It is a great island divided into two kingdoms, of which ours is the larger." "Are your people great fighters ?" "Yes.

We have fought many obstinate wars with the nation lying on the mainland opposite to us, and our men have beaten theirs when they have outnumbered us many-fold; but at present we are at peace.
We found that, while we could beat them in battle, we could not continue to hold a country that lay separated from us by the sea." "And you are friends with the Spaniards also ?" "Yes.

We have never warred with Spain, and our king has as his wife a princess of that country.

Trading at Spanish ports, we learned that there was a rumor among the Spaniards that, far to the west, lay a great people possessing vast stores of gold, and riches of all kinds; and so my father, who was the captain of one of these floating castles, determined to sail across the sea and, in despite of the Spaniards and their rules, endeavor to perform the adventure of discovering, if possible, this great nation." "What would have happened if the Spaniards had met you, as you passed through their waters ?" "Had they succeeded in taking our ship, they would have killed us without mercy; but we had a strong crew, and would have matched ourselves, willingly enough, against any Spanish ship, however big, that interfered with us." "And what became of your ship ?" "She struck during a gale on the coast of Tabasco, and was dashed to pieces.

My father and all on board were drowned.