176
VOYAGES
AND
D I S C O V E R I E S OF
lands and seas, I am ready and prepared to maintain and defend them in the name of the Castilian sovereigns, present and future, whose is the empire and dominion over these Indian islands, and Terra Firma, northern and southern, with all their seas, both at the arctic and antarctic poles, on either side of the equinoctial line, whether within or without the tropics of Cancer and Capri足 corn, both now and in all times, as long as the world endures, and until the final day of judgment of all mankind." This swelling declaration and defiance being uttered with a loud voice, and no one appearing to dispute his pretensions, Vasco Nunez called upon his companions to bear witness of the fact of his having duly taken possession.
They all declared
themselves ready to defend his claim to the uttermost, as became true and loyal vassals to the Castilian sovereigns ; and the notary having drawn up a document for the occasion, they subscribed it with their names. This done, they advanced to the margin of the sea, and stoop足 ing down tasted its waters.
When they found, that, though sev足
ered by intervening mountains and continents, they were salt like the seas of the north, they felt assured that they had indeed discovered an ocean, and again returned thanks to God. Having concluded all these ceremonies, Vasco Nunez drew a dagger from his girdle and cut a cross on a tree which grew within the water, and made two other crosses on two adjacent trees, in honor of the Three Persons of the Trinity, and in token of possession.
His followers likewise cut crosses on many of the
trees of the adjacent forest, and lopped off branches with their swords to bear away as trophies.* * Many of the foregoing particulars are from the unpublished volume ot Oviedo's History of the Indies.