JOURNAL OF GALLEGO. 217 



barked, more than 600 ruffians {gandiUes) had assembled. Coming 

 to the beach with their bows and arrows, and clubs, and stones, they 

 began to shoot ; but no musket was fired at them, although they 

 did not cease from shooting at us. Some took to the water and 

 swam off to the brigantine endeavouring to cajole us with fair words, 

 asking us for the canoe and promising us a hog. They tried to take 

 it from astern : and when we observed this, we threatened them and 

 they went aslioie. 



" The Indians then brought on a pole a bundle of dry grass in 

 imitation of a hog ; and they placed it on the beach. Some came 

 off to the brigantine and said that there was the hog, that we should 

 go for it, and should give back the canoe. We saw the deceit that 

 they intended ; and when they perceived that we understood what 

 it was and did not go for it, they threw stones at us and rushed into 

 the sea, swimming with their weapons in their hands. Withal, we 

 did not wish to harm them until we saw their boldness, and that 

 they were coming to the brigantine to shoot at us with their arrows. 

 To frighten them, some shots were fired high in the air, which did 

 not w^ouud any one ; and so we went further along the coast, whilst 

 they returned to the shore and followed us until we arrived off an- 

 other large river, with many people as numerous as themselves, 

 whom they joined. 



" On the 22nd of May, we named this river Santa Elena. There 

 is much level ground here, which is covered with palms and cocoa- 

 nut trees. This island has a very lofty cordillera in its interior and 

 many ravines from which these rivers issue ; whilst between the 

 mountains and the sea there are eight leagues of level country. In 

 the mouth of the river there are many sandbanks ; but we did not 

 anchor there, and sailed a long way from the coast to double a point 

 of reefs, where we anchored. The wind blew so strong from the 

 south-east that we ran much risk when seeking shelter to leeward 

 of the shoals that run out from the river. Here I anchored, and 

 although there was much wind, it was fine w^eather at sea. 



" The Indians, who were more than a thousand in numbei', swam 

 out to us with their bows and arrows ; and they dived and plunged 

 beneath the water to lay hold of our anchor and carry the brigantine 

 ashore. Seeing their determined perseverance, we fired some shots, 

 and having killed some, we ceased firing ; and they made for the 

 shore, where they raised some mounds of sand for their protection. 

 As we were shf)rt of water, we were compelled to get more ; and 



