Here it was that a Mercenarian Fryer thought to have discovered some great treasure, which might inrich himselfe and all that Country, being fully perswaded that the metall that burned within that _Vulcan_ was Gold; whereupon hee caused a great Kettle to bee made, and hung at an iron chain to let it down from the top, thinking therewith to take up gold enough to make him Bishop and to inrich his poor kindred. But such was the power and strength of the fire within, that no sooner had hee let downe the Kettle, when it fell from the chain and from his hands being melted away.
This City of _Leon_ is very curiously built, for the chief delight of the Inhabitants consisteth in their houses, and in the pleasure of the Country adjoyning, and in the abundance of all things for the life of man, more then in any extraordinary riches, which there are not so much injoyed, as in other parts of _America_. They are contented with fine gardens, with variety of singing birds, and parrets, with plenty of fish and flesh, which is cheap, and with gay houses, and so lead a delicious, lazy and idle life; not aspiring much to trade and traffique, though they have neer unto them the Lake, which commonly every yeere sendeth forth some Frigats to _Havana_ by the North Sea, and _Realejo_ on the South Sea, which to them might bee very commodious for any dealing and rich Trading in _Peru_, or to _Mixco_, if their spirits would carry them so farre: The Gentlemen of this City are almost as vaine and phantasticall as are those of _Chiapa_. And especially from the pleasure of this City, is all that Province of _Nicaragua_, called by the _Spaniards Mahomets_ Paradise. From hence the way is plain and Levell to _Granada_, whither I got safely and joyfully, hoping that now I had no more journey to make by land, till I should land at _Dover_ in _England_, and from thence post up to _London_. Two dayes after I had arrived at this place and rested my selfe, and injoyed the pleasant prospect of the Lake, I began to think of dismissing my _Indian_ and Blackmore. But true and faithfull _Miguel Dalva_ would by no meanes leave mee, till he saw me shipped; and that I had no more need of him by land; Likewise the _Indian_ would willingly have stayed, but by no meanes I would permit him, for that I considered hee had a wife and children to looke to at home. Hee was as willing to return a foot, as to ride, because hee would have mee sell my mules, and make what mony I could of them; but I seeing the good nature of the _Indian_, would recompence his love with as much mony as might bee more beneficiall to him, then a tired Mule; which might have dyed in the way under him, and left him on foot; so I gave him money enough to bear his charges home, and to hire Mules at his one pleasure, and some to spare, when he came home. The _Indian_ with many teares falling from his eyes, saying, hee feared hee should never more see mee, tooke his leave of mee the third day after wee arrived at _Granada_. My Blackmore and I being left alone, first began to thinke of selling away the two Mules, which had brought thither the _Indian_, and my Chests; for which I got fourscore and ten peeces of eight after so long a journey, and thought they were well sold. I would have had _Miguel_ have sold away that whereon hee rid, (which was his own) and offered to buy him another that might better carry him back, but the loving and carefull Blackmore would not suffer mee to bee at such charges, considering the long journey which I was to make. After this, wee hearing that the frigats were not like to depart in a fortnight, thought of viewing well that stately and pleasant Towne a day or two, and then to betake our selves to some neer _Indian_ Town, where wee might bee hid, (lest by the great resort of Requa's of Mules, which at that time brought Indigo and Cochinill from _Guatemala_ to the Frigats, wee should bee discovered) and might now and then come to the Town to treat concerning my passing in one of the Frigats to the _Havana_ or to _Carthagena_. What in that Town wee observed was, two Cloisters of Mercenarian and Franciscan Fryers, and one of Nuns, very rich; and one Parish Church, which was as a Cathedrall, for the Bishop of _Leon_ did more constantly reside there then in the City. The houses are fairer then those of _Leon_, and the Town of more Inhabitants, among whom there are some few Merchants of very great wealth, and many of inferiour degree very well to passe, who trade with _Carthagena, Guatemala, San Salvador_, and _Comayagua_, and some by the South sea to _Peru_ and _Panama_.