A True Story of De Soto and His Cavaliers.
Cofachiqui seems to have been the name of a populous1 and wealthy Indian province visited by Hernando De Soto and his army of adventurers and cavaliers in their wanderings in search of gold. They also applied3 this name to the beautiful and intelligent young queen or princess who ruled the Indians of this and a confederation of neighboring tribes.
It is impossible to trace the route traversed by De Soto, as it was at times an aimless wandering through what is now the States of Florida, Georgia, and, perhaps, the border of South Carolina. But Indian traditions locate Yupaha, the capital of the province of Cofachiqui, at what is now Silver Bluff4, on the east bank of the Savannah river, in Barnwell county, South Carolina. From time to time rumor5 reached De Soto and his men of this great princess, a veritable "She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed," whose subjects were so devoted6 and faithful that her slightest wish was law.
One day an Indian youth, who had been brought into camp with other prisoners, told the Spaniards that all the neighboring chiefs paid tribute to this great ruler, and sent her at stated intervals8 provision, fine clothing and gold. The cavaliers cared nothing for the provision and clothing, but they were all interest when gold was mentioned, and asked the youth many questions, through their interpreter, which he answered in full. He told how the gold was taken from the earth, how it was melted and refined. His description was so exact that the Spaniards had no longer any doubt. They were greatly elated at the news, and after robbing and plundering9 the Indians who had fed and sheltered them during the winter months—the usual return for such kindness—they broke camp and marched northward10. Many times during the march the Spaniards were on the verge11 of starvation and wandering aimlessly in the wilderness12, where they must have perished, had they not been rescued and fed by the simple-minded, hospitable13 natives. Even those from whom they received such timely aid were often robbed and murdered indiscriminately. No doubt the Indians regarded them as demons14 rather than Christians15, for the unprovoked savage16 ferocity of the Spaniards would be beyond belief if the sickening details were not piously17 set forth18 by the historian of the expedition.
On the 28th day of April, 1540, De Soto and his Spaniards reached the neighborhood of Cofachiqui. While the army camped for the night the enterprising Juan De A?asco with a band of thirty foot-soldiers went out to reconnoiter. They soon found a broad, well-worn path leading along the banks of a large river, probably the Savannah. They followed this path about two leagues when, just as it grew dark, they reached a landing opposite a large Indian town. There was no means of crossing the river, neither would it have been prudent19 to have crossed with such small numbers, not knowing the kind of reception to expect, or the force they might encounter.
So A?asco dispatched couriers back in the night to inform De Soto of their discovery. By daylight the vanguard of the army, consisting of one hundred horse and as many foot, was in motion, led by De Soto himself. When he reached the banks of the river, and the natives upon the opposite shore caught sight of his glittering dragoons on their magnificent steeds, they were struck with amazement20 and consternation21.
The interpreter shouted loudly for some one to bear a message to their chief. After some little hesitation22 and deliberation, the Indians launched a large canoe, in which six warriors23 took seats. They were men of fine appearance and probably the counselors25 of the chief. Quite a number of lusty men grasped the oars26, and the canoe was driven rapidly through the water. De Soto, who had watched these movements with interest, knew he was about to be visited by the head men of the town, He therefore ordered his showy throne or chair of state, which he had with him for such occasions, to be placed in position. Here he took his seat with his officers around. The distinguished27 natives landed without any apparent fear, and, advancing toward the Spaniards, all six of them at the same time made three profound bows, the first toward the east, to the sun, the second toward the west, to the moon, and the third to De Soto. "Sir," said their spokesman, "do you wish peace or war?" "Peace," answered the Spanish general, as usual, "not war"; adding that he only asked passage through the territory and provision, in order to reach other provinces, which were his destination; he desired rafts and canoes also to cross the army over the river, and lastly friendly treatment while he was marching through the country so that he might cause it the least damage possible.
Peace, the ambassadors said they could promise; as for food, they had themselves but little, because during the past year a pestilence28 had swept off many of their people and driven others from their villages into the woods, so that they had not planted their fields; and although the pestilence was now over, yet many of the Indians had not returned to their homes. The settlement opposite alone had escaped the scourge29. They went on to explain that their chief was a woman—a young princess, but recently raised to the position. They would return and bear to her the request of the strangers, who in the meantime must await her answer with good confidence, however, for although their ruler was a maiden30, she had the judgment31 and spirit of a man, and they doubted not would do for the Spaniards all she possibly could. With this the six envoys32 returned to their boats, and crossing the river were soon lost to sight in the waiting crowd upon the other shore. After a short interval7 the Spaniards saw a decided33 commotion34 among the Indians. A large and highly decorated canoe appeared and was hastily made ready, mats and cushions were placed in it and a canopy35 raised over one end. Then quite a gorgeous palanquin was seen borne by four stalwart men, descending36 toward the stream a young squaw, evidently the princess descended37 from it, and seated herself in the canoe that had the awning38.
Eight Indian women followed, taking the paddles; the men went in the other canoes. The women rowed the princess across the river, and when she stepped out of her barge39 they followed, walking up the bank after her. If there were any among the cavaliers who knew classical history they must have been reminded (although the scene was rustic40 and simple in comparison) of Cleopatra going up the river Cydnus to meet Mark Antony, when according to Shakespeare,
"The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne,
Burn'd on the water. . . .
. . . For her own person,
It beggar'd all description: she did lie
In her pavilion. . . .
Her gentlewomen, like the Nereids,
. . . At the helm
The princess, making a low and graceful44 bow before the Spanish general, seated herself upon the throne, which he brought and placed for her at his side, and without waiting an instant began to speak. She repeated what her warriors had said; that the pestilence of the past year made it impossible for her to furnish the amount of provision she would wish, but that she would do all in her power. And that De Soto might see her will in her deed, she gave him at once one of her two storehouses of corn, collected in her village for the relief of her people who had escaped from the pestilence; the other one she requested De Soto to kindly45 spare, for her own necessities were great.
She said she had another store of corn in a neighboring village, part of which he could take if necessary. She offered half of her own residence for De Soto's accommodation, and half of the houses in the village as barracks for his soldiers. If it would please him more, she and all her people would abandon the village and retire to a neighboring one. She also promised that by the next day rafts and canoes should be in readiness to transport the Spaniards across the river.
Abbott informs us that "The generous soul of De Soto was deeply touched as he assured her of his lasting46 friendship and that of his sovereign." But there is not the slightest evidence that De Soto was ever actuated by a generous motive47. We are inclined to believe, with Joel Chandler Harris, that the truth seems to be that De Soto and his men cared nothing for the courtesy and hospitality of the Queen and that they were not moved by her beauty and kindness.
According to the historian of the expedition, the Spaniards had quite a conversation with the young princess and were astonished at her sound judgment and well ordered ideas. But they also noticed that the Indians of this tribe were more refined and intelligent in appearance, more affable and less warlike, than the others they had met in their explorations. They were, moreover, quite graceful and attractive, and almost as white as the Spaniards.
While talking the princess had quietly and slowly unwound a long string of pearls, as large as hazelnuts, that coiled three times around her neck and fell to her waist. When the interview was over she handed the string of pearls to Juan Ortiz, the interpreter, and told him to give them to the governor. The interpreter told her his commander would appreciate them more if presented with her own hands. She replied that she dare not do that for fear of being considered immodest. De Soto now inquired of the interpreter what was said, and being informed, answered with much earnestness like a truly gallant48 cavalier (which he was not) "More than the pearls themselves would I value the favor of receiving them from her hands; and in acting49 so she would not go against modesty50, for we are treating of peace and friendship, of all things the most important, most serious between strange people." Having heard this the princess arose and with her own fair hands suspended the string of costly51 pearls around the neck of De Soto. The governor then arose and taking from his finger a gold ring set with a handsome ruby52 that he always wore (which he had probably pillaged53 from the Peruvians) he gave it to the princess. She received it with great dignity and placed it on one of her fingers.
Grace King, in her book, "De Soto and His Men in Florida," says, in this connection: "This little ceremony over, she took her leave and returned to her village, leaving the Spanish cavaliers charmed and half in love with her, not only on account of her mind, but of her beauty, which they vowed54 then and ever afterward55 she possessed56 to the extreme of perfection. And so also then and afterward they called her by no other name or title than La Sanora, the lady of Cofachiqui; and the name was right, says the chronicler, for a lady she was in all respects." The master of camp arrived with the rest of the army and it was put across the river next day by means of the rafts and canoes provided by the Indians.
De Soto and his cavaliers found themselves surrounded by the most hospitable Indians they had yet seen. They were supplied with everything the land afforded and rested in comfortable houses and wigwams under the shades of the mulberry trees.
The soldiers were so delighted with the situation that they were anxious to form a settlement there; but De Soto refused to forget the only object of the expedition, which was to search for gold and other treasures. The general was a man of few words but an iron will, and his determination had the desired effect. His men soon recovered their energies. While enjoying the hospitalities of the princess they found out the burial place of her people, and robbed their graves, according to the Spanish historian, of three hundred and fifty weight of pearls, and figures of babies and birds made from iridescent57 shells.
Learning that the widowed mother of the princess lived in retirement58 about forty miles down the river, and that she was said to be the owner of many fine pearls, De Soto determined59 to get her in his power. He pretended, however, to be actuated only by a desire to make sure of peace and tranquillity60 as long as he was in the country.
At his request Cofachiqui dispatched twelve of her principal officers inviting61 her mother to come to town and meet a people never before seen by the Indians and see the wonderful animals on which they rode. The Queen's mother, instead of complying, sent her daughter a severe reprimand for having admitted into her capitol a body of strangers of whom she knew nothing. All this being reported to De Soto made him more determined than ever to get her in his power. Accordingly he ordered Juan De A?asco to take thirty soldiers, and disregarding the privacy and seclusion62 of the queen mother to bring her kindly but with force with him to the camp. A?asco, although the day was well advanced, set out at once on his mission. A young warrior24 about the age of the princess was appointed by her to be guide for the party. The princess also gave him special instructions that when the men neared the dwelling64 place of the queen mother, he was to go in advance and warn her of the Spaniards coming, and supplicate65 her to go peaceably and as a friend with them, and he was to be sure and say that her daughter and all her people made the same petition to her. The young warrior had been reared in the very arms of the queen mother, and she loved him as her own son, and the princess chose him for this very reason, hoping that love for the messenger would mitigate66 the pain inflicted67 by this message. The young warrior matched his princess chief in looks and learning and was strikingly attractive in face and figure. He wore a diadem68 of rarest feathers, a mantle69 of finest and softest deerskin. At his back was a magnificent bow just his own height and an elegant quiver of arrows.
About midday the party stopped to eat and to rest a while under the shade of a grove70 of trees, for it was quite warm. Sitting apart the guide seemed to give himself up to thought, resting his head on his hand and every now and then breathing a low sigh. Presently he took his quiver of arrows and placing it before him on the ground, began slowly to draw them out one by one and passed them to the Spaniards, who broke into exclamations71 of surprise and pleasure, for each one was different from the other and had a beauty and novelty of its own. In polish and workmanship they were indeed remarkable72. Some were tipped with staghorn, others with fishbones wonderfully and cunningly adapted. At last the young warrior drew out a flint head, pointed63 and edged like a dagger74. Casting an anxious glance around and seeing the attention of the Spaniards engrossed75 in examining his weapons, he plunged76 the sharp-pointed arrow into his throat, severing77 an artery78, and fell. Before the Spaniards could rush to him he was dead. There were several Indian attendants in the company who seemed overwhelmed with distress79, uttering loud cries of grief over the corpse80. These were now questioned by the Spaniards, and it was learned that the young guide knew that the queen mother was very unwilling81 to have any acquaintance with the Spaniards, because she had emphatically refused to meet them when first importuned82; and now for him to guide those same Spaniards to her that they might compel her to come by fair means or foul83, would make him appear as a miserable84 ingrate85 after her great kindness. On the other hand the princess, whom he revered86 and loved, had commissioned him to conduct the Spaniards to her mother's abode87. He did not dare to disobey her commands. Either alternative was more to be dreaded88 by him than death. The ingenious young man had therefore endeavored to escape the dilemma89 by self-destruction.
Savage history offers not, perhaps, another instance of such refined and romantic devotion. He could not live to please both, so he determined to die for both.
The other Indians were now pressed to act as guides, but they all swore, truly or falsely, that they did not know where the queen mother lived; that the young warrior alone knew the secret of her hiding place. The cavaliers pushed on as best they could without a guide, but the bad walking, the excessive heat and the weight of their armor wearied and disgusted them, and after two days they returned empty-handed to the camp.
Two days after his return an Indian came to A?asco and offered to conduct him down the river in a canoe to the home of the queen mother. He gladly accepted the proposition. Two large canoes with strong rowers were quickly made ready, and A?asco with twenty companions set out on this second expedition. But it was also doomed90 to failure. The queen mother heard of his approach and with a few attendants secretly fled to another retreat far away. After a fruitless search of six days, the canoes returned. De Soto never again attempted to get possession of the widow.
American Horse
In the meantime, while A?asco was engaged in these unsuccessful expeditions, De Soto had been making anxious inquiries91 respecting the silver and gold he had been informed was to be found in the province. He began by summoning the princess before him and his officers and commanding her to bring all the yellow and white metals and pearls she possessed, like the finger rings and pieces of silver and pearls and stones set in the rings that the Spaniards showed her. The princess replied that both the white and yellow metals were to be found in great abundance in her territory. She immediately sent out Indians to bring him in specimens92. They quickly returned laden93 with a yellow metal somewhat resembling gold in color, but which proved to be copper94. The shining substance which he had supposed was silver was nothing but a worthless species of mica95 or quartz96. The sight of these articles dissipated, in an instant, all the bright and chimerical97 hopes which had prompted the Spaniards to undertake this long and perilous98 expedition.
It would seem that the warm-hearted princess sympathized with the Spaniards in their great disappointment, or she may have feared they would vent2 their rage on her hapless people; certain it is, she informed them that while there were no precious stones in her realm, they did have great abundance of pearls. Pointing with her fingers to a temple that stood upon a neighboring mound99, she said: "That is the burial place of the warriors of this village, there you will find our pearls. Take what you wish; and if you wish more not far from here there is a village which was the home of my forefather100; its temple is far larger than this, you will find there so many pearls that even if you loaded all your horses with them and yourselves with as much as you could carry, you would not come to the end of them. Many years have my people been collecting and storing pearls. Take all, and if you still want more, we can get more, and even more still for you from the fishing places of my people."
This great news and the magnificently queenly manner in which it was told soon raised the drooping101 spirits of the Spaniards and consoled them for the bitter disappointments about the gold and silver.
The fact of her inviting the Spaniards to ransack102 the tombs of her forefathers103 for pearls, seems, as Goodrich says, "utterly104 inconsistent with all our notions of the reverence105 for ancestry106 which is so striking a characteristic of the Indians. We should have a strong doubt of the truth of the statement, were it not distinctly asserted in both the narratives107 of the expedition." To our mind there is only one of two explanations of it—either the two historians deliberately108 falsified their statements to cover up the impious sacrilege of De Soto and his cavaliers, or else the princess was intimidated109 until she pursued the peace-at-any-price policy, even to the profanation110 of her ancestors' tombs.
The Spaniards soon visited the temple which the princess had pointed out and took from it pearls amounting to fourteen bushels, according to one author, while others record a very much larger amount.
Two days later De Soto, with a large retinue111 of his own officers and of the household of the princess, started out to visit the large temple at Talomeco, as it was called, situated112 upon the high bank of the river about three miles distant.
The country through which they passed en route was very fertile and in places covered with fruit trees filled with ripe fruit which the Spaniards picked and ate with relish113, while they congratulated themselves that the golden dawn of a realization114 of their dreams was brightening before them.
They found this village contained about five hundred cabins, all substantially built, and from its superiority of size and appearance over other villages they inferred it had one day been the seat and residence of several powerful chiefs. The chief's residence on a mound rose larger and more conspicuous115 than the others, but it was in turn dominated by the temple. The Spaniards' eyes, in fact, could see nothing but the temple as it loomed116 up before them on a commanding eminence117 at the side of this deserted118 village. As it was by far the largest and most imposing119 edifice120 they saw in their journey through the Southland it merits a description. It was about three hundred feet in length by one hundred and twenty in breadth, with a tall pointed roof that glittered like an enchanted121 palace. Canes122, slender and supple124, woven into a fine mat, served for thatching, and this was studded with row upon row of all kinds and sizes of shells with the bright side out. There were great sea shells of curious shapes, conchs and periwinkles—a marvel125 of playing light and color.
Grace King has given such a full description of the interior of this temple that she must have received her information from the records of the historians of the expedition. Said she, "Throwing open the two large doors the Spaniards paused at the threshold spellbound. Twelve gigantic statues of wood confronted them, counterfeiting126 life with such ferocity of expression and such audacity127 of posture128 as could not but awe129 them. Six stood on one side and six on the other side of the door as if to guard it and to forbid any one to enter. The first ones, those next the door, were giants about twelve feet high, the others diminished in size by regular gradation. Each pair held a different kind of weapon and stood in attitude to use it. The first and largest raised in both hands great clubs, ornamented130 a quarter of their length with points and facets131 of copper; the second brandished132 broadswords of wood shaped much like the steel swords of the Spaniards. The next wielded133 wooden staves about six feet long, the end flattened134 out into a blade or paddle. The fourth pair had tomahawks with blades of brass135 or flint; the fifth held bows with arrows aimed and strung, drawn136 ready to shoot; the sixth and last statues grasped pikes pointed with copper.
"Passing between the file of monsters the Spaniards entered the great room. Overhead were rows of lustrous137 shells such as covered the roof, and strands138 of pearls interspersed139 with strings140 of bright feathers, all seemed to be floating in the air in wildering tapestry141. Looking lower the Spaniards saw that along the upper sides of the four walls ran two rows of statues, figures of men and women of natural size, each placed on a separate pedestal. The men held various weapons and each weapon was ornamented with strings of pearl. The women had nothing in their hands. All the space around these statues was covered with shields of skins and fine cane123 mats. The burial chests were placed on benches around the four sides of the room, but in the center upon the floor were also rows of caskets, placed one on top of another in regular gradation like pyramids. All the caskets, large and small, were filled with pearls; and the pearls, too, were distributed according to size, the largest in the largest caskets, the smallest, the seed pearls, in the smallest caskets. In all there was such a quantity of pearls that seeing it with their own eyes, the Spaniards confessed that what the princess had told them about the temple was truth and not pride and exaggeration. As she declared, even if they loaded themselves with as much as they could carry (and there were more than nine hundred of them) and loaded their three hundred horses with them, they could not take them all, there would still be hundreds of bushels of them left. And in addition there were great heaps of the largest and handsomest deerskins, dyed in different colors, and skins of other animals dressed with the hair on—cured and dressed as perfectly142, the Spaniards said, as could have been done in Germany or Muscovy. Around this great room were eight small rooms all filled with different weapons—pikes, clubs, tomahawks, bows and arrows of all varieties and of the most exquisite143 workmanship; some with three-pronged heads, like harpoons144, some two-pronged; some with chisel145 edges, like daggers146; some shaped like thorns. In the last room were mats of cane, so finely woven that there were few among the Spanish crossbowmen could have put a bolt through them."
The revenue officers now proposed to take from the spoils the royal fifth that belonged to his imperial majesty147 and to carry it away with them. But De Soto said that this would only embarrass the movements of the army with excessive luggage, that even now it could not carry its necessary munitions148 and provisions. "They were not dividing the land now," he reminded them, "only exploring it."
Such is the story taken from the historians of the expedition. But, as Joel Chandler Harris says "It is just as well to believe a little of this as to believe a great deal. It was an easy matter for the survivors149 of the expedition to exaggerate these things and they probably took great liberties with the facts, but there is no doubt the Indians possessed many pearls. Mussels like those from which they took the gems150 are still to be found in the small streams and creeks151 of Georgia, and an enterprising boy might even now be able to find a seed pearl if he sought for it patiently."
It is not to be doubted that rich stores of pearls were found. Some were distributed to the officers and men, but the bulk of them, strange to say, were left undisturbed to await the return of the Spaniards another day. It is said that De Soto dipped into the pearls and gave his two joined hands full to each cavalier to make rosaries of, he said to say prayers for their sins on. We imagine if their prayers were in proportion to their sins they must have spent the most of their time at their devotions.
The Spaniards were greatly elated at the discovery of these riches. Some of them must have known that real pearls were estimated at a value next to diamonds, and there were undoubtedly152 many real pearls of great value in so large a collection, possibly rivaling the one possessed by Philip II. of Spain, which was about the size of a pigeon egg and valued at one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, or that of Cleopatra, which was valued at three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars.
De Soto was urged to establish his colony in this country, which was at once beautiful, fertile and rich in treasures. But the persistent153 spirit of De Soto was not to be turned from its one great all-absorbing object, the search for gold. He was a man of few words but of wonderful will power.
Accordingly he eagerly inquired of the Indians if they knew of any still greater land or chief farther inland. The princess and her advisers154 had learned by this time that the best way to get rid of such unwilling guests was to answer such questions in the affirmative. They assured him that further on was a greater and more powerful chief ruling over a richer country called Chiaha. He determined at once to march thither155. In answer to the objections of those who wished to remain where they were, he urged that in consequence of the recent pestilence there was not sufficient provision in the country to support the army for a month. That by continuing their march they might find gold mines. Should they fail, they could then return, and in the meantime, the Indians having replanted their land, there would be abundance of food. He had his way and preparations were made for the journey.
The conduct of the Spaniards had been so cruel during their stay at Cofachiqui that the princess and her people had come to regard them with fear and hatred156. There were some indications that the princess so far distrusted the treacherous157 and marble-hearted Spaniards, that, like her more prudent mother, she was about to secretly escape from them by flight. In some way De Soto heard of this and appointed a guard who was to keep a constant watch upon the princess, so that she could by no possibility escape. And when he took up his march for Chiaha, May 4, 1540, the princess who had received him with so much grace, dignity and hospitality was compelled to accompany him on foot with an escort of female attendants. Even the old Spanish chronicler is moved to remark that, "it was not so good usage as she deserved for the good will she showed and the good entertainment that she made him."
We fully73 agree with him, for there are but few instances in all history of baser ingratitude158. One reason why De Soto made the princess his prisoner and carried her with the expedition was to use her influence in controlling the Indians along his line of march. In fact, the Indians of Florida, Mexico and Peru were so loyal and devoted to their rulers that they often refrained from attacking the Spaniards, lest they should imperil their lives. It was true in this case that the Indians not only did not attack the invaders159 while the princess was with them, but at her command they supplied them with guides to conduct them through the wilderness, porters to carry their extra baggage and provision as it was needed along the route through her domain160.
But had the Spaniards treated the princess and her people kindly and with justice all this would have been done from motives161 of hospitality and good will. Kindness begets162 kindness even among savage races.
De Soto did not accept the spirit of the letter from the noble Isabella, in which she wrote, "I will no longer persevere163 in this invasion of the lands of others which is always plunging164 me more and more deeply into difficulties." Instead of this he followed the infamous165 example which Pizarro, in Peru, and Cortez, in Mexico, had set him. There is nothing whatever to justify166 his action, as it was alike cruel, dastardly and unnecessary.
After being dragged a prisoner in the Spanish army for two or three weeks and covering a distance of about three hundred miles, she found an opportunity to escape from her treacherous and brutal167 captors. Passing one day through a thick forest she and her attendants suddenly darted168 from the train and disappeared. De Soto never saw her or heard from her again, though every effort was made to recapture her, partly because of the casket of splendid pearls which one of her attendants carried off with her. Undoubtedly a band of her warriors were in rendezvous169 there to receive her.
The historian of Florida, Garcilasode la Vega, terminates his account of this princess by declaring that she possessed a truly noble soul and was worthy170 of an empire. Shame for his country-men has induced him to suppress all mention of the brutal indignity171 to which she was subjected by De Soto, and for which, as a Castilian knight172, he deserved to have been deprived of his spurs. The Portuguese173 narrator who accompanied the expedition states the facts too circumstantially to leave us in any doubt about the matter, and the noble and generous Cofachiqui is to be numbered among those who suffered by trusting to the honor and justice of the plunderers of the New World.
Again quoting from Joel Chandler Harris (Uncle Remus), we feel moved to say that "De Soto's expedition was organized by the spirit of greed. It spread desolation wherever it went and it ended in disaster and despair. De Soto himself found a grave in the waters of the Mississippi, and the survivors who made their way back home were broken in health and spirit."
An attempt has been made to throw a halo of romance over the march of the Spaniards through the wilderness of the New World, but there is nothing romantic or inspiring about it. It was simply a search for riches in which hundreds of lives were most cruelly sacrificed and thousands of homes destroyed.
The only permanent good which resulted from it was the discovery of the Father of Waters and this noble, Indian Princess Cofachiqui.
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populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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applied
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bluff
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rumor
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devoted
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interval
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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plundering
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northward
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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demons
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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16
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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17
piously
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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18
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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19
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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20
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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21
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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22
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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23
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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24
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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25
counselors
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| n.顾问( counselor的名词复数 )；律师；（使馆等的）参赞；（协助学生解决问题的）指导老师 | |
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26
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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27
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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28
pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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29
scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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30
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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31
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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32
envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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33
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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34
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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35
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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36
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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37
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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38
awning
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| n.遮阳篷；雨篷 | |
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39
barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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40
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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41
mermaid
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|
| n.美人鱼 | |
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42
mermaids
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| n.（传说中的）美人鱼( mermaid的名词复数 ) | |
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43
steers
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| n.阉公牛，肉用公牛( steer的名词复数 )v.驾驶( steer的第三人称单数 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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44
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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45
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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46
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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47
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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48
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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49
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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50
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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51
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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52
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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53
pillaged
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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55
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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56
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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57
iridescent
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| adj.彩虹色的，闪色的 | |
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58
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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59
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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60
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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61
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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62
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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63
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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64
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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65
supplicate
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| v.恳求；adv.祈求地，哀求地，恳求地 | |
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66
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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67
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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69
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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70
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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71
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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72
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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73
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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74
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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75
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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76
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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77
severing
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的现在分词 )；断，裂 | |
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78
artery
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| n.干线，要道；动脉 | |
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79
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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80
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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81
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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82
importuned
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| v.纠缠，向（某人）不断要求( importune的过去式和过去分词 )；（妓女）拉（客） | |
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83
foul
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|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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84
miserable
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|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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85
ingrate
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| n.忘恩负义的人 | |
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86
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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88
dreaded
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|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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89
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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90
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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91
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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92
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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93
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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94
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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95
mica
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| n.云母 | |
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96
quartz
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| n.石英 | |
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97
chimerical
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| adj.荒诞不经的，梦幻的 | |
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98
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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99
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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100
forefather
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| n.祖先；前辈 | |
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101
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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102
ransack
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| v.彻底搜索，洗劫 | |
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103
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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104
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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105
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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106
ancestry
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| n.祖先，家世 | |
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107
narratives
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| 记叙文( narrative的名词复数 )； 故事； 叙述； 叙述部分 | |
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108
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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109
intimidated
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| v.恐吓；威胁adj.害怕的；受到威胁的 | |
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110
profanation
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| n.亵渎 | |
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111
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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112
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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113
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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114
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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115
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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116
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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117
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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118
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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119
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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120
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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121
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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122
canes
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| n.（某些植物，如竹或甘蔗的）茎( cane的名词复数 )；（用于制作家具等的）竹竿；竹杖 | |
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123
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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124
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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125
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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126
counterfeiting
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| n.伪造v.仿制，造假( counterfeit的现在分词 ) | |
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127
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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128
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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129
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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130
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
facets
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| n.（宝石或首饰的）小平面( facet的名词复数 )；（事物的）面；方面 | |
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132
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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133
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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134
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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135
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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136
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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137
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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138
strands
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| n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 ) | |
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139
interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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140
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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141
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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142
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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143
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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144
harpoons
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| n.鱼镖，鱼叉( harpoon的名词复数 )v.鱼镖，鱼叉( harpoon的第三人称单数 ) | |
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145
chisel
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| n.凿子；v.用凿子刻，雕，凿 | |
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146
daggers
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| 匕首，短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
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147
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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148
munitions
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| n.军火，弹药；v.供应…军需品 | |
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149
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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150
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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151
creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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152
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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153
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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154
advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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155
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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156
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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157
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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158
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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159
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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160
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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161
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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162
begets
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| v.为…之生父( beget的第三人称单数 )；产生，引起 | |
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163
persevere
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| v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠 | |
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164
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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165
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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166
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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167
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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168
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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169
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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170
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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171
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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172
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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173
Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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