CHAP.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
IX.]
213
thusiastic eyes of Columbus, betokened the inborn grace and dig nity of lofty lineage.* In fact, the sovereignty among the people of this island was hereditary, and they had a simple but sagacious mode of main taining, in some degree, the verity 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 a brother's reputed children may by accident have no consanguinity with their uncle; but those of his sister must certainly be the children of their mother.
The form of government was completely des
potic ; the caciques 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 discovery by the Europeans, there are continual proofs of their affectionate and devoted fidelity to their caciques. After the collation, Guacanagari conducted Columbus to the beautiful groves which surrounded his residence.
They were at
tended by upwards of a 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 an entertainment in return, calculated at the same time to impress them with a formidable idea of the military power of the Spaniards.
He sent on board the caravel for a Moorish bow and
* Las Casas, lib. i. cap. 70, M S . 1.
p. 114.
Primer Viage de Colon.
Navarrete, torn.