Another inhabited island is sighted, and it is related how three
natives escaped from the ships, and other things that happened.
The ships were pursuing their course, when a certain person from the
Almiranta shouted to the Captain that they should go in search of the
Island of Santa Cruz. The Captain answered that the ships had to put
their heads, as they were now put, to the S.E., with the intention
of following that and other courses, for they now had sufficient wood
and water to enable them to find what they were seeking. God had given
us a N.W. wind, one as well suited for that intention as it sounds.
We stood on under little sail, for it was night, and the sea unknown,
when towards dawn one of the natives sprang into the sea. He was a
youth, but tall and vigorous, of good countenance and gentle bearing,
whom the Captain prized highly for the ship. The sailors called as
if he could understand them: "Come back to the ship; do not drown
yourself. See how the Devil deceives him! Why should you lose so much
good as surrounds you here?" But as his intention was different,
not caring for words so little understood, he went on swimming to
the island, which appeared to be about 3 leagues off.
We went on our way, and in the afternoon of the third day we saw an
island [98] at a distance. We hove to for the night, and made sail
towards it at daybreak. When we were near the land, the other native,
also quite young and not less gay and well disposed, before he could
be prevented, jumped overboard, and there remained, as if he was a
buoy. At the place where he was, not caring for cries and menaces,
with great effrontery, as if he was standing in the water, he took
off a shirt he had on, and with incredible speed began swimming to
the island, which he would soon reach, being near and to leeward. The
Admiral was advised of the flight of the natives, that he might keep
a closer watch over the two he had on board.
Only with the object of finding out whether the island was inhabited,
we coasted along it. Presently, on an extensive beach, we saw natives
running to join others who were looking at us. The Admiral got into the
dingey to see what sort of people they were. The natives made signs,
with great demonstrations of love, for us to come on shore. Seeing
we would not for all their pressing, they gave a mantle of fine palm
leaves and notice of other lands, and bade farewell with great signs
of regret. We left them in that solitude, gazing at our ships, until
we lost sight of them.
Our people were much pleased at the sight of the island, and still
more to see such fine-looking people: but suddenly one of the two
natives on board the Almiranta, a tall, robust, and strong man, jumped
into the sea, and soon was a long way off. They lowered the dingey,
but the Captain fired a piece off as a signal that they were not to
go after the fugitive, the boat being small and easily capsized. The
resolute swimmer went on towards the island with vigorous strokes,
being 2 leagues off and to windward.