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LIFE A N D V O Y A G E S
of exercising empire over animals.”*
OF
[BOOK V I I .
These fishermen came on
board of the ships in a fearless manner.
They furnished the
Spaniards with a supply of fish, and would cheerfully have given them every thing they possessed.
T o the admiral's inquiries con
cerning those parts, they said that the sea was full of islands to the south and to the west, but as to Cuba, it continued running to the westward without any termination. Having extricated himself from this archipelago, Columbus steered for a mountainous part of the island of Cuba about four teen leagues distant, where he landed at a large village on the 3d of June.
Here he was received with that kindness and amity which
distinguished the inhabitants of Cuba, whom he extolled above all the other islanders for their mild and pacific character.
Their
very animals, he said, were tamer, as well as larger and better, than those of the other islands.
Among the various articles of
food which the natives brought with joyful alacrity from all parts, were stockdoves of uncommon size and flavor; perceiving some thing peculiar in their taste, Columbus ordered the crops of seve ral newly killed to be opened, in which were found sweet spices. While the crews of the boats were procuring water and provi sions, Columbus sought to gather information from the venerable cacique, and several of the old men of the village.
They told
him that the name of their province was Ornofay; that further to the westward the sea was again covered with innumerable islands, and had but little depth.
As to Cuba, none of them had
ever heard that it had an end to the westward; forty moons would not suffice to reach to its extremity; in fact, they considered it interminable.
They observed, however, that the admiral would
receive more ample information from the inhabitants of Mangon, * Humboldt, Essai Politique sur l'Ile de Cuba, torn. i. p. 364.