"...for I knew that they were a people who could be more easily freed and converted to our holy faith...They afterwards came to the ship's boats where we were, swimming and bringing us parrots, cotton threads in skeins, darts, and many other things; and we exchanged them for other things that we gave them, such as glass beads and small bells. In fine they took all, and gave what they had with good will. It appeared to me to be a race of people very poor in everything. They go as naked as when their mothers bore them...They are very well made, with handsome bodies, and very good countenances. Their hair is short and coarse, almost like the hairs of a horse's tail...They paint themselves black, and they are the color of the Canarians, neither black nor white...They neither carry nor know anything of arms, for I showed them swords, and they took them by the blade and cut themselves through ignorance...They are all of fair stature and size, with good laces, and well made. I saw some with marks of wounds on their bodies, and I made signs to ask what it was, and they gave me to understand that people from other adjacent islands came with the intention of seizing them...I believed, and still believe, that they come here from the mainland to take them prisoners. They should be good servants and intelligent, for I observed that they quickly took in what was said to them, and I believe that they would easily be made Christians, as it appeared to me that they had no religion, our Lord being pleased, will take hence, as the time of my departure, six natives for your Highnesses that they may learn to speak..."