The gold that they found was vpon this Island or maine land of Guadalcanal, whereas they landed and tooke a towne, finding small graines of golde hanged vp in the houses thereof. But because the Spaniards vnderstood not the language of the countrey, and also for that the Indians were very stout men, and fought continually against them, they could neuer learne from whence that gold came, nor yet what store was in the land.
These Indians vsed to go to sea in great Canoas that will carrie 100 men a piece, wherein they haue many conflicts one against another: howbeit vnto the Christians they could doe no great hurt; for that with a small pinnesse and two falcons a fewe may ouercome 100 of them. At this place foureteene men mistrusting nothing, rowed to land, to take in fresh water, whome on the sudden certaine Indians in foure Canoas set vpon, tooke the ships boat, and slewe all the men therein: wherefore a man cannot goe on shore too strong, nor yet be too wary in a strange land.
A towne burnt. Hereupon the Spaniards went on shore in their pinnesse, and burnt the towne, and in this towne they found the small graines of gold before mentioned. They were discouering of these Islands from one to another about foureteene moneths, at the ende of which time (because that vpon the coast where they were, the wind continuing still in one place, might bee an occasion of longer tarying) they consulted which way to returne. Southward they must not goe for feare of great tempests which are that way vsuall: wherefore sayling to the North of the line, they fell with the coast of Nueua Espanna; on which coast they met with such terrible stormes, that they were forced to cut their maine masts ouer-bourd, and to lye nine moneths beating it vp and downe in the sea, before they could get into any harborow of the Christians. In which time by reason of euill gouernment, and for lacke of victuals and fresh water, most of the men in the Admirall dyed; for fiue whole dayes together they had neither water nor meate: but in the other ships they behaued themselues so well, that the greater part of them came safe vnto the land. He that passeth the Streights of Maggellan, or saileth from the coast of Chili directly for the Malucos must needs runne in sight of some of these Islands before spoken of.
Abundance of good victuals vpon the Isles of Salomon. At which Islands lying so conueniently in the way to the Malucos you may furnish your selfe with plenty of victuals, as hogges, hennes, excellent almonds, potatos, sugar-canes, with diuers
