The decades of the newe worlde or west India conteynyng the nauigations and conquestes of the Spanyardes, with the particular description of the moste ryche and large landes and ilandes lately founde in the west ocean perteynyng to the inheritaunce of the kinges of Spayne. ... Wrytten in the Latine tounge by Peter Martyr of Angleria, and translated into Englysshe by Rycharde Eden.

¶The laste booke of Peter Martyr of Angle∣ria, of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde: and of the maners of the inhabitauntes of the same.

I Haue partli declared before in mi decades how certeine fugit••ues which came owt of the large West landes arriued in the confynes of Dariena:* 1.1 And howe that marueylinge at the bookes of owre men, they declared that they sumtyme dwelte in regions whose inhabitauntes vsed suche instrumentes and were ruled by politike lawes. Also that they had cities fortified with waules,* 1.2 and faire pallaces with streates well paued, and common places whyther mar∣chauntes resort as to the burse or streate. These landes, owre men haue nowe founde. Therfore who were thautours here∣of, or what successe they had herein, who so desireth to know with the conditions of straunge regions and the maners of

the people, let hym giue diligent attendance to such thynges as folowe. Of the Iland of Cuba (nowe cauled Fernandina,* 1.3 ly∣ynge nexte vnto Hispaniola on the west syde, and yet sumwhat so bendynge towarde the Northe that the circle cauled Tropi∣cus Caneri deuideth it in the myddeste, wher as Hispaniola is dis∣tante from the Tropike and declinynge certen degrees to∣ward the Equinoctial line) we haue spoken sumwhat before. In this Iland of Fernandina, there are nowe syxe townes ••rec∣ted. Wherof, the chiefe is named Sanctiago of saynt Iames the patrone of the Spanyardes. In this, there is natiue golde, found both in the mountaynes and ryuers: By reason wher∣of they are daylye occupied in gathering & digging the same. But shortely after that I had finished my sayde bookes, thre Spanyardes that were the most auncient citizens of Cuba,* 1.4 as Franc••scus Fernandes of Corduba Lupus Ocho, & Christophorus Morantes, de¦termined to seeke newe landes, as the myndes of the Spa∣nyardes are euer vnquiet and geuen to attempte great enter∣prises. They furnyshed at their owne charges, three of those shyppes whiche they caule Carauels. And hauynge fyrste ly∣cence of Diegus Velasquen the gouernour of the Ilande, they de∣parted with a hundreth and ten men from the West angle of Cuba.* 1.5 For this angle is moste commodious to relieue shyppes and to make prouision for freshe water and fuell. Thus they sayled continually syxe dayes and a halfe, betwene the West and the South, contented onely with the syght of the heauen and the water: durynge whiche tyme, they suppose that they sayled not past threescore and syxe myles.* 1.6 For they ley at an∣ker all nyght where so euer the faulynge of the soonne tooke the day light from them, leaste by wanderynge in vnknowen seas, they myght chaunce to be cast vppon rockes or sandes. But at the length they chaunced vppon a great Ilande na∣med Iucatana,* 1.7 whose beginnyng thinhabitauntes caule Eccam∣pi.* 1.8 Owre men went to the citie stondynge on the sea syde, the whiche for the bygnes therof, they named E••yrus or Alcair. Thinhabitauntes enterteined them very frendly. When they were entered into the citie, they marueyled to behold the hou∣ses buylded lyke towres, magnifycall temples,* 1.9 streates well paued, and great excercise of bying and sellyng by exchaunge of ware for ware.* 1.10 Their houses are eyther bylte of stone, or of bricke and lyme, and artifycially wrought. To the fyrste

porches of their houses and fyrst habitations, they ascend by ten or twelue steares. They are couered eyther with tyles,* 1.11 slates, reades, or stalkes of certeyne herbes. They gratified the one the other with mutuall gyftes. The barbarians gaue owre men many brooches and iewelles of golde, verye fayre and of cunnyng woorkmanshyppe. Owre men recompensed them with vestures of sylke and woolle, counterfecte stones, of coloured glasse and christall, haukes belles of laton, and suche other rewardes whiche they greatly esteemed for the straungenes of the same. They sette nowght by lookynge glasses, bycause they haue certeyne stoones muche brighter.* 1.12 This nation is appareled after a thousande fasshyons with vestures made of gossampyne cotten or bombage of dyuers coloures. The women are couered from the girdle to the heele hauynge dyuers fasshions of veles aboute their heades and brestes, with great cautele least any parte of their legges or feete bee seene. They resorte muche to their temples: vnto the which the chiefe rulers haue the wayes paued from their owne houses. They are Idolatours and circumcised.* 1.13 They occupie their maner of exchaunginge, with muche fydelitie. They vse to adourne the heares of their heades, being deman¦ded by thinterpretours of whom they receaued their circum∣cisyon, they answered that there once passed an exceadynge fayre man by their costes, who lefte them that in tooken to remember hym. Other saye that a manne brighter th••n the soone, went emonge them and executed that offyce. But there is no certentie hereof. When owre men had remayned there certeyne dayes, they seemed to bee molestous to thinhabitan∣tes accordynge to the common sayinge. The longer a geste ta∣rieth, the woorse is his enterteynement. The whiche thynge owre men perceauyng, they made the more h••st awaye. Be∣ynge therfore prouided of all thynges nece••sary, they tooke their vyage directly towarde the west by the prouidence wh••∣che thinhabitauntes caule Comi and M••i••m.* 1.14* 1.15 They ouer passed these regions takyng onely freshe water and fuel in the same. The barbarians both men, women, and ch••ldren flocked to the sea syde, astonysshed greatly to behold the huge bygnesse of the shyppes. Owre men marueyled in maner no le••se to viewe their buyldynges and especially their temples sytuate neare vnto the sea, and erected after the maner of towers.

Thus at the length hauyng sayled about a hundreth and ten myles, they thought it good to ley anker in a prouince named Campechium,* 1.16 whose chiefe towne consysteth of three thousande houses.* 1.17 Thinhabitauntes came swymmynge to the shyppes: marueylyng excedyngly at the maner of saylinge, and at the sayles and other tackelynges But when they hard the thun∣der of the gunnes, sawe the smoke, and smelte the sauour of brimstone and fyer, they supposed that thunderboultes and lyghtnynges had byn sente from god. The kynge receaued owre men honorably and broughte them into his pallayce: where he feasted them well after his maner. They are accusto∣med to eate fleshe, and haue great plentie of beastes and fou∣les:* 1.18 as peacockes, and other whiche they francke and feede in their houses: Also dyuers kyndes of wylde foules of the mountaines, wooddes, and waters: Likewise partriches, quailes, turtle dooues, duckes, and geese. Of beastes, they haue connies, woolues, lyons, tigers, foxes, wylde boores, hartes, and hares. After this banquet, the kyng with his traine and famylie brought owre men into a brode crosse way where many streates do meete.* 1.19 In this, they shewed them as it were a great and highe aulter buylded foure square of mar∣ble compacte together partly with the toughe cleye of Babi∣lon cauled Bitumem, and partly with smaule stoones. It had on euery syde foure steares. Uppon the altare was an Image of a man made of marble: and fast by it the Images of two beastes of vnknowen shape, whiche seemed as thoughe they wolde with yanynge mouthes haue torne in sunder the bealy of the mannes Image. On the other syde stoode a great ser∣pent compacte of the sayde toughe cleye and smaule stoones. This serpent beynge in length .xlvii. foote, and of the byg∣nesse of a large oxe, seemed to deuour a lyon of marble, and was al by sparcled with freshe bludde. Harde by the altare, were thre postes fastned in the ground, the which three other trauersed and were susteined with stones. In this place offen∣ders were put to death: In token wherof they sawe innume∣rable arrowes steined with bludde, sum scatered, sum lyinge on heapes, and sum broken: Also a great number of mennes bones lying in a court or yarde nere vnto this funestal place. Their houses are here also builded of lime and stone.* 1.20 They na¦med this king, Lazarus, bicause they arriued at this lande on

saint Lazarus day. Departing frō hense & directing theyr course styl toward the West for the space of .xv. myles, they came to a prouince named Aquanil,* 1.21 whose chiefe towne is cauled Moseo,* 1.22 & the kynge thereof, Cupoton. He behelde owre men with a fro∣warde countenaunce, and fought occasion to doo them sume priuie mischiefe whyle they sought for fresshe water. For he made signes vnto them that on the further syde of the nexte hyll, they shulde fynde sprynges of water, intendyng to haue assayled them in that narowe passage. But by the colouryng of theyr forheades (as they are accustomed in theyr warres) and by the bearynge of theyr bowes and other weapons, owr men perceaued theyr wylynes, and refused to go any further. Yet a thousande of the Barbarians assayled theym vnwares and vnprepared. By reason wherof, they were put to flyght, and dyuers of them slayne in the chase.* 1.23 Many that fledde to warde the shippes, were entangeled in the mudde and mary∣shes nere vnto the shore. Twentie and two, were slayne with arrowes, and the resydewe for the most parte, wounded. Fran¦ciscus Fernandes the gouernour of the nauie, receaued in this con¦flicte three and thirtie woundes. And in maner none escaped without hurt. If they had gonne to the hylles whiche were appoynted them, they had byn slayne euery man. They ther¦fore that escaped, returned to the Ilande of Fernardina frome whense they came, where they were receaued of theyr felows with heauie chere. But when Diegus Velasquen the gouernoure of the Ilande, had intelligence hereof,* 1.24 he immediatly furny∣shed a newe nauie of foure Caraueles with three hundreth men. Of this nauie he appoynted Iohn Grisalua his neuie, to be the gouernour: And assigned for vnder capitaynes, Al∣phons Auila, Frances Montegio, and Peter Aluarado. For the pylot he assigned Antonie Alamino who had the regiment of the fyrst nauie. They attempted the same vyage ageyne, but declyned sumwhat more towarde the South about thre∣score and tenne myles. Before they sawe any lande, they es∣pyed a towre a farre of, by the viewe wherof, they came to an Ilande named Cozumella,* 1.25 from the whiche they smelte sweete sauours proceadynge with the wynde,* 1.26 before they approched to the lande by the space of three myles. They founde the I∣lande to be fortie and fiue myles in circuite. It is playne and of maruelous frutefull s••yle.* 1.27 There is also golde in it, but it

is not engendered there, but brought thether from other regi¦ons. It aboundeth with hony, fruites, and herbes: And hath also great plentie of foules and foure footed beastes. Theyr order and maner of lyuyng, is in al thynges lyke vnto theyrs of Iucatana.* 1.28 Lykewyse theyr howses, temples, streates, and ap¦parell. In many of theyr houses, are great postes of marble after the maner of owre buyldynge. They founde there, the foūdations of certeyne owlde towres ruinate: And one especi¦ally with .xviii. steares ascendynge to it, after the maner of so¦lemne temples. They marueyled greatly at owre shippes and maner of saylynge. At the fyrst, they wolde admyt no straun∣gers: but shortly after, receaued them gentelly. Theyr chiefe ruler (whom owre men supposed to bee a preeste) led them vp to the toppe of the towre, where they erected a banner and addicted the Ilande to the dominion of the kynge of Castyle, namynge it Sancta Crux,* 1.29 bycause they entered into the same in the nones of Maye beinge then the feaste of the holye crosse. They saye that it was cauled Cozumella of kynge Cozumellaus, whose auncestours were the fyrst that inhabited the Ilande.* 1.30 In the towre, they founde many chambers furnyshed with I¦mages, made both of earthe and marble to the similytude of beares. These they caule vppon with a houlynge and lamen¦table songe,* 1.31 perfumyng them with sweete odours, and other wyse honourynge them as theyr domesticall goddes They are also circumcised. The kynge was in fayre apparel made of gossampine cotton curiously wrought. He was lame on the one foote by reason that as he once exercysed hym selfe in swymmynge, a deuourynge fyshe cauled Tuberon, byt of al the toes,* 1.32 of one of his feete. He entreated owre men very frend∣ly and made them great chiere. After they had byn here thre dayes, they departed. And saylynge styll towarde the Weste, they espyed great mountaynes a farre of. But as they drewe neare, they perceaued it to bee the Ilande of Iucatana beinge distant from Cozumella onely fyue myles.* 1.33 Directynge therfore theyr course towarde the south syde of Iucatana, they compa∣sed it on that syde which lyeth nearest to the supposed conti∣nent: Yet coulde they not sayle rounde about it by reason of the multitude of rockes, shalowe places, and shelfes of sande. Then Alaminus the pylot turned his sailes to the North side wherof he had better knowleage. Thus at the length, they

came to the towne Campeebium and kynge Lazarus with whom they had bin that attempted the fyrst vyage the yeare before. At the fyrst, they were gentelly receaued, and requyred to re∣sort to the towne. But shortly after,* 1.34 they repented that they had bydden them: and there vpon wylled them to stay about a stones cast from the towne, and to proceade no further.

When owre men desyred that they myght make prouision for freshe water before theyr departure, they assigned them to a certeyne well which they had lefte behynde them. Declaringe further, that it shulde be lawfull for them to take water there or els no wheare. Owre men rested that nyght in the fyelde adioynynge to the well. The which thynge the Barbarians suspectinge, assembled an army of three thousande men, and encamped not farre from them. Bothe partes passed awaye the nyght without sleepe. They fearynge leaste owre menne shulde breake into the towne: And owre men, least the Bar∣barians shulde inuade them soodenly, on the one parte with trumpettes, and on the other syde with the noyse of timbrels kept them styll wakynge that were disposed to sleape, At the sprynge of the day, the Barbarians approched to owre mens campe & cauled for thinterpretours of Cuba, whose language is much agreable vnto theyrs. They had diuised to lyght a torche of frankensence and to place the same betwene bothe tharmies to thintent that if owre men dyd not depart before the torche were consumed, to stande to theyr perell.* 1.35 The torch was wasted and the matter came to hand strokes. They slewe onely one of owre men with an arrowe bycause his tar¦get fayled hym. But many were wounded. After this con∣flicte, owre men resorted to theyr ordinaunce which they had planted neare vnto the well. When they had discharged cer¦teyne pecces, the Barbarians fledde backe into the towne. Owre men were of fierce and greedy courage to haue pursued them, but that Grisalua the gouernour wolde not suffer thē. From thense they proceaded to the last ende of Iucatana,* 1.36 which they founde to reache more then two hundreth myles frome the East to the West. Here they founde a comodious hauen and named it Portus desideratus. From hense they sayled to other landes, and came to the region nexte to Iucatana Westwarde, whiche they doubte whether it be an Ilande or parte of the firme lande: but thinke it rather to be annext to the continent

In this there is a goulfe which they suppose to be incoompa∣sed with bothe the landes. But of this, there is no certentie. Thinhabitantes caule this region Caluacam or otherwise Oloan.* 1.37 They founde here also a great ryuer whiche by his violente course and faule, driueth freshe water two myles into the sea. This they cauled Grisalua after the name of the gouernoure.* 1.38 The barbarians marueilyng at the huge greatnesse and mo∣uynge of owre shyppes, came swarmyng the bankes on bothe sydes the ryuer, to the number of syxe thousande men armed with targettes and brest plates of gold,* 1.39 bowes and arrowes, brode swoordes of heauy woodde, and longe iauelens harde∣ned at the endes with fyer: Thus stondynge in battayle raye to defende their coostes, and with proude countenaunces for∣byddinge owre men to coome alande. Bothe parties watched al that nyght in armes. In the dawne of the day, owr men es¦pied about a hundreth Canoas (whiche we haue saide to be their boates) full of armed men. Here also the language of thinterpretours of Cuba agreed well enowghe with thers. When they had admitted the peace profered them by thinter∣pretours, al the Canoas staied excepte one whiche approched toward the shippes. A certeyne ruler that was in this Canoa, demaunded of owre men what they sought in other mennes landes. They answered, gold. And that, for permutation of other ware, and not of gift or vyolently. The Canoa returned and the ruler certified the kyng hereof, who came gladlye to the shyppes. When he had saluted the gouernour, he cauled his chamberlen vnto hym, commaundynge him to bringe his armure and other ornamentes of golde wherwith he armed Crisalua from the toppe of the heade to the soule of the foote:* 1.40 In so muche that, what so euer any man of armes armed at all partes, is emong vs accustomed to weare of Iren or steele when he commeth in to the fielde,* 1.41 all suche kynde of furni∣tures made of golde and wrought with woonderfull arte, the kyng gaue to the gouernour. He recompensed hym with ves∣tures of sycke, clothe, lynen, and other of owre thinges▪ In the beginning of this Iucatana, when they sayled to Cozumella, they chaunced vppon a Canoa of fyssher men to the number of nyne, fysshyng with hookes of golde.* 1.42 They tooke them all prisoners. One of them was knowen to this kyng, who pro∣mysed the daye folowyng to sende the gouernour as muche

golde for his raunsome as the man hym selfe waied. But the gouernour denyed that he coulde release hym withowte the consent of his felowes: And therfore kept hym styll to proue what he could further knowe of hym. Departing from hense and saylynge styll westwarde, they founde a great goulfe in the which three smaule Ilandes were sytuate. Of these,* 1.43 they went to the byggest. But oh abhominable crueltie: oh most corrupted myndes of men, and deuelyshe impietie? Let euery godly man close the mouth of his stomake lest he be desturbed.* 1.44 They offer younge children of bothe kyndes to their Idoles of marble and earth. Emonge their Idoles of marble,* 1.45 there standeth a lyon hauynge a hole throwgh the necke, into the whiche they poure the bludde of the miserable sacrifyce, that it maye from thense runne downe into a syncke of marble. Lette vs nowe declare with what ceremonies they sacryfyce the bludde of these pore wretches. They cutte not their thro∣tes, but open the very brestes of these selye soules and take owte their hartes yet pantynge, with the hotte bludde wher∣of, they anoynte the lyppes of their Idoles, and suffer the resydue to faule into the synke. This doone, they burne the harte and bowels, supposynge the smoke therof to be accep∣table to their goddes. Of their Idoles, one is made to the shape of a man, bowynge downe his heade and lookynge to∣ward the synke of bludde, as it were acceptyng the offeringe of the slayne sacrifyce. They eate the fleshe of the armes, thighes, and legges, especially when they sacrifyce an enemy taken in the warres. They founde a streame of congeled blud as thoughe it had runne from a bouchery. For this my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 purpose, they bringe these wretches from the nexte I∣landes. They sawe also innumerable heades, and trunkes of bodies thus mangeled, besyde many other yet remaining hole and couered with certeine mattes. All the trackes of these re∣gions abounde with golde and precious stones.* 1.46 One of owre men wanderynge in the Ilande, chaunced to fynde two wa∣ter pottes of alabaster artifycially wrought and full of lyttle stones of dyuers colours. They saye also that they founde a stone of the value of two thousand Castilans of gold,* 1.47 whiche they sent to the gouernour. This Ilande they named the I∣land of sacrifyce. Thinhabitauntes are circumcised. There are also other Ilandes sytuate about this Coluacana, or Caluacam,

the whiche are inhabited onely with women lyuing without the coompanye of men after the maner of the Amazones.* 1.48 But they that ponder the matter more wisely, thinke them rather to be certeyne women whiche haue vowed chastitie and pro∣fessed a solytarie lyfe as the nunnes doo with vs, or as the virgins cauled Vestales or Bonae Deae, were accustomed to do a∣monge the gentiles in oulde tyme. At certeyne tymes of the yeare, men of the other Ilandes resorte vnto them. But not for thintent of generation, but moued with pitie to helpe them to dresse their gardens and tyll their grounde. The re∣porte goeth lykewise that there are other Ilandes of cor∣rupte women to whom men resorte for carnall copulation: And that they cutte of one of the pappes of their women chil¦dren least it shuld hinder their shootyng. Also that they kepe onely the women children and sende awaye the men children. Owr men therfore drewe nere to the shore of Colluacana where they quyetly exercised marchaundies with thinhabitauntes. The kyng gaue them a great potte of gold:* 1.49 Also braslettes, chaynes, brouches, with many other iewelles, and al of gold. Owre men ageyne on the other parte satisfyed him with such stuffe as they had done other before. Here wolde they gladly haue planted a newe colonie or habitation, but that the go∣uernour wolde not permytte them, wherat they gruged not a lyttle. The houses and other edifyes of this prouynce, are buylded like vnto towres.* 1.50 It hath also .xv. great townes in it.* 1.51 Of these they affirme that they haue seene sum consisting of more then .xx. thousande houses,* 1.52 not ioyning together, but deseuered with courtes and gardens. They haue also cer∣teyne large market places encompased with waules, and streates well paued. Likewise fornaces and ouens made of lyme and bricke. Furthermore al sortes of handy craftes men & very cunning artificers. This kinges name was Potanchanus: & the region is cauled Palmaria.* 1.53 The towne where the king ke¦peth his court, cōteineth .xv. thousand houses. When they re∣ceaue any straungiers and make a leage of frendshyppe with them, they are accustomed with a knife made of a sharpe stone, to let them selues bludde in the toonge,* 1.54 hande, arme, or sum other parte of the body: And this euen in the syght of them whom they admitte to frendshyp, in token that they are ready to shedde their bludde in their fryndes causes. Their priestes professe a vertuous lyfe,* 1.55 and liue vnmaried. What it is to

haue to do with women, no man knoweth before he be ma∣ried. Fornication and adultery (which selde chaunce emonge thē) they counte abhomination. The women are of maruelous chastitie.* 1.56 Eurey noble mā after that he haue had one wife, may haue as many concubines as hym lysteth. But a maried wo∣man taken in adulterie,* 1.57 is soulde of her husbande. But this onely to the prince: at whose handes it shal be lawfull for her kynsefolkes to redeeme her. It is not lawfull for suche as are not maried,* 1.58 to sytte at the same table with them that are maried, or to eate of the same dyshe or drinke of the same cup. In the moneth of August and September, they absteine .xxxv. dayes not onely from fleshe wherof they haue great plentie,* 1.59 but also from fyshe and al other thinges that lyue by bludde: And durynge these daies, lyue onely with herbes and frutes. They reken twentie dayes to the moneth, and twentie mo∣nethes to the yeare. Owre men consumed certeyne dayes here verye pleasauntly. When they departed, coastynge styll by the same shore, they came to an other kyng whom they na∣med Ouandus.* 1.60 When he had intellygence that owre men desi∣red golde, he brought foorth certeyne plates of molten gold. But whē the gouernour signified vnto him by thinterpretors that he desyred great plentie of that metal, the day folowing he brought him a mannes Image of golde beinge a cubette in length: Also a fanne of golde,* 1.61 and an Idole of one of his domesticall goddes of curious woorkemanshyppe. Likewyse garlandes of stones of sundry colours, with many breste plat¦tes, brooches, and other kyndes of ornamentes, and all of golde. He gaue hym furthermore aboundaunce of delycate meates well salted and poudred with spices. When he had required owre men to coome alande, he commaunded his ser∣uauntes with all speede to prepare a great multitude of bran∣ches of trees and to waite vppon owre men to his pallayce. As they went thus in order, sum behynde and sum before on bothe sydes, they seemed so to shadowe owre men with the bouwes as thoughe they had gonne in a continuall arbour. The kynge hym selfe hauynge a septer in his hand, dyd sette them in their arraye, and sumtyme strike suche as were negli∣gent in bearyng their bouwes. They shewed them selues obe∣dient in all thynges, and with graue countenaunce, humbled them selues to receaue his stripes. When he was demaunded

where he had suche plentie of golde,* 1.62 he pointed with his fynger to the next mountaynes, and to the ryuers descen••yng from the same. They are so accustomed to the riuers and exer∣cised in swymming,* 1.63 that it is al one to them to li••e in the wa∣ter and on the lande. When they desyre to gather golde, they plunge theym selues in the ryuers and brynge from the bot∣tome therof, bothe their handes full of sande, whiche syf∣tynge from hande to hande, they gather owte the graynes of golde. And by this meanes in the space of twoo houres, they fyll a reede as bygge as a mannes fynger. Of the sweete sauours of these landes,* 1.64 many thinges myght be spoken, the whiche bycause they make rather to theffeminatynge of the myndes of men, then for any necessarye purpose, I haue thought best to omytte them. The kynge also gaue the go∣uernour a younge virgine of twelue yeares of age, adourned with ryche and fayre iewelles.* 1.65 Of the stones whiche he had of this kynge, one was valued at twoo thousande Castellans of golde. Thus at the length they departed from this kyng, laden with golde and precious stoones. Crisalua the gouer∣nour, sente one of the Carauelles to his vncle Diego Velasquen gouernour of the Ilande of Cuba, with messengers to dely∣uer hym the golde, iewelles, and other ornamentes. The resydue in the meane tyme styll folowed the tracte towarde the West. One of them in the whiche Frauncis Montegius the vnder gouernour was caryed, sayled harde by the shore: and the other twoo kept aloofe within prospecte of the land. Thinhabitauntes of these coastes also, no lesse marueylynge at the shyppes then dyd the other, came with twelue Canoas to Montegius, desyringe hym by thinterpretours to coome alande, promysynge in the name of their kynge, that hee shoulde be honorably entertayned. But Montegious answe∣red that hee coulde not assente to their request bycause his coompanions were so farre from hym. Yet dyd he gyue them certayne of owre thynges straunge vnto them, and thankes for their gentylnesse. Shortly after espyinge a great towne they directed their course thither. Thinhabitauntes prohi∣byted them to coome alande, and came foorthe ageynst them with bowes & quyuers ful of arrowes, brode swoordes made of heauy woode, and Iauelens hardned at the ende with fier. They shotte at owre men a farre of: And owre men dischar∣ged

certeyne pieces of ordinaunce ageynst them. The Barba∣rians astonysshed at the noyse of the gunnes, fledde amayne, and desyred peace. Here owre mens vytayles began to fayle them, and theyr shyppes were broosed with longe vyages. Hauynge therefore founde and doone these thynges whereof we haue spoken, Crisalua returned to the Ilande of Fernandina well contented,* 1.66 but so were not his companions. We muste nowe diuerte sumwhat from this matter, and speake of an o∣ther nauigation. And from thense wyll we returne to these landes which owre men haue founde. So it is therfore, that Diegus Velasquen the gouernour of the Iland of Fernandina, about the same tyme that he had sent foorth this nauie of foure Ca∣raueles, he prepared an other nauigation of onely one Cara∣uell and one brygantine with fortie and fyue men. These ex∣ercised vyolent handes ageinst thinhabitauntes of those regi∣ons where they arryued, thynkynge that they myght forcea∣bly drawe them to the dyggynge of golde bycause they were Caffranite Idolaters and circumcised.

There are at the sea syde not farre from the supposed continent,* 1.67 many lyttle Ilan¦des of moste fortunate and frutefull soyle, whereof three are thus named: Guanapan, Guanguan, and Quitilla. Owte of one of these (which they named Sancta Marina) they violentely caried away three hundreth men and women which they thrust in∣to the Carauell and returned immediatly to Fernardina, lea∣uynge the brigantine with .xxv. of theyr felowes to thintent to hunt for more men. The hauen where the Carauell fyrste arryued, is cauled Carenas, beinge distante from the angle of Cuba and the chiefe citie of Sanctiago,* 1.68 two hundreth and fyftie myles. For this Ilande of Cuba, is very longe, reachyng in length from the East to the West, and situate directly vnder the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri as we haue sayde before. Now shall you heare how fortune sought the reuenge of these pore wretches. Therfore as theyr kepers went aland and few re¦mained in the Carauel, they perceuing occasiō ministred wher by they myght recouer theyr libertie, soodeynely snatched vp owt mens weapons and slewe syxe of them which yet remay¦ned in the Carauel, whyle the residue lepte into the sea.* 1.69 And by this meanes the Barbarians possessed the Carauell which they had soone learned to rule, and thus returned to theyr owne countreys. But they sayled fyrste to the nexte Ilande

where they burnte the Carauel and caried away the weapons with them. From hense they conueyed them selues to theyr owne countreys with the Canoas of this Ilande. Heare in lyke maner they pryuilie assayled them that were lefte with the brigantyne, and slewe many of them also. The residue that escaped, fledde to the brigantine where they bewayled theyr felowes deathes and counted theyr owne escape a vic∣torie. On the shore not farre from the place where they suffe∣red this misfortune, there is a tree, in the toppe wherof they set vp a crosse, and graued this inscription in the barke of the tree: Vannuis Aldarieci. There is a ryuer named Darien, on the banke wherof standeth the chiefe citie of the supposed conti∣nent.* 1.70 The gouernour therfore hauing intelligence herof, sent with all speede two shippes of warre well furnyshed, to the ayde of them that were lefte. But they were wyse to late. Yet folowynge the viewe of the crosse, they came to the shore and redde the letters grauen on the tree, but durste not attempte fortune. Thus with all theyr hardie souldiers departinge from hense with despayre, they sayled to the nexte Ilande, out of the which they caryed away by violence fyue hundreth men and women, supposynge lykewyse that they myght law¦fully so doo bycause they were Idolaters and circumcised. But the like chaunce happened vnto them when they landed at Fernandina. For the Barbarians espyinge oportunitie, sette vppon the Spaniardes in one of the shippes with theyr owne weapons and slewe theyr keepers.* 1.71 The residue that escaped, castynge them selues into the sea, swamme to the nexte cara∣uell, and with theyr felowes assayled the carauell that was taken from them. This conflicte was so sharpe, that for the space of foure houres, it was doubtfull whether parte shulde obteyne the victorie. The Barbarians both men and women fought verye fiercely, aswell to recouer theyr libertie, as also to holde faste the praye whiche they had gotten. But in fine, the Spanyardes had the vpper hande by reason they were more experte in handelynge of theyr weapons and rulyng of theyr Carauell. The Barbarians beinge thus ouercoome,* 1.72 lepte into the sea: but the Spanyardes tooke theym ageyne with the shippe boates. About a hundreth of the Barbarians peryshed, beinge partely drowned and partly slayne with the swoorde: And but fewe of the Spanyardes. These thynges

thus pacified, the resydue of the Barbarians were caryed to the towne of Sanctiago and condemned to laboure in the golde mynes. Shortly after they made owte a newe vyage to an o∣ther of the Ilandes,* 1.73 whiche lye there about so thicke, that they commonly caule the number of them Archipelagus,* 1.74 as they in owre sea of Ionicum are cauled Symplegades.* 1.75 Here owre men were cruelly handeled: and as many of them as came alande eyther slayne or wounded. This Ilande they named Florida, bycause they arryued there on Easter day whiche the Spany∣ardes caule the floryshynge day of the resurrection. They say also that in this tracte they sawe .xxvi. Ilandes which Colo∣nus had ouerpassed:* 1.76 And the same so to lye aboute Hispaniola & Cuba, as though they warded them from the furie of the Oce∣an. In many of these they founde natiue golde of lyke good∣nes to that which is founde in Granatum. Thinhabitantes al∣so weare many iewels, and haue many Images of theyr do∣mesticall goddes made both of golde artificially wrought and also of woodde gylted.* 1.77 Francis Cheregatus browght one of theyr Idoles with hym, wherby may bee considered of what wytte and aptenes they are. It is a maruelous thynge to see what maner of rasers they haue,* 1.78 made of certeyne yelowe stones cleare & transparent lyke vnto Crystal. With these they shaue and carue as though they were made of fine steele. Whē the edges are blunte with longe exercise, they sharpen them not with a whetstone, or powder, or any other stone, but tem¦per them onely with water. They haue also a thousande kin¦des of instrumentes or tooles and such other thynges of fyne deuise,* 1.79 which were to longe to rehearse. Let vs therefore re¦turne from whense we haue digressed, as to Cozumella, Iucatana, Colluacana or Olloa, beinge al landes lately founde, and so rich fruteful and pleasaunt, that they may in maner be compared to the earthly Paradyse.* 1.80 Therfore, after that it was know∣en to owre men of howe greate momente these trattes were, the Spanyardes which inhabited the Ilande of Cuba Anunc∣tus beinge the gouernour of the Ilande furnyshed a newe na¦uie of ten Carauelles and fyue hundreth menne,* 1.81 with twoo smaule brigantines, as it weare in the steade of lyght horse∣men or forerunners whose ayde they myght vse as scoutes to searche the wayes for daunger of rockes and shalow sandes or shelfes. They shipte also certeyne horses,* 1.82 as fyue stoned

horses and .xvi. mares apte for the warres. For their gene∣rall gouernour and Admiral of the nauy, they elected Fernando Cortesius who at that tyme was the chiefe ruler of the citie of Sanctiago.* 1.83 For vnder capitaines, they appointed Alfons Portu∣carerius, Francis Montegius, Alfons Auila, Aluerado Spatense Iohn Velasquen, & Diegus Ordassus. They styll folowed the same wynde from the last angle of Cuba toward the west. As soone as Frauncis Fernandes of Corduba, and then Iohn Gri∣salua came within prospecte of the Ilande of Sacrifyces (wherof we haue made mention before) soodenly a tempest of contrary wynde prohibited theym to take lande and drowe them backewarde to Cozumella lyinge on the East syde of Iuca∣tana.* 1.84 This Ilande hath onely one hauen named sainte Iohns porte. And hath in it, onely syxe townes. Also none other water then in welles and cesterns, bycause it lacketh riuers and springes by reason it is plaine, conteynynge onely .xlv. myles in circuite. At the coommynge of owre men, thinha∣bitauntes fledde to the thicke woods, & forsoke their townes for feare. Owre men entered into their houses where they founde plentie of vyttayles and many ornamentes pertey∣nynge to the furnyshynge of their houses, as hanginges and carpettes of dyuers colours, sheetes also of gossampine cot∣ton (whiche they caule Amaccas) and muche apparell.* 1.85 They haue furthermore innumerable bookes,* 1.86 of the whiche with many other thinges sent to owre newe Emperour, we wyll speake more largely hereafter. The souldiers wandered a∣bout the Iland & viewe althynges diligently, kepyng them selues styll in battell raye least they myght be sodenly inua∣ded. They founde but a fewe of thinhabitauntes and onely one woman in their coompanie. By thinterpretours of Cuba and other whiche the Spaniardes tooke fyrst from Iucatana, they perswaded the woman to caule the kynges that were absente. They came gladly & made a leage of frendshyp with owre men, wherby they were restored to their houses and a great parte of their stuffe. They are circumcised Idolatours,* 1.87 and sacrifyce children of bothe kyndes to their Zemes, which are the Images of their familiar and domesticall spirites whiche they honour as goddes. When I enquired of Alaminus the pilote, also of Frances Montegius and Portucarerius, from whense they had the children they offered in sacrifyce,* 1.88 they

answered that they bowght them in the Ilandes theraboute by exchaunge for golde and other of their trafycke. For in al this so large a space of land, the deuelyshe anxietie for the de∣syre of wicked money, hath not yet oppressed thinhabitantes. They saye the same also of the Ilandes lately founde, wher∣of two are named Destam and Sestam,* 1.89 whose inhabitauntes go naked: and for scarenesse of children, sacrifice dogges whi∣che they nourishe aswell for that purpose as also to eate as wee do connies. These dogges are dumme and can not barke,* 1.90 hauynge snowtes lyke vnto foxes. Suche as they destinate to eate, they geld while they are whelpes, wherby they waxe very fat in the space of foure monethes. They reserue al the bytches for increase, and but fewe dogges. Owre men dis∣swaded them from these superstitions, declarynge how they were abhominable and detested of god. They were soone per∣swaded and desyred a law whiche they myght folowe.* 1.91 Owre men therfore declared vnto them that there was onely one god which made heauen & earth, the geuer of al good thyn∣ges, beyng of one incomprehensyble substaunce vnder tripli∣citie of person. As soone as they harde these woordes, they broke their Zemes, and pared, scraped, and washed the paue∣mentes and waules of their temples. Owre men gaue them a painted picture of the blessed vyrgine whiche they placed reuerently in their temple,* 1.92 and aboue it a crosse to be hono∣red in the remembraunce of god and man and the saluation of mankynde. They erected also an other great crosse of wod in the toppe of the temple, why••her they oftentymes resorte togither to honour the Image of the vyrgine. Thinhabitan∣tes signified by thinterpretours that in the Iland of Iucatana not far from them, there were seuē Christians captiues which in tyme past were dryuen thither by tempeste. The Ilande of Cozumella, is onely fyue miles distant from Iucatana. The go∣uernour Cort••si••s being aduertised herof,* 1.93 furnyshed ii. Carauels with fyftie mē, wyllyng thē incontinent to direct their viage thither & to make serch for these mē. They toke with thē thre interpretours of Cozumella (whose lāguage agreeth with theirs with let••ers to the Christians if any myght be found. He fur∣ther declared vnto theym howe goodly a matter they shoulde bringe to passe if they coulde bringe away any of them. For he no wayes doubted but that by their information, he shuld

be fully certified of the commodities of all those tractes, and the maners of thinhabitauntes. Thus they departed with commaundement to retourne within the space of syxe dayes. But when they had remayned there now .viii. days, and hard no woorde of their Cozumellane interpretours whome they had sent alande with the message and letters, owre men re∣turned to Cozumella without them, suspectyng that they were other slaine or deteyned. And where as the hole nauye was now determyned to depart from Cozumella but that they were hyndered by contrary wynde, they sodenly espied towarde the weste a Canoa coommynge from Iucatana, and in it, one of the Christian captiues (named Hieronimus Aquillaris) who had lyued seuen yeares in that Ilande.* 1.94 With what ioye they em∣brased the one the other, the chance may declare. They were no lesse desyrous to heare, then he to tell of the mysfortune wh••che befell to hym and his coompanions. And here it shal not bee greatly from my purpose breefely to rehearse how the thynge chaunced. In my Decades I haue made mention of a certayne noble man named Valdiuia,* 1.95 whome the Spanyardes whiche inhabited Dariena in the supposed continente of the goulf of Vraba, sent to the Iland of Hispaniola to Colonus the Ad¦miral and viceroy with the residue of the Senate and counsel there (to whom perteyneth the redresse and orderynge of all thinges in these newe landes) to sygnifye vnto them in what extreme necessitie and penurie they lyued. Unhappy Valdiuia therfore,* 1.96 takynge this matter in hand in an euell houre, was with a sudden and vyolent whirlewinde, dryuen vppon cer∣tayne quickesandes in the prospecte of the Ilande of Iamaica, lyinge on the South syde of Hispaniola and Cuba. These blind and swalowyng sandes, the Spaniardes caule vypers:* 1.97 And that by good reason, bycause in them many shyppes are en∣tangled, as the lycertes are implycate in the tayles of the vi∣pers. While the Carauell thus wresteled with the water, it was so bruste in sunder, that Valdiuia with thirtie of his fe∣lowes, coulde scarsely with muche difficultie descende into the shyppe boate: where, without ••ers, and without sayles, they were caried awaye by the vyolence of the water. For (as we haue said before in owre Decades) the seas do runne there continually with a vyolent course towarde the West.* 1.98 They wandered thus .xiii. dayes not knowyng whyther they went

nor yet fyndynge any thyng to eate. Famen consumed seuen of them whiche were caste in the sea to feede the fyshes. The resydue lykewise in maner consumed by famen and faulynge from one calamitie into an other, were driuen to Iucatana and fell into the handes of a cruell kynge who slewe Valdiuia the gouernour with certayne of his felowes.* 1.99 And when hee had fyrst sacrifyced them to his Zemes, shortely after he eate them with his frindes of that conspiracie. For they eate onely their enemyes and straungiers: And doo otherwise absteyne from mannes fleshe. In this meane tyme, while Hieronimus Aqullraris with syxe of his felowes were reserued to be sacrifyced the thirde daye,* 1.100 they brooke their bandes, escaped the han∣des of that cruell tyranne, and fledde to an other kynge be∣ynge his enemye, who receaued them, yet onely as bonde∣men. It is a straunge thinge to heare of the moother of this Aquillaris. For as soone as she harde that her soonne was fau∣len into the handes of the nations that eate mannes fleshe, shee fell madde incontinent: So that when so euer after, shee sawe any meate rostyng at the fyer, or onely ready spytted to laye to the fyer, shee ceased not to crye out in this maner. O me moste wretched moother: Behold the members of my son. But to returne to owre purpose. When Aquillaris had now re∣ceaued the gouernours letter sente by the Cozumellane mes∣sengers, hee declared to the kynge his mayster (whose name was Taxmarus) what was their erraunt thither,* 1.101 and wherfore they were sent: vsyng in the meane tyme many large discour∣ses in expressynge the great poure and magnifycence of their kynge who had of late arriued in those coastes. Also of their humanitie and gentilnesse toward their frindes and suche as submytted them selues to them, and againe their rygour and fiercenesse ageynst suche as stoobernly eyther contemned them or denyed their requestes. With these woordes he broughte Taxmarus into suche feare, that the maister was now fayne to desyre his seruaunt so to handell the matter that they myght quyetly enter into his dominion as his freendes and not as his enemies. Aquillaris promised in their behalfe that they shuld not onely coome in peace, but also to ayde hym ageynst his enemyes if neede shulde so require. Whervppon hee dismissed Aquillaris and with hym three of his fam••liers and coompani∣ons. Thus they sayled together from Cozumella to Iueatana to

the ryuer whiche they had founde before in the fyrst vyage thither by the gouernance of Alaminus the pilot. They found the mouthe of the ryuer stopped with sande,* 1.102 as wee reade of the ryuer of Nilus in Egipte when the wyndes (cauled Etesū) blowe in summer and especially in the canicular dayes. Ther∣fore where as they coulde not enter into thē ryuer with the biggeste vesselles (although it bee otherwise apte to receaue great shyppes) the gouernour caused two hundreth men to be sette alande with the brigantynes and shyppe boates: wyl∣lynge Aquillaris to offer peace to thinhabitauntes. They de∣maunded what owre men required. Aquillaris answered, vyt∣tayles. There was a longe space of sande by the syde of the towne, whither they wylled them to resorte, promysynge to brynge them vyttayles thither the daye folowynge.* 1.103 Owre men wente and they came accordynge to their promisse and brought with them eyght of their hennes beynge as bygge as peacockes, of brownyshe coloure, and not inferiour to pea∣cockes in pleasaunte tast. They brought also as muche bread made of Maizium (whiche is a graine not muche vnlyke vnto panyke) as wolde scarcely serue tenne hungry men: And here with desyred them to depart. But when they perceaued that owre men made no hast away, immediately there came a great coompanye of armed men towarde theym demaundyng what they had to do thus to wander in other mennes landes. Owr men made answere by Aquillaris, that they desyred peace, vyt∣tayles, and golde for exchaunge of other thinges. They an∣swered ageyne, that they wolde nother peace nor warre with them. But threatned them to auoyde the lande excepte they woolde bee distroyed euery manne. Owre men sayde that they woulde not departe withowte suffyciente vyttayles to mayntayne their souldyers.

They appoynted the day folowynge to brynge them more vy∣tayles: but they brooke promesse. Yet perceauing the second day that owre men were encamped on the sande and had re∣posed there that nyght, they brought them as much more vy¦tayles, and commaunded them in the name of theyr kynge to departe. Owre men sayde that they were desyrous to see the towne, and to haue yet more store of vytayles. The Barba∣rians denyed theyr request, and therewith departed whispe∣rynge and mutterynge amonge them selues. In the meane

tyme owre men were styll so oppressed with hunger that they were enforced to seeke for meate. The gouernoure therefore sent his vnder capitaynes to lande with a hundreth and fyf∣tie men.* 1.104 As they went dispersed in dyuers companyes about the vyllages of the country, the Barbarians met with one of theyr bandes, and put them to great distresse. But when theyr felowes beinge not farre from them, harde the noyse of theyr alarome, they came with all possible haste to theyr res∣cue. The gouernour on the other syde, placinge his ordinance in the brygantines and shippe boates, approched to the shore with the residue of his souldiers. The Barbarians lykewise, beinge redy furnyshed to the battayle, came run∣nynge to the sea syde to disturbe theym that they shulde not coome alande: And with theyr arrowes, wounded manye a farre of vnprepared. The gouernoure discharged aboute .xx. pieces of ordinaunce ageynste them:* 1.105 With the slaughter and terrible thunder wherof, & with the flame of fyer and smel of brimstone, they were so astonished and put to such feare, that they fled and disparcled lyke wylde beastes: whom owre men persuinge, entered into the towne which thinhabitantes for∣fooke in maner for feare of theyr owne men whom they sawe so dismayde. On the banke of this ryuer there is a towne of such portentous byggenes as I dare not speake.* 1.106 But Alami∣nus the pylot, sayth that it conteyneth in circuite fyue hun∣dreth myles, and that it consisteth of .xxv. thousande houses.* 1.107 Sume make it sumwhat lesse: But they all agree that it is exceadynge great and notable. The houses are diuided with gardens, and are buylded of lyme and stone verye artificially and of cunnynge woorkemanshippe. To theyr haules, cham∣bers, parlers, or other places of habitation, they ascende by tenne or twelue steares: And haue certeyne spaces betwene euery house: so that it is not lawful for any to lade his neigh¦bours waules with rafters or beames. Theyr houses are sep••¦rate one from an other by the space of three houses: And are for the more parte couered with reede and thetche: And ma∣ny also with slate or other stone. The barbarians them selues confessed that they were that day fortie thousande men at the battayle, which were vanquished of a fewe by reason of the newe and vnknowen kynde of feyght with gunnes and hor∣ses.* 1.108 For the gouernour had vnbarked .xvi. horses which were

also at the battayle, and so fiercely assayled the Barbarians on the backehalfe, that they brake theyr array and scattered them as it had byn flockes of sheepe, ouerthrowing, woun∣dynge, and kyllynge them on euery syde. Whiche thynge th•• seely wretches so imputed to a miracle, that they had not the poure to occupie theyr wepons. For wheras before they had neuer seene any horses, they thought that the man on horse∣backe and the horse, had byn all one beaste,* 1.109 as the antiqui∣tie dyd fable of the monster Centaurus.* 1.110 Owr men possessed the towne .xxii. dayes where they made good chere vnder couert, whyle the owners of the houses lay vnder the firmament and durst not assayle owre men who had placed them selues in the strongest parte of the towne, where sume kepte continuall watche (least the Barbarians shulde soodenly inuade theim) whyle other gaue them selues to reste and sleepe. Thinhabi∣tantes caule this towne Potanchana: But owre men for the vic¦torie which they obteyned here, named it Victoria. It is a mar¦uelous thynge to consider the greatenes, magnifi••ence and finenes of the buyldinge of certeyne palaices they haue in the countrey to the which they resorte sumtymes for theyr solace and pastyme.* 1.111 These are curiously buylded with many plea∣saunt diuises, as galeries, solars, t••rrettes, portals, gutters with chambers boorded after the maner of owre waynscotte and well flowred. Foure of owr Spanyardes went into one of them of such greatnes, that they wandered in the same for the space of foure houres before they coulde fynde the waye owt. At the length by thinterpretours and certeyne captiues owre men sent for the kynge and suche rulers as were nexte vnder hym in autoritie, wyllyng them to submyt them selues and to coome into the towne vnarmed. Gyuinge the messen∣gers further in commaundement to certifie them that in their so doinge, they wolde commen with them as concernynge con¦ditions of peace, and restore them theyr towne. They came gladly, and entered euery man into his owne house vppon condition that they shulde euer thereafter absteyne from such cerimonies and horrible sacrifices of mans fleshe to deuils the mortal enemies to mankynd, whose Images they honoured. And to directe the eyes of theyr myndes to Christe owre god the maker of heauen and earth,* 1.112 who was borne into this world of a virgin, and suffered death on the crosse for the re∣demption

of mankynde. And fynally to professe them selues subiectes to the great Christian kynge of Spayne. They pro∣mysed both, and were instructed as farre as the shortenes of tyme wolde permitte. Beinge thus restored, they recompen∣sed owre men with many rewardes: Supposynge suche men to be sent from heauen, which being so fewe in number, durst attempte battayle ageynst so great a multitude. They gaue owre men also certeyne golde and twentie slaues. Departing therefore from hense, and coastynge styll alonge by the same shore, they came ageyne to the goulfe whiche Alaminus the py∣lot founde before vnder Grisalua. This they named Bian Sancti Iohannis, that is, Saynt Iohns goulfe: For Bian in the Spa∣nyshe tonge signifieth a goulfe. Here thinhabitantes resor∣ted to them peaceably. Aboute a myle frome the shore, was a towne of a thousande and fyue hundreth houses situate vp∣pon a hyll.* 1.113 They profered owre men halfe the towne if they wolde dwel with them for euer. This perhaps they dyd the rather eyther fearynge thexemple of thinhabitantes of Potan∣••hana, the fame wherof myght haue coome to theyr eares, or els hopynge that vnder the shadowe of suche valiant menne, they myght obteyne ayde and succour ageynst theyr enemies and bortherers. For (as I haue sayde before) they dystroye one an other with continuall warre for the desyre to inlarge theyr dominions. Owre men refused perpetuall habitacion, and accepted theyr frendely profer for a tyme. As they came alande, the people folowed them on euery syde with bouwes in theyr handes which they helde ouer owre mens heades to defende them from the rayne as though they had walked in a continual arbour. Here they encamped. And least the residue lefte in the shippes, shulde in the meane tyme waxe slothefull with Idlenes, the gouernour gaue commaundement to Alami¦nus the pylot and Francis Montegius to search the west par¦tes of that lande, whyle he relieued the weried souldiers and healed suche as were wounded. To them that went forward on this vyage, he assigned two brigantines with fiftie men.* 1.114 Unto this goulfe, the course of the water was gentyl enough and moderate.* 1.115 But when they had sayled a lyttle further to¦warde the Weste, they founde the sea runnynge with so swift a course as if it were a great ryuer faulynge from the tops of hygh mountaynes: In so much that in a shorte space of tyme

it caried them fiftie myles from theyr felowes. When they were now entered into this violent streame of the water,* 1.116 they sawe on their left hand a large playne sea which mette with the course of the other waters faulynge from the weste. And lyke as two great ryuers that runne contrary wayes, make a vehement conflycte where they meete, so seemed the waters commyng from the Southe to resyst these waters as enemyes that had entered into the ryght or possessyon of an other. On the contrary parte, they sawe the lande reachynge farre bothe on the lefte hande and on the ryght. In this strife be∣twene the waters, they were so tossed on bothe sydes and entangled with whirlepooles,* 1.117 that they longe wrestled with owte hope of lyfe. At the length with muche difficultie, tur∣nynge the stemmes or forpartes of their shyppes ageynst the streame from whense they came, and labourynge al that they myght with their oers and sayles, they coulde scarsely ouer∣coome the rage of the water: In so much that where as they thought that they had in one nyght sayled twoo myles, they founde that they were dryuen backe foure myles. Yet at the length with goddes helpe, they ouercame this daungerours conflycte. They spente .xxii. daies in this lyttle space of sea: And when they were nowe returned to their felowes, decla∣red vnto them that that ende was the land of Colluacana whi∣che they adiudged to be parte of the supposed continent.* 1.118 The lande whiche they sawe a farre of before their fase, they sup∣pose eyther to be annexed to owre continent, or to bee ioyned to the large North regions cauled Baccalaos,* 1.119 wherof we haue made mention in owr Decades in the vyage of Sebastian Ca∣bote. This matter is yet doubtefull. But wee truste it shall once bee better knowen. While Alaminus and Montegius searched these secreates, the kynge of the prouince (whose name was Multoxumam) sent owre men by one of his chiefe of∣fycers (beynge also his Lieuetenaunt of the sayde towne) ma∣ny ryche and goodly presentes of golde, syluer, and precious stoones,* 1.120 sette and wroughte after a marueylous straunge de∣uyse and with no lesse cunnynge woorkemanshyp. Here they determined to sende messengiers to owre newe Emperour to knowe his pleasure that they myght in this prouince plan•• a newe colonie or habitation. And this dyd they withowte thaduise of Diegus Velasquen the gouernour of the Iland of Cuba or

Fernandina, who fyrste sente them foorth with commaundement to returne ageyne after they had searched these regions and obteyned plentie of golde. While they consulted hereof, they were of dyuers opinions. But the moste part alleaged that in this case it was not requisyte to make the gouernour of their counsaile. Forasmuche as the matter shulde be referred to a higher Iudge, as to the kyng of Spaine him selfe. When they were thus agreed, they receaued vyttayles of the gentle kyng of the prouince, and assigned the place of their colonie twelue myles from the sayde towne, in a fruteful and holsome soile.* 1.121 For their generall gouernour, they elected Cortesius the gouer∣nour of the nauye, against his wyll as sum saye. For other magistrates to gouerne the citie which they intended to build he choose Portu••arerius and Montegius of whome we haue made mention before.* 1.122 They chose also certeyne messengiers to sende to the kyng by the conduction of Alaminus the pylot. Furthermore, foure of the princes of this prouince offered thē selues wyllyngly to go with owre men into Spaine to thin∣tent to see owre landes and that kynge whose poure is soo great and whose auctoritie reacheth so farre. They brought lykewise two women with them, which serued & obeied thē in all thinges after the maner of theyr countrey. The people of this nation is of broune or yelowyshe colour. Bothe the men and the women haue pendauntes of gold and precious stones hanginge at their eares. The men also, boore their nether lyppes full of holes from the vppermoste parte of the lyppe euen vnto the nethermoste parte of the gumme.* 1.123 At these they hange certeyne rynges and plates of golde and syluer fastned to a smaule and thynne plate lyinge within betwene the lippe and the gumme. At the byggest hole in the myddest of the lip, there hangeth a rounde plate of syluer as brode as the coyne cauled a Corolyne, and as thicke as a mannes fynger. I do not remember that euer I sawe any thinge that seemed more fylthy in myne eye.* 1.124 Yet do they thynke that there is nothing more cumly vnder the circle of the moone. Wherby we may see howe vainely mankynde wandereth in his owne blynd∣nesse. The Ethiopian thincketh the blacke colour to be fayrer then the white: And the white man thinketh otherwise. They that are pouled, thinke that more decent then to weare a bush and they that weare beardes, iudge it a deformitie to be sha∣uen.

As appetite therfore moueth, and not as reason perswa¦deth, men runne after vanities: And euery prouynce is rul••d by their ownesense, as writeth saint Ierome. From whense they haue their golde, we haue spoken sufficiently before. But as owre men marueyled where they had their syluer,* 1.125 they shewed them certayne high mountaynes whiche are con∣tinually couered with snowe sauynge that at certeyne ••ymes of the yeare, the onely toppes are seene hate bicause the snow is there molten by reason of the thicke and warme ••loudes. The playnes therfore, or mylde, softe, and pleasaunt moun∣taynes seeme to brynge foorthe golde: And the rough crag∣gye mountaynes with their coulde valleyes, are the places wh••re syluer is engendered.* 1.126 They haue also laton, wherof they make such maces and hammers as are vsed in the war∣res.* 1.127 Dyggynge mattockes also, and spades: for they haue nother Iren nor steele. But lette vs nowe speake of the pre∣sentes sent into Spayne to the kyng: and fyrste of the bokes. These procuratours therfore of the newe colonie of the pro∣uynce of Colluacana, emong other their presentes, brought al∣so a great number of bookes, the leaues wherof are made of the inner ryndes or barkes of trees, thinner then eyther that of the elme or of the salowe. These they smere or annoint with the pytche of molten Bitumen, and while they be softe, extend them to what forme them lysteth. When they be coulde and harde, they rubbe them ouer with a certeyne playster. It is to bee thoughte that they beate the playster into fine floure, and so temperynge it with sum byndynge moister, to make a cruste therwith vppon the leaues, wheron they wryte with any sharpe instrument, and blotte the same againe with a ••punge or sum suche other thynge, as marchaunt men and noble mens stewardes are accustomed to do with their wry∣tynge tables made of the woodde of fygge trees. The leaues of their bokes are not set in order after the maner of owres, but are extended many cubettes in length. The matters whi∣che they write, are conteyned in square table: Not loose, but so bounde togither with the toughe and flexible cley cau∣led Bitumen, that they seeme lyke woodden tables whiche had byn vnder the handes of cunnyng bokebynders. Which way so euer the booke lyeth open, there are two leaues seene and two sydes written, with as many lyinge hyd vnder them, ex∣••epte the booke be vnfoulded in length. For vnder one leafe

there are many leaues ioyned togyther. The formes of their letters are nothynge lyke vnto owres.* 1.128 But are muche more crooked and entangeled, lyke vnto fyshehookes, knottes, snares, starres, dise, fyles, and suche other muche lyke vnto the Egiptian letters, and written in lynes lyke vnto owres. Here and there betwene the lynes, are pictured the shapes of men & dyuers beastes: And especially the Images of kynges and other noble men.* 1.129 Wherby it is to be thought tha•• in suche bookes, the factes of their kynges are conceyued, as wee see the lyke emonge vs howe owre printers expresse the summe of histories in pictures, that men may therby be the more al∣lured to bye suche bookes. The couerynges of their bookes are also artifycially wrought and paynted. When they are shutte, they seeme to differre nothynge from owres in forme. In these bookes are furthermore comprehended their lawes, rytes of ceremonies and sacrifyces, annotations of Astro∣nomie, accomptes, computations of tymes, with the maner of graffynge, sowyng, and other thynges perteinyng to hus∣bandry. They begynne the yeare from the goynge downe of the seuen starres cauled Vergiliae or Pleiades: And counte theyr monethes accordyng to the moones. They name a moneth, Tona, of the moone. For in theyr language, they caule the moone Tona, they reken the dayes by the soonnes. Therfore as many daies as they name, they saye, so many soonnes. The soonne in their tonge, is cauled Tonati••o. They destribute the yeare (without any reason why) into twentie monethes: And the moneth into as many dayes. The temples whiche they frequent,* 1.130 they adourne with golden hangynges and o∣ther ornamentes of golde and syluer with precious stones in∣termixte. At the springe of the daye,* 1.131 they perfume their tem∣ples with frankensence and make their praiers before they take in hande any other busynesse. But oh horrible crueltie. For thinhabitauntes of all these tractes also, doo sacrifyce children to their Idoles in lyke maner as wee haue sayde be∣fore.* 1.132 At suche tyme as the seedes lye in the ground, and when the corne begynneth to shewe foorth the eare, they destinate to their Zemes suche bondmen as they haue bought, or suche captiues as they haue taken in the warres, which they sacri∣fyce after that they haue made them great chiere and decked them in precious apparell. Also before they sacrifyce these

poore wretches,* 1.133 they lead them about the towne whyle al the people salute them humbly and reuerently, affyrmyng that in shorte space, they shalbe receaued into the coompanye of the goddes. They honour their Zemes with an other sharp kind of deuotion: For they lette them selues bludde, eyther in the tonge,* 1.134 lyps, eares legges, thyghes, or brest, which they take in their handes and hurle it vppe towarde heauen, soo that with the faule therof the pauement of the temple is all s••ar∣cled with bludde, wherby they thincke that their goddes are well pleased. From the newe colonie (cauled Villa Ricca) nyne myles distante,* 1.135 there is a towne of .xv. thousande houses, whiche thinhabitauntes caule Cemobal, but owre men named it Sybilla.* 1.136 The kynge of this towne had fyue men whiche he reserued to be sacrifyced. Whom when owre men wold haue delyuered, the kynge made humble request to them, sayinge that if they tooke awaye suche men as he had consecrated to be offered to the goddes, they shulde brynge vtter destruction to hym and all his kyngdome.* 1.137 For if owre sacrifyces (sayd he) do cease, owre Zemes wyll take suche displeasure with vs that they wyll suffer owre corne, graffes, and frutes, to bee consumed of woormes, scortched with drowth, destroyed with fluddes, or blasted with lyghtnynge. Owre men per∣ceauynge his ernestnesse herein, thought it beste to chose the least euel, perceauynge that it was yet no tyme to disquyes their myndes, and therfore suffered them to exercise their ac∣customed ceremonies. And althoughe their priestes promysse theym immortall glorie, eternall felicytie, and perpetuall conuersation with the goddes after the stormye dayes of this lyfe,* 1.138 yet do they with heauy countenaunces giue eare to their promisses, and had rather be sette at lybertie. Their priestes are named Quines in the plurell number, and Quin in the syn∣gular. They leade a pure and chaste lyfe: And are honoured of the people with feare and reuerence. They make fagots of the bones of their enemyes which they haue taken in the war¦res,* 1.139 and hange vppe the same at the feete of their Zemes, as tokens of the victories obteyned by their fauour. To these they adde certayne titles and superscriptions as testimonies of the same. This is straunge and woorthy to be noted, that when their children are a yeare oulde, the priestes in their temples with deuoute ceremonies and murmurynge woordes,

poure water in forme of a crosse vpon their heades with a cruet, wherby they seeme to baptise them.* 1.140 Neyther do they as the Iewes and Turkes, thinke their temples polluted if any of a straunge relygion bee present at their sacrifyces and other solemnities. Wee haue nowe spoken suffycientely of their bookes, temples, and superstitions. Lette vs nowe therfore coome to the other presentes which were brought to the kynge.* 1.141 Emonge these, there were twoo broode and rounde plates (whiche summe haue named the Images of the soonne and moone) the one of siluer and the other of gold in largenesse and roundnesse muche lyke to the stones of hand mylles:* 1.142 yet but thynne, and in maner bothe of one circumfe∣rence, that is xxviii. spannes in circuite.

That of golde is of the weyght of three thousande and .viii. hundreth Castellans, where as wee haue sayde before that a Castellane is a coyne of golde which weyeth more then a Du¦cate by a trient, that is the thyrde parte of a pounde. In the center of this, was the Image of a kynge of halfe a cubette longe, syttinge in a trone and appareled to the knee, lyke vn¦to a maumette, with such countenaunce as owre paynters are wonte to paynte fayries or sprites. About the Image, were the ••hapes of trees and floures, so that it seemed to sytte as though it had byn in a fielde. The other of syluer, was made to the same similitude, beinge also in maner of the same weyght, and both of pure metall. They brought lykewyse certeyne graynes of rude golde (that is, suche as was neuer molten) about the byggenes of fytches or the pulse cauled lin¦tels in token of plentie of natiue golde. Also two cheynes of golde,* 1.143 wherof the one conteyned .viii. lynkes in the whiche were set two hundreth threescore and twoo fayre and cleare redde stones, and yet no rubyes: furthermore, a hundrethe fourescore and three greene stones, and yet no emerodes. Ne∣uerthelesse, these are in lyke estimation with them as the o∣ther are with vs. At the edge of this cheine, there hange .xxvii golden belles, hauynge betwene euery of them, foure iewels of precious stones inclosed in golde, at euery of the which in lyke maner hange certeyne spangels of golde. The other cheyne consisteth onely of foure golden lynkes, beset rounde about with a hundreth and two redde stones, and a hundreth threescore and twelue greene stones, with .xxvi. golden belles

curiously wrought and placed in comely order. In the very•• myddest of the cheyne, are ten great precious stones inclosed in golde, at the whiche also hange a hundrethe golden pen∣dauntes of cunnynge woorkemanshippe.* 1.144 They brought fur∣thermore twelue paire of lether huskynnes of diuers colours, summe imbrothered with gold and summe with syluer, with plates and iewelles of golde and precious stones inclosed, and at euery of them certayne golden belles. Also certeyne myters besette with precious stoones of dyuerse colours,* 1.145 emonge the whiche sume are blewe like vnto saphires. Of crestes, gerdles, and fannes made of fethers, I wotte not what I shulde saye.* 1.146 But suerly if euer the wyttes and inuen∣tions of men haue deserued honoure or cōmendacion in such•• artes, these seeme moste woorthy to bee had in admiracion. I do not maruaile at golde and precious stones. But am in maner astony••hed to see the woorkemanshyppe excell the sub∣stance. For I haue with woonderynge eyes behelde a thou∣sande formes and similitudes, of the which I am not able to write.* 1.147 And in my iudgement, I neuer sawe any thing whose bewtie myght so allure the eyes of men. As they marueyled at the naturall bewtie of the fethers of owre peacockes and pheasantes, so dyd we no lesse maruel at the artifycial bewtie of suche thinges as they make of fe••hers and quilles impaled with golde. For I sawe in manye of their woorkes, all ma∣ner of natiue colours euen in the quilles wherof they make suche instrumentes. They brought also two helmettes gar∣nysshed with precious stones of a whiteshe blewe colour.* 1.148 One of these is edged with belles and plates of golde, and vnder euery bell two knobbes of golde. The other, besyde the sto∣nes wherwith it is couered,* 1.149 is lykewyse edged with .xxv. golden belles and knobbes: & hath on the crest, a greene bird with the feete, bylle, and eyes, of golde. Also foure speares muche lyke vnto troute speares or yele speares,* 1.150 the woodde wherof is all couered with quilles of diuers colours maruei∣lously wrethed with golden wyers and plates intermyxte. Euery of these speares haue three pikes, whose edges or teeth are all of precious stones made faste with wyers of golde. Of like workmanship they brought a great scepter byset with pre¦cious stoones and belles of gold,* 1.151 also a braslet of gold,* 1.152 and showes made of a hartes skynne,* 1.153 sowed bimbrothered with

goldē wyers, with a white sole beneth. Furthermore a glasse of a bryght blewe stone,* 1.154 and an other of white, bo••h enclosed in golde. Likewise a precious stone of the kynde of them that are cauled Sphinges, inclosed in golde. Furthermore the heade of a great lysarde, two great shelles, two duckes, the shapes of diuers other byrdes, foules, and fysshes, and all of massie golde.* 1.155 Furthermore .xxiiii. rounde and souare targettes,* 1.156 shieldes, and buckelers of golde, and fyue of ••yluer. Also a triple crowne of plates and wyers of golde marueyleuslye wreathed with quilles and fethers of diuers colours,* 1.157 hauing on the fronte a plate of golde on the whiche is grauen the I∣mage of the Idole Zemes. About this Image, hange foure other plates like crosses of gold in the whiche are grauen the heades of diuers beastes,* 1.158 as lyons, tigers, woulues, and such other. They brought also the symilitudes of certeyne bea∣stes made summe of roddes or twygges, and sum of woodde with the beastes owne skynnes theron,* 1.159 and garnysshed with collers of laton belles. Lykewise diuers shietes weaued of gossampyne cotton of sundry colours,* 1.160 wherof two are ryche∣ly frynged with golde and precious stones, and three other with euilles and fethers intermyxte with gossampine cotton of sundrye colours and chekered lyke the panes of a cheste borde. Sum are on the one syde, of blacke, white, and redde colours: and on the other syde, plaine without any varietie. Other sum, are wrought in lyke maner with variable colours wi••h a wheele or circle of blacke in the myddest intermyxt•• with shyning fethers and sparkes of golde lyke starres. They brought also cloth of Aras or Uerdure of marueylous wo••k∣manshyppe.* 1.161 Lekewise a souldiers cl••ke suche as their pryn∣c••s weare in the warres,* 1.162 with certeyne priuye coates of sence, and sundrye tirementes perteynyng to their heades, with al∣so many suche other thynges more bewtifull to the eye then ryche or precious, wherof to entreate particularly, it shoulde be more tedious then profytable. I lette passe here also to speake of many particular nauigations and of the traua••les and daungers whiche they susteyned in the sam••, with the monsters and secreates of nature they sawe: ••hiche are all conteyned in the regesters of owre Se••••te of th••ffayres of India,* 1.163 owte of the whiche I haue select••d the••e fe•••• a••••••∣tations, suche as seemed to me moste meete to bee ••u••lis••••••d.

Notwithstandyng these ryche and goodly presentes, yet were they that brought them, and also Cortesius the gouernour of the nauye and autour of erectinge their newe colonie in those remote regions,* 1.164 adiudged by the Senate to haue doen ageinst ryght and equitie, in that they attempted the same withowte thaduice of the gouernour of the Ilande of Cuba who sente them foorthe by the kynges auctoritie, where as they dyd other thinges besyde their commyssyon, ye althoughe they wente to the kynge, not fyrst knowynge his pleasure whom the kyng had substitute his Lieuetenaunt in that Ilande. In so muche that by his procuratour, he accused them before the Senate as fugitiue theeues and traytours. They on the other parte alleaged that they had dooen the kyng better seruyce then he: And that they had shewed suffycient obedience in appealyng to the kyng as the hygher Iudge. But the gouer∣nour required by the vertue of his commission and the kinges letters pattentes that they myght be headed for their disobe∣dience ageinst hym whom they knewe to be autorised by the kynge. They ageine replied that they had not offended the kyng, but rather deserued rewarde for their great dangiers and trauailes. Bothe the rewarde and punishment were de∣ferred, and a daye appointed when bothe parties shoulde bee harde. Leete vs nowe therfore coome to the Spaniardes of Dariena,* 1.165 thinhabitours of the goulfe of Vraba in the supposed Continent. We haue sayde before that Dariena is a ryuer run∣nynge towarde the Weste syde of the goulfe of Vraba. On the banke of this ryuer, the Spaniardes planted their fyrst colo∣nie or habitation after they had vanquisshed kynge Chemaccus. This colonie they named Sancta Maria Antiqua,* 1.166 by reason of a vowe whiche they made to the virgine Marie in the tyme of the battaile ageynst Chemaccus. To these (as wee haue mad•• mention in the ende of owre decades) was Petrus Arias sente with a thousande and two hundreth men at the request of Vas∣chus Nunnez Balboa,* 1.167 who was then the gouernour of Dariena, and the fyrst that found and discouered the large South sea here∣tofore vnknowen.* 1.168 Wee haue also declared how at the arriual of Petrus Arias the newe gouernour, he deuided his armye into Centurions, that is, capitaines ouer hundrethes, whom hee sent foorth dyuers waies. What tragedies folowed hereof, I wyll absolue in fewe woordes, bycause all are horrible and

vnpleasaunte. For sence we fynyshed owre Decades,* 1.169 there hath byn none other then kyllynge, sleyinge, murtherynge and accusinge. The kynge made Vaschus gouernoure but du∣rynge his pleasure. His courage was such, and his factes so notorious, that he coulde not longe abyde the hautynes of Pe¦trus Arias. To bee breefe, theyr faulynge owte and discord con¦founded al thynges. Iohn Cacedus the pulpitte fryer of the order of saynt Frances, dyd his vttermoste endeuour to make them frendes, promysynge vnto Vaschus the dowghter of Petrus Arias to wyfe. But no meanes coulde be founde howe these two which bore the chiefe rule, myght bee brought to agree∣ment. At the length the matter grewe to such extremitie, that Petrus Arias fyndynge occasion of querelynge ageynste Vaschus,* 1.170 sent processe to the maiestrates of the towne, wherby he com¦maunded them to strangle Vaschus, and fyue other which were chiefe capitaynes vnder hym: Alleagynge that they and their confetherates conspired to rebel in the South sea: And that Vaschus hym selfe for that intente, had buylded and furnished foure shippes to search the south coastes of the supposed con∣tinent: Also that to his three hundreth souldiers and compa¦nions which he had with hym, he shulde speake woordes of this effecte as foloweth. My frendes, and felowes of my longe peynes and trauayles:* 1.171 Howe longe shall we be subiecte to the commaundement of other, sythe wee haue bydden the brunt and ouercumme thenterprise for the whiche this newe gouernour was sent with so great a multitude? Who can any longer abyde his pryde and insolentie? Lette vs therefore fo∣lowe these coastes whyther so euer fortune shall dryue vs: And amonge these so many pleasaunt and fruteful prouinces of this large lande, let vs chose one in the whiche wee maye with libertie spende that portion of owre lyues which yet re∣mayneth. Who can fynde vs, or shalbe able to profer vs vyo∣lence? When these or the lyke woordes were declared to Pe∣trus Arias, he sente to the Southe partes for Vaschus, wyllynge hym by the vertue of his commission to repayre to him foorth with. Vaschus obeyed, and at his commynge was caste in pry∣son: yet constantly denyinge that euer he entended any suche thynge. Wytnesses were brought ageynst hym, and his wor¦des rehearsed from the begynnynge.* 1.172 To conclude, he was iudged woorthy death, and was put to execution. And this

is the rewarde wherwith the blynde goddesse oftentymes re∣compenseth such as haue susteyned great trauayles and daun¦giours to bee hyghly in her fauoure. Petrus Arias leauynge his wyfe in Dariena,* 1.173 embarked hym selfe in the shippes left of Vas∣chus, to thintent to searche those coastes. But whether he be returned or not, we haue yet no certeyne knoweleage. He hath also his fortune. Yet is there an other gouernour as∣signed, whose name is Lupus Sosa,* 1.174 the viceroye of the I∣landes of Canarie. What stomake Petrus Arias may haue yf he re¦turne, let good men iudge. There was nothyng doone vnder hym woorthy glorie. Sume thynke that he was at the be∣gynnyng to slacke and negligent in his office, and not seuere in correctynge errours and misorders. But we wyll leaue him and rehearse sumwhat wherof we haue byn lately informed as touchynge the great and diepe ryuer of Dabaiba,* 1.175 the whiche for the greatnes and largenes therof, owre men named Gran∣dis, that is, great, as we haue noted in owre Decades. This riuer fauleth into the furthest corner of the goulfe of Vraba by seuen portes or mowthes as dooth the ryuer of Nilus into the Egyptian sea,* 1.176 whose large description yowe may also reade in owre Decades. That the mountaynes on euery syde about this ryuer,* 1.177 are rych in golde, we haue learned by thinforma∣tion of thinhabitauntes, of whom we made diligent inquisiti¦on. Vaschus, and besyde hym other gouernoures and Lieu••te∣nauntes, haue fouretymes entered into this ryuer with theyr armyes in battayle array, and with dyuers kyndes of shippes fyrste for the space of fortie myles, then fyftie, and at the last fourescore, at an other tyme also ouerthwarte the ryuer. Oh shamefull chaunce and detestable couwardenes of owre men.* 1.178 A naked nation encounterynge with them that had apparell, the armed ageynste the vnarmed, had the ouerthrowe in ma∣ner in all conflictes, and were other all slayne or wounded. They vse inuenemed arrowes, and are suche experte archers, that if they espye any place of theyr enemie bare or vnarmed, they wyll not lyghtly fayle to stryke him there They vse al∣so many dartes,* 1.179 which in the tyme of the battayle they hurle so thicke a farre of, that they take the lyght of the sonne frō theyr enemies as it were with a clowde. They haue lykewise brode and longe swoordes made of a heauie and harde kinde of woodde,* 1.180 wherewith they feyght fiercely neare at hande.

Vaschus hym selfe receaued many woundes in encounterynge with them. And thus by reason of the fiercenes of these bar∣barians, the ryuer of Dabaiba is yet lefte vnsearched. We wil nowe speake sumwhat more of the Iland of Hispaniola (which the Spanyardes caule Spagnuola) the moother and chiefe of al other landes or Ilandes wherof we entended to wryte.* 1.181 In it the Senate is now restored, and fyue Iudges assigned to giue lawes to all thinhabitauntes of those tractes. But in shorte tyme, they shall cease gatherynge of golde although there bee grea••e plentie: by reason they shall lacke labourers and my∣ners, forasmuch as thinhabitauntes whose helpe they vsed herein, are brought to a smaule number, consum••d partly by warre, and many more by famen that yeare that they dygged vp the rootes wherof they made theyr beste breade, and lefte of sowynge theyr grayne of Maizium which is theyr common foode, supposinge hereby to haue dryuen owre men owte of the Ilande, who had vytayles sente them from Spayne. A great number of them also, dyed of newe and straunge disea∣ses which in the yeare of Christe a thousande fyue hundreth and .xviii. consumed theym lyke rotton sheepe.* 1.182

And (to saye the truth) owre mens vnsaciable desyre of gold, so oppressed these poore wretches with extreme labour and ••oyle, where as before they lyued pleasauntly and at lybertie, gyuen onely to playes and pastymes as daunsynge, fysshinge, foulynge, and huntyng of lyttle connies, that many of them peri••shed euen for verye anguy••he of mynde, the whiche (with their vnaccustomed labour) are thynges of them selues suffy∣cient to engender many newe diseases. But the kynge and the Senate haue nowe determyned that they be reduced to a people, and to gyue them selues onely to increase, and tyl∣lage of the gound: And that onely such as are bought or ta∣k••n owte of other regions, bee appointed to labour in the golde mynes.* 1.183 But it shall suffyce to haue sayde thus muche of the pestiferous hunger of golde. Therfore to speake of o∣ther matters: It is a marueylous thynge to consyder howe all thynges increase and prosper in this Ilande. There are nowe .xxviii suger presses wherwith great plentie of suger is made.* 1.184 The canes or reedes wherin the suger groweth, are bygger and hygher then in any other place: And are as bygge as a mans arme in the brawne, and higher then the

stature of a man, by the halfe. This is more woonderfull, that where as in Ualentia in Spaine (where a great quanti∣tye of suger is made yearely) where so euer they applye them selues to the great increase therof,* 1.185 yet doth euery roote bring foorthe not paste fyue, or syxe, or at the moste seuen of those reedes: wheras in Hisponiola one roote beareth twentie, and oftentymes thirtie. Foure footed beastes and cattayle,* 1.186 are marueylously increased in this Ilande. And albeit that the rauenynge hunger of golde hath hitherto greatly hyndered owre men from tyllage of the ground, yet is there great plen∣tye of wheate,* 1.187 whiche prospereth so wel that it yealdeth sum¦tyme a hundreeh foulde: And this especially on the hylles or rydges of the mountaynes prospectynge towarde the North. Uines do also increase here with no lesse frutefulnesse.* 1.188 What shuld I speake of the trees that beare Cassia fistula,* 1.189 brought first into this Iland from the other Ilandes neare vnto the suppo¦sed Continent, as we haue noted in owr decades? There is nowe suche plentie hereof, that after a fewe yeares we shall haue a pounde of the price that wee paye nowe for an ounce. Of the bresyle and mirobalane trees,* 1.190* 1.191 with other innumerable prerogatiues and benefites whiche nature hath plentiful∣ly giuen to this blessed Iland, we haue spoken suffyci∣ently in owr decades. Yet haue I thought good to repeate part of the same, bycause I think that the wittes of many readers haue di∣uerted from the weyght of great af∣faires, to the recordation of such pleasaunt thynges. And yet do not suche thynges as are sauery, engen∣der tedyous∣nesse, soo that a precious mat∣ter bee adourned with a precious vesture.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Loke Decade ••ii. Liber. x.
• * 1.2

  Cities fortify∣ed with wau∣les.
• * 1.3

  The Iland of Cuba or Fer∣nand••na.
• * 1.4

  The Spani∣ards of Cuba attempt new vyages.
• * 1.5

  The west an∣gle of ••uba.
• * 1.6

  Note.
• * 1.7

  The Iland of Iucatana.
• * 1.8

  A great citie well buylded.
• * 1.9

  Temples.
• * 1.10

  humane peo∣ple.
• * 1.11

  Cunnyng arti¦fycers.
• * 1.12

  Appareled people.
• * 1.13

  Circumci••ed Id••laters.
• * 1.14

  Comi.
• * 1.15

  Mai••m.
• * 1.16

  Campechium.
• * 1.17

  A towne of three thou∣sand howses.
• * 1.18

  Plentie of beastes and foules.
• * 1.19

  Theyr Idoles and Idolatry.
• * 1.20

  houses of lyme & stone.
• * 1.21

  The prouince Aquinall.
• * 1.22

  Moseo.
• * 1.23

  The Spany∣ardes are put to flyght and many slayne.
• * 1.24

  An other ex∣pedition.
• * 1.25

  The Iland of Cozumella.
• * 1.26

  Sweete sa∣uours.
• * 1.27

  A frutefull Ilande,
• * 1.28

  Towres and ••emples.
• * 1.29

  Cozumella na¦med Sancta Crux.
• * 1.30

  Idoles lyke beares.
• * 1.31

  Idolatry.
• * 1.32

  Gentell peop••e.
• * 1.33

  Iucatana but fyue myles from Cozu∣me••la.
• * 1.34

  The Barba∣rians make resistaunce.
• * 1.35

  A conflicte,
• * 1.36

  The length of Iuca••ana.
• * 1.37

  The region of Caluacam, or Oloan.
• * 1.38

  The ryuer Grisalua.
• * 1.39

  Targets and brest plates of golde.
• * 1.40

  Armure of golde.
• * 1.41

  Experte arti∣ficers.
• * 1.42

  Fysshe hokes of golde.
• * 1.43

  The Ilandes of Sacrifice.
• * 1.44

  Chyldren sa∣crified to I∣doles.
• * 1.45

  Their Idoles of marble.
• * 1.46

  Gold and pre¦cious stones▪
• * 1.47

  A stone of great price.
• * 1.48

  Ilandes of women.
• * 1.49

  Golde.
• * 1.50

  houses lyke towres.
• * 1.51

  xv. greate townes in the prou••nce of Col••ua••ana.
• * 1.52

  Townes of x••. thousande hou••es.
• * 1.53

  The region of Palmaria.
• * 1.54

  A token of frendship.
• * 1.55

  Preestes.
• * 1.56

  Chastitie.
• * 1.57

  The puny••he¦ment of adul¦terie.
• * 1.58

  Mariage is honoured.
• * 1.59

  Fastynge.
• * 1.60

  kynge Ouan¦dus.
• * 1.61

  Idoles, iew∣els, and ou∣ches of gold.
• * 1.62

  Gold in moun¦taynes and ryuers
• * 1.63

  Theyr maner of gatheryng golde.
• * 1.64

  Sweete sa∣uours.
• * 1.65

  A stone of great price.
• * 1.66

  Other viages from Cuba or Fernandina.
• * 1.67

  Many Iland•• betwene Cu¦ba and the firme lande.
• * 1.68

  Sanctiago the chiefe ci∣tie of Cuba.
• * 1.69

  The Barba••i¦ans sley the Spaniardes with theyr owne wea∣pons.
• * 1.70

  The chiefe ci¦tie of the sup∣posed conti∣nent.
• * 1.71

  The Spany∣ardes are s••ayne ageyne with theyr owne wepōs.
• * 1.72

  The barbari∣ans are slaine and pu•• to flyght.
• * 1.73

  An other vy∣age.
• * 1.74

  Archipelagus.
• * 1.75

  A multitude of Ilandes.
• * 1.76

  xxvi. Ilandes about hispani¦ola & Cuba.
• * 1.77

  Images of golde.
• * 1.78

  Rasers of stone.
• * 1.79

  Instrumentes and tooles.
• * 1.80

  Landes lyke vnto the earth¦ly Paradyse.
• * 1.81

  An other vy∣age of .x. Cara¦uels and a. hundreth mē.
• * 1.82

  horses and mares.
• * 1.83

  Fernando Cortesius.
• * 1.84

  The Iland of Cozumella.
• * 1.85

  Carpets and sheetes.
• * 1.86

  Innumerable bokes.
• * 1.87

  Circumcised Idolaters.
• * 1.88

  They Sacri∣fice Chyldren
• * 1.89

  The Ilandes of Dis••am & Sestam.
• * 1.90

  Sacrifice of dogges.
• * 1.91

  They are soone persua¦ded to owre religion.
• * 1.92

  The picture of the bles∣sed virgine
• * 1.93

  An other vy∣age
• * 1.94

  Aquillaris .vii. yeares captiue in the Iland of Iu∣catana.
• * 1.95

  Valdiuia.
• * 1.96

  The ship∣wracke of Ualdiuis.
• * 1.97

  The quicke sandes cau∣led vypers.
• * 1.98

  The course of the sea to∣warde the west.
• * 1.99

  Ualdiuia is sacrificed to Idoles.
• * 1.100

  howe Aquil∣laris escaped
• * 1.101

  kynge Tax¦marus.
• * 1.102

  The mouth of a ryuer sto••ped with sande.
• * 1.103

  Turky hens.
• * 1.104

  A confl••cte.
• * 1.105

  The Barba∣rians are put to flyght.
• * 1.106

  The great towne of Pos¦tanchana or Uictoria.
• * 1.107

  A towne of xxv. thou••ād houses.
• * 1.108

  Gunnes and horses.
• * 1.109

  The man & the horse. thought to be one beast.
• * 1.110

  Centaurus.
• * 1.111

  ••alaices of maruelous bygnes and ••el buylded.
• * 1.112

  They receue owre religiō.
• * 1.113

  A towne of a thousand & fyue hundred houses,
• * 1.114

  An other v••∣age of two brygantines & fiftie men.
• * 1.115

  where the sea runneth swyftly from the East to the West.
• * 1.116

  A conflict be∣twene the wa¦ters comming from the west and from the south.
• * 1.117

  A dangerous and peinefull vyage.
• * 1.118

  The land of Colluacana.
• * 1.119

  The land of Baccaleos or Baccal••arum
• * 1.120

  Rych presen∣••es of golde and precious sle••es.
• * 1.121

  A newe colo∣nie.
• * 1.122

  This Cortesi∣us hath writ∣ten a booke of these thinges
• * 1.123

  They weare rynges and plates at ther lyppes.
• * 1.124

  The dyuers phantasies of men.
• * 1.125

  Syluer.
• * 1.126

  Note where go••d and syl∣ue•• are engē∣dered.
• * 1.127

  I thinke this l••ton to ••e sum ky••de of pure copper▪ or els copper that holde••h golde. Fo•• la∣ton is an arti∣ficial me••a••, & hath no natu∣••all myne Theyr bokes
• * 1.128

  Theyr letters
• * 1.129

  what is con¦teyned in theyr bookes.
• * 1.130

  Temple•• rychly adour∣ned.
• * 1.131

  Prayer.
• * 1.132

  They sacry∣fice chyldren & captyues.
• * 1.133

  A wronge way to heauē
• * 1.134

  Bluddy gods
• * 1.135

  Villa Ricca.
• * 1.136

  Siuilla Noua.
• * 1.137

  The force of an owlde er∣rour.
• * 1.138

  Theyr priests lyue chast.
• * 1.139

  Faggots of bones.
• * 1.140

  A fygure of baptisme.
• * 1.141

  The presen∣tes sent into Spayne to the kynge.
• * 1.142

  Two Images of gold and syluer.
• * 1.143

  Two cheine•• of gold mar∣uelou••ly byset with precious stones and iewels.
• * 1.144

  Buskyns.
• * 1.145

  Myters.
• * 1.146

  how can we then ca••l thē beastly or Barbarous.
• * 1.147

  If they had chāged their gold for owre Irē, they had not so soone byn subdued. Quylles.
• * 1.148

  ••elmets.
• * 1.149

  •• byrde.
• * 1.150

  Speares.
• * 1.151

  A sce••ter.
• * 1.152

  A braselet.
• * 1.153

  Shooes.
• * 1.154

  Glasses.
• * 1.155

  Byrdes. fou∣les, & fysshes of golde.
• * 1.156

  Targets. &c. of gold.
• * 1.157

  A crowne of golde.
• * 1.158

  Crosses.
• * 1.159

  Images of baest••s.
• * 1.160

  Shi••tes.
• * 1.161

  Cloth of ar∣ras.
• * 1.162

  A souldyers cl••cke.
• * 1.163

  Reg••stere of thaff••yres of India.
• * 1.164

  Tha••toritie of the Lieue∣tenaunt.
• * 1.165

  The Spany∣ardes of Da∣riena.
• * 1.166

  Sancta Maria Antiqua.
• * 1.167

  Petrus Arias whom the Spanyardes name Pedia∣••ias.
• * 1.168

  This sea the spanyardes ••aule ••ardel 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.169

  Contention betwene Uas¦chus and Pe∣trus Arias.
• * 1.170

  Petrus Arias commandeth that Uaschus be put to death.
• * 1.171

  Uaschus is accused.
• * 1.172

  Uaschus is put to death.
• * 1.173

  Petrus Arias.
• * 1.174

  Lupus Sosa.
• * 1.175

  The great ry¦uer of Dabai∣ba or Grandis
• * 1.176

  The goulfe of Uraba.
• * 1.177

  The ryche mountaynes of Dabaiba.
• * 1.178

  Fierce & war lyke people.
• * 1.179

  Dartes.
• * 1.180

  Swoordes of heauie wood.
• * 1.181

  hispan••ola Ouiedus wry∣teth that ther are nowe .v. monasteries.
• * 1.182

  Newe and strange disea∣ses.
• * 1.183

  The suger of hispaniola.
• * 1.184

  Suger of Ua∣leutia.
• * 1.185

  A token of maruelous fruitfulnes.
• * 1.186

  Cattayle.
• * 1.187

  wheate.
• * 1.188

  Uines.
• * 1.189

  Cassia Fistula.
• * 1.190

  Brasyle.
• * 1.191

  Myrobalanes