_Tien_, A Moneth, or the Moon.
_Toninco_, A Week.
_Ante_, The Day, or Sun.
_Paun_, The Night.
_Tabuyo_, The Evening.
_Eppoun_, The Morning.
_Rangiante_, Noon.
_Eppoe_, The next Day after to Morrow.
_Vya_, Yesterday.
_Putey_, The Day before Yesterday.
_Buchiante_, To Day.
_Mintay_, Now.
_Weytiva_, At that time.
_Wantarulei_, In the Morning betimes.
_Biliante_, Always.
_Chumel_, When.
_Chemchuem_, Also.
_Hueno_, The Heavens.
_Quereb_, The Air or Wind.
_Tomo_, The Clouds.
_Wangelen_, The Stars.
_Pillan_, Thunder.
_Gualio_, Lightning.
_Puta que quereb_, A Storm.
_Maoni_, Rain.
_Piren_, Snow.
_Veaquumao_, Dew.
_Pillingei_, Ice.
_Quetal_, Fire.
_Ko_, Water.
_Tue_, The Earth.
_Mappo_, The Land.
_Pele_, Clay.
_Cura_, Stone.
_Maviel_, Wood.
_Aluven_, Timber.
_Millia_, Gold.
_Lien_, Silver.
_Paila_, Brass.
_Titi_, Tin.
_Pavillue_, Iron.
_Quatal-cura_, A Pebble-stone.
_Chadi_, Salt.
_Lyl_, A Rock.
_Milla-mappen_, A Golden Vein.
_Aliquen_, A Tree.
_Cahu_, Herbs.
_Nebo_, Nuts.
_Pino_, Grass.
_Cayron_, Hay.
_Wento_, A Man.
_Domo_, A Wife.
_Quiduugen_, A Youth.
_Yecho_, A Maiden.
_Penien_, A Boy.
_Domo-penien_, A Girl.
_Chou_, A Father.
_Nenque_, A Mother.
_Cheche_, A Grandfather.
_Domo-cheche_, A Grandmother.
_Wenco_, Mothers Brother.
_Mama_, Mothers Sister.
_Pelchuchan_, A Stepfather.
_Caulla_, A Stepmother.
_Botum_, A Son.
_Neaque_, A Daughter.
_Penu_, A Brother.
_Lamoen_, A Sister.
_Guempo_, A Father-in-law.
_Vilca_, A Mother-in-law.
_Choupa_, A Son-in-law.
_Weuro-pencho_, A Kinsman.
_Buytha_, An old Man.
_Cude_, An old Woman.
_Cunewa_, An Hospital Child.
_Peneinboe_, A Guardian.
_Apo-curaca_, A Governor.
_Curaca_, A Lord.
_Apo_, A supream Commander.
_Nentoque_, A Ruler.
_Ulmen_, A Person of Quality.
_Pulmen_, A Gentleman.
_Machi_, A Chirurgeon.
_Cona_, A Soldier.
_Retave-caman_, A Smith.
_Guito-wok_, A Weaver.
_Challo-acaman_, A Fisher-man.
_Nilla-caboe_, A Merchant.
_Turnitave_, A Dyer.
_Chumpiro-caman_, A Cap-maker.
_Tultunca-caman_, A Drummer.
_Inchetaniweni_, A Servant.
_Voerquin_, A Messenger.
_Langamcheboe_, A Murderer.
_Chiquiboe_, A Thief.
_Illuiboe_, A Beggar.
_Alvee_, The Devil.
_Ruca_, A House.
_Ullin_, A Door.
_Chaquana_, A pair of Stairs.
_Pylca_, A Wall.
_Wana-ruca_, The Roof.
_Pithe-ruca_, A Hut.
_Colcura_, A Cupboard.
_Cawyto_, A Bedstead.
_Depotuarica_, A Prison.
_Weltelve_, A Gibbet.
_Pengal_, A Grave.
_Lonquen_, The Sea.
_Leva_, The River.
_Buta-wampo_, A Ship.
_Aliwen_, A Mast.
_Mou_, Ropes.
_Dolio_, A Canoo.
_Wampo_, A Boat.
_Vela_, Sails.
_Wyta_, An Oar.
_Tubquen_, Ashes.
_Cuju_, A dead Coal.
_Ale_, The Flame.
_Aypel_, A burning Coal.
_Wietum_, Smoak.
_Catila_, a Candle.
_Wyno_, A Knife.
_Witi_, A Spoon.
_Guidi_, A Pot.
_Lepoboruwe_, A Tooth-picker.
_Pavilla-lonco_, An Helmet.
_Waiqui_, A Pike.
_Pylqui_, A Dart.
_Pulque-tuboi_, A Bowe.
_Tultunca_, A Trumpet.
_Mecane_, An Iron Club.
_Cachal_, An Awl.
_Wita_, A Spade.
_Juisue_, A Sieve.
_Chilca_, A Letter.
_Charavilla_, A pair of Breeches.
_Icha_, A Woman’s Garment.
_Domo-ruida_, A Coat.
_Couchon_, A Bag.
_Pino-chompiro_, A Straw Cap.
_Congi_, Food.
_Cobque_, Bread.
_Nul-cobque_, The Crumb.
_Liquangue_, Light.
_Dumingei_, Darkness.
_Quemeiquen_, Dainties.
_Medda_, Pap.
_Core_, Broth.
_Ilon_, Flesh.
_Cuichalon_, Mutton.
_Wara-ilon_, Beef.
_Chuchi-ilon_, Pork.
_Chuchi-chain_, A Gammon of Bacon.
_Chaditues-ilon_, Salt.
_Caucan_, Roast-meat.
_Avaun_, Boyl’d-meat.
_Puytscha_, The Guts.
_Curam_, An Egg.
_Quecuram_, The Yolk of an Egg.
_Lycuram_, The White of an Egg.
_Iwyn_, Butter.
_Ylu_, Milk.
_Puuloo_, Drink,
_Vino_, Wine.
_Chiche_, Beer.
_Cutan_, Pain or Sickness.
_Aren-cutan_, A Feaver.
_Towongen_, The Head.
_Cancocultano_, The Head-ache.
_Veno-aren_, Scabs.
_Albungien_, A Wound.
_Molbuen_, Blood.
_Touma_, A blind Man.
_Cawinto_, A Meal.
_Colchou_, The Small-pox.
_Wocubu_, A wild Beast.
_Pangy_, A Lyon.
_Naguel_, A Tyger.
_Cuchy_, A Swine.
_Michun_, A Calf.
_Dewe_, A Mouse.
_Waren_, A Rat.
_Twe-dewe_, A Mole.
_Tewa_, A Dog.
_Pulpeo_, A Fox.
_Guetaltuange_, A Hare.
_Noquen_, A She-bear.
_Lame_, A Sea-Dog.
_Lemo-cuchi_, A wild Swine.
_Chumam_, A Bear.
_Puedo_, A Sea-Goat.
_Quelen_, A Tail.
_Chiliweki_, A Sheep.
_Zuneu_, a Bird.
_Lyppe_, A Plume.
_Mepoiinem_, A Wing.
_Dani-inem_, A Nest.
_Achawal_, a Hen.
_Alchahawal_, a Cock.
_Pylken_, A Duck.
_Jeca_, A Raven.
_Guereo_, A Magpye.
_Cogo_, A Cuckow.
_Nullyn_, A Bee.
_Pulli_, A Flye.
_Vulgumusky_, The King of Bees.
_Petar_, A Louse.
_Perem_, A Flea.
_Piro_, A Worm.
_Vilo_, A Serpent.
_Bylcum_, A Hedghog.
_Ponono_, A Toad.
_Challua_, A Fish.
_Cawel_, A Dolphin.
_Iene_, A Whale.
_Vouqui_, A Grigg.
_Vilochalva_, An Eel.
_Chadituel-chalva_, Salt-fish.
_Anquen-chalva_, Dry’d-fish.
_Quinpilon_, Oysters.
_Chapes_, Mussles.
_Coinow_, A Crab.
_Quichiquinchio_, a Falcon.
_Manco_, A Crane.
_Choroi_, A Parrot.
_Pilo_, Dead.
_Hilca_, A one-ey’d Person.
_Topilgen_, To squint.
_Topil_, Lame.
_Poo_, A Bough.
_Kempomamel_, Dry Wood.
_Bopemamel_, Wither’d Wood.
_Nobue_, An Acorn.
_Nido-iwas_, A Vineyard.
_Nidu_, A Pole.
_Vanguen_, Strawberries.
_Couchow_, Black-berries.
_Litue_, Toad-stools.
_Pilun-proque_, Plantain.
_Calicai_, Clover-grass.
_Curi_, Stinking Nettles.
_Pragyn_, Flowers.
_Manen_, Seed.
_Methen_, Meal.
_Chiquelen_, To gather.
_Gueli-vanca_, Coral.
_Kispi_, Glass.
_Cudi_, A Milstone.
_Pel_, Mud or Dirt.
_Tassaquido_, A Treasure.
_Guengu_, A Marriage-Portion.
_Deren-culyn_, A Debt.
_Culyn_, A Reward.
_Willawyn_, Single-money.
_Guyn_, One.
_Eppo_, Two.
_Quila_, Three.
_Meli_, Four.
_Quechu_, Five.
_Cuyn_, Six.
_Regli_, Seven.
_Pura_, Eight.
_Culla_, Nine.
_Maripataco_, A hundred.
_Marama_, A thousand.
_Guiltui_, A Kernel.
_Tapel_, Leaves.
_Nil_, The Bark.
_Pelli_, The Smell.
_Oaliel_, The Body.
_Lai-calel_, A dead Corps.
_Ven_, Flesh.
_Molvin_, Blood.
_Boro_, A Leg.
_Telqui_, The Skin.
_Vel_, The Sinews.
_Ven-molvin_, A Vein.
_Congo_, The Head.
_Tol_, The Forehead.
_Lenglen_, The Scull.
_Lonco_, The Hair.
_Teren-lonco_, Grey.
_Lolo_, The Brain.
_Angen_, The Face.
_Taun_, The Jaws.
_Ne_, The Eyes.
_Tacune_, The Members.
_Denen_, The Eye-brows.
_Ju_, The Nose.
_Peloju_, The Nostrils.
_Merum_, Snot.
_Pilum_, The Ears.
_Oun_, A Mouth.
_Adem_, Sweat.
_Quewen_, The Tongue.
_Melbue_, The Lips.
_Boru_, The Teeth.
_Ilga_, The Gums.
_Bida-bida_, The Roof of the Mouth.
_Cain_, Spittle.
_Mewe_, The Throat.
_Neen_, The Breath.
_Quette_, The Chin.
_Paion_, The Beard.
_Pel_, The Neck.
_Lipan_, The Shoulders.
_Puilpa_, An Arm.
_Cue_, A Hand.
_Mancue_, The Right-hand.
_Melecoe_, The Left-hand.
_Puley-cue_, The Palm of the Hand.
_Changel-cue_, The Fingers.
_Buta-changel_, The Thumb.
_Wili_, The Nails.
_Zevo_, The Breast.
_Moju_, The Nipples.
_Pue_, The Belly.
_Weddo_, The Navel.
_Cadi_, The Ribs.
_Buri_, The Back.
_Anca_, The Sides.
_Quichio_, The Buttocks.
_Penem_, A Man’s Genital Parts.
_Metu_, A Womans.
_Chan_, The Thighs.
_Lucu_, The Knees.
_Metunthoy_, The Knee-Bone.
_Hemum_, The Calves.
_Kamon_, The Feet.
_Pinque_, The Heart.
_Mocun_, The Lungs.
_Que_, The Maw.
_Curique_, The Liver.
_Vaca_, The Milt.
_Quelche_, The Guts.
_Villin_, The Bladder.
_Momay_, To Stink.
_Pelengsley_, A Spider.
_Inche_, I.
_Tubei_, He.
_Eimi_, You.
_Inchen_, We.
_Tecengen-eimen_, You People.
_Liengen_, Those People.
_Emma_, So.
_Muh_, No.
_Pichumei_, Hard by.
_Averlugei_, Far.
_Taymen_, Against.
_Woecun_, Without.
_Compay_, Within.
_Pulon_, Below.
_Wono_, Above.
_Buri_, Behind.
_Junengen_, Before.
_Quelleb_, Near.
_Munai_, Enough.
_Alengei_, Too much.
_Munalai_, Too little.
_Chemibla_, Wherefore.
_Venibla_, Therefore.
_Vei-mai_, Let it be so.
_Wei_, These.
_Temunei_, Fair.
_Woranei_, Ugly.
_Newonei_, Strong.
_Leptungei_, Swift.
_Chouwo_, Lazie.
_Alilonconei_, Very wise.
_Wentannei_, Valiant.
_Queunei_, Proud.
_Culenei_, Rich.
_Cunewal_, Poor.
_Toucou_, Foolish.
_Molgei_, Naked.
_Ilungei_, Clothed.
_Queten_, Narrow.
_Anqueu_, Dry.
_Prequin_, Bountiful.
_Buta_, Great.
_Pichi_, Little.
_Montingei_, Fat.
_Toutau_, Lean.
_Pettun_, Colour’d.
_Queli_, Red.
_Calbu_, Blue.
_Carel_, Green.
_Choot_, Yellow.
_Curi_, Black.
_Lye_, White.
_Nilla-caju_, To change.
_Illawyn_, Giving.
_Tuignei_, To be merry.
_Umatum_, Sleeping.
_Limen_, To wake out of Sleep.
_Bemgne_, To Build.
_Playn_, To find.
_Vangen-lyn_, To lose.
_Necul_, To run.
_Amon_, To go.
_Utalegen_, To stand.
_Jucheleyn_, To lie down.
_Tecanen_, To dance.
_Padenatum_, To fall.
_Utalenen_, To rise.
_Avinge_, To sit.
_Dimgne_, To speak.
_Temelenge_, To be silent.
_Puronge_, To Sing.
_Pylcunge_, To call.
_Quipay_, To come.
_Ien_, To eat.
_Butum_, To drink.
_Mepai_, To go to Stool.
_Willam_, To Urine.
_Cudepain_, To play.
_Locatum_, To scold.
_Mecowyn_, To carry.
_Chuquin_, To steal.
_Guallulueno_, To restore.
_Pelteney_, To pay.
_Lay_, To die.
_Rengalgei_, To be buried.
_Quedau capay_, Working.
_Intunge millo_, To dig for Gold.
_Nilla-teubyn_, To sell.
_Nilla-vin_, To buy.
_Quimli wi tami piel_, I cannot understand you.
_Chu pipaimi_, What do you?
_Champaila_, Nothing.
_Juei pingeimi_, What is your Name?
_Juan pingen_, I am call’d _John_.
_Cheo ruaimi_, Whither do you go?
_Moppo muruam_, I go into the Countrey.
_Cheo tui mi_, From whence came you?
_Miro comotoun_, I came from home.
_Chumel quipai, tuai mi_, When shall you come?
_Chumel pratuai mi_, When shall you go?
_Ale prungi tamruca_, Is your Habitation far from hence?
_Picherungei_, It is hard by.
_Aleprungei_, It is farther.
_Inchi quiparum camappumu_, I intend to go into another Countrey.
_Chemnibla qui parui cammappumu_, Why will you go into another
Countrey?
_Merelya tiva mappumu_, Here is no Provision.
_Aleibelay twachi tipanto, benebliaale geniep ayn_, The year hath been
unfruitful, and therefore we want.
_Cheo mappungen tamichau_, In what Province dwells your Father?
_Alu ei ei_, The Devil hath fetch’d him away.
_At eimi ruaju inchio_, Will you keep him company?
_Ailan_, No, I will not.
_Bien_, I will.
_Chuben quecken neieimi tania_, Have you any thing to give us to eat?
_Cancan achawal_, Yes, I have roasted Hens.
_Mu wy_, How many?
_Munalei enchintavia_, There will be enough for us.
_Chuben putuayn_, Where shall we Drink?
_Aile Mangunmeinis_, I thank you.
_Chuben domo trivo_, What Woman is this?
_Inchi tan curi_, It is my Wife.
_Ni nave_, My Daughter.
_Ni domo_, My Concubine.
_Alei teminigei vei domo_, It is a handsomWoman.
_Qua pangnei_, Come hither.
_Amotunge_, Run away.
_Umatuayn_, Let us go to Bed.
_Utajuca_, Let us rise.
_Wira cuchai compay tan mappumu_, The _Spaniards_ are fall’n into this
Countrey.
_Quipa waicha laimi_, Shall we Fight together?
_Waiquenagelan_, I have no Arms.
_Ima en pea in Waiqui_, Follow me, and I will get Arms.
_Ali teum inche_, I am contented.
[Illustration]
The Seamen who went under _Hendrick Brewer_’s Command, _Anno 1643._ from
_Brasile_ to _Chili_, brought the fore-mention’d Vocabulary along with
them.
_Chili_ is look’d upon as no way inferior to any Countrey in _America_,
enjoying a wholsom Air, fruitful Soil, and abundance of Inhabitants, who
often furnish _Peru_ with Provisions; which are the speedier convey’d
thither, because the South-Winds always blow along the Coast.
The _Peruvian_ Vice-Roy keeps a Deputy to Govern here. It hath two
Bishopricks, _viz._ St. _Jago_ and _L’ Imperial_.
[Sidenote: The Nature, Customs, and Manners of the _Chileses_.]
Some of the _Chileses_ are under the _Spaniards_ Jurisdiction, and live
in Huts; others being wilder, defend their Freedom with the Sword. They
have great Heads and flat Noses: The Men continually pull out the Hair
on their Faces and Privities with Shells, which they carry about their
Necks for that purpose, having beforehand rubb’d the Hair with warm
Ashes; the Hair of their Heads hanging downwards is cut close as far as
their Ears, the rest growing long, is ty’d with the Ribbon
_Tariwelonco_, to which Persons of Quality fix Silver Plates and
_Turkoises_: Some also cover their Heads with the Skins of Weazels, or
the like Beasts, putting the Head over their Foreheads, and the Tail
down their Neck; which kind of Covering they call _Maniewelonco_: Others
wear Caps made after some strange manner or other.
The _Chileses_ are not the tallest, but strong and well set, betwixt a
white and sallow colour: Those that are in the _Spaniards_ Service, wear
long Hair, by which they are distinguish’d from the shorn _Ucais_, who
do the _Spaniards_ all the mischief imaginable. The Women are for the
most part low of stature, but of a strong Constitution, they go
bare-headed, letting their Hair hang loose over their Shoulders, except
when they are indispos’d, and then they tie it up: But those that dwell
about _Castro_ wear Locks like our _English_ Ladies. In _Coquimbo_ and
_Loquimbo_ they go after the same manner as the _Peruvian_ Women: All of
them have thick black Hair.
Their Apparel, though mean, is neat: The Men wear wide Breeches girt
about their Wastes, and a piece of woollen Cloth, three Yards long and
two broad, which having a Hole in the middle, they put over their Heads,
and so let it hang on their Shoulders, leaving their Arms and Legs bare;
but on Festival Days they wear curious embroider’d Stockings. The Women
likewise cover themselves with the same piece of Cloth, but after
another manner, tying it first about their Middle, then let it down to
the Ground, pinn’d before with Silver or Golden Pins; their Heads,
Breasts and Legs are uncover’d; the Cloth it self is strip’d with red,
white, blue, and yellow, and fring’d at the edges. For an Example of
their quick and easie Labor, _Hendrick Brewer_ relates, That a Woman
being Deliver’d in his Ship, within an hour after walk’d up and down the
Deck, and gave the Child suck. Some of them have such great Breasts,
that throwing them over their Shoulders they suckle their Children,
being ty’d at their Backs.
Their Huts being low, are made of Straw, Canes, and Boughs, and not
built for one single Family; for often thirty, fifty, a hundred, or a
hundred and twenty dwell under one Roof, and have a Governor, by them
call’d _Caruca_.
Their Housholdstuff is little and mean, _viz._ two or three Cans to keep
their Liquor _Chica_ in, Horn Cups, a Stone whereon they grind their
Corn, and one or two woodden Stools: The chiefest of them also use
Sheep-skins, which they spread on the Ground before their Guests. They
live without care, for they neither Sowe nor Plant any more than will
serve them a Year.
Their Riches consist in Cattel, of which they have no great plenty.
About the beginning of _October_ a whole Town meets together to Plough
and to Sowe, which the Men perform in two days time, the rest of the
Work being left to the care of the Women; for the Men never meddle with
Reaping or Harvest.
They eat and drink from Morning to Evening, when they do not travel, for
then they eat at set-times. Their Liquor is made of Barley-Meal, or
Wheat boyl’d in Water. On Festival Days they drink _Chica_, Brew’d of
_Maiz_ chew’d by the Teeth of old Women. They likewise make a Liquor of
the Fruit _Unni_, which tastes like _Madera_ Wine.
[Sidenote: Their Marriages.]
Every Man Marries as many Wives as he can buy and maintain, for Maids
and Widows must be sold by the Parents, who set not a Price upon them
according to their Beauty or Quality, but their skill in managing
Houshold Affairs. Their Marriages are perform’d after a strange manner:
A Son having no Inheritance, lives on the Charity of his nearest
Relations, who Present him, one with a Hog, another with a Cow, a third
with a Sheep, and a fourth with somewhat else: thus enrich’d, he goes to
his Mistresses Father, and hangs some _Turkoises_ and Plates of Silver
about his Neck, and acquainting him with what Estate he can make his
Wife, he agrees as well as he can with his intended Father-in-law, to
whom he gives ten, fifty, or a hundred Sheep, Oxen, Cows, Hogs, Horses,
Poultrey, a Coat, and some Vessels full of _Chica_; which done, the
Father leads his Daughter to the Bridegroom’s House, where he is
Entertain’d with Meat, but finds the Drink at his own Cost. Some days
after the Celebration of the Wedding, the nearest Relations come to
congratulate the young Marry’d Woman, and at Dinner sing an
_Epithalamium_ to their Nuptial Deity _Maruapeante_, all of them sitting
on the Ground on Sheep-skins. The Allies often take away a Woman from
her Husband, especially when he misuses her; and if a Man kill his Wife,
her Death is reveng’d by her Relations. Persons of Quality build a Hut
for every one of their Wives, sending word to her whom they have a mind
to enjoy: They respect one above the rest, who are in a manner but
Slavesses, being forc’d to do all the Drudgery. The Men are exceeding
jealous and chollerick, cruelly beating their Wives, if they chance but
to look on another Man; and if they take them in the Act of Adultery,
they immediately kill them; yet for all this they are not Chaste, but
very Libidinous. As soon as a Woman is Deliver’d of a Child, she washes
her self and the Child in cold Water; then kills a Lamb call’d
_Chiluraque_, makes a Feast; at which she her self eats and drinks
freely amongst the rest, and the next day goes about her usual
Employment.
The _Spaniards_ tell us, that their Women, if they continue long in this
Countrey, are more and more hardned by the Air, and are as little
concern’d at the Birth of a Child as the Natives.
A Widow hath free leave to Marry again, provided she hath given to her
Children part of what she hath; but if she Marry not, but return to her
Parents, then she is highly esteem’d of.
Both Men and Women wash themselves in the Rivers in the coldest Weather.
[Sidenote: Their Religion, and manner of burying their Dead.]
They adore chiefly their Deity _Pillan_, and the Devil, who doth them
much hurt. They acknowledge no Resurrection, accounting long Life in
this World the greatest Good; wherefore when any one dies, the Friends
and Relations make a doleful Cry, and suffer the dead Body to lie three,
nay, four Moneths before they bury them, stuffing them full of strong
smelling Herbs, to keep them from putrifying: Three days before their
Interrment the nearest Allies meet, kill a Sheep, make Merry, and throw
the Body into a Hole near the Hut in which the Deceased dwelt, putting
also a piece of the slain Sheep, and a Jug full of the Liquor _Chica_,
into the Grave.
Concerning their Idol _Pillan_, to whom with strange Gestures they Sing
divers Songs, they believe that he is a Spirit of the Air, and Governs
all things on Earth. Some suppose him to be Thunder, and therefore they
worship him in a most particular manner when they hear it Thunder; for
then they stick an Arrow and Stone Ax into the Ground, and take Arms
into their Hands, putting themselves into a posture as if they should
suddenly be set upon by a mighty Enemy, and look’d upon it heretofore as
a fore-running of the _Spaniards_ approach, whose Cruelties they
exceedingly dreaded.
They call all their Hero’s _Pillans_, and ascribe Divine powers to them.
They take very much strong Tobacco, the Smoak whereof puffing in the Air
with strange Gestures, they cry, _Receive this, O Pillan_.
[Sidenote: Their cruel usage of Prisoners.]
When they return home Conquerors from any Victory, they put a Stone Ax
into the Ground, and standing Arm’d round about the same, Drink
exceedingly, and sing a Song in honor of _Pillan_. They use their
Prisoners very cruelly, for forcing them to Dance and make Merry amongst
them, they on a sudden cleave their Heads with an Ax, pull their Hearts
out of their Bodies, and bite the same with their Teeth. After the same
manner they punish their Robbers and Traitors; but those that have good
store of _Chica_ to Present the Governors with, escape the Execution:
Yet this cannot buy off Sorcerers or Witches, who are without mercy
burnt alive, with all they enjoy’d.
They have no Priests, nor any that pretend to any religious Function;
onely those that can Sing the _Pawary_ well, are in great esteem amongst
them.
Their second Deity _Maruapeante_ (they say) informs them in a Dream when
they must Marry; but he doth not do them this kindness before they have
made themselves Drunk, and sung Sonnets to his praise.
[Sidenote: The manner of chusing the _Nentoque_.]
This Countrey is Govern’d by prime Persons, call’d _Ulmen_, or peculiar
Lords, call’d _Curacen_. The _Ulmens_ and _Curacens_ Command twenty
five, sometimes fifty, a hundred Families: Their Power consists in
calling all the People together, and consulting with them about
State-Affairs, which they dare not do with any particular Person, nor
Levy any Tax without extraordinary occasion. They are bound to march in
the Front of their Subjects against an Enemy, and are under a
Governor-General call’d _Apocurace_, or under a _Nentoque_. Other lesser
Offices are dispos’d of by the _Curaces_, or _Pulmenes_; but their
_Netonques_ are chosen after this manner, _viz._ When that honorable
Place is vacant, then whoever aims at it, computes with himself whether
his Means will extend so far as to treat the _Curaces_ and _Pulmenes_
with a noble Treat; which if he is able to do, then he sends for them to
an appointed place, whither they all go Arm’d, and whilest they are
eating and drinking, he that desires the Place begins to tell them of
his noble Extract, valiant Exploits, Riches, and eminent Relations, and
therefore desires the Place of the deceased _Nentoque_: then the
_Curace_ rising, the intended _Nentoque_ hangs a Chain of _Turkoises_,
or Cockle-shells about his Neck; whereupon the _Curace_ moves the rest
to the Election, without any Articles, the new _Nentoque_ onely
promising to Govern all things for the best advantage and benefit of the
common State: which done, the _Curace_ takes the Chain of _Turkoises_,
and distributes them amongst the primest Persons of Quality, and so they
end the Day in Drinking, Dancing and Singing.
After the same manner they chuse an _Apocurace_ or prime Governor; which
of late the _Uca_’s, that they may enjoy the more Priviledge themselves,
have not elected.
[Sidenote: Their Arms.]
The _Chileses_ Arms consist of Lances as long again as the _Europeans_,
made sharp at the Points. They all use Clubs plated with Iron, and
_Spanish_ Swords. The _Pulches_, who dwell behind the high Mountains
_Cordilbra_, use poyson’d Arrows, make Helmets and Breastplates of
Ox-hides, which neither Sword nor Arrow can enter: they all know how to
manage a Horse, and the use of a Lance, but are very much afraid of
Musquets or Fire-locks.
Because they can neither write nor read, the Governor by a faithful
Messenger sends to his inferior Officers such Commands as he judges may
tend to the most advantage of the Publick both in Peace and War. This
Messenger carries an Arrow with a Ribbon, as a Sign of his Employment;
the Arrow is held in the Right-hand, and if he who receives it will
answer the Message, then he sends back the same Arrow with another; but
if he judges it convenient to acquaint any other _Curaces_ and
_Pulmenes_ with the same Message, then he sends one of his own Servants
to them with the same Arrow.
[Sidenote: A particular Account of _Chili_.]
As touching the Climate and Production of _Chili_, this Account is given
by an Eye-witness: “The Winter Season (saith he) is so tempestuous, that
sometimes the Trees are not onely blown up by the Roots, but the Earth
it self is rent asunder; some Valleys being fill’d with Snow, swell the
Rivers exceedingly when it melts, which overflowing part of the
Countrey, makes the same very fruitful. It is also extream cold here,
because such sharp Winds blow from the Mountains, that they pierce
through the Skin and Flesh of a Man: and indeed these Winds would make
the whole Countrey desolate, were not the Mountains overgrown with great
Oaken Trees, against which the Wind breaks. Moreover, the Valleys
produce Coals, which serve the Inhabitants for Fewel. The Winter
bereaves the Trees of Leaves; but not those which grow in the
Wildernesses. In _March_ the Fields are full of innumerable sorts of
sweet-smelling Flowers; out of some whereof are boyl’d the
_Angel-Water_, so call’d for its smell and wholsom taste. The Grass
grows in _November_ and _December_ as high as our standing Corn.
Turnips, Mint, Clover, and Mustard-seed, grow naturally for several
Leagues together. Likewise excellent Physical Herbs grow here, whose
power and operation their Doctors, call’d _Maci_, keep from the
_Spaniards_. These _Maci_ are in great esteem, not onely amongst the
_Chileses_, but also the _Spaniards_, for their great skill in Physick.
Amongst these Herbs the chiefest is call’d _Quincia-mali_ which grows
but half a hands-breadth above the Ground, and spreads into several
Stalks like a Nosegay; and on each Stalk is a Saffron-colour’d Flower.
This Herb pull’d Up with the Root, and boyl’d, and the Decoction given
to any one that is bruis’d within, works most wonderfully, for it draws
out the putrifi’d Blood, though sunk never so deep in the Wound.
Moreover the Juice of _Culen_ is also very healing, if us’d for an
Ointment, or pour’d on any Wound. This Herb, by the _Spaniards_ call’d
_Albaciga_, hath sweet-smelling Leaves, and a tall Body. In some places
also grows an Herb, not unlike Grass, which boyl’d in Water, immediately
cures the Feaver and Spleen, and cleanses the Blood. There are likewise
Medicines here, which dissolving the Stone in the Bladder or Kidneys,
cause it to be urin’d forth. The Plant _Luce_, which grows out of rented
Rocks which are often overflow’d by the Sea, makes a sort of well tasted
Bread.”
The Wilderness _Atacama_, which makes a Boundary betwixt _Peru_ and
_Chili_, extends Northward ninety Leagues, is dry and barren in Summer,
and in the Winter exceeding cold, and cover’d with Snow. No Provision is
to be found upon it, except a few wild Sheep, call’d _Guanacos_. About
the middle thereof the Brook _La Sal_ rising in the Eastern Mountains,
flows Westward through a deep Valley to the Southern Ocean.
[Sidenote: Troublesom Passage from _Peru_ to _Chili_.]
The Water of the fore-mention’d Brook put into any Vessel, immediately
turns to Salt, and all along the Shore lie greater or lesser pieces of
Salt; so that the Way from _Peru_ to _Chili_ through _Atacama_ is very
troublesom: but that which leads thither over the snowy Mountains
_Andes_, is much worse, because it is farther about, and threatens the
Traveller with Destruction, if he observe not the right Season of the
Year; for in the Winter there blows such a cold Wind on these Mountains,
that a Man, being suddenly benumm’d, falls down dead on the Ground, and
grows stiff against all putrefaction. _Joseph de Acosta_ tells us, that
Bodies have been found there as firm and sound, as if they had been
living, which had some years before breath’d their last on the said
Mountains.
[Sidenote: The Valley _Copayapo_.]
But _Diego Almagro_, who first discover’d _Chili_, Anno 1536. went
thither with two Companies of Horse, and five hundred Foot, through the
Countreys _Charcas_, _Chicas_, _Xuxayes_, and _Chaquana_, and having
pass’d over a craggy Soil and the snowy Mountains _Andes_, he entred
into the first _Chilean_ Valley _Capayapo_, having lost no small number
of Men and Horses with Hardship and Cold; the inconvenience therefore of
both the fore-mention’d Ways between _Peru_ and _Chili_, forc’d
Travellers to go along the Shore wash’d by the Southern Ocean.
_Copayapo_ bears that Denomination from the _Turkoises_ which a Mountain
produces there in great abundance. The Valley it self is the
fruitfullest of all _Chili_; for in no place the _Maiz_ grows better,
and in greater abundance than here, the Ears being half a Yard long, and
the Stalks the length of a Lance; each Grain that is Sow’n, yields at
least three hundred in Harvest. All _Spanish_ Fruits grow better here
than in _Spain_.
Through the midst of _Copayapo_ runs a River of the same Denomination,
and twenty Leagues in length from the _Andes_, and at its Mouth hath a
convenient Harbor before the South Sea.
The South part of _Copayapo_ borders the Valley _Guasco_, which is less
fruitful than the first, but hath a convenient Haven, into which falls a
fresh River, penn’d in by Sluces for the watering of the Cane-Fields.
Moreover, there are plenty of Partridges; also wild Sheep and grey
Squirrel-skins are of a great value. To the Southward flow also the
Rivers _Maypo_, _Chacha_ Pool, _Loro_, and _Moule_.
Beyond these Streams Eastward, the _Promouca_’s dwell near the Mountains
_Andes_.
In the Valley _Chili_, which gives Denomination to the whole Countrey,
were formerly the famous Gold-Mines _Quillatas_, from whence _Valdivia_,
Anno 1544. carry’d an invaluable Treasure. The South Sea makes here a
large and convenient Harbor for all manner of Vessels, built two Leagues
below the City _Serena_, at a little River, which so moistens the low
Countrey, that it produces all manner of Plants. It rains here not above
three times a year.
From the Entertainment which Sir _Francis Drake_ met withal here, may
sufficiently be conjectur’d the Power of _Serena_; for when the
_English_ Landed here for Water, they were driven away not without great
loss by three hundred _Castilian_ Horse, and two hundred Foot that
Sally’d out of the City. The Mines, though they inclose much Gold, yet
they produce but little, because the _Spaniards_, according to the
testimony of a _Chilean_ Pilot, whom _Oliver Van Noort_ took Prisoner,
destroy’d all the ancient Inhabitants that should have help’d them to
dig the Gold.
The City _St. Jago_, lying near the Stream _Topocalma_, receives great
benefit by the Haven _Valparayso_, which makes the fore-mention’d River,
because in that Haven all Goods that come from _Lima_ are unladen, and
the Goods shipp’d aboard. The Countrey about the same produces plenty of
Wines, Apples, Corn, and all sorts of Cattel, and especially Horses in
such abundance, that thousands of them run wild.
In _Valparayso_ Sir _Francis Drake_ took a Ship from _Valdivia_, laden
with two thousand five hundred Bars of fine Gold. But the _Netherland_
Admiral, _Joris Spilbergen_, had not such good success, who Sailing
thither with five Ships, _Anno 1615._ discover’d a _Spanish_ Ship in the
Harbor; where sending his Boats well Mann’d to fetch off a Vessel that
lay hal’d on the Shore, they found it burning, and thereupon Steer’d
their Course into a little Inlet full of Rocks, which serv’d the
_Spaniards_ in stead of Breast-works; for lying behind them, they fir’d
continually on the _Hollanders_; yet _Spilbergen_ Landing with two
hundred Men, met a considerable number of _Spanish_ Soldiers, and Horses
drawn out on the Shore, from whom they soon fled.
Before the City _La Conception_ lies the Island _Quiriquyna_, whose
Straw Huts _Spilbergen_ laid in Ashes.
At the time when _Oliver Van Noort_ came to an Anchor here, the Governor
_Franciscus de Quinones_ Commanded seven hundred _Spanish_ Soldiers to
reduce the revolted _Chileses_.
Four Leagues from _Conception_ lie the rich Gold-Mines _Quilacoya_,
which formerly produc’d great Riches.
Over against the Valley _Arauco_, which rises out of the Sea, lies the
Island _Maria_, in a large Inlet made by the force of the Waves.
Here grows abundance of Wheat and Barley. The Rivers also afford plenty
of Fish, amongst which there is one call’d _The Lake-Spider_, in whose
Eyes are to be seen little Specks, which would exceed Pearl, if they
were but hard enough.
Two _Spaniards_ Command forty Natives on _Maria_, and keep them in such
slavery, that they may neither eat Apples, Pears, Grapes, Poultrey, or
Sheep, though they are there in great abundance.
_Elias Herkmans_ was once in probability to have taken possession of
this Island for the _Netherland_ State, had he not been prevented by an
extraordinary occasion.
Between the Towns _Conception_ and _Imperial_ lie the Provinces
_Arauco_, _Tucapel_, and _Puren_, inhabited by a valiant People, that
often alarm the _Spaniards_. In each Province _Valdivia_ built a Fort in
the Year 1551. eight Leagues distant from one another. He also
discover’d the rich Gold-Mines _De Ongol_, and built the Fort _Confines_
there.
[Sidenote: _Valdivia_ taken Prisoner and cruelly put to death by the
_Indians_.]