The Imposture.
The Learned Gerard Vossius made a particular Enquiry after this Story, whether the Spirit’s appearance were a Reality, or an Imposture; and the truth is it was no better than a subtile Cheat, and so it was apprehended by Arcisseusky, who not long after, on a convenient time, ask’d the Tapuyans why they feign’d him to be a Devil that was a Man, whom he had often seen before? which they denying, affirm’d that it was a real Devil; but Arcisseusky knew their pretended Friend, who spake so shrill by reason of a Grass-blade which he held in his Mouth. However, though the main of the Fable was acted by Man, yet the Devil without doubt play’d his part with them, as appear’d by those Predictions, which no Man could possibly know, viz. That the Portuguese Fort should with the loss but of three Men fall into the Hollanders hands; for so accordingly it hapned. But because the Devil cannot foresee all things, therefore they often erre; for they said that the Hollanders should cross the Moat on Boards nail’d together in stead of a Bridge, and that the Enemy should not perceive it; and indeed Arcisseusky had resolv’d so to do, but was discover’d by the Portuguese, who defended themselves with great Guns, which so affrighted the Tapuyans, not us’d to such a noise, that they ran away and never return’d, so that by Morning the Fort was conquer’d, and all things quieted.
A pleasant Story between Arcisseusky and a Tapuyan Priest.
After this Arcisseusky burnt several Portuguese Ships in the River Monguoape, and kept one, carrying ten Demi-Culverins, laden with Sugar and Spanish Wine; which to carry to a safe Harbor a short Way, he requir’d the Tapuyans assistance; but they refus’d to enter, pretending the Ship would perish by some or other unfortunate Accident, which accordingly hapned as they had said; for the Ship was split against a Rock in the Mouth of a narrow Haven, insomuch that nothing of it was sav’d; all which the Tapuyans knew beforehand by the Devil’s information, for they never go upon any Business of consequence before they have consulted with him, and done him worship. Yet, it seems, they cannot secure this Devil of theirs from the Stripes of a Mortal, as appears by this pleasant Story: A Tapuyan Priest was promis’d a Shirt from Arcisseusky, upon condition the Devil should pull the same out of his Hand and carry it up in the Air: The Tapuyan liking the Proposal, promis’d immediately to call the Devil; but when Arcisseusky desir’d leave to Drub him with a Stick which he had in his Hand, he could by no means perswade the Priest to call for his Dæmon; at which every one began to laugh: and to carry on the Mirth farther, Arcisseusky Joking with the Priest, said, I will shew you that I am a greater Artist than you, for to Morrow I will bring it about by my Art, that great Horns shall grow on your Head, so big, that you shall not be able to pass these Doors; which so affrighted the Tapuyans, that all of them fled, onely the Priest return’d the next day with an Interpreter to Arcisseusky, desiring him that he would use him mercifully, and not cause any Horns to grow on his Head.
At the time when Jacob Rabbi convers’d amongst the Tapuyans, they were Govern’d by Janduy, a Man of above a hundred years old, whose chief Seat was on each side of the River Otschunogh, and round about the Lake Igtug, in which none durst Swim, because of the many biting Fishes in the same.
The King Pritigaba having entred into a strict League with Janduy, Warr’d continually against the Kings Arygpoygh, Wanasewasug, Tshering, and Dremenige; and had not the Portuguese taken the four last into their Service to aid them against the Hollanders, they could never have held out long against the Forces sent by Janduy, who destroy’d Man, Beast, and Houses, sparing nothing they met with; for they murther and destroy all things where e’re they come.
Brasile by whom possess’d at present.
The several Nations that now possess Brasile, besides its native Inhabitants, are Portuguese, English, Hollanders, Germans, and French, which the Brasilians by a general Name call Ajuru-juba; otherwise they call all Strangers Caraiba or Pero. But from the commixing of several Nations proceeds a fifth sort, for one that is born of European Parents in Brasile is call’d Mozombo; of an European Father and Brasilian Mother, Mameluc; of an European Father and a Moor, Mulatto; of a Brasilian and Moor, Curiboca, or Cabocles; of two Negro’s, Criolo. But above all others the Portuguese are the strongest along the Sea-Coast, who when first they began to settle on Brasile, found great resistance; and had not the Natives been at Wars amongst themselves, they could never have got so much footing, but now they are sufficiently Masters; for they have either slain all the old Inhabitants, or driven them up into the Inland: However, the Brasilians are so valiant, that they will Encounter a great Army, being brought up in the Wars from their Cradle. When they Engage one with another they shoot their Arrows exceeding thick, Hooting, Hollowing, and Leaping from one side to the other to shun the Arrows with a wonderful dexterity: The Conquerors spare none, but kill all, and Feast on the slain Bodies; but some they hale away Prisoners with a Rope about their Necks, to each of whom they allot a young Maid, who cherishes and fattens them up for five Moneths, at the end of which they make a great Feast, and drink to a pitch beyond Sense or Reason, having first fill’d their Bellies with the Flesh of the slain Prisoners roasted. If the Woman be got with Child by the Slain, they imagine that they can take no greater revenge of their Enemy, than to devour the Child as soon as it comes into the World; but it often happens, that the Woman really loving her Husband the Prisoner, runs away with him, and so bereaves her Friends of a Banquet.
Sect. II.
St. Vincent.
Places of note in the Præfecture of St. Vincent.