Recounts the navigation that was made, and the signs that were
noted, until the first uninhabited island came in sight.
The fleet continued to steer W.S.W. in accordance with the
instructions, from the time that the ships made sail from Callao until
they reached the latitude of 16°, where they met with a heavy and
confused swell from the S.W. On the 10th of January the first birds
were seen, and on the 11th the first showers of rain, with the wind
E. and E.S.E. On the 12th the wind was south. On the 13th a number of
gulls were seen. On the 15th the wind was N. and N.W. On the 16th we
saw great flocks of birds. On the 17th we were in latitude 24°, with
the wind S.W. and W., blowing with some force and with a high sea. At
this change the Captain presently showed a flag from the maintop mast
to take opinions, the weather not allowing of any other way. The pilots
of the ships said, by shouting, that, being outside the tropics, all
winds might be met with, and by reaching higher latitudes, the north
wind would be met with, blowing with greater force. On the 18th the
wind went all round the compass, but was generally in the north. On
the 21st we had the wind from S. and S.W.
On the 22nd we were in latitude 26°, with a squall and showers from
the S.E., and with a great swell from the south. This brought out
the timidity of some, saying: "Whither are they taking us, in this
great gulf, in the winter season?" Some said they should get the
boat into the sea. We were obliged, by the force of winds and sea,
to stand on a W.N.W. course until we reached 25°. On the 24th, at
night, we saw the first lightning, which was not very bright. On the
25th we saw the first weeds; and on the 26th we saw birds of several
kinds flying together. On this day, at 11 o'clock, we discovered the
first island in latitude 25°, and reckoned it to be 800 leagues from
Lima. It has a circumference of 5 leagues, many trees, and a beach of
sand. Near the land the depth was 80 fathoms. I gave it the name of
"Luna-puesta." [78] It was now late, so I determined to stand off and
on during the night, waiting for the next day to go to the island; but
at dawn we were too leeward, and for this cause and others we left it.