At This Time There Came Some Canoes With Indians,
Sent By A Cacique To Request The Admiral Would Come To His Town, Where He
Waited For Him, With Many Of His People, At A Point Or Cape, Not Far
Distant.
He went accordingly with the boats, though the people of the
place where he now was entreated him to stay.
On landing, the cacique sent
provisions to the Spaniards; and, on finding these were received, he
dispatched some Indians to fetch more, and some parrots. The admiral gave
them hawks-bells, glass beads, and other toys, and returned to the ships,
the women and children crying out for him to remain. He ordered meat to be
given to some of the Indians that followed him in canoes, and others who
swam half a league to the caravels. Though the whole shore seemed covered
with people, great numbers were seen constantly going to and from the
interior country, across a great plain which was afterwards called La
Vega Real, or the Royal Plain. The admiral admired this harbour, to which
he gave the name of Port St Thomas, because discovered on the day of that
saint.
On Saturday the 22d, the admiral intended to have departed from this place
in search of those islands where the Indians said there was much gold, but
was hindered by the weather, and therefore sent the boat to catch fish.
Soon after there came a man from Guacanagari, desiring the admiral would
come to his country, and he would give him all he possessed.
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