Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to NordenskioldKingston, William Henry Giles
History
Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to Nordenskiold
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Explorers; Voyages and travels
The Captain had a great wish to secure some females as companions to the
men, that a race of giants might be introduced into Europe; but though
the ladies were far from attractive, their husbands exhibited great
jealousy, and would not allow them to appear. It was resolved,
therefore, to capture two of their principal men, that they might be
exchanged for women.
After a time the natives, having overcome their fears, again mixed
freely with their visitors. On one occasion a number of Spaniards had
gone on shore, when two natives came among them, upon whom they threw
themselves, nine Spaniards seizing one man, while a number of others
brought his companion to the ground. Some of the Spaniards having ropes
ready, had begun to bind the hands of one of their captives, but he
struggled so violently, at the same time shouting out for assistance,
that he managed to break loose from them, and, striking out right and
left, sent them flying in all directions; then bursting away, he took to
flight, the other soon afterwards following his example. One of the
Spaniards pursuing was shot by an arrow. The rest fired at the
fugitives, but could not hit them, for instead of running along in a
straight line, they kept leaping from side to side at a rate equal to
that of a horse at full gallop.
From the name of Patagons or Patagonians, which the natives have ever
since borne, their country was called Patagonia, and that of Saint
Julien was given to the port in which the squadron had sought refuge.
The Admiral now took solemn possession of the country around for the
crown of Spain, erecting on the shore a cross, the sign of sovereignty.
He was sorely troubled, however, by discovering that a mutiny had been
projected by many of the crew, headed by two of the principal officers,
Don Luis Mendoza and Don Juan de Carthagena, with others of inferior
rank. Should he put to sea, he had reason to believe that they would
run off with some of the ships. He therefore waited in port, hoping to
reduce them to obedience. Fortunately, the greater number of officers
and men remained faithful. The Admiral, concealing the knowledge he had
obtained of their treachery, was able at length to seize the
ringleaders.
This done, having summoned a council of his principal officers, the
mutineers were tried and condemned, Mendoza to death, and Carthagena,
with others less guilty, to be left in the country among the savages.
No time was lost in carrying this stern decree into execution. A stout
gallows was erected on the shore, on which, notwithstanding his rank,
Don Luis was hung, while Don Juan de Carthagena, a priest, and others,
were landed and driven among the natives, to endure whatever fate was in
store for them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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