to the Admiral. Presently the canoe
departed, and afterwards they said to the Admiral that there was more
gold in Tortuga than in Espanola, because it is nearer to Baneque. The
Admiral did not think that there were gold mines either in Espanola or
Tortuga, but that the gold was brought from Baneque in small
quantities, there being nothing to give in return. That land is so
rich that there is no necessity to work much to sustain life, nor to
clothe themselves, as they go naked. He believed that they were very
near the source, and that our Lord would point out where the gold has
its origin. He had information that from here to Baneque was four
days' journey, about 34 leagues, which might be traversed with a fair
wind in a single day.

_Tuesday, 18th of December_

The Admiral remained at the same anchorage, because there was no wind,
and also because the cacique had said that he had sent for gold. The
Admiral did not expect much from what might be brought, but he wanted to
understand better whence it came. Presently he ordered the ship and
caravel to be adorned with arms and dressed with flags, in honor of the
feast of Santa Maria de la O,[184-2] or commemoration of the
Annunciation, which was on that day, and many rounds were fired from the
lombards. The king of that island of Espanola had got up very early and
left his house, which is about five leagues away, reaching the village at
three in the morning. There were several men from the ship in the
village, who had been sent by the Admiral to see if any gold had arrived.
They said that the king came with two hundred men; that he was carried in
a litter by four men; and that he was a youth, as has already been said.
To-day, when the Admiral was dining under the poop, the king came on
board with all his people.

The Admiral says to the Sovereigns: "Without doubt, his state, and the
reverence with which he is treated by all his people, would appear good
to your Highnesses, though they all go naked. When he came on board, he
found that I was dining at a table under the poop, and, at a quick walk,
he came to sit down by me, and did not wish that I should give place by
coming to receive him or rising from the table, but that I should go on
with my dinner. I thought that he would like to eat of our viands, and
ordered them to be brought for him to eat. When he came under the poop,
he made signs with his hand that all the rest should remain outside, and
so they did, with th