The king comes to the Niña and promises Columbus everything he has

Today at sunrise the king of that land, who was in that place, came to the caravel Niña, where the Admiral was, and almost weeping told him not to grieve, for he would give him all he had, and that he had given the Christians who were ashore two very large houses, and would give them more if they were needed, and as many canoes as could load and unload the ship and put ashore as many people as he wished; and that he had done so yesterday, without a crumb of bread or any other thing being taken: “so faithful (says the Admiral) are they, and without greed for what belongs to others, and that virtuous king above all”. While the Admiral was talking with him, another canoe came from another place bringing certain pieces of gold, which they wanted to give for one hawk’s bell, for there was nothing they desired so much as hawks’ bells. The canoe has not yet come alongside when they were calling and showing the pieces of gold, saying chuq chuq for hawks’ bells, for they are on the point of going mad for them. …