Page:Early voyages to Terra Australis.djvu/169

 THE SOUTHERN T,AND,. 21

of our own height, well clad, and of so peaceable and gentle a disposition that, in every way they could express, they showed the greatest hospitality, both with respect to the fruits and productions of their country, which appeared in every respect very rich and plentiful. But (being overjoyed to have discovered the coast of that great and so much desired continent) he returned to Chili, intending to go back properly fitted, and to keep it a secret till they and their friends could return on the discovery. It was delayed from day to day till Juan Fernandez died, when, with his death, this important matter fell to the ground.

In regard to this subject it must be observed, that many have related this discovery of Juan Fernandez in the fol- lowing manner, affirming that they had it thus from him- self, viz. : That going to the westward from Lima, to dis- cover the track to Chili, waiting their opportunity and getting off shore (where the winds almost always are south- erly), a certain space of longitude (which he would, at a proper time, declare) ; and then standing south, with little deviation to the adjoining points, he discovered the said coast of the southern continent in the latitude (which he would also tell when expedient), from whence he made his voyage to Chili.

Other relations, very worthy of credit, give this disco- very as before described ; but whether it happened in this or the other manner, or whether there were two different discourses, it is a very certain fact that he did discover the coast of the southern land ; for it has been thus certified by persons of great credit and authority, to whom the said Juan Fernandez communicated the account, with the above-men- tioned proofs and details of the country and the people thus discovered : and one of these witnesses, who made a state- ment thereof here to Your Majesty, as having heard it from the said pilot, and seen the description he brought of the said coast, was the Maestre del Campo Cortes, a man as worthy