Page:Early voyages to Terra Australis.djvu/183

 LUIS VAEZ 1)E TORRES, 3b

great swell we were overset with miicli risk of our lives, and so we were obliged to go on without getting water at this island. We named it Matanza.

We sailed in this parallel thirty-two days. In all this route we had very strong currents, and many drifts of wood and snakes, and many birds, all which were signs of land on both sides of us. We did not search for it, that we might not leave the latitude of the island of Santa Cruz, for we always supposed ourselves near it ; and with reason, if it had been where the first voyage when it was discovered had represented ; but it was much further on, as by the account will be seen. ' So that about sixty leagues before reaching it, and 1940 from the city of Lima, we found a small island of six leagues, very high, and all round it very good sound- ings ; and other small islands near it, under shelter of which the ships anchored. I went with the two boats and fifty men to reconnoitre the people of this island ; and at the dis- tance of a musket shot separate from the island, we found a town surrounded with a wall, with only one entrance, with- out a gate. Being near with the two boats with an intention of investing them, as they did not by signs choose peace, at length their chief came into the water up to his neck, with a stafi*in his hand, and without fear came directly to the boats ; where he was very well received, and by signs which we very Well understood, he told me that his people were in great terror of the muskets, and therefore he entreated us not to land, and said that they would bring water and wood if we gave them vessels. I told him that it was necessary to remain five days on shore to refresh. Seeing he could not do more with me he quieted his people, who were very uneasy and turbulent, and so it happened that no hostility was com- mitted on either side. We went into the fort very safely; and having halted, I made them give up their arms, and made them bring from their houses their effects, which were not of any value, and go with them to the island to other