Two Taíno men offer to guide Columbus to gold in Civao

Before the sun was up he weighed anchor with the land breeze. Among the many Indians who had come to the ship the day before, who had given them signs that there was gold in that island and had named the places where they gathered it, he saw one who seemed more ready and well disposed than the rest, or who spoke to him more cheerfully, and he flattered him, begging him to go with him to show him the gold mines. This man brought another with him, a companion or kinsman, and among the other places they named where the gold was gathered they spoke of Cipango, which they called Civao, and they affirm that there is a great quantity of gold there, and that the Cacique carries banners of beaten gold, except that it is very far off to the east. The Admiral here says these words to the Sovereigns: “Let Your Highnesses believe that in all the world there can be no better people, nor gentler: …