Here we caught two in some canoes, whom we clothed and gave presents to, and the next day we put them ashore.  In return for this they shot a flight of arrows at a Spaniard, though in truth it was not in the same port, but about a musket shot further on.  They are, however, a people that never miss an opportunity of doing mischief.

In sight of this island and around it are many islands, very high and large, and to the southward one so large* that we stood for it, naming the island where our man was wounded, Santa, Maria.

[* This “one so large.” is Espiritu Santo; Torres, evidently, did not share Queiroz’s belief, but took it for what it was, an island.  See for corroboration what he says further on, 8 paragraphs below.]

Sailing thence to the southward towards the large island we discovered a very large bay, well peopled, and very fertile in yams and fruits, pigs and fowls.

They are all black people and naked.  They fought with bows, darts and clubs.  They did not choose to have peace with us, though we frequently spoke to them and made presents; and they never, with their good will, let us set foot on shore.

This bay is very refreshing, and in it fall many and large rivers.  It is in 15 deg. 45’ S., latitude and in circuit it is twenty-five leagues.  We named it the bay of San Felipe and Santiago, and the land del Espiritu Santo.

There we remained fifty days; we took possession in the Name of Your Majesty.

From within this bay, and from the most sheltered part of it, the Capitana departed at one hour past midnight, without any notice given to us, and without making any signal.  This happened the 11th of June, and although the next morning we went out to seek for them, and made all proper efforts, it was not possible for us to find them, for they did not sail on the proper course, nor with good intention.

So I was obliged to return to the bay, to see if by chance they had returned thither.  And on the same account we remained in this bay fifteen days, at the end of which we took Your Majesty’s orders,* and held a consultation with the officers of the Brigantine.

[* The orders included instructions to sail as far as the 21st parallel; also to rendezvous at Graciosa bay, which order Torres appears to have disobeyed.]

It was determined that we should fulfil them, although contrary to the inclination of many, I may say of the greater part; but my condition was different from that of Captain Pedro Fernandez de Queiroz.*

[* Torres insinuates here that Queiroz was overruled by his crew.]

TORRES LEAVES SANTO.

At length we sailed from this bay, in conformity to the order, although with intention to sail round this island,* but the season and strong currents would not allow of this, although I ran along a great part of it.  In what I saw there are very large mountains.  It has many ports, though soma of them are small.  All of it is well watered with rivers.