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borders of Peru； and from Orenoque southward as far as Amazons or
Maranon； and the regions of Marinatambal （north coasts of Brazil）； and of
all the kings of provinces； and captains of towns and villages； how they
stood in terms of peace or war； and which were friends or enemies the one
with the other； without which there can be neither entrance nor conquest in
those parts； nor elsewhere。 For by the dissension between Guascar and
Atabalipa； Pizarro conquered Peru； and by the hatred that the Tlaxcallians
bare to Mutezuma； Cortes was victorious over Mexico； without which
both the one and the other had failed of their 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；
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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
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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 Ch