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customs。 And because I have not myself seen the cities of Inga I cannot
avow on my credit what I have heard； although it be very likely that the
emperor Inga hath built and erected as magnificent palaces in Guiana as
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his ancestors did in Peru； which were for their riches and rareness most
marvellous； and exceeding all in Europe； and； I think； of the world； China
excepted； which also the Spaniards； which I had； assured me to be true； as
also the nations of the borderers； who； being but savages to those of the
inland； do cause much treasure to be buried with them。 For I was informed
of one of the caciques of the valley of Amariocapana which had buried
with him a little before our arrival a chair of gold most curiously wrought；
which was made either in Macureguarai adjoining or in Manoa。 But if we
should have grieved them in their religion at the first； before they had been
taught better； and have digged up their graves； we had lost them all。 And
therefore I held my first resolution； that her Majesty should either accept
or refuse the enterprise ere anything should be done that might in any sort
hinder the same。 And if Peru had so many heaps of gold； whereof those
Ingas were princes； and that they delighted so much therein； no doubt but
this which now liveth and reigneth in Manoa hath the same humour； and； I
am assured； hath more abundance of gold within his territory than all Peru
and the West Indies。
For the rest； which myself have seen； I will promise these things that
follow； which I know to be true。 Those that are desirous to discover and to
see many nations may be satisfied within this river； which bringeth forth
so many arms and branches leading to several countries and provinces；
above 2；000 miles east and west and 800 miles south and north； and of
these the most either rich in gold or in other merchandises。 The common
soldier shall here fight for gold； and pay himself； instead of pence； with
plates of half…a…foot broad； whereas he breaketh his bones in other wars
for provant and penury。 Those commanders and chieftains that shoot at
honour and abundance shall find there more rich and beautiful cities； more
temples adorned with golden images； more sepulchres filled with treasure；
than either Cortes found in Mexico or Pizarro in Peru。 And the shining
glory of this conquest will eclipse all those so far…extended beams of the
Spanish nation。 There is no country which yieldeth more pleasure to the
inhabitants； either for those common delights of hunting； hawking； fishing；
fowling； and the rest； than Guiana doth； it hath so many plains； clear rivers；
and abundance of pheasants； partridges； quails； rails； cranes； herons； and
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all other fowl； deer of all sorts； porks； hares； lions； tigers； leopards； and
divers other sorts of beasts； either for chase or food。 It hath a kind of beast
called cama or anta （tapir）； as big as an English beef； and in great plenty。
To speak of the several sorts of every kind I fear would be troublesome to
the reader； and therefore I will omit them； and conclude that both for
health； good air； pleasure； and riches； I am resolved it cannot be equalled
by any region either in the east or west。 Moreover the country is so
healthful； as of an hundred persons and more； which lay without shift most
sluttishly； and were every day almost melted with heat in rowing and
marching； and suddenly wet again with great showers； and did eat of all
sorts of corrupt fruits； and made meals of fresh fish without seasoning； of
tortugas； of lagartos or crocodiles； and of all sorts good and bad； without
either order or measure； and besides lodged in the open air every night； we
lost not any one； nor had one ill…disposed to my knowledge； nor found any
calentura or other of those pestilent diseases which dwell in all hot regions；
and so near the equinoctial line。
Where there is store of gold it is in effect needless to remember other
commodities for trade。 But it hath； towards the south part of the river；
great quantities of brazil…wood； and divers berries that dye a most perfect
crimson and carnation； and for painting； all France； Italy； or the East
Indies yield none such。 For the more the skin is washed； the fairer the
colour appeareth； and with which even those brown and tawny women
spot themselves and colour their cheeks。 All places yield abundance of
cotton； of silk； of balsamum； and of those kinds most excellent and never
known in Europe； of all sorts of gums； of Indian pepper； and what else the
countries may afford within the land we know not； neither had we time to
abide the trial and search。 The soil besides is so excellent and so full of
rivers； as it will carry sugar； ginger； and all those other commodities which
the West Indies have。
The navigation is short； for it may be sailed with an ordinary wind in
six weeks； and in the like time back again； and by the way neither lee…
shore； enemies' coast； rocks； nor sands。 All which in the voyages to the
West Indies and all other places we are subject unto； as the channel of
Bahama； coming from the West Indies； cannot well be passed in the winter；
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and when it is at the best； it is a perilous and a fearful place； the rest of the
Indies for calms and diseases very troublesome； and the sea about the
Bermudas a hellish sea for thunder； lightning； and storms。
This very year （1595） there were seventeen sail of Spanish ships lost
in the channel of Bahama； and the great Philip； like to have sunk at the
Bermudas； was put back to St。 Juan de Puerto Rico； and so it falleth out in
that navigation every year for the most part。 Which in this voyage are not
to be feared； for the time of year to leave England is best in July； and the
summer in Guiana is in October； November； December； January； February；
and March； and then the ships may depart thence in April； and so return
again into England in June。 So as they shall never be subject to winter
weather； either coming； going； or staying there： which； for my part； I take
to be one of the greatest comforts and encouragements that can be thought