Coming to another Point, where they thought there were more People, A Cottage and what in it. they only found a low round Cottage, made of Poles, and cover’d with broad Barks of Trees, and the Skins of Sea-Wolves. In it were little Baskets, Shell-Fish, small Nets, and Bones for Sticking of Fish, like Harping Irons and Scrips full of that Red Earth wherewith they dye their Bodies, instead of Cloaths. This is all the Gayity and Habit they use, instead of the Gold and Silks worn in the Courts of Princes. Sarmiento left the Piragua, and return’d to the Ships with only the Boat, because his Provisions were spent. In this small Vessel, and a Brigantine, he found newly built by his Company, whilst they were viewing those most desart Islands, with the Advice of the Vice-Admiral, he went from the Red Harbour, and finding no other safe for the Ships, return’d to the same. Then in the Boat call’d Nuestra Senora de Guia, or Our Lady of the Guide, he went away to make Tryal of the Mouth which appear’d to the Eastward under a mighty long Ridge of Snowy Mountains, so various, that they saw some Tops cover’d with white, others with blew, and others Snow of several Colours. with black Snow. Sarmiento calls that the Continent. There is no Number of the Islands he took Possession of, and those he discover’d, being inaccessible in other Archipelagos, from the Top of a Mountain rising above those about it, and cover’d with blew Snow, which he compares to the Colour of the Turky Stones. This Height he call’d Anno Nuevo, that is, New Year, because he found it on the first Day of the Year, 1580. He left no Saints Name, or the Resemblance of any natural Thing, but what he apply’d to distinguish those Islands he touch’d at, erecting Crosses on them all, and writing as he did in the first. He saw Men, only in these here mention’d.
He ran again in his Boat through those Seas, where Nature seem’d to set up new Islands every Day; and Anchor’d in a Harbour, where, among Sarmiento’s Industry. other Precautions for Navigation, he drew a Meridian Line on the Earth, and mark’d the Magnetick Needles, refreshing them by touching again, because they had receiv’d some Damage by the Storms and Damps. How weak a Guide have Men for mighty Enterprizes! He prosecuted his Discovery of little Islands, and taking Possession; and observ’d an Eclipse for the Benefit of Navigation, in the Port of Misericordia, or Mercy, as he nam’d it. The Vice-Admiral not coming to him, he suppos’d he was return’d to Lima, however he waited for him ten Days, and five more in another newly discover’d, and call’d, Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, or Our Lady of Candlemas, three Leagues from the other. This Time having been agreed upon between them to expect one another, which when expir’d, each was to make the best of his Way into Spain; Sarmiento being positive, contrary to the Opinion of the Pilots, that there was the Streight of Magellan.
On St. Agnes’s Day he Anchor’d at the Island which forms that Harbour, for which Reason he gave it that Saint’s Name. From the Ridge of a Hill, which hangs bending like a Bow over a River, he perceiv’d five Native Indians, who with Cries and Signs desired him to come to them; the Spaniards answering them in the same Manner, the Indians held up a Indians by Signs show that Drake pass’d that Way. white Scarf, and our Men another. When they were come down to the Shore, they seem’d to request they would draw near. Sarmiento sent them his Ensign, and the Pilot Ferdinand Alonso, with only four Men, that they might not fear; however they durst not come near the Boat. One of our Men went ashore, and yet they would not trust him, yet drawing nearer because he was alone, he gave them Chaquiras, that is, Glass-Beads, Hawks-Bells, Combs, Ear-Rings, and Hempen-Cloth. Observe what mighty Designs were couch’d under those Childish Gifts. Then the Ensign and Pilot came ashore, cherishing and giving them other Toys, and show’d them what every Thing was for, by applying it to the Use before them. This pleas’d them extreamly, as did some little Linnen Flags, or Bannors, our Men carry’d, made of narrow Slips of French Linnen, Canvas, and Silesia Cloth. This made Sarmiento judge that they had before seen Europeans, and they, without being ask’d, signify’d by intelligible Tokens, that two Ships like ours had pass’d that Way, or were still thereabouts, pointing to the South East, and in them bearded Men, clad and arm’d after the same Manner. This was the first Intelligence they found of the English Ships under Drake. The Indians with smiling Countenances promis’d to come again. They went up the Land, and our Men aboard the Ship, which not being far off, Sarmiento came ashore to take Possession, with the usual Religious and Civil Ceremony.
The next Day the Ensign and Ferdinand Alonso were with six Soldiers by break of Day in the Harbour, carrying a considerable Quantity of Toys, to gain the Affections of the Natives, who came also; but would not draw Spaniards catch three Indians. near our Men. They made the same Signs they had the Day before. The Spaniards to be better informed of what Course the English Steer’d, ran at the Indians, and took three of them, every two Soldiers holding one of them, and tho’ they gave our Men many Blows and Bangs, struggling to get loose, they could not prevail, and yet were very strong. The Spaniards put up all that they might get them to the Ship, where Sarmiento receiv’d, and treated them Courteously. They Eat and Drank, and Kindness so far prevail’d, that they laid aside all Fear, and Laugh’d. Being show’d the narrow Slips of Linnen, they pointed with their Hands to a Bay, where the Ships had Anchor’d, with the bearded People, who had Arrows, and Partesans. One of them show’d two, and another one Wound they had receiv’d fighting against the Men of that Fleet.
Vice-Admiral returns to Chile. The Vice-Admiral was now gone back to Chile, and among other Accidents which happen’d in his Return, he was wont to tell, that being come to Island Mocha, he sent his Boat thither to ask some supply of Provisions, and understanding how Friendly they behav’d themselves towards Drake, and that the Hatred those People bear the Spaniards might be an Obstacle to him, his Messengers, by Order, conceal’d their being such, pretending they were Lutherans. The Islanders gave Credit to the Fiction, being desirous He deceives the Indians. to gain Friends, for preserving of their Liberty. Accordingly they sent them Flesh, Bread, and Fruit, with a Letter, in answer to theirs, the Superscription thereof in English run thus, To the very Magnificent Lords, the Lutherans, in the South Sea. Our Men answer’d, That since they had supplied them with such plenty of Provisions, they desir’d they would come and partake. About 30 of the Prime Caciques accepted of the Invitation, and came very Joyfully, in a Canoe, to our Ship. No sooner were they Aboard, than the Vice-Admiral, not regarding their Complaints, gave order to loose the Sails, which were ready, and carry’d them away Prisoners to Chile. Some things that befell him, might justify his deserting his Superior, but they must be left to those who write a particular History of those Actions.
Sarmiento press’d to go back. To return to Sarmiento. In the aforesaid Port of Candelaria, or Candlemass, the Pilots press’d him hard, with Intreaties and Protestations, to do as his Vice-Admiral had done, representing how much his Men were harrass’d and his Ship disabled, and that he had done more than all the Discoverers before him. That they wanted Anchors, Cables, and Rigging; that the Winds oppos’d him, without which it was impossible to proceed. This was a Dangerous Tryal, because amidst the Complaints, and almost Threats of the Pilots, there was a mixture of Flattery, commending him, for that no other Discoverer had ventur’d so far; so that Sarmiento was no He is resolute, and goes on. less mov’d by their Praises than by their Anger. However he bore up against both, and severely check’d the Pilots: Who knows but he might conceal the same Fears they urg’d? And in short, he appear’d so Resolute against all they could say, that he brought them to his Beck. He sail’d thence, keeping the Channel, and about a League to the South-East, the Indians show’d him the way the Bearded Men took, of whom, after killing many, they, as was afterwards known, sav’d one Catherine, and a Boy, both English, who Account of Drake’s Passage. still liv’d among those wild Beasts, which they were more like than Rational Creatures. Somewhat farther in another Island, which the Indians said was call’d Puchachailgua, full of extraordinary high grey Rocks, the bearded Men again fought the Natives without Success. They went on to another Island Nam’d Capitloilgua, on the Coast call’d Cayrayxaxiilgua. Sarmiento did not change the Ancient Names of Countries, when he could learn them. They were sufficiently dismay’d in the next they came at, thinking they were Imbay’d; but presently after they took Heart again, at the Sight of the Channel, which begins at the Mouth called Xaultegua, and it widen’d, bringing them out to a most spacious Sea, full of thousands of Islands. Passing by, in Sight of one of them, they perceiv’d high Smokes; and the Captive Indians began to Weep, and they saw it was for Fear of the Natives, expressing that they were Giants, and fought desperately. Our Men encourag’d them, giving them to understand that they should be able to deal with those People. They went ashore on that Country, which is call’d Tinquichisgua. Sarmiento alter’d it, in Honour of the Cross he Several Islands. erected there, calling it, the Island of the Cross. There he saw Abundance of Whales, Wolves, and other Sea-Monsters, and great Clods of Snow, on the Waves. He made ready his Cannon, and small Arms, providing against both Pirates and Natives, for he expected to find the English possessed of the Land. From that Time he stood upon his Guard, and no Man quitted his Arms. They went on to a third Island, which is the biggest, heard Humane Voices, and saw some Piraguas, with the People that cry’d out, who were crossing from one Island to another. Our Men drew near in the Boat to take a View, and all of them put into a clean Harbour, whence they discover’d a Town, not Barbarous, but Decent and Lofty, like ours in Europe, and abundance of People, who having sunk the Piraguas, Populous Islands. and standing on the Mountains, with their Arms in their Hands, call’d to our Men from a Wood, to Land, as ours did them to draw near the Sea. Among the Trees appear’d many more of those Islanders, with Bows and Arrows, as if they intended to fall on. This made our Men discharge some Muskets at them, the Noise whereof so terrify’d the Indian Women, that they set up hideous Shrieks, and therefore the Spaniards forbore Firing, for fear of losing all hopes of gaining their Affections. By this time the Ship which had been Cruizing up and down, came into the Harbour. Sarmiento made a Gun ready, and the Boat came Aboard, Towing a Piragua after it. Having writ the Instrument of Possession, tho’ he had not inquir’d into the Government of the Inhabitants of that great Town, he Landed on the Shore, whence is discover’d a vast high Mountain, all white with aged Snow, and encompass’d with Rocks. Ancient Relations call’d it Orlanro’s Bell, he being one of Magellan’s Companions. He Sail’d on to 54 Degrees Latitude, at the Point he call’d of S. Isidorus. Near to it the Natives call’d out to him, and coming up to our Men, Embrac’d them familiarly. Tractable Indians. Sarmiento, besides Hawks-Bels, and other Toys, sent them Bisket and Flesh from the Ships. They sat down to Converse, by Signs, with the Ensign, the Pilot, and Eight other Christians, signifying, that they were pleas’d with their Friendship, and those rich Gifts; and gave such confuse Tokens of the English having pass’d that way, as the others had done. Then they return’d to their Huts, and the Admiral having taken Possession, and found the Latitude to be 53 Degrees, and 40 Minutes, advanc’d in sight of the Coast, which eight Leagues from thence lies flat with the Sea, and forms a Shore of white Sand. Before he came to it he Discover’d a prodigious high burning Mountain, cover’d with Snow; where the Fire and the Snow seem, out of natural Courtesy, to Respect one another, and to confine within themselves their Force, and Effects; for neither is the one Quench’d, nor the other Melted by their near Neighbourhood. The Channel carry’d him to the Point he call’d of S. Anne, in 53 Degrees and a half of Latitude. He took possession, and rais’d a heap of Stones, at the Foot of a Cross, and left a Letter written with Charcole-Dust, which he thought incorruptible, in the Shards of an Earthen Vessel, well Pitch’d, among those Stones. In it he declared to all Nations, That those Lands and Seas belong’d to the King of Spain, and by what Title he held them. In the same Letter, he left Orders for his Vice-Admiral, to return to Peru, and give the Viceroy an Account of all that happen’d, till they discover’d the Streight. Indian Presents. The Ship steer’d off with the Ebb, and the Indians when it was gone came down with their Wives and Children, and a Present of great pieces of Sea Wolves, stinking Meat, Sea Foul, call’d Minnos, which are White and Yellowish, Murtina, a sort of Fruit like Cherries, and bits of Flint, bor’d through and Painted, in a small Box of Gold and Silver. Being ask’d, what that was for, and they answering, To strike Fire, one of them took some Feathers he brought, and with them lighted it, as if it were Tinder. A little before, when our Men made a Fire to melt the Pitch, for securing the Vessel the Letter was in, which was left stopp’d at the Foot of the Cross, the Flame spread upon the Mountain, and rais’d a Smoke. The Indians believing they were Fires made by those so much dreaded Enemies of theirs, went away and could not be stopp’d by any means; nor was their Fear groundless, for they answer’d immediatly in the opposite Island, with great Smokes. The River which falls into the Sea at the Point Sarmiento call’d S. John’s; and the Streight dividing these Islands, which is the very Old one of Magellan, look’d and sought after with so much Danger, he nam’d of The Mother of God, changing its first Appellation, that through this Devotion she may obtain of her Son the Salvation of those numberless Provinces, extending the Voice of his Gospel to them, that it might reach the Ears of so many Souls, most of which are Ignorant of their own Immortality, without knowing any more than common Nature has taught them.
Possession taken. Sarmiento was so well pleas’d with having thus express’d his Devotion, that when he return’d to Spain, he intreated the Kings, to direct that Streight to be generally so call’d, and his Majesties Orders. The Possession of this so remarkable Place was taken with extraordinary Joy, inserting in the Instrument the Clause of Pope Alexander the 6th’s Bull, the Title that gives the Kings of Castile, and the Limits assigned by the Line he drew through both the Poles of the World, as Gods Vicar. F. Guadramiro said Mass, and they all heard it devoutly, considering it was the first offer’d up in that Place by Man to his Creator. It was intended as a Thanksgiving, and they all took Courage to undertake any difficult Enterprize. They saw the Track of Tigers, and Lions, and also White and Grey Parrots, with Red Heads; and they heard the sweet Notes of Goldfinches, and other Birds. Holding on their Course along the Channel, with excessive hot Weather, they came into a Bay, that was cover’d with white Weeds, and Anchor’d at the Point, on which a Company of Giants immediatly appear’d, who call’d out to them, lifting up their Hands Unarm’d; our Men imitated their Actions, which denoted Peace on both sides. They being come to the Boat, which was Guarded by ten Musketeers, the Ensign leap’d Ashore, with four others. The Giants made Signs to him to lay down his Leading-Staff, and then they withdrew, to the place where they had hid their Bows and Arrows. The Ensign did as they directed, and then shew’d them the Toys and Gifts he design’d for them. This withheld them, but still they were jealous, wherefore our Men supposing their jealousy proceeded from what they had suffer’d before, and guessing they had receiv’d some dammage from the English Pyrate, to be the better enform’d of it, ten of our men fell upon one of the Giants, whom they took; but had enough to A Giant Taken. do to secure him. The others running to their Arms, return’d so quick upon the Spaniards, that they had scarce time to get into their Boat. They shot their Arrows, which flying thick, and our Men taking care to avoid them, they dropt two Muskets. The Steward of the Ship was shot in the Eye with an Arrow. The Indian they took was a Giant even among the other Giants, and the Relation says, he look’d to them like one of the Cyclops. Other Relations assure us, each of these Giants is above three Yards high, and they are proportionably spread and brawny. Being brought into the Ship, he was extraordinary melancholy, and tho’ they offer’d him the best they had to Eat, he would take nothing all that Day. They set Sail, crossing Channels, and passing by Islands, in most of which they saluted them with Smokes. In the narrowest Part, which they call’d of Our Lady of Grace, through which they must pass of Necessity, and is Other Indians. in 53 Degrees and a half Latitude, Sarmiento was of Opinion, Forts might be erected on the two Capes to secure the Passage. They made haste thro’ it, and again saw the Natives on another Point of Land, calling out, and shaking their Cloaks, or Woolly Blankets. Sarmiento went to them with eighteen Soldiers. Only four Indians appear’d with Bows and Arrows, and making Signs of Peace with their Hands, said, Xiitote, which, as was afterwards known, signifies Brothers. They posted themselves on a rising Ground, and when the Spaniards were landed, made Signs to them for one of our Men to come to them. One went unarm’d, with some Gifts, as Glass-Beads, Hawks-Bels and Combs, which they receiv’d pointing to him to go down again. He did so, and the Ensign went up in his stead, obliging them with other Presents. They accepted of them, and yet neither they, nor any Courtesie could dispel their Jealousie. Sarmiento left them, to avoid provoking them, and going up the Mountain another way, to view the Ridge, Plains, and Channels, the four Archers appear’d before him, and without any Provocation receiv’d, but on the contrary after receiving the aforesaid Gifts, they furiously assaulted our Men, wounding the General with two Arrows in the Side, and betwixt his Eyes; and another Soldier had an Eye put out. The rest of the Spaniards covering themselves with their Bucklers ran at them, but the Giants fled up the Country so swiftly, that a Musket Ball would scarce over-take them. This Action seems to verifie the Cowardice the Authors of Fabulous Books, commonly call’d Romances, ascribe to their Giants. Sarmiento view’d the Land, call’d it Nuestra Senora del Valle, or Our Lady of the Vale, discovering betwixt two spacious Ridges, some delightful Plains, numerous Towns, lofty Buildings, Towers and Pinacles, and to his Thought sumptuous Temples of so Majestick an Appearance, that he scarce believ’d his own Eyes, and judg’d it an imaginary City.
The End of the Third Book