Cruel deed of some Indian Women.
From thence, five degrees Southward of the Equinox, he found a naked People on the top of a high Rock, that beckon’d the Spaniards to come towards them; upon which, two of them resolv’d to venture thither, having order not to stay at the most above five days: The first incounter they had was of some Women, who offer’d their bodies to prostitution; but a Youth, as if affrighted with some sudden danger, came running amongst them, whom, whilst they stood gazing upon, and wondering at, an old Woman with a great Club, running down the Hill overtook, and knock’d him down dead upon the ground; which done, the Women that were making Court to the Spaniards, took him by the Heels, and dragg’d up the Hill, where soon after they saw him chop’d in pieces, Broyl’d, and eaten: They also made signs to the Spaniards, that they would devour them also in the same manner. The Shore was crouded with Men, which showr’d upon them several flights of Arrows; wherefore they thought it best to Weigh Anchor, so taking Aboard their two Men, and having Sail’d 150. Leagues, they got sight of the Coast of Brasile, along which he Sail’d Southerly to fifty two Degrees, where three Brasilians came Aboard of their own accord, and were easily perswaded to go with him to Portugal; but the Weather growing very bad, and the Cold intollerable, the Storms swelling the Waves into the bigness of Mountains, Vesputius left the Coast des Patagones, and the Streights, afterwards call’d Magellan, behind him, burnt one of his Ships before Cape Sierra Leona, and brought two safe to Lisbon.
Vesputius fourth Expedition.
Sea-Spiders, and Dragons.
His fourth Expedition happen’d, May 10. Anno 1503. at which time he Steer’d directly with six Sail to Sierra Leona, and approaching the Coast, could not come to an Anchor, because of the strong eddying Currents: Three Degrees beyond the Equinox appear’d a rising Island, two Leagues long, and one broad, destitute of Inhabitants; his best Ship being six hundred Tun, split here against a Rock, and nothing of her was saved, but the Sea-men: But Vesputius Rowing ashore with a Boat, found a convenient Haven, with abundance of sweet Water, high Trees, Sea-Spiders, and horrible Dragons, which have a sharp Head, round fiery Eyes, and wide Mouths, Wings not unlike a Bats, a speckled Breast, curl’d Tail, blew Back, and two Bags like a drawn Satchel Triangular, were under their Bellies: No less strange are the Sea-Spiders, by their hard Feet, long upper Teeth, two long Sheers or Pinchers, and double Belly; between the Head and the Belly lies a black Skin, with which they darken the Water; when any one goes to take them in the night, they make a great shadow; they feed on Fish, the Female lays little white Eggs, not unlike ordinary Hail-stones.
Vesputius having left this desolate Isle, three hundred Leagues a Stern, enter’d a Haven, to which he gave the name of St. Abdy, where he stay’d two Months, expecting the return of those which he had sent into the Countrey; but seeing it in vain to wait any longer, he proceeded on his Journey, and Sailing in between the Abrelhos, in the River Curubabo, he built a strong Fort, Garrison’d it with twenty four Men, twelve pieces of Ordnance, and Provisions for six Moneths: Five Moneths Vesputius had spent in the building this Castle; when he return’d home with one Ship, laden with Brasill Wood, where approaching Lisbon, beyond all expectation, the Inhabitants of the City ran to Congratulate his happy return. And from this Americus Vesputius, the New World is to this day call’d America.
Sect. VII.
The Expedition of Alphonso, Fogeda, Diego Nicuesa, Ancisus, and Roderick Colmenares.
Wonderful Tree on Codego.
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, 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.