"
He had letters for the Adelantado from the great brother,
having waited in Cadiz while they were written.
Juan Lepe had likewise a letter. "I was in the _Nina_,
Don Juan de Aguado in the Santa Cruz. We met at once
head winds that continued. At first I made east, but at last
of necessity somewhat to the southward. We saw Marigalante
again and Guadaloupe, and making for this last, anchored
and went ashore, for the great relief of all, and for
water and provision. Here we met Amazons, wearing plumes
and handling mightily their bows and arrows. After them
came a host of men. Our cannon and arquebuses put them
to flight but three of our sailors were wounded. Certain prisoners
we took and bound upon the ships. In the village
that we entered we found honey and wax. They are Cannibals;
they eat men. After four days we set sail, but met
again tempest and head winds, checking us so that for
weeks we but crept and crawled over ocean. At last we
must give small doles of bread and water. There grew
famine, sickness and misery. I and all may endure these
when great things are about. But they blame me. O God,
who wills that the Unknown become the Known, I betake
myself to Thy court! Famine increased. There are those,
but I will not name them, who cried that we must kill the
Indians with us and eat them that we might live.
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