AMERICA.



69



the ground which they had so long desired to see.
They next erected a crucifix, and prostrating them-



selves before it, returned thanks to God for conducting
their voyage to such a happy issue. They then took
solemn possession of the country for the crown of Cas-
tile and Leon, with all the formalities which the Portu-
guese were accustomed to observe in acts of this kind,
in their own discoveries.
  The Spaniards, while thus employed, were surround-
ed by many of the natives, who gazed in silent admira0
tion utpon actions which they could not comprehend,
and of which they did not foresee the consequences.
The dress of the Spaniards, the whiteness of their skins,
their beards, their arms, appeared strange and surpri-



sT hamh
  Thle vast mnachi ne



in whic



ocean, that seemed to move
and uttered a dreadful soumn
companied with liahtnina an
such terror, that they began
as a superior order of beings,
were children of the sun, w



h1 they had traversed the
in the water with wings,
I resembling thunder, ac-
d smoke, struck them with
to respect their new guests
, and concluded that they
ho had descended to visit



the earth.                 I
  The Europeans were hardly less amazed at the scene
now before them. Every herb, and shrub, arid tree, was
different from those which flourished in Europe. The
soil seemed to be rich, but bore few marks of cultivation.
The climate, even to Spaniards, felt warm, though ex-
tremely delightful. The inhabitants appeared in the
simple innocence of nature, entirely naked. Their black
hair, long and uncurled, floated upon their shoulders, or
was bound in tresses around their heads. They had no
beards, and every part of their bodies was perfectly
smooth. Their complexion was of a dusky copper colb
our, their features singular, rather than disagreeable,
their aspect gentle and timid; though not tall, they were
well shaped, and active. Their faces and several parts
of their bodies were fantastically painted with glaring
                         7