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And after he knew that I had been in Guiana； and so far directly west as
Caroli； the first question he asked me was； whether I had seen any of the
Ewaipanoma； which are those without heads。 Who being esteemed a most
honest man of his word； and in all things else； told me that he had seen
many of them； I may not name him； because it may be for his
disadvantage； but he is well known to Monsieur Moucheron's son of
London； and to Peter Moucheron； merchant； of the Flemish ship that was
there in trade； who also heard； what he avowed to be true； of those people。
The fourth river to the west of Caroli is Casnero： which falleth into the
Orenoque on this side of Amapaia。 And that river is greater than Danubius；
or any of Europe： it riseth on the south of Guiana from the mountains
which divide Guiana from Amazons； and I think it to be navigable many
hundred miles。 But we had no time； means； nor season of the year； to
search those rivers； for the causes aforesaid； the winter being come upon
us； although the winter and summer as touching cold and heat differ not；
neither do the trees ever sensibly lose their leaves； but have always fruit
either ripe or green； and most of them both blossoms； leaves； ripe fruit；
and green； at one time： but their winter only consisteth of terrible rains；
and overflowing of the rivers； with many great storms and gusts； thunder
and lightnings； of which we had our fill ere we returned。
On the north side； the first river that falleth into the Orenoque is Cari。
Beyond it； on the same side is the river of Limo。 Between these two is a
great nation of Cannibals； and their chief town beareth the name of the
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THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA
river； and is called Acamacari。 At this town is a continual market of
women for three or four hatchets apiece； they are bought by the Arwacas；
and by them sold into the West Indies。 To the west of Limo is the river Pao；
beyond it Caturi； beyond that Voari； and Capuri （the Apure river）； which
falleth out of the great river of Meta； by which Berreo descended from
Nuevo Reyno de Granada。 To the westward of Capuri is the province of
Amapaia； where Berreo wintered and had so many of his people poisoned
with the tawny water of the marshes of the Anebas。 Above Amapaia；
toward Nuevo Reyno； fall in Meto； Pato and Cassanar。 To the west of
those； towards the provinces of the Ashaguas and Catetios； are the rivers
of Beta； Dawney； and Ubarro； and toward the frontier of Peru are the
provinces of Thomebamba； and Caxamalca。 Adjoining to Quito in the
north side of Peru are the rivers of Guiacar and Goauar； and on the other
side of the said mountains the river of Papamene which descendeth into
Maranon or Amazons； passing through the province Motilones； where Don
Pedro de Orsua； who was slain by the traitor Aguirre before rehearsed；
built his brigandines； when he sought Guiana by the way of Amazons。
Between Dawney and Beta lieth a famous island in Orenoque （now
called Baraquan； for above Meta it is not known by the name of Orenoque）
which is called Athule （cataract of Ature）； beyond which ships of burden
cannot pass by reason of a most forcible overfall； and current of water； but
in the eddy all smaller vessels may be drawn even to Peru itself。 But to
speak of more of these rivers without the description were but tedious； and
therefore I will leave the rest to the description。 This river of Orenoque is
navigable for ships little less than 1；000 miles； and for lesser vessels near
2；000。 By it； as aforesaid； Peru； Nuevo Reyno and Popayan may be
invaded： it also leadeth to the great empire of Inga； and to the provinces of
Amapaia and Anebas； which abound in gold。 His branches of Casnero；
Manta； Caura descend from the middle land and valley which lieth
between the easter province of Peru and Guiana； and it falls into the sea
between Maranon and Trinidad in two degrees and a half。 All of which
your honours shall better perceive in the general description of Guiana；
Peru； Nuevo Reyno； the kingdom of Popayan； and Rodas； with the
province of Venezuela； to the bay of Uraba； behind Cartagena； westward；
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and to Amazons southward。 While we lay at anchor on the coast of Canuri；
and had taken knowledge of all the nations upon the head and branches of
this river； and had found out so many several people； which were enemies
to the Epuremei and the new conquerors； I thought it time lost to linger
any longer in that place； especially for that the fury of Orenoque began
daily to threaten us with dangers in our return。 For no half day passed but
the river began to rage and overflow very fearfully； and the rains came
down in terrible showers； and gusts in great abundance； and withal our
men began to cry out for want of shift； for no man had place to bestow any
other apparel than that which he ware on his back； and that was throughly
washed on his body for the most part ten times in one day； and we had
now been well… near a month every day passing to the westward farther
and farther from our ships。 We therefore turned towards the east； and spent
the rest of the time in discovering the river towards the sea； which we had
not viewed； and which was most material。
The next day following we left the mouth of Caroli； and arrived again
at the port of Morequito where we were before； for passing down the
stream we went without labour； and against the wind； little less than a
hundred miles a day。 As soon as I came to anchor； I sent away one for old
Topiawari； with whom I much desired to have further conference； and also
to deal with him for some one of his country to bring with us into England；
as well to learn the language； as to confer withal by the way； the time
being now spent of any longer stay there。 Within three hours after my
messenger came to him； he arrived also； and with him such a rabble of all
sorts of people； and every one loaden with somewhat； as if it had been a
great market or fair in England； and our hungry companies clustered thick
and threefold among their baskets； every one la