The Elbert County tribune., 1912-08-09

sive gold. Some of them he averred, were AZ
children and years old while OF them
was of the size OF full-grown woman. Be-
sides these objects there were also there In
calculable treasures belonging to the cacique
and his vassals. And beyond this great city.
the Spaniards assured, other larger
and richer cities belonging TO powerful chief
tains. who governed countless subjects and
whose treasures of gold far greater than
those of the lord of the imposing city on which
their eyes were then riveted.
With such vast riches within their grasp the
Adventures were beside themselves with Joy.
And although they counted but 40 men all
told. they did not hesitate to attack a city
in which. as they had been apprised. a
large and wetrained army Putting spurs
to his horse. Van Hutton dashed forward, fol-
lowed by his men. who all confidently expect
ed to be In few hours the possessors of
princely fortunes. But well-diIected javelin
from the hand of an Omaguan Indian which
seriously wounded the daring leader. suddenly
arrested the impetuous onset and compelled
the attacking party to beat hasty retreat.
But $4,000 Omaguan warriors we're soon in hot
pursuit and shortly after engaged the invaders
in battle The Indians. however. notwith-
standing their vastly superior numbers were
defeated with great loss. while the followers OF
Won Hutten, under the command of Pedro de
Limpias. did not have a single casualty The
vlctors then returned to Nuestra Senora, where
six months before they had left their inhrm
and incapacitated companions council of
war was then convened In which It was de-
cided not to prosecute the enterprise auspi-
ciously begun without more men. These had
to be obtained from Coro. But Won Hutten did
not live to realize his fond hopes, for he was
soon afterwards cruelty murdered through the
treachery OF Pedro de Limpias. when those
who had taken part in the expedition disband
ed without making any further attempt to gain
possession of the rich kingdom which they
had discovered and which they had already
considered theirs by right Of virtual con-
quest.
Did Won Hutten really discover FL Dorado?
He certainly thought SO, did likewise his
brave followers. Fully cretitinz what his In
dian guides had told him regarding the vast
treasures Of gold kept in the temple OF the
Omaguas. he concluded at once that the ca.
Clique OF this tribe was other than the long
sought-for "Gilded King" although he had no
ocular evidence of the fact or any tangible
proof of the existence OF the great stores Of
gold and silver of which he had heard such
glowing reports. As to the city OF the Oma-
guas. which. we told was 90 large that Il
extended beyond the range OF vision II was
manfesty the creation OF an excited fancy
and as much Of an exaggeration the battle
OF 30 Europeans against IL 900 Indians
II could. at best. have been nothing more
than an agglomeration OF villages, and the pal
ace and temple. far from being the imposing
ediice described. was but large matched
structure similar to those still seen In the re-
gfon bordering the Equator.
Be this, however, as It may the fact remains
that Won Hutten's expedition created an extra
ordinary sensation both in the New and in the
Old World. Other adventurers had but heard
OF Ell Dorado but the German commander and
his men had actually located him and had gazed
on his palace. which immense store
house of silver and gold Naturally they were
elated. for they had succeeded In achieving
what others had failed to accomplish. rho
Gilded Man was no longer a mere chimera but
being with local habitation and a name"
He was the ruler Of a denseiy populated region
people were known Omaguas Thencefor-
ward the name Ell Dorado was coupled with
that of the Amaguas and both names were re-
gardeA synonymous with inexhaustible
wealth.