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Chapter X.

EXCURSION OF JUAN DE LUXAN AMONG THE MOUNTAINS-CUSTOMS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NATIVES-COLUMBUS RETURNS TO ISABELLA.

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[1494.]

HILE the Admiral remained among the mountains, superintending the building of the fortress, he despatched a young cavalier of Madrid, named Juan de Luxan, with a small band of armed men, to range about the country, and explore the whole of the province, which, from the reports of the Indians, appeared to be equal in extent to the kingdom of Portugal. Luxan returned after a few days' absence, with the most satisfactory accounts. He had traversed a great part of Cibao which he found more capable of cultivation than had at first been imagined. It was generally mountainous, and the soil covered with large round pebbles of a blue color, yet there was good

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pasturage in many of the valleys. The mountains, also, being watered by frequent showers, produced grass of surprisingly quick and luxuriant growth, often reaching to the saddles of the horses. The forests seemed to Luxan to be full of valuable spices; he being deceived by the odors emitted by those aromatic plants and herbs which abound in the woodlands of the tropics. There were great vines also, climbing to the very summits of the trees and bearing clusters of grapes tirely ripe, full of juice, and of a pleasant flavor. Every valley and glen possessed its streams, large or small, according to the size of the neighboring mountain, and all yielding more or less gold, in small particles. Luxan was supposed likewise to have learned from the Indians many of the secrets of their mountains; to have been shown the parts where the greatest quantity of ore was found, and to have been taken to the richest streams. On all these points however he observed a discreet mystery, communicating the particulars to no one but the Admiral.*

The fortress of St. Thomas being nearly completed, Columbus gave it in command to Pedro Margarite, the same cavalier whom he had recommended to the favcr of the sov* Peter Martyr, decad. i., lib. iii.

ereigns, and he left him with a garrison of fifty-six men. He then set out on his return to Isabella. On arriving on the banks of the Rio Verde, or Nicayagua, in the Royal Vega, he found a number of Spaniards on their way to the fortress with supplies. He remained therefore a few days in the neighborhood, searching for the best fording-place of the river, and establishing a route between the fortress and the harbor. During this time he resided in the Indian villages, endeavoring to accustom his people to the food of the natives, as well as to inspire the latter with a mingled feeling of good-will and reverence for the white men.

From the report of Luxan, Columbus had derived some information concerning the character and customs of the natives, and he acquired still more from his own observations in the course of his sojourn among the tribes of the mountains and the plains. And here a brief notice of a few of the characteristics and customs of these people may be interesting. They are given, not merely as observed by the Admiral and his officers during this expedition, but as recorded some time afterwards, in a crude dissertation, by a friar by the name of Roman; a poor hermit as he styled himself, of the order of the Ieronimites, who was one

of the colleagues of Father Boyle and resided for some time in the Vega as a missionary.

Columbus had already discovered the error of one of his opinions concerning these islanders, formed during his first voyage. They were not so entirely pacific, nor so ignorant of warlike arts, as he had imagined. He had been deceived by the enthusiasm of his own feelings, and by the gentleness of Guacanagari and his subjects. The casual descents of the Caribs had compelled the inhabitants of the seashore to acquaint themselves with the use of arms. Some of the mountain tribes near the coast, particularly on the side which looked towards the Caribbee Islands, were of a more hardy and warlike character than those of the plains. Caonabo, also, the Carib chieftain, had introduced something of his own warrior spirit in the centre of the island. Yet, generally speaking, the habits of the people were mild and gentle. If wars sometimes occurred among them they were of short duration, and unaccompanied by any great effusion of blocd; and, in general, they mingled amicably and hospitably with each other.

Columbus had also at first indulged in the error that the natives of Hayti were destitute of all notions of religion, and he had consequently flattered himself that it would be

easier to introduce into their minds the doctrines of Christianity; not aware that it is more difficult to light up the fire of devotion in the cold heart of an atheist, than to direct the flame to a new object, when it is already enkindled. There are few beings however so destitute of reflection, as not to be impressed with the conviction of an overruling deity. A nation of atheists never existed. It was soon discovered that these islanders had their creed, though of a vague and simple nature. They believed in one Supreme Being, inhabiting the sky, who was immortal, omnipotent, and invisible; to whom they ascribed an origin, who had a mother, but no father.* They never addressed their worship directly to him, but employed inferior deities, called Zemes, as messengers and mediators. Each cacique had his tutelar deity of this order, whom he invoked and pretended to consult in all his public undertakings, and who was reverenced by his people. He had a house apart, as a temple to this deity, in which was an image of his Zemi, carved of wood or stone, or shaped of clay or cotton, and generally of some monstrous and hideous form. Each family and each individual had likewise a particular Zemi, or pro

* Escritura de Fr. Roman. Hist. del Almirante.

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