several national games and
DANCES, which Gnacanagari had ordered
to amuse the melancholy of his guest
When the Indians had finished their
games Columbus gave them an enter
tainment in return. calculated at the
same time to impress them with for
midable idea of the military power of
the Spaniards. He cent on board the
earaYa for a Moorish bow and quiver
bf 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 nan used his weapons, he was great.
" surprised. being himself of an unwar.
like character and little accustomed to
the use Of arms. he told the admiral
that the Carihs, who often made de-
Feents ppop his territory and carried off
bis subjects, were likewise armed with
bows and arrows. Columbus assured
him Of the protection Of the Castilian
monarchs. who would destroy the Ca
ribs, for he let him know that he had
Weapons far more tremendous, against
which there was no defense. In proof
pf this he ordered q Lombard or heavy
cannon, and an arquebns. to be dis
charged.
On hearing the report the Indians fell
to the ground as though they had been
struck By q thundsrbolt and when they