hannels, that the spars of the vessels, as they passed on, brushed the
overhanging branches. The natives were at first afraid, but, encouraged
by the guides, advanced with confidence. They wore numerous ornaments
of pure gold, and one of them exchanged a plate of gold, valued at ten
ducats, for three hawks' bells.

The country on the mainland was hilly, the villages perched on the
heights. As the boats proceeded to the bottom of the bay, they met ten
canoes, the Indians in which had their heads decorated with garlands of
flowers, and coronets formed of the claws of beasts and the quills of
birds, while most of them wore plates of gold about their necks.
Although they refused to part with the gold, they told the Spaniards it
was to be had in abundance within the distance of two days' journey,
mentioning, among other places, Veragua.

Columbus, eager to discover the strait, cared, at this time, very little
for the gold, and sailing along the coast, now known as that of Veragua,
came off the mouth of a large river. Here the natives rushed into the
water, brandishing their weapons; but were quickly pacified, and
bartered away seventeen plates of gold, worth one hundred and fifty
ducats, for a few toys.

When the Spaniards next day went on shore, the natives exhibited a
hostile disposition, but a bolt from a crossbow wounding one of them,
and a cannon being fired, they fled with terror; and on being pursued,
threw down their weapons, and, gentle as lambs, brought three plates of
gold, meekly receiving the articles given in exchange. A similar scene
was enacted at the next place, and nineteen plates of pure gold were
obtained. Here, for the first time, Columbus met with signs of solid
architecture, which he believed indicated his approach to civilised
lands. As he ran along the coast, but was unable to land on account of
the heavy sea, the guides pointed out numerous towns where gold
abounded, one of them being Veragua, where they said the plates of gold
were fabricated, and near which were the rich mines.

Soon after this he arrived opposite a village, where he was told the
country of gold terminated, but still believing that he should discover
a strait, he pushed on. He understood from the Indians that there was a
magnificent country called Ciguare, situated at about ten days' journey
to the west, where the people wore crowns and bracelets and necklets of
gold, and used it for all domestic purposes; that they wer