Description ofCuriana.
Pietro Nigno, encourag’d by some of those that had been withColumbusat 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 PlaceColumbushad formerly discover’d. But he little observ’d his Orders, and what he was commanded; for Sailing into the HavenCuriana, 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,Curianaabounds 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 fromCauchieta, six days Sail Westward fromCuriana.
ThitherNignonext directed his course, and came to an Anchor there on the first ofOctober, 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 aSpaniardmade 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 toCurianawhence he came.
NignoFights 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 theSpanishShip, they suddenly clapt him aboard with theirCanooson all sides; but being beaten back by the terror of their Guns, they soon retir’d: yet theSpaniardstook 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.Nignounbinding 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.
Strange Salt.
ThenNignoin his Way toCurianatouch’d upon the Coast ofParia, 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 thePariansbarter for foreign Commodities.
Strange Corps.
Nignonot making here any stay, return’d a second time toCuriana, 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.
Nignoput in Prison.
Cruel dealings inCuriana.
At lengthNignoset Sail homewards, and carried with him an invaluable Treasure in Pearls toSpain: 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 byFerdinando de Vega, Governor ofGallicia, he was put in Prison, and at last sent to the Court, where the Pearls were declared free Prize, becauseNignohad barter’d for them atCuriana, contrary to the Kings Orders, not to touch at any Coast, within fifty Leagues of whatColumbushad discover’d. But since he had no way regarded those Commands to preserve that Pearl-Trade, KingFerdinandsent Governors toCuriana, 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 joyfulBanquet) those few that escap’d Sail’d to the IslandDominic, the Governor of whichDidacus Columbus, Son to the famousChristopher, being incens’d, immediately sent CaptainOcampowith three hundred Men toCuriana; 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’dNew Toledo. After this they went on afresh in their Pearl-fishing.
The first ofDecember, Anno 1499.Vincent Pinzonset Sail with four Vessels out of the HavenPalos: he had been Commander of a Ship underColumbusin his first Expedition, by which means he got great experience in Navigation. When he came a little beyond theHesperides, 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 twentySpaniardsmarch’d thither, whom thirty two Men, arm’d with Bowes and Arrows, made ready to encounter; but as they approached, theSpaniardsproffer’d them Peace, but they refused all Composition; yet having faced one another a while, they retreated without fighting.
Pinzon’s strange Fight.
A remarkable Beast.
After thisPinzondiscover’d a wide, but shallow River; where Landing, on a Hill he met a great company ofAmericans: He, to invite them to Trade, threw them a Shell; in return for which they cast him a lump of Gold; which when theSpaniardwent to take up they all fell upon him; and indeed he could not have defended himself long, had not some of his Company quicklycome in to his speedy rescue, which occasion’d a bloody Conflict, wherein severalSpaniardswere wounded, eight kill’d, and one of their small Boats sunk; for theAmericansfought so valiantly, that they pursu’d theSpanishShips into the Sea.Pinzonbeing 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 theParianCoast, 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.Pinzoncaught one of them with three Young, which died in the Voyage, but the Dam he presented alive inGranadato the King.
Great Storm.
This Captain having Sail’d six hundred Leagues along theParianCoast, 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 likeChristiansupon 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 ofSeptember, Anno 1500.into theSpanishHavenPalos.
Sect. VI.The Expedition ofAmericus Vesputius.
Americus VesputiusaFlorentine, Commanded four Ships, fitted out at KingFerdinand’s Charge, set Sail the twentieth ofMay, Anno 1497.and refreshing at theCanaries, from thence he steer’d toParia; 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.
The manner of the Inhabitants inParia.
Their strange Customs.
These People, both Men and Women go stark naked, not so much as covering theirPudenda; 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 fromTartary; they much exceed theEuropeansin 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 threeSpaniardsare 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 andCalabashes. 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 Commercewith 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’dJucha,Chambi, orIgname. Lastly, no Lyon devours his Prey with more voracious eagerness, than they their taken Enemies.
A very strange Village built on Poles.
Strange Fight.
Vesputiusbeing fully inform’d concerning the Situation ofParia, 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 theSpaniards, they immediately drew up their Bridges: yet some of them in twelve littleCanooscame towards theSpanishShips, 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 aSpanishBoat, 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 fourIndianMaids 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 theSpaniardsmaking 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.
Vesputiusobserving 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.
Serpents strangely prepar’d for Food.
Here theSpaniardsLanding 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 theAmericanscame aboard without the least fear, and offer’d to shew their hospitable kindness to theSpaniards, if they pleas’d to travel three days Journey with them upinto 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.
The remarkable reception of twenty threeSpaniards.
About twenty of theSpaniardswell 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. TheSpaniardstaking it in good part, spent nine days among them, highly treated with all manner of jollities, but especially at their choice with the varieties ofVenus: from thence then returning to their Fleet, accompanied with thousands of the Natives, every one carrying Presents to the AdmiralVesputius; 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 theSpaniards,Charabi, that is,Wise Men.
A cruel Fight with the Cannibals.
This Island lying in theMexicanBay, in twenty Degrees of Northern Latitude,Vesputiusleft 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 theSpaniardswould grant, they would follow the Fleet with their Boats.Vesputiuspromis’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 inCanoosbefore and shew them the Way. On the seventh day they came to an Anchor before the IslandHy, 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 approachingSpaniardsto be within reach, they shot a great flight of Arrows at them; butVesputiuslying close along the Shore with his Ships, fir’d upon them with Chain-shot, which did great execution: yet notwithstanding about fortySpaniardsleaping 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 theSpaniardsVictors; 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 twentyof them Prisoners toSpain, where they safely arriv’d the 15. ofNovember, Anno 1498.
VesputiusSecond Expedition.
This good success so encourag’dVesputius, that having stay’d scarce seven Moneths ashore, he obtaining the Command over six Ships, with which he set Sail fromCadiz, and touching upon theCanaries, 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 theCannibals, 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.
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.
Strange adventure of nineSpaniards, 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 nineSpaniardswent 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 theSpaniardsto eat, who when they were sat down, consulting how they might take and carry one of these Giantesses toSpain, 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 theSpaniards, 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 theSpaniardstime 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 theSpaniardsslacken’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.
Description of the Pearl-Oysters.
Vesputiusthird Expedition.
Vesputiusat 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 towardsSpain, 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 ofNovember, the Fleet came safe to an Anchor beforeCadiz. After which,Vesputiusretired toSevil, with intent to settle himself there, but he had not long repos’d, whenEmanuelKing ofPortugalsent for him toLisbon, and gave him the Command of three Ships, to discover new Countreys; between theCanariesandAfrica, 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.
Cruel deed of someIndianWomen.
From thence, five degrees Southward of the Equinox, he found a naked People on the top of a high Rock, that beckon’d theSpaniardsto 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 theSpaniards, 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 theSpaniards, 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 ofBrasile, along which he Sail’d Southerly to fifty two Degrees, where threeBrasilianscame Aboard of their own accord, and were easily perswaded to go with him toPortugal; but the Weather growing very bad, and the Cold intollerable, the Storms swelling the Waves into the bigness of Mountains,Vesputiusleft the Coastdes Patagones, and theStreights, afterwards call’dMagellan, behind him, burnt one of his Ships beforeCape Sierra Leona, and brought two safe toLisbon.
Vesputiusfourth Expedition.
Sea-Spiders, and Dragons.
His fourth Expedition happen’d,May 10. Anno 1503.at which time he Steer’d directly with six Sail toSierra 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: ButVesputiusRowing 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, withwhich 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.
Vesputiushaving 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 theAbrelhos, in the RiverCurubabo, he built a strong Fort, Garrison’d it with twenty four Men, twelve pieces of Ordnance, and Provisions for six Moneths: Five MonethsVesputiushad spent in the building this Castle; when he return’d home with one Ship, laden withBrasillWood, where approachingLisbon, beyond all expectation, the Inhabitants of the City ran to Congratulate his happy return. And from thisAmericus Vesputius, theNew Worldis to this day call’dAmerica.
Wonderful Tree onCodego.
Americus Vesputiuswas scarce fitted out inLisbon, whenFogedaset Sail with three hundred Men fromBeata, the chiefest Haven ofHispaniola, to the IslandCodego, 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 someOpiates, as dangerous, and so by long sleep, recover.
Fogedo’s cruelty and destruction.
Famine.
Strange accident.
Ancisusescapes great danger.
ColmenaresExpedition.
His strange reception.
HereFogedaset upon a poor Village near the Sea-side, where without mercyhe put them all to the Sword, except a few Youths which were onely saved, that they might informFogeda, what was become of the slain and takenSpaniards; 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,Nicuesafound some Gold. But now they began to be distress’d for Provisions; for prevention of which,Nicuesahad given order toAncisus, Marshal inHispaniola, that he should follow with a Ship of Victual, for the Army toCodega. But he being kept back by inconveniencies, most of theSpaniardswere famish’d, so that the three hundred Men whichCodegabrought fromHispaniola, were reduced to sixty. And he was already under-Sail toHispaniola, whenAncisusAnchor’d in the Haven ofCodegoos, 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 aSpaniardthat understood theCodeganTongue, adventuring to fetch Water, he was immediately encompassed; when speaking to them, and informing them in their own Language, That he was none ofFogedasorNicuesasPeople, which not long since had committed so great slaughter, they left him, and the rather, because he told them, thatAncisuswould take revenge on them, if they did any wrong to him. Thus quieted, they brought all sorts of Provisions Aboard. Mean while,AncisusSail’d to the Main ContinentUraba, 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; howeverAncisusset a good face on the business, marching with a hundred Men up into the Countrey, where some of theUrabannersfrom an ambuscade unawares, with their Arrows wounded several of his Men, hereupon they retreated to the Shore of the RiverDaria, whither also they had brought the small Boats, sav’d from the Wreck; where whilst they were in consultation how to return toHispaniola, 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, whomAncisuspursuing, found in a Thicket of Canes or Reeds a great Treasure of Gold. Mean while,NicuesaSail’d to the plentiful Golden CountreyVeraguawith three Ships, of which he lost two, the one Commanded byLupus de Olana, and the other byPeter Umbria Olana, which was stranded in the RiverVeragua, which gives name to the whole Island, but he built a newCarvil, whereas that ofLupus Olanawas bilg’d among the Rocks. Little better success hadNicuesa, whose Ship over-turning with a Tempest, he with a few of his Men made land uponVeragua, 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 withOlana, 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, theSpaniardsbeing divided, some forAncisus, some forOlana, the difference more and more encreasing, would not be reconcil’d, till the Famine over-powering, master’d both, so that not beingable 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 ofVasques Nunnez, who rebelling againstAncisus, split that small remainder of Men, and with the help of those he had drawn over to his Party, made himself Governor ofUraba, not possible to be long enjoy’d without speedy supply, which soon after they receiv’d; forColmenaresSailing fromHispaniolawith Provisions, arriv’d there the 15. ofOctober, Anno 1510. having been toss’d twenty three days at Sea; then making into the RiverGaira, 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.Colmenarescame in a good time to the remainder underAncisusCommand, 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 outNicuesa, who was indeed the Governor that had the Grant from the King: This agreed,Colmenareswent 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.
Colmenareshaving deliver’d his Message,Nicuesabroke up his Quarters, and sleighting the Fort, went with him, but both himself and his Men were oppos’d from Landing byNunnez; whereforeNicuesawas necessitated to Steer forHispaniola; whom, or what became of him was never known.
Nunnezhaving thus quitted himself ofNicuesa, 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 uponCaretaKing ofCoita, whom he took Prisoner, Plundering him of all his Treasure and Provisions; yet this sufficed not long, for soon after, KingPonchainvadingCareta,Nunneztook hold of that opportunity, and pretending to assistCareta, being well recruited with his Forces, set uponPoncha, who immediately fled, and left all to the spoil of his Enemies.
Remarkable Pallace of KingComogrus.
This News so amaz’dComogrus, another King, that he proffer’d Peace; whereuponNunnezgoing 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 RootJucca,Ages, andMais; the Privy-Chamber was hung round with dead bodies, Mummy’d artificially with Lent Fires, and were the Corpses ofComogrusAncestors, 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.
NunnezExploits.
TheSpaniardswhich Encamp’d near the RiverDaria, onUraba, perceiving this, and knowing they had no manner of supply fromHispaniola, and havingalready Pillag’d the Neighboring Kings, that they had nothing left.Nunnezmarching thirty Leagues up the River, Plunder’d the Village, of whichDaibaibawas 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 asNunnez UrabaPillag’d towards the South, so didColmenares, setting up also for himself, make prize of all, to the East with sixty Men, Rowing against the Stream up the RiverDaria, above twelve Leagues, where he found in several Villages and Hamlets, and at KingTurvi’s Palace, abundance, both of Provision and Gold; from thence he March’d to the mighty ProvinceAbenamchei, which though making some resistance, at last they subdu’d.
A strange Pallace built on Trees.
Turning the low Land into a Sea.
A Plot on theSpaniards, strangely discover’d.
And the neighboring KingAbibeibanarrowly 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 theirIndianArrows: 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; butColmenaresagainst 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 whereonAbibeiba’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 theCannibalsgenerally kill those that adventur’d to dig in the Mines: To this promise,Colmenareshearken’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 VillageTirichi, the appointed place of Rendezvous, and so privately carry’d, that undoubtedly it had been effected, if not happily discover’d by this accident.
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 toNunnezwhich 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.Nunneznot 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 inSpain, it was judg’d fit to send forColmenares, andJohn Quicedoto the Court, there to render an account of all their Transactions, Both going Aboard a small Vessel, were by Storm driven on the Coast ofCuba, where they were inform’d from a Prisoner, thatValdiviaandZamudio, driven ashore by Shipwrack, and not able to defend themselves, were surpriz’d bythe Natives, kill’d and eaten; thatFogedadriven up and down along the Coast, had lost most of his People by hunger, and other hardship, and himself with much ado getting toHispaniola, dy’d as soon as Landed of the Wound which he receiv’d by a Poysonous Arrow, near the RiverDaria.
AncisusVoyage.
A Temple dedicated to the VirginMaryon the IslandCuba.
But much happier wasAncisus, who soon afterFogedacoming toCuba, found a King, who suffer’d himself to be Christen’d, and call’dCommendator; and building a Church, Consecrated it to the VirginMary; 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 VirginMarywith him in the Front of his Army, often saying,Ave Maria; and this was the end of that Voyage: But afterwardsAncisuscomplain’d againstVascus Nunnezin theSpanishCourt, where he receiv’d a Sentence very prejudicial to him.ColmenaresandQuicedohad also Audience there, whereupon matters being settled, a firm Government was establish’d inUraba.