Mean time _Columbus_ selected a piece of Ground on a rising Hill, on the North part of the Isle, where he intended to build a City, because close by the Hill on one side rises a Mountain, pregnant with Stone and Chalk; on the other, a Plain, so exceeding fruitful and pleasant, that the Sun scarce shines upon a more delightful and fertile Soil, which they found afterwards by experience. Here Melons are set and ripe in thirty six days; Corn, in two Months; twice a Year the Trees and Plants bring forth their several Products; the Vines come to maturity, and are loaden with Clusters of Grapes, in two Years, and Sugar-Canes grow as thick as a Mans Arm in fifteen days. On this pleasant Soil, accommodated with a convenient Haven, _Columbus_ afterwards built the City _Isabella_, fortified with Walls and Trenches against all Invasions, over which he made his Brother _Bartholomew Columbus_ first Governor. Mean while the Admiral _Columbus_ himself march’d up into the Countrey with three hundred Men, in quest of the Gold Mines. Seventy two Leagues the Valley _Cibava_ lies distant from _Isabella_, to which _Columbus_ pass’d over swift Currents and high Mountains, where he built a Fort, which he call’d _St. Thomas_; and exchang’d with the Inhabitants Toys and Trifles, for Pieces and Ingots of Gold, which the Inhabitants, as before-mention’d, found in the Sand of their Rivers: And besides, they inform’d him, That about half a days Journey further, greater Quantities of Gold were to be found, in a browner colour’d Soil: Whereupon _Luxanus_, one of his Officers, was sent with a sufficient Party thither, who march’d through a delightful way, cool with shady Boughs, and pleasant with the prospect of spacious Meadows, where they mow’d Grass for their Horses, which in four days time grew up again higher than our tallest Wheat. [Sidenote: Goes to Sea to discover new Countreys.]