this sea appears to be constantly smooth, small vessels might take shelter. He like the river at Seville, and the water could not proceed because the wind had suitable for the growth of pearls. He come round to the north, and all the coast found large shells unlike those of Spain. runs northwest and southeast. Another Remarking on the position of the river cape farther on ran out still more. For and port, to which he gave the name of these reasons and because the sky showed San Salvador, he describes its mountains signs of a gale, he had to return to the as lofty and beautiful, like the Peña de Rio de Mares. las Enamoradas, and one of them has another little hill on its summit, like a graceful mosque. The other river and port, in which he now was, has two round mountains to the southwest, and a fine low cape running out to the west-southwest. He Thursday, Nov. 1.- At sunrise the Admiral sent the boats on shore to the houses that were there, and they found that all the people had fled. After some time a man made his appearance. The Admiral ordered that he should be Tuesday, Oct. 30.-He left the Rio left to himself, and the sailors returned de Mares and steered northwest, seeing a to the boats. After dinner, one of the Indcape covered with palm-trees, to which ians on board was sent on shore. he gave the name of Cabo de Palmas, after called out from a distance that there was having made good 15 leagues. The Ind- nothing to fear, because the strangers were ians on board the caravel Pinta said that good people and would do no harm to any beyond that cape there was a river, and one, nor were they people of the Gran that from the river to Cuba it was four Can, but they had given away their things days' journey. The captain of the Pinta in many islands where they had been. The reported that he understood from that, Indian then swam on shore, and two of that this Cuba was a city, and that the the natives took him by the arms and land was a great continent trending far brought him to a house, where they heard to the north. The king of that country, what he had to say. When they were cerhe gathered, was at war with the Gran tain that no harm would be done to them Can, whom they called Cami, and his they were reassured, and presently more land or city Fava, with many other than sixteen canoes came to the ships with names. The Admiral resolved to proceed cotton thread and other trifles. The Adto that river, and to send a present, with miral ordered that nothing should be the letter of the sovereigns, to the king taken from them, but that they might of that land. For this service there was understand that he sought for nothing but a sailor who had been to Guinea, and some gold, which they called nucay. Thus they of the Indians of Guanahani wished to went to and fro between the ships and go with him, and afterwards to return the shore all day, and they came to the to their homes. The Admiral calculated Christians on shore with confidence. The that he was 42 degrees to the north Admiral saw no gold whatever among of the equinoctial line (but the hand- them, but he says that he saw one of writing is here illegible). He says that them with a piece of worked silver he must attempt to reach the Gran Can, who he thought was here or at the city of Cathay, which belongs to him, and is very grand, as he was informed before leaving Spain. All this land, he adds, is low and beautiful, and the sea deep. fastened to his nose. They said, by signs, that within three days many merchants from inland would come to buy the things brought by the Christians, and would give information respecting the king of that land. So far as could be understood from Wednesday, Oct. 31. All Tuesday their signs, he resided at a distance of night he was beating to windward, and four days' journey. They had sent many he saw a river, but could not enter messengers in all directions, with news of it because the entrance was narrow. The the arrival of the Admiral. 'These peoIndians fancied that the ships could enter ple," says the Admiral, "are of the same wherever their canoes could go. Navi- appearance and have the same customs gating onward, he came to a cape run- as those of the other islands, without any ning out very far, and surrounded by religion, so far as I know, for up to this sunken rocks, and he saw a bay where day I have never seen the Indians on board 66 say any prayer; though they repeat the Ayamonte, and the other Luis de Torres, Salve and Ave Maria with their hands raised to heaven, and they make the sign of the cross. The language is also the same, and they are all friends; but I believe that all these islands are at war with the Gran Can, whom they call Cavila, and his province Bafan. They all go naked like the others." This is what the Admiral says. "The river," he adds, "is very deep, and the ships can enter the mouth, going close to the shore. The sweet water does not come within a league of the mouth. It is certain," says the Admiral, "that this is the mainland, and that I am in front of Zayto and Guinsay, 100 leagues, a little more or less, distant the one from the other. It was very clear that no one before has been so far as this by sea. Yesterday, with wind from the northwest, I found it cold." He who had served in the household of the Adelantado of Murcia, and had been a Jew, knowing Hebrew, Chaldee, and even some Arabic. With these men he sent two Indians, one from among those he had brought from Guanahani, and another native of the houses by the river-side. He gave them strings of beads with which to buy food if they should be in need, and ordered them to return in six days. gave them specimens of spices, to see if any were to be found. Their instructions were to ask for the king of that land, and they were told what to say on the part of the sovereigns of Castile, how they had sent the Admiral with letters and a present, to inquire after his health and establish friendship, favoring him in what he might desire from them. They were to collect information respecting certain Friday, Nov. 2.-The Admiral de- provinces, ports, and rivers of which the cided upon sending two Spaniards, one Admiral had notice, and to ascertain their named Rodrigo de Jerez, who lived in distances from where he was. This night the Admiral took an altitude with a quadrant, and found that the distance from the equinoctial line was 42 degrees. He says that, by his reckoning, he finds that he has gone over 1,142 leagues from the island of Hierro. He still believes that he has reached the mainland. Saturday, Nov. 3.- In the morning the Admiral got into his boat, and, as the river is like a great lake at the mouth, forming a very excellent port, very deep, and clear of rocks, with a good Sunday, Nov. 4. At sunrise the Admiral again went away in the boat, and landed to hunt the birds he had seen the day before. After a time, Martin Alonzo Pinzon came to him with two pieces of cinnamon, and said that a Portuguese, who was one of his crew, had seen an Indian carrying two very large bundles of it; but he had not bartered for it, because of the penalty imposed by the Admiral on any one who bartered. He further said that this Indian carried some brown beach for careening ships, and plenty of things like nutmegs. The master of the fuel, he explored it until he came to fresh water at a distance of 2 leagues from the mouth. He ascended a small mountain to obtain a view of the surrounding country, but could see nothing, owing to the dense foliage of the trees, which were very fresh and odoriferous, so that he felt no doubt that there were aromatic herbs among them. He said that all he saw was so beautiful that his eyes could never tire of gazing upon such loveliness, nor his ears of listening to the songs of birds. That day many canoes came to the ships, to barter with cotton threads and with the nets in which they sleep, called ham acas. Pinta said that he had found the cinna- southeast. He also understood that, far away, there were men with one eye, and others with dogs' noses who were cannibals, and that when they captured an enemy they beheaded him and drank his blood. that, in the event of the place becoming rich and important, the merchants would be safe from any other nations. He adds: "The Lord, in whose hands are all vietories, will ordain all things for his service. An Indian said by signs that the mastic was good for pains in the stomach." The Admiral then determined to return to the ship and wait for the return of the two men he had sent, intending to depart Tuesday, Nov. 6.-" Yesterday, at night,” and seek for those lands, if his envoys says the Admiral, "the two men came brought some good news touching what back who had been sent to explore the he desired. The Admiral further says: interior. They said that after walking "These people are very gentle and timid; 12 leagues they came to a village of they go naked, as I have said, without fifty houses, where there were 1,000 inarms and without law. The country is habitants, for many live in one house. very fertile. The people have plenty of These houses are like very large booths. roots called zanahorias (yams), with a They said that they were received with smell like chestnuts; and they have beans great solemnity, according to custom, of kinds very different from ours. They and all, both men and women, came also have much cotton, which they do not out to see them. They were lodged sow, as it is wild in the mountains, and in the best houses, and the people touched I believe they collect it throughout the them, kissing their hands and feet, maryear, because I saw pods empty, others velling and believing that they came full, and flowers all on one tree. There from heaven, and so they gave them to are a thousand other kinds of fruits which understand. They gave them to eat of it is impossible for me to write about, what they had. When they arrived, the and all must be profitable." All this the chief people conducted them by the arms Admiral says. to the principal house, gave them two Monday, Nov. 5. This morning the chairs on which to sit, and all the natives Admiral ordered the ship to be careen- sat round them on the ground. The ed, afterwards the other vessels, but Indian who came with them described not all at the same time. Two were al- the manner of living of the Christians, ways to be at the anchorage, as a precaution; although he says that these people were very safe, and that without fear all the vessels might have been careened at the same time. Things being in this state, the master of the Niña came to claim a reward from the Admiral because he had found mastic, but he did not bring the specimen, as he had dropped it. The Admiral promised him a reward, and sent Rodrigo Sanchez and master Diego to the trees. They collected some, which was kept to present to the sovereigns, as well as the tree. The Admiral says that he knew it was mastic, though it ought to be gathered at the proper season. There is enough in that district for a yield of 1,000 quintals every year. The Admiral also found here a great deal of the plant called aloe. He further says that the Puerto de Mares is the best in the world, with the finest climate and the most gentle people. As it has a high, rocky cape, a fortress might be built, so them, and showed them much honor. and said that they were good people. Presently the men went out, and the women came sitting round them in the same way, kissing their hands and feet, and looking to see if they were of flesh and bones like themselves. They begged the Spaniards to remain with them at least five days." The Spaniards showed the natives specimens of cinnamon, pepper, and other spices which the Admiral had given them, and they said, by signs, that there was plenty at a short distance from thence to the southeast, but that there they did not know whether there was any. Finding that they had no information respecting cities, the Spaniards returned; and if they had desired to take those who wished to accompany them, more than 500 men and women would have come, because they thought the Spaniards were returning to heaven. There came, however, a principal man of the village and his son, with a servant. The Admiral conversed with They made signs respecting many lands days, all of us being mortal, may your and islands in those parts. The Admiral kingdoms remain in peace, and free from thought of bringing them to the sovereigns. He says that he knew not what fancy took them; either from fear, or owing to the dark night, they wanted to land. The ship was at the time high and dry, but, not wishing to make them angry, he let them go on their way, saying that they would return at dawn, but they never came back. The heresy and evil, and may you be well received before the eternal Creator, to whom I pray that you may have long life and great increase of kingdoms and lordships, with the will and disposition to increase the holy Christian religion as you have done hitherto. Amen! "To-day I got the ship afloat, and prepared to depart on Thursday, in the name of God, and to steer southeast in search of gold and spices, and to discover land." These are the words of the Admiral, who intended to depart on Thursday, but, the wind being contrary, he could not go until Nov. 12. Monday, Nov. 12.-The Admiral left the port and river of Mares before dawn to visit the island called Babeque, so much talked of by the Indians on board, where, according to their signs, the people gather the gold on the beach at night The The two Christians met with many people on the road going home, men and women with a half-burnt weed in their hands, being the herbs they are accustomed to smoke. They did not find villages on the road of more than five houses, all receiving them with the same reverence. They saw many kinds of trees, herbs, and sweet-smelling flowers; and birds of many different kinds, unlike those of Spain, except the partridges, geese, of which there are many, and singing nightingales. They saw no quadrupeds with candles, and afterwards beat it into except the dogs that do not bark. land is very fertile, and is cultivated with yams and several kinds of beans different from ours, as well as corn. There were great quantities of cotton gathered, spun, and worked up. In a single house they saw more than 500 arrobas, and as much as 4,000 quintals could be yielded every year. The Admiral said that "it did not appear to be cultivated, and that it bore all the year round. It is very fine, and has a large boll. All that was possessed by these people they gave at a very low price, and a great bundle of cotton was exchanged for the point of a needle or other trifle. They are a people," says the Admiral, "guileless and unwarlike. Men and women go as naked as when their mothers bore them. It is true that the women wear a very small rag of cotton cloth, and they are of very good appear ance, not very dark, less so than the Canarians. I hold, most serene Princes, The Admiral says that, on the previous that if devout religious persons were here, Sunday, Nov. 11, it seemed good to take knowing the language, they would all turn some person from among those at Rio Christians. I trust in our Lord that de Mares, to bring to the sovereigns, your Highnesses will resolve upon this that they might learn our language, with much diligence, to bring so many so as to be able to tell us what there great nations within the Church, and to is in their lands. Returning, they convert them, as you have destroyed those would be the mouthpieces of the Chriswho would not confess the Father, the tians, and would adopt our customs and Son, and the Holy Ghost. And after your the things of the faith. "I saw and bars with hammers. To go hither it was necessary to shape a course east by south. After having made 8 leagues along the coast, a river was sighted, and another 4 leagues brought them to another river, which appeared to be of great volume, and larger than any they had yet seen. Admiral did not wish to stop nor to enter any of these rivers, for two reasons: the first and principal one being that wind and weather were favorable for going in search of the said island of Babeque; the other that, if there was a populous and famous city near the sea, it would be visible, while, to go up the rivers, small vessels are neccssary, which those of the expedition were not. Much time would thus be lost; moreover, the exploration of such rivers is a separate enterprise. All that coast was peopled near the river, to which the name of Rio del Sol was given. |