CHRISTOPHER
CHAP. I V . ]
COLUMBUS.
183
received them with great solemnity, conducted them to the best house, and placed them in what appeared to be intended for chairs of state, being wrought out of single pieces of wood, into the forms of quadrupeds. vegetables.
They then offered them fruits and
Having complied with the laws of savage courtesy
and hospitality, they seated themselves on the ground around their visitors, and waited to hear what they had to communicate. The Israelite, Luis de Torres, found his Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Arabic, of no avail, and the Lucayen interpreter had to be the orator.
He made a regular speech, after the Indian manner,
in which he extolled the power, the wealth, and munificence of the white men.
When he had finished, the Indians crowded round
these wonderful beings, whom, as usual, they considered more than human.
Some touched them, examining their skin and raiment,
others kissed their hands and feet, in token of submission or adora tion.
In a little while the men withdrew, and were succeeded by
the women, and the same ceremonies were repeated.
Some of
the women had a slight covering of netted cotton round the mid dle, but in general both sexes were entirely naked.
There seemed
to be ranks and orders of society among them, and a chieftain of some authority ; whereas among all the natives they had previously met with, a complete equality seemed to prevail. There was no appearance of gold, or other precious articles, and when they showed specimens of cinnamon, pepper, and other spices, the inhabitants told them they were not to be found in that neighborhood, but far off to the southwest. The envoys determined, therefore, to return to the ships.
The
natives would fain have induced them to remain for several days; but seeing them bent on departing, a great number were anxious to accompany them, imagining they were about to return to the