ABSTRACT

Fifty days after I left those realms I arrived in these provinces, having called at no intermediate port, a thing no man before me has accomplished. I sailed on a course different from that taken by other pilots who have come hither. And certainly I believe this was ordained by God for, although my arrival was late with respect to the corsair himself, because the damage was already done and he had gone, I came in time to avoid that which our people feared from the aborigines since ours had no fort, artillery, food supplies, or munitions, and, what was the worst, the natives were plotting to kill them all-soldiers, women and children-as has been ascertained within the last eight days. The reinforcement I brought in men and supplies put an end to this danger, and to want, and to the audacity of these savages. Had I arrived fifteen days later I do truly believe that all would have perished ...