ched the point which forms the Carenero, when the angle in
the coast bore S.E., and the Cabo de la Estrella was 24 miles to the
S.W. Thence he steered along the coast eastward to Cabo Cinquin about
48 miles, 20 of them being on an E.N.E. coast. All the coast is very
high, with a deep sea. Close in shore there are 20 to 30 fathoms, and
at the distance of a lombard-shot there is no bottom; all which the
Admiral discovered that day, as he sailed along the coast with the
wind S.W., much to his satisfaction. The cape, which runs out in the
port of St. Nicholas the length of a shot from a lombard, could be
made an island by cutting across it, while to sail round it is a
circuit of 3 or 4 miles. All that land is very high, not clothed with
very high trees, but with ilex, arbutus, and others proper to the land
of Castile. Before reaching Cape Cinquin by two leagues, the Admiral
discovered a small roadstead[171-1] like an opening in the mountains,
through which he could see a very large valley, covered with crops
like barley, and he therefore judged that it must sustain a large
population. Behind there was a high range of mountains. On reaching
Cabo Cinquin, the Cabo de la Tortuga bore N.E. 32 miles.[171-2] Off
Cabo Cinquin, at the distance of a lombard-shot, there is a high rock,
which is a good landmark. The Admiral being there, he took the bearing
of Cabo del Elefante, which was E.S.E. about 70 miles,[171-3] the
intervening land being very high. At a distance of 6 leagues there was
a conspicuous cape,[171-4] and he saw many large valleys and plains,
and high mountains inland, all reminding him of Spain. After 8 leagues
he came to a very deep but narrow river, though a carrack might
easily enter it, and the mouth without bar or rocks. After 16 miles
there was a wide and deep harbor,[172-1] with on bottom at the
entrance, nor, at 3 paces from the shore, less than 15 fathoms; and it
runs inland a quarter of a league. It being yet very early, only one
o'clock in the afternoon, and the wind being aft and blowing fresh,
yet, as the sky threatened much rain, and it was very thick, which is
dangerous even on a known coast, how much more in an unknown country,
the Admiral resolved to enter the port, which he called Puerto de la
Concepcion. He landed near a small river at the point of the haven,
flowing from valleys and plains, the beauty of which was a marvel to
behold. He took fishing-nets with him; and, before he landed, a
mullet, li