After passing Cape Corrientes, he sailed on till he fell in with two islands to the southwards, in lat. 27 deg.  N. At one of these, which he named Santa Martha, about a league in circumference, he watered.  On Friday the 13th of May, he sailed along a shoal with a chain of islands, to one called Pola, in 26 deg. 30’ N. Between these islands and the continent is a spacious sea like a bay.  On the 15th of May he proceeded ten leagues along the chain of small islands, to two white ones which he called Los Martires in 26 deg. 15’ N. He continued along the coast, sometimes N. sometimes N.E. till the 23d of May, and on the 24th ran along the coast to the southwards as far as some small islands that lay out at sea, still believing that he was coasting along the shore of a large island.  As the anchorage between these small islands and the coast appeared convenient for the purpose, he continued there till the 3d of June taking in wood and water, and at the same time careened one of the ships named the St Christopher.  At this place the Indians for the first time came off in canoes to view the Spaniards, who refused to venture on shore though repeatedly invited.  Seeing the Spaniards about to heave one of the anchors, on purpose to shift its situation, the Indians laid hold of the cable as if to draw the ship away; on which the long-boat was sent after them, and the crew going on shore took four women and broke two old canoes.  No hostilities of any moment occurred, and the Indians even bartered some skins and low gold with the Spaniards for trinkets.

On Friday the 4th of June, while waiting for a wind to go in quest of a cacique named Carlos, who was reported by the Indians to have gold, an Indian came on board who was able to converse with the Spaniards, and who was consequently supposed to be a native of Hispaniola or of some of the other islands possessed by the Christians.  This man desired them to remain at their present anchorage, as the cacique intended to send gold to barter.  Accordingly, they soon after saw twenty canoes approaching, some of which were lashed two and two together.  Some of these canoes went to the anchors, which they endeavoured to weigh, but being unable attempted to cut the cables, while others of them drew near the ships and began to fight.  The long-boat well manned and armed was sent against them, and put them to flight, taking four prisoners and killing several of the Indians.  Ponce sent two of the prisoners to tell the cacique that he was willing to make peace with him, although he had slain one of the Spaniards.  Next day the boats were sent to sound the harbour, and some of the men landed, when they were assured by the Indians that the cacique would come next day to trade; but this was a mere feint to gain time, as at eleven o’clock eighty canoes well equipped and full of men attacked the ship nearest the shore, and fought till night without doing any harm, as all their arrows fell short, and