In like manner, Joseph de Acosta tells us, That in fifteen days time, he got with a Northerly Wind from the Canaries to America, and his Voyage had been shorter, durst he have born more Sails, which may partly clear the former doubts.
The Peruvians opinion concerning antient Sea-Voyages.
Acosta. Histor. Nat. l. 2 c. 12.
Ridiculous opinion of the Americans.
Moreover, the Peruvians themselves give some small Testimony (in their antient Records) of a few that Landed of old upon their Coasts, which were (as they say) mighty and cruel Giants, committing much Bloodshed, Slaughtering the Natives every where; and having subdu’d the whole Countrey, built stately Edifices, of which remain yet the Ruines of some Foundations, very Artificial and Costly. They also shew near Manta, and Puerto Viejo, many huge Bones, as they believe of Giants, three times longer and thicker than an ordinary Mans. They also tell us, that many Ages since, one Ica and Arica Sail’d Westward thither upon Sea Wolves Skins, blown up like Bladders: But however, without contradiction, the Americans never knew, much less built any such Vessels, with which they durst venture to the Offin, out of sight of Land: their Balsas, Periagos, and Canoos, will not all amount to the Bulk of one of our small Barques; wherefore the Inhabitants of Tumbez, when they descry’d the Spanish Fleet, sent to discover Peru, were amaz’d at the high Masts, spreading Sails, and bigness of the Ships, judging them first to be Rocks, cast up out of the Sea; but observing them to approach their Coast, and that they were full of Bearded-Men, thought the Gods were walking in them; by our Modern Poet, Mr. Dryden in his Indian Emperor, thus Elegantly describ’d.
Guyomar to Montezuma.
I went in order, Sir, to your Command,
To view the utmost Limits of the Land:
To see that Shore, where no more World is found,
But Foamy Billows, breaking on the ground;