Page:History of the discovery and conquest of Costa Rica (1913) (IA historyofdiscove00fern).djvu/531

Rh and warning him that if he ever came among them again they would kill him as well as any Christianized Indians who might accompany him.

Yet, however incommensurate the results obtained were with their efforts, the work of the missionaries was by no means fruitless; a large number of descendants of the Indians brought in from the mountains of Talamanca to-day enjoy the benefits of civilization. The many accounts written of this region and its inhabitants constitute a veritable treasure house for history.

The rugged surface of Talamanca, during past centuries the theater of so many fierce struggles, is already beginning to be covered by plantations; the railroad now crosses the Sixaola River not far from the site of the legendary city of Santiago, and the descendants of the dreaded warriors of former times have become inoffensive Costa Rican citizens. But in spite of every effort they are still rebellious in spirit, as are all indomitable races that refuse to accept civilization.