236 LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGA-fE. 
which we thought we might again want, and I ordered tlitf 
branches to be thrown into the river, that the company might 
be prevented from entertaining any hope of returning till we 
had found some habitation, and discovered whether we were 
on the continent or on an island. We marched about six 
leagues farther, and theri passed another fiver in the sam« 
manner as before* 
At sunset we arrived at a spacious beach, where we halt- 
ed, being greatly fatigued. This was the case with me more 
than any other; for having passed through very wet and 
swampy places, my shoes got so wet that the leather had 
stretched, and the sand penetrating through them, incommod- 
ed me exceedingly. As they were, therefore, productive of 
more pain than comfort, I threw them away. While we 
Were looking about for an elevated spot where we might re- 
pose and pass the night, we heard a noise near an old tree, 
whose trunk was hollow with age. Approaching it to disco 
ver the cause, a large kind of lizard, called by the inhabit- 
ants of Spanish America Iguana, ran out of it. It is the ug- 
liest animal to which nature has given life, but its flesh is the 
more delicate, and in taste resembles pullet. The pilot made 
a stroke at it with his hatchet, with such success as to cut it 
in two. We were in great vvant of such a fortunate supply 
to recruit our strength, which a long and toilsome march, but 
more particularly the want of nourishment, had almost ex- 
hausted. This lizard was three quarters of a yard long, and 
\vas sufficient to make us a good supper. Having broiled it 
on the coals, we enjoyed our repast, and then went to sleep. 
At daybreak we resumed our route. About ten o'clock 
we ascended a very steep mountain, and then entered a thick 
wood full of thorns and briars, to avoid a cape which would 
have obliged us to make a great circuit. I here suffered 
very much. By walking I had worn out the feet Of my 
stockings, and my bare feet not being accustomed to such a 
rough road, were soon torn and scratched all over. It was 
still worse when, on leaving the wood, we reached the sea- 
shore; the sand, heated by the sun, raised blisters as large as 
pigeon's eggs on the soles of my feet. These blisters break- 
ing, the sand penetrated to the quick, and gave me excessive 
pain. My sufferings excited the compassion of my compan- 
ions, who obliged me to halt beneath a verdant arbor, which 
they prepared on the banks of a rivulet, and in which we took 
shelter from the scorching heat of the noon-day sun. While 
part of the company reposed, the others collected, in the 
