The first voyage round the world, by Magellan : $b translated from the accounts of Pigafetta, and other contemporary writersPigafetta, Antonio
History
The first voyage round the world, by Magellan : $b translated from the accounts of Pigafetta, and other contemporary writers
Pigafetta, Antonio
Magalhães, Fernão de, -1521; Voyages around the world -- Early works to 1800
We remained seven days in this place; then we took the tack of
Maestral, passing through the midst of five isles, that is to say,
Ceylon, Bohol, Canighan, Baibai, and Satighan.[302] In this island of
Satighan is a kind of bird[303] called Barbastigly, which are as large
as eagles. Of these we killed only one, because it was late. We ate it,
and it had the taste of a fowl. There are also in this island doves,
tortoises, parrots, and certain black birds as large as a fowl, with
a long tail. They lay eggs as large as those of a goose. These they
put a good arm’s length[304] under the sand in the sun, where they are
hatched by the great heat which the heated sand gives out; and when
these birds are hatched they push up[305] the sand and come out. These
eggs are good to eat. From this island of Mazzabua[306] to that of
Satighan there are twenty leagues, and on leaving Satighan we went by
the west; but the King of Mazzabua could not follow us; therefore we
waited for him near three islands, that is to say, Polo, Ticobon, and
Pozzon. When the king arrived he was much astonished at our navigation,
the captain-general bade him come on board his ship with some of his
principal people, at which they were much pleased. Thus we went to
Zzubu, which is fifteen leagues off from Satighan.
Sunday, the 7th of April, about midday, we entered the port of
Zzubu, having passed by many villages. There[307] we saw many houses
which were built on trees. On approaching the principal town the
captain-general commanded all his ships to hang out their flags. Then
we lowered the sails in the fashion in which they are struck when going
to fight, and he had all the artillery fired, at which the people of
this place were greatly frightened. The captain sent a young man whom
he had brought up,[308] with the interpreter to the king of this island
Zzubu. These having come to the town, found a great number of people
and their king with them, all alarmed by the artillery which had been
fired. But the interpreter reassured them, saying that it was the
fashion and custom to fire artillery when they arrived at ports, to
show signs of peace and friendship; and also, to do more honour to the
king of the country, they had fired all the artillery. The king and
all his people were reassured. He then bade one of his principal men
ask what we were seeking. The interpreter answered him that his master
was captain of the greatest king in the world, and that he was going
by the command of the said sovereign to discover the Molucca islands.
However, on account of what he had heard where he had passed, and
especially from the King of Mazzava, of his courtesy and good fame, he
had wished to pass by his country to visit him, and also to obtain some
refreshment of victuals for his merchandise. The king answered him that
he was welcome, but that the custom was that all ships which arrived
at his country or port paid tribute, and it was only four days since
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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