o doubt that, according to our holy faith, they are true martyrs,
and reign blissfully to-day with God in the heavens; for they were
sent to that land under obedience, and their intention was to preach
and spread the holy faith, to save all those souls and to suffer
every kind of affliction and death that might be offered them for
Jesus Christ crucified.
20. Another time, through the great tyranny and execrable works of the
wicked Spaniards, the Indians killed two monks of St. Dominic and
one of St. Francis, of which I myself am a witness, for I escaped
the same death by divine miracle; so serious and horrible was the
case I might have much to say that would amaze mankind, but on
account of the length of the narration I will not relate it here nor
until the time comes. The last day will disclose all more clearly,
for God will then avenge such horrible and abominable outrages as
are done in the Indies by those who bear the name of Christians.
21. Another time there was a town in the provinces called Capo della
Codera, the lord of which was called Nigoroto; this is either a
personal name or else one common to all the lords of that country.
22. He was so kind and his people so virtuous, that when the Spanish
ships passed there the Spaniards found comforts, provisions, rest,
and every consolation and refreshment, and many did he deliver from
death, who, wasted with hunger, took refuge there from other
provinces where they had assassinated, and practised evil and
tyranny. He gave them food and sent them safe to the Pearl Island
[Cubagua], where some Christians dwelt, whom he could have slain,
without any one knowing it, and did not: all the Christians finally
called Nigoroto's town the mansion and home of everybody.
23. An ill-starred tyrant deliberated within himself to attack this
place, as the people felt so safe: so he went there with a ship and
invited many people to come on board, as they were used to, trusting
the Spaniards. When many men, women, and children were gathered in
the ship, he set sail and came to the island of San Juan, where he
sold them all as slaves. And I arrived just then at the said island
and saw that tyrant and heard what he had done.
24. He left all that country ruined; and all those Spanish tyrants, who
rob