Part 10

But the great and worthy Service of these two excellent Brothers deserving rather Statues and Trophies of everlasting Honor, Monuments never to be demolish’d, in their due praise, who had found out after so many baffled Ages, a new World, richer, and not much less than the old, by the aspersing calumniations of one malicious Person, lost his whole Interest and Credit in the _Spanish_ Court, quite out of favour with his Prince, who by his insinuations had hinted so much the matter of Gain among the Courtiers, that every one studied no less than to get a Commission, and so going a Commander to the _Indies_, make up his Mouth, and become suddenly rich. First _Francisco Bombadilla_ prevailing, was sent with full Commission to succeed _Columbus_ in _Hispaniola_; where no sooner Landing, but he exercis’d the extremity of his Authority, and seizing the Admiral and his Brother, fetter’d their Hands and Feet, and put them aboard on two several Ships for _Spain_: where no sooner arriv’d, but the King, not altogether forgetting former Services, commanded them to be unmanacled, and waited on, not as Prisoners, with a civil Retinue to his Court; where they were well entertain’d three years. But they being active Persons, weary of so long repose, got a second Grant to make farther discoveries, and set forth the ninth of _May, Anno 1504._ with four Sail well appointed from _Cadiz_, and had a fair Passage from thence to _Hispaniola_, where begun the Storm, for _Bombadilla_, who had by the Kings Commission so evil treated _Columbus_ and his Brother, as aforemention’d, would not suffer him, though reconciled to the King, so much as to Land, and there refresh themselves and their Men; so he was forc’d to steer on to the Islands _Guamixa_ and _Veragua_, where a Huricane, or sudden stress of Weather sunk two of his Vessels; the other two standing off to Sea escap’d bilging, but so shatter’d and leaky, having also shipp’d abundance of Water, they were resolv’d to put in at _Jamaica_; where weary with the long Voyage, and hatter’d with the Tempest, many of his Sea-men, spent with sickness, after their Landing, died. To these his sufferings from Wind and Weather, and his Enemies abroad, a greater and intestine mischief hapned: _Francisco Poresio_, one of his chief Commanders, absolutely rebell’d, and deserting him, with another Party of his Sea-men went into _Hispaniola_: which the Islanders observing, resolv’d to famish him, keeping from him both Water and all other Provisions; which had not _Columbus_ stav’d off by a handsom Invention, they had compleated their Design, which was this: He told them that he was the offspring of the Moon, and if they refus’d to supply his want, the Moon, in vindication of her Son, would famish them, by spoiling what e’re they had planted or sow’d; and that this would prove true they should know by a sign, that on such a Night, she rising in her full glory, should first look red, and afterwards by degrees lose a great part of her light; which indeed so hapned, being Ecclips’d, as he could well prognosticate; and after that, they being ignorant of the cause, suppli’d him with all Necessaries. But _Poresio_, not able to endure the Sea with his small Boats, resolv’d to surprize one of the Ships that lay before _Jamaica_; but _Columbus_ so much prevented him, that meeting him in his return, after a hot dispute made him his Prisoner. But thus ended not his misfortunes; for the Vessels which he fought in soon after sunk, and no ship to be found in _Jamaica_ to transport him thence. Lastly, he agreed with some _Indian_ Fishermen, to carry _Didaco Mendoza_ to _St. Dominica_, that there he might hire two Vessels to carry him back to _Spain_: which Design taking effect, he arrived there in safety: where after he had refresh’d himself at the _Spanish_ Court, after his so long and unfortunate a Voyage he fell sick, and died on the eighth of _May_ 1506.

Mean while, the Affairs of _Hispaniola_ grew more out of order: for _Bombadilla_ joyning with _Ximenes_, resolv’d to hoard up a huge Treasure of Gold, though with the infinite oppression of the Natives: of which King _Ferdinand_ having intelligence, sent _Nicholas Olanda_ thither with thirty Sail; who being nominated Vice-Roy, anchor’d in forty days before _Hispaniola_. No sooner arriv’d, but _Bombadilla_ and _Ximenes_ fled, leaving their vast Treasure, amounting to ten hundred thousand Ducats; which guarded with four hundred _Spaniards_ in twenty four Ships was sent to _Spain_: but so it hapned, that they were all swallowed up in the main Ocean, none knowing to this day in what Latitude they were lost.

SECT. IV. Pietro Alponso Nigno _his Voyage_.

[Sidenote: Description of _Curiana_.]

_Pietro Nigno_, encourag’d by some of those that had been with _Columbus_ at the Isles of Pearl, Rigg’d out a Ship at his own charge, with special order in his Commission, that he should not touch on any Coast within fifty Leagues of any Place _Columbus_ had formerly discover’d. But he little observ’d his Orders, and what he was commanded; for Sailing into the Haven _Curiana_, he barter’d Shells, Needles, Glass, and such like Trifles, for abundance of Pearls, which the Islanders brought aboard, for he himself having but thirty Men, durst not venture ashore. Twenty days this bartering Trade continued, Orient Pearls for Toys; but finding at last, that they were a civil and hospitable People, he Landed, where they entertain’d him in Hovels built of Wood, and cover’d with Palm-Leaves; before their Doors lay great Hills of Oyster-shells, the Fish being eaten, and the Pearls us’d for an ornament; Conies, Hares, Pheasants, Pigeons, Geese, Ducks, Deer, and wild Swine, are their usual Food; and their Bread is made of the Roots of Trees. Moreover, _Curiana_ abounds with thick and shady Woods, which resound in the night with the cries and roarings of wild Beasts: but though they are terrible fierce and voracious, yet the Natives stoutly venture in amongst the thickest of them, arm’d onely with Bowes and Arrows. The Inhabitants are of Complexion tawny, their Hair long and curl’d; their Teeth they keep white with an Herb, which they continually hold betwixt their Lips. The Women perform their business of Husbandry, Ploughing and Sowing. The Men are Soldiers, following the business of War: but in Peace their Exercises are Hunting and Dancing. They keep annual Fairs, where from all Parts of the Countrey they bring their Commodities to buy and barter. They have their Gold from _Cauchieta_, six days Sail Westward from _Curiana_.

Thither _Nigno_ next directed his course, and came to an Anchor there on the first of _October, Anno 1500._ The Inhabitants entred aboard without the least shiness, or fear of danger, and brought with them to barter, Gold, Civet-Cats, Parrots, and Cotton.

These People, though so civil, are extreamly jealous of their Wives: for when a _Spaniard_ made address to one of them, and coming something close, her Husband stept in suddenly between, and seem’d to forbid the Banns. But coasting onward along the Shore from thence to another Isle, he found Natives far more wild and salvage: for two thousand in a Body well Arm’d, stood ready to intercept their Landing; wherefore he thought it his safest course to Tack about, and return to _Curiana_ whence he came.

[Sidenote: _Nigno_ Fights with the Cannibals.]

In his Way not far from thence, he fell amongst eighteen of the Cannibals Boats, which according to their custom had been a Man-stealing, and now were so hardy, that setting upon the _Spanish_ Ship, they suddenly clapt him aboard with their _Canoos_ on all sides; but being beaten back by the terror of their Guns, they soon retir’d: yet the _Spaniards_ took one of the Boats with two Men, all the rest saving themselves by swimming. One of the two Men lay bound Hand and Foot, who told them, that he was to have been kill’d the next day and eaten, as he saw his Companions, with whose Flesh they banquetting kept a jovial Feast. _Nigno_ unbinding the Prisoner, gave him leave to do what he pleas’d with the taken Cannibal, who falling upon him, cudgel’d and whipp’d him to death.

[Sidenote: Strange Salt.]

Then _Nigno_ in his Way to _Curiana_ touch’d upon the Coast of _Paria_, where he found a strange kind of Salt, which the Sea in tempestuous Weather casts on the Shore, which afterwards hardens by the Sun. This Salt must be taken up before any Rain fall, else it melts and soaks away into the Ground; yet sometimes grows so hard as a Stone, insomuch that they make Pots and other Vessels of it; which the _Parians_ barter for foreign Commodities.

[Sidenote: Strange Corps.]

_Nigno_ not making here any stay, return’d a second time to _Curiana_, where he spent twenty days in pleasant Pastimes, being Lodg’d in a Noble-mans House, at whose Door was fix’d a Cannibals Head, as a Trophy of his Victory. He saw there also the dead Bodies of divers eminent Persons set drying at a Fire, so hardned to be set amongst their Idols.

[Sidenote: _Nigno_ put in Prison.]

[Sidenote: Cruel dealings in _Curiana_.]

At length _Nigno_ set Sail homewards, and carried with him an invaluable Treasure in Pearls to _Spain_: but by the way fell out with his Sea-men, because he kept most of the Purchase to himself, and would not give them their shares, nay more than that, kept back the fifth part from the King; whereupon being complain’d of by _Ferdinando de Vega_, Governor of _Gallicia_, he was put in Prison, and at last sent to the Court, where the Pearls were declared free Prize, because _Nigno_ had barter’d for them at _Curiana_, contrary to the Kings Orders, not to touch at any Coast, within fifty Leagues of what _Columbus_ had discover’d. But since he had no way regarded those Commands to preserve that Pearl-Trade, King _Ferdinand_ sent Governors to _Curiana_, who in his Name should look after, and employ Men for the catching the Pearl-Oysters. These, accompanied with a considerable number of Soldiers, besides six Monks, forc’d the Inhabitants to furnish them with abundance of Pearl: which oppression grew to such a heighth, that one Morning a great Party of them conspiring together, fell suddenly upon them, most of them being massacred: after they had a while insultingly triumphed over the dead Bodies, and finish’d, as they thought, their good work (feasting on their Flesh at a joyful Banquet) those few that escap’d Sail’d to the Island _Dominic_, the Governor of which _Didacus Columbus_, Son to the famous _Christopher_, being incens’d, immediately sent Captain _Ocampo_ with three hundred Men to _Curiana_; where in his first fury, without distinction of Sex or Age, he slew all he met with. But because they themselves could not follow the rich Oyster-catching, he spar’d some for that purpose, whom he commanded to build twenty five little Houses, or Hovels, on the Shore, which he call’d _New Toledo_. After this they went on afresh in their Pearl-fishing.

[Illustration]

SECT. V. _The Voyage of_ Vincent Agnes Pinzon.

The first of _December, Anno 1499._ _Vincent Pinzon_ set Sail with four Vessels out of the Haven _Palos_: he had been Commander of a Ship under _Columbus_ in his first Expedition, by which means he got great experience in Navigation. When he came a little beyond the _Hesperides_, he was surpris’d by a great Storm, which in three days drove him before a plain Coast; where Landing, he found nothing but the Footsteps of Men; and in the night he saw great Fires, such as are generally made in Camps; about day-break twenty _Spaniards_ march’d thither, whom thirty two Men, arm’d with Bowes and Arrows, made ready to encounter; but as they approached, the _Spaniards_ proffer’d them Peace, but they refused all Composition; yet having faced one another a while, they retreated without fighting.

[Sidenote: _Pinzon_’s strange Fight.]

[Sidenote: A remarkable Beast.]

After this _Pinzon_ discover’d a wide, but shallow River; where Landing, on a Hill he met a great company of _Americans_: He, to invite them to Trade, threw them a Shell; in return for which they cast him a lump of Gold; which when the _Spaniard_ went to take up they all fell upon him; and indeed he could not have defended himself long, had not some of his Company quickly come in to his speedy rescue, which occasion’d a bloody Conflict, wherein several _Spaniards_ were wounded, eight kill’d, and one of their small Boats sunk; for the _Americans_ fought so valiantly, that they pursu’d the _Spanish_ Ships into the Sea. _Pinzon_ being at last freed of these Assailants, got into a fresh-water Sea, caus’d by the confluence of many Rivers falling in there: from hence he got sight of the _Parian_ Coast, and with admiration beheld a Tree which sixteen Men could not compass: Between these Trees he saw as strange a Monster, the foremost part resembling a Fox, the hinder a Monkey, the Feet were like a Mans, with Ears like an Owl; under whose Belly hung a great Bag, in which it carry’d the Young, which they drop not, nor forsake till they can feed themselves. _Pinzon_ caught one of them with three Young, which died in the Voyage, but the Dam he presented alive in _Granada_ to the King.

[Illustration]

[Sidenote: Great Storm.]

This Captain having Sail’d six hundred Leagues along the _Parian_ Coast, in a great Tempest two of his Carvils in his view were overset, their Keels turn’d upward; the third driven from her Anchor, and the fourth so shaken, and full of Leaks, that ready to sink they ran her ashore to save their lives; and though he escaped himself the danger of drowning, then being ashore, yet he was no ways freed from far greater inconveniences; for he saw nothing but death either for want of Provisions, or barbarousness of the Inhabitants: whereupon they resolv’d to free themselves of their miseries by self-slaughter, killing one another; but some better advised to spend their Lives like _Christians_ upon the unbelieving Salvages: Whilst they were in this desperate condition, the Storm ceased, and Providence presented their safety, the Ship driving in before the Wind; at which every one taking fresh courage, they mended the two shatter’d Ships as well as they could; wherein venturing to Sea, and setting Sail, they came on the last of _September, Anno 1500._ into the _Spanish_ Haven _Palos_.

SECT. VI. _The Expedition of_ Americus Vesputius.

_Americus Vesputius_ a _Florentine_, Commanded four Ships, fitted out at King _Ferdinand_’s Charge, set Sail the twentieth of _May, Anno 1497._ and refreshing at the _Canaries_, from thence he steer’d to _Paria_; where he so much gain’d upon the Inhabitants, that for Pins, Bells, Looking-glasses, and other Trifles, they daily brought aboard in Barter great store of Gold, the best of Merchandise.

[Sidenote: The manner of the Inhabitants in _Paria_.]

[Sidenote: Their strange Customs.]

These People, both Men and Women go stark naked, not so much as covering their _Pudenda_; their Complexion swarthy; they shave off all their Hair, onely some Women leave a Tuft on their Heads. From their Faces, being broad and flat, one may judge them to be deriv’d from _Tartary_; they much exceed the _Europeans_ in Running and Swimming, insomuch that the Women oftentimes without any Boats, or floating pieces of Timber, venture two or three Leagues into the Sea; they have so great skill in Shooting, that they exceed almost all other Nations, having Arrows headed with sharp Fish-bones; they also use Lances and Clubs. The Women follow the Men in the Wars, and serve in stead of Horses to carry Ammunition and other Necessaries; to which Labor they are so us’d, that they will bear on their Shoulders forty, nay fifty Leagues together, such Luggage, as three _Spaniards_ are scarce able to lift from the Ground. They acknowledge no Commander or Superior either in Wars or Government; they keep up old Feuds, fighting with an inveterate hatred against their Neighbors, upon antient scores and revenges, still kept in memory of their Relations slain in former Battels, and also still creating fresh animosities upon their Losses in later Engagements. Their Language is smooth and pleasing, being spoken with a kind of lisping, and absolutely different from the neighboring Nations. When they eat they sit upon the Ground, and sleeping lie in Hammocks, each end whereof being fastned to a Post; underneath they kindle a Fire; over them they hang Fish-nets and Hooks, Fish-baskets and _Calabashes_. When they have occasion to ease Nature by evacuation, they retire into some private Place; but the Women think it no immodesty to make Water, even in the presence of strange Men. They observe not single Matrimony; for every Man takes as many Women as he pleases, under bonds of Wedlock such and so sleight, that he turns them off at his pleasure: and Women take the same liberty in casheering their Husbands when not pleasing them. They bring forth Children with little or no pain, and wash them in a River so soon as born; which done they return to their usual work and business. When they are incens’d against their Husbands, they revenge themselves by poysoning their Children. Their Houses are built in the fashion of a House-clock, with a Roof rais’d from the Wall upon four Pillars like the Bell, and cover’d with Palm-Leaves; some of which are so big, that they afford room for six hundred Men: every seventh or eighth year they remove, because (as they say) the Air is oftentimes infected by Mens Breaths, by their long continuance in one place. Their Riches consist in Feathers of divers colours, Strings of Fish-bones intermingled with green and white Beads, with which they adorn their Heads, Arms, Legs, Ears, and Cheeks: Gold and Pearls they make little account of; and as to Trade and Commerce with other People, they know not what belongs to it. Their greatest Friendship consists in prostituting their Daughters or Wives to one another. Their Dead they bury in moist Grounds, and put with them both Meat and Drink into the Graves: When any Person grows very weak by lingring Sickness, they carry the Diseased into a neighboring Wood, where they lay him in a Silk Hammock, tied between two Trees; then dancing the whole day about him, at night they set Bread and Water enough by him to last four days, and then departing look no more after him, who thus neglected seldom escape: but if so it happen that one recover, all his Relations for the future honour him as a god. When any one falls into a Fever, his Friends immediately bathe him in cold Water, and afterwards set him before a great Fire, then drive him before them till he falls down almost breathless, and at last put him to Bed. They neither Let blood in the Arms nor Feet, but in their Sides and Calves of their Legs. Sometime they fast four days together, which they suppose a great means to preserve their Health. Their Bread consists of a sort of Fruit call’d _Jucha_, _Chambi_, or _Igname_. Lastly, no Lyon devours his Prey with more voracious eagerness, than they their taken Enemies.

[Sidenote: A very strange Village built on Poles.]

[Sidenote: Strange Fight.]

_Vesputius_ being fully inform’d concerning the Situation of _Paria_, weighed Anchor, and on the sixth day after entred a convenient Harbor, where going ashore, he found twenty Houses built in the middle of a Lake on great Posts: every House had a Draw-bridge, over which they pass’d from one to the other. So soon as the Inhabitants set eye on the _Spaniards_, they immediately drew up their Bridges: yet some of them in twelve little _Canoos_ came towards the _Spanish_ Ships, but amaz’d to see their Looms so big, durst not, though hal’d with signs, to come aboard, but hasted away to a high Mountain; yet seem’d to signifie that they would return, as indeed they did, bringing sixteen Maids along with them, of which they put four into a _Spanish_ Boat, themselves in the interim rowing between the Ships from one to another, shewing all tokens of friendship, when on a sudden a Company of old Women came running to the Shore, and tearing the Hair from their Heads, made a terrible noise and exclamation, expressing the greatest sorrow they could possible: whereupon the four _Indian_ Maids suddenly leap’d over-board, and the Men shot abundance of Arrows out of their Boats at the Ships; nay, some of them swimming under Water, endeavor’d to sink the Cock-boats which were made fast behind their Ships. Upon this sudden Onset the _Spaniards_ making use of their Guns, quickly lessen’d the number of the Assailants, insomuch that they fled to the Shore; yet five of them being overtaken, were carry’d Prisoners aboard.

_Vesputius_ observing these their misdemeaning Carriages, judg’d it no way convenient to stay any longer among such barbarous and deceitful Salvages: but having weighed Anchor, and Sail’d eighty Leagues along the Coast, he ran into another convenient Haven, whose Shore swarm’d with People, which on a sudden running away, hid themselves in a neighboring Wood.

[Sidenote: Serpents strangely prepar’d for Food.]

Here the _Spaniards_ Landing were amazed, when in their Huts they saw Snakes and Serpents roasting before a Fire, whereof one had Wings, and another whose Mouth was tied together with a Rope, stared with open eyes in a frightful manner.

Here they left several Trifles to entice the fled Natives to correspond with them. And this their Design prov’d successful; for the next day the _Americans_ came aboard without the least fear, and offer’d to shew their hospitable kindness to the _Spaniards_, if they pleas’d to travel three days Journey with them up into the Countrey, telling them, they had onely rais’d those few Huts by the Sea-side for a small time whilst they Fish’d in those Parts.

[Sidenote: The remarkable reception of twenty three _Spaniards_.]

About twenty of the _Spaniards_ well Arm’d resolv’d to undertake the Journey; and travelling over Hills, Dales, and Rivers, they came at last into a Village consisting of nine of the foremention’d Houses, but mightily peopled, where they were in a wonderful manner received by their glad welcomes, by Dancing, Singing, Hunting, and other joyful Acclamations, presenting their Wives and Daughters, as the chiefest part of their hospitality, to caress the Strangers at their pleasure. The news was no sooner spread, but the adjacent Villages came in throngs to gaze upon, and salute the Strangers, inviting them also to their Towns. The _Spaniards_ taking it in good part, spent nine days among them, highly treated with all manner of jollities, but especially at their choice with the varieties of _Venus_: from thence then returning to their Fleet, accompanied with thousands of the Natives, every one carrying Presents to the Admiral _Vesputius_; of whom as many as they could at once receive, they entertaining aboard, then dismiss’d them, and admitted others; but the Guns going off, they suddenly leap’d from the Decks, and div’d like Ducks under Water: But afterwards being inform’d, that such thunder-claps were sent them from Heaven to destroy their Enemies, they were somewhat better satisfi’d, and call’d the _Spaniards_, _Charabi_, that is, _Wise Men_.

[Sidenote: A cruel Fight with the Cannibals.]