232 JOURNAL OF GALLEGO. 



land ; but as we saw none, we embarked on our return voyage to 

 the ships. 



"Sailing all this day with a fair wind, we arrived at the island of 

 San Christobal; and that night we entered a port because there was 

 a threatening appearance in the weather. We landed in a town that 

 was there, and the Indians fled, discharging some arrows, A soldier 

 was wounded in the throat, but not seriously, and he was able to 

 swallow some food. As we wished to leave the port with the ris- 

 ing moon, we embarked ; and we named the port La Palma. 



" We continued our voyage back to the ships; and when we had 

 sailed about 4 leagues from the port, a canoe came off" to look at us 

 and to learn what people we were. As we had need of Indians for 

 their lan^uacre, we endeavoured to take the canoe: and so we coaxed 

 them on, and of four which came in the canoe we took three alive, 

 and one died whilst defending himself. \xi the evening, we arrived 

 at the Puerto de la Visitacion de Nuestra Senora, where the' ships 

 lay.^ I found that, on account of bad treatment, all the Indians 

 whom we had taken in th>» islands had gone. 



"I gave a report to the General of what we had seen and accom- 

 plished in the expedition, telling him that there was no appearance 

 of land further (in that direction), but that all the mass of the land, 

 which was endless, lay to the west ; and that, from this, he would 

 perceive what ought to be done. A council of the captains and 

 pilots was held to determine what steps should be followed in the 

 prosecution of the voyage ; and it was decided to refit the ships for 

 this purpose ; this, therefore, was the result of the general consulta- 

 tion. The ships were accordingly refitted ; ^ but on Saturday, the 

 7th of August, in the same year of 1568, all mustered together and 

 made a protestation to the General and the captains with reference 

 to the plan to be pursued. I told them briefly that because the 

 ships were getting worm-eaten and rotten, and the rigging and 

 cordaofe were not of much good, we should be determined to com- 

 plete, without delay, the object for which we had come. The 

 General, in reply, said tliat it would be well that the brigantine 

 should go in search of more provisions, of which we were in want ; 

 but I pointed out that tMs should not be done, because all the 



1 From tbe short description of this harbour given on page 228, it is probably not Makira 

 Harbour on the south coast of St. Christoval ; although from the time occupied by the 

 brigantine in her return voyage along this south coast from Santa Anna to the ships, it must 

 be in its vicinity. 



- Figueroa refers to the ships being heaved down in this harbour. 



