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which cafl:s out ire, like the Polcano,_ where they found plenty of Provifions.
but the ounrrey was fo wee, that for the fpace of two Months they remained
chere, it never cea[ed ne day from raining, "hich was fuch a damage to them
that al1 their Cloths became rotten by the moifiure. '
In tha_t Provine~, called CuriMco~ which i~ fimate under the Equinootial, or ve–
ry near it, the Cinnamon gro':"s, of which _they went in fearch; the Trees
whereof are tall and lofty, bearing a leaf, as big as the Laurel, with a finall fort
f Fruit, which grows in Clufiers like the Acorn. Thefe Trees grow wild in
the Mountains, and produce a fort of Fruit, but not fo good as char which is
gathered from thofe Trees, vvhich the Indians plant, and cultivate in their ovvri
Grounds; and vvhich having gathered, they lay it up in rheir fiores and trade
vvith it, into neighb?uring Countries, though not into Peru; vvhe;e they u(e
no mher forts of Sp1ce than the Vchu, called by the Spaniards Axi , and by us
red Pepper.
CH AP. ·
Of the great Difficulties, and Hardjbips, fuftained by Gon-:
. zalo Pi~arro, and his Conzpanions; how they made a
Bridge of Wood, and a fort of Ferry-Boat, to pafs the
great River.
T HE Spaniardt found, that in Cumaco, and the Countries thereunto adjoining;
the Indiam went naked, without any Cloths, onely the Women for Modefiy–
fake wore a little flap before them; the Climate i fo exceffively hot, that they
need no Cloths, and is fo fubjeet to Rains, that they would become rotten in a
fhort time, as we have mentioned before; and indeed the Spaniards confelS, that
thofe Indians did well not to trouble themfelves with care for Cloths, which
would onely be troublefome, without any ufe.
Gom:.alo Pi farro leaving the greatefr p his People in Cumacu, took with
him a finall party of fuch as he efieemed aetive, to try and fearch for fome
Pafs, leading out of the Countrey; for the way for an hundred Leagues
together, had been nothing but Mountains , and Defarts, and Woods, 'vhich
they were forced to lay open by the Hatchet, and firength of their Armes; and
fometirnes the Jndians , who were their Guards, deceived them, carrying them
out of the way by Mouncains , and Defarts, and difficult paffages, where they
fufiained Hunger, and Cold , without other fufienance than Herbs, and Roots,
and wild Fruit, and condueted them by by-ways, to avoid the Counrrey of
their Friends and Confederates; but in cafe they happened to lead them aright,
then they were efieemed and applauded for godd Guides.
With Cuch Labours and Sufferings as thefe, which may rather be fanfied than
defcribed, they came at length to that Province which is called Cuca, which was
more populous, than any chey had formerly paffed, and where provifions were
plentifull. Here the Chief Lord came forth in a peaceable manner to welcome
them, and afforded them Provifions, '.! hich was the chief thing of which they
frood in want; there is a great River which paifes through this Countrey, and
is the largeft of thofe which, falling in together, make that River which fome call
Ordlttna, and others M ttrannw.
Ia