THE
COMPANIONS
OF COLUMBUS.
219
half of their number, therefore, remained at the village of Tutibrà, under the command of a captain named Penalosa ; the resi due embarked in the canoes with Morales and Pizarro.
After a
stormy and perilous voyage, they landed on one of the smaller islands, where they had some skirmishing with the natives, and thence made their way to the principal island of the archipelago, to which, from the report of its great pearl fishery, Vasco Nunez had given the name of Isla Rica. The cacique of this island had long been the terror of the neighboring coasts, invading the main-land with fleets of canoes, and carrying the inhabitants into captivity. Spaniards was worthy of his fame.
His reception of the
Four times did he sally forth
to defend his territory, and as often was he repulsed with great slaughter.
His warriors were overwhelmed with terror at the fire
arms of the Spaniards, and at their ferocious bloodhounds.
Find
ing all resistance unavailing, the cacique was at length compelled to sue for peace.
His prayers being granted, he received the
conquerors into his habitation, which was well built and of im mense size.
Here he brought them as a peace-offering a basket
curiously wrought, and filled with pearls of great beauty. these were two of extraordinary size and value.
Among
One weighed
twenty-five carats ; the other was of the size of a Muscadine pear, weighing upwards of three drachms, and of oriental color and lustre.
The cacique considered himself more than repaid by
a present of hatchets, beads, and hawks'-bells : and, on the Span iards smiling at his joy, observed, " These things I can turn to useful purpose, but of what value are those pearls to me ?" Finding, however, that these baubles were precious in the eyes of the Spaniards, he took Morales and Pizarro to the sum mit of a wooden tower, commanding an unbounded prospect.