On Wednesday The 26th December, Guacanagari Went On Board The Caravel
Ninna To Visit The Admiral, Who Was In Great Affliction For The Loss Of
His Ship, And The Cacique Endeavoured To Comfort Him By The Offer Of Every
Thing He Had To Make Up His Loss.
Two Indians from another town brought
some small gold plates to exchange for hawks-bells, which they most valued,
and the admiral was well provided with these toys, knowing from the
Portuguese how much these were prized in Guinea.
The seamen said likewise
that others of the Indians brought gold, and gave it in exchange for
ribbons and other trifles. As Guacanagari perceived the admiral valued
gold so highly, he said he would have some brought to him from Cibao.
Then going on shore, he invited the admiral to come and eat axi and
cazabe, which form the chief articles of their diet, and he gave him
some masks, having their ears, eyes, and noses, made of gold, besides,
other small ornaments which they wore about their necks. Guacanagari
complained much of the Caribbees, or inhabitants of the Caribbee islands,
whom we call canibals or man-eaters, because they carried off his subjects.
The admiral shewed him our weapons, and among others a Turkish bow, in the
use of which one of the Spaniards was very expert, and promised to defend
them; but he was most afraid of the cannon, as when they were fired all
the Indians used to fall down as if dead.
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