But the great and worthy Service of theſe two excellent Brothers deſerving rather Statues and Trophies of everlaſting Honor, Monuments never to be demoliſh'd, in their due praiſe, who had found out after ſo many baffled Ages, a new World, richer, and not much leſs than the old, by the aſperſing calumniations of one malicious Perſon, loſt his whole Intereſt and Credit in the Spaniſh Court, quite out of favour with his Prince, who by his inſinuations had hinted ſo much the matter of Gain among the Courtiers, that every one ſtudied no leſs than to get a Commiſſion, and ſo going a Commander to the Indies, make up his Mouth, and become ſuddenly rich. Firſt Franciſco Bombadilla prevailing, was ſent with full Commiſſion to ſucceed Columbus in Hiſpaniola; where no ſooner Landing, but he exercis'd the extremity of his Authority, and ſeizing the Admiral and his Brother, fetter'd their Hands and Feet, and put them aboard on two ſeveral Ships for Spain: where no ſooner arriv'd, but the King, not altogether forgetting former Services, commanded them to be unmanacled, and waited on, not as Priſoners, with a civil Retinue to his Court; where they were well entertain'd three years. But they being active Perſons, weary of ſo long repoſe, got a ſecond Grant to make farther diſcoveries,Hath very bad ſucceſs in his fourth Expedition. and ſet forth the ninth May, Anno 1504. with four Sail well appointed from Cadiz, and had a fair Paſſage from thence to Hiſpaniola, where begun the Storm. for Bombadilla, who had by the Kings Commiſſion ſo evil treated Columbus and his Brother, as aforemention'd, would not ſuffer him, though reconciled to the King, ſo much as to Land, and there refreſh themſelves and their Men; ſo he was forc'd to ſteer on to the Iſlands Guamixa and Veragua, where a Huricane, or ſudden ſtreſs of Weather ſunk two of his Veſſels; the other two ſtanding off to Sea eſcap'd bilging, but ſo ſhatter'd and leaky, having alſo ſhipp'd abundance of Water, they were reſolv'd to put in at Jamaica; where weary with the long Voyage, and hatter'd with the Tempeſt, many of his Sea-men, ſpent with ſickneſs, after their Landing, died. To theſe his ſufferings from Wind and Weather, and his Enemies abroad, a greater and inteſtine miſchief hapned: Franciſco Poreſio, one of his chief Commanders, abſolutely rebell'd, and deſerting him, with another Party of his Sea-men went into Hiſpaniola: which the Iſlanders obſerving, reſolv'd to famiſh him, keeping from him both Water and all other Proviſions; which had not Columbus ſtav'd off by a handſom Invention, they had compleated their Deſign, which was this: He told them that he was the offspring of the Moon, and if they refus'd to ſupply his want, the Moon, in vindication of her Son, would famiſh them, by ſpoiling what e're they had planted or ſow'd; and that this would prove true they ſhould know by a ſign, that on ſuch a Night, ſhe riſing in her full glory, ſhould firſt look red, and afterwards by degrees loſe a great part of her light; which indeed ſo hapned, being Ecclips'd, as he could well prognosticate; and after that, they being ignorant of the cauſe, ſuppli'd him with all Neceſſaries. But Poreſio, not able to endure the Sea with his ſmall Boats, reſolv'd to ſurprize one of the Ships that lay before Jamaica; but Columbus ſo much prevented him,Fights with Poreſius. that meeting him in his return, after a hot diſpute made him his Priſoner. But thus ended not his misfortunes; for the Veſſels which he fought in ſoon after ſunk, and no ſhip to be found in Jamaica to tranſport him thence. Laſtly, he agreed with ſome Indian Fiſhermen, to carry Didaco Mendoza to St. Dominica, that there he might hire two Veſſels to carry him back to Spain: which Deſign taking effect, he arrived there in ſafety: where after he had refreſh'd himſelf at the Spaniſh Court,Dies. after his ſo long and unfortunate a Voyage he fell ſick, and died on the eighth of May 1506.

Mean while, the Affairs of Hiſpaniola grew more out of order: for Bombadilla joyning with Ximenes, reſolv'd to hoard up a huge Treaſure of Gold, though with the infinite oppreſſion of the Natives: of which King Ferdinand having intelligence, ſent Nicholas Olanda thither with thirty Sail; who being nominated Vice-Roy, anchor'd in forty days before Hiſpaniola. No ſooner arriv'd, but Bombadilla and Ximenes fled, leaving their vaſt Treaſure, amounting to ten hundred thouſand Ducats; which guarded with four hundred Spaniards in twenty four Ships was ſent to Spain: but ſo it hapned, that they were all ſwallowed up in the main Ocean, none knowing to this day in what Latitude they were loſt.

PIetro Nigno, encouraged by ſome of thoſe that had been with Columbus at the Iſles of Pearl, Rigg'd out a Ship at his own charge, with ſpecial order in his Commiſſion, that he ſhould not touch on any Coaſt within fifty Leagues of any Place Columbus had formerly diſcover'd. But he little obſerv'd his Orders, and what he was commanded; for Sailing into the Haven Curiana, he barter'd Shells, Needles, Glaſs, and ſuch like Trifles, for abundance of Pearls, which the Iſlanders brought aboard, for he himſelf having but thirty Men, durſt not venture aſhore. Twenty days this bartering Trade continued, Orient Pearls for Toys;Deſcription of Curiana. but finding at laſt, that they were a civil and hoſpitable People, he Landed, where they entertain'd him in Hovels built of Wood, and cover'd with Palm-Leaves; before their Doors lay great Hills of Oyſter-ſhells, the Fiſh being eaten, and the Pearls us'd for an ornament ; Conies, Hares, Pheaſants, Pigeons, Geeſe, Ducks, Deer, and wild Swine, are their uſual Food; and their Bread is made of the Roots of Trees. Moreover, Curiana abounds with thick and ſhady Woods, which reſound in the night with the cries and roarings of wild Beaſts: but though they are terrible fierce and voracious, yet the Natives ſtoutly venture in amongſt the thickeſt of them, arm'd onely with Bowes and Arrows. The Inhabitants are of Complexion tawny, their Hair long and curl'd; their Teeth they keep white with an Herb, which they continually hold betwixt their Lips. The Women perform their buſineſs of Husbandry, Ploughing and Sowing. The Men are Soldiers, following the buſineſs of War: but in Peace their Exerciſes are Hunting and Dancing. They keep annual Fairs, where from all Parts of the Countrey they bring their Commodities to buy and barter. They have their Gold from Cauchieta, ſix days Sail Weſtward from Curiana.

THe firſt of December, Anno 1499. Vincent Pinzon ſet Sail with four Veſſels out of the Haven Palos: he had been Commander of a Ship under Columbus in his firſt Expedition, by which means he got great experience in Navigation. When he came a little beyond the Heſperides, he was ſurpris'd by a great Storm, which in three days drove him before a plain Coaſt; where Landing, he found nothing but the Footſteps of Men; and in the night he ſaw great Fires, ſuch as are generally made in Camps; about day-break twenty Spaniards march'd thither, whom thirty two Men, arm'd with Bowes and Arrows, made ready to encounter; but as they approached, the Spaniards proffer'd them Peace, but they refuſed all Compoſition; yet having faced one another a while, they retreated without fighting.

AMericus Veſputius was ſcarce fitted out in Lisbon, when Fogeda ſet Sail with three hundred Men from Beata, the chiefeſt Haven of Hiſpaniola, to the Iſland Codego, inhabited by Naked People, but of comely Perſonage, and withal expert and moſt excellent Archers: Here he found a very ſtrange Tree,Wonderful Tree on Codego. which bears a Fruit not unpleaſing to the Palate, yet deadly Poyſon, and beſides, whoever chances to ſleep under their ſhadow, looſe both their underſtanding and Eye-ſight, and never attain to their former Sences, except they take ſome Opiates, as dangerous, and ſo by long ſleep, recover.

Fogedo's cruelty and deſtruction.Here Fogeda ſet upon a poor Village near the Sea-ſide, where without mercy he put them all to the Sword, except a few Youths which were onely ſaved, that they might inform Fogeda, what was become of the ſlain and taken Spaniards; Who told him, that according to their Cuſtom, they had Roaſted the dead, and alſo their living Priſoners, and feaſted on their Fleſh. Here having burnt the Houſes, and ſifting the Aſhes, Nicueſa found ſome Gold. But now they began to be diſtreſs'd for Proviſions; for prevention of which, Nicueſa had given order to Anciſus, Marſhal in Hiſpaniola that he ſhould follow with a Ship of Victual,Famine. for the Army to Codega. But he being kept back by inconveniencies, moſt of the Spaniards were famiſh'd, ſo that the three hundred Men which Codega brought from Hiſpaniola, were reduced to ſixty. And he was already under-Sail to Hispaniola, when Anciſus Anchor'd in the Haven of Codegoos, and ſent ſome Men aſhore to mend his Boat, and fetch freſh Water, which whilſt they were doing, the Natives came flocking about them: Three days they fac'd one another,Strange accident. uſing no Hoſtility, when at laſt a Spaniard that underſtood the Codegan Tongue, adventuring to fetch Water, he was immediately encompaſſed; when ſpeaking to them, and informing them in their own Language, That he was none of Fogedas or Nicueſas People, which not long ſince had committed ſo great ſlaughter, they left him, and the rather, becauſe he told them, that Anciſus would take revenge on them, if they did any wrong to him. Thus quieted, they brought all ſorts of Proviſions Aboard. Mean while, Anciſus Sail'd to the Main Continent Uraba, Anciſus eſcapes great danger. where in the Mouth of a Haven he ran his Veſſel a-ground, which was bilg'd; the Sea-men taking ſome Arms along with them, ſav'd their lives by ſwimming aſhore; where, their firſt ſuſtenance they found was ſtore of Peaches and Cherries, which was a great refreſhment in thoſe hot Countreys, but yet had undoubtedly been ſtarv'd, but that in ſearching the Wood for Fruits, they found Wild-Swine, which preſerv'd their lives; yet they were not free from apparent danger, having to deal with a Salvage People, into whoſe hands they were ſo unfortunately caſt by Shipwrack; however Anciſus ſet a good face on the buſineſs, marching with a hundred Men up into the Countrey, where ſome of the Urabanners from an ambuſcade unawares, with their Arrows wounded ſeveral of his Men, hereupon they retreated to the Shore of the River Daria, whither alſo they had brought the ſmall Boats, ſav'd from the Wreck; where whilſt they were in conſultation how to return to Hiſpaniola, the Inhabitants having muſter'd themſelves, and making a Body of five hundred Men, ſet upon them, who after a ſharp Conflict, made them retreat, and at laſt to flie, whom Anciſus purſuing, found in a Thicket of Canes or Reeds a great Treaſure of Gold. Mean while, Nicueſa Sail'd to the plentiful Golden Countrey Veragua with three Ships, of which, he loſt two, the one Commanded by Lupus de Olana, and the other by Peter Umbria Olana, which was ſtranded in the River Veragua, which gives name to the whole Iſland, but he built a new Carvil, whereas that of Lupus Olana was bilg'd among the Rocks. Little better ſucceſs had Nicueſa, whoſe Ship over-turning with a Tempeſt, he with a few of his Men made land upon Veragua, where he rang'd up and down in a miſerable condition, on a barren, and in a manner deſolate Shore ſeventy days: All that time, finding no other Food than Wild Roots, who wandring up and down, at laſt met with Olana, a little before caſt away on the ſame Iſle, whom he ſecur'd, becauſe he preſum'd to uſurp the Title, and be prime Commander of that Countrey. Upon which, the Spaniards being divided, ſome for Anciſus, ſome for Olana, the difference more and more encreaſing, would not be reconcil'd, till the Famine over-powering, maſter'd both, ſo that not being able to handle their Arms, the Salvages ſlew them at their pleaſure, by this means in a ſhort time, of ſeven hundred eighty five, remain'd ſcarce ninety; yet did not all this miſery work any thing upon the ambitious humor of Vaſques Nunnez, who rebelling againſt Anciſus, ſplit that ſmall remainder of Men, and with the help of thoſe he had drawn over to his Party, made himſelf Governor of Uraba, not poſſible to be long enjoy'd without ſpeedy ſupply, which ſoon after they receiv'd; for Colmenares Sailing from Hiſpaniola with Proviſions, Colmenares Expedition. arriv'd there the 15. of October, Anno 1510. having been toſs'd twenty three days at Sea; then making into the River Gaira, to furniſh himſelf with freſh Water, he loſt forty ſeven Men; for whilſt they were filling their Casks, ſeven hundred of the Salvages came down upon them, and with their Poyſon'd Arrows wounded and kill'd moſt of them.His ſtrange reception. Colmenares came in a good time to the remainder under Anciſus Command, being in danger of death for want of Proviſions, and finding the factions that were among them about Superiority, he thought it fit, conſulting with ſome of the chiefeſt of them, to find out Nicueſa, who was indeed the Governor that had the Grant from the King: This agreed, Colmenares went to ſearch, and at laſt lighted upon him, building a Fortreſs againſt the aſſaults of the Enemies on the Promontory. Mormor, he was glad to find him, but griev'd to ſee the miſery and hardſhip they endur'd, moſt of his Men being kill'd, partly by the exceſſive Heats, partly by Famine, and partly by the cruelty of the Natives, ſo that he had onely ſixty remaining, and thoſe many of them alſo ſick and weak.

Colmenares having deliver'd his Meſſage, Nicueſa broke up his Quarters, and ſleighting the Fort, went with him, but both himſelf and his Men were oppos'd from Landing by Nunnez; wherefore Nicueſa was neceſſitated to Steer for Hispaniola; whom, or what became of him was never known.

Nunnez having thus quitted himſelf of Nicueſa, and now, more than ever, wanting Proviſion, he reſolv'd to take out his own Commiſſion at large, and ſetting up for himſelf, make no diſcrimination of Perſons, Spaniards, or Natives, but to make out his Fortune.

And firſt, he fell upon Careta King of Coita, whom he took Priſoner, Plundering him of all his Treaſure and Proviſions; yet this ſufficed not long, for ſoon after, King Poncha invading Careta, Nunnez took hold of that opportunity, and pretending to aſſiſt Careta, being well recruited with his Forces, ſet upon Poncha, who immediately fled, and left all to the ſpoil of his Enemies.

This News ſo amaz'd Comogrus, another King, that he proffer'd Peace;Remarkable Pallace of King Comogrus. whereupon Nunnez going thither, was nobly entertain'd in his Palace, being one hundred and fifty Paces long, and eighty broad, the Floors Pav'd with Stone, and the Roofs Vaulted, his Cellars were ſtor'd with Wine, made of the Root Jucca, Ages, and Mais; the Privy-Chamber was hung round with dead bodies, Mummy'd artificially with Lent Fires, and were the Corpſes of Comogrus Anceſtors, and others of the Royal Blood, and neareſt Relations, of whom ſome dy'd at leaſt four hundred years before; each of theſe faſten'd by Cordage made of Reeds, were Habited in Cotton, richly adorn'd with Pearls and Gold. Mean while, a Hurricane happening, terrible with Thunder and Lightning, and hideous Guſts, ſwell'd and ſo enrag'd the Sea, that breaking its bounds, over-running, drown'd the whole Champain; thus the hopes of a fruitful Harveſt being utterly loſt, they ſuffer'd under a great Famine.

The Spaniards which Encamp'd near the River Daria, on Uraba, perceiving this, and knowing they had no manner of ſupply from Hispaniola, and having already Pillag'd the Neighboring Kings, that they had nothing left. Nunnez marching thirty Leagues up the River, Nunnez Exploits. Plunder'd the Village, of which Daibaiba was King, where he found an unvaluable quantity of Gold, but little or no Proviſion. Here were many Flitter Mice, or Bats, bigger than Turtle Doves, whoſe biting was mortal, unleſs immediately waſh'd with Salt Water, according to the information of the Priſoners.

Now as Nunnez Uraba Pillag'd towards the South, ſo did Colmenares, ſetting up alſo for himſelf, make prize of all, to the Eaſt with ſixty Men, Rowing againſt the Stream up the River Daria, above twelve Leagues, where he found in ſeveral Villages and Hamlets, and at King Turvi's Palace, abundance, both of Proviſion and Gold; from thence he March'd to the mighty Province Abenamchei, which though making ſome reſiſtance, at laſt they ſubdu'd.

A ſtrange Pallace built on Trees.And the neighboring King Abibeiba narrowly eſcap'd the like fortune, whoſe Pallace was built on the tops of Trees, Plaſh'd, and Pleited together, Timber Beams lying athwart; neceſſity forcing them to chooſe ſuch high Habitations, partly, to avoid the Inundations of Rivers, ſwoln above their bounds by ſudden and almoſt aſſiduous Showres from the Mountains;Turning the low Land into a Sea. and partly, to be free from the excurſions of ſculking Robbers; alſo being better able to defend themſelves in theſe Caſtles in the Air, and alſo ſecur'd by their heighth from their Shot, being above the reach of their Indian Arrows: The bodies of the Trees downwards, upon which the Houſes are built, are generally twenty four Fathom thick, ſo that they cannot eaſily be cut down, nor fired; but Colmenares againſt theſe, as they ſuppos'd, impregnable Forts, having made a Gallery with ſeveral great Hurdles, ſet his Men to work under that ſafeguard, with Axes on the Tree whereon Abibeiba's Houſe ſtood, who ſeeing his imminent danger, wondring at this new manner of Storming, came down, promiſing to furniſh him with Gold out of the neighboring Mountains, notwithſtanding it would be with the danger of his Life; becauſe the Cannibals generally kill thoſe that adventur'd to dig in the Mines: To this promiſe, Colmenares hearken'd,A Plot on the Sparniards, ſtrangely diſcover'd. and having ſet him at liberty, for the performance, he in ſtead thereof, on the contrary, ſtirr'd up, and joyn'd with all the Conquer'd Kings, to deſtroy him and his Men: Nor were they ſlack to have executed their deſign, five thouſand of them being already drawn together at the Village Tirichi, the appointed place of Rendezvous, and ſo privately carry'd, that undoubtedly it had been effected, if not happily diſcover'd by this accident.

Nunnez, amongſt his other Slaveſſes, had one exceeding beautiful, on 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 had 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 hirdſhip, 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.

Anciſus Voyage.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; A Temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the Iſland Cuba. 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.

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, Nicueſa ſuffers hunger. 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.

FErnandez, Caizedus, and Morantes, antient Planters in Cuba, obtain'd a Licence from the Governor Diego Velaſques, to Rig out three Ships, with a hundred and ten Men to diſcover new Lands.: Velaſques thought fit to add one more to their number upon the Kings account; which Truſt he committed to Igniguez: all of them conſulted with the experienc'd Navigator Antonio Alamines. Six days the Fleet had been at Sea, when they diſcover'd Land, which by a miſtake was call'd Jucatan, Original of the Name Jucatan. becauſe the Inhabitants being ask'd what was the Name of the Coaſt, anſwer'd Jucatan; which, as the Spaniards were afterwards inform'd, ſignifi'd, We underſtand you not.

Stately City.Upon the Shore they found a City, whoſe Stone Buildings, with ſtately Fronts and high Turrets, ſhew'd moſt magnificently. Fernandez call'd this City for its wonderful bigneſs, Cairo, from the Egyptian Metropolis, famous through the World.

Biſhop Caſis ſad effect concerning the Pearl catching.THe Biſhop Bartholomew de Caſis, living a conſiderable time in Hiſpaniola, in the City Dominico, being inform'd of the abundance of Pearls which were caught before Cubagua, and the unſupportable cruelty of the Spaniards there under Ocampus, us'd againſt the Inhabitants, went to Spain, with a deſign to obtain of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, the Government over Cumana and Cubagua, under pretence, to draw the ignorant Natives from their Idolatry, to Chriſtianity; which his requeſt was eſpecially promoted by William of Naſſaw, the Emperors prime Favorite; ſo that having his Letters Patents granted to that purpoſe, he took Ship, and arriv'd with three hundred Spaniſh Gentlemen of Quality in Cumana: And that they might have the greater reſpect ſhown to them there, they had each a Red Croſs given them, ſuch as the Knights of Calatrava generally wear. Yet little did Ocampus, the old Governor of Cumana, regard either them or their Authority; for in ſtead of receiving and ſubmitting, he kept the Biſhop de Caſis out by force of Arms; who then made complaint to the Vice-Roy of the Weſt-Indies in Hiſpaniola, and in the mean time, put his Cargo into a hew Store-houſe.

But whilſt he made his Addreſſes, Ocampus having ſufficiently inrich'd himſelf departed, which incourag'd the Cumaners, who already were incens'd, and weary of their former ſufferings, to venture on a deſign, whereby they might revenge themſelves of the Spaniards, which their undertaking prov'd ſo ſucceſsful, that very few eſcap'd the Maſſacre: Of which, de Caſis being inform'd, and much diſcontented thereat, betook himſelf to a Dominican Cloyſter in Hiſpaniola.

Cruelty of Caſtellio in Cumana. Yet not long after, the Cumaners paid dear for that ſlaughter, for one Caſtellio, though not without ſeveral Engagements, with various ſucceſs, laſting forty days together, having at laſt utterly vanquiſh'd them, put to an ignominious Death, Hanging up ſeventy of their Princes, and to them of meaner quality, ſhewing as little mercy.

As little ſucceſs had Lodowick Lampagnano, ſent out by ſome Spaniſh Merchants, with Letters Patents from the Emperor to Fiſh for Pearl, before the ſame Cubagua; to which purpoſe he carry'd peculiar Nets and other neceſſaries with him. But the Cubaguan Spaniards unanimouſly withſtood him; Lampaguano diſcontented. ſo that not being able to effect his deſign, over-power'd with a Melancholly Diſtemper that broke his Heart, he dy'd.

ALthough ſeveral Expeditions of the Spaniards to America prov'd very unſucceſsful at the firſt, yet they ſtill undertook them afreſh, and with renewing Courage: Ferdinando Sottus, Sottus cruelty. though he Landed five hundred Men in Florida, yet brought no Treaſure from thence, onely he cut off the Hands of fifteen Princes, becauſe they would not diſcover their Mines of Gold.

Miſerable end of Narvaez. Yet far worſe ſucceſs had Pamphilus Narvaez, who loſt both his Fleet and Men, ſaving onely ten out of ſix hundred, in the River Palma, and they alſo afterwards dy'd there, or eat one another to ſatisfie their raging Hunger.

Cortez his Voyage.But much better was the fortune of Ferdinando Cortez, Sailing from Spain to America, in the Year 1519. who having the Command given him over ten ſtout Ships, and three Frigats with five hundred Foot, and an additional Force of ſixteen Horſe, rais'd by the new Spaniſh Inhabitants on Cuba; with which Forces Landing on the Iſland Cozumella, he prohibited Humane Sacrifice to their Idols, and Erected a Croſs with the Image of the Virgin Mary, in one of their Temples, and releas'd Hieronimus Aquilaris, after a ſeven years Slavery,Remarkable delivery. having ſuffer'd Shipwrack with Valdivia; at which time ſome that ſav'd themſelves in the Boat, were by the Current in thirty days driven to Jucatan, in which time ſeven dy'd of Hunger; the reſt going aſhore, were no ſooner Landed, but Sacrific'd by the Natives to their Gods or Zemes. Among the ſix that remain'd, yet left alive, and to be offer'd after the ſame manner the next day, was this Aquilaris, who with his Companions, breaking Priſon, in the following night fled to a Neighboring Prince their Enemy, and one that maintain'd a continual War againſt theſe Cannibals.

Strange Battel.Here Cortez ſent Articles of Peace to Taxmarus the King of the Countrey, but he ſleighting his proffer, came down upon him into the Field with forty thouſand Men, drawn from the City Potanchanum, which contain'd above twenty thouſand Houſes, all built of Stone: And indeed the Spaniards had here ſeen their laſt day, had not Cortez drawn by a ſeeming advantage the Enemies under his Canon, and ſent his ſmall Party of Horſe to attend the motion of the Rear; when ſo ſoon as they had fir'd their Canon, making great Execution, the Front routed, and the Rear terrifi'd with the noiſe and ſmoke of the Guns, they alſo broke, being at the ſame inſtant Charg'd with the Horſe, which were ſo terrible to them that never ſaw Horſes, nor ſuch Service on Horſeback before, that in a ſhort time the whole Body of ſo great an Army was utterly diſſipated, and the triumphing Conquerors took poſſeſſion of the empty City Potanchanum, Potanchanum, a City. where Solacing, they ſtaid a whole Moneth. Then from hence they Sail'd to Colvaca, where, upon the requeſt of the Natives, they ſettled a Colony. Amongſt the Preſents which were there given to the Spaniards, were ſome of their own Volumes, Colvacana Books, of what faſahion, as alſo their Temples. Books, whoſe Leaves were made of the innermoſt Rind of a Tree, and a kind of Paſte, made of their Meal, glew'd together; the Characters ſtood at ſome diſtance one after another, rang'd like our Chriſt-Croſs Row, or A, B, C.

Here Cortez was amaz'd to behold their ſtately Temples, the Floors whereof were cover'd with Embroyder'd Tapeſtry, beſet with Precious Stones, to which great multitudes flock'd, being very zealous to perform their Devotions.

When their Seed is put into the Ground, or come to its full growth, they offer young Children to their Zemez, richly Cloth'd, having been fatten'd ſome Weeks before: When they want Children they kill their Slaves, and in default of them, they pacifie them with Dogs.

Strange Sacrifices.The Victims that go to be Sacrific'd, they Worſhip with all Adoration, Bowing and Congying before them.

Strange Idol-Worſhip.Their Zeal in this their Idol-Worſhip may appear from a ſtrange Cuſtom, obſerv'd by them when they enter their Temple, viz. they either draw Blood out of their Tongues, Lips, Ears, Breaſt, Knees, or Palm of their Hands, which they throw into the Air, ſuppoſing thereby to be pardon'd by their indulgent Gods.

Zempoal, a City.In the City Zempoal, Cortez found five Slaves, who being kept cloſe Priſoners, were to be Sacrific'd the next day; but he releaſing them, did upon the importunate requeſt of the Quines, or Prieſts, and promiſes of great ranſoms, and their telling of him that the Zemez would ſpoil all their Seed and Plants that year, if they did not go on with theſe Offerings, reſtor'd the Priſoners again; who, though the enjoyments of all happineſſes in the other World were promis'd them by their Prieſt, and great aſſurance given thereof; yet they were not forward, but return'd, unwilling to ſuffer, though by ſo gainful a Sacrifice.

Zemez wonderful Idols.At the Zemez Feet hung abundance of Mens Bones bundled up together, and under them were Written the Names of their Enemies, whoſe Fleſh had been either Sacrific'd or eaten.

Twelve Leagues beyond Zempoal, Cortez built a new City near the River Griſalva, and call'd it Vera Crux, which Diego Velaſques reſented ſo ill, it being done without his knowledge, that he petition'd the Council of Cuba to give Sentence of Death againſt the Founder: But whilſt Cortez expected an anſwer from the Embaſſadors (which were ſent to the Spaniſh Court to give account of the neceſſity of building a City there) he travell'd eighty Leagues Weſterly. The Zempoalenſers accompanied him in great Troops, hoping by that means to ſhake off the yoke of the mighty King Montezuma, againſt whom they were then deſign'd. Cortez coming into the Territory of Sincuchimalar, Cortez his Exploits. was in the Name of Montezuma, by one of his Princes, courteouſly entertain'd in a great Village, ſcituate on a ſteep Mountain, without any Path or Way leading to it, but by two high Ladders. Sincuchimalar lies ſurrounded with Hills, whoſe tops ſeem to touch the Clouds. Coming down from the Village, they travell'd through a barren and cold Valley, where they ſuffer'd ſuch great Inconveniences by want of Proviſions and Water, and exceeding coldneſs of the Weather, that many of them periſh'd. After that, they aſcended a pleaſant Hill, on whoſe ſummit ſtood a Chappel, with a handſom Steeple, and hedg'd about with great heaps of Wood, brought thither by the Inhabitants for the uſe of their Sacrifices. At the foot of this Mountain was a fruitful Valley water'd by a pleaſant River, on whoſe Banks a certain Prince nam'd Cacataminus had a Palace, built of Stone, and containing many Rooms, and convenient Lodgings. Somewhat higher to the Land, appear'd more of the like Structures, which were all under Montezuma's Juriſdiction; but the neighboring Countrey Tlaxcalla, whoſe Inhabitants were famous for their Valor, would never receive any Laws from Montezuma.

Remarkable War in Tlaxcalla. Cortez no ſooner ſet footing in this Countrey, but he was ſet upon by a thouſand of the Inhabitants, who at the firſt Aſſault kill'd two of the Spaniſh Horſe, yet after this bold Charge, the Aſſailants fled, and on the next day deſir'd Peace; whereupon the Spaniards march'd quietly into the Countrey, when a confus'd Company, or Forlorn-Hope, making a horrible Noiſe, ſet upon them; but after a ſlight Skirmiſh, they fled to their Main Body, which immediately drawing up, being at leaſt a hundred thouſand, hemm'd in the handful of Spaniards, and ſo were ready to ſwallow them, leaving them no Angle to eſcape at. Thus invironed, they were aſſailed on every ſide, fighting till Sun-ſet, and had undoubtedly been utterly deſtroy'd, had not Cortez ply'd his ſix Pieces of Cannon, diſcharging continually Volley after Volley upon them; and though the Execution was very much, yet the Sound and report of their Ordinance was more terrible to them that were out of the reach of the Bullet, and made more to the gaining ſo great a Victory, Fear conquering more than Slaughter; ſo that by the Evening, deſpairing either of their Safety or better Fortune, the whole Army disbanding fled: But the purſuing Conquerors firing five of their Villages, remain'd Maſters of the Field; yet they, though thus totally routed, taking freſh Courage (a wonderful thing!) reinforc'd them, and ſet upon the Spaniſh Camp, with no leſs than 150000 Fighting Men: Yet notwithſtanding ſo vaſt an Army, Cortez ſo well order'd his ſmall parcel of Men, and ſo valiantly led on upon all Advantages, that he in like manner defeated this, as they thought, Invincible Preparation. Thus fleſh'd with ſo much Blood of the Natives, he raged every where, giving no Quarter where-ever he went.

Mean while Queſitangal, a neighboring Prince, having alſo raiſed an Army with which he deſign'd, being aſſiſted by darkneſs, craftily to fall into the Spanish Quarters by Night, ſubtilly diſſembling, ſent Embaſſadors the day before, with ſeveral Preſents, and Overtures of Peace, which indeed were onely Spies, to take notice where they might beſt break in upon them; which Cortez miſtruſting, and ſoon being inform'd of the whole Deſign, he cut off the Spies Hands, ſo ſending them back to Queſitangal with Defiance: Hereupon the Indians immediately ſetting forward, took advantage of the enſuing Night, and with great fury fell upon the Spaniards, who preacquainted with the Deſign, were in ſo good a poſture to receive them, that not able to endure ſuch hot Service, they quickly retreated, and utterly gave over the Enterprize: But Cortez as much encourag'd by theſe Victories, purſu'd them, and the ſame Night Storm'd Tlaxcalla, a City containing above twenty thouſand Houſes, which in few Hours he carried. This City was curiouſly built, of bak'd Stones, and a place of great Trade; inſomuch that the Market-places ſwarm'd with Buyers and Sellers, bartering one with another all manner of Proviſions, as Fiſh, Fleſh, and Bread, alſo Plumes of Feathers, Pearls, imbroyder'd Tapeſtry, Chalk, Stones, Timber, and Herbs.

Twenty days Cortez ſtaid here to refreſh his Army, and then march'd to the neighboring City Chiurutical, with the Auxiliary Forces of the Tlaxcallans, to the number of above a hundred thouſand; they told him, That the People of Chiurutical had barricado'd up their Streets, laid upon the tops of their Houſes great heaps of Stones, that their upper Rooms were cramm'd with Archers, and all things made ready both for Offence and Defence; which Advertiſement he not much hearkned to, becauſe he was conducted into the City with all their State-Formalities of Singing and Tabering upon their Tamboes, and every where courteouſly entertain'd.

A Plot ſtrangely diſcover'dMean while Montezuma had rais'd a great Army, which were in their advance, not onely to the defence of his Border, but to ſurprize them them while they ſtaid in that City, the Townſmen having invited him thither to their reſcue and his own defence, had not the Plot been accidentally diſcover'd by a Chirutecan Woman, who giving advice to one of her Friends that follow'd Cortez, that he ſhould immediately make his eſcape, becauſe that all the Strangers would be deſtroy'd within few Hours, who came and inform'd Cortez thereof whereupon he deſir'd all the Magiſtrates of the City to come and ſpeak with him,Strange Martial Affairs. who no ſooner entred the Hall where he was, but his Men by Command immediately ſhot them to death, which terrible Rumor ſpreading, and alarm'd with the report of the Executing Muſquets, the City was ſuddenly in an Uproar, gathering thither Arm'd from all Places, and began a ſharp Conflict, which laſted five Hours; but then wearied out, and deſpairing of Succeſs, looſing their Courage, they deſir'd a Ceſſation, and at laſt concluded Peace with the Spaniards.

This News of his diſcover'd Intention, ſo ſtartled Montezuma, that he ſuppos'd it better to deſiſt, and procure the Favor of Cortez by Preſents; wherefore he ſent him 15000 Cotton Habits, trim'd up very richly, ten great Chargers of Gold, and ſome Veſſels of Wine, deſiring him for a while to forbear his Intentions of marching to Tenuſtitan his Chief City, Now Menico. and that he would in the mean while treat with him for an Accommodation. But Cortez, though he accepted of the Preſents, yet nevertheleſs held his Reſolution of marching on.

ANno 1540. Gottierez being choſen Governor of New Carthage, weigh'd Anchor from Cadiz, and ſailing to Nombre de Dios, upon his Landing claſh'd with Roderick Contreras, Gottierez conteſts with Contreras. in whoſe Place he was ſent to ſucceed. Two Years he ſpent without effecting any thing; but at laſt coming to Agreement with Contreras, he took the Governorſhip upon him, having firſt forewarn'd him not to depend too much upon his Authority; for the Countrey being full of Woods and Mountains, might hide many of his Enemies: But he not regarding the Advice, went a Journey from New Granada, and having march'd fifty Leagues Eaſterly, he croſs'd into the River Suere, with ſixty Spaniards, and was preſented by the Princes of the Countrey with as much Gold as amounted to ſeven thouſand Duckets. Here he ſpent ſome Weeks, effecting little; but now all things growing ſcarce, though he was very earneſt with the Natives for Proviſions, yet he could get little; which kind of Life the Soldiers diſliking, and growing weary of, went away in the Night to Nicaragua. Is forſaken of all. Gottierez thus left alone, got into a Boat, with intent to follow them; and being juſt put off from the Shore, was met by Captain Barjanto, who brought new Forces and freſh Proviſions with him: This wrought upon him to ſtay there. Not long after Alphonſo de Piſa went with twenty ſeven Men from Nombre de Dios to the ſame River Suere; but it being then very rough at the Entrance, he was neceſſitated to paſs on to a ſmall uninhabited Iſle, where whilſt he lay at an Anchor, the Weather began to grow worſe and worſe; the Guſts of Wind,Great Tempeſt. mix'd with Showres of Rain, Thunder, and Lightning, ſeem'd to threaten a general Deſtruction; for in the Ship two Spaniards and one Moor were kill'd by the Lightning: In ſeventy two Days, the Sun did not ſhine four Hours: At laſt weighing Anchor, he ſail'd over to the Main Land, where he ſaw nothing but vaſt Mountains and Wilderneſſes. Here for a time they liv'd upon Cockles found on the Shore, and wild Fruits in the Woods: At length coming to Gottierez, he ſent him with his People in five Boats to fetch new Forces from Nombre de Dios. In his way thither he ſaw a Houſe built of Canes, cover'd with Palm-leaves, forty five Paces long, and built after an Oval faſhion: Round about it ſtood ſeveral leſſer Hovels, all which making up a Village, the Spaniards nam'd Franciſco, becauſe they came thither on St. Francis Day.Village Franciſco About half way they met with the Lords of Suere and Chiuppa, going to attend Gottierez, to whom being admitted, and ſitting with him at Table, he gave them, as a Dainty, roſted Chickens and freſh Pork; but they gave it to their Servants,Strange manner of eating. not delighting in the taſte of ſuch Victuals. Gottierez, by means of an Interpreter, told them concerning the Chriſtian-Religion, at which they bow'd their Heads, without making any Anſwer: But how little mind they had to embrace it, quickly appear'd; for not long after, they ſet their Villages on fire, and all the Proviſions which they could not carry with them, they ſpoil'd, and ſo retiring, hid themſelves upon inacceſſible Mountains. Another Incentive leading them to this Fight, was, becauſe the Governor Camachiren, and his Deputy (notwithſtanding he had given Gottierez as much Gold, when he came firſt into the Countrey, as amounted to ſeven thouſand Duckets, as we mention'd before) yet was put in Priſon by his Order, contrary to all Promiſes: Nay, Gottierez threatned to burn him (not regarding, that he had beſides receiv'd of him ſeveral Pieces of Gold, reſembling all manner of Beaſts, as Tygers, and others; and alſo Fiſhes and Fowls curiouſly wrought, which were valu'd at two Tun of Gold; yet this Preſent ſeemed too little for him, whereupon bringing the Priſoner to a Cheſt,Unſatisfied Covetouſneſs of Gottierez. he ſwore that he would roſt him by degrees, if in four days time he did not furniſh him with four times as much more Gold as that Cheſt would hold: Whereupon Chamachiren's Servants went away to get the requir'd Gold; but he, through careleſneſs of the Watch, made his eſcape in the Night, ſo that Gottierez loſt his Booty. But the other Priſoners, though threatned to be torn aſunder with Dogs, remain'd firm, diſowning that they had any Gold; and among the reſt, one ſpeaking boldly to the Spaniſh Officer ſaid, That he ſtood amaz'd at his treacherous dealings, why did he keep him Chain'd againſt Law and Promſe, and often threaten'd him with death, but yet would not kill him, for he, ſaid he • , had rather chooſe to die, than live ſo miſerable a life.

Gottierez's Conſcience troubling him, he would willingly have releas'd the Indian, and the rather, becauſe he promis'd to procure a great ranſome of Gold; but the inferior Commanders would not conſent to it. After this they march'd ſix days through great Wilderneſſes, and over high Mountains, finding no Footſteps of any People. Laſtly, They came down a very dangerous and ſteep Mountain, where had not the Shrubs and jutting Stones ſerv'd them to hold by, they had all broken their Necks.

Dangerous Mountains,Fifteen Leagues, the hanging of this Mountain ſpread it ſelf along a ſweet River,Strange Huts. on whoſe oppoſite Shore ſtood ſtrange Huts full of dead Tygers, Deers Heads, and Legs; here they ſtaid two days to reſt themſelves, where the Trees Mamei and the Cazabi Plants yielded them good Food.

Travelling forward, Gottierez ask'd an Indian which was the neareſt way to a Village, but he pretending not to know any near hand, had his Head immediately cut off. In like manner, and for the ſame reaſon the Indian Prince ſhould alſo have been Executed, had not Gottierez given order to the contrary; ſeeing his reſolution, that with no leſs Patience than undaunted Courage, ſtretch'd forth his Neck to the Executioners. Mean while, their Proviſions decreaſing, they ſuffer'd extreme hunger; inſomuch, that ſome fainted quite away. The Souldiers alſo rebelling againſt Gottierez for Food, he commanded them to kill their Dogs, and ſtamp the Barks of Trees; two days they travelled much diſcontented in this manner, and at laſt came to the entrance of a Wood, where they eſpy'd an Indian ſtanding behind a Tree, which on a ſudden ran away with incredible ſwiftneſs: early the next morning, above four thouſand Indians came Marching againſt the faint Spaniards, making a terrible noiſe with Horns and Drums; they were all except their Princes Painted black and red; ſome wore Plumes of Feathers on their Heads, and Collars of the ſame about their Necks; the fight began very fiercely, by caſting abundance of Stones, and ſhooting of Arrows, wherein, though Gottierez was at firſt Wounded,Valiant fight. yet after half an hour the Aſſailants fled, but recruited with freſh Forces renew'd the fight, breaking into their Ranks, and making ſo great ſlaughter amongſt them with Woodden Swords, and Palm-Tree Clubs, knocking down, and dealing ſuch deadly Wounds, that of the Spaniards, three onely eſcap'd, ſaving themſelves by flight, who two hours after, much amaz'd and terrify'd, came to their reſerve, conſiſting onely of twenty four Men, which Alphonſo de Riſa Commanded; the inſulting Enemy at their Heels, waving over their Heads the Swords, Shields, and Croſs-Bows which they had gotten from the ſlain Spaniards; and ſome withal crying in the Spaniſh Tongue, Come Chriſtians, come, and take Gold. But de Riſa, for all their pride, ſet them going with ſome Volleys of Shot; after this, eſcaping innumerable other dangers, he came to Nombre de Dios, without having effected any thing of Note.

ABout the ſame time that Gaſca arriv'd in Spain, John Stade had the Command over a ſmall Fort rais'd of Stone and Earth, on the Iſland Maro, adjacent to Braſile, becauſe the Salvage People of Tupin Imba ſail'd twice a year from the Countrey of Brikioka, to Maro, at the time when the Plant Abbati was ripe, of which they made the Liquor that they generally drink at their Humane Banquets: They alſo landed on Maro about the Bratti-Fiſhing. This Bratti is a Fiſh of a very delicious taſte, either caught in Nets, or ſhot by the Tupin Imba, and carried to their ſeveral Habitations. Againſt theſe People Stade kept a continual Guard, when Heliodorus Heſſe, Son to Eobanus Heſſe, the famous Latin Poet in Germany, came to viſit him. Stade to entertain his Gueſt the better, went into the Woods to hunt for Veniſon, Stade taken by the Cannibals. where he was taken by the Tupin Imba, of which the King march'd in the Rear with a great Palm-Tree Club, and carried him towards the Sea ſide, that he, with others that waited on the Shore, might make up a Kawewipepicke (that is, A Feaſt of Roſted Men) But becauſe Stade being a German of a large Body, well-skinn'd, young, plump and fat, they all concluded to ſpare this Dainty, and carry him alive to Brikioka, His ſtrange Entertainment amongſt them. that with ſuch a Banquet they might highly careſs their Wives: But the Journey being long, and a juſt melancholy poſſeſſing him with fear, and the terror of certain death, and to be Food for ſuch ravenous Cannibals, ſo macerated and conſum'd him, that he was almoſt dwindled away to Skin and Bone; whereupon thinking him thus lean to make but few ſavory Morſels, they chang'd their reſolutions, and growing better acquainted, he having learn'd their Tongue, and being able to diſcourſe with them, they lik'd his company ſo well, that they let him live amongſt them. Nine years Stade had been a Slave amongſt theſe Man-eaters, when the French coming thither, bought him for a few Trifles, and carried him to Normandy, where landing Anno 1555. he went from thence to Hamburgh, being his Native Countrey.

Durande's Expedition. Nicholas Durande a Frenchman ſet Sail from Havre de Grace, at the ſame time when Stade came thither. This Durande having loſt a Caſtle in Brittain, to the great prejudice of the French, out of a pretence of advancing their Affairs, and to fill up their almoſt exhauſted Treaſury, reported, That the Spaniſh and Portugueſe Forces were driven out of India, where they had gather'd ſo much Wealth; and it would certainly redound to the Honor and Profit of France, if they could become Maſters of the Gold and Silver Mines. King Henry the Second approving of the Propoſal, and the more becauſe the Admiral Gasper Coligni was alſo very earneſt, looking upon it as a fafe Retreat for the Proteſtants, at that time cruelly perſecuted: and Durande, ſenſible of the Admirals thoughts, privately inform'd him, That in his American Deſign he chiefly aim'd to plant a True Church of God in America, where the Profeſſors might enjoy themſelves peaceably. This Report being ſpread amongſt thoſe that call'd themſelves Proteſtants, (fled from Switzerland in great numbers to France) made many of them venture upon the Deſign; who having fitted themſelves, and ſetting ſail with three Ships, after ſome time arriv'd on the Coaſt of Braſile, and landed on the Rock-Iſland, in the Haven Januario: Here Durande built ſeveral Watch-houſes, and the Fort Coligni, which he fortified with a conſiderable number of Guns: Not long after he writ to John Calvin, That he would pleaſe to furniſh this new Plantation in Braſile with good and able Teachers of the Goſpel; which Requeſt being immediately taken into ſerious conſideration by the Claſſes, one Philip Corguileray, a Gentleman near Geneva, ſet Sail out of the Haven Honfleurs, with three Ships, freighted with ſome Proviſions, ſeveral Perſons of divers Trades, and two Miniſters, Peter Richer, and William Chartier: But he had ſcarce made Africa, Diſſention in the new Colony. when they began to have a ſcarcity of Victuals; wherefore they turn'd their Deſign of ſetling the Goſpel in America, to Pyracy, where they made ſmall ſcruple or difference, whether Friends or Foes, but made Prize of all they could light upon, though indeed their Miniſters both preach'd and perſwaded the contrary, amongſt whom a Controverſie happening, put other Buſineſs into their Heads; for one John Cointak, formerly a Pariſian Sorboniſt, was alſo amongſt thoſe that remov'd from Geneva, who pretended that Coligni had promis'd him a Miniſters place, ſo ſoon as he landed at Braſile; but Richer and Chartier, not ſatisfied that there was any ſuch Promiſe, and conſequently thinking themſelves not obliged by his bare Aſſertion, told him, That themſelves being able, under God, to perform the Work, they needed no ſuch Coadjutor: This bred ſo great a Rancor between them, that Cointak accus'd them for teaching falſe Doctrine,Wickedneſs of Cointak againſt the Miniſters. and chiefly that they did not mix the Wine at their Sacraments with Water, which Father Clemens had ſtrictly commanded. Durande, being prevail'd on by the Cardinal of Lorein, joyn'd with Cointak, and thereupon ſo ſharply perſecuted the Proteſtants, that he ſtarv'd ſeveral of them, which others to eſcape fled to the Braſilians: Nay, he took John Du Bordell, Matthias Vermeil, and Peter Bourdon, out of their Sick-Beds, Durande drowns three Religious Men. and tying their Hands and Feet, threw them headlong from a Rock into the Sea: Soon after which, the bloody Perſecutor return'd with ill ſucceſs to France, where he wrote a Book againſt the Reform'd Religion; but all the Honor which he gain'd was, that all Parties on both ſides accounted him a diſtracted Perſon.

Florida unhappily diſcover'd. FLorida being upon the Continent of America, and ſo call'd by John Pontaeus, who landed there upon Palm-Sunday, though Sebaſtian Gaboto a Venetian, imploy'd by Henry the Seventh King of England, landed there before, may well be term'd the Europeans Bloody Stage, Pontaeus being ſlain here: But Ferdinand Sotto exercis'd againſt the Inhabitants inhumane Cruelty five years together; yet at laſt died of a deep diſcontent, becauſe he could not reach his Aims, having condemn'd ſo many Floridans fruitleſly to dig for Gold in the Mines. However, ſince that, Julian Sumanus and Peter Ahumada undertook the Work anew, but with the like bad Succeſs. Auno 1545: one Lodowick Cancello, a Dominican, thought to effect great things with four of his Aſſociates; but landing on Florida, was deſtroy'd by the Natives. But Gaſper Coligni the Marſhal, neither diſcourag'd by theſe miſerable Proceedings, nor the former Treachery of Durande, prepar'd for a new Expedition thither; Ribald's Voyage. and accordingly John Ribald was fitted with two Ships from Diep, at the Charge of Charles the Ninth King of France, wherewith having ſail'd thirty Degrees Northern Latitude, he came before the Promontory of Franciſco, where he ran up into the Mouth of a wide River, to which he gave the denomination of Dolphin, upon whoſe Banks were whole Mulberry-Woods, which nouriſh'd Silk-Worms in ſtrange abundance. From hence he ſail'd by the Wolves Head (a Point ſo call'd, becauſe great numbers of Wolves breed there) and leaving the Cedar-Iſland, landed on Florida, where he built a Triangular Fort, and having furniſh'd it with Men, Guns, and Proviſions, ſail'd back for more Supplies to France; but coming thither, found all things in diſorder, occaſion'd by a War amongſt themſelves; ſo that the French which guarded and dwelt in the Fort,The Garriſon in Florida in great want. waited in vain for Relief, and their Proviſions growing ſcant, thought it fitteſt and their beſt way to build a Veſſel, and ſail from thence; which having effected, and being gone about the third part of their Voyage there hapned ſuch a Calm for twenty Days, that they made not the leaſt way, which drove them to ſo great extremity, their Proviſions being ſpent, that they drank their own Urine, and fed upon their old Shoes, which alſo in a ſhort time failing, they agreed amongſt themſelves to kill and eat one of their Sea-men, call'd Henry Lacher, Unheard-of Hunger. on whoſe Fleſh they liv'd ſome days; but being again driven to the greateſt want imaginable, in this extremity of Deſparation, their Condition being altogether hopeleſs, an Engliſh Frigat diſcovering them, and obſerving by their manner of Sailing that they were in ſome great want, drawing near, ſent their Long-boat aboard, and found them ſo weak, that they were not able to handle their Tack; whereupon generouſly taking pity of them, they reliev'd them, and conducted them to the Coaſt of England, and then brought them to Queen Elizabeth, who had formerly deſign'd to rig a Fleet for Florida.

Mean while, no News having been heard of the foremention'd French Plantation in Braſile, and Coligni's Difference with the King being decided, he prevail'd ſo much, Laudonier's Voyage. that Renatus Laudonier ſhould with three Ships ſail to relieve the Garriſon in the late deſerted Fort. Laudonier landing in Nova Francia, found a Stone with a French Inſcription, plac'd on the Shore by Ribald, and hung full of Laurel Garlands: Then he viſited the King Saturiona, whoſe Son Atorcus had ſeveral Children by his own Mother, according to a Salvage Cuſtom obſerv'd in that Countrey. Whilſt they ſtay'd here, a Fiery Meteor appear'd in the Sky, with ſuch fervor, that ſome Rivers boyl'd with the heat of it, and the Fiſh parboyl'd, died; nay more, it ſcorch'd all the Plants far and near: The Natives aſcrib'd this Plague to the French Cannons, by which means they ſtood in great fear of the French, who might have done great things had not they differ'd amongſt themſelves;Remarkable difference in the French Fleet. For a Sea-man nam'd Rubel Patracon, pretending to have skill in Necromancy, would undertake to ſhew the Places where the Gold and Silver Mines were, which the reſt of the Sea-men believing, rebell'd againſt Laudonier, and though ſick, impriſon'd him, forcing him to ſign a Writing to this effect, That the two Ships, of which the Rebels made Vaſſar and Trincant Commanders, ſhould with his leave and permittance ſail to New Spain for Proviſions. Whilſt they were preparing for their Voyage, Rupiferrir having been ſent to the King Utina, came back with many rich Preſents, and withal brought Information of the Gold and Silver Mynes Apalatica; but Vaſſar and Trincant taking no notice thereof, ſet forth, and took a Spaniſh Carvel, richly laden before Havana, whoſe Commander they agreed to releaſe on the payment of a great Ranſon; but the Maſters Son being ſent aſhore to fetch the Money which they had agreed for, in ſtead thereof, made his Fathers Miſchance known; whereupon two great Frigats and a Galley were the next Morning very early ſent to attaque the French, between whom was a ſharp Encounter; but in a ſhort time the two Pyrats were ſunk, and the Priſoners ſold for Slaves, excepting a few that eſcap'd in their Long-boat.

In this interim Laudonier receiving no Supply from France, was brought to great extremity; for the Rebels had carried great part of his Store with them. In theſe ſtraights he was forc'd by thoſe that ſtaid with him, contrary to the Articles of Peace lately made with King Utina, to take him Priſoner, in hopes that for his Liberty he would procure them ſome Proviſions; but the Inhabitants incens'd at the baſeneſs of ſo unexpected an Action, could not be wrought upon by any means to give them Relief; but grown more perverſe than before, appointed a general Meeting to elect another King; ſo that out of all hopes, they utterly gave themſelves over for loſt. In this deſperate condition, John Haukins, a great Sea-Captain, came thither with four Engliſh Ships, who pitying their miſery, furniſh'd them with Neceſſaries, and having onely four Veſſels, lent them one, becauſe Laudonier was at that time too weak to endure the Sea; but not long after recovering ſtrength, and all things ready to ſet Sail, Ribald came to an Anchor before Charles-Fort, with ſeven Ships from Diep: Within few days after, the Spaniſh Admiral Peter Melandez arriv'd with eight Frigats, whereof the French having Intelligence, cut their Cables, and ſtood out to Sea, whom the Spaniards chac'd, but could not reach; whereupon leaving them, they landed in the Mouth of the River Dolphin, where by help of the Mooriſh Slaves they began to intrench themſelves; of which Ribald having notice, immediately ſail'd thither, at leaſt to diſturb, if not abſolutely drive them from their Work; but ſurpriz'd in the way by a great Storm, loſt moſt of his Fleet, ingag'd among the Rocks; yet the Men were moſt of them ſav'd. In this Storm the Spaniards alſo ſuffer'd great damage, yet made an Advantage of the Frenchmens Misfortune, marching with all ſpeed to Charles-Fort, in which were onely two hundred weak Men, Ribald having taken the primeſt Soldiers along with him. In the Morning before Sun-riſe the Spaniards made a fierce Aſſault, and in a ſhort time became Maſters of the Place, which Laudonier ſeeing, fled in a Boat; others leaping from the Walls into the Moat, ſav'd themſelves by ſwimming: Whoever fell into the Victors Hands,Great cruelty of the Spaniards againſt the French. was without mercy ſlain; nay, ſuch was the Spaniards inveterate malice to the French, that wanting living Bodies, they exercis'd their Cruelty upon the dead, pulling out their Eyes, and cutting off their Members, carrying them in Triumph on the Points of their Swords. In the interim, the Storm ceaſing, Ribald approach'd Charles-Fort, with his ſhatter'd Fleet, but was ſo amaz'd when he ſaw the Spaniſh Flag ſet upon the Walls, and Vallemond marching towards him with a Squadron of Spaniards, that although a River lay between them, yet he preſently came to a Treaty, and deliver'd up all his Men, being above ſour hundred, upon promiſe of good Quarter; but the Spaniards in ſtead of keeping their Agreement, bound them, leading them all to the Caſtle, where, both againſt their Articles, and the Law of Arms, they maſſacred them, and burnt their Bodies; but Ribald being quarter'd, they fix'd his Limbs upon Poles about the Walls, ſending his Head to Sevil. When Charles the Ninth, King of France, receiv'd notice hereof, he was not in the leaſt concern'd at the Spaniſh Cruelty us'd to his Subjects, out of a particular hatred to Coligni, the firſt Promoter of the Voyage. Gurgie's valiant Exploits againſt the Spaniards. But though the French Crown ſo little regarded the inhumane Uſage committed by the Spaniards in Charles-Fort, yet Dominicus Gurgie ſhew'd himſelf ſo highly concern'd thereat, that turning all his Goods into Money, he levied two hundred Soldiers, and fourſcore Sea-men, which he put aboard three ſmall Ships, pretending that he would onely touch at Braſile; but ſailing beyond Cuba, he ſtood directly for Florida, where after his Landing he was kindly receiv'd by Saturiona the King, who complaining much againſt the Spaniards Oppreſſions, ſent to joyn with him his Kinſman Olotocara, having the Command of a great Army.

The Spaniards by this time had not onely ſtrengthned Charles-Fort, but alſo rais'd two others on each ſide of the River Mayo, in which three Holds lay Garriſon'd above four hundred choice Soldiers. Thoſe in the new Forts made little reſiſtance; but quitting the ſame, and flying into a neighboring Wood, fell into an Ambuſcade of Indians, who ſlew thirty of them, and preſerv'd ninety for a Publick Execution. Thus they march'd on victoriouſly to Charles-Fort, where by the way ſixty Spaniards ſallying out, were every one cut off, which much facilitated the Frenchmens Work. The Governor Melandez, ſeeing a certain mine attend him, fled into the Woods; but met there by the Floridans, return'd to the French, of whom he begg'd Life for himſelf, and ſome of his People: Yet Gurgie deaf to all intreacies, would hear nothing, but preſſing on, took them all Priſoners, and as a juſt Reward of their Cruelty to his Countrey-men; hang'd them on the next Trees: After which Execution, it can ſcarce be expreſs'd how kindly the Natives entertain'd the French, becauſe they had freed the Countrey from the Spaniſh Oppreſſions. Thus having accompliſh'd his Deſign, and returning home, he was nobly receiv'd at Rochel, but had not the leaſt Countenance for all his trouble from the King; the Cardinal of Lorein telling him, That for his good Service he ought to ſuffer death, Is ungrat fully rewarded. becauſe he had fitted out three Ships upon his own Account, without Authority.

FIve Ships being fitted out at Rotterdam, Mahu's Voyage. the Command of them was given to Jaques Mahu and Simon de Cordes, who on the twenty ſeventh of June, Anno 1598. weigh'd Anchor from the Goree, and ſail'd on an immenſe Voyage; at laſt landing at the Iſland St. Jago, they won a ſtrong Caſtle there, and took two Barques; but at laſt Articled with the Portugueſe, that they might undiſturb'd ſupply themſelves with Freſh Water, yet they, as if they minded no Agreements, whilſt the Dutch were filling their Casks, came down upon them with two hundred Horſe, each having a Foot-Soldier behind him; but the Hollanders made ſo ſtout reſiſtance, that they put them all to flight.

The City of St. Jago, which gives Denomination to the whole Iſland, is built long-wiſe, having a convenient Haven, like a Creſcent: Through the City glides a River, on both ſides of which, beyond the Town, ariſe ſeveral high Mountains: That part which faces the Sea, hath Fortifications, defended with ſtrong Bulwarks. The Portugueſe had brought all their Guns to bear towards the Sea, to ſink the Holland Ships, which they invited thither under pretence of kindneſs; but a great Storm hindred the Fleet, that they could not Anchor at the appointed place; onely two of the Ships ſail'd pretty near, but not within Shot.

TWo Months after Mahu, Oliver van Noord ſet ſail with four Ships, and two hundred forty eight Men, from the Maes. Having reach'd the Princes Iſland, he loſt ſeven of his Men by the Treachery of the Portugueſe; and Anchoring before the City Javeiro, he was no better entertain'd by the ſame Nation: Here having a Rencounter, and both Sides receiving conſiderable Loſs, he ſteer'd for St. Sebaſtian, a fruitful Iſland, producing an Herb very wholeſom againſt the Scurvey: Here the Sea-men found great ſtore of Sea-Mews, and Parrots, beſides ſeveral ſorts of delicious Fiſh. The approaching Winter advis'd them from entring the Straights of Magellan ſo late; wherefore they judg'd it beſt to ſeek a convenient Harbor, to put their Sick aſhore to refreſh themſelves. The Iſland St. Hellen, for its fruitfulneſs, ſeem'd to be the moſt convenient for this purpoſe; but a great Storm preventing them, they came to St. Clara, where taking in Freſh Water, they caſt Anchor in Porto Deſire. Porto Deſire. In this Haven they ſaw a kind of Sea-Dogs,Sea-Dogs. whoſe fore-parts being overgrown with long Hair, ſeem'd like a Lyon, and the Feet like Mens Hands; over their Eyes and Upper-lips grew black and white Hair, which in Stormy Weather ſtands ſtaring upright, but in Calm, lies flat and ſmooth; they Urine backwards, ſleep very ſoundly, and caſt their Young every Month: Their Fleſh well-boyl'd prov'd a ſavory Diſh.

Van Noord going aſhore here, ſaw not a Man;Strange Tombs. but only Burying-places on high Rocks, built of red Stones, and adorn'd both within and without with Bowes, Arrows, and other ſtrange things: Under the Heads of the Dead lay four-ſquare Shells, and other things artificially carv'd. Curioſity made them deſirous to make a further ſearch into the Countrey; wherefore he rowed during a whole Tide up a River; and when their Boat ran aground at the time of Ebb, he walk'd ſeveral Leagues up into the Countrey, where he ſaw nothing but Deer, Buffles, and Oſtriches: and becauſe he ſaw no People, he judg'd the Coaſt to be uninhabited; but returning again, he found it otherwiſe; for the Sea-men, though commanded to ſtay in the Boat, which lay in the middle of the River, went aſhore, where they were ſo fiercely ſet upon by thirty of the Natives, that three of them were kill'd, and another wounded in the Leg. Theſe People are very ſtrong and Salvage, with painted Faces, and long Hair; but after this Encounter, they ſaw no more of them.

But van Noord having ſpent fourteen Months in ſearch, and loſt a hundred Men, ſet ſail again with three Ships; for one of them, being the Unity, he burnt at the Iſland Clara, where he Winter'd, becauſe of a great Leak which could not be ſtopp'd. Here they brought five thouſand Fowls aboard, which much increaſed their Stock of Proviſions.

From hence paſſing the Wide Ocean, into the Straights of Magellan, four times the Fleet attempted to go into the South-Sea, and was as often driven back by croſs Weather into the Straights; but the fifth time prov'd more ſucceſsful; for having got through, and left the Straights a handſom way aſtern, they diſcover'd two Iſlands, from one of which the Sea-men going aland, brought four Boys and two Girls; who afterward inſtructed in their Tongue, inform'd them concerning the ſcituation of the Countreys thereabout.

Philip-Stadt forſaken through famine.After that, the Fleet Sail'd into Hungers Haven, where they found the ruines of the deſerted Philip-Stadt, which Captain Thomas Candiſh had ſeen fourteen years before, fortifi'd with four Bulwarks; but now onely ſome Houſes, a Church, and a Gibbet were ſtanding: Four hundred Spaniards built that City, as a Key to the Straights of Magellan. But all their Proviſions being ſpent in three years time, and no relief coming from Spain, and what they Sow'd expecting the hopes of a Harveſt, the Salvages coming down by night deſtroy'd; which caus'd ſo great a Famine to rage amongſt them, that many dy'd, not ſo much as putting off their Clothes, who lying in the Houſes unbury'd, occaſion'd ſuch a ſtench in the City, that the remainder fled into the Field; where they liv'd a whole year by the Fruits of the Trees, Herbs, and Roots: At laſt, three and twenty of them, amongſt which were two Women remaining yet alive, reſolv'd to travel to the River La Plata, and accordingly ſet forward, bur what became of them could never yet be heard, only one Ferdinando that was of that company, accidentally wandring from the reſt, happen'd to light upon Candiſh's Fleet.

Here Van Noord ſet on Shore the Vice-Admiral Jacob Claeſzoon Ilpendam, for ſome crimes which he had committed; and leaving him behind, Sail'd from thence thorow the South-Sea along the Coaſt of Chili and Mocha; Mocha, what kind of Iſland. which Iſland, of a conſiderable bigneſs, riſes in the middle with a forked Mountain, from which a convenient River comes flowing down into the Countrey.

The Inhabitants conducted the Hollanders to their Village, conſiſting of about fifty Houſes built of Straw, but were forbid to go into their Huts: Upon the Mens call the Women appear'd, which being divided into three parties, humbly kneel'd down before them; and ſoon after an old Woman brought an Earthen Can full of Cica, Cica, a ſtrange Drink. a Liquor made of Mays, whoſe extracted Juyce, boyl'd and put into Tubs, ferments like our Beer or Ale, with a cap of Barm, with which they treated the Hollanders, who drinking moderately, were well refreſh'd; but the Natives will ply this Liquor, till they make themſelves Diſtracted, and are mad Drunk.

Van Noord takes a Spaniſh Ship.From hence Van Noord ſteer'd his courſe to Sancta Maria, where in his way he took a Spaniſh Ship, call'd Buon Jeſus, that is, Good Jeſus, and receiv'd intelligence from the Priſoners, that the Admiral Simon de Cordes, with twenty three Men was kill'd by the Americans on the Promontory Lavapia, being the head Land or Point oppoſite to St. Maries; that a year ſince, tydings were brought to Lima of his Fleet; ſo that they had made all things ready to withſtand him. But Van Noord hinder'd by ſtrong contrary Winds, not able to reach Sancta Maria, ſtood directly for St. Jago, in whoſe Haven lay a great Spaniſh Ship full of Indians, and two other going in, which two he ſet on Fire, and the third he Tow'd towards his Fleet; repenting extremely that he had given liberty, and ſet Franciſco de Ivarro Commander of the Buon Jeſus aſhore; becauſe he afterwards underſtood from the Spaniſh Pilot, that Ivarra threw ten thouſand two hundred pound weight of Gold, pack'd in fifty two Caſes, over-board, when he obſerv'd that he was like to looſe his Ship.

The Fleet Sailing forward came to an Anchor before the Thieves-Iſland, whoſe Inhabitants are very light Finger'd, go ſtark naked, and are of great ſtrength; they found the Women much Disfigur'd, their Noſes, Lips, and Cheek-bones eaten by the French Pox.

ANno 1614. the eighth of Auguſt, the Eaſt-India Company of the United Netherlands ſet out ſeven Ships under the Command of George Spilbergen, who coming to Cape St. Vincent, and engaging with the Portugueſe, took one of their Ships, and ſo proceeded on his Voyage to the Straights of Magellan, but by a huge Storm, the Fleet was ſeparated. Amongſt thoſe that were ſcatter'd was the good Ship call'd Meruw, in which ſome of the crew had conſpir'd to have kill'd the Maſter, and ſeiz'd the Veſſel; but he having ſome inkling thereof, ſet ſo ſtoutly upon two of the chief Contrivers with his drawn Hanger, that he forc'd them to leap over-board, and as ſtoutly ordering the reſt, ſet all to rights.

But Spilbergen Landing on one of the Penguyn Iſlands,Strange Corps. found two Dead Bodies juſt cover'd with Earth, about their Necks was a Chain of gliſtering Snail Shells neatly ſtrung; the Grave ſtuck full of Bowes and Arrows, was pleaſant to look upon, between ſeveral high Mountains, whoſe tops lay bury'd in Snow: The Fleet came out of the Straights of Magellan, but not without great danger, for the South-Sea much diſturb'd by tempeſtuous Weather, ſeem'd to raiſe its Waves up to the Sky, ſo that they had enough to do, from being ingag'd among the Rocks: But at laſt with great difficulty, wonderfully eſcaping all danger, they Anchor'd before La Mocha, an Iſland which on the North ſide lies low, and on the South defended by Rocks.

Spilbergen in great danger. Spilbergen ſeeing abundance of Men ſtanding on the Shore, Row'd thither to Barter for Merchandize,Strange ſheep. amongſt them was a Sheep with a long Neck, bunch-Back'd like a Camel, a little Mouth, and long Legs; which Beaſt ſerves them in ſtead of Horſes, to carry their burthens, and perform their Tillage. The Americans breed up theſe Sheep every where, by reaſon of the extraordinary benefit they receive from them, ſome of them keeping no leſs than eighteen hundred. Their Shepherds ride upon a Beaſt almoſt like an Ox, and carry in their hands Copper-Plates, hung round about with Bells, which they ſhake, making a different noiſe when their Sheep ſhall go in or out; and on their Heads wear Feathers like Coronets, ſtanding upright.

From thence,St. Maries burnt. Spilbergeon departing, Landed at laſt on the Iſland of St. Mary, where he burnt all the Spanish Villages;And alſo Val. Paryſa. as he did alſo in Val Paryſa.

After going aſhore, in the Haven Quintero, he ſaw abundance of Wild Horſes drinking out of a Rivulet, ſupply'd with freſh Water from an adjoyning ſteep Mountain; ſo ſoon as they eſpy'd Men, they inſtantly running away, were ſeen no more.

Having left Quintero, and ſpent a Moneth in Sailing farther, they diſcry'd eight great Ships; whereupon the Priſoners inform'd them, that it was the Spanish Fleet, of which Roderigo de Mendoza was Admiral, fitted out on purpoſe to fight Spilbergen, whoſe coming (as we ſaid) was known a year before. At midnight Mendoza Boarded Spilbergen, Bloody fight between the Hollanders and Spaniſh Fleet. but was ſo roughly receiv'd, that he was forc'd to Retreat with the loſs of the Ship St. Franciſco. At Day-break, the Holland Admiral fir'd at Mendoza, who anſwering with equal courage, occaſion'd a ſmart Engagement, wherein the Spaniards were ſo hard beſet, that they put forth a White Flag; but it was immediately taken in again by the Commanders aboard, chooſing rather to die, than ſurrender, becauſe they had mock'd at Mendoza, when he hinted the difficulty of the Enterprize in the Grand Peruvian Councel, ſaying, They went out, onely to take a few diſabled Hollanders, and tying them hand and feet, carry them to Execution. Yet their high and proud Stomachs prov'd very fatal to them, for afterwards totally routed and put to flight, moſt of them ſunk by the way.

This done,Calyow de Lima. the Hollanders victoriouſly Sail'd to Calyow de Lima, having a convenient Haven: The City adorn'd with curious Houſes and Temples, is ſtrengthen'd by a Platform, Planted with great Guns towards the Sea, and the Shore was guarded by eight Troops of Horſe, and four thouſand Foot; whereupon Spilbergen, who was yet to go ſo great a Voyage, judg'd it no way convenient to adventure the loſs of all on the good or bad event of a Battel, eſpecially being ſo much over-power'd by the number of the Enemy: Wherefore ſeeing no hopes of Victory, ſetting forward to Guarma, he got ſome freſh Proviſions.

Againſt the City Peyta, Peyta burnt. he play'd his Cannon with ſuch fury, that the Townsmen deſerted the place, which he obſerving, ſet it on fire, and Sail'd to Aquapulque, where from the Fort at firſt the Spaniards fired ſome Guns at them; but ſoon after changing humor, they came to an Accommodation, furniſhing the Hollanders with convenient Proviſions. Paſſing on, and coming to Selaques; both Natives and Spaniards having ſuffer'd ſome of the Hollanders to Land; after ſet upon them treacherouſly in a Thicket, but to their little advantage, for they made ſo good a Defence, that the Aſſailants not able to bear the brunt, fled with great loſs.

Spilbergen Sailing from hence to the Manilla's, waited there for the Spaniſh Admiral Juan de Silva, who had made (is was reported) great preparations for him long ſince; but ſeeing it was in vain, at laſt he return'd to Zealand, where he came to an Anchor, loaden with Riches, in the middle of Summer, Anno 1617.

SOme Merchants that were call'd the Auſtrian Company, fitted out one Ship with ſixty five, and a Ketch with two and twenty Sea-men, giving the Command thereof to the Captains Schouten and Le Maire: Anno 1615 they Weigh'd Anchor from the Texel; the firſt took a view of one of the three Iſlands, call'd Mabrabomma, lying before Cape Sierra Leona. Mabrabomma, what manner of Iſle. This Iſland appearing a great height out of the Sea, was not inhabited, they ſeeing onely three Wild Buffles, many Wild Cats, Birds which bark'd like Dogs, Wild Palm-Trees, Lemon-Trees, Turtles, Crocodiles, Partridges, and Storks: From hence, paſſing by the dangerous Shelf Abrolbos, they ran into Porto Deſire, where on the Rocks they found abundance of Eggs, and Spierings, or Smelts, and Spiregraſs ſixten Inches long, wherefore they call'd that Inlet Spierings-Bay. Their Sloop alſo brought two Sea-Lions, and one hundred and fifty Penguins from the Penguin Iſles, having Sail'd two Leagues up the River; in the interim, the ground being meer Stone, and their Anchors coming home, Schouten in great danger. the great Ship drove againſt a Rock, and at Ebbing Water, broke off the outermoſt Planks and Iron-Work, and the Ketch alſo ſtriking on a high Shelf, was at low Ebb two Fathom with her Keel above the Water, and had without peradventure been overſet, and bilg'd, but a freſh North-Weſt Wind kept her upright, yet at laſt, the Weather growing calm, ſhe lean'd, but the Tide coming in very faſt, ſet her afloat, ſo that ſhe was miraculouſly ſav'd; then ſetting Sail again to King's-Iſland, they found ſo many Eggs of black Mews, Incredible many Eggs. that one without ſtiring from his place, might reach above fifty Neſts, and in each of them at leaſt three Eggs, which they carry'd aboard by thouſands. Their Boat Rowing Southerly down the River, found ſome Oſtriches, and Beaſts not unlike Stags, but with exceeding long Necks. On the Hills lay Stones heap'd one upon another, which removing, they found Dead Bodies of eleven Foot long; hereGreat Corps. here they ſpent their time in cleanſing their Ships, and new Sheathing the Ketch, but as they were Tallowing, Kotch burnt. the Flame accidentally got between the Creviſſes which immediately taking Fire, in a ſhort time conſum'd it to Aſhes: The great Ship had gotten a Horn in her Bow, ſeven Foot under Water;Strange Horn. this Horn being firm without any hollowneſs, and not unlike a great Elephants Tooth, ſtruck thorow two Aſhen and one Oaken Plank, ſticking in a Rib of the like Wood, and yet above half a Foot remain'd out to be ſeen.

At length Schouten Weighing Anchor from Porto Deſire, Great Mews. and Sailing to four and fifty Degrees Southern Latitude, met whole Shoals of Whales, inſomuch, that he was fain to Tacque to and again to ſhun them. Sea-Pies, bigger than Swans, came flying in great numbers aboard, ſuffering themſelves to be taken with the hand. On the North-ſide they ſpy'd a high and ſcraggy Coaſt ſpreading it ſelf to the Eaſt South-Eaſt, which they call'd, The States Countrey, that which lay to the Weſtward of it, Mourice of Naſſau, the Iſlands in fifty ſeven Degrees Barnevield's-Iſles, and the ſharp Point in which lay the Snowy Mountains, Southward of the Magellan Straights end the Cape of Hoorn.

Schouten had now gotten the height of fifty nine Degrees, when he enter'd the South-Sea, through the new paſſage between Mauritius and the States-Countrey, which was call'd from his Partner,Straights Le Maire. The Straights of Le Maire.

Iſles in the South-Sea.Near the two Iſles Juan Fernando, they found great ſtore of Fiſh, after that they view'd theſe Iſlands, that lay ſcatter'd up and down the South-Sea, each of them they nam'd according to their ſeveral occaſions, calling the firſt, The Iſle of Dogs; becauſe they have abundance of Dogs there that could not bark: Another, The Bottomleſs Iſland, becauſe the Sea was ſo deep about it, that they could not come to an Anchor. The Inhabitants who go naked, with their Skins pounced full of ſtrange ſhapes, of blue Snakes, Dragons, and ſuch like Creatures, Salli'd out of the Woods upon the Hollanders with great Clubs, to which was faſten'd the Sword or Snout of a Sword-Fiſh, and alſo with Slings.

Somewhat further they came to Water-Land, and Flyes-Iſland, the firſt ſo nam'd, becauſe the Shore round about was planted with Trees, but in the middle all lay cover'd with Salt-Water; the other from the Flyes, which with incredible numbers troubled the Sea-men four days together.

Strange entertainment at the Horn Iſlands.Moreover, the Reception or Entertainment which Schouten was welcom'd withal, at the Hoorn-Iſlands, being very remarkable, we will in brief relate:

Anchoring in nine Fathom Water, Shelly ground, before a freſh Rivulet, three Hollanders ſent to the King were by him courteouſly entertain'd, who with ſtrange humility, not bow'd, but kiſſing their Feet fell flat on the ground, and put the Hollanders Feet upon his Neck; and after this manner of Salutation, waited upon them aboard: Yet although this King fawn'd ſo much, and ſeem'd ſo humble, yet he was very ſevere over his Subjects, for finding one that had filch'd a Sword, he not onely brought and reſtor'd it, but immediately Executed the Thief before their Faces.

Le Maire and Arias Claeſzoon were much honor'd here, for the old and young King put their Crowns on their Heads, curiouſly Wrought of fine White Feathers, and the end adorn'd with ſmall Red and Green Feathers; they gave alſo to each of them a Pigeon, White to their Wings, the hinder part Black, and under their Bellies Red.

In the interim, the King of Water-Iſland viſited the other, by whom Le Maire was treated: When they met, they made ſtrange ſhews of Honor to each other, but at laſt ſhew'd their Salvageneſs by eating raw Fiſh, and rudely Dancing before the Hollanders. Le Maire going into the Countrey, and climbing up a high Mountain, ſaw nothing but Moraſs Wilds, and Vallies, lying under Water: The King and his Retinue here kept him company, during his ſtay there, when weary with walking, they ſate down together under Coco-Nut-Trees; the young King tying a String about his Leg, climb'd with exceeding dexterity up a high Tree, bringing ſeveral Coco-Nuts down with him, which he open'd very expeditiouſly.

Remarkable Exploits of L' Hermite. THe United Netherlands, to abate the Spaniſh Greatneſs, ſet out a conſiderable Fleet, which they ſent to try their fortune, in making Prize of what ever they could light upon in any of their Havens waſh'd by the South-Sea.

Jaques L' Hermite had ten Ships under his Command, Mann'd with ſixteen hundred thirty ſeven Men, and two hundred ninety four Braſs and Iron Guns, with which he ſet Sail from Goree, Anno 1623. and coming before Cape Vincent, he diſcover'd eleven Turkiſh Pirates, whom fighting, he beat, and re-took the Holland Ships they had made Prize of.

At Roxents Head, L' Hermite gave chaſe to fifteen Spaniſh Ships, and coming up with them, ſunk eleven, and took four laden with Sugar. Afterwards Anchoring at Safia, he ſent the Ship Over-yſſel, and a Frigat call'd the Gray-Hound, to Convoy home the Prizes; afterward being inform'd, that thirty Spaniſh Ships were making to them, Sailing into the Haven St. Vincent, the Spring Water that he ſupply'd his empty Cask with being brakkiſh, caus'd an excoriation of the Guts, which brought the Bloody-Flux, whereby he loſt many of his Sea-men; being well entertain'd by the Salvages of Antonio, they went on to Sierra Leona, a Mountainous Point full of Lime-Trees, here they found the Names of Sr. Francis Drake, and other Engliſh cut in a Rock.

After that he put in at the fruitful Iſland Annabon, where he caus'd his Chirurgeon to be Beheaded.

Vegar a wicked man.This wicked Man being brought to the Torture, would confeſs nothing concerning the Crimes objected againſt him, but being ſtrip'd for Execution, they found a ſmall Bag hanging on his Breaſt, in which lay a Serpents Skin and Tongue, with which he had Poyſon'd ſeveral Men, but he confeſs'd nothing.

The firſt of February, the Fleet came to Cape de Pemias, which they know at a great diſtance, by its high Mountains cover'd with Snow.

In ſhort time after, Sailing by the Mouth of the Straights of La Maire, they met with very tempeſtuous Weather, and ſeventeen of their Men going aſhore, were devour'd by the Cannibals of Terra del Fuogo. Theſe People being all Whites, and of a large Stature, Paint themſelves Red, and go ſtark naked, except ſome of higheſt quality who tie a Deer Skin about their Necks; and the Women cover their Nakedneſs with a piece of Leather: They live in Bowers made of the Branches of Trees, Stak'd three Foot deep, in a round, at bottom, and above like our Tents, Canopy'd, the top of which open, to carry out the Smoke like a Chimney; and have no other Houſhold-ſtuff than ſome Baskets, in which they lay their few Fiſhing Implements. They go continually Arm'd with Clubs, Arrows, Slings, and Stone-Knives: Their Boats being only the Trunk of a Tree made hollow, riſe up before and behind like a Half-Moon, and are fourteen, and ſome ſixteen Foot long, and two broad, and Row ſwifter than a Pinnace with many Oars. Laſtly, they are ſo Salvage, that they ſeem rather to be Beaſts than Men, knowing no Religion, ill Natur'd, cruel and Treacherous.

From hence, paſſing on, L' Hermite refreſh'd at the deſolate Iſle Fernando, and ſo Steer'd his Courſe to Calla de Lima, on whoſe Coaſt, taking a Spaniſh Veſſel, the Priſoners told him, that their Plate-Fleet had Weigh'd Anchor, and were gone to Panama; only the Admiral which carry'd forty Braſs Guns, with fifty Merchant-Men, lay cloſe under the Shore, Guarded by three Stone Bulwarks, Fortifi'd with fifty Guns.

L' Hermite having a deſign upon theſe, took three Spaniſh Veſſels that were going thither, and at midnight, ſent Captain Adrian Tol, Peter Slobbe, and Meindert Egbertſzon, with twelve well Mann'd Boats, furniſh'd with Braſs Drakes, and Hand-Granado's, to Attaque the Spaniſh Fleet that lay hard by; and whilſt ſome gave a falſe Alarm on the North of Callao, the Boats Rowing from Ship to Ship, in ſhort time fir'd forty of them; although the Spaniards from the Shore endeavor'd by their Shot to drive back the Enemy, neither the Fort or Admiral ſparing Powder nor Ball.

In this valiant Exploit the Hollanders had onely ſeven Men kill'd, and fifteen Wounded: About break of day, ſeven of the Spaniſh Ships floated, burning towards the Dutch Fleet, which were as terrible as now Fire-ſhips, which forc'd them to Weigh Anchor to ſhun them.

After that, L' Hermite took two Ships laden with Wine, a third full of Wood, and a fourth with Wheat: One of theſe Prizes he fitted and prepar'd for a Fire-ſhip, and ſending her to Board the Spaniſh Admiral, it ran aground within ſhot of him; whereupon being batter'd by the Admirals Guns, and thoſe from the Bulwarks, and at laſt taking Fire gave but a ſmall blow, becauſe moſt part of the Powder had taken Wet.

In this interim, while thus their deſign went proſperouſly on, their Admiral L' Heremite dy'd, whom they Bury'd on the Iſland Lima, and Schapenham, in defiance of the Vice-Roy in Callao, caus'd one and twenty Spaniards to be hang'd at the Yard-Arm, becauſe he had ſent him a ſcornful Anſwer on the Propoſals concerning the delivery of the Priſoners.

Cornelius Jacobſzoon Sailing to Piſco with four Sail from the Fleet, could do no good there, for he not onely found the City to be ſurrounded with a Wall of fifteen Foot high, but having alſo many Earthen Redoubts, behind which lay above two thouſand arm'd Men, wherefore he deſerted the ſame after ſome Rancounters: Verſhoor's Expl • it. But the Rear-Admiral, John Williamſzoon Verſhoor, who was ſent to Gainquil, had much better luck; for he not onely took that Metropolis, but alſo burnt a new Royal Gallion, and two leſſer Veſſels; carry'd a conquer'd Veſſel to Lima; ſlew above a hundred Spaniards, and threw ſeventeen overboard, becauſe they had ſhot Poyſon'd Bullets againſt the Law of Arms; of which Conqueſt Captain Engelbert Shutte had the greateſt honor: But the Sea-men grew weaker and weaker by the Scurvy, and all of them would have periſh'd, had they not found a ſoveraign Herb on the higheſt Mountains of Lima, Schapenham being choſe Admiral in L' Heremites place, Schapenham's remarkable Exploits. Weigh'd Anchor from Callao, and ran into the Inlet Piſcadores, where on the ſhore he rais'd a Sconce; yet not long after departed from thence without any effect, but loſt twenty eight Men, through the bad Conduct of their Commanders; the like number he loſt alſo at Aquapulque, on the ſide of which City ſtands a Caſtle with four ſtrong Bulwarks; the Holland Fire-ſhip lay juſt without the reach of the ſhot, the reſt lay along the ſhore in a row, there to ſeize upon the Veſſels expected thither from the Manillaes: But becauſe the Scurvy raged amongſt the Sea-men, and diſabled them, they waited in vain, Schapenham Sail'd through the South-Sea to the Ladrones, where he found ſtore of Proviſions. Anno 1625. in March, he drop'd Anchor before Maleye, and from thence went with Herman Spiult, the Governor for the Eaſt-India Company in Amboina, to Ceram, where they Conquer'd the Fort Lochoe, and ſoon after Cambella; then the Fleet being divided, Schapenham carry'd home two Ships from Batavia, and the remainder return'd at ſeveral times, they being hir'd to ſerve the Eaſt-India Company to Surratta, Malacca, Schapenham dies. Coromandel, and the Molucco Iſles: Schapenham Deceaſing near Bantum, and being Bury'd on Pulo Boftok, the Ships arriv'd at the Texel in July, Anno 1616.