The Foundation of Heaven
Excerpt:
5
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Diego Velazquez wrote to the King of Spain that he had been told by chiefs and Indians that, on occasion, certain Indians had come from the Islands beyond Cuba towards the side of the North navigating five or six days by canoe and... there gave news of other Islands beyond. " 

Velazquez wanted to investigate.  Three of his friends Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, Lopez Ochoa de Calcedo and Cristobal de Morante, did.  They were conquistadors from Sancti Spiritus.  They financed two ships, and Diego Velazquez, paid for a third.  Hernandez de Cordoba was a soldier.  They took 110 men with them.

The primary purpose of the expedition was to find slaves, however, those in charge wanted "to find new lands and new employment."  They hired the "clever and experienced" Antonio de Alaminos to be their pilot.  He had been to the Yucatan coast before, with Columbus and Ponce de Leon.

The Governor of Cuba, Diegp Velazuez played a major role. The Crown had prohibited exhibitions without royal approval.  Velazquez had secured a liscence from the Jeronymite priors. 

Hernandez de Cordoba had with him: a priest and a veedor, royal inspector.  The sailors were paid by the captian.  The soldiers also expected a share of the profits.  The Castilians had food and water on board: beef, pork, salt fish, sardines, anchovies, cassava flour, sun dried bacon, onions, cheese, garlic, and wine.  Once they hit land, they were to fend for themselves.

The three ships left Santiago de  Cuba on February 8, 1517.  They stopped briefly at Puerto Principe, for wood and water.  Alaminos then persuaded Hernandez de Cordoba to journey west, knowing that rich lands were there. 

After six days sailing, they found land.  The islands, Isla de Mujeres, possessed statues of goddesses, dressed from the waist down.  The Island, like those nearby it, and Yucatan was flat.  They were covered with trees.  It was hot all year round.  Birds were everywhere: "On the sea, the variety and multitude of the birds" was awesome.  Each species was beautiful.  There were "birds as big as brown ostriches, and with larger beaks.  They move on water hunting the fish and, when one is seen, they rise in the air and launch themselves with great force upon the fish.  They  never make a mis-stroke and on making the dive, continue swimming and swallowing the fish, without any preparation."

They moved on to what they thought was the main island of Yucatan.  Five large canoes of the Maya came to greet them.  They were perceived to be superior to to the Carribean natives, who wore nothing.  The Mayas hair was long; their faces and bodies were pierced; their chins were beardless; and many were many were bow legged and cross-eyed, a sign of beauty.  Thirty of them came aboard Hernandez's flagship.  The Spanish offered them presents: green glass beads, silk, woolen clothes, copper belts, and food.  The Mayas gratefully acknowledged, but "they themsleves made far more brilliant objects." 

The next day a Chief came, and another twelve large canoes, saying "Ecab Catoche" .   Hernadez de Cordoba realized he found new land, but still thought the territory was an island.  There were no interpreters, so communications were probably made by signs.