FRIAR MARCO DE NIQA a.d. 



1539- 

 Thus I entred into the second desert on the 9 of May, The second de- 

 and travelled the first day by a very broad and beaten ''''^j'^^'^' 

 way, & we came to diner unto a water, where the Indians 

 had made provision for me : and at night we came to 

 another water, where I found a house which they had 

 fully made up for me, and another house stood made 

 where Stephan lodged when he passed that way, and many 

 old cottages and many signes of fire which the people had 

 made that travelled to Cevola by this way. In this sort I 

 travelled 12 dayes journey being alway well provided of Twelve dayes 

 victuals, of wild beasts. Hares, and Partridges of the J°^^^^^' 

 same colour and tast with those of Spaine although 

 they are not so big, for they be somewhat lesse. 



Here met us an Indian the sonne of one of the 

 chiefe men that accompanied mee, which had gone 

 before with Stephan, who came in a great fright, hav- 

 ing his face and body all covered with sweat, and 

 shewing exceeding sadnesse in his countenance ; and he 

 told mee that a dayes journey before Stephan came to 

 Cevola he sent his great Mace made of a gourd by 

 his messengers, as he was alwayes woont to send them 

 before him, that hee might knowe in what sort hee 

 came unto them, which gourd had a string of belles 

 upon it, and two feathers one white and another red, 

 in token that he demanded safe conduct, and that he 

 came peaceably. And when they came to Cevola before 

 the Magistrate, which the Lord of the citie had placed 

 there for his Lieutenant, they delivered him the sayde 

 great gourd, who tooke the same in his hands, and 

 after he had spyed the belles, in a great rage and fury 

 hee cast it to the ground, and willed the messengers 

 to get them packing with speed, for he knew well 

 ynough what people they were, and that they should 

 will them in no case to enter into the citie, for if they 

 did hee would put them all to death. The messengers 

 returned and tolde Stephan how things had passed, who 

 answered them, that it made no great matter, and 

 would needes proceed on his voyage till he came to 



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