CHAPTER X.
WE REACH THE SUN-WORSHIPPERS.
After some days' journey we heard shouts, and knew that, like
entombed miners, we were being dug out on the other side! The
Caingwas soon met us, and I looked into their faces and gravely
saluted. They stared at me in speechless astonishment, and I as
curiously regarded them. Each man had his lower lip pierced and wore
the barbote I have described, with the difference that these were
made of gum.
With a clear path before us we now made better progress, and before
long emerged from the living tomb, but the memory of it will ever
remain a nightmare.
We found a crowd of excited Indians, young and old, awaiting us. Many
of the females ran like frightened deer on catching sight of me, but
an old man, whom I afterwards learned was the High Priest of the
tribe, came and asked my business. Assuring him, through Timoteo,
that my mission was peaceable, and that I had presents for them, he
gave me permission to enter into the glade, where I was told
Nandeyara [Footnote: "Our Owner," the most beautiful word for God I
have ever heard.] had placed them at the beginning of the world. Had
I discovered the Garden of Eden, the place from which man had been
wandering for 6,000 years? I was conducted by Rocanandiva (the high
priest) down a steep path to the valley, where we came in view of
several large peculiarly shaped houses, built of bamboo.
