To these caves, therefore, now being rested and refreshed, we
determined to direct our steps.
CHAPTER XXXI
THE PLACE OF THE PAINTED HANDS
Upon leaving the Spanish settlement, Queen Barreto provided us with an
escort to guide us to the caves in which it was reported gold was to be
found. The country outside the settlement was of the same rocky, barren
nature as everywhere along the coast, while the natives we encountered
were hostile and warlike. Armed with spears and slings, they attacked
us, and were only driven off after many had been slain.
Pedro de Castro did not accompany us. He had pleaded a disinclination
to leave his mother so soon after their long separation. At the time we
thought his conduct strange, but in return for the assistance that
Queen Barreto had given us, we promised him a share of any gold
obtained.
At length, after a day's journey, we came to the entrance to the caves,
a gloomy portal to a tunnel which ran into a high rocky cliff from
which issued a sluggish stream over a bed of water-worn pebbles. At the
entrance to this dark recess, upon the face of a flat rock, appeared
painted hands, some with six fingers, some with four, and others with
only two.
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