[263-2] The original text has Isla bella, which was a misprint for Isabella. Cf. Journal, [October 20].
[264-1] Cf. Journal, [November 2] and [6].
[264-2] Cf. Journal, [November 1], for Columbus’s strong inclination to regard Cuba as mainland.
[264-3] Cf. Journal, [December 9].
[264-4] Cf. Journal, [December 20] and [note].
[265-1] The prevalent Spanish, estimate of the population of Española at the time of the first colonization was 1,100,000. The modern ethnologist and critical historian, Oscar Peschel, placed it at less than 300,000 and more than 200,000. The estimates of Indian population by the early writers were almost invariably greatly exaggerated. Cf. Bourne, Spain in America, pp. 213-214. and notes.
[266-1] Cabos de agugetas. Rather the metallic tips of lacings or straps. Agugeta is a leather lacing or strap. The contemporary Latin translator used bingulae, shoe-straps, shoe-latchets.
[266-2] The castellano was one-sixth of an ounce of gold.
[266-3] Blancas were little coins worth about one-third of a cent.
[266-4] The arroba was 25 pounds.