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their contents, which he had with the affiftance of two Indians of Cuba 

 brought off fafely to our fliips. In this adtion we made two natives pri-. 

 foners, who were afterwards baptized, and called by the names of Melchor, 

 and Julian. Having re-embarked, we proceeded as before, coafting 

 towards the Weft. 



After fifteen days cautious failing by an unknown coaft, we dif- 

 covered from our fhips a large town with an inlet which was apparently 

 a River. This place we named from the day on which we difcovered it, 

 which was Sunday of Lazarus j and here we determined to endeavour to 

 procure water, of which we were in want, owing to the badnefs of our 

 cafks, our limited means not enabling us to purchafe proper veffels for 

 that purpofe. As the tides run very far out, we left our large fhips a 

 league's diftance from the fhore, and proceeding thither well armed, 

 came to the water which fupplied the town j for in this Country as far as 

 we could obferve, there are no running ftreams. Here we filled our 

 cafks, and juft as we had finiflicd, about fifty Indians drelTed in cotton 

 mantles and to all appearance chiefs, approached us, enquiring by figns 

 what we wanted j to which we replied in the fame manner, that we came 

 for water, and were returning to our velTels. They then pointed tot he 

 Eaft, by way of alking if we came from that quarter, repeating feveral 

 times the word '* Caftillan;" after which they invited us to their town, 

 to which we proceeded with them, and arrived at fome large, and very 

 well conftru6ted buildings of lime and ftone, with figures of ferpents 

 and of idols painted upon the walls. When we entered thefe temples,, 

 for fuch they were, we perceived about one of the altars traces of blood 

 frefh fpilledj there were alfo feveral idolatrous figures and fy mbols, all 

 which contributed to imprefs us with furprife and horror. During this 

 time the Indians behaved peaceably, but colled:ed in great numbers, 

 which put us upon our guard though they appeared only to be attracted 

 by curiofity, A body of natives foon appeared, dreffed in very ragged 

 mantles, and each bearing a bundle of dry reeds, which having depo- 

 jfited together, they retired. After them came two bodies of warriors, 

 each commanded by its captain, who drew them up oppofite to us ; im- 

 mediately 



