"Because they are tall, strong-limbed and fair, and are great fighters. They wind their long hair across their foreheads in thick bands, and defend themselves well."
"What kind of weapons do they use?" queried the Spanish soldiers, when they could stop laughing at the Indians for being afraid of a lot of women.
"They shoot with blow-pipes, bows and arrows, and have a war-club that they wield with great vigor," answered the Indians, with serious faces.
"Are they always so hostile to men?"
"Only the grandfathers of this generation have seen them, and none save the Kings of the Borderers ever venture near their habitation."
"How are the Kings of the Borderers received by these strange women?"
"They meet them at the frontier of their possessions with bows and arrows in their hands, but after an exchange of pledges the Great Ladies invite the men to come and feast and dance with them. Sometimes they stay a month, and then the Queens escort them to the edge of their land, and send them home loaded with presents."
"What kind of presents do they give?" asked the Spaniards, suddenly taking a great interest in what was being said.
"There are gold ornaments in plenty, and emeralds and pearls, besides the grains of gold carried in eagle quills."
"We will capture these Great Ladies," interrupted the Spaniards, excitedly. "We will teach them their proper places when we get hold of them. Why do you Indians allow them to live in such a manner?"