The Discovery and Conquest of the Molucco and Philippine Islands.: Containing their History, Ancient and Modern, Natural and Political: Their Description, Product, Religion, Government, Laws, Languages, Customs, Manners, Habits, Shape, and Inclinations of the Natives. With an Account of many other adjacent Islands, and several remarkable Voyages through the Streights of Magellan, and in other Parts.Leonardo de Argensola, Bartolomé
History
The Discovery and Conquest of the Molucco and Philippine Islands.: Containing their History, Ancient and Modern, Natural and Political: Their Description, Product, Religion, Government, Laws, Languages, Customs, Manners, Habits, Shape, and Inclinations of the Natives. With an Account of many other adjacent Islands, and several remarkable Voyages through the Streights of Magellan, and in other Parts.
Leonardo de Argensola, Bartolomé
Maluku (Indonesia) -- History; Philippines -- History
He ran again in his Boat through those Seas, where Nature seem'd
to set up new Islands every Day; and Anchor'd in a Harbour, where,
among [Sarmiento's Industry.] other Precautions for Navigation, he
drew a Meridian Line on the Earth, and mark'd the Magnetick Needles,
refreshing them by touching again, because they had receiv'd some
Damage by the Storms and Damps. How weak a Guide have Men for mighty
Enterprizes! He prosecuted his Discovery of little Islands, and taking
Possession; and observ'd an Eclipse for the Benefit of Navigation, in
the Port of Misericordia, or Mercy, as he nam'd it. The Vice-Admiral
not coming to him, he suppos'd he was return'd to Lima, however he
waited for him ten Days, and five more in another newly discover'd,
and call'd, Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, or Our Lady of Candlemas,
three Leagues from the other. This Time having been agreed upon between
them to expect one another, which when expir'd, each was to make the
best of his Way into Spain; Sarmiento being positive, contrary to
the Opinion of the Pilots, that there was the Streight of Magellan.
On St. Agnes's Day he Anchor'd at the Island which forms that Harbour,
for which Reason he gave it that Saint's Name. From the Ridge of a
Hill, which hangs bending like a Bow over a River, he perceiv'd five
Native Indians, who with Cries and Signs desired him to come to them;
the Spaniards answering them in the same Manner, the Indians held up a
[Indians by Signs show that Drake pass'd that Way.] white Scarf, and
our Men another. When they were come down to the Shore, they seem'd to
request they would draw near. Sarmiento sent them his Ensign, and the
Pilot Ferdinand Alonso, with only four Men, that they might not fear;
however they durst not come near the Boat. One of our Men went ashore,
and yet they would not trust him, yet drawing nearer because he was
alone, he gave them Chaquiras, that is, Glass-Beads, Hawks-Bells,
Combs, Ear-Rings, and Hempen-Cloth. Observe what mighty Designs were
couch'd under those Childish Gifts. Then the Ensign and Pilot came
ashore, cherishing and giving them other Toys, and show'd them what
every Thing was for, by applying it to the Use before them. This
pleas'd them extreamly, as did some little Linnen Flags, or Bannors,
our Men carry'd, made of narrow Slips of French Linnen, Canvas, and
Silesia Cloth. This made Sarmiento judge that they had before seen
Europeans, and they, without being ask'd, signify'd by intelligible
Tokens, that two Ships like ours had pass'd that Way, or were still
thereabouts, pointing to the South East, and in them bearded Men,
clad and arm'd after the same Manner. This was the first Intelligence
they found of the English Ships under Drake. The Indians with smiling
Countenances promis'd to come again. They went up the Land, and our
Men aboard the Ship, which not being far off, Sarmiento came ashore
to take Possession, with the usual Religious and Civil Ceremony.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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