He Saw Abundance Of Woods And
Mountains, And A Small Island, To Which He Gave The Name Of St Thomas; And
From All He Had Seen, He Concluded That Hispaniola Was A Delightful
Country, Blessed With Pleasant Weather, And Having Many Capes, And Plenty
Of Safe Harbours.
On Thursday the 20th, he put into a port between the
little island of St Thomas and a cape.
They here saw several towns, and
many fires in the country; for the season being very dry, and the grass
growing to a great height, the natives are accustomed to set it on fire,
both to facilitate their passage from place to place, and for the purpose
of catching the small animals resembling rabbits, formerly mentioned,
which are called Utias. The admiral went in the boats to take a view of
the harbour, which he found very good. The Indians were at first shy: but
on being encouraged by their countrymen in the ships, they flocked in such
multitudes about the Spaniards, that the whole shore was covered with men,
women, and children. They brought victuals of various kinds, among which
was good bread made of maize or Indian wheat, and gourds full of water;
nor did they hide their women, as in other places, but all stood in
admiration of the Spaniards, and seemed to praise God. These people were
whiter, better shaped, more good-natured and generous, than any they had
seen, and the admiral took much care that no offence should be given them.
He sent six men to view their town, where they were entertained as persons
who had come from heaven.
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