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.
Sect. IV.
Pietro Alponso Nigno his Voyage.
Description of Curiana.
Pietro Nigno, encourag’d 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; 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.
Thither Nigno next directed his course, and came to an Anchor there on the first of October, Anno 1500. The Inhabitants entred aboard without the least shiness, or fear of danger, and brought with them to barter, Gold, Civet-Cats, Parrots, and Cotton.
These People, though so civil, are extreamly jealous of their Wives: for when a Spaniard made address to one of them, and coming something close, her Husband stept in suddenly between, and seem’d to forbid the Banns. But coasting onward along the Shore from thence to another Isle, he found Natives far more wild and salvage: for two thousand in a Body well Arm’d, stood ready to intercept their Landing; wherefore he thought it his safest course to Tack about, and return to Curiana whence he came.
Nigno Fights with the Cannibals.
In his Way not far from thence, he fell amongst eighteen of the Cannibals Boats, which according to their custom had been a Man-stealing, and now were so hardy, that setting upon the Spanish Ship, they suddenly clapt him aboard with their Canoos on all sides; but being beaten back by the terror of their Guns, they soon retir’d: yet the Spaniards took one of the Boats with two Men, all the rest saving themselves by swimming. One of the two Men lay bound Hand and Foot, who told them, that he was to have been kill’d the next day and eaten, as he saw his Companions, with whose Flesh they banquetting kept a jovial Feast. Nigno unbinding the Prisoner, gave him leave to do what he pleas’d with the taken Cannibal, who falling upon him, cudgel’d and whipp’d him to death.
Strange Salt.
Then Nigno in his Way to Curiana touch’d upon the Coast of Paria, where he found a strange kind of Salt, which the Sea in tempestuous Weather casts on the Shore, which afterwards hardens by the Sun. This Salt must be taken up before any Rain fall, else it melts and soaks away into the Ground; yet sometimes grows so hard as a Stone, insomuch that they make Pots and other Vessels of it; which the Parians barter for foreign Commodities.