Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/491

Rh where the parties landed, the savages surrounding father Girbal, and tendering to him their arms and their poor viands. Not satisfied with the information of the eyes, they touched with the hands every part of his face, more particularly the women, who formed a part of the group. An act of this nature appears to be a mechanical movement, inspired by admiration and delight. Our soul being moved by these two passions, in the presence of a rare, or wished for object, doubts the possession, fancying it an illusion of the eyes; and calls for the information of the touch, which, united to the former sense, constitutes the sure criterion that distinguishes real bodies from phantoms.

The above assemblage was composed of Indians belonging to the tribe of Conivos, who, under command of their Cacique, were on their way to Omaguas, provided with bed coverings and resins, for the purpose of bartering them, if it should be possible, for working tools, of which they stand so much in need, that a hatchet generally costs them a canoe, in the construction of which they have toiled many days.

Among their slaves they had several belonging to the Mayoruna nation, inhabiting the forests that border on the river Tapichi, at its remote sources. They are otherwise named barbudos (bearded), because they have bushy beards, similar to those of the Spaniards. They derive their descent from the soldiers who were dispersed in the above forests, at the time when their captain, Pedro de Ursoa, was assassinated by Diego Lope de Aguirre. The method to which they have recourse to rid themselves of their beards, is very singular, and cannot fail to be extremely painful: they take two shells, which they employ as if they were pincers; and passing them precipitately, drag out hair after hair, making such contortions and grimaces as provoke laughter, at the same time that they excite compassion.