Page 348 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

READING LESSONS.
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7. The Europeans were hardly less amazed at the scene now be re them. Eve herb, and shrub, and tree, was di erent om those which ourished in Europe. The soil seemed to be rich, but bore w
marks of cultivation. The climate, even to Span­ iards, lt warm, though extremely delight l.
8. The inhabitants were entirely naked: their black hair, long and uncurled, oated upon their shoulders, or was bound in tresses around their heads ; they had no beards; their complexion was of a dusky copper colour; their atures singular, rather than disagree­ able ; their aspect gentle and timid.
9. Though not tall, they were well shaped and ac­ tive. Their ces, anJ other parts of their body were ntastically painted with glaring colours. They were shy at rst, through ar, but soon became miliar with the Spaniards, and, with transports of joy, re­ ceived om them hawks' bells, glass beads, and oth­ er baubles; in return r which, they gave such pro­ visions as they bad, and some cotton yarn, the only commodity of value which they could produce.
10. Towards evening, Columbus returned to his ships, accompanied by many of the islanders in their boats, which they called ca es; and, though rudely rmed out of the trunk of a single tree, they rmved them with surprising dexterity.
11. Thus, in the rst iterview between the inhab­ itants of the Old Vorld and those of the New, every­ thing was conducted amicably, and to their n?:tnal satis ction. The rmer, enlightened and amb1t1ous, rmed already vast ideas with respect to the advau-
and concluded that they were children of the sun,
who had descended to visit the earth.