some one with whom to speak, but saw nobody.  Indeed, the owners of the fish had fled to the mountains on seeing them approach.  The Spaniards rested there to eat, and were pleased to find the fish, which had cost them nothing, much to their taste; but they did not touch the serpents.  They report that these latter were in no wise different from the crocodiles of the Nile, except in point of size.  According to Pliny, crocodiles as long as eighteen cubits have been found; while the largest in Cuba do not exceed eight feet.  When their hunger was satisfied, they penetrated into the neighbouring woods, where they found a number of these serpents tied to the trees with cords; some were attached by their heads, others had had their teeth pulled out.  While the Spaniards busied themselves in visiting the neighbourhood of the harbour, they discovered about seventy natives who had fled at their approach, and who now sought to know what these unknown people wanted.  Our men endeavoured to attract them by gestures and signs, and gentle words, and one of them, fascinated by the gifts which they exhibited from a distance, approached, but no nearer than a neighbouring rock.  It was clear that he was afraid.

[Note 14:  As will be later seen, these so-called serpents are iguanas.  They are still a common article of food throughout the islands, and tierra caliente of Mexico and Central America, and make savoury dishes.]

During his first voyage the Admiral had taken a native of Guanahani (an island near by Cuba), whom he had named Diego Columbus, and had brought up with his own children.  Diego served him as interpreter, and as his maternal tongue was akin to the language of the islander who had approached, he spoke to him.  Overcoming his fears, the islander came amongst the Spaniards, and persuaded his companions to join him as there was nothing to fear.  About seventy natives then descended from their rocks and made friends, and the Admiral offered them presents.

They were fishermen, sent to fish by their cacique, who was preparing a festival for the reception of another chief.  They were not at all vexed when they found that their fish had been eaten and their serpents left, for they considered these serpents the most delicate food.  Common people among them eat less often of the serpents than they would with us of pheasants or peacocks.  Moreover they could catch as many fish as the Spaniards had eaten, in one hour.  When asked why they cooked the fish they were to carry to their cacique, they replied that they did so to preserve it from corruption.  After swearing a mutual friendship they separated.

From that point of the Cuban coast which he had named Alpha, as we have said, the Admiral sailed towards the west.  The middle portions of the shores of the bay were well wooded but steep and mountainous.  Some of the trees were in flower, and the sweet perfumes they exhaled were wafted out across the sea,[15] while others were weighted with fruit.  Beyond the bay the country was more fertile and more populous.  The natives were likewise more civilised and more desirous of novelties, for, at the sight of the vessels, a crowd of them came down to the shore, offering our men the kind of bread they ate, and gourds full of water.  They begged them to come on land.