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 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 to the house of the said Timitwara； being upon one of their said
feast days； we found them all as drunk as beggars； and the pots
walking from one to another without rest。 We that were weary and hot
with marching were glad of the plenty； though a small quantity
satisfied us； their drink being very strong and heady； and so rested
ourselves awhile。 After we had fed； we drew ourselves back to our
boats upon the river； and there came to us all the lords of the
country； with all such kind of victual as the place yielded； and with
their delicate wine of pinas； and with abundance of hens and other
provisions； and of those stones which we call spleen…stones。 We
understood by these chieftains of Winicapora that their lord；
Carapana； was departed from Emeria； which was now in sight； and that
he was fled to Cairamo； adjoining to the mountains of Guiana； over the
valley called Amariocapana； being persuaded by those ten Spaniards
which lay at his house that we would destroy him and his country。 But
after these caciques of Winicapora and Saporatona his followers
perceived our purpose； and saw that we came as enemies to the
Spaniards only； and had not so much as harmed any of those nations；
no； though we found them to be of the Spaniards' own servants； they
assured us that Carapana would be as ready to serve us as any of the
lords of the provinces which we had passed； and that he durst do no
other till this day but entertain the Spaniards； his country lying so
directly in their way； and next of all other to any entrance that
should be made in Guiana on that side。 And they further assured us；
that it was not for fear of our coming that he was removed； but to be
acquitted of the Spaniards or any other that should come hereafter。
For the province of Cairoma is situate at the mountain foot； which
divideth the plains of Guiana from the countries of the Orenoqueponi；
by means whereof if any should come in our absence into his towns； he
would slip over the mountains into the plains of Guiana among the
Epuremei； where the Spaniards durst not follow him without great
force。 But in mine opinion； or rather I assure myself； that Carapana
being a notable wise and subtle fellow； a man of one hundred years of
age and therefore of great experience； is removed to look on； and if
he find that we return strong he will be ours； if not； he will excuse
his departure to the Spaniards； and say it was for fear of our coming。
We therefore thought it bootless to row so far down the stream； or to
seek any farther of this old fox； and therefore from the river of
Waricapana； which lieth at the entrance of Emeria； we returned again；
and left to the eastward those four rivers which fall from the
mountains of Emeria into Orenoque； which are Waracayari； Coirama；
Akaniri； and Iparoma。 Below those four are also these branches and
mouths of Orenoque； which fall into the east sea； whereof the first is
Araturi； the next Amacura； the third Barima； the fourth Wana； the
fifth Morooca； the sixth Paroma； the last Wijmi。 Beyond them there
fall out of the land between Orenoque and Amazons fourteen rivers；
which I forbear to name； inhabited by the Arwacas and Cannibals。
It is now time to return towards the north； and we found it a
wearisome way back from the borders of Emeria； to recover up again to
the head of the river Carerupana； by which we descended； and where we
parted from the galley； which I directed to take the next way to the
port of Toparimaca； by which we entered first。
All the night it was stormy and dark； and full of thunder and great
showers； so as we were driven to keep close by the banks in our small
boats； being all heartily afraid both of the billow and terrible
current of the river。 By the next morning we recovered the mouth of
the river of Cumaca； where we left Captain Eynos and Edward Porter to
attend the coming of Captain Keymis overland； but when we entered the
same； they had heard no news of his arrival； which bred in us a great
doubt what might become of him。 I rowed up a league or two farther
into the river； shooting off pieces all the way； that he might know of
our being there； and the next morning we heard them answer us also
with a piece。 We took them aboard us； and took our leave of Putijma；
their guide； who of all others most lamented our departure； and
offered to send his son with us into England； if we could have stayed
till he had sent back to his town。 But our hearts were cold to behold
the great rage and increase of Orenoque； and therefore departed； and
turned toward the west； till we had recovered the parting of the three
branches aforesaid； that we might put down the stream after the
galley。
The next day we landed on the island of Assapano； which divideth the
river from that branch by which we sent down to Emeria； and there
feasted ourselves with that beast which is called armadillo； presented
unto us before at Winicapora。 And the day following； we recovered the
galley at anchor at the port of Toparimaca； and the same evening
departed with very foul weather； and terrible thunder and showers； for
the winter was come on very far。 The best was； we went no less than
100 miles a day down the river； but by the way we entered it was
impossible to return； for that the river of Amana； being in the bottom
of the bay of Guanipa； cannot be sailed back by any means； both the
breeze and current of the sea were so forcible。 And therefore we
followed a branch of Orenoque called Capuri； which entered into the
sea eastward of our ships； to the end we might bear with them before
the wind； and it was not without need； for we had by that way as much
to cross of the main sea； after we came to the river's mouth； as
between Gravelin and Dover； in such boats as your honour hath heard。
To speak of what passed homeward were tedious； either to describe or
name any of the rivers； islands； or villages of the Tivitivas； which
dwell on trees； we will leave all those to the general map。 And to be
short； when we were arrived at the sea…side； then grew our greatest
doubt； and the bitterest of all our journey forepassed； for I protest
before God； that we were in a most desperate estate。 For the same
night which we anchored in the mouth of the river of Capuri； where it
falleth into the sea； there arose a mighty storm； and the river's
mouth was at least a league broad； so as we ran before night close
under the land with our small boats； and brought the galley as near as
we could。 But she had as much ado to live as could be； and there
wanted little of her sinking； and all those in her； for mine own part；
I confess I was very doubtful which way to take； either to go over in
the pestered （crowded） galley； there being but six foot water over the
sands for two leagues together； and that also in the channel； and she
drew five； or to adventure in so great a billow； and in so doubtful
weather； to cross the seas in my barge。 The longer we tarried the
worse it was； and therefore I took Captain Gifford； Captain Caulfield；
and my cousin Greenvile into my barge； and after it cleared up about
midnight we put ourselves to God's keeping； and thrust out into the
sea； leaving the galley at anchor； who durst not adventure but by
daylight。 And so； being all very sober and melancholy； one faintly
cheering another to shew courage； it pleased God that the next day
about nine o'clock； we descried the island of Trinidad； and steering
for the nearest part of it； we kept