The distance was not
great, and in a few days they would all be relieved from their perilous
position. The officer detached on this service was named Montenegro;
and taking with him nearly half the company, after receiving Pizarro's
directions, he instantly weighed anchor, and steered for the Isle of Pearls.
On the departure of his vessel, the Spanish commander made an attempt
to explore the country, and see if some Indian settlement might not be
found, where he could procure refreshments for his followers. But his
efforts were vain, and no trace was visible of a human dwelling; though,
in the dense and impenetrable foliage of the equatorial regions, the
distance of a few rods might suffice to screen a city from observation.
The only means of nourishment left to the unfortunate adventurers were
such shell-fish as they occasionally picked up on the shore, or the bitter
buds of the palm-tree, and such berries and unsavory herbs as grew wild
in the woods. Some of these were so poisonous, that the bodies of those
who ate them swelled up and were tormented with racking pains. Others,
preferring famine to this miserable diet, pined away from weakness and
actually died of starvation. Yet their resolute leader strove to maintain
his own cheerfulness and to keep up the drooping spirits of his men.
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