THE DISCOVERY OF AUSTRALIA 



clubs of the natives, and insisted that they were heavy by 

 weight of gold ; and they refused to give up the pleasant 

 belief even when the clubs were broken in pieces, and 

 no gold was to be seen. The leaders themselves were 

 inclined to be hopeful, though some doubted. Sarmiento, 

 the optimist, says that he actually "saw a mineral 

 containing gold." The miners reported that there was 

 gold in the soil, but they could not get it owing to the 

 hostility of the natives. Mendana says that the natives 

 talked much of gold and pearls, but none were actually 



MAP OF THE SOLOMONS AND NEW GUINEA (HERRERA, 1601). 

 (From Nordenskiold's Periplus.) 



handled ; also of cloves, ginger and nutmegs, but " they 

 brought only a little ginger." 



For six months the Spaniards sailed among the islands. 

 Then, on the 7th of August, a " Parliament " was 

 held. Fifty-eight men were present, and they were invited 

 to express opinions as to three alternative proposals. 

 Should they make a settlement ? Should they explore 

 further ? Or, should they sail for home ? 



The plan of Mendana's instructions had been to make a settlement 



abandoned. m a good land ; and the soldiers, looking at the golden 



war-clubs, said that the land was good enough for them. 



Sarmiento was of the same mind, and was indignant 



when Mendana once more would not follow his advice. 



