Others They Burn In Their Houses, Having First
Strangled Them When At The Last Gasp, And This Is Done To Caciques.
Others
are carried out of the house in a hammock, laying bread and water at their
head, and they never return any more to see after them.
Some when
dangerously ill are carried to the cacique, who gives orders whether they
are to be strangled or not, and their orders are instantly obeyed. I have
taken pains to inquire whether they know or believe what becomes of them
after death, and I particularly questioned Caunabo, who was the chief
cacique in all Hispaniola, a man well up in years, experienced, and of a
most piercing wit and much knowledge. He and the rest answered, that they
go after death to a certain vale, which every great cacique supposes to be
in his own country, and where they affirm they rejoin their relations and
ancestors, that they eat, have women, and give themselves up to all manner
of pleasures and pastimes. These things will appear more at large in the
following extended account which I ordered to be drawn up by one father
Roman, who understood their language, and set down all their ceremonies
and antiquities: But these are so filled with absurdities and fable, that
it is hardly possible to make any thing out of them, except that the
natives have some ideas of the immortality of the soul and of a future
state."
[1] This apparently ambiguous expression, probably means all contraveners
in the premises, or all who might in any way obstruct the full
execution of the offices and their privileges here granted to Columbus
and his heirs.
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