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the discovery of guiana-第11章

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enterprise; and of the great honour and riches which they attained
unto。

Now Berreo began to grow into despair; and looked for no other success
than his predecessor in this enterprise; until such time as he arrived
at the province of Emeria towards the east sea and mouth of the river;
where he found a nation of people very favourable; and the country
full of all manner of victual。 The king of this land is called
Carapana; a man very wise; subtle; and of great experience; being
little less than an hundred years old。 In his youth he was sent by his
father into the island of Trinidad; by reason of civil war among
themselves; and was bred at a village in that island; called Parico。
At that place in his youth he had seen many Christians; both French
and Spanish; and went divers times with the Indians of Trinidad to
Margarita and Cumana; in the West Indies; for both those places have
ever been relieved with victual from Trinidad: by reason whereof he
grew of more understanding; and noted the difference of the nations;
comparing the strength and arms of his country with those of the
Christians; and ever after temporised so as whosoever else did amiss;
or was wasted by contention; Carapana kept himself and his country in
quiet and plenty。 He also held peace with the Caribs or cannibals; his
neighbours; and had free trade with all nations; whosoever else had
war。

Berreo sojourned and rested his weak troop in the town of Carapana six
weeks; and from him learned the way and passage to Guiana; and the
riches and magnificence thereof。 But being then utterly unable to
proceed; he determined to try his fortune another year; when he had
renewed his provisions; and regathered more force; which he hoped for
as well out of Spain as from Nuevo Reyno; where he had left his son
Don Antonio Ximenes to second him upon the first notice given of his
entrance; and so for the present embarked himself in canoas; and by
the branches of Orenoque arrived at Trinidad; having from Carapana
sufficient pilots to conduct him。 From Trinidad he coasted Paria; and
so recovered Margarita; and having made relation to Don Juan
Sarmiento; the Governor; of his proceeding; and persuaded him of the
riches of Guiana; he obtained from thence fifty soldiers; promising
presently to return to Carapana; and so into Guiana。 But Berreo meant
nothing less at that time; for he wanted many provisions necessary for
such an enterprise; and therefore departed from Margarita; seated
himself in Trinidad; and from thence sent his camp…master and his
sergeant…major back to the borders to discover the nearest passage
into the empire; as also to treat with the borderers; and to draw them
to his party and love; without which; he knew he could neither pass
safely; nor in any sort be relieved with victual or aught else。
Carapana directed his company to a king called Morequito; assuring
them that no man could deliver so much Guiana as Morequito could; and
that his dwelling was but five days' journey from Macureguarai; the
first civil town of Guiana。

Now your lordship shall understand that this Morequito; one of the
greatest lords or kings of the borders of Guiana; had two or three
years before been at Cumana and at Margarita; in the West Indies; with
great store of plates of gold; which he carried to exchange for such
other things as he wanted in his own country; and was daily feasted;
and presented by the governors of those places; and held amongst them
some two months。 In which time one Vides; Governor of Cumana; won him
to be his conductor into Guiana; being allured by those croissants and
images of gold which he brought with him to trade; as also by the
ancient fame and magnificence of El Dorado; whereupon Vides sent into
Spain for a patent to discover and conquer Guiana; not knowing of the
precedence of Berreo's patent; which; as Berreo affirmeth; was signed
before that of Vidas。 So as when Vides understood of Berreo and that
he had made entrance into that territory; and foregone his desire and
hope; it was verily thought that Vides practised with Morequito to
hinder and disturb Berreo in all he could; and not to suffer him to
enter through his seignory; nor any of his companies; neither to
victual; nor guide them in any sort。 For Vides; Governor of Cumana;
and Berreo; were become mortal enemies; as well for that Berreo had
gotten Trinidad into his patent with Guiana; as also in that he was by
Berreo prevented in the journey of Guiana itself。 Howsoever it was; I
know not; but Morequito for a time dissembled his disposition;
suffered ten Spaniards and a friar; which Berreo had sent to discover
Manoa; to travel through his country; gave them a guide for
Macureguarai; the first town of civil and apparelled people; from
whence they had other guides to bring them to Manoa; the great city of
Inga; and being furnished with those things which they had learned of
Carapana were of most price in Guiana; went onward; and in eleven days
arrived at Manoa; as Berreo affirmeth for certain; although I could
not be assured thereof by the lord which now governeth the province of
Morequito; for he told me that they got all the gold they had in other
towns on this side Manoa; there being many very great and rich; and
(as he said) built like the towns of Christians; with many rooms。

When these ten Spaniards were returned; and ready to put out of the
border of Aromaia (the district below the Caroni river); the people of
Morequito set upon them; and slew them all but one that swam the
river; and took from them to the value of 40;000 pesos of gold; and
one of them only lived to bring the news to Berreo; that both his nine
soldiers and holy father were benighted in the said province。 I myself
spake with the captains of Morequito that slew them; and was at the
place where it was executed。 Berreo; enraged herewithal; sent all the
strength he could make into Aromaia; to be revenged of him; his
people; and country。 But Morequito; suspecting the same; fled over
Orenoque; and through the territories of the Saima and Wikiri
recovered Cumana; where he thought himself very safe; with Vides the
governor。 But Berreo sending for him in the king's name; and his
messengers finding him in the house of one Fajardo; on the sudden; ere
he was suspected; so as he could not then be conveyed away; Vides
durst not deny him; as well to avoid the suspicion of the practice; as
also for that an holy father was slain by him and his people。
Morequito offered Fajardo the weight of three quintals in gold; to let
him escape; but the poor Guianian; betrayed on all sides; was
delivered to the camp…master of Berreo; and was presently executed。

After the death of this Morequito; the soldiers of Berreo spoiled his
territory and took divers prisoners。 Among others they took the uncle
of Morequito; called Topiawari; who is now king of Aromaia; whose son
I brought with me into England; and is a man of great understanding
and policy; he is above an hundred years old; and yet is of a very
able body。 The Spaniards led him in a chain seventeen days; and made
him their guide from place to place between his country and Emeria;
the province of Carapan
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