calls dogs of various colors, and one
animal like a young rabbit, which climbed trees. Many persons ate these
last and said they were very good. There were many small snakes, and few
lizards, because the Indians were so fond of eating them. "They made as
much of a feast of them as we would do of pheasants."

"There are in this island and the others numberless birds, of those
of our country, and many others which never were seen there. Of our
domestic birds, none have ever been seen here, except that in Zuruquia
there were some ducks in the houses, most of them white as snow, and
others black."

They coasted along this island for several days, to the place where the
Admiral had left his settlement. While passing the region of Xamana,
they set ashore one of the Indians whom they had carried off on the
first voyage. They "gave him some little things which the Admiral had
commanded him to give away." Another account adds that of the ten Indian
men who had been carried off on the first voyage, seven had already
died on account of the change of air and food. Two of the three whom the
Admiral was bringing back, swam ashore at night. "The Admiral cared for
this but little, thinking that he should have enough interpreters among
those whom he had left in the island, and whom he hoped to find there
again." It seems certain that one Indian remained faithful to the
Spaniards; he was named Diego Colon, after the Admiral's brother.

On the day that the captive Indian was set ashore, a Biscayan sailor
died, who had been wounded by the Caribs in the fight between the boat's
crew and the canoe. A boat's crew was sent ashore to bury him, and as
they came to land there came out "many Indians, of whom some wore gold
at the neck and at the ears. They sought to come with the christians to
the ships, and they did not like to bring them, because they had not had
permission from the Admiral." The Indians then sent two of their number
in a little canoe to one of the caravels, where they were received
kindly, and sent to speak with the Admiral.

"They said, through an interpreter, that a certain king sent them to
know what people we were, and to ask that we might be kind enough to
land, as they had much gold and would give it to him, and of what they
had to eat. The Admiral commanded silken shirts and caps and other
little things to be given them, and told them that as he was going where
Guacanagari was, he could not stop, that another time he