December 30th 1492

My hands shake even now as I write. Today we made landfall to what will forever to me be known as hell on earth. I am not a devout man, but I have prayed for our deliverance from this place.

We lost a man today to a snakebite, he was a large strong fellow who was felled by a small brown snake no larger than my arm. He was dead in moments. I must admit it was difficult to watch. We buried him hastily upon a verdant grassland.

We discovered huge creatures the height of a man, with fawn brown fur and dainty faces, they posses powerful hindquarters and can easily jump fifteen feet, forwards, backwards or straight up. They seem playful yet dangerous. We avoided contact. Although they could prove to be a food source.

Our search for water was also quite traumatic. I was almost killed by a great water dragon. It was concealed beneath the surface of the only freshwater we have found. As I filled my canteen it lay in wait. If not for the heroics of young Marco I would surely have fallen prey to it's great jaws. I shudder at the thought.

More still! As if that was not enough! After fleeing the river we went back the way we had come only to discover Jaquez had been dug up and ravaged by a pack of wild dogs or wolves. The creatures snarled and snapped at us as we attempted to stop his desecration. We were able to kill three of them before the rest of the sandy colored cretins fled. They are roughly the size of a wolfhound with deceptively attractive faces and large ears giving them a comical appearance. If not for seeing their fangs that easily rip apart a mans flesh I would be inclined to like them.

We have decided to stay only long enough to make necessary repairs and collect fresh water.

I fear this place

C.Columbus