An Account of the Abipones, an Equestrian People of Paraguay, (1 of 3)Dobrizhoffer, Martin
History
An Account of the Abipones, an Equestrian People of Paraguay, (1 of 3)
Dobrizhoffer, Martin
Abipon Indians; Jesuits -- Missions; Paraguay -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
of those languages, was removed thither by the mandate of the Superior.
Though daily vicissitudes occurred, yet hopes of the happiest progress
shone through them. But an unforeseen event almost proved fatal to the
new raised colony. Thus it was: a murder happening to be committed in
the territory of Buenos-Ayres, soldiers were sent by the Governour to
detect the assassins. Cacique Yahati, a Serrano, accompanied by fifteen
persons of both sexes, in travelling to the city, fell in with the
soldiers, and without any foundation for the conjecture, was carried off
on the suspicion of this murder, and kept closely confined in prison
with his people in the city. With how incensed a mind the inhabitants of
the town bore so great an injury done to their countryman, of whose
innocence they felt assured, can scarcely be expressed. The life of
Father Matthias Strobl was placed in the most imminent danger. Cacique
Marike, who, though blind in both eyes, possessed the greatest authority
among them, was immediately delegated by the infuriated people to make
the just demand of their captive's liberty from the Spanish Governour,
and to declare instant war, in the name of the whole nation, against the
Spaniards if he should refuse. This threat filled Joseph Andonaegui with
distracting cares, conscious, as he was, of the slender forces he had to
oppose to so numerous a foe. The examination of the murder being
resumed, and the witnesses being heard again and again, the innocence of
the imprisoned Cacique at length appeared, some credible Spaniards
asserting, that at the very time when the murder was committed he was
engaged in a certain shop in the city. Which being proved, after a
causeless captivity of four months, they were immediately granted their
liberty and the power of returning to their friends by the equitable
Governour. These things fell out on my third visit to Buenos-Ayres,
about the beginning of the year 1748. Through an Indian interpreter I
had a good deal of conversation with the blind Cacique Marike, and on my
playing to him in my chamber, on the viol d'amour, he took such a liking
to me, that he earnestly entreated me to go to their colony, as an
assistant to Father Matthias Strobl, who was growing aged. Both my feet,
I confess, itched for the journey; I answered, however, "Pleased indeed
should I be to mount my horse, and accompany you to the Magellanic
lands. But men of our profession cannot go where we will, except we be
sent by the command of our captain, (the provincial.") "Where, pray,
does your captain dwell?" eagerly inquired Marike. "In this very house,"
returned I. On hearing this he immediately caused himself to be led into
our provincial's chamber, and with importunate but vain entreaties,
begged me for his companion. The provincial replied, that I was now
appointed to another station, but promised to send me in two years to
his colony, and the provincial would have stood to his promise, had not
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account