At length _Nigno_ set Sail homewards, and carried with him an invaluable Treasure in Pearls to _Spain_: but by the way fell out with his Sea-men, because he kept most of the Purchase to himself, and would not give them their shares, nay more than that, kept back the fifth part from the King; whereupon being complain’d of by _Ferdinando de Vega_, Governor of _Gallicia_, he was put in Prison, and at last sent to the Court, where the Pearls were declared free Prize, because _Nigno_ had barter’d for them at _Curiana_, contrary to the Kings Orders, not to touch at any Coast, within fifty Leagues of what _Columbus_ had discover’d. But since he had no way regarded those Commands to preserve that Pearl-Trade, King _Ferdinand_ sent Governors to _Curiana_, who in his Name should look after, and employ Men for the catching the Pearl-Oysters. These, accompanied with a considerable number of Soldiers, besides six Monks, forc’d the Inhabitants to furnish them with abundance of Pearl: which oppression grew to such a heighth, that one Morning a great Party of them conspiring together, fell suddenly upon them, most of them being massacred: after they had a while insultingly triumphed over the dead Bodies, and finish’d, as they thought, their good work (feasting on their Flesh at a joyful Banquet) those few that escap’d Sail’d to the Island _Dominic_, the Governor of which _Didacus Columbus_, Son to the famous _Christopher_, being incens’d, immediately sent Captain _Ocampo_ with three hundred Men to _Curiana_; where in his first fury, without distinction of Sex or Age, he slew all he met with. But because they themselves could not follow the rich Oyster-catching, he spar’d some for that purpose, whom he commanded to build twenty five little Houses, or Hovels, on the Shore, which he call’d _New Toledo_. After this they went on afresh in their Pearl-fishing. [Illustration] SECT. V. _The Voyage of_ Vincent Agnes Pinzon. The first of _December, Anno 1499._ _Vincent Pinzon_ set Sail with four Vessels out of the Haven _Palos_: he had been Commander of a Ship under _Columbus_ in his first Expedition, by which means he got great experience in Navigation. When he came a little beyond the _Hesperides_, he was surpris’d by a great Storm, which in three days drove him before a plain Coast; where Landing, he found nothing but the Footsteps of Men; and in the night he saw great Fires, such as are generally made in Camps; about day-break twenty _Spaniards_ march’d thither, whom thirty two Men, arm’d with Bowes and Arrows, made ready to encounter; but as they approached, the _Spaniards_ proffer’d them Peace, but they refused all Composition; yet having faced one another a while, they retreated without fighting. [Sidenote: _Pinzon_’s strange Fight.] [Sidenote: A remarkable Beast.]