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第22章

the discovery of guiana-第22章

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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 the shore till we came to
Curiapan; where we found our ships at anchor; than which there was
never to us a more joyful sight。

Now that it hath pleased God to send us safe to our ships; it is time
to leave Guiana to the sun; whom they worship; and steer away towards
the north。 I will; therefore; in a few words finish the discovery
thereof。 Of the several nations which we found upon this discovery I
will once again make repetition; and how they are affected。 At our
first entrance into Amana; which is one of the outlets of Orenoque; we
left on the right hand of us in the bottom of the bay; lying directly
against Trinidad; a nation of inhuman Cannibals; which inhabit the
rivers of Guanipa and Berbeese。 In the same bay there is also a third
river; which is called Areo; which riseth on Paria side towards
Cumana; and that river is inhabited with the Wikiri; whose chief town
upon the said river is Sayma。 In this bay there are no more rivers but
these three before rehearsed and the four branches of Amana; all which
in the winter thrust so great abundance of water into the sea; as the
same is taken up fresh two or three leagues from the land。 In the
passages towards Guiana; that is; in all those lands which the eight
branches of Orenoque fashion into islands; there are but one sort of
people; called Tivitivas; but of two castes; as they term them; the
one called Ciawani; the other Waraweeti; and those war one with
another。

On the hithermost part of Orenoque; as at Toparimaca and Winicapora;
those are of a nation called Nepoios; and are the followers of
Carapana; lord of Emeria。 Between Winicapora and the port of
Morequito; which standeth in Aromaia; and all those in the valley of
Amariocapana are called Orenoqueponi; and did obey Morequito and are
now followers of Topiawari。 Upon the river of Caroli are the Canuri;
which are governed by a woman who is inheritrix of that province; who
came far off to see our nation; and asked me divers questions of her
Majesty; being much delighted with the discourse of her Majesty's
greatness; and wondering at such reports as we truly made of her
Highness' many virtues。 And upon the head of Caroli and on the lake of
Cassipa are the three strong nations of the Cassipagotos。 Right south
into the land are the Capurepani and Emparepani; and beyond those;
adjoining to Macureguarai; the first city of Inga; are the
Iwarawakeri。 All these are professed enemies to the Spaniards; and to
the rich Epuremei also。 To the west of Caroli are divers nations of
Cannibals and of those Ewaipanoma without heads。 Directly west are the
Amapaias and Anebas; which are also marvellous rich in gold。 The rest
towards Peru we will omit。 On the north of Orenoque; between it and
the West Indies; are the Wikiri; Saymi; and the rest before spoken of;
all mortal enemies to the Spaniards。 On the south side of the main
mouth of Orenoque are the Arwacas; and beyond them; the Cannibals; and
to the south of them; the Amazons。

To make mention of the several beasts; birds; fishes; fruits; flowers;
gums; sweet woods; and of their several religions and customs; would
for the first require as many volumes as those of Gesnerus; and for
the next another bundle of Decades。 The religion of the Epuremei is
the same which the Ingas; emperors of Peru; used; which may be read in
Cieza and other Spanish stories; how they believe the immortality of
the soul; worship the sun; and bury with them alive their best beloved
wives and treasure; as they likewise do in Pegu in the East Indies;
and other places。 The Orenoqueponi bury not their wives with them; but
their jewels; hoping to enjoy them again。 The Arwacas dry the bones of
their lords; and their wives and friends drink them in powder。 In the
graves of the Peruvians the Spaniards found their greatest abundance
of treasure。 The like; also; is to be found among these people in
every province。 They have all many wives; and the lords five…fold to
the common sort。 Their wives never eat with their husbands; nor among
the men; but serve their husbands at meals and afterwards feed by
themselves。 Those that are past their younger years make all their
bread and drink; and work their cotton…beds; and do all else of
service and labour; for the men do nothing but hunt; fish; play; and
drink; when they are out of the wars。

I will enter no further into discourse of their manners; laws; and
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 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

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