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 an equal number. Antonio Solar read the letter, looked at the melons, and instantly exclaimed—"But where are the other two?" The confounded Indians declared, that those were all they had received. "Liars," replied Antonio Solar, "I tell you, the letter says you had ten, and you have eaten two!" It was no use persisting in the falsehood—the frightened Indians ran out of the house, and concluded that the Spaniards were more than mortal, while even their letter watched the Indians, and told all that they did.

Such were the Peruvians; children in simplicity, but possessing abundant ingenuity, and principles of human action far superior to their invaders, and capable of being ripened into something peculiarly excellent and beautiful. Twelve monarchs had reigned over them, and all of them of the same beneficent character. Let us now see how the planters of the Cross conducted themselves amongst them.