which he was much Enamour’d, and she likewise seem’d to bear as great an
affection towards him, which she manifested, by declaring the secret to
_Nunnez_ which her Brother had imparted to her, being an intended
general Massacre the night following, that so she might the better make
her escape the day before; yet so much she prefer’d the safety of her
Lover, before the liberty of her Native Countrey, that she discover’d
the Plot. _Nunnez_ not sleeping on this advice, on a sudden set so
fiercely upon the Conspirators, that he utterly broke their design; yet
the Feuds and Contests for Superiority still continu’d amongst them,
which look’d with so bad a Face to the ruine of all, that news thereof
arriving in _Spain_, it was judg’d fit to send for _Colmenares_, and
_John Quicedo_ to the Court, there to render an account of all their
Transactions, Both going Aboard a small Vessel, were by Storm driven on
the Coast of _Cuba_, where they were inform’d from a Prisoner, that
_Valdivia_ and _Zamudio_, driven ashore by Shipwrack, and not able to
defend themselves, were surpriz’d by the Natives, kill’d and eaten; that
_Fogeda_ driven up and down along the Coast, had lost most of his People
by hunger, and other hardship, and himself with much ado getting to
_Hispaniola_, dy’d as soon as Landed of the Wound which he receiv’d by a
Poysonous Arrow, near the River _Daria_.
[Sidenote: _Ancisus_ Voyage.]
[Sidenote: A Temple dedicated to the Virgin _Mary_ on the Island
_Cuba_.]
But much happier was _Ancisus_, who soon after _Fogeda_ coming to
_Cuba_, found a King, who suffer’d himself to be Christen’d, and call’d
_Commendator_; and building a Church, Consecrated it to the Virgin
_Mary_; in it he erected an Image of Clay, resembling a Woman, which he
clothed in a Cotton Garment; round about were plac’d Pots with Meat and
Water, according to their old Idolatrous fashion, otherwise, they
believ’d their Idols would devour the Souls of the Dead, and this,
though Christians, they did not forget.
Nay further, when he went to War, he carry’d the Image of the Virgin
_Mary_ with him in the Front of his Army, often saying, _Ave Maria_; and
this was the end of that Voyage: But afterwards _Ancisus_ complain’d
against _Vascus Nunnez_ in the _Spanish_ Court, where he receiv’d a
Sentence very prejudicial to him. _Colmenares_ and _Quicedo_ had also
Audience there, whereupon matters being settled, a firm Government was
establish’d in _Uraba_.
SECT. VIII.
Peter Arias _his Expedition, and remarkable Passages of_ Vascus Nunnez.
[Sidenote: _Nicuesa_ suffers hunger.]
_Peter Arias_ Knight, accompany’d with his Wife, _Elizabeth Boadilla_,
set Sail _Anno 1514._ but surpriz’d by a violent Storm, lost two Ships,
and return’d to _Spain_, yet not long after began his Voyage afresh,
notwithstanding he had lately had such bad success, and heard of the
great hardship which _Nicuesa_ suffer’d, having not onely kept himself
alive a considerable time by feeding on flesh of Dogs, and other such
like Creatures; a great Frog being sold in _Veragua_ for a lump of Gold.
[Sidenote: Dogs us’d in the Wars.]
[Sidenote: Sodomy horribly punish’d.]
[Sidenote: _Nunnez_ first discovers the South Sea.]
[Sidenote: Is in great danger on the South-Sea.]
But _Vaschus Nunnez_ inform’d of _Arias_ arrival, the chief Governor of
_Uraba_, afterwards call’d _New Andaluzia_, minding to inrich himself
before he should depose him, and hearing that several Gold Mines lay
Southward from _Uraba_, march’d thither with a hundred and ninety Men,
thorow great Rivers, Thickets, and Woods full of Wild Beasts, deep
Vallies, and broad Rivers, not without many hazards and difficulties. In
the Mountainous Territory _Quarequan_, the Inhabitants ingag’d him
valiantly, with Bows, Arrows, Clubs, Woodden Swords, Pikes and Launces,
but frighted with the meer report of their Musquets, like flocks of wild
Fowl, dissipated and fled, but not so fast, but that six hundred of them
fell by the hands of the _Spaniards_, or were worry’d by their Dogs,
train’d up on purpose for the _American_ Wars. Soon after, coming into
the Palace, there sate his Brother dress’d up in Womens Apparel, whom
the King kept to abuse, as if a Concubine, whereof _Nunnez_ being
inform’d, in detestation of Sodomy, set the Dogs upon him, who suddenly
tore him in pieces. Amongst the slain were found several _Negroes_,
which suffering Shipwrack had been cast on the _American_ Shore, and
maintain’d a continual War with the _Quaraquanen_, so that it seem’d the
_Blacks_ which were found dead amongst them were their Slaves: Yet
_Nunnez_ was forc’d to leave a considerable number of his Men here, who
being half starv’d, and quite tired out, were not able to follow him;
but with the remaining party he march’d on, and at last came to the high
Mountains, from whence he saw the great South-Sea, and going thither,
was met by King _Chiapes_, leading an Army of thirty thousand Men, which
great Body stood not long to make resistance, being terrifi’d with the
Vollyes of Shot, whose Report the ecchoing Valleys presented to their
Ears, double and trebble: And that which most amaz’d and disanimated
them in the rout, were the Dogs, who fiercely pursu’d and seiz’d the
flyers, tearing away great morsels of Flesh. After the Battel, the
Conqueror proffer’d Peace, which was agreed on, upon the delivery of
several great Presents of Gold. After that, _Chiapes_ the King,
accompany’d with _Nunnez_ the _Spanish_ Commander, and March’d with him
over a broad River to _Coquera_, where at first some Forces made
resistance, but were routed; whereupon, they also suddenly struck up a
Peace, upon conditions, that the Prince, nam’d also _Coquera_, should
return him a great quantity of Gold. Here he found a handsome Bay
running up in crooked Reaches, above sixty Leagues, which _Nunnez_
call’d St. _Michael_, being sprinkled with Islands, and treacherous with
hidden Rocks. There _Nunnez_, (though disswaded by _Chiapes_, because he
knew the South-Sea at that time being the three last Moneths of the
Year, was exceeding turbulent, that no Vessel could hardly live in it,
yet) ventur’d with nine _Indian_ Boats, and eighty Men from the Shore
into the _Offin_; where, notwithstanding the high rolling of the Waves,
he got to an uninhabited Island, on which, being necessitated to stay a
night, the Tide flow’d so much, according to the property of the
South-Sea, that the highest Ground thereon, lay almost cover’d with
Water, every one of the _Spaniards_ having enough to do to save
themselves from being wash’d away. Day approaching, discover’d a second
inconveniency, for the _Indian_ _Canoos_ either were extremely Leaky, or
else so shatter’d, that they were unfit for service; yet notwithstanding
all this, they ventur’d to return, rather choosing to be devour’d in the
Waves, than die of that hunger, whose misery they had sufficiently
tasted, during the small time they had been out. Not long after,
_Nunnez_ Conquer’d the King _Tamaccus_ in a Field Battel, who thereupon
purchas’d his Peace with great Presents of Gold and Pearl. He also
shew’d the _Spaniards_ an Island, whose spiring tops were seen from the
Main Land, which so abounded in Pearls, that in no place were either
more or fairer to be found: But the King who liv’d on it was exceeding
powerful.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Manner of Fishing for Pearls.]
_Nunnez_ immediately resolv’d to Sail thither, notwithstanding it was
the middle of _October_, when the South-East Winds make such a turbulent
and hollow Sea, as many times wash’d away Trees and pieces of Rocks:
Besides, the Weather was more terrible, by continual Lightning and great
Thunder-Claps; the Nights very cold, the Days exceeding hot; yet all
these difficulties could not prevail, for _Nunnez_ would not stay to
expect fairer Weather, but went on, and coming thither, he saw how the
_Indians_ Fish for Pearls, which was Diving for Oysters; but the Weather
being rough and foul, they durst not venture for the best which lay far
from the Shore.
[Sidenote: _Nunnez_ returns.]
But _Nunnez_ leaving his sick and weary’d Men with _Chiapes_, March’d
quite another way back than he came; and crossing a great River, was
receiv’d by Prince _Teaocha_, who furnish’d him with Gold, Pearls,
Provisions, and Guides, which carry’d his Luggage and Goods.
[Sidenote: _Pacra_ a tyrannous King, his horrible death.]
_Pacra_, a great Oppressor of all his Neighbors, hearing of the approach
of _Nunnez_, fled, but terrifi’d with threats, return’d with three other
Princes, which were all so Deform’d, that more horrible Monsters were
never seen, scarce any part about them resembling those of a Man: The
Guides which _Teaocha_ had provided for the _Spaniard_ desir’d that he
might be put to Death, for the Cruelties which he had long committed;
whose Request being granted, he with the other three Princes, were given
as a Breakfast to the _Spanish_ Doggs. Mean while, the _Spaniards_ were
in danger to have perish’d for want of Water; yet at last, in a Thicket
of Brambles, they found a small Brook, but none of the _Indians_ durst
venture to go to it, for fear of Tygers, and other Wild Beasts;
relating, That the Tygers took many people in the nights out of their
Huts, if they were not careful in making fast their Doors.
[Sidenote: Strange relations of a Tyger.]
_John Ledesma_ had himself eaten part of a Tyger, which for six Moneths
together, had every night feasted on Mans flesh, or Beasts, which they
caught in this manner: In the Path along which he pass’d, coming out of
his Den to seek for Prey, a deep Pit was digg’d, and cover’d very
sleightly on the top, into which the Tyger fell; yet though taken, so
fiercely withstood the Pikes, Darts, and Stones thrown at him, that
every one was amaz’d to see the fury of the Beast. After that they
sought for the Female, but found onely two young ones without a Dam,
which taking along with them, they put Iron Collars about their Necks,
intending to carry them to _Spain_; but seeing no likelyhood of breeding
them up, they brought them back again, purposing to fetch them away when
grown somewhat older, and accordingly coming afterwards to look for
them, they found the Den empty, so that it was supposed they had been
devour’d by their Dam.
[Sidenote: _Nunnez_ further Journey into the Countrey, very remarkable.]
In the Province of _Bononiama_, the _Spaniards_ inrich’d themselves with
Chains, and Breast-Plates of Gold, which in great plenty hung on the
Walls in every House: At the River _Comogrus_, they discharg’d
_Teaocha_’s Guides, and made use of _Cotog_ and _Ciuriza_, two Governors
of a barren Tract of Land, full of Hills and Mountains, which they left
on their right Hand, and wandred three days over a _Morasse_, in which
they often sunk to their Knees.
In all these Travels, Victual was so scarce that they were much weaken’d
by their wants; and though they took fresh courage when they got footing
on King _Buchebua_’s Jurisdiction, yet they found nothing but empty
Huts; and the like in the Countrey of _Chiorisus_, both having a little
before been pillag’d by their more powerful neighboring Enemies. But
although they could not furnish _Nunnez_ with Provisions, they presented
him with weighty Ingots of Gold: but this rich Metal not able to
purchase the least morsel of Bread, drove them into a great strait; and
indeed they had without doubt been all famished, had not _Pocchorosa_,
another King, fed them forty days together with stamp’d Roots. Thus
refresh’d, and instigated by _Pocchorosa_, they broke by night in
_Tubunama_’s Palace, and took him Prisoner with eighty Concubines, who
fearing to be put to death, gave an incredible Treasure of Gold to
purchase his Ransom.
_Nunnez_ thus enriched came at last to his People which he had left on
the River _Daria_, where two Ships sent from _Hispaniola_ rode at an
Anchor.
[Sidenote: _Peter Arias_ his Voyage, and Fight in the Haven _St.
Martha_.]
Whilst things were thus carry’d in _America_, _Peter Arias_ Sail’d with
fifteen Ships, Mann’d with fifteen hundred Men, to _New Andalusia_, by
the Islands _Martinina_, _Guadalupe_, and _Galanta_, all in _America_: a
considerable time he Sail’d through the Sea overgrown with Weeds.
Afterwards anchoring in the Haven _St. Martha_, he receiv’d a great
repulse from the Natives, who no ways daunted at the bigness of the
Ships, waded up to their Breasts in the Sea, and shot many great flights
of poisonous Arrows at the _Spaniards_, or whom two being wounded
immediately died. _Arias_ sending some of his Men ashore, they found
many Boats lying full of Nets, made of tough Weeds, and Ropes pleited of
Rushes.
In the Haven _St. Martha_, being three Leagues wide, are abundance of
Fish, which may be seen under Water twenty Fathom deep.
But now the _Spaniards_ that were ashore breaking into the Houses, and
taking Women and Children Prisoners, the _Americans_ prepar’d for
another Fight, which at the beginning was very fierce; but at last they
were forc’d to quit the Field.
[Sidenote: Strange Houses and Houshold-stuff.]
Their Houses and Furniture in them are worthy of observation: their
Cielings being cover’d with Shells strung on small Thred, which make a
pleasing noise, when mov’d by the least breath of Wind. The Walls are
hung with fine Stuffs, woven full of Imagery, as Cranes, Lyons, Tygers,
and some Figures of Men; the Floors are cover’d with parti-colour’d
Mats, made of Sea-Reeds, and several tough Roots; and their Carpets
beset with Pearl add also a great beauty to their Rooms.
In the Valleys the _Spaniards_ found several precious Jems, as Saphires,
Jasper, Emeralds, and great pieces of Amber, and in some Huts, Baskets,
and Chests full of dry’d Locusts, and Crabs.
Here also grows the Root _Yuca_, as also on several other _West-Indian_
Coasts, of which they make their best Bread, and is call’d in
_Hispaniola_ and _Angola_, _Yuca_; by the _Brasilians_, _Mandiba_ and
_Mandihoka_; by the _Mexicans_, _Quauhcamotli_: it grows with a thick or
midling Body, according to the fruitfulness or barrenness of the Soil;
the Leaves are like those of a Tulip, and have small Flowers and Seed,
but no ways useful; the Root, not unlike Horse-Raddish, hath a milky
Juice, which swells it exceedingly; the Sprigs, which in the eighth and
tenth Moneth shoot out of the Root, serve for new Plants; and if at any
time it happen, that either by a moist Season, or by Worms, or Pismires,
the Plant is spoil’d, then it occasions such an inconvenience amongst
the Inhabitants, that half of them in that year die of Famine.
[Sidenote: What use the _Americans_ make of the Root _Mandihoka_.]
The Leaves of the _Mandihoka_ serve them for Sallads. Out of the Root,
which they lay soaking five days in Water, they make Meal, which the
_Portuguese_ call _Farina fresca_, but the _Americans_, _Vipeba_.
Moreover, _Mandihoka_ serves them to make Bread, which they bake over
the Fire; and mix’d with Water, Pepper, and the Flour _Nhambi_, makes an
excellent Pudding, by them call’d _Mingaude Carima_, no less pleasing to
the taste than wholsom Food: and with Orange-Flour, Water, and Sugar, it
makes that excellent Julep _Tipioca_. The Powder of _Mandihoka_ put into
a Wound, cures very speedily. It is very pleasant to see the _Americans_
eat this Bread; for they toss it by handfuls at a pretty distance from
their Mouthes without letting fall the least Crum. Lastly, it requires
great art and trouble to make the _Mandihoka_ fit for Bread: first they
must peel off the Shell, then put into a Mill turn’d by two _Indians_ it
falls, being Ground, into a square Trough. The Juice proceeding from it
is mortal, if eaten when raw, but wholsom if boil’d: the Meal they put
in a Press, and when all the moisture is drawn from it, they strow it in
an Oven to dry. But the wild _Mandihoka_, by those that live on the
Sea-shore call’d _Cuacu Mandiiba_, and up in the Countrey,
_Cuquacucuremia_, differs both in shape and goodness from the first.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: _Arias_’s Exploits in _New Andalusia_.]
But to return to our matter: _Arias_ coming to an Anchor in the River
_Daria_, was cheerfully receiv’d by _Nunnez_; his first Business which
he undertook was the building of three Forts, to secure the Passages to
the _South Sea_; to which purpose _Joannes Aiora_ received the Command
over four hundred Workmen. Moreover, _Arias_ took great dislike in the
Place call’d _Maria Antiqua_, which the _Spaniards_ were forc’d by
necessity first to Plant in: it lay in a deep Valley between high
Mountains, so that it not onely wanted the benefit of the rising and
setting of the Sun, but when in or near the Meridian, it shin’d down
upon them, and scorch’d all their Plants, and the tepifi’d Morassy
Grounds about the same infected the Air, and the Water which they took
up to wash their Houses, immediately bred Frogs, the River _Daria_
overflow’d the Grounds with his muddy Water three Leagues distance from
the Sea; the Passage thither also was very troublesom, because of the
uneven Ways; and besides, the Tygers and Lyons devour’d many People and
Cattel.
[Sidenote: A strange Accident.]
The first Night that _Arias_ lay in _Maria Antiqua_, the House wherein
his Chirurgion Lodg’d was fir’d with Lightning, who running out with his
Wife, being both scorched by the Flames, saw a very great Crocodile,
which snatching up his Dog ran away with him towards the River.
[Sidenote: Remarkable Trees.]
The neighboring Territory _Coiba_ produced Trees, whose Timber us’d for
Shipping never breeds Worms, because of its acerbity; whereas on the
contrary, all other Vessels in that Countrey are very subject to that
inconvenience. Here also grow those famous Plague-Trees, whose very
Leaves, if but falling upon one, are like Gods Arrows, mortal, and
immediately kill, unless the Place whereon they light be straightway
anointed with fasting Spittle: and the _Coibensers_ say, that they know
another poysonous Wood, which they use to destroy their Enemies withall.
[Sidenote: Remarkable Journey of _Moralis_ to the _South Sea_.]
Whilst _Arias_ was consulting about the beforemention’d Affairs, he sent
several Comanders to divers Places, to take a survey, and give him an
account of their Return of all their Discoveries. Amongst others _Gasper
Moralis_ was order’d to march towards the _South Sea_, to confirm the
Peace which _Nunnez_ had begun with the Kings _Chiapes_ and _Tumaccus_;
and chiefly to go to the Pearl-Island with sixty Men, which _Nunnez_ was
forc’d to leave, being stress’d by tempestuous Weather. _Chiapes_ and
_Tumaccus_ were according to their promise, to prepare an Army ready for
his assistance against his coming; which indeed they perform’d, so that
they wanted nothing but Vessels, for the biggest of theirs could not
carry above three or four Men; yet they undertaking their Enterprise,
Landed seventy Men on the Island; upon which the Inhabitants under their
Kings Conduct ran to meet the new Landed Forces, and crying out aloud
_Guazzavara_, _Guazzavara_, they ran in amongst the Musqueteers with
their woodden Swords; but the report of the Guns, mix’d with Fire,
Smoak, and Bullets, soon amaz’d them: the King flying, thought by alarm
to raise all the Islanders; but they being inform’d, that no People
whatsoever could withstand the fire-spitting People, made Articles of
agreement with _Moralis_, and Condition’d to deliver a hundred pound
weight of the choicest Pearls to the use of the King of _Castile_; and
as a testimony of his Friendship he was Christen’d _Peter Arias_, from
the Governors Name of _New Andalusia_.
[Sidenote: Strange Pearl.]
How great the Treasure was which _Moralis_ brought from the Pearl Island
may appear by one of the Pearls, for which Pope _Leo_ the tenth gave
forty four thousand _Ducats_ to a _Venetian_ Merchant.
[Sidenote: _Solisius_ his miserable end.]
Amongst the Commanders which were sent out by _Arias_, was also
_Johannes Solisius_, who Sailing six hundred Leagues Southerly, along
the Coast of the _Caribbies_, beyond _Cape St. Augustine_, he found the
Inhabitants of _Pernambuck_ to be no less cruel than subtile; for being
invited ashore, he with some of his Men Row’d thither, where no sooner
Landing, but were all kill’d and eaten in the sight of the other Sea-men
aboard; at which being amaz’d they weighed Anchor, and Sail’d away,
Freighted onely with _Brasile_ Wood, to _Cadiz_.
Also in an unhappy hour did _Johannes Pontæus_ put some of his
Laundresses ashore on the Island _Guadalupa_, to wash some Linnen for
him; for the Islanders coming on a sudden out of the Woods surpriz’d
them, and forthwith killing without mercy, cut them in pieces, and
carbonadoing, eat their broil’d Flesh hot from the Coals, while
_Gonsalus Badajocius_ Sail’d with eighty Men Westerly, and having gone
sixty Leagues he went ashore, and spent some days in vain, to Court the
_Americans_ to a friendly correspondency; which whilst he was doing, he
was recruited with fifty Men from _Daria_, Commanded by _Lodowick
Mercado_: so both agreed together to travel over the Mountains to the
_South Sea_.
[Sidenote: Strange Slaves.]
[Sidenote: Great Booty.]
The Governor _Juana_, whose Jurisdictions abound in Gold, flying with
most part of his Treasure, was never heard of, onely they took some of
his Slaves, whose Faces were strangely Carv’d with sharp Fish-bones, the
Wounds fill’d with red and black Powder, which so discolour’d the Flesh
that it could never be got out. After that they travell’d through the
Wilderness five days together, being onely met by some _Indians_
carrying _Maiz_, who signifi’d to them, that King _Periguete_ liv’d
along the Sea-shore, and up into the Countrey the blind _Totonoga_; of
both which they got an unvaluable Treasure of Gold. Amongst other Pieces
of that rich Metal was one which weighed two pound.
_Taracura_ rais’d in this Expedition eighteen thousand weight of Gold:
and little less did they take out of the Territories belonging to the
Princes _Pananome_, _Tabor_, _Cheru_, and _Scoria_: The Prisoners serv’d
them in stead of Horses, they not being able to carry all the Gold
themselves, the meanest Soldier having above three thousand Pounds
_Sterling_ for his share.
[Sidenote: Destruction of the _Spaniards_.]
They were now got to _Panza_’s Kingdom, not without leaving sad remarks,
of their avarice and cruelties. When _Pariza_ surrounding this Party
thus loaden with Gold, Charged so fiercely, that at the first Assault
seventy of them were slain; those few that escap’d brought the tidings
of their sad misfortune to _Peter Arias_. Amongst those that escaping
return’d, was _Franciscus Delapuente_, whose observations concerning
catching Parrots and wild Fowl, we will briefly relate, the digression
being but short.
[Sidenote: A strange way to catch Parrots.]
The _Indian_ where the Parrots are most frequent climbs into a Tree, and
chattering like them, with his Voice imitating their Notes, allures his
fellow-prater to draw near, and suffer him to take them in his Hands.
But more belongs to the taking of wild Fowl, as Geese, Ducks, Swans, and
the like: From the bottom of their standing Pools and Lakes in that
Countrey grow Weeds, which spreading upon the Water ripen, and rotting
breed Water-Flies, Spiders, and Frogs, upon which the Fowls feed. Near
these Pools in the Gardens grow Cabbages as high as Trees, which often
dropping into the Water serve the Birds both for Nests and Food: but the
skilful Fowler finds it his best way to take one of these Cabbages, and
making it hollow in the middle, claps it on his Head like a Helmet, then
going into the Water up to his Chin, and passing softly along in such
manner, that nothing is seen but the floating Cabbage, and coming near
the Birds, he takes them one after another by the Legs, and puts them
into a Bag ty’d about his middle for that purpose.
[Sidenote: Strange Bird _Toucan_.]
But what is more worthy observation is the _American_ Bird _Toucan
Xochitenachate_, having a fleshy Bill, like a Mouth full of Teeth, which
continually opens and shuts to draw Breath, having no Nostrils; the
Back, Neck, and Wings, are black, the Breast yellow like Gold, the Belly
and end of the Tail of a Vermillion colour.
[Sidenote: Evacuated Pepper.]
This Bird _Toucan_ feeds for the most part on Pepper, which tarries not
long with them, but muted almost as soon as swallowed: which Pepper thus
evacuated the Natives value above their common, because the unpleasing
sharp acidity, or biting quality is thereby much mitigated.