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would have ended in mishaps。 But we fastened an anchor upon the land；
and with main strength drew her off； and so the fifteenth day we
discovered afar off the mountains of Guiana； to our great joy； and towards
the evening had a slent （push） of a northerly wind that blew very strong；
which brought us in sight of the great river Orenoque； out of which this
river descended wherein we were。 We descried afar off three other canoas
as far as we could discern them； after whom we hastened with our barge
and wherries； but two of them passed out of sight； and the third entered up
the great river； on the right hand to the westward； and there stayed out of
sight； thinking that we meant to take the way eastward towards the
province of Carapana； for that way the Spaniards keep； not daring to go
upwards to Guiana； the people in those parts being all their enemies； and
those in the canoas thought us to have been those Spaniards that were fled
from Trinidad； and escaped killing。 And when we came so far down as the
opening of that branch into which they slipped； being near them with our
barge and wherries； we made after them； and ere they could land came
within call； and by our interpreter told them what we were； wherewith they
came back willingly aboard us； and of such fish and tortugas' （turtles） eggs
as they had gathered they gave us； and promised in the morning to bring
the lord of that part with them； and to do us all other services they could。
That night we came to an anchor at the parting of the three goodly rivers
（the one was the river of Amana； by which we came from the north； and
ran athwart towards the south； the other two were of Orenoque； which
crossed from the west and ran to the sea towards the east） and landed upon
a fair sand； where we found thousands of tortugas' eggs； which are very
wholesome meat； and greatly restoring； so as our men were now well
filled and highly contented both with the fare； and nearness of the land of
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THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA
Guiana； which appeared in sight。
In the morning there came down； according to promise； the lord of that
border； called Toparimaca； with some thirty or forty followers； and
brought us divers sorts of fruits； and of his wine； bread； fish； and flesh；
whom we also feasted as we could； at least we drank good Spanish wine；
whereof we had a small quantity in bottles； which above all things they
love。 I conferred with this Toparimaca of the next way to Guiana； who
conducted our galley and boats to his own port； and carried us from thence
some mile and a…half to his town； where some of our captains caroused of
his wine till they were reasonable pleasant； for it is very strong with
pepper； and the juice of divers herbs and fruits digested and purged。 They
keep it in great earthen pots of ten or twelve gallons； very clean and sweet；
and are themselves at their meetings and feasts the greatest carousers and
drunkards of the world。 When we came to his town we found two caciques；
whereof one was a stranger that had been up the river in trade； and his
boats； people； and wife encamped at the port where we anchored； and the
other was of that country； a follower of Toparimaca。 They lay each of them
in a cotton hamaca； which we call Brazil beds； and two women attending
them with six cups； and a little ladle to fill them out of an earthen pitcher
of wine； and so they drank each of them three of those cups at a time one
to the other； and in this sort they drink drunk at their feasts and meetings。
That cacique that was a stranger had his wife staying at the port where
we anchored； and in all my life I have seldom seen a better favoured
woman。 She was of good stature； with black eyes； fat of body； of an
excellent countenance； her hair almost as long as herself； tied up again in
pretty knots； and it seemed she stood not in that awe of her husband as the
rest； for she spake and discoursed； and drank among the gentlemen and
captains； and was very pleasant； knowing her own comeliness； and taking
great pride therein。 I have seen a lady in England so like to her； as but for
the difference of colour； I would have sworn might have been the same。
The seat of this town of Toparimaca was very pleasant； standing on a
little hill； in an excellent prospect； with goodly gardens a mile compass
round about it； and two very fair and large ponds of excellent fish
adjoining。 This town is called Arowocai； the people are of the nation
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THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA
called Nepoios； and are followers of Carapana。 In that place I saw very
aged people； that we might perceive all their sinews and veins without any
flesh； and but even as a case covered only with skin。 The lord of this place
gave me an old man for pilot； who was of great experience and travel； and
knew the river most perfectly both by day and night。 And it shall be
requisite for any man that passeth it to have such a pilot； for it is four； five；
and six miles over in many places； and twenty miles in other places； with
wonderful eddies and strong currents； many great islands； and divers
shoals； and many dangerous rocks； and besides upon any increase of wind
so great a billow； as we were sometimes in great peril of drowning in the
galley； for the small boats durst not come from the shore but when it was
very fair。
The next day we hasted thence； and having an easterly wind to help us；
we spared our arms from rowing； for after we entered Orenoque； the river
lieth for the most part east and west； even from the sea unto Quito； in Peru。
This river is navigable with barks little less than 1000 miles； and from the
place where we entered it may be sailed up in small pinnaces to many of
the best parts of Nuevo Reyno de Granada and of Popayan。 And from no
place may the cities of these parts of the Indies be so easily taken and
invaded as from hence。 All that day we sailed up a branch of that river；
having on the left hand a great island； which they call Assapana； which
may contain some five…and… twenty miles in length； and six miles in
breadth； the great body of the river running on the other side of this island。
Beyond that middle branch there is also another i