Gives an account of this island, of the people, their food and
canoes, and of our departure from it.
The native name for this island is Taumaco. It received the name of
Nuestra Señora del Socorro in memory of the succour found there. [95]
It is in latitude 10° 20'. Its circumference is 10 leagues, more or
less. It is moderately high and well wooded. For this reason, and its
shape, the view of it is pleasant. It runs east and west. Along its
beaches there are many palm groves, villages with few houses, and a
quantity of canoes. It is distant from Lima 1,650 [96] leagues. On the
east side there are three pointed rocks, which are only bare when the
wind is E. or N.E., and between them and the island is the port where
we anchored first. It has 25 fathoms of depth. The second anchorage is
on the south side of the island, west of a rock which is under water,
depth 18 fathoms, with bottom of rough coral, which chafes cables,
so that ours were buoyed. It is without shelter; and for this reason,
and the high seas that rise, we lay at single anchor, and in some
anxiety and danger.
The village of Tumai is on the south side, a little apart from the
island, and surrounded by water, so we called it Venice. They cannot
embark in or land from their canoes, except when it is high water. It
has in front, at a distance of an arquebus-shot, a small valley with
fruit trees, crops, and a small stream of very clear and wholesome
water, whence was got that which was taken on board. The houses are
large and clean, framed with wood, the roof of sweet canes covered
with palm leaves, with two or three low doors, and the floors covered
with reeds. The beds are of matting, with stools somewhat curved
to put the heads on. There are larger houses, and in them certain
canoes with large and well-carved trunks, with decks of plank,
and very strongly fastened with beams and poles. These go down on
one side until they reach the water, [97] acting as a counterpoise
to prop up, enabling them to carry more sail. The joinings of the
vessel are cemented together with a certain gum which is found here,
that burns like a candle when set on fire, and oils well. The inside
has a small cabin or retreat, in which all the provisions are kept
when at sea. The bows were ornamented with pearl shells, and close
by were the paddles, rigging, ropes, and large mat sails. Each canoe
will hold thirty or forty persons. There was also an open space with
certain poles, some of them dyed red, for which the natives have great
respect, cloths, matting, and cocoa-nuts being collected there. It
was understood to be a burying-place of some of their chief people,
or a place where the Devil speaks to them.
The island yields roots and fruits, such as yams, cocoa-nuts,
plantains, sweet canes, and some very large almonds, whose pips are
formed of leaves. They are sweet and very pleasant to eat. The nutmegs
are only used by the natives as a paste to dye their arrows. Other
fruits were seen and eaten, and a small pig. They do not eat the
hens. They killed ten or a dozen cocks, but they hid the hens. A small
dog was seen. We found a ball of artimonia, and it was ascertained
that they make them to fight with, fastened to the ends of sticks,
serving as maces.
The natives are tall as a rule, straight, vigorous, well-favoured,
of a clear mulatto colour more or less, others very close upon being
black. There may be some who have come from other islands by way
of contract, or as prisoners. Some of them work. They cover their
parts with cloths they weave at small looms. They use the buyo, food
also used in the Philippines, which is said to preserve the teeth
and strengthen the stomach. Their arms are bows and arrows. They
seem to be a people fond of fighting with natives of other islands;
two of them were wounded and bruised from this. They told our people
that they would go to help and to avenge the others who had been hit
with arrows. One gave us to understand that he was a surgeon.
Two leagues to the west there is another island, inhabited, and
apparently about the same size as Taumaco. It is called Temelflua. To
the N.E. of it, at a short distance, are two small islands, rather
rocky.
The ships being ready, the Admiral received orders to embark, taking
some natives with the objects already stated. The Admiral sent Tumai
in advance, the Captain having sent for him to take leave. Tumai
and two others were in a canoe talking with the Captain, who gave
them a sash and other things, when the boats arrived with our people
and four natives, who had been seized, so that Tumai might not see
them. But they saw Tumai, and cried out to him to help them. Tumai,
seeing that there was no remedy, was deaf to their cries, and for his
own safety he shoved off from the ship. The Captain fired a piece as
a signal for the launch to weigh. The two companions of Tumai then
jumped into the water, and swam on shore. Tumai remained without
showing any fear. This man was valorous, and his kindness was worthy
to be celebrated and to eternize his name, and his sorrow mourned
for. Our people embarked with two natives in each ship, the anchors
were weighed, and sail was made at sunset on Tuesday, the 18th of
April, running great danger of striking on a rock.