The Apalachite King also Entertain’d the neighboring People exceeding courteously in the chief City Melilot; from whence he was carried in a Chair on the Shoulders of four Men, with sound of Pipes and Drums, and an innumerable company of People, to the top of the Mountain Olaimi, where he made a stately Offering to the Sun, and afterwards Feasting and Caressing the Caribbeeans with Gifts, he sent them home all well contented and satisfi’d with their Entertainment. This Custom was yearly observ’d, when at last they began to neglect their Duty, wherefore Toltlabin resolv’d to proclaim War against the Caribbeeans, if they did not continue paying their Devotions to the Sun: which Injunction was differently receiv’d; some judg’d it to be inconsistent with their purchas’d Freedom, to receive Laws for Religion from a neighboring King, alledging, That if any Reverence was due to the Sun, it might as well be given on the Mountains of Amana as within Toltlabin’s Realm: others, who lov’d Peace, and had a zeal to the Olaimi Religion, would not be against the Proposals, which occasion’d a Contention amongst themselves, and every one apply’d himself to those that were of his Opinion; nevertheless those that stood upon their Freedom, were of the greatest Party; wherefore the Worshippers of the Sun clos’d with the Apalachites, who going out with their Forces, routed the other Party, and receiv’d those Caribbeeans that joyn’d with them in Religion into Co-partnership also in the Government, so that they united into one People: But those that were routed rally’d again, and not without thousands of Inconveniences made towards the Sea, where Embarquing, they Landed first on the Isle Ajay, now call’d Sancta Crux, and in process of time grew very populous; for from thence by degrees have been peopled all the little Isles which lie before America, and grew so considerable, that they were sought to by the Calabites, to side with them against the Arovaces, Yaos, Sappayos, and other People their Enemies on the Main Continent, where they have taken many large Countreys, extending as far as Brasile, where they are greatly respected and fear’d for their Valor and Policy in warlike Affairs.
But because the memory of antique Passages hath no firm foundation in Books, having been onely taken by Tradition from time to time amongst the Caribbeeans, therefore we cannot give you an exact Account of their Removal from Florida; yet it remains without contradiction, that it hapned above five Ages before the Spaniards Arrival, which time at least was requir’d to the peopling of so many great Islands and Kingdoms.
Original of the Apalachites.
Concerning the Original of the Apalachites, they themselves affirm, that they cannot certainly determine the time when they first Setled here: however, they report that they have peopled the Provinces Bemarin, Amana, and Matika, many Ages ago. That they are Extracted from the Tartars, appears not obscurely, by their Customs, Idolatry, and Language. Amongst other things, they have learn’d from the Tartars religiously to remember those Kings which perform’d any grand Exploits in the Service of their Countrey. Amongst others, the Apalachites make mention in their Areitos, or Songs, of a King call’d Maydo, eminent for his noble Atchievements, and prudent Governing of his People.
Their opinions in Religion.
They believe that the Sun many Ages since was Darken’d or Ecclips’d twenty four Hours together, during which time the Waters over-flow’d the highest Mountains, except that of Olaimi, where there stood a stately Temple, built in honor of the Sun; in which all those that fled thither were preserv’d, and dispers’d afterwards into several parts to re-people the World as soon as the Waters were abated, and the Sun appear’d in his full lustre again: whereupon they imagine, that to this day their Bird Tonatzuli, at the Rising of the Sun congratulates his appearance with great joy, and at his Setting, requests his speedy return from under the Horizon.
The Bird Tonatzuli.
The Tonatzuli is a Bird like a Bull-Finch, onely its Belly and Wings are of a Golden colour, the Back and Tail blue, its Head adorn’d with divers colour’d Feathers, its Claws and Bill like Ivory, and it Sings like a Nightingale.
Description of the Mountain Olaimi.
As for Olaimi, it is a perfect round Mountain; the Way which leads to the top thereof runs winding two Leagues long, and is planted on each side with Cedar, Pine-Trees, Cassine, and Sassafrass, the top of which is a fair Plain a League in circumference; Eastward from it is a Cavern, to which Nature hath afforded more Convenience and Ornament than could be given to the same by Art and Charges: The first Beams of the Rising Sun dart into the Cavern, which being oval, appears like a white Vault, which on the top hath a great Hole for the Air to go in at: The bottom is like the purest Marble; on the Floor stands a Stone Cistern to receive the Moisture which drops out of the Rocks. Whilest the People Danc’d on the fore-mention’d Plain, Feasted and Sung, the Priests Offer’d Myrrhe, and all manner of Perfumes.