slands of this archipelago,
in order to subdue her; and that the sea ran to and fro without being
able to rise again. They say that from this event arose the custom
of _mavaris_--that is, taking vengeance for an insult received, a
very common practice in this land; and they consider it a point of
honor to take revenge. Then they relate also the story of the reed;
but they say that the kite pecked the reed, and the aforesaid man and
woman came out. They add that the first time when Cavahi gave birth to
children, she brought forth a great number at once. One day the father
went home, very angry, and threatened the children. The latter were
frightened and fled; some into the most hidden rooms of the house;
some hid in other places nearer the open air; some hid themselves
within the _dindines_, or walls of the houses, which are constructed
of reeds; some in the fireplace; and some fled to the sea through
the same door by which the father had entered. It is said that those
who fled to the most hidden rooms are the chiefs of these islands;
those who remained nearer the outside are the timaguas; those who hid
themselves within the walls are the slaves; those who hid themselves
in the fireplace are the blacks; and those who fled out to the sea
through the open door, are the Spaniards, and that they had no news
of us until they beheld us return through the sea.

Chapter Eighth

_Of their belief concerning the dead_

It is said that the souls of those who are stabbed to death, eaten
by crocodiles, or killed by arrows (which is considered a very
honorable death), go to heaven by way of the arch which is formed
when it rains, and become gods. The souls of the drowned remain in
the sea forever. By way of honor to these, they erect a tall reed
and hang upon it a garment--that of a man, if the dead be a man; but
a woman's, for a woman. This garment is left there until it falls to
pieces through age. When the children or other relatives of drowned
persons are sick, the relatives are taken and placed in a barangay,
in company with a _baylana_, who is a sort of priestess; and, at the
place indicated by the priestess, they throw into the sea a chest
filled with robes and other articles, which they have brought with
them. At the same time their ancestors are invoked to protect and
help the sick man during his illness.

_Belief regarding the dead_

If those who die from disease are young, the Pintados say that the
_mangal