John Ledesma had himself eaten part of a Tyger, which for six Moneths together, had every night feasted on Mans flesh, or Beasts, which they caught in this manner: In the Path along which he pass’d, coming out of his Den to seek for Prey, a deep Pit was digg’d, and cover’d very sleightly on the top, into which the Tyger fell; yet though taken, so fiercely withstood the Pikes, Darts, and Stones thrown at him, that every one was amaz’d to see the fury of the Beast. After that they sought for the Female, but found onely two young ones without a Dam, which taking along with them, they put Iron Collars about their Necks, intending to carry them to Spain; but seeing no likelyhood of breeding them up, they brought them back again, purposing to fetch them away when grown somewhat older, and accordingly coming afterwards to look for them, they found the Den empty, so that it was supposed they had been devour’d by their Dam.
Nunnez further Journey into the Countrey, very remarkable.
In the Province of Bononiama, the Spaniards inrich’d themselves with Chains, and Breast-Plates of Gold, which in great plenty hung on the Walls in every House: At the River Comogrus, they discharg’d Teaocha’s Guides, and made use of Cotog and Ciuriza, two Governors of a barren Tract of Land, full of Hills and Mountains, which they left on their right Hand, and wandred three days over a Morasse, in which they often sunk to their Knees.
In all these Travels, Victual was so scarce that they were much weaken’d by their wants; and though they took fresh courage when they got footing on King Buchebua’s Jurisdiction, yet they found nothing but empty Huts; and the like in the Countrey of Chiorisus, both having a little before been pillag’d by their more powerful neighboring Enemies. But although they could not furnish Nunnez with Provisions, they presented him with weighty Ingots of Gold: but this rich Metal not able to purchase the least morsel of Bread, drove them into a great strait; and indeed they had without doubt been all famished, had not Pocchorosa, another King, fed them forty days together with stamp’d Roots. Thus refresh’d, and instigated by Pocchorosa, they broke by night in Tubunama’s Palace, and took him Prisoner with eighty Concubines, who fearing to be put to death, gave an incredible Treasure of Gold to purchase his Ransom.
Nunnez thus enriched came at last to his People which he had left on the River Daria, where two Ships sent from Hispaniola rode at an Anchor.
Peter Arias his Voyage, and Fight in the Haven St. Martha.
Whilst things were thus carry’d in America, Peter Arias Sail’d with fifteen Ships, Mann’d with fifteen hundred Men, to New Andalusia, by the Islands Martinina, Guadalupe, and Galanta, all in America: a considerable time he Sail’d through the Sea overgrown with Weeds. Afterwards anchoring in the Haven St. Martha, he receiv’d a great repulse from the Natives, who no ways daunted at the bigness of the Ships, waded up to their Breasts in the Sea, and shot many great flights of poisonous Arrows at the Spaniards, or whom two being wounded immediately died. Arias sending some of his Men ashore, they found many Boats lying full of Nets, made of tough Weeds, and Ropes pleited of Rushes.
In the Haven St. Martha, being three Leagues wide, are abundance of Fish, which may be seen under Water twenty Fathom deep.
But now the Spaniards that were ashore breaking into the Houses, and taking Women and Children Prisoners, the Americans prepar’d for another Fight, which at the beginning was very fierce; but at last they were forc’d to quit the Field.
Strange Houses and Houshold-stuff.