The Irish standard., 1892-02-27

finest jewels in the world, but it was as
certained that sailor got for strap
gold weighing two castellanos aud q half.
For new blancas they would give all they
had, two or three castellanos of gold or
an arobba or two of spun cotton. They
accepted bits OF broken hoops of wine
casks, and gave for them all they had,
like fools-so that;:it seemed wrong, and
I forbade it, and gave them thousand
good and pretty things had brought on
purpose to gain their affecfi ion, to lead
them to become Christians and incline
to love and serve their. highnesses and
| the whele Spanish nation; also TO induce
them to help us by giving us what we
need, and they possess in abundance.
They are not idolators and know of no
religion, save that they all believe the
source Of power and good is in heaven.
They very firmly think that I, with these
ships and crews, came from the sky, and
in this spirit they received me every
|
Nor does this spring from stupidity, for
they are of very subtle mind, and they
navigate ali seas, while it is wonderful
what good accounts they give Of every
thing but they have never seen
mon with clothes On or ships resembling
ours When I reached the Indies, on
the first island ] discovered, I seized
some of the people, SO that they might
learn and give mo information about
t and we have come to understand them
either by words or signs, and they have
been very useful. They still think [
came from heaven, and wherever have
been they run from house to house aud
to the neighboring villages crying aloud,
ssCome, come, and see the folks from
heaven" Thus reassured, they came,
men and women, high and low, all bring
ing something to cat and drink, which
they most lovingly gave. Ia all the isl
ands they have numerous canoes, like
our row boats, Of various sizes, some
much larger than barge OF eighteen
seats, but not SO wide, being made Of a
single piece of timber. Our boats could
not keep up with them in rowing, for
I they go with incredible speed, and herein
lthese folks navigate among the innumer
able isles; and exchange their n1erchan-
disc I have seen seventy or eighty men
in some of these canoes, each with his
paddle. I did not notice much difference
in the looks of the people, their customs
and language; they ali understand each
other, which is singular and leads me tc
hope their highnesses will take means fol
their conversion to our Holy Father. s..
4. In all the islands it would seem
that the men were content with one wife
though to their ruler they allowed twenty
It locks as though the women did more
work than the men. have not been
able to understand whether they own
seperate property, but it rather seems
they have things in common, especially
victuals. I have not found men Of mon
strous shapes, as many thought likely
nor are they black as they are in Guinea
aud their hair is straight. Ir
these islands, where there are mountains
1 felt the cold this winter considerably
but they endure it through being usec
to it and eating things with spices anc
very hot ingredients.
heard Of no monsters except in the
second island of these Indies, where
dwells race believed to be very fero
cious, who are cannibals, and have many
canoes in which they visit all the islands
robbing and plundering what they can
They are no worse formed than the rest
but they wear their hair long like women
and use bows and arrows of reeds tipped
with wood, for want of iron. They are
thought by these very timid people to be
fierce. hut count them for no more thar
the rest.
This is much, and praised be Our Loro
the Eternal God who grants to al who
walks in his way the victory over appar
emily impossible things, of which this
has been singular instance, for though
others have written or spoken of these
countries, it was all guess work, not hay
/ ing seen them, while it was understood
listeners thought they we're hearing fc
ton rather than fact. But now that ou1
Saviour has given the victory to QUE il.
lustrious King and Queen and to their
kingdoms, which have acquired great re.
nown through such an important event
all Christendom should rejoice and keep
high holiday, giving solemn thanks te
the Holy Trinity, with many serious
prayers, for the great honor which will
accrue from converting SO many people
to our holy faith, rs well as for the tenn.
poral benefits which will bring refresh.
mnent and profit not only to Spain, but tc
|.all Christians.
Done on board the Carayel, off the
4 Canary Islands. Feb 15. 1893.