Part 11

This Island lying in the _Mexican_ Bay, in twenty Degrees of Northern Latitude, _Vesputius_ left on his Starboard, and Sail’d along a Meandring Coast (which he always kept in sight) eight hundred and sixty Leagues, and at last entred a Haven, the like whereof he had not seen before. Here he spent a Moneth in repairing his Ships, to which the Inhabitants freely gave their assistance; and among other things complain’d, that a salvage People came yearly thither from an Island about a hundred Leagues distant, who fell upon them with horrible rage, and whomsoever they took they eat, but first inflicted all manner of tortures upon them, sparing none, but together murthering aged People and sucking Infants; wherefore they crav’d assistance to be reveng’d, which if the _Spaniards_ would grant, they would follow the Fleet with their Boats. _Vesputius_ promis’d his aid to destroy such a blood-thirsty People; and to assure them that he would perform his Word, he order’d seven of them to go in _Canoos_ before and shew them the Way. On the seventh day they came to an Anchor before the Island _Hy_, where the Shore was guarded with naked Men, whose Bodies being strong and brawny, were painted, and their Arms, Legs, and Head, adorn’d with divers colour’d Plumes, having not onely offensive Weapons, as Bowes, Arrows, and Launces, but also defensive, huge Targets, and square Shields. So soon as they judg’d the approaching _Spaniards_ to be within reach, they shot a great flight of Arrows at them; but _Vesputius_ lying close along the Shore with his Ships, fir’d upon them with Chain-shot, which did great execution: yet notwithstanding about forty _Spaniards_ leaping ashore out of their Boats, found themselves in no small danger; for the Cannibals upon the sound of Horns flocking together, so press’d upon them that they were forc’d to lay aside their Guns, and fall to Blows, and had not timely assistance come to them, they had undoubtedly been all slain: two hours the Victory was doubtful on whose side it would fall; yet at last the Cannibals quitting the Field, left the _Spaniards_ Victors; who the next day pursu’d their gotten Victory with such success, that they drove their Enemies before them, burnt their Villages and Boats, and carry’d two hundred and two and twenty of them Prisoners to _Spain_, where they safely arriv’d the 15. of _November, Anno 1498._

[Sidenote: _Vesputius_ Second Expedition.]

This good success so encourag’d _Vesputius_, that having stay’d scarce seven Moneths ashore, he obtaining the Command over six Ships, with which he set Sail from _Cadiz_, and touching upon the _Canaries_, Steer’d from thence Southerly; and having Sail’d five hundred Leagues, he discover’d a Countrey overflow’d and made Marishy by great Rivers, and abounding with Trees, but saw no sign of any Inhabitants; yet not long after, coming before an Island, he took a Boat with two Prisoners, newly guelt, and sent as a Present to feast the _Cannibals_, which refus’d to Treat on any other account whatsoever; wherefore he Sail’d eighty Leagues forward along the Shore of an unknown Island, where he Barter’d for some Gold, and got five hundred Pearls for one single Shell; these Pearls the Inhabitants said were not found there, but taken from their Neighboring Enemies, which liv’d Westward, and had abundance of them.

[Sidenote: Strange constitution of a salvage people.]

Nothing worthy of remark happen’d in this Voyage, onely the strange constitutions of a wild People, living on a barren Isle, deserve to be mention’d.

About their Necks hung two hollow Vessels, the one full of white stamp’d Worts, and Herbs; and the other, full of Grass, which they greedily cram’d into their Mouths, feeding like Cattel; then a Stick wetted with Spittle, they put into the bruis’d Herbs, taking upon the end of it, as upon the point of a Knife, some of the bruis’d to their Mouths, which (as if chawing the Cud) turning therein, then taking out again, and strowing more of the same Herbs out of the Vessel upon it, swallow’d it down. No fresh Water was to be had amongst them, but what they gather’d from the Dew in great Leaves: Neither had they any Houses, but dwelt under great Trees, and fed on dry’d Fish.

[Sidenote: Strange adventure of nine _Spaniards_, meeting with great Giants.]

The next remark in this Voyage, was the discovery of an Island not far from the former, where he found the Footsteps of a Gigantick People, upon which nine _Spaniards_ went a League to search the Countrey, where they saw five great Huts, standing in a spacious Valley, and in them two old, and three young Women, each of them being twice as tall as an ordinary Man: The old ones invited the _Spaniards_ to eat, who when they were sat down, consulting how they might take and carry one of these Giantesses to _Spain_, there to shew her for Money, thirty six Giants came in to them, (never did the Sun shine on a more terrible People) which so amaz’d the _Spaniards_, that their Hair seem’d to stand an end at the fear thereof: Every Giant was arm’d with a Bow and Arrows, and a Club: They wondering at the nine strangers, stood talking very earnestly one to another, which gave the _Spaniards_ time to think of making their escape; some judg’d it convenient to discharge their Guns upon them, and in the Smoke to run away; others thought, that it would be better to take a milder course, which they all agreed on; and taking their leave, went out of the Hut, but were follow’d by the Giants, who kept a Stones cast behind them, and went faster or slower, as the _Spaniards_ slacken’d or mended their pace; who at last getting to the Shore, and from thence into their Boats, they suddenly put off; but the Giants then pursu’d them with eager speed, all of them leaping into the Water, and Swimming, shot abundance of Arrows after them; but frighted by the Thunder of two great Guns that were discharged from the Ships, return’d ashore, and fled into the neighboring Hills.

[Sidenote: Description of the Pearl-Oysters.]

[Sidenote: _Vesputius_ third Expedition.]

_Vesputius_ at last began to consider of returning home, his Provisions beginning to grow scarce, and his Sea-men faint, having continu’d in the Equinoctial heats a whole year; wherefore he directed his course towards _Spain_, in his Voyage, driving along the Coast an advantagious Trade, by bartering Shells and Glass for Pearls. The Inhabitants presented him with Oysters, of which some inclos’d one hundred and thirty Pearls; when they attain to their full growth, they fall out of the Shells themselves, but those that stick, decay. So upon the tenth of _November_, the Fleet came safe to an Anchor before _Cadiz_. After which, _Vesputius_ retired to _Sevil_, with intent to settle himself there, but he had not long repos’d, when _Emanuel_ King of _Portugal_ sent for him to _Lisbon_, and gave him the Command of three Ships, to discover new Countreys; between the _Canaries_ and _Africa_, they pass’d thorow so many Fishes (not unlike a Bream) that in an hours time they loaded their Boats with them; this Fish hath a round thin Scale, sharp Teeth, Stones in their Brains or Foreheads, a sharp pointed Heart, a Bladder full of Wind, red Tail and Fins, feeds on Sea Weeds, Gurnets and Oysters, and is of a delicious Taste.

[Sidenote: Cruel deed of some _Indian_ Women.]

From thence, five degrees Southward of the Equinox, he found a naked People on the top of a high Rock, that beckon’d the _Spaniards_ to come towards them; upon which, two of them resolv’d to venture thither, having order not to stay at the most above five days: The first incounter they had was of some Women, who offer’d their bodies to prostitution; but a Youth, as if affrighted with some sudden danger, came running amongst them, whom, whilst they stood gazing upon, and wondering at, an old Woman with a great Club, running down the Hill overtook, and knock’d him down dead upon the ground; which done, the Women that were making Court to the _Spaniards_, took him by the Heels, and dragg’d up the Hill, where soon after they saw him chop’d in pieces, Broyl’d, and eaten: They also made signs to the _Spaniards_, that they would devour them also in the same manner. The Shore was crouded with Men, which showr’d upon them several flights of Arrows; wherefore they thought it best to Weigh Anchor, so taking Aboard their two Men, and having Sail’d 150. Leagues, they got sight of the Coast of _Brasile_, along which he Sail’d Southerly to fifty two Degrees, where three _Brasilians_ came Aboard of their own accord, and were easily perswaded to go with him to _Portugal_; but the Weather growing very bad, and the Cold intollerable, the Storms swelling the Waves into the bigness of Mountains, _Vesputius_ left the Coast _des Patagones_, and the _Streights_, afterwards call’d _Magellan_, behind him, burnt one of his Ships before _Cape Sierra Leona_, and brought two safe to _Lisbon_.

[Sidenote: _Vesputius_ fourth Expedition.]

[Sidenote: Sea-Spiders, and Dragons.]

His fourth Expedition happen’d, _May 10. Anno 1503._ at which time he Steer’d directly with six Sail to _Sierra Leona_, and approaching the Coast, could not come to an Anchor, because of the strong eddying Currents: Three Degrees beyond the Equinox appear’d a rising Island, two Leagues long, and one broad, destitute of Inhabitants; his best Ship being six hundred Tun, split here against a Rock, and nothing of her was saved, but the Sea-men: But _Vesputius_ Rowing ashore with a Boat, found a convenient Haven, with abundance of sweet Water, high Trees, Sea-Spiders, and horrible Dragons, which have a sharp Head, round fiery Eyes, and wide Mouths, Wings not unlike a Bats, a speckled Breast, curl’d Tail, blew Back, and two Bags like a drawn Satchel Triangular, were under their Bellies: No less strange are the Sea-Spiders, by their hard Feet, long upper Teeth, two long Sheers or Pinchers, and double Belly; between the Head and the Belly lies a black Skin, with which they darken the Water; when any one goes to take them in the night, they make a great shadow; they feed on Fish, the Female lays little white Eggs, not unlike ordinary Hail-stones.

[Illustration]

_Vesputius_ having left this desolate Isle, three hundred Leagues a Stern, enter’d a Haven, to which he gave the name of St. _Abdy_, where he stay’d two Months, expecting the return of those which he had sent into the Countrey; but seeing it in vain to wait any longer, he proceeded on his Journey, and Sailing in between the _Abrelhos_, in the River _Curubabo_, he built a strong Fort, Garrison’d it with twenty four Men, twelve pieces of Ordnance, and Provisions for six Moneths: Five Moneths _Vesputius_ had spent in the building this Castle; when he return’d home with one Ship, laden with _Brasill_ Wood, where approaching _Lisbon_, beyond all expectation, the Inhabitants of the City ran to Congratulate his happy return. And from this _Americus Vesputius_, the _New World_ is to this day call’d _America_.

SECT. VII. _The Expedition of_ Alphonso, Fogeda, Diego Nicuesa, Ancisus, _and_ Roderick Colmenares.

[Sidenote: Wonderful Tree on _Codego_.]

_Americus Vesputius_ was scarce fitted out in _Lisbon_, when _Fogeda_ set Sail with three hundred Men from _Beata_, the chiefest Haven of _Hispaniola_, to the Island _Codego_, inhabited by Naked People, but of comely Personage, and withal expert and most excellent Archers: Here he found a very strange Tree, which bears a Fruit not unpleasing to the Palate, yet deadly Poyson, and besides, whoever chances to sleep under their shadow, loose both their understanding and Eye-sight, and never attain to their former Sences, except they take some _Opiates_, as dangerous, and so by long sleep, recover.

[Sidenote: _Fogedo_’s cruelty and destruction.]

[Sidenote: Famine.]

[Sidenote: Strange accident.]

[Sidenote: _Ancisus_ escapes great danger.]

[Sidenote: _Colmenares_ Expedition.]

[Sidenote: His strange reception.]

Here _Fogeda_ set upon a poor Village near the Sea-side, where without mercy he put them all to the Sword, except a few Youths which were onely saved, that they might inform _Fogeda_, what was become of the slain and taken _Spaniards_; Who told him, that according to their Custom, they had Roasted the dead, and also their living Prisoners, and feasted on their Flesh. Here having burnt the Houses, and sifting the Ashes, _Nicuesa_ found some Gold. But now they began to be distress’d for Provisions; for prevention of which, _Nicuesa_ had given order to _Ancisus_, Marshal in _Hispaniola_, that he should follow with a Ship of Victual, for the Army to _Codega_. But he being kept back by inconveniencies, most of the _Spaniards_ were famish’d, so that the three hundred Men which _Codega_ brought from _Hispaniola_, were reduced to sixty. And he was already under-Sail to _Hispaniola_, when _Ancisus_ Anchor’d in the Haven of _Codegoos_, and sent some Men ashore to mend his Boat, and fetch fresh Water, which whilst they were doing, the Natives came flocking about them: Three days they fac’d one another, using no Hostility, when at last a _Spaniard_ that understood the _Codegan_ Tongue, adventuring to fetch Water, he was immediately encompassed; when speaking to them, and informing them in their own Language, That he was none of _Fogedas_ or _Nicuesas_ People, which not long since had committed so great slaughter, they left him, and the rather, because he told them, that _Ancisus_ would take revenge on them, if they did any wrong to him. Thus quieted, they brought all sorts of Provisions Aboard. Mean while, _Ancisus_ Sail’d to the Main Continent _Uraba_, where in the Mouth of a Haven he ran his Vessel aground, which was bilg’d; the Sea-men taking some Arms along with them, sav’d their lives by swimming ashore; where, their first sustenance they found was store of Peaches and Cherries, which was a great refreshment in those hot Countreys, but yet had undoubtedly been starv’d, but that in searching the Wood for Fruits, they found Wild-Swine, which preserv’d their lives; yet they were not free from apparent danger, having to deal with a Salvage People, into whose hands they were so unfortunately cast by Shipwrack; however _Ancisus_ set a good face on the business, marching with a hundred Men up into the Countrey, where some of the _Urabanners_ from an ambuscade unawares, with their Arrows wounded several of his Men, hereupon they retreated to the Shore of the River _Daria_, whither also they had brought the small Boats, sav’d from the Wreck; where whilst they were in consultation how to return to _Hispaniola_, the Inhabitants having muster’d themselves, and making a Body of five hundred Men, set upon them, who after a sharp Conflict, made them retreat, and at last to flie, whom _Ancisus_ pursuing, found in a Thicket of Canes or Reeds a great Treasure of Gold. Mean while, _Nicuesa_ Sail’d to the plentiful Golden Countrey _Veragua_ with three Ships, of which he lost two, the one Commanded by _Lupus de Olana_, and the other by _Peter Umbria Olana_, which was stranded in the River _Veragua_, which gives name to the whole Island, but he built a new _Carvil_, whereas that of _Lupus Olana_ was bilg’d among the Rocks. Little better success had _Nicuesa_, whose Ship over-turning with a Tempest, he with a few of his Men made land upon _Veragua_, where he rang’d up and down in a miserable condition, on a barren, and in a manner desolate Shore seventy days: All that time, finding no other Food than Wild Roots, who wandring up and down, at last met with _Olana_, a little before cast away on the same Isle, whom he secur’d, because he presum’d to usurp the Title, and be prime Commander of that Countrey. Upon which, the _Spaniards_ being divided, some for _Ancisus_, some for _Olana_, the difference more and more encreasing, would not be reconcil’d, till the Famine over-powering, master’d both, so that not being able to handle their Arms, the Salvages flew them at their pleasure, by this means in a short time, of seven hundred eighty five, remain’d scarce ninety; yet did not all this misery work any thing upon the ambitious humor of _Vasques Nunnez_, who rebelling against _Ancisus_, split that small remainder of Men, and with the help of those he had drawn over to his Party, made himself Governor of _Uraba_, not possible to be long enjoy’d without speedy supply, which soon after they receiv’d; for _Colmenares_ Sailing from _Hispaniola_ with Provisions, arriv’d there the 15. of _October, Anno 1510_. having been toss’d twenty three days at Sea; then making into the River _Gaira_, to furnish himself with fresh Water, he lost forty seven Men; for whilst they were filling their Casks, seven hundred of the Salvages came down upon them, and with their Poyson’d Arrows wounded and kill’d most of them. _Colmenares_ came in a good time to the remainder under _Ancisus_ Command, being in danger of death for want of Provisions, and finding the factions that were among them about Superiority, he thought it fit, consulting with some of the chiefest of them, to find out _Nicuesa_, who was indeed the Governor that had the Grant from the King: This agreed, _Colmenares_ went to search, and at last lighted upon him, building a Fortress against the assaults of the Enemies on the Promontory. _Mormor_, he was glad to find him, but griev’d to see the misery and hardship they endur’d, most of his Men being kill’d, partly by the excessive Heats, partly by Famine, and partly by the cruelty of the Natives, so that he had onely sixty remaining, and those many of them also sick and weak.

_Colmenares_ having deliver’d his Message, _Nicuesa_ broke up his Quarters, and sleighting the Fort, went with him, but both himself and his Men were oppos’d from Landing by _Nunnez_; wherefore _Nicuesa_ was necessitated to Steer for _Hispaniola_; whom, or what became of him was never known.

_Nunnez_ having thus quitted himself of _Nicuesa_, and now, more than ever, wanting Provision, he resolv’d to take out his own Commission at large, and setting up for himself, make no discrimination of Persons, _Spaniards_, or Natives, but to make out his Fortune.

And first, he fell upon _Careta_ King of _Coita_, whom he took Prisoner, Plundering him of all his Treasure and Provisions; yet this sufficed not long, for soon after, King _Poncha_ invading _Careta_, _Nunnez_ took hold of that opportunity, and pretending to assist _Careta_, being well recruited with his Forces, set upon _Poncha_, who immediately fled, and left all to the spoil of his Enemies.

[Sidenote: Remarkable Pallace of King _Comogrus_.]

This News so amaz’d _Comogrus_, another King, that he proffer’d Peace; whereupon _Nunnez_ going thither, was nobly entertain’d in his Palace, being one hundred and fifty Paces long, and eighty broad, the Floors Pav’d with Stone, and the Roofs Vaulted, his Cellars were stor’d with Wine, made of the Root _Jucca_, _Ages_, and _Mais_; the Privy-Chamber was hung round with dead bodies, Mummy’d artificially with Lent Fires, and were the Corpses of _Comogrus_ Ancestors, and others of the Royal Blood, and nearest Relations, of whom some dy’d at least four hundred years before; each of these fasten’d by Cordage made of Reeds, were Habited in Cotton, richly adorn’d with Pearls and Gold. Mean while, a Hurricane happening, terrible with Thunder and Lightning, and hideous Gusts, swell’d and so enrag’d the Sea, that breaking its bounds, over-running, drown’d the whole Champain; thus the hopes of a fruitful Harvest being utterly lost, they suffer’d under a great Famine.

[Sidenote: _Nunnez_ Exploits.]

The _Spaniards_ which Encamp’d near the River _Daria_, on _Uraba_, perceiving this, and knowing they had no manner of supply from _Hispaniola_, and having already Pillag’d the Neighboring Kings, that they had nothing left. _Nunnez_ marching thirty Leagues up the River, Plunder’d the Village, of which _Daibaiba_ was King, where he found an unvaluable quantity of Gold, but little or no Provision. Here were many Flitter Mice, or Bats, bigger than Turtle Doves, whose biting was mortal, unless immediately wash’d with Salt Water, according to the information of the Prisoners.

Now as _Nunnez Uraba_ Pillag’d towards the South, so did _Colmenares_, setting up also for himself, make prize of all, to the East with sixty Men, Rowing against the Stream up the River _Daria_, above twelve Leagues, where he found in several Villages and Hamlets, and at King _Turvi_’s Palace, abundance, both of Provision and Gold; from thence he March’d to the mighty Province _Abenamchei_, which though making some resistance, at last they subdu’d.

[Sidenote: A strange Pallace built on Trees.]

[Sidenote: Turning the low Land into a Sea.]

[Sidenote: A Plot on the _Spaniards_, strangely discover’d.]

And the neighboring King _Abibeiba_ narrowly escap’d the like fortune, whose Pallace was built on the tops of Trees, Plash’d, and Pleited together, Timber Beams lying athwart; necessity forcing them to choose such high Habitations, partly to avoid the Inundations of Rivers, swoln above their bounds by sudden and almost assiduous Showres from the Mountains; and partly, to be free from the excursions of sculking Robbers; also being better able to defend themselves in these Castles in the Air, and also secur’d by their heighth from their Shot, being above the reach of their _Indian_ Arrows: The bodies of the Trees downwards, upon which the Houses are built, are generally twenty four Fathom thick, so that they cannot easily be cut down, nor fired; but _Colmenares_ against these, as they suppos’d, impregnable Forts, having made a Gallery with several great Hurdles, set his Men to work under that safeguard, with Axes on the Tree whereon _Abibeiba_’s House stood, who seeing his imminent danger, wondring at this new manner of Storming, came down, promising to furnish him with Gold out of the neighboring Mountains, notwithstanding it would be with the danger of his Life; because the _Cannibals_ generally kill those that adventur’d to dig in the Mines: To this promise, _Colmenares_ hearken’d, and having set him at liberty, for the performance, he in stead thereof, on the contrary, stirr’d up, and joyn’d with all the Conquer’d Kings, to destroy him and his Men: Nor were they slack to have executed their design, five thousand of them being already drawn together at the Village _Tirichi_, the appointed place of Rendezvous, and so privately carry’d, that undoubtedly it had been effected, if not happily discover’d by this accident.