A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1585. 



first Island of the West Indies that we fell withall, the 

 same being inhabited with savage people, which goe all 

 naked, their skinne coloured with some painting of a 

 reddish tawney, very personable and handsome strong 

 men, who doe admit litle conversation with the Spanyards : 

 for as some of our people might understand them, they 

 had a Spaniard or twaine prisoners with them, neither 

 doe I thinke that there is any safetie for any of our 

 nation, or any other to be within the limits of their 

 commandement, albeit they used us very kindly for those 

 few houres of time which wee spent with them, helping 

 our folkes to fill and carry on their bare shoulders fresh 

 water from the river to our ships boates, and fetching 

 from their houses great store of Tabacco, as also a kind 

 of bread which they fed on, called Cassavi, very white 

 and savourie, made of the rootes of Cassavi. In re- 

 compence whereof, we bestowed liberall rewards of 

 glasse, coloured beades, and other things, which we had 

 found at Saint lago, wherewith (as it seemed) they 

 rested very greatly satisfied, and shewed some sorowfull 

 countenance when they perceived that we would depart. 



From hence wee went to another Island Westward 

 of it, called Saint Christophers Island, wherein we spent 

 some dayes of Christmas, to refresh our sicke people, 

 and to cleanse and ayre our ships. In which Island 

 were not any people at all that we could heare of. 



In which time by the General it was advised and 

 resolved, with the consent of the Lieutenant generall, 

 the Vice-admiral, and all the rest of the Captaines to 

 proceede to the great Islande of Hispaniola, aswell for 

 that we knewe our selves then to bee in our best 

 strength, as also the rather allured thereunto, by the 

 glorious fame of the citie of S. Domingo, being the 

 ancientest and chiefe inhabited place in all the tract of 

 Countrey thereabouts. And so proceeding in this deter- 

 mination, by the way we mette a small Frigat, bound 

 for the same place, the which the Vice-admirall tooke : 

 and having duely examined the men that were in her, 



no 



