The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-19
These three provine0

where No now are. These three proyinc0
are subdlvided into smaller portions
Dr.. Chanca writes In wonder at the
SNAKES and IAN enormous kind. Of, lizard
the color Of its halt. Slge and fur like q Fab-
bit, but with long tail and feet similar 20
those Of Q rat These animals" he sayH
Climb up. the trees. and many Of our MEN
who have eaten them say their taste Is very
good"
A pathetic incident, in the trip was the
search for the little band Of adventures
Columbus had left the, previous year upon
the island. Tho feelings of the sehrchers
when they reached q harbor Of Santo Do
mingoo they called Monte Cristo are wildly
described. DR.. Chanca says: .
This harbor Ia twelve leagues from the
place whore the Christians had been left. by
the Admiral on his return to Spain from the
FIRST voyage, and under the protection Of
Guacafnari, a king Of these Indians, who
suppose is one OF the principal sovereigns
Of the island. After we anchored at said
spot the Admiral ordered two lombards TO
be, fired in order to Gee IL there was any
response from the Christians. who would
fire in return al a salute, for they also'hud
lombards with them; but We received no
reply, nor did we. see on the seashore any
body nor any sign Of houses whatever. Our
people then beoa me very much ohkgrihed
and began 10 realize what the circumstances
naturally suggested. : T..
"hite All o. US Nere IN TINS uepEeSooo
state OF mind the Same canoe with several
Indians on board which W. had seen that
afternoon came up TO where we we're
anchored. and the Indians with a loud
voice inquired for the Admiral. They
were conducted 10 the Admiral:s vessel.
and remained there on, board for. three
hours talking with the Admiral IN the pres
ence Of us all. They said that some Of the
Christians left on the island had died Of
disease, others had been killed in quarrels
among themselves, and that those who
that that province hG been Invaded arde 'i by
two kings named ,Caonabo and Mayrenl,
who burned all the houses, and that King
Guacamart was at another place, some
distance away, lying i'll Of a wound In his
leg, which was the reason why he had not
come in person.
Next morning some Of our men landed
by order Of the Admiral. and vent TO the
spot where the Christians had been housed.
They found the building, which had been
surrounding 1t, all burned up and levelled
with the ground.
They found also some rags and stuffs
which the Indians had brought to set the
fort and the houses In the environs on fire.
They observed, too. that the few Indiane
seen going about in that neighborhood
we're shy, and dared not approach. but on
the contrary. when called, fed"
The gala attire Of the Indians was Q
source OF amusement to h Europeans. DR..
Chanca says:
when these Indians wish to appear full
dressed, both men m women paint them
selves, some black, others white and red,
and different combinations Of oolors, in 30
devices that the effect produced is
very laughAble; they also shave some parts
Of their heads and In other parts Of II wear
long tufts OF matted hair, which give them
i~ndescribably ridiculous appearance.
In short, whatever would be looked upon
in our country as characteristic OF a mad
man lie here regarded by the most promi-
nent Indians as a mark Of distinction"
A great part OF his letter ia taken UP with
subjects which appeal to q man Of his
profession. He catalogues in valuable
form minerals, grains, fruits and many
kinds Of fora, which caused him to wonder, !
as he wrote, whether his friends at home
would believe him. The reports from
natives and from exploring parties, Of vast
quantities Of gold in the islands form the
of his narrative.
Thus surely" he concludes, their
the King and Queen may hence
forth regard themselves as the most pros
porous n wealthy sovereigns on earth,
because never yet, since the creation Of this
world, has such a thing been seen OF read
81. On the return Of the ships on the next
they certainly will be able TO carry
back such a quantity of gold as will ill
with amazement all who hear Of it,