Nor was the appearance of the natives reassuring, for they had their faces hideously painted, some all over and others only half, while still others carried painted masks before them.

In their nostrils they wore pendants, and their ears were pierced with holes wherein they hung bones and shells.
Their only clothing was a sort of girdle around the waist.
* Hakluyt gives "25th," but it is a misprint, as this Thursday in 1540 was the 26th.
Gradually, intercourse increased, and presents of trinkets seemed to incline all the natives in Alarcon's favour.

At length he discovered that they reverenced the sun, and without compunction he proclaimed that he came from that orb.

This deception served him well.

Henceforth no service was too great for the natives to perform for these sacred beings.