[Note 1:  The description at this point is inaccurate and misleading.  The pearl islands number in all one hundred and eighty-three, forming an archipelago.  There are thirty-nine islands of considerable size, of which the principal ones are San Jose, San Miguel, and Isla del Rey; the others are small, some being no more than reefs, or isolated rocks rising above the surface of the sea.]

The cacique was overjoyed when they presented him with their usual trifles, such as glass beads, mirrors, copper bells, and perhaps some iron hatchets, for the natives prize these things more than heaps of gold.  In fact, they even make fun of the Spaniards for exchanging such important and useful articles for such a little gold.  Hatchets can be put to a thousand uses among them, while gold is merely a not indispensable luxury.  Pleased and enchanted by his bargains, the cacique, took the captain and his officers by the hand and led them to the top of one of the towers of his house from whence the view embraced an immense horizon towards the sea.  Looking about him, he said:  “Behold the infinite ocean which has no end towards the rising sun.”  He pointed to the east, and afterwards turning to the south and the west he gave them to understand that the continent, on which the vast mountain ranges were perceptible in the distance, was very large.  Glancing about nearer to them, he said:  “These islands lying to the left and right along the two coasts of our residence belong to us.  They are all rich; they are all happy, if you call lands happy which abound in gold and pearls.  In this particular place there is not much gold, but the shores of all these islands are strewn with pearls, and I will give you as many as you want if you will be my friends.  I prefer your manufactures to my pearls, and I wish to possess them.  Therefore do not imagine that I desire to break off relations with you.”

Such were the words, amongst many others similar, they exchanged.  When the Spaniards planned to leave, the cacique promised to send each year as a present to the great king of Castile a hundred pounds of pearls, at eight ounces to the pound.  He made this promise voluntarily, attaching little importance to it, and in no way considering himself their tributary.

There are so many rabbits and deer in that island that, without leaving their houses, the Spaniards could kill as many as they chose with their arrows.  Their life there was luxurious, and nothing was wanting.  The royal residence lies only six degrees from the equator.  Yucca, maize bread, and wine made from grains and fruits, are the same as at Comogra or amongst the other continental and insular tribes.

The cacique, Most Holy Father, was baptised with all his people who are become as sheep under their shepherd to increase your flock.  Pedro Arias, the governor, wished to bestow his name upon them.  The friendship established increased, and the cacique, to assist the Spaniards to regain the continent more easily, lent them his fishermen’s culches, that is to say barques dug out of treetrunks in the native fashion.  He also accompanied them to the shore.