Nicuesasuffers hunger.
Peter AriasKnight, accompany’d with his Wife,Elizabeth Boadilla, set SailAnno 1514.but surpriz’d by a violent Storm, lost two Ships, and return’d toSpain, yet not long after began his Voyage afresh, notwithstanding he had lately had such bad success, and heard of the great hardship whichNicuesasuffer’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 inVeraguafor a lump of Gold.
Dogs us’d in the Wars.
Sodomy horribly punish’d.
Nunnezfirst discovers the South Sea.
Is in great danger on the South-Sea.
ButVaschus Nunnezinform’d ofAriasarrival, the chief Governor ofUraba, afterwards call’dNew Andaluzia, minding to inrich himself before he should depose him, and hearing that several Gold Mines lay Southward fromUraba, 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 TerritoryQuarequan, 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 theSpaniards, or were worry’d by their Dogs, train’d up on purpose for theAmericanWars. 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, whereofNunnezbeing inform’d, in detestation of Sodomy, set the Dogs upon him, who suddenly tore him in pieces. Amongst the slain were found severalNegroes, which suffering Shipwrack had been cast on theAmericanShore, and maintain’d a continual War with theQuaraquanen, so that it seem’d theBlackswhich were found dead amongst them were their Slaves: YetNunnezwas 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 KingChiapes, 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,Chiapesthe King, accompany’d withNunneztheSpanishCommander, and March’d with him over a broad River toCoquera, 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 alsoCoquera, should return him a great quantity of Gold. Here he found a handsome Bay running up in crooked Reaches, above sixty Leagues, whichNunnezcall’d St.Michael, being sprinkled with Islands, and treacherous with hidden Rocks. ThereNunnez, (though disswaded byChiapes, 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 nineIndianBoats, and eighty Men from the Shore into theOffin; 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 theSpaniardshaving enough to do to save themselves from being wash’d away. Day approaching, discover’d a second inconveniency, for theIndianCanooseither 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,NunnezConquer’d the KingTamaccusin a Field Battel, who thereupon purchas’d his Peace with great Presents of Gold and Pearl. He also shew’d theSpaniardsan 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.
Manner of Fishing for Pearls.
Nunnezimmediately resolv’d to Sail thither, notwithstanding it was the middle ofOctober, 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, forNunnezwould not stay to expect fairer Weather, but went on, and coming thither, he saw how theIndiansFish 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.
Nunnezreturns.
ButNunnezleaving his sick and weary’d Men withChiapes, March’d quite another way back than he came; and crossing a great River, was receiv’d by PrinceTeaocha, who furnish’d him with Gold, Pearls, Provisions, and Guides, which carry’d his Luggage and Goods.
Pacraa tyrannous King, his horrible death.
Pacra, a great Oppressor of all his Neighbors, hearing of the approach ofNunnez, 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 whichTeaochahad provided for theSpaniarddesir’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 theSpanishDoggs. Mean while, theSpaniardswere 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 theIndiansdurst 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.
Strange relations of a Tyger.
John Ledesmahad 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 toSpain; 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.
Nunnezfurther Journey into the Countrey, very remarkable.
In the Province ofBononiama, theSpaniardsinrich’d themselves with Chains, and Breast-Plates of Gold, which in great plenty hung on the Walls in every House: At the RiverComogrus, they discharg’dTeaocha’s Guides, and made use ofCotogandCiuriza, 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 aMorasse, 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 KingBuchebua’s Jurisdiction, yet they found nothing but empty Huts; and thelike in the Countrey ofChiorisus, both having a little before been pillag’d by their more powerful neighboring Enemies. But although they could not furnishNunnezwith 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 notPocchorosa, another King, fed them forty days together with stamp’d Roots. Thus refresh’d, and instigated byPocchorosa, they broke by night inTubunama’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.
Nunnezthus enriched came at last to his People which he had left on the RiverDaria, where two Ships sent fromHispaniolarode at an Anchor.
Peter Ariashis Voyage, and Fight in the HavenSt. Martha.
Whilst things were thus carry’d inAmerica,Peter AriasSail’d with fifteen Ships, Mann’d with fifteen hundred Men, toNew Andalusia, by the IslandsMartinina,Guadalupe, andGalanta, all inAmerica: a considerable time he Sail’d through the Sea overgrown with Weeds. Afterwards anchoring in the HavenSt. 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 theSpaniards, or whom two being wounded immediately died.Ariassending some of his Men ashore, they found many Boats lying full of Nets, made of tough Weeds, and Ropes pleited of Rushes.
In the HavenSt. Martha, being three Leagues wide, are abundance of Fish, which may be seen under Water twenty Fathom deep.
But now theSpaniardsthat were ashore breaking into the Houses, and taking Women and Children Prisoners, theAmericansprepar’d for another Fight, which at the beginning was very fierce; but at last they were forc’d to quit the Field.
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 theSpaniardsfound 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 RootYuca, as also on several otherWest-IndianCoasts, of which they make their best Bread, and is call’d inHispaniolaandAngola,Yuca; by theBrasilians,MandibaandMandihoka; by theMexicans,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.
What use theAmericansmake of the RootMandihoka.
The Leaves of theMandihokaserve them for Sallads. Out of the Root,which they lay soaking five days in Water, they make Meal, which thePortuguesecallFarina fresca, but theAmericans,Vipeba. Moreover,Mandihokaserves them to make Bread, which they bake over the Fire; and mix’d with Water, Pepper, and the FlourNhambi, makes an excellent Pudding, by them call’dMingaude Carima, no less pleasing to the taste than wholsom Food: and with Orange-Flour, Water, and Sugar, it makes that excellent JulepTipioca. The Powder ofMandihokaput into a Wound, cures very speedily. It is very pleasant to see theAmericanseat 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 theMandihokafit for Bread: first they must peel off the Shell, then put into a Mill turn’d by twoIndiansit 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 wildMandihoka, by those that live on the Sea-shore call’dCuacu Mandiiba, and up in the Countrey,Cuquacucuremia, differs both in shape and goodness from the first.
Arias’s Exploits inNew Andalusia.
But to return to our matter:Ariascoming to an Anchor in the RiverDaria, was cheerfully receiv’d byNunnez; his first Business which he undertook was the building of three Forts, to secure the Passages to theSouth Sea; to which purposeJoannes Aiorareceived the Command over four hundred Workmen. Moreover,Ariastook great dislike in the Place call’dMaria Antiqua, which theSpaniardswere 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 RiverDariaoverflow’d the Grounds with his muddy Water three Leagues distance from the Sea; the Passage thitheralso was very troublesom, because of the uneven Ways; and besides, the Tygers and Lyons devour’d many People and Cattel.
A strange Accident.
The first Night thatAriaslay inMaria 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.
Remarkable Trees.
The neighboring TerritoryCoibaproduced 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 theCoibenserssay, that they know another poysonous Wood, which they use to destroy their Enemies withall.
Remarkable Journey ofMoralisto theSouth Sea.
WhilstAriaswas 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 othersGasper Moraliswas order’d to march towards theSouth Sea, to confirm the Peace whichNunnezhad begun with the KingsChiapesandTumaccus; and chiefly to go to the Pearl-Island with sixty Men, whichNunnezwas forc’d to leave, being stress’d by tempestuous Weather.ChiapesandTumaccuswere 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 aloudGuazzavara,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 withMoralis, and Condition’d to deliver a hundred pound weight of the choicest Pearls to the use of the King ofCastile; and as a testimony of his Friendship he was Christen’dPeter Arias, from the Governors Name ofNew Andalusia.
Strange Pearl.
How great the Treasure was whichMoralisbrought from the Pearl Island may appear by one of the Pearls, for which PopeLeothe tenth gave forty four thousandDucatsto aVenetianMerchant.
Solisiushis miserable end.
Amongst the Commanders which were sent out byArias, was alsoJohannes Solisius, who Sailing six hundred Leagues Southerly, along the Coast of theCaribbies, beyondCape St. Augustine, he found the Inhabitants ofPernambuckto 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 withBrasileWood, toCadiz.
Alsoin an unhappy hour didJohannes Pontæusput some of his Laundresses ashore on the IslandGuadalupa, 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, whileGonsalus BadajociusSail’d with eighty MenWesterly, and having gone sixty Leagues he went ashore, and spent some days in vain, to Court theAmericansto a friendly correspondency; which whilst he was doing, he was recruited with fifty Men fromDaria, Commanded byLodowick Mercado: so both agreed together to travel over the Mountains to theSouth Sea.
Strange Slaves.
Great Booty.
The GovernorJuana, 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 someIndianscarryingMaiz, who signifi’d to them, that KingPerigueteliv’d along the Sea-shore, and up into the Countrey the blindTotonoga; of both which they got an unvaluable Treasure of Gold. Amongst other Pieces of that rich Metal was one which weighed two pound.
Taracurarais’d in this Expedition eighteen thousand weight of Gold: and little less did they take out of the Territories belonging to the PrincesPananome,Tabor,Cheru, andScoria: 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 PoundsSterlingfor his share.
Destruction of theSpaniards.
They were now got toPanza’s Kingdom, not without leaving sad remarks, of their avarice and cruelties. WhenParizasurrounding 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 toPeter Arias. Amongst those that escaping return’d, wasFranciscus Delapuente, whose observations concerning catching Parrots and wild Fowl, we will briefly relate, the digression being but short.
A strange way to catch Parrots.
TheIndianwhere 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.
Strange BirdToucan.
But what is more worthy observation is theAmericanBirdToucan 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.
Evacuated Pepper.
This BirdToucanfeeds 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 ofPeter Ariashad such bad success,Ariashimself andVaschus Nunnezhapned to clash:Nunnez,who since his discovery of theSouth Seawas held in some repute at theSpanishCourt, had built four Ships on the Shore of the same Ocean, to make farther inspections along the Coasts thereof: but being commanded to come toAriasthe Governor, he was committed to Prison, and accused of high Treason, as if he had intentions to settle himself inPeru, and absolutely to have leftDaria: 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 byArias’s special Order Beheaded.
Not long after whichLupus Sosa, Governor of theCanaryIslands, was sent to succeedAriasinNew Andalusia.
Original of the NameJucatan.
Fernandez,Caizedus, andMorantes, antient Planters inCuba, obtain’d a Licence from the GovernorDiego Velasques, to Rig out three Ships with a hundred and ten Men to discover new Lands.Velasquesthought fit to add one more to their number upon the Kings account; which Trust he committed toIgniguez: all of them consulted with the experienc’d NavigatorAntonio Alamines. Six days the Fleet had been at Sea, when they discover’d Land, which by a mistake was call’dJucatan, because the Inhabitants being ask’d what was the Name of the Coast, answer’dJucatan; which, as theSpaniardswere afterwards inform’d, signifi’d,We understand you not.
Stately City.
Upon the Shore they found a City, whose Stone Buildings, with stately Fronts and high Turrets, shew’d most magnificently.Fernandezcall’d this City for its wonderful bigness,Cairo, from theEgyptianMetropolis, famous through the World.
Campechiuma City.
Remarkable Images, and strange Stage.
TheSpaniardscoming 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 theSpaniardsobserving sounded a Retreat, and Sailing Westerly, proceeded on their intended Design, and soon after anchor’d beforeCampechium; the King of which conductedFernandezandMorantes, 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.Igniguezcall’d the KingLazarus, because he discover’d his Countrey onSt. Lazarus’s Day.
Moscoboa City.
Spaniardsslain.
Mighty IslandCosumella.
Making no long stay here, they return’d to their Ship, and weighing Anchor Sail’d fifty Leagues more Westerly, the Fleet got sight ofMoscobo, in the TerritoryAguanil, whose King assaulted theSpaniardswith 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 toCuba. YetVelasquesno ways discourag’d thereat, not long after fitted out four Vessels, Manning them with three hundred Men under the Command ofJuan GrisalvaandAlamines; who having Sail’d seventy Leagues, discover’d the fruitful IslandCosumella; along whose Shore stood fair Stone Edifices, intermix’d with Temples, whose Steeples appear’d above the Houses.Grisalvabeing led up into one of these Steeples by a Priest, saw at a distance off at Sea the TerritoryJucatan: 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. TheSpaniardscall’d this IslandSancta Cruz.
Spaniardsfight with theCampechiums.
Sailing from hence they directed their Course toCampechium, where the year before they had been so civilly treated; where arriving, and without any fear coming ashore, they found theCampechiumsquite 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 theSpanishForces, threatned, That if they did not depart in quiet, they would force them: which accordingly they endeavor’d, making a fierce Onset upon theSpaniards; 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.
TheSpaniardsfound afterwardsJucatanto be but aPeninsula, and came beforea River which fell with so strong a Current into theMexican Sea, that it retain’d its sweetness for the space of two Leagues.
Strange passages onTabasco.
This River, flowing out of the ProvinceTabasco, was call’dGrisalva: upon whose Banks stood above six thousandAmericans; and in the Water appear’d a hundred Boats with Armed Men, which Row’d aboard theSpanishShips. The Interpreters ofCuba, whose Language agrees for the most part with theTabascers, prevail’d so much, that the King himself came to the chief CommanderGrisalva, and bartering with him, gave him as much Gold as his Iron Helmet, Breastplate, and other Armor weighed.
Sacrifice Island.
Soon after they Landed on theIsland of Sacrifice, so call’d from the horrid Sacrifices which the Inhabitants made daily.
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.
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.
Pontenchianuma City.
The chief City ofTabascoisPontenchianum, 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 theSpaniardsalso see inTabasco.
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 theirLent, in which they abstain not onely from Flesh, but Fish also, feeding onely upon Roots and Herbs. In this place theSpaniardswere 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 toCuba.
BishopCasissad effect concerning the Pearl catching.
The BishopBartholomew de Casis, living a considerable time inHispaniola, in the CityDominico, being inform’d of the abundance of Pearls which were caught beforeCubagua, and the unsupportable cruelty of theSpaniardsthere underOcampus, us’d against the Inhabitants, went toSpain, with a design to obtain of the EmperorCharles the Fifth, the Government overCumanaandCubagua, under pretence, to draw the ignorant Natives from their Idolatry, toChristianity; which his request was especially promoted byWilliamofNassaw, the Emperors prime Favorite; so that having his Letters Patents granted to that purpose, he took Ship, and arriv’d with three hundredSpanishGentlemen of Quality inCumana: And that they might have the greater respect shown to them there, they had each a Red Cross given them, such as the Knights ofCalatravagenerally wear. Yet little didOcampus, the old Governor ofCumana, regard either them or their Authority; for in stead of receiving and submitting, he kept the Bishopde Casisout by force of Arms; who then made complaint to theVice-Royof theWest-IndiesinHispaniola, and in the mean time, put hisCargointo a new Store-house.
But whilst he made his Addresses,Ocampushaving sufficiently inrich’d himself departed, which incourag’d theCumaners, who already were incens’d, and weary of their former sufferings, to venture on a design, whereby they might revenge themselves of theSpaniards, which their undertaking prov’d so successful, that very few escap’d the Massacre: Of which,de Casisbeing inform’d, and much discontented thereat, betook himself to aDominicanCloyster inHispaniola.
Cruelty ofCastellioinCumana.
Yet not long after, theCumanerspaid dear for that slaughter, for oneCastellio, 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.
Lampagnanodiscontented.
As little success hadLodowick Lampagnano, sent out by someSpanishMerchants, with Letters Patents from the Emperor to Fish for Pearl, before the sameCubagua; to which purpose he carry’d peculiar Nets and other necessaries with him. But theCubaguan Spaniardsunanimously withstood him; so that not being able to effect his design, overpower’d with a Melancholly Distemper that broke his Heart, he dy’d.
MagellanusExpedition, how it happen’d.
In the interim, while these scarce considerable Voyages turn’d to so small account,Ferdinand Magaglianus(for soPeter Martyrcalls him, and notMagellanus, 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:
ThisMagaglianus, orMagellanus, a Gentleman ofPortugal, having perform’d things of great importance for his King, inAfrica, 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 ofFranciscus Serranus, who writ fromTernatato him, that he should speedily come thither, which he soon after did upon this account:
Strange Giant.
PopeAlexanderthe Sixth, having fixt Terminaries between the Kings ofCastileandPortugal, both busie at that time in discovering new Countreys, Order’d, ThatCastileshould possess all the Coasts lying to the West of the chiefMeridian, andPortugalto the East: By vertue of this partition, the rich SpicyMoluccaIslands fell absolutely to thePortuguese: NowMagellanusperswadedCharles the Fifth, that they might be Sail’d to with a Westerly Course, and therefore belong’d toCastile; Which advice,Charles the Fifthconsidering, and approving, Rigg’d out five Ships, with whichMagellanusset Sail fromSevil, the tenth ofAugust, Anno 1519.five Moneths he ply’d up and down the Coast inhabited by thePatagones, 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’dSt. 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.
StraightsofMagellan, how found.
Magellanusfrom thence Sailing afterwards Southerly alongAmerica, 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 NegromancerRoderick Talerushad 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 thoseSraights, 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’dAntonio, Tacking about, return’d toCadiz.
ButMagellanusenter’d the great South-Sea with three Sail, on the 25. ofOctober, 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 theUnfortunate Isles: After that, they came amongst a great number of Islands, whose Inhabitants were muchinclin’d to Thievery; for which cause they Denominated themLadrones, the chiefest Island call’dBorneo, 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 theSpaniardsvery courteously, two Elephants bringing his Presents to them on the Shore, out of a City consisting of twenty thousand Houses.
Magellanusslain.
Spaniardsmurdered.
An end of the Voyage about the world.
NearBorneoare two lesser Islands, call’d,ZuboandMatan; The King ofZubofreely submitted himself to theSpaniards, andMagellanusleaving his Fleet at Anchor in the Haven, went with his own and otherIndianBoats, and attended with some of theZubenserstoMatan, 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 withMagellanus, slew him, and sevenSpaniardsmore, besides twenty two dangerously wounded; those which escap’d by flight, got toZubo, 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 theSpaniardshad 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 theMoluccoIslands with the other two, they Freighted them both with Cloves; with which the ShipTrinitasSail’d toNew-Spainthrough the South-Sea, and theVictoria, Commanded byJohn Sebastian de Lanowent the same way which thePortugueseus’d, and so to St.Lucar de Barrameda, nearSivile, where he came to Anchor with his Ship and eighteen Men.
Sottuscruelty.
Although several Expeditions of theSpaniardstoAmericaprov’d very unsuccessful at the first, yet they still undertook them afresh, and with renewing Courage:Ferdinando Sottus, though he Landed five hundred Men inFlorida, yet brought no Treasure from thence, onely he cut off the Hands of fifteen Princes, because they would not discover their Mines of Gold.
Miserable end ofNarvaez.
Yet far worse success hadPamphilus Narvaez, who lost both his Fleet and Men, saving onely ten out of six hundred, in the RiverPalma, and they also afterwards dy’d there, or eat one another to satisfie their raging Hunger.
Cortezhis Voyage.
Remarkable delivery.
But much better was the fortune ofFerdinando Cortez, Sailing fromSpaintoAmerica, 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 newSpanishInhabitants on Cuba; with which Forces Landing on the IslandCozumella, he prohibited Humane Sacrifice to their Idols, and Erected a Cross with the Image of the VirginMary, in one of their Temples, and releas’dHieronimus Aquilaris, after a seven years Slavery, having suffer’d Shipwrack withValdivia; at which time some that sav’d themselves in the Boat, were by the Current in thirty days driven toJucatan, 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 orZemes. Among the six that remain’d, yet left alive, and to be offer’d after the same manner the next day, was thisAquilaris, who with his Companions, breaking Prison, in the following night fledto a Neighboring Prince their Enemy, and one that maintain’d a continual War against theseCannibals.