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lose of his companies both men and horse； for it is in many places
violently swift； and hath forcible eddies； many sands； and divers islands
sharp pointed with rocks。 But after one whole year； journeying for the
most part by river； and the rest by land； he grew daily to fewer numbers；
from both by sickness； and by encountering with the people of those
regions through which he travelled； his companies were much wasted；
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especially by divers encounters with the Amapaians （Amapaia was
Berrio's name for the Orinoco valley above the Caura river）。 And in all
this time he never could learn of any passage into Guiana； nor any news or
fame thereof； until he came to a further border of the said Amapaia； eight
days' journey from the river Caroli （the Caroni river； the first great affluent
of the Orinoco on the south； about 180 miles from the sea）； which was the
furthest river that he entered。 Among those of Amapaia； Guiana was
famous； but few of these people accosted Berreo； or would trade with him
the first three months of the six which he sojourned there。 This Amapaia is
also marvellous rich in gold； as both Berreo confessed and those of Guiana
with whom I had most conference； and is situate upon Orenoque also。 In
this country Berreo lost sixty of his best soldiers； and most of all his horse
that remained in his former year's travel。 But in the end； after divers
encounters with those nations； they grew to peace； and they presented
Berreo with ten images of fine gold among divers other plates and
croissants； which； as he sware to me； and divers other gentlemen； were so
curiously wrought； as he had not seen the like either in Italy； Spain； or the
Low Countries； and he was resolved that when they came to the hands of
the Spanish king； to whom he had sent them by his camp…master； they
would appear very admirable； especially being wrought by such a nation
as had no iron instruments at all； nor any of those helps which our
goldsmiths have to work withal。 The particular name of the people in
Amapaia which gave him these pieces； are called Anebas； and the river of
Orenoque at that place is about twelve English miles broad； which may be
from his outfall into the sea 700 or 800 miles。
This province of Amapaia is a very low and a marish ground near the
river； and by reason of the red water which issueth out in small branches
through the fenny and boggy ground； there breed divers poisonful worms
and serpents。 And the Spaniards not suspecting； nor in any sort
foreknowing the danger； were infected with a grievous kind of flux by
drinking thereof； and even the very horses poisoned therewith； insomuch
as at the end of the six months that they abode there； of all their troops
there were not left above 120 soldiers； and neither horse nor cattle。 For
Berreo hoped to have found Guiana be 1；000 miles nearer than it fell out
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to be in the end； by means whereof they sustained much want； and much
hunger； oppressed with grievous diseases； and all the miseries that could
be imagined。 I demanded of those in Guiana that had travelled Amapaia；
how they lived with that tawny or red water when they travelled thither；
and they told me that after the sun was near the middle of the sky； they
used to fill their pots and pitchers with that water； but either before that
time or towards the setting of the sun it was dangerous to drink of； and in
the night strong poison。 I learned also of divers other rivers of that nature
among them； which were also； while the sun was in the meridian； very
safe to drink； and in the morning； evening； and night； wonderful dangerous
and infective。 From this province Berreo hasted away as soon as the spring
and beginning of summer appeared； and sought his entrance on the borders
of Orenoque on the south side； but there ran a ledge of so high and
impassable mountains； as he was not able by any means to march over
them； continuing from the east sea into which Orenoque falleth； even to
Quito in Peru。 Neither had he means to carry victual or munition over
those craggy； high； and fast hills； being all woody； and those so thick and
spiny； and so full or prickles； thorns； and briars； as it is impossible to creep
through them。 He had also neither friendship among the people； nor any
interpreter to persuade or treat with them； and more； to his disadvantage；
the caciques and kings of Amapaia had given knowledge of his purpose to
the Guianians； and that he sought to sack and conquer the empire； for the
hope of their so great abundance and quantities of gold。 He passed by the
mouths of many great rivers which fell into Orenoque both from the north
and south； which I forbear to name； for tediousness； and because they are
more pleasing in describing than reading。
Berreo affirmed that there fell an hundred rivers into Orenoque from
the north and south： whereof the least was as big as Rio Grande （the
Magdalena）； that passed between Popayan and Nuevo Reyno de Granada；
Rio Grande being esteemed one of the renowned rivers in all the West
Indies； and numbered among the great rivers of the world。 But he knew
not the names of any of these； but Caroli only； neither from what nations
they descended； neither to what provinces they led； for he had no means to
discourse with the inhabitants at any time； neither was he curious in these
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things； being utterly unlearned； and not knowing the east from the west。
But of all these I got some knowledge； and of many more； partly by mine
own travel； and the rest by conference； of some one I learned one； of
others the rest； having with me an Indian that spake many languages； and
that of Guiana （the Carib） naturally。 I sought out all the aged men； and
such as were greatest travellers。 And by the one and the other I came to
understand the situations； the rivers； the kingdoms from the east sea to the
borders of Peru； and from Orenoque southward as far as Amazons or
Maranon； and the r