also learned where and how they procured their pearls, and they
even gave us many of the oysters in which they are found, several of which
we likewise bought, in some of which we found an hundred and thirty pearls,
but in others considerably fewer. Unless when perfectly ripe, and quite
detached from the shells in which they grow, they are very imperfect, for
they wither and come to nothing, as I have frequently experienced; but
when ripe, they separate from among the flesh, except that they then
merely stick to it, and these, are always the best.

After a stay of forty-seven days at this place in great friendship with
the natives, we took our departure, and went to the island of _Antilia_[6],
which was discovered a few years ago by Christopher Columbus, where we
remained two months and two days repairing our vessels and procuring
necessaries for the voyage home. During our stay there we suffered many
insults from the Christian inhabitants, the particulars of which are here
omitted to avoid prolixity. Leaving that island on the 22d of July, we
arrived at the port of Cadiz on the eighth of September[7], after a voyage
of six weeks, where we were honourably received; having thus, by the
blessing of God, finished our second voyage.

[1] This latitude of 5 deg. S. would lead to Cape St Roquo on the coast of
Brazil; but the indications given by Americus during his several
voyages are exceedingly vague and uncertain.--E.

[2] The sun on the 27th of June has just passed to the south side of the
equator, and is in the tropic of cancer on the 23d of March.--E.

[3] Called in the text myrrh-apples, _Poma myrrhae_, perhaps meant to
imply mirabolans.--E.

[4] This appears to refer to chewing tobacco, and gives a strong picture
of that custom carried to excess.--E.

[5] This person was probably a noted giant, or remarkably tall man, then
well known in the south of Europe: Or it may refer to a colossal image
of St Francis.--E.

[6] The island of Hispaniola is certainly here meant, to which Americus
has chosen to give the fabulous or hypothetical name of Antilia,
formerly mentioned; perhaps with the concealed intention of
depreciating the grand discovery of Columbus, by insinuating that the
Antilles were known long before his voyage.--E.

[7] Though not mentioned in the text, this date must have been of the year
1500; or at least intended to be so understood by Americus--E.