years since his father died. The
people are light complexioned, well-built, and robust. There are some
who resemble mulattoes, who are badly treated.

41. The men and women both wear long garments, like the one that I
am sending so that your Majesty may see it. All wear wide trousers
[Sp. _caragueles_], black or white felt hose, and shoes. The country
is cold like Espana, but there are some warm regions. It has a great
many people.

42. They are heathens, and do absurd things. They do not use the
rosary, and have no religious observances or ornate temples. If some
temples do exist, only mechanical rites are performed in them. They
are a vile people, and are sodomites, as is affirmed by Spaniards who
have seen young boys present themselves before the justice to ask
the amount of the fine for the crime of violation, and frankly pay
it. They are all tyrants, especially those in authority, who oppress
the poor heavily.

43. They are a cowardly people--so much so, that none ride on
horseback, although there are many horses there, because they do not
dare to mount them. They do not carry weapons, nor do they use spurs
on the horses. They use the whip and bridle, which do not have much
effect on the horse.

44. There are a great many robbers or highway-men, robbing along the
highways or off them. They are very lazy; they do not cultivate the
ground unless some one forces them to it, and they do not collect the
harvest. They sell their children, in case of poverty, for a small
sum of money with which to buy food.

45. All the land belongs to the king, and no one in all the kingdom
owns a handful of earth; accordingly each man must pay, in proportion
to the amount of land that he uses, tribute to the king.

46. They know nothing, unless it be to read and write; and those who
can do this well are made great captains by the king.

47. They talk slowly, very explosively, and arrogantly. Our manner
of writing astonishes these people, as well as our way of living,
which they think better than their own.

48. When they effect a cure by blood-letting, they scrape the skin
until the blood comes, and with lighted wicks cauterize the wounds;
they also give the patient certain potions about which they have
learned by experience.

49. They always drink hot water. They heat this on the fire, and
water their wine, which they drink hot. They pretend to a knowledge
of chiromancy, but know nothing about it.

50. They are very supe