they had hindered us as long
as they could, we leaped on shore, and fought a hard battle with them.
The reason why they had so much courage and fought with such great
exertion against us was that they did not know what kind of a weapon the
sword was, or how it cuts. While thus engaged in combat, so great was the
multitude of people who charged upon us, throwing at us such a cloud of
arrows, that we could not withstand the assault, and, nearly abandoning
the hope of life, we turned our backs and ran to the boats. While thus
disheartened and flying, one of our sailors, a Portuguese, a man of
fifty-five years of age, who had remained to guard the boat, seeing the
danger we were in, jumped on shore, and with a loud voice called out to
us, "Children! turn your faces to your enemies, and God will give you
the victory!" Throwing himself on his knees, he made a prayer, and then
rushed furiously upon the Indians, and we all joined with him, wounded as
we were. On that, they turned their backs to us and began to flee, and
finally we routed them and killed one hundred fifty. We burned their
houses also, at least one hundred eighty in number. Then, as we were
badly wounded and weary, we returned to the ships, and went into a harbor
to recruit, where we stayed twenty days, solely that the physician might
cure us. All escaped except one, who was wounded in the left breast.

After being cured, we recommenced our navigation, and, through the same
cause, we often were obliged to fight with a great many people, and
always had the victory over them. Thus continuing our voyage, we came
upon an island, fifteen leagues distant from the mainland. As at our
arrival we saw no collection of people, the island appearing favorably,
we determined to attempt it, and eleven of us landed. We found a path, in
which we walked nearly two leagues inland, and came to a village of about
twelve houses, in which there were only seven women, who were so large
that there was not one among them who was not a span and a half taller
than myself. When they saw us, they were very much frightened, and the
principal one among them, who was certainly a discreet woman, led us by
signs into a house, and had refreshments prepared for us.

We saw such large women that were about determining to carry off two
young ones, about fifteen years of age, and make a present of them to
their king, as they were, without doubt, creatures whose stature was
above that of common men. Wh