Thirty-two caciques were assembled in the house of Anacauchoa, where they had brought their tribute.  In addition to what had been agreed upon, they sought to win favour by adding numerous presents, which consisted of two kinds of bread, roots, grains, utias, that is to say, rabbits, which are numerous in the island, fish, which they had preserved by cooking them, and those same serpents, resembling crocodiles, which they esteem a most delicate food.  We have described them above, and the natives call them iguanas.  They are special to Hispaniola.[6] Up to that time none of the Spaniards had ventured to eat them because of their odour, which was not only repugnant but nauseating, but the Adelantado, won by the amiability of the cacique’s sister, consented to taste a morsel of iguana; and hardly had his palate savoured this succulent flesh than he began to eat it by the mouthful.  Henceforth the Spaniards were no longer satisfied to barely taste it, but became epicures in regard to it, and talked of nothing else than the exquisite flavour of these serpents, which they found to be superior to that of peacocks, pheasants, or partridges.  If, however, they are cooked as we do peacocks and pheasants, which are first larded and then roasted, the serpent’s flesh loses its good flavour.  First they gut them, then wash and clean them with care, and roll them into a circle, so that they look like the coils of a sleeping snake; after which they put them in a pot, just large enough to hold them, pouring over them a little water flavoured with the pepper found in the island.  The pot is covered and a fire of odorous wood which gives very little light is kindled underneath it.  A juice as delicious as nectar runs drop by drop from the insides.  It is reported that there are few dishes more appetising than iguana eggs cooked over a slow fire.  When they are fresh and served hot they are delicious, but if they are preserved for a few days they still further improve.  But this is enough about cooking recipes.  Let us pass on to other subjects.

[Note 6:  Iguanas are found in all the tierras calientes of the continent.]

The tribute of cotton sent by the caciques filled the Adelantado’s hut, and, in addition, he accepted their promise to furnish him all the bread he needed.  While waiting for the bread to be made in the different districts, and brought to the house of Beuchios Anacauchoa, King of Xaragua, he sent to Isabella directing that one of the caravels he had ordered to be built be brought to him, promising the colonists that he would send it back to them loaded with bread.  The delighted sailors made the tour of the island with alacrity, and landed on the coast of Xaragua.  As soon as that brilliant, prudent, and sensible woman called Anacaona, sister of Beuchios Anacauchoa, heard that our ship had reached the coast of her country, she persuaded her brother to accompany her to visit it.  The distance from the royal residence to the coast