ivilized warfare. But, with admirable tact and forethought, Huertis
declined to accept it, immediately returning it with the most profound
and deferential cordiality of manner. He at the same time informed him,
through Velasquez, that, though strangers, his party were not enemies
but friendly visitors, who, after a long and painful journey, again to
be pursued, desired the temporary hospitality of his countrymen in their
magnificent city.

The young chief replied, with evident discomposure and concern, that his
countrymen showed no hospitality to strangers, it being interdicted by
their laws and punishable with death; that the inhabitants of their city
held intercourse only with the population of the surrounding valley, who
were restricted alike by law and by patriotism from ever leaving its
confines; he and his fellow soldiers alone being privileged to visit the
neighboring regions for the purpose of arresting intruders, (_cowana_,)
and escorting certain kind of merchandize which they exchanged with a
people of their own race in an adjoining district. He added, with much
eloquence of manner, and as Velasquez believed, of language, which he
but partially understood, that the independence and peace of his nation,
who were a peaceful and happy people, depended upon these severe
restrictions, which indeed had been the only means of preserving it,
while all the country besides, from sea to sea, had bowed to a foreign
yoke, and seen their ancient cities, once the seats and centres of
mighty empires, overgrown with forest, and the temples of their gods
demolished.

He further added, says Velasquez, in a very subdued but significant
tone, that some few strangers, it was true, had been taken to the city
by its guards in the course of many generations, but that none of them
had been allowed an opportunity of betraying its existence and locality
to the cruel rapacity of the foreign race. He concluded by earnestly
entreating them, since he could not compel them as prisoners, to enter
the city as friends, with the view of residing there for life; promising
them wives, and dwellings, and honors; for even now, if they attempted
to retreat, they would be overtaken by thousands of armed men on fleet
horses, that would overpower them by their numbers and subject them to a
very different fate.

Mr. Huertis rejoined, through the same interpreter, that he could
destroy any number of armed men, on the swiftest horses, before they
could a