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and threefold among their baskets； every one laying hand on what he liked。
After he had rested awhile in my tent； I shut out all but ourselves and my
interpreter； and told him that I knew that both the Epuremei and the
Spaniards were enemies to him； his country and nations： that the one had
conquered Guiana already； and the other sought to regain the same from
them both； and therefore I desired him to instruct me what he could； both
of the passage into the golden parts of Guiana； and to the civil towns and
apparelled people of Inga。 He gave me an answer to this effect： first； that
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he could not perceive that I meant to go onward towards the city of Manoa；
for neither the time of the year served； neither could he perceive any
sufficient numbers for such an enterprise。 And if I did； I was sure with all
my company to be buried there； for the emperor was of that strength； as
that many times so many men more were too few。 Besides； he gave me
this good counsel and advised me to hold it in mind （as for himself； he
knew he could not live till my return）； that I should not offer by any means
hereafter to invade the strong parts of Guiana without the help of all those
nations which were also their enemies； for that it was impossible without
those； either to be conducted； to be victualled； or to have aught carried
with us； our people not being able to endure the march in so great heat and
travail； unless the borderers gave them help； to cart with them both their
meat and furniture。 For he remembered that in the plains of Macureguarai
three hundred Spaniards were overthrown； who were tired out； and had
none of the borderers to their friends； but meeting their enemies as they
passed the frontier； were environed on all sides； and the people setting the
long dry grass on fire； smothered them； so as they had no breath to fight；
nor could discern their enemies for the great smoke。 He told me further
that four days' journey from his town was Macureguarai； and that those
were the next and nearest of the subjects of Inga； and of the Epuremei； and
the first town of apparelled and rich people； and that all those plates of
gold which were scattered among the borderers and carried to other
nations far and near； came from the said Macureguarai and were there
made； but that those of the land within were far finer； and were fashioned
after the images of men； beasts； birds； and fishes。 I asked him whether he
thought that those companies that I had there with me were sufficient to
take that town or no； he told me that he thought they were。 I then asked
him whether he would assist me with guides； and some companies of his
people to join with us； he answered that he would go himself with all the
borderers； if the rivers did remain fordable； upon this condition； that I
would leave with him till my return again fifty soldiers； which he
undertook to victual。 I answered that I had not above fifty good men in all
there； the rest were labourers and rowers； and that I had no provision to
leave with them of powder； shot； apparel； or aught else； and that without
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those things necessary for their defence； they should be in danger of the
Spaniards in my absence； who I knew would use the same measures
towards mine that I offered them at Trinidad。 And although upon the
motion Captain Caulfield； Captain Greenvile； my nephew John Gilbert
and divers others were desirous to stay； yet I was resolved that they must
needs have perished。 For Berreo expected daily a supply out of Spain； and
looked also hourly for his son to come down from Nuevo Reyno de
Granada； with many horse and foot； and had also in Valencia； in the
Caracas； two hundred horse ready to march； and I could not have spared
above forty； and had not any store at all of powder； lead； or match to have
left with them； nor any other provision； either spade； pickaxe； or aught else
to have fortified withal。
When I had given him reason that I could not at this time leave him
such a company； he then desired me to forbear him and his country for that
time； for he assured me that I should be no sooner three days from the
coast but those Epuremei would invade him； and destroy all the remain of
his people and friends； if he should any way either guide us or assist us
against them。 He further alleged that the Spaniards sought his death； and
as they had already murdered his nephew Morequito； lord of that province；
so they had him seventeen days in a chain before he was king of the
country； and led him like a dog from place to place until he had paid an
hundred plates of gold and divers chains of spleen…stones for his ransom。
And now； since he became owner of that province； that they had many
times laid wait to take him； and that they would be now more vehement
when they should understand of his conference with the English。 /And
because/； said he； /they would the better displant me； if they cannot lay
hands on me； they have gotten a nephew of mine called Eparacano； whom
they have christened Don Juan； and his son Don Pedro； whom they have
also apparelled and armed； by whom they seek to make a party against me
in mine own country。 He also hath taken to wife one Louiana； of a strong
family； which are borderers and neighbours； and myself now being old and
in the hands of death am not able to travel nor to shift as when I was of
younger years。/ He therefore prayed us to defer it till the next year； when
he would undertake to draw in all the borderers to serve us； and then； also；
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it would be more seasonable to travel； for at this time of the year we
should not be able to pass any river； the waters were and would be so
grown ere our return。
He farther told me that I could not desire so much to invade
Macureguarai and the rest of Guiana but that the borderers would be more
vehement than I。 For he yielded for a chief cause that in the wars with the
Epuremei they were spoiled of their