But On Friday The 11th January 1498, Drawing Near The Land, The Boats Were Sent Out To View The Coast, Where They Saw Many Negroes, Both Men And Women, All Of Whom Were Of Great Stature, And Followed Our Boats Along The Coast.

As these people appeared quiet and civil, the general called Martin Alonzo, who could speak many of the Negro

Languages, and desired him and another to leap on shore, which they immediately did. Alonzo and his companion were well received by the natives, especially by their chief, to whom the general sent a jacket, a pair of breeches, and a cap, all of a red colour, and a copper bracelet, of which he was very proud, and returned thanks to the general, saying, "that he might have any thing he wished for or needed that his country produced." All which, as Martin Alonzo understood their language[16], he reported to the general, who was much pleased that by this means an intercourse could be opened with the natives. Alonzo and another of our people were accordingly permitted by the general to go for one night along with the natives to their town, where the chief dressed himself out in his new garments, and was beheld with much admiration by his people in his finery, clapping their hands for joy. This salutation was repeated three or four times on their way to the town, and when there, the chief made the circuit of the whole village, that all the people might see and admire his new and strange attire.

Enter page number Go  Previous Next
Page 471 of 812
Words from 130399 to 130659 of 224388