The Inhabitants differ both in their Customs and Language: the generality of them are continually Drunk. They keep yearly a great Feast, to reconcile the Souls of their Predecessors to them; to which purpose they bring as many roasted Ostriches as they have Souls to Offer to; then Drink three days after, and on the last they carry the Head of a fair Virgin (who freely offers her self to be kill’d) about the Town, making a sad and lamentable noise for the space of an hour; at the end of which they all begin to laugh, and oftentimes fall a killing one another: which Custom is most observ’d amongst the Matarani.
The Abipones go naked in Summer, and in the Winter Clothe themselves with Furrs; they Paint their whole Bodies with Spots like the Tygers, Carve their Bodies all over, making Cut-work of their Skins, into which they stick Ostriches Feathers, as also through their Nostrils, Lips, and Ears, and account Baldness the greatest Beauty. They honor those for their Gods, who patiently endure unsufferable Tortures. The Women hang their Faces and Breasts full of Pearls: They never bring up above two Children, for they kill all above that number.
The Planies range up and down without Habitations under the open Skie.
The Giants Tobae speak a curious Language, but are very salvage and cruel. Anno 1571. Erouaca, a prime Man amongst them, devour’d his own Sister, Wife, Mother, and Children. When they design to go a Journey, they roast their Sons and Daughters, to serve them for Provisions in stead of other Flesh; and their Sick are upon the least Complaint bury’d alive.
The Caaguiaares, who dwell in Huts in great Woods, feed on Woorms, Mice, Apes, Tygers, and wild Honey; most of them are bunch-back’d, and go clad with the Skins of wild Beasts.
CHAP. III.
Magellanica.
Several Voyages to Magellanica.
Northward against Chili and Rio de la Plata juts the Countrey, which from Ferdinand Magaglianus is wrongly call’d Magellanica; to which several Voyages have been made by sundry People from the North-Sea to the Southern Ocean, divers Steering still new Courses: for some follow’d the Straights of Magellan; others Sail’d more or less South-West: By which means Le Mair open’d a new Passage between Mauritius and the States-Island; and H. Brewer, a Way below the States-Island; yet all Steer’d their Course Westerly, so that none of them return’d the same Way, except Elias Herkmans and Capt. Ladrillero, the last of whom coming from Chili to go to the North-Sea, met with such Storms, that he was forc’d to Tack about, and stand back again to Chili, as Herkmans did from Chili to Brasile.
Pedro Sarmiento’s Expedition.