Chap. III. 



A M E%I C J. 



49 



Peace. From thence putting to Sea, he next difcover'd 'Cuba, which failing 

 round about, he found alfo to be an Ifland 5 where Landing in a convenient 

 Harbor, on each fene'd with a high and jutting Rock, he efpied two little Ho- 

 vels, wherein was abundance of Fifh, befides two great Snakes or Serpents, 

 each having eight Feet, fpitted, and ready to be laid to the Fire to be roafted - 

 but neither Man, Woman, nor Child to be feen, they being gone with part of 

 the Fifh they had drefs'd, into the adjacent Woods,, whither the Spaniards 

 following, fa w hanging by fmall Strings, on the Branches of Trees, abundance 

 of Snakes, fome of which had their Mouths tied together, others their Tongue 

 and Teech pull'd out. Hence marching on, a little beyond they faw a Com- 

 pany of the Natives,which they judg'd to be about feventy Men,covering the 

 top or fummit of a Hill , to whom the Spaniards made Signs , and to entice 

 them near, fliew'd feveral of their gawdy Trifles ; but in vain, till at laft one 

 adventur'd,defcending from the Hill,to whom one of the Natives (who in the 

 firft Voyage that the Admiral made, was taken from the Ifland Guanahaini near 

 Cuba, carried to Spain, and there Chriftned) call'd aloud, telling him they need 

 not fear, they fliould have no harm done them 5 which faid, they came down 

 all together, and inform'd them, That they were fent by their King to catch 

 JFifli for another King, which was with him at Dinner h and if they had hot 

 eaten the Serpents, they gave them many thanks . for they were provided for 

 the fecond Courfe, and very fcarce to be got, being a greater Dainty than any 

 Fifh. 



Columbus from hence proceeding on further Weftward, difcover'd a fruit- m^eti not tmw 

 ful Coaft, verging the Mouth of a River, whofe Water runs boyling hot into Kc2S5? ^ 

 the Sea, Somewhat further he faw very ftrange Fiflies, efpecially the Guaican, 

 not unlike an Eel, but with an extraordinary great Head, over which hangs a 

 Skin like a Bag. This Fifh is the Natives Fiflier - for having a Line or hand- 

 fom Cord faftned about him, fo loon as a Turtel, or any other of his Prey, 

 comes above Water, they give him Line ; whereupon the Guaican, like an Ar- 



H row 



