nhabitants, seeing the ships, quickly gathered on the shore, prepared
to defend their country; but when the Spaniards made no attempt to land,
their hostility ceased, and, waving their mantles, they invited the
strangers on shore. Swimming off, they brought mantles of cotton and
ornaments of guanin.

The Admiral, though he made them presents, would take nothing in
exchange, and the savages, supposing that their proffered gifts were
despised, retaliated, pretending indifference to the things offered
them, and, on returning on shore, tied all the European articles up and
left them on the beach.

The following day, while a boat cautiously approached the shore to
procure water, a venerable-looking Indian appeared, bearing a white
banner on the end of a staff, and leading a girl of fourteen, and
another of about eight years of age. These he made signs were to be
detained as hostages while the Spaniards were on shore. They were taken
on board, and being kept under the care of the Admiral, were clothed and
adorned with various ornaments, and on the following morning were
restored to their friends, who appeared grateful for the kind way in
which they had been treated, but returned all the presents they had
received.

On the Adelantado approaching the beach, two of the principal natives,
wading into the water, carried him ashore in their arms. Wishing to
collect information, he ordered the notary of the squadron to write down
their replies; but no sooner did they see the pen, ink, and paper than,
supposing he was working some necromantic spell, they fled in terror.
After some time they returned, scattering a fragrant powder in the air,
intended, apparently, to counteract it. The Spaniards, equally
ignorant, also fancied that the Indians were performing some magic rite;
indeed, Columbus asserts that they believed all the hardships and foul
winds they had experienced on the coast were owing to the witchcraft of
the natives.

On leaving this place, Columbus carried off two of the natives, to serve
as guides, promising that he would restore them, with ample
remuneration, on his return.

The squadron then sailed along the coast now known as Costa Rica, and
anchored in a large bay, full of islands, called Caribaro, the
neighbourhood of which, the natives of Cariari had asserted, abounded
with gold. The islands were covered with groves, which sent forth the
fragrance of fruits and flowers; and so deep and narrow were the
c