Part 12

_Nunnez_, amongst his other Slavesses, had one exceeding beautiful, on which he was much Enamour’d, and she likewise seem’d to bear as great an affection towards him, which she manifested, by declaring the secret to _Nunnez_ which her Brother had imparted to her, being an intended general Massacre the night following, that so she might the better make her escape the day before; yet so much she prefer’d the safety of her Lover, before the liberty of her Native Countrey, that she discover’d the Plot. _Nunnez_ not sleeping on this advice, on a sudden set so fiercely upon the Conspirators, that he utterly broke their design; yet the Feuds and Contests for Superiority still continu’d amongst them, which look’d with so bad a Face to the ruine of all, that news thereof arriving in _Spain_, it was judg’d fit to send for _Colmenares_, and _John Quicedo_ to the Court, there to render an account of all their Transactions, Both going Aboard a small Vessel, were by Storm driven on the Coast of _Cuba_, where they were inform’d from a Prisoner, that _Valdivia_ and _Zamudio_, driven ashore by Shipwrack, and not able to defend themselves, were surpriz’d by the Natives, kill’d and eaten; that _Fogeda_ driven up and down along the Coast, had lost most of his People by hunger, and other hardship, and himself with much ado getting to _Hispaniola_, dy’d as soon as Landed of the Wound which he receiv’d by a Poysonous Arrow, near the River _Daria_.

[Sidenote: _Ancisus_ Voyage.]

[Sidenote: A Temple dedicated to the Virgin _Mary_ on the Island _Cuba_.]

But much happier was _Ancisus_, who soon after _Fogeda_ coming to _Cuba_, found a King, who suffer’d himself to be Christen’d, and call’d _Commendator_; and building a Church, Consecrated it to the Virgin _Mary_; in it he erected an Image of Clay, resembling a Woman, which he clothed in a Cotton Garment; round about were plac’d Pots with Meat and Water, according to their old Idolatrous fashion, otherwise, they believ’d their Idols would devour the Souls of the Dead, and this, though Christians, they did not forget.

Nay further, when he went to War, he carry’d the Image of the Virgin _Mary_ with him in the Front of his Army, often saying, _Ave Maria_; and this was the end of that Voyage: But afterwards _Ancisus_ complain’d against _Vascus Nunnez_ in the _Spanish_ Court, where he receiv’d a Sentence very prejudicial to him. _Colmenares_ and _Quicedo_ had also Audience there, whereupon matters being settled, a firm Government was establish’d in _Uraba_.

SECT. VIII. Peter Arias _his Expedition, and remarkable Passages of_ Vascus Nunnez.

[Sidenote: _Nicuesa_ suffers hunger.]

_Peter Arias_ Knight, accompany’d with his Wife, _Elizabeth Boadilla_, set Sail _Anno 1514._ but surpriz’d by a violent Storm, lost two Ships, and return’d to _Spain_, yet not long after began his Voyage afresh, notwithstanding he had lately had such bad success, and heard of the great hardship which _Nicuesa_ suffer’d, having not onely kept himself alive a considerable time by feeding on flesh of Dogs, and other such like Creatures; a great Frog being sold in _Veragua_ for a lump of Gold.

[Sidenote: Dogs us’d in the Wars.]

[Sidenote: Sodomy horribly punish’d.]

[Sidenote: _Nunnez_ first discovers the South Sea.]

[Sidenote: Is in great danger on the South-Sea.]

But _Vaschus Nunnez_ inform’d of _Arias_ arrival, the chief Governor of _Uraba_, afterwards call’d _New Andaluzia_, minding to inrich himself before he should depose him, and hearing that several Gold Mines lay Southward from _Uraba_, march’d thither with a hundred and ninety Men, thorow great Rivers, Thickets, and Woods full of Wild Beasts, deep Vallies, and broad Rivers, not without many hazards and difficulties. In the Mountainous Territory _Quarequan_, the Inhabitants ingag’d him valiantly, with Bows, Arrows, Clubs, Woodden Swords, Pikes and Launces, but frighted with the meer report of their Musquets, like flocks of wild Fowl, dissipated and fled, but not so fast, but that six hundred of them fell by the hands of the _Spaniards_, or were worry’d by their Dogs, train’d up on purpose for the _American_ Wars. Soon after, coming into the Palace, there sate his Brother dress’d up in Womens Apparel, whom the King kept to abuse, as if a Concubine, whereof _Nunnez_ being inform’d, in detestation of Sodomy, set the Dogs upon him, who suddenly tore him in pieces. Amongst the slain were found several _Negroes_, which suffering Shipwrack had been cast on the _American_ Shore, and maintain’d a continual War with the _Quaraquanen_, so that it seem’d the _Blacks_ which were found dead amongst them were their Slaves: Yet _Nunnez_ was forc’d to leave a considerable number of his Men here, who being half starv’d, and quite tired out, were not able to follow him; but with the remaining party he march’d on, and at last came to the high Mountains, from whence he saw the great South-Sea, and going thither, was met by King _Chiapes_, leading an Army of thirty thousand Men, which great Body stood not long to make resistance, being terrifi’d with the Vollyes of Shot, whose Report the ecchoing Valleys presented to their Ears, double and trebble: And that which most amaz’d and disanimated them in the rout, were the Dogs, who fiercely pursu’d and seiz’d the flyers, tearing away great morsels of Flesh. After the Battel, the Conqueror proffer’d Peace, which was agreed on, upon the delivery of several great Presents of Gold. After that, _Chiapes_ the King, accompany’d with _Nunnez_ the _Spanish_ Commander, and March’d with him over a broad River to _Coquera_, where at first some Forces made resistance, but were routed; whereupon, they also suddenly struck up a Peace, upon conditions, that the Prince, nam’d also _Coquera_, should return him a great quantity of Gold. Here he found a handsome Bay running up in crooked Reaches, above sixty Leagues, which _Nunnez_ call’d St. _Michael_, being sprinkled with Islands, and treacherous with hidden Rocks. There _Nunnez_, (though disswaded by _Chiapes_, because he knew the South-Sea at that time being the three last Moneths of the Year, was exceeding turbulent, that no Vessel could hardly live in it, yet) ventur’d with nine _Indian_ Boats, and eighty Men from the Shore into the _Offin_; where, notwithstanding the high rolling of the Waves, he got to an uninhabited Island, on which, being necessitated to stay a night, the Tide flow’d so much, according to the property of the South-Sea, that the highest Ground thereon, lay almost cover’d with Water, every one of the _Spaniards_ having enough to do to save themselves from being wash’d away. Day approaching, discover’d a second inconveniency, for the _Indian_ _Canoos_ either were extremely Leaky, or else so shatter’d, that they were unfit for service; yet notwithstanding all this, they ventur’d to return, rather choosing to be devour’d in the Waves, than die of that hunger, whose misery they had sufficiently tasted, during the small time they had been out. Not long after, _Nunnez_ Conquer’d the King _Tamaccus_ in a Field Battel, who thereupon purchas’d his Peace with great Presents of Gold and Pearl. He also shew’d the _Spaniards_ an Island, whose spiring tops were seen from the Main Land, which so abounded in Pearls, that in no place were either more or fairer to be found: But the King who liv’d on it was exceeding powerful.

[Illustration]

[Sidenote: Manner of Fishing for Pearls.]

_Nunnez_ immediately resolv’d to Sail thither, notwithstanding it was the middle of _October_, when the South-East Winds make such a turbulent and hollow Sea, as many times wash’d away Trees and pieces of Rocks: Besides, the Weather was more terrible, by continual Lightning and great Thunder-Claps; the Nights very cold, the Days exceeding hot; yet all these difficulties could not prevail, for _Nunnez_ would not stay to expect fairer Weather, but went on, and coming thither, he saw how the _Indians_ Fish for Pearls, which was Diving for Oysters; but the Weather being rough and foul, they durst not venture for the best which lay far from the Shore.

[Sidenote: _Nunnez_ returns.]

But _Nunnez_ leaving his sick and weary’d Men with _Chiapes_, March’d quite another way back than he came; and crossing a great River, was receiv’d by Prince _Teaocha_, who furnish’d him with Gold, Pearls, Provisions, and Guides, which carry’d his Luggage and Goods.

[Sidenote: _Pacra_ a tyrannous King, his horrible death.]

_Pacra_, a great Oppressor of all his Neighbors, hearing of the approach of _Nunnez_, fled, but terrifi’d with threats, return’d with three other Princes, which were all so Deform’d, that more horrible Monsters were never seen, scarce any part about them resembling those of a Man: The Guides which _Teaocha_ had provided for the _Spaniard_ desir’d that he might be put to Death, for the Cruelties which he had long committed; whose Request being granted, he with the other three Princes, were given as a Breakfast to the _Spanish_ Doggs. Mean while, the _Spaniards_ were in danger to have perish’d for want of Water; yet at last, in a Thicket of Brambles, they found a small Brook, but none of the _Indians_ durst venture to go to it, for fear of Tygers, and other Wild Beasts; relating, That the Tygers took many people in the nights out of their Huts, if they were not careful in making fast their Doors.

[Sidenote: Strange relations of a Tyger.]

_John Ledesma_ had himself eaten part of a Tyger, which for six Moneths together, had every night feasted on Mans flesh, or Beasts, which they caught in this manner: In the Path along which he pass’d, coming out of his Den to seek for Prey, a deep Pit was digg’d, and cover’d very sleightly on the top, into which the Tyger fell; yet though taken, so fiercely withstood the Pikes, Darts, and Stones thrown at him, that every one was amaz’d to see the fury of the Beast. After that they sought for the Female, but found onely two young ones without a Dam, which taking along with them, they put Iron Collars about their Necks, intending to carry them to _Spain_; but seeing no likelyhood of breeding them up, they brought them back again, purposing to fetch them away when grown somewhat older, and accordingly coming afterwards to look for them, they found the Den empty, so that it was supposed they had been devour’d by their Dam.

[Sidenote: _Nunnez_ further Journey into the Countrey, very remarkable.]

In the Province of _Bononiama_, the _Spaniards_ inrich’d themselves with Chains, and Breast-Plates of Gold, which in great plenty hung on the Walls in every House: At the River _Comogrus_, they discharg’d _Teaocha_’s Guides, and made use of _Cotog_ and _Ciuriza_, two Governors of a barren Tract of Land, full of Hills and Mountains, which they left on their right Hand, and wandred three days over a _Morasse_, in which they often sunk to their Knees.

In all these Travels, Victual was so scarce that they were much weaken’d by their wants; and though they took fresh courage when they got footing on King _Buchebua_’s Jurisdiction, yet they found nothing but empty Huts; and the like in the Countrey of _Chiorisus_, both having a little before been pillag’d by their more powerful neighboring Enemies. But although they could not furnish _Nunnez_ with Provisions, they presented him with weighty Ingots of Gold: but this rich Metal not able to purchase the least morsel of Bread, drove them into a great strait; and indeed they had without doubt been all famished, had not _Pocchorosa_, another King, fed them forty days together with stamp’d Roots. Thus refresh’d, and instigated by _Pocchorosa_, they broke by night in _Tubunama_’s Palace, and took him Prisoner with eighty Concubines, who fearing to be put to death, gave an incredible Treasure of Gold to purchase his Ransom.

_Nunnez_ thus enriched came at last to his People which he had left on the River _Daria_, where two Ships sent from _Hispaniola_ rode at an Anchor.

[Sidenote: _Peter Arias_ his Voyage, and Fight in the Haven _St. Martha_.]

Whilst things were thus carry’d in _America_, _Peter Arias_ Sail’d with fifteen Ships, Mann’d with fifteen hundred Men, to _New Andalusia_, by the Islands _Martinina_, _Guadalupe_, and _Galanta_, all in _America_: a considerable time he Sail’d through the Sea overgrown with Weeds. Afterwards anchoring in the Haven _St. Martha_, he receiv’d a great repulse from the Natives, who no ways daunted at the bigness of the Ships, waded up to their Breasts in the Sea, and shot many great flights of poisonous Arrows at the _Spaniards_, or whom two being wounded immediately died. _Arias_ sending some of his Men ashore, they found many Boats lying full of Nets, made of tough Weeds, and Ropes pleited of Rushes.

In the Haven _St. Martha_, being three Leagues wide, are abundance of Fish, which may be seen under Water twenty Fathom deep.

But now the _Spaniards_ that were ashore breaking into the Houses, and taking Women and Children Prisoners, the _Americans_ prepar’d for another Fight, which at the beginning was very fierce; but at last they were forc’d to quit the Field.

[Sidenote: Strange Houses and Houshold-stuff.]

Their Houses and Furniture in them are worthy of observation: their Cielings being cover’d with Shells strung on small Thred, which make a pleasing noise, when mov’d by the least breath of Wind. The Walls are hung with fine Stuffs, woven full of Imagery, as Cranes, Lyons, Tygers, and some Figures of Men; the Floors are cover’d with parti-colour’d Mats, made of Sea-Reeds, and several tough Roots; and their Carpets beset with Pearl add also a great beauty to their Rooms.

In the Valleys the _Spaniards_ found several precious Jems, as Saphires, Jasper, Emeralds, and great pieces of Amber, and in some Huts, Baskets, and Chests full of dry’d Locusts, and Crabs.

Here also grows the Root _Yuca_, as also on several other _West-Indian_ Coasts, of which they make their best Bread, and is call’d in _Hispaniola_ and _Angola_, _Yuca_; by the _Brasilians_, _Mandiba_ and _Mandihoka_; by the _Mexicans_, _Quauhcamotli_: it grows with a thick or midling Body, according to the fruitfulness or barrenness of the Soil; the Leaves are like those of a Tulip, and have small Flowers and Seed, but no ways useful; the Root, not unlike Horse-Raddish, hath a milky Juice, which swells it exceedingly; the Sprigs, which in the eighth and tenth Moneth shoot out of the Root, serve for new Plants; and if at any time it happen, that either by a moist Season, or by Worms, or Pismires, the Plant is spoil’d, then it occasions such an inconvenience amongst the Inhabitants, that half of them in that year die of Famine.

[Sidenote: What use the _Americans_ make of the Root _Mandihoka_.]

The Leaves of the _Mandihoka_ serve them for Sallads. Out of the Root, which they lay soaking five days in Water, they make Meal, which the _Portuguese_ call _Farina fresca_, but the _Americans_, _Vipeba_. Moreover, _Mandihoka_ serves them to make Bread, which they bake over the Fire; and mix’d with Water, Pepper, and the Flour _Nhambi_, makes an excellent Pudding, by them call’d _Mingaude Carima_, no less pleasing to the taste than wholsom Food: and with Orange-Flour, Water, and Sugar, it makes that excellent Julep _Tipioca_. The Powder of _Mandihoka_ put into a Wound, cures very speedily. It is very pleasant to see the _Americans_ eat this Bread; for they toss it by handfuls at a pretty distance from their Mouthes without letting fall the least Crum. Lastly, it requires great art and trouble to make the _Mandihoka_ fit for Bread: first they must peel off the Shell, then put into a Mill turn’d by two _Indians_ it falls, being Ground, into a square Trough. The Juice proceeding from it is mortal, if eaten when raw, but wholsom if boil’d: the Meal they put in a Press, and when all the moisture is drawn from it, they strow it in an Oven to dry. But the wild _Mandihoka_, by those that live on the Sea-shore call’d _Cuacu Mandiiba_, and up in the Countrey, _Cuquacucuremia_, differs both in shape and goodness from the first.

[Illustration]

[Sidenote: _Arias_’s Exploits in _New Andalusia_.]

But to return to our matter: _Arias_ coming to an Anchor in the River _Daria_, was cheerfully receiv’d by _Nunnez_; his first Business which he undertook was the building of three Forts, to secure the Passages to the _South Sea_; to which purpose _Joannes Aiora_ received the Command over four hundred Workmen. Moreover, _Arias_ took great dislike in the Place call’d _Maria Antiqua_, which the _Spaniards_ were forc’d by necessity first to Plant in: it lay in a deep Valley between high Mountains, so that it not onely wanted the benefit of the rising and setting of the Sun, but when in or near the Meridian, it shin’d down upon them, and scorch’d all their Plants, and the tepifi’d Morassy Grounds about the same infected the Air, and the Water which they took up to wash their Houses, immediately bred Frogs, the River _Daria_ overflow’d the Grounds with his muddy Water three Leagues distance from the Sea; the Passage thither also was very troublesom, because of the uneven Ways; and besides, the Tygers and Lyons devour’d many People and Cattel.

[Sidenote: A strange Accident.]

The first Night that _Arias_ lay in _Maria Antiqua_, the House wherein his Chirurgion Lodg’d was fir’d with Lightning, who running out with his Wife, being both scorched by the Flames, saw a very great Crocodile, which snatching up his Dog ran away with him towards the River.

[Sidenote: Remarkable Trees.]

The neighboring Territory _Coiba_ produced Trees, whose Timber us’d for Shipping never breeds Worms, because of its acerbity; whereas on the contrary, all other Vessels in that Countrey are very subject to that inconvenience. Here also grow those famous Plague-Trees, whose very Leaves, if but falling upon one, are like Gods Arrows, mortal, and immediately kill, unless the Place whereon they light be straightway anointed with fasting Spittle: and the _Coibensers_ say, that they know another poysonous Wood, which they use to destroy their Enemies withall.

[Sidenote: Remarkable Journey of _Moralis_ to the _South Sea_.]

Whilst _Arias_ was consulting about the beforemention’d Affairs, he sent several Comanders to divers Places, to take a survey, and give him an account of their Return of all their Discoveries. Amongst others _Gasper Moralis_ was order’d to march towards the _South Sea_, to confirm the Peace which _Nunnez_ had begun with the Kings _Chiapes_ and _Tumaccus_; and chiefly to go to the Pearl-Island with sixty Men, which _Nunnez_ was forc’d to leave, being stress’d by tempestuous Weather. _Chiapes_ and _Tumaccus_ were according to their promise, to prepare an Army ready for his assistance against his coming; which indeed they perform’d, so that they wanted nothing but Vessels, for the biggest of theirs could not carry above three or four Men; yet they undertaking their Enterprise, Landed seventy Men on the Island; upon which the Inhabitants under their Kings Conduct ran to meet the new Landed Forces, and crying out aloud _Guazzavara_, _Guazzavara_, they ran in amongst the Musqueteers with their woodden Swords; but the report of the Guns, mix’d with Fire, Smoak, and Bullets, soon amaz’d them: the King flying, thought by alarm to raise all the Islanders; but they being inform’d, that no People whatsoever could withstand the fire-spitting People, made Articles of agreement with _Moralis_, and Condition’d to deliver a hundred pound weight of the choicest Pearls to the use of the King of _Castile_; and as a testimony of his Friendship he was Christen’d _Peter Arias_, from the Governors Name of _New Andalusia_.

[Sidenote: Strange Pearl.]

How great the Treasure was which _Moralis_ brought from the Pearl Island may appear by one of the Pearls, for which Pope _Leo_ the tenth gave forty four thousand _Ducats_ to a _Venetian_ Merchant.

[Sidenote: _Solisius_ his miserable end.]

Amongst the Commanders which were sent out by _Arias_, was also _Johannes Solisius_, who Sailing six hundred Leagues Southerly, along the Coast of the _Caribbies_, beyond _Cape St. Augustine_, he found the Inhabitants of _Pernambuck_ to be no less cruel than subtile; for being invited ashore, he with some of his Men Row’d thither, where no sooner Landing, but were all kill’d and eaten in the sight of the other Sea-men aboard; at which being amaz’d they weighed Anchor, and Sail’d away, Freighted onely with _Brasile_ Wood, to _Cadiz_.

Also in an unhappy hour did _Johannes Pontæus_ put some of his Laundresses ashore on the Island _Guadalupa_, to wash some Linnen for him; for the Islanders coming on a sudden out of the Woods surpriz’d them, and forthwith killing without mercy, cut them in pieces, and carbonadoing, eat their broil’d Flesh hot from the Coals, while _Gonsalus Badajocius_ Sail’d with eighty Men Westerly, and having gone sixty Leagues he went ashore, and spent some days in vain, to Court the _Americans_ to a friendly correspondency; which whilst he was doing, he was recruited with fifty Men from _Daria_, Commanded by _Lodowick Mercado_: so both agreed together to travel over the Mountains to the _South Sea_.

[Sidenote: Strange Slaves.]

[Sidenote: Great Booty.]

The Governor _Juana_, whose Jurisdictions abound in Gold, flying with most part of his Treasure, was never heard of, onely they took some of his Slaves, whose Faces were strangely Carv’d with sharp Fish-bones, the Wounds fill’d with red and black Powder, which so discolour’d the Flesh that it could never be got out. After that they travell’d through the Wilderness five days together, being onely met by some _Indians_ carrying _Maiz_, who signifi’d to them, that King _Periguete_ liv’d along the Sea-shore, and up into the Countrey the blind _Totonoga_; of both which they got an unvaluable Treasure of Gold. Amongst other Pieces of that rich Metal was one which weighed two pound.

_Taracura_ rais’d in this Expedition eighteen thousand weight of Gold: and little less did they take out of the Territories belonging to the Princes _Pananome_, _Tabor_, _Cheru_, and _Scoria_: The Prisoners serv’d them in stead of Horses, they not being able to carry all the Gold themselves, the meanest Soldier having above three thousand Pounds _Sterling_ for his share.

[Sidenote: Destruction of the _Spaniards_.]

They were now got to _Panza_’s Kingdom, not without leaving sad remarks, of their avarice and cruelties. When _Pariza_ surrounding this Party thus loaden with Gold, Charged so fiercely, that at the first Assault seventy of them were slain; those few that escap’d brought the tidings of their sad misfortune to _Peter Arias_. Amongst those that escaping return’d, was _Franciscus Delapuente_, whose observations concerning catching Parrots and wild Fowl, we will briefly relate, the digression being but short.

[Sidenote: A strange way to catch Parrots.]

The _Indian_ where the Parrots are most frequent climbs into a Tree, and chattering like them, with his Voice imitating their Notes, allures his fellow-prater to draw near, and suffer him to take them in his Hands. But more belongs to the taking of wild Fowl, as Geese, Ducks, Swans, and the like: From the bottom of their standing Pools and Lakes in that Countrey grow Weeds, which spreading upon the Water ripen, and rotting breed Water-Flies, Spiders, and Frogs, upon which the Fowls feed. Near these Pools in the Gardens grow Cabbages as high as Trees, which often dropping into the Water serve the Birds both for Nests and Food: but the skilful Fowler finds it his best way to take one of these Cabbages, and making it hollow in the middle, claps it on his Head like a Helmet, then going into the Water up to his Chin, and passing softly along in such manner, that nothing is seen but the floating Cabbage, and coming near the Birds, he takes them one after another by the Legs, and puts them into a Bag ty’d about his middle for that purpose.

[Sidenote: Strange Bird _Toucan_.]