Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to NordenskioldKingston, William Henry Giles
History
Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to Nordenskiold
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Explorers; Voyages and travels
One day they had landed for the sake of exercise, when, to their
surprise, they saw a human being approaching them. He was a big fellow,
and strongly built, his body painted all over, with a stag's horn on
each cheek and large circles round his eyes. The natural colour of his
skin, as far as could be perceived, was yellow, and his hair was of a
light tint. His only garment was the skin of a beast roughly sewn
together, covering his whole body and limbs from head to foot. In his
hand he carried a stout bow, and his arrows, instead of having iron
heads, were tipped with sharp stones. As he advanced he began singing
and dancing, and as he got nearer he stood for some time throwing dust
upon his head. The Spaniards imitating him, he came close up to them
without any signs of fear. Being invited to go on board the ships, he
willingly stepped into a boat. The Spanish chronicler declares that so
big was he, that the tallest of their number only reached up to his
waist; but as no persons of a stature so gigantic have been seen in the
country since, this statement must be doubted. The Admiral welcomed him
on board, and directed that meat and drink should be given him, of which
he willingly partook, and seemed to enjoy himself. Various toys were
shown him, and among them was a mirror, in which, happening to see
himself, he was so frightened that, starting back, he capsized two of
the crew, and did not easily recover his composure.
His dress, which was composed of several skins, was wrapped round his
body from his head to his ankles. On his feet he wore shoes or boots of
the same material as his robe, so roughly made as to be almost round,
from which circumstance the Spaniards called him Patagon, or Big-footed,
a name they applied to all the people of that country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account