This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 Excerpt: ...until the interest of the natives was thoroughly aroused. And he finally told Caonabo that if he would repair to Isabella and make a treaty of friendship with the Admiral he should have the marvelous bell as a present for himself. His desire was so great to possess this wondrous relic that Caonabo took the bait, though ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 Excerpt: ...until the interest of the natives was thoroughly aroused. And he finally told Caonabo that if he would repair to Isabella and make a treaty of friendship with the Admiral he should have the marvelous bell as a present for himself. His desire was so great to possess this wondrous relic that Caonabo took the bait, though warily. He made his preparations to visit the Spanish colony, but called a large body of his best warriors to go with him. When Ojeda protested that this was not necessary the cacique replied that it would be unbecoming in him as a king to go about the country without the company of a royal guard. Perceiving what might be the result of an attempt to seize Caonabo when surrounded by a large body of native soldiery, Ojeda abandoned this first scheme and adopted another equally bold expedient. Believing that he might have need of such instruments, Ojeda had taken with him into the Indian country some manacles, or handcuffs, which the Spaniards humorously called espousas, or "wives." This significant apparatus was made of brass and steel, polished to perfect brightness. These Ojeda displayed one day to Caonabo, and when the cacique inquired about them he was informed that they were a kind of ornament which, in the country across the ocean, were worn only by kings and queens. Such jewelry, he was told, the monarchs of Castile always wore when they went to bathe, or to dance, or to preside at festivals. Having thus excited both his interest and desire, he finally told Caonabo that as a token of honor he himself might wear them when they went to the river for his bath; that the cacique should play Spanish king, and he, Ojeda, would show him how it was done. In such a proposition Caonabo could discover no ground of suspicion. He accordingly...
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