Columbus enters Cibao, where people bring food and gold grains

… rather it is generally very dry, except in the low ground of the rivers, though it abounds in countless pines, very rare and scattered and very tall, which bear no cones, arranged by nature in such an order as if they were the olive trees of the Ajarafe of Seville. This whole province is most healthful, the airs most gentle, and the waters, beyond comparison, light and sweet. The Admiral says here that this province would be as large as the kingdom of Portugal, but I, who have walked it and know far more and better than he, say that I believe it to be larger than that kingdom by half again. In every stream they crossed they found small grains of gold, because all the gold of Cibao is commonly fine, though in some places and streams large grains have been found, and one was found of 800 pesos, which makes sixteen pounds. And because, as was said above in chapter 89, the Admiral had sent Alonso de Hojeda a few days before to see that province, its people were already advised of the coming of the Christians, and they knew that the Guamiquina of the Christians was coming (Guamiquina was their word for the great lord). …