DESCRIPTIONS BY COLUMBUS. 307 
a fish, and such hard substances.” He says that some had scars, 
caused by wounds received when repelling invaders, (Caribs un- 
doubtedly.) 
“This is a tolerably large island, very level, with pine trees 
and plenty of water, and a large lake in the middle of it, without 
mountains, all covered with verdure which is pleasant to the 
eye. 
“«These people are very amiable, and desirous of having our 
things, for when they have nothing to give us for them, they 
take what they can and jump into the water and swim off with 
it. But anything they have they give us readily for whatever 
we will exchange forit. They will even barter for broken crock- 
ery and glass.” 
Upon going to another part of the island, when the people saw 
the Spaniards were not going to land, some of them, he says, 
“‘rushed into the sea and swam out to us, and we understood 
them to ask if we had come from the skies. One old man even 
got on to the boat, and others, men and women, called out at the 
top of their voices—‘ come and see the men who have come from 
the skies; bring them something to eat and drink.’ 
«‘They are a simple-minded and handsomely formed race. 
“‘T went after a canoe which shot away faster than any boat 
could; for speed they have great advantage over us.” 
Again he writes: “‘ The islands are very fertile, and have a fine 
air. 
“JT saw even cotton cloth, made like mantles, and the people 
appeared more orderly, and the women wore a piece of cloth, 
which, however, scarcely concealed their sex. 
“‘There appears to be no kind of religion among them.” 
He also speaks of the fishes as ‘‘of the most beautiful colorg 
as if painted of a thousand different hues, and so brilliant that 
they astonish every one, who, on this account, is anxious to see 
