when they had landed, about three hundred years
ago, they consisted of various nations and colours, male and female; but
the climate and the use of the waters, had, in the course of time,
produced the change in their complexions which we beheld, and all the
inhabitants were now of that peculiar tint, with the exception that the
females were not so dark as the men. Few ships had ever touched there;
and the crews of those who had fallen in with the island, had preferred
remaining, which accounted for its being so totally unknown; that the
king was very partial to strangers, and always received them at his
palace, which was built close to the Golden Fountain. He concluded by
requesting me to accompany him on shore, and pay my respects--stating,
that if I wished to quit the island, his majesty would permit me to load
my vessel with as much as she could carry, of the metal so precious in
other countries, but so little valued in this.

I must acknowledge that I was quite overjoyed at his narration. I
considered my fortune to be made, and hastened to accompany the
ambassador, who stated that the king would not be pleased if I did not
permit the major part of my ship's company to attend me to the palace.
As the men were very eager to go on shore after the account which they
had heard, and he assured me that the wind never blew home in the bay,
which was on the lee side of the island, I consented to their wishes,
and allowed all but two to quit the vessel.

We were much surprised when we landed at the village, to perceive that
even the pig-troughs, posts, and rails, and indeed every article in
which metal could be employed, were of solid gold; but we had not time
for examination, as we found several sledges, drawn by small bullocks,
waiting for us near the beach.

We mounted, and the animals set off in a swift canter, upon a smooth
and ascending road, and in less than two hours we arrived at the king's
palace, which was an extensive building, not very remarkable in its
structure, excepting the unusual sight of the large columns of gold,
supporting the porticos, which extended from it on every side. But when
we had alighted and were proceeding through the porticos, I was
astonished at the wonderful finish of the statues which embellished
them. They were mounted on plinths of the burnished metal, and carved
out of a sort of light blue chalcedony, which, joined with their
masterly execution, gave them the appearance of life. I wa