Part 13

But what is more worthy observation is the _American_ Bird _Toucan Xochitenachate_, having a fleshy Bill, like a Mouth full of Teeth, which continually opens and shuts to draw Breath, having no Nostrils; the Back, Neck, and Wings, are black, the Breast yellow like Gold, the Belly and end of the Tail of a Vermillion colour.

[Sidenote: Evacuated Pepper.]

This Bird _Toucan_ feeds for the most part on Pepper, which tarries not long with them, but muted almost as soon as swallowed: which Pepper thus evacuated the Natives value above their common, because the unpleasing sharp acidity, or biting quality is thereby much mitigated.

But to return: Whilst the Expeditions under the Command of _Peter Arias_ had such bad success, _Arias_ himself and _Vaschus Nunnez_ hapned to clash: _Nun__nez_, who since his discovery of the _South Sea_ was held in some repute at the _Spanish_ Court, had built four Ships on the Shore of the same Ocean, to make farther inspections along the Coasts thereof: but being commanded to come to _Arias_ the Governor, he was committed to Prison, and accused of high Treason, as if he had intentions to settle himself in _Peru_, and absolutely to have left _Daria_: all which though he disown’d, and utterly deni’d with great protestations when brought to a Trial, and no witness to affirm the contrary, yet was by _Arias_’s special Order Beheaded.

Not long after which _Lupus Sosa_, Governor of the _Canary_ Islands, was sent to succeed _Arias_ in _New Andalusia_.

SECT. IX. _The Expeditions of_ Francisco Fernandez, Lupus Caizedus, Christophero Morantes, Bernardo Igniguez, _and_ Juan Grisalva.

[Sidenote: Original of the Name _Jucatan_.]

_Fernandez_, _Caizedus_, and _Morantes_, antient Planters in _Cuba_, obtain’d a Licence from the Governor _Diego Velasques_, to Rig out three Ships with a hundred and ten Men to discover new Lands. _Velasques_ thought fit to add one more to their number upon the Kings account; which Trust he committed to _Igniguez_: all of them consulted with the experienc’d Navigator _Antonio Alamines_. Six days the Fleet had been at Sea, when they discover’d Land, which by a mistake was call’d _Jucatan_, because the Inhabitants being ask’d what was the Name of the Coast, answer’d _Jucatan_; which, as the _Spaniards_ were afterwards inform’d, signifi’d, _We understand you not_.

[Sidenote: Stately City.]

Upon the Shore they found a City, whose Stone Buildings, with stately Fronts and high Turrets, shew’d most magnificently. _Fernandez_ call’d this City for its wonderful bigness, _Cairo_, from the _Egyptian_ Metropolis, famous through the World.

[Sidenote: _Campechium_ a City.]

[Sidenote: Remarkable Images, and strange Stage.]

The _Spaniards_ coming to Land were courteously receiv’d, and conducted into the City; the neatness of whose Market-places, and exactness of their Streets, they beheld with admiration; as also the costly Stuff Garments both of Men and Women: but their wonder increas’d when they beheld very artificial Crosses, concerning which upon inquiry they related, That a Man more glorious than the Sun, being busie in erecting the Crosses, died. But these People, though so courteous and civil at first, seem’d in few days to be weary of their company; which the _Spaniards_ observing sounded a Retreat, and Sailing Westerly, proceeded on their intended Design, and soon after anchor’d before _Campechium_; the King of which conducted _Fernandez_ and _Morantes_, with some others, into the City, consisting of three thousand Houses. In his Palace they were entertain’d with all manner of Fowl roasted: After which refreshment they survey’d the City; in which, amongst other curious Buildings, was a high, but square Theatre of Marble, on which stood the Image of a Man, on all corners assaulted by four wild Beasts, which were of a no less strange than horrible shape. Not far from this Image they saw a Serpent fashion’d up of Chalk and little Stones, whose coyl’d up Tail was forty seven Foot long, and of a proportionable thickness. This Serpent, sprinkled with Mens Blood yet warm, seem’d to prey upon a Marble Lyon: both these were inclos’d with a Stone Rail, within which Malefactors were daily executed. Bloody Bows and Arrows broke in small pieces lay between the Bones and dead Bodies. _Igniguez_ call’d the King _Lazarus_, because he discover’d his Countrey on _St. Lazarus_’s Day.

[Illustration]

[Sidenote: _Moscobo_ a City.]

[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ slain.]

[Sidenote: Mighty Island _Cosumella_.]

Making no long stay here, they return’d to their Ship, and weighing Anchor Sail’d fifty Leagues more Westerly, the Fleet got sight of _Moscobo_, in the Territory _Aguanil_, whose King assaulted the _Spaniards_ with so much fury, that two and twenty of them were slain, and scarce one escap’d which was not wounded: wherefore they return’d with bad success to _Cuba_. Yet _Velasques_ no ways discourag’d thereat, not long after fitted out four Vessels, Manning them with three hundred Men under the Command of _Juan Grisalva_ and _Alamines_; who having Sail’d seventy Leagues, discover’d the fruitful Island _Cosumella_; along whose Shore stood fair Stone Edifices, intermix’d with Temples, whose Steeples appear’d above the Houses. _Grisalva_ being led up into one of these Steeples by a Priest, saw at a distance off at Sea the Territory _Jucatan_: and in the Place where they were, there were spacious Halls, full of Marble and Stone Images of deformed Men and Beasts, which with a murmuring noise, and burning of incense they religiously worship. The _Spaniards_ call’d this Island _Sancta Cruz_.

[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ fight with the _Campechiums_.]

Sailing from hence they directed their Course to _Campechium_, where the year before they had been so civilly treated; where arriving, and without any fear coming ashore, they found the _Campechiums_ quite of another humor than they were the former year, telling them, They would not suffer any Strangers to be amongst them; and placing a burning Torch between theirs and the _Spanish_ Forces, threatned, That if they did not depart in quiet, they would force them: which accordingly they endeavor’d, making a fierce Onset upon the _Spaniards_; who being now come under their Battlements, when they saw their advantage, pour’d what they had kept as a reserve, whole Volleys of small Shot amongst them; which struck so much terror, that they all ran away, shifting for themselves, and crowding into the City.

The _Spaniards_ found afterwards _Jucatan_ to be but a _Peninsula_, and came before a River which fell with so strong a Current into the _Mexican Sea_, that it retain’d its sweetness for the space of two Leagues.

[Illustration]

[Sidenote: Strange passages on _Tabasco_.]

This River, flowing out of the Province _Tabasco_, was call’d _Grisalva_: upon whose Banks stood above six thousand _Americans_; and in the Water appear’d a hundred Boats with Armed Men, which Row’d aboard the _Spanish_ Ships. The Interpreters of _Cuba_, whose Language agrees for the most part with the _Tabascers_, prevail’d so much, that the King himself came to the chief Commander _Grisalva_, and bartering with him, gave him as much Gold as his Iron Helmet, Breastplate, and other Armor weighed.

[Sidenote: _Sacrifice Island._]

Soon after they Landed on the _Island of Sacrifice_, so call’d from the horrid Sacrifices which the Inhabitants made daily.

[Sidenote: Exceeding horrible Sacrifices.]

Amongst other strange Images, there flood a great Lyon of Marble, seeming almost decollated with a great gash; into which Wound they pour’d humane Blood warm, which was receiv’d into a Stone Trough set for that purpose underneath; then the Figure of a Man Carv’d in Alabaster, bowing forward, as if looking into the Trough upon the Blood. Those which were sacrificed were Prisoners taken on the neighboring Coasts, whom bringing before their Idols, they ripping open make no farther inspection, but onely to whip out the Heart; with which having smear’d the Lips of their Idols, they throw it into the Fire: the Heads and Corps they let lie unburi’d; whose fleshy parts, especially their Cheeks, they feast upon.

[Sidenote: _Maiden-Island._]

The next Island is inhabited by Women; to which Annually their Neighbors go, pretending merry kindness, but upon amorous inclinations: and Plough and Till their Ground, and Weed their Gardens.

[Sidenote: _Pontenchianum_ a City.]

The chief City of _Tabasco_ is _Pontenchianum_, and contains above fifteen hundred Houses, all built of Stone hardned with baking after their manner; which in some Places, besides their Turrets and Temples, yield a pleasant Prospect at a great distance. Fourteen eminent Towns more did the _Spaniards_ also see in _Tabasco_.

[Sidenote: Strange making of Obligations.]

When in conversing with them they observ’d their strange manner of Sealing their Bargains and Contracts one with another, they were amaz’d, for not using Wax, they usually Seal’d their Compacts with their own Blood, commonly drawn with a Stone Knife, either from their Tongue, Hand, or Arms.

Their Priests live single, and if found to be Unchast, are punisht with Death. An Adulteress is sold for a Slave: Unmarry’d People may not frequently converse with Marry’d: Thirty five days in the year makes their _Lent_, in which they abstain not onely from Flesh, but Fish also, feeding onely upon Roots and Herbs. In this place the _Spaniards_ were receiv’d in great state, Canopy’d with green Palm-Tree-Branches, and in like manner conducted aboard again, not without many Presents, _viz._ the Effigies of a Man curiously wrought in Gold, wherewith they return’d to _Cuba_.

SECT. IXA. _The Expedition of_ Ferdinand Magaglian, _commonly call’d_ Magellane.

[Sidenote: Bishop _Casis_ sad effect concerning the Pearl catching.]

The Bishop _Bartholomew de Casis_, living a considerable time in _Hispaniola_, in the City _Dominico_, being inform’d of the abundance of Pearls which were caught before _Cubagua_, and the unsupportable cruelty of the _Spaniards_ there under _Ocampus_, us’d against the Inhabitants, went to _Spain_, with a design to obtain of the Emperor _Charles the Fifth_, the Government over _Cumana_ and _Cubagua_, under pretence, to draw the ignorant Natives from their Idolatry, to _Christianity_; which his request was especially promoted by _William_ of _Nassaw_, the Emperors prime Favorite; so that having his Letters Patents granted to that purpose, he took Ship, and arriv’d with three hundred _Spanish_ Gentlemen of Quality in _Cumana_: And that they might have the greater respect shown to them there, they had each a Red Cross given them, such as the Knights of _Calatrava_ generally wear. Yet little did _Ocampus_, the old Governor of _Cumana_, regard either them or their Authority; for in stead of receiving and submitting, he kept the Bishop _de Casis_ out by force of Arms; who then made complaint to the _Vice-Roy_ of the _West-Indies_ in _Hispaniola_, and in the mean time, put his _Cargo_ into a new Store-house.

But whilst he made his Addresses, _Ocampus_ having sufficiently inrich’d himself departed, which incourag’d the _Cumaners_, who already were incens’d, and weary of their former sufferings, to venture on a design, whereby they might revenge themselves of the _Spaniards_, which their undertaking prov’d so successful, that very few escap’d the Massacre: Of which, _de Casis_ being inform’d, and much discontented thereat, betook himself to a _Dominican_ Cloyster in _Hispaniola_.

[Sidenote: Cruelty of _Castellio_ in _Cumana_.]

Yet not long after, the _Cumaners_ paid dear for that slaughter, for one _Castellio_, though not without several Engagements, with various success, lasting forty days together, having at last utterly vanquish’d them, put to an ignominious Death, Hanging up seventy of their Princes, and to them of meaner quality, shewing as little mercy.

[Sidenote: _Lampagnano_ discontented.]

As little success had _Lodowick Lampagnano_, sent out by some _Spanish_ Merchants, with Letters Patents from the Emperor to Fish for Pearl, before the same _Cubagua_; to which purpose he carry’d peculiar Nets and other necessaries with him. But the _Cubaguan Spaniards_ unanimously withstood him; so that not being able to effect his design, overpower’d with a Melancholly Distemper that broke his Heart, he dy’d.

[Sidenote: _Magellanus_ Expedition, how it happen’d.]

In the interim, while these scarce considerable Voyages turn’d to so small account, _Ferdinand Magaglianus_ (for so _Peter Martyr_ calls him, and not _Magellanus_, which herein deserves to be credited, because they were intimately acquainted, and great friendship between them,) undertook to Sail round about the World; the occasion of which we will here relate at large:

This _Magaglianus_, or _Magellanus_, a Gentleman of _Portugal_, having perform’d things of great importance for his King, in _Africa_, although with no less trouble than Charge, desir’d an addition of half a Ducket a Moneth added to his Annual Pension; an inconsiderable Sum to make a Request for, yet though so little, was as niggardly deny’d: Whereupon, highly incensed, he study’d no little revenge; to which effect, soon after an opportunity was presented, by means of _Franciscus Serranus_, who writ from _Ternata_ to him, that he should speedily come thither, which he soon after did upon this account:

[Sidenote: Strange Giant.]

Pope _Alexander_ the Sixth, having fixt Terminaries between the Kings of _Castile_ and _Portugal_, both busie at that time in discovering new Countreys, Order’d, That _Castile_ should possess all the Coasts lying to the West of the chief _Meridian_, and _Portugal_ to the East: By vertue of this partition, the rich Spicy _Molucca_ Islands fell absolutely to the _Portuguese_: Now _Magellanus_ perswaded _Charles the Fifth_, that they might be Sail’d to with a Westerly Course, and therefore belong’d to _Castile_; Which advice, _Charles the Fifth_ considering, and approving, Rigg’d out five Ships, with which _Magellanus_ set Sail from _Sevil_, the tenth of _August, Anno 1519._ five Moneths he ply’d up and down the Coast inhabited by the _Patagones_, where he found none but one single Person, or rather a Monster, a Giant ten Foot high, who coming Aboard his Ship, devour’d a great Hamper full of Biskets, and at one Draught drunk up nine Pottels of Water. He also saw several Trees which had been Hew’n with Axes, and Crosses made on the tops of them. Whilst he lay in that Harbor, which was call’d _St. Julian_, he Cashier’d his Vice-Admiral, _John Carthagena_, with his Father Confessor, and sparing their lives, set them ashore, and there left them to seek their Fortunes, though they had Conspir’d to Murther him.

[Sidenote: _Straights_ of _Magellan_, how found.]

_Magellanus_ from thence Sailing afterwards Southerly along _America_, to forty two Degrees Southern Latitude, was engag’d with the eddyings of a very strong Current, which driving one of the Ships into a Bay, split against a blind Rock, but the Men being sav’d in their Boat, were driven farther and farther into a Channel, between high and Snowy Mountains; whereupon he immediately judg’d (as the famous Negromancer _Roderick Talerus_ had often told him) that there was the Passage, through which the Northern Ocean flow’d into the Southern; wherefore he resolutely adventur’d to Sail into those _Sraights_, which in some places narrow, and in others broad, is an hundred and twenty Leagues long, and full of small Isles and dangerous Rocks. Whilst he still Sail’d on, the Ship call’d _Antonio_, Tacking about, return’d to _Cadiz_.

But _Magellanus_ enter’d the great South-Sea with three Sail, on the 25. of _October_, where the Sea-men suffer’d extremely by excessive Heat, Drought, and Famine, three Moneths and twenty Days, without sight of Land: And now, their Shooes, and the Leather which cover’d their Shields, began also to grow scarce (which before had been counted a Dainty) when they discover’d two Islands lying two hundred Leagues distance one from another, yet both Desolate and Barren, wherefore they were call’d the _Unfortunate Isles_: After that, they came amongst a great number of Islands, whose Inhabitants were much inclin’d to Thievery; for which cause they Denominated them _Ladrones_, the chiefest Island call’d _Borneo_, hath two hundred fifty four Leagues in Circumference, whereon a Tree grows, whose Leaves when faln off, seem to be alive and creep like Worms. The King of this Island entertain’d the _Spaniards_ very courteously, two Elephants bringing his Presents to them on the Shore, out of a City consisting of twenty thousand Houses.

[Sidenote: _Magellanus_ slain.]

[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ murdered.]

[Sidenote: An end of the Voyage about the world.]

Near _Borneo_ are two lesser Islands, call’d, _Zubo_ and _Matan_; The King of _Zubo_ freely submitted himself to the _Spaniards_, and _Magellanus_ leaving his Fleet at Anchor in the Haven, went with his own and other _Indian_ Boats, and attended with some of the _Zubensers_ to _Matan_, where setting a Village on Fire, he carry’d great Riches from thence: This not satisfying, he resolv’d within eight days to set upon the Royal Head-City; but the King in his own Defence, Encountering with _Magellanus_, slew him, and seven _Spaniards_ more, besides twenty two dangerously wounded; those which escap’d by flight, got to _Zubo_, where being invited to Dinner by the King, they were all of them (in stead of a second Course) Murther’d at Table. The occasion of this was out of Revenge, because the _Spaniards_ had fall’n too foul upon their Women and Maids, Devirginating, and forcing them to their Pleasure, than which rudeness nothing was among them more Detestable. The Sea-men weakned by these Misfortunes, were necessitated to burn their third Ship, call’d, _St. Jago_; but Sailing to the _Molucco_ Islands with the other two, they Freighted them both with Cloves; with which the Ship _Trinitas_ Sail’d to _New-Spain_ through the South-Sea, and the _Victoria_, Commanded by _John Sebastian de Lano_ went the same way which the _Portuguese_ us’d, and so to St. _Lucar de Barrameda_, near _Sivile_, where he came to Anchor with his Ship and eighteen Men.

SECT. X. Ferdinando Cortez _his Voyage_.

[Sidenote: _Sottus_ cruelty.]

Although several Expeditions of the _Spaniards_ to _America_ prov’d very unsuccessful at the first, yet they still undertook them afresh, and with renewing Courage: _Ferdinando Sottus_, though he Landed five hundred Men in _Florida_, yet brought no Treasure from thence, onely he cut off the Hands of fifteen Princes, because they would not discover their Mines of Gold.

[Sidenote: Miserable end of _Narvaez_.]

Yet far worse success had _Pamphilus Narvaez_, who lost both his Fleet and Men, saving onely ten out of six hundred, in the River _Palma_, and they also afterwards dy’d there, or eat one another to satisfie their raging Hunger.

[Sidenote: _Cortez_ his Voyage.]

[Sidenote: Remarkable delivery.]

But much better was the fortune of _Ferdinando Cortez_, Sailing from _Spain_ to _America_, in the Year 1519. who having the Command given him over ten stout Ships, and three Frigats with five hundred Foot, and an additional Force of sixteen Horse, rais’d by the new _Spanish_ Inhabitants on Cuba; with which Forces Landing on the Island _Cozumella_, he prohibited Humane Sacrifice to their Idols, and Erected a Cross with the Image of the Virgin _Mary_, in one of their Temples, and releas’d _Hieronimus Aquilaris_, after a seven years Slavery, having suffer’d Shipwrack with _Valdivia_; at which time some that sav’d themselves in the Boat, were by the Current in thirty days driven to _Jucatan_, in which time seven dy’d of Hunger; the rest going ashore, were no sooner Landed, but Sacrific’d by the Natives to their Gods or _Zemes_. Among the six that remain’d, yet left alive, and to be offer’d after the same manner the next day, was this _Aquilaris_, who with his Companions, breaking Prison, in the following night fled to a Neighboring Prince their Enemy, and one that maintain’d a continual War against these _Cannibals_.

[Sidenote: Strange Battel.]

[Sidenote: _Potanchanum_, a City.]

[Sidenote: _Colvacan_ Books, of what fashion, as also their Temples.]

Here _Cortez_ sent Articles of Peace to _Taxmarus_ the King of the Countrey, but he sleighting his proffer, came down upon him into the Field with forty thousand Men, drawn from the City _Potanchanum_, which contain’d above twenty thousand Houses, all built of Stone: And indeed the _Spaniards_ had here seen their last day, had not _Cortez_ drawn by a seeming advantage the Enemies under his Canon, and sent his small Party of Horse to attend the motion of the Rear; when so soon as they had fir’d their Canon, making great Execution, the Front routed, and the Rear terrifi’d with the noise and smoke of the Guns, they also broke, being at the same instant Charg’d with the Horse, which were so terrible to them that never saw Horses, nor such Service on Horseback before, that in a short time the whole Body of so great an Army was utterly dissipated, and the triumphing Conquerors took possession of the empty City _Potanchanum_, where Solacing, they staid a whole Moneth. Then from hence they Sail’d to _Colvaca_, where, upon the request of the Natives, they settled a Colony. Amongst the Presents which were there given to the _Spaniards_, were some of their own Volumes, Books, whose Leaves were made of the innermost Rind of a Tree, and a kind of Paste, made of their Meal, glew’d together; the Characters stood at some distance one after another, rang’d like our _Christ-Cross Row_, or _A_, _B_, _C_.

Here _Cortez_ was amaz’d to behold their stately Temples, the Floors whereof were cover’d with Embroyder’d Tapestry, beset with Precious Stones, to which great multitudes flock’d, being very zealous to perform their Devotions.

When their Seed is put into the Ground, or come to its full growth, they offer young Children to their _Zemez_, richly Cloth’d, having been fatten’d some Weeks before: When they want Children they kill their Slaves, and in default of them, they pacifie them with Dogs.

[Sidenote: Strange Sacrifices.]

The _Victims_ that go to be Sacrific’d, they Worship with all Adoration, Bowing and Congying before them.

[Sidenote: Strange Idol-Worship.]

Their Zeal in this their Idol-Worship may appear from a strange Custom, observ’d by them when they enter their Temple, _viz._ they either draw Blood out of their Tongues, Lips, Ears, Breast, Knees, or Palm of their Hands, which they throw into the Air, supposing thereby to be pardon’d by their indulgent Gods.

[Sidenote: _Zempoal_, a City.]

In the City _Zempoal_, _Cortez_ found five Slaves, who being kept close Prisoners, were to be Sacrific’d the next day; but he releasing them, did upon the importunate request of the _Quines_, or Priests, and promises of great ransoms, and their telling of him that the _Zemez_ would spoil all their Seed and Plants that year, if they did not go on with these Offerings, restor’d the Prisoners again; who, though the enjoyments of all happinesses in the other World were promis’d them by their Priest, and great assurance given thereof; yet they were not forward, but return’d, unwilling to suffer, though by so gainful a Sacrifice.

[Sidenote: _Zemez_ wonderful Idols.]

At the _Zemez_ Feet hung abundance of Mens Bones bundled up together, and under them were Written the Names of their Enemies, whose Flesh had been either Sacrific’d or eaten.

[Sidenote: _Cortez_ his Exploits.]