_How the captain Jorge Robledo sent Gómez Hernández to explore
the province of The Choco, and also how Ruy Vanegas went to the
village of Pirsa._
After the captain Jorge Robledo had ordered the spoils that were
taken in the house I mentioned to be restored to the Indians, and
established a peace with the Chiefs of the valley of _Apia_, which
was the largest and most populous of the districts subject to the
city that had been founded, he received news that Ocuzca and
Umbruza, with other Chiefs, had sworn to destroy the new city and
kill all the Spaniards. So he decided to proceed to _Santa Ana de los
Caballeros_, for so the city was named, as we stated when we recorded
its foundation. He arrived there after a few days, and despatched
messengers in all directions urging the native Chiefs not to be
mad, nor to act without considering the consequences, but to render
obedience to his Majesty and be friendly to the Spaniards, and in
such event he would secure to them their lives and possessions, and
would see that they were not ill treated. Some of them thought it
best to comply, and came, bringing materials for building the houses
of the Spaniards. Robledo now wanted to divide the villages among
the Spaniards who had come with him. He had news that, beyond the
cordillera of _Cima_, which lies to the north of Anzerma, there was a
thickly peopled region and much wealth. So, to ascertain the truth, he
resolved to send and explore. He ordered Gómez Hernández to set out
with fifty Spaniards, cross-bow men and shield bearers, and explore
this region of _El Choco_. When they were ready the captain Robledo
went with them as far as the valley of Santa María. Here an Indian
came in friendly guise, alleging that he was the Chief, Umbruza. As he
was known not to be that Chief he was ordered to be burnt, which was
an excessively cruel punishment.
Gómez Hernández left this valley with the Spaniards, but took no
horses with him because of the rugged character of the country, and
proceeded until he reached the forest of _Cima_, which is very wild,
with a dense growth of trees, and where it rains during the greater
part of the year. It contains many noxious animals and night birds.
The monkeys are numerous, and the natives go naked and are very
savage. The Indians have their houses very strongly built in trees,
and they make war upon each other owing to the scarcity of food. The
Spaniards with their cross-bows came to one of those _barbacoas_, or
fortified places, and one of them named Alonso Pérez caught an Indian
girl. She was so overcome with grief and abhorrence at finding herself
a prisoner to a Christian, that she threw herself down a precipice and
was dashed to pieces, her soul going to hell. Gómez Hernández advanced
for some days through these forests, than which there are none more
rugged and impassable in the world, until he came to a river which
flowed into the Ocean Sea and which, according to the most general
opinion, must be the river of Darien.[21] They found some edible
palms, and on them that singular fruit called _pixibays_, which they
liked. There also were many turkeys and pheasants,[22] and many tapirs
which are the size of a mule, and would seem to be like those they
call zebras. Proceeding with his discoveries, Gómez Hernández advanced
until he arrived at the crest of a rise whence they saw that the
country everywhere appeared level and much less mountainous. No open
plain was visible, but undulating country with many and much larger
_barbacoas_ or fortified houses than had been found in Cima. When the
natives perceived the Christians they sounded many drums and flutes,
making a great noise and preparing to come out and give battle.
These Indians also go naked but they are well disposed, their women
beautiful, and they all have gold. It is believed that there are
great riches in these regions, but until now they are unexplored.
Gómez Hernández, and all his followers, being unmounted, were in some
danger of falling into the hands of the Indians who, seeing that they
had come without horses, which are what they so greatly fear, held
the intruders cheap, and rose up in arms to oppose an entrance into
their country. The Spaniards had reached one of those strongholds,
and in it they found plenty of food, and wanted to take some of it.
But the Indians came against them, thinking to lay hold of them.
When the Spaniards saw their approach, they commended themselves to
God, and prepared for battle. Then came a great disaster, which was
that the cords of several cross-bows were broken. The Indians shot
off arrows and darts and the battle was joined. The Spaniards fought
well, though some did better than others, and many were wounded by
the Indians. The affair reached such a point that the Indians, after
having mortally wounded a Frenchman who was there, seized Antonio
Pimentel, a veteran in these Indies, who was near, gave a tremendous
shout, and transfixed his body with a dart. This Pimentel, and another
named Vera, were saved miraculously. For being desperately wounded
they commended themselves to our Lady and, though many Indians passed
by, it was her pleasure that they should not be perceived by them, and
so, strengthened by her aid, they were able to rejoin their comrades.
The Spaniards, being without horses, seeing the number of Indians
increasing, and most of themselves wounded, thought it best to retreat
with their faces to the foe. They were followed for a whole day
when the Indians, satisfied at having driven the enemy out of their
country and wounded most of them, returned. The Indians had captured
the wounded Frenchman, and put him to a most horrible death by cruel
tortures. The Spaniards made speed to return to Anzerma, and report
to the captain what had happened. Robledo then ordered Ruy Vanegas to
proceed to the village of Pirso and try to arrange for terms of peace
with the Chiefs.
Ruy Vanegas set out with those that were necessary, and with horses,
and I went with him. When we arrived at the place we found the natives
in arms. They had deep holes dug in the approaches, and in them were
many spikes. These holes were covered over with grass, so that the
horses and Christians might fall into them. As we entered the village
the Indians fled into the ravines and among the rocks behind the
village. Because a horse fell into one of the holes and was killed on
the stakes, the Spaniards threw into two of them over fifty Indian men
and women, to teach them not to try another deceit like that, as it
would be to their own hurt in the end. After having been some days in
this district, Ruy Vanegas had sent messages to the Chiefs to come as
friends, and we went on to the province of _Sopia_. Here, though the
barbarians were proud, yet, knowing the power of the Spaniards, they
came in peaceably and gave obedience to his Majesty, which they have
observed ever since. After Ruy Vanegas had settled those provinces he
returned to Anzerma, and reported to the captain what he had done.
FOOTNOTES:
[21] The Atrato.
[22] Curassows.