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to her Majesty； and to resist the Spaniards if they made any attempt in our
absence； and that they would draw in the nations about the lake of Cassipa
and those of Iwarawaqueri； I then parted from old Topiawari； and received
his son for a pledge between us； and left with him two of ours as aforesaid。
To Francis Sparrow I gave instructions to travel to Macureguarai with
such merchandises as I left with them； thereby to learn the place； and if it
were possible； to go on to the great city of Manoa。 Which being done； we
weighed anchor and coasted the river on Guiana side； because we came
upon the north side； by the lawns of the Saima and Wikiri。
There came with us from Aromaia a cacique called Putijma； that
commanded the province of Warapana； which Putijma slew the nine
Spaniards upon Caroli before spoken of； who desired us to rest in the port
of his country； promising to bring us unto a mountain adjoining to his
town that had stones of the colour of gold； which he performed。 And after
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we had rested there one night I went myself in the morning with most of
the gentlemen of my company over…land towards the said mountain；
marching by a river's side called Mana； leaving on the right hand a town
called Tuteritona； standing in the province of Tarracoa； of which
Wariaaremagoto is principal。 Beyond it lieth another town towards the
south； in the valley of Amariocapana； which beareth the name of the said
valley； whose plains stretch themselves some sixty miles in length； east
and west； as fair ground and as beautiful fields as any man hath ever seen；
with divers copses scattered here and there by the river's side； and all as
full of deer as any forest or park in England； and in every lake and river
the like abundance of fish and fowl； of which Irraparragota is lord。
From the river of Mana we crossed another river in the said beautiful
valley called Oiana； and rested ourselves by a clear lake which lay in the
middle of the said Oiana； and one of our guides kindling us fire with two
sticks； we stayed awhile to dry our shirts； which with the heat hung very
wet and heavy on our shoulders。 Afterwards we sought the ford to pass
over towards the mountain called Iconuri； where Putijma foretold us of the
mine。 In this lake we saw one of the great fishes； as big as a wine pipe；
which they call manati； being most excellent and wholesome meat。 But
after I perceived that to pass the said river would require half…a…day's
march more； I was not able myself to endure it； and therefore I sent
Captain Keymis with six shot to go on； and gave him order not to return to
the port of Putijma； which is called Chiparepare； but to take leisure； and to
march down the said valley as far as a river called Cumaca； where I
promised to meet him again； Putijma himself promising also to be his
guide。 And as they marched； they left the towns of Emperapana and
Capurepana on the right hand； and marched from Putijma's house； down
the said valley of Amariocapana； and we returning the same day to the
river's side； saw by the way many rocks like unto gold ore； and on the left
hand a round mountain which consisted of mineral stone。
From hence we rowed down the stream； coasting the province of
Parino。 As for the branches of rivers which I overpass in this discourse；
those shall be better expressed in the description； with the mountains of
Aio； Ara； and the rest； which are situate in the provinces of Parino and
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Carricurrina。 When we were come as far down as the land called Ariacoa；
where Orenoque divideth itself into three great branches； each of them
being most goodly rivers； I sent away Captain Henry Thyn； and Captain
Greenvile with the galley； the nearest way； and took with me Captain
Gifford； Captain Caulfield； Edward Porter； and Captain Eynos with mine
own barge and the two wherries； and went down that branch of Orenoque
which is called Cararoopana； which leadeth towards Emeria； the province
of Carapana； and towards the east sea； as well to find out Captain Keymis；
whom I had sent overland； as also to acquaint myself with Carapana； who
is one of the greatest of all the lords of the Orenoqueponi。 And when I
came to the river of Cumaca； to which Putijma promised to conduct
Captain Keymis； I left Captain Eynos and Master Porter in the said river to
expect his coming； and the rest of us rowed down the stream towards
Emeria。
In this branch called Cararoopana were also many goodly islands；
some of six miles long； some of ten； and some of twenty。 When it grew
towards sunset； we entered a branch of a river that fell into Orenoque；
called Winicapora； where I was informed of the mountain of crystal； to
which in truth for the length of the way； and the evil season of the year； I
was not able to march； nor abide any longer upon the journey。 We saw it
afar off； and it appeared like a white church… tower of an exceeding height。
There falleth over it a mighty river which toucheth no part of the side of
the mountain； but rusheth over the top of it； and falleth to the ground with
so terrible a noise and clamour； as if a thousand great bells were knocked
one against another。 I think there is not in the world so strange an overfall；
nor so wonderful to behold。 Berreo told me that there were diamonds and
other precious stones on it； and that they shined very far off； but what it
hath I know not； neither durst he or any of his men ascend to the top of the
said mountain； those people adjoining being his enemies； as they were；
and the way to it so impassable。
Upon this river of Winicapora we rested a while； and from thence
marched into the country to a town called after the name of the river；
whereof the captain was one Timitwara； who also offered to conduct me to
the top of the said mountain called Wacarima。 But when we came in first
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