Page:Narrative of the Proceedings of Pedrarias Davila (Haklyut, 34).djvu/115

Rh cruelty?" They often disputed among themselves as to what manner of people those could be who did so much harm, saying "When we are dead, whom will they have to serve them?" They delighted greatly to hear the things concerning the creation of the world; for they themselves have a tradition of Noe's flood, just as we have. But they had no other information in this province concerning Him who was able to cause the water to rise and cover the land.

Having already instructed these one hundred and fifty converts in the essentials of our holy faith, not touching on the passion and incarnation of our Lord, and other mysteries, but only on matters easy to be believed, I wished to convince them that there truly was a God the Creator. I put before them how they might behold the sun; that it was a thing created for the use of man and of the world, and how it was ordained that it should not stop; and in like manner the moon. I showed them that neither the earth, which was without life, nor the sun and moon, nor the first man, could do anything of themselves; whence they might truly believe that it was the Creator and Maker of all things who is God, whom we must worship. I did not think it right to baptise them on the first day, but let them pass the night on these thoughts, intending to baptise them next morning. When they came to be baptised, I asked them if they remembered what I had said to them the day before, and whether they believed it, and desired to do as God commanded. They replied that they had not slept all night, but had conversed concerning all that had been said to them, holding it all to be good, and that they desired to do as God willed. I then placed crosses of red cloth on their shirts, and took them in procession to the church, where they again asked to be baptised. Mass was solemnly said, and having explained somewhat concerning it, they all ate with me, and I ordered that the captains and officers of his Majesty should serve them, at which they were