of many days through great plains and forests, and along rivers, and over mountains and rocks, all so grand and beautiful, that it appeared to him the most marvellous sight he had ever witnessed: and sometimes he went with them a hunting the deer, wild boars, and divers savage beasts natural to those parts, the like of which he had never seen before. He had wonderful entertainment from the Indians, for they feasted him with venison and porks, and flesh of many different birds, with roots that made a right admirable substitute for bread; and with plenty of wine, so that he lacked nothing. Indeed, he might have been happy did he not often find himself a thinking of how Sir Walter Raleigh might be put to by his absence, and how Harry Daring would take on; but as he found that there was no help at present, he did wisely determine to make the best of it he could, and did so demean himself as to win the good will of all about him.

At one time whilst they were about to rest themselves for the night upon an exceeding high mountain up which they had been toiling the whole of the day, Master Francis spied the jesuit, still in his bonds, sitting by himself upon a block of stone, and regarding him with looks so gloomy and revengeful, that the young Englishman was quite moved at it. Master Francis knew that he had done him no ill office, and he could scarce think it possible that national prejudice should go so far

as to become such deadly hatred. Desirous of knowing for what cause the other looked at him so maliciously he made up to him; but he had only got to within a few paces of the stone on which the padre sat, when he found himself laid violent hold of, and dragged back by those of the Indians who had seen his intention. They then looked frowningly upon him, and did threaten him, as he understood, if that he ever essayed to speak with the priest again, they would as good as kill him for it. This made him more cautious, for it may well be imagined he had no desire of getting his death for paying of any courtesies to one who seemed as though he would gladly be his destruction.

They travelled on for sometime longer, amidst an exceeding wild country till they caine to a goodly city, wherein they were welcomed by crowds of Indians who flocked out of their houses to meet them with great shoutings, and clanging of noisy instruments-men, women, and children, clad in dresses of divers colours. At first there were many amongst them that did regard Master Francis with most sinister aspects, reviling and jeering of him, and seeming to triumph over him as if he were an enemy taken in battle; but when something was said to them by those he was amongst, they did abuse him no more, nor regard him in any other sort than with a very marvellous curiousness. As for Padre Bartolomé, there could not be a question

as to their treatment of him. They cast dirt on him as he went; they spat on him, they screamed, they yelled, they danced for very joy; nought could exceed the wonderful pleasure they seemed to find in the sight of him. But he regarded them not at all. He passed along with his fine eyes fixed upon the glowing heavens with a most pious expression of countenance, as if his spirit was in such strict communion with his Creator he could not regard for a moment the din that was going on around him. His hands were tied behind his back, and he was strictly guarded; yet walked he with a proud step, more like that of a conqueror than a captive: and looked such resignation and hope as if he would needs appear like one of the right famous martyrs of old, who did suffer extreme persecution of the heathen, even unto death, rather than give up their faith in the life everlasting.

Nothing astonished Master Francis so much as the wonderful quantity of gold that was worn by the natives. They had armlets, bands for the ancles and for the forehead; plates that hung about the joints, rings and chains, all solid, and curiously wrought; and these shining in the sun, had a singular fine and brilliant effect; but when he came into the city and saw the insides of the houses, and beheld the commonness of this precious metal, for it appeared to be made into every sort of thing that could be named, as if its abundance was beyond

VOL. II.

all comparison, he marvelled ten times the more. In this place he abode many days, being well cared for, having to eat all kinds of fish, flesh, and fowl, that could be procured, with fruit in great plenty; tortoise eggs, which he found to be a very wholesome meat; and wine of a good sort, as much as he could drink of it: and he saw nothing of Padre Bartolomé all this time, for the priest was kept close in durance, having scanty fare, and usage of the hardest; but at last there came a command from the king of all these parts, that the strangers should be sent to the imperial city, where he was, for him to see the prisoners, and judge how they should be disposed of. Then Master Francis and the jesuit were straightway set on two of the horses taken of the Spaniards, and accompanied by a strong guard to prevent escape; and proceeded on their journey to the city of the king.

After passing a great distance through a fine open country, rich with verdure, and of a most delicate aspect, when a many days had elapsed, they approached a magnificent city, which was the place they were in quest of. Master Francis could see, as he came nigh unto it, that it was a famous large place; and noticing of the vast numbers that were thronging in its vicinity, some going and some coming, he did judge that it was well populated. The first thing that did give him a proper estimation of the wonderful riches of the city, was the

great gates, which, to his exceeding astonishment, he saw were made of the solid gold, and wrought in all manner of beautiful figures of men, and beasts, and birds, and flowers, with such extreme cunning that he marvelled as much at the skilfulness of the workmanship as at the costliness of the material. Discoursing with one of his guard, for he had picked up some little knowledge of the language, he learned that the riches of this city was considered to be far beyond that of any place in the world, for there were in it four and twenty gates of a like fashion and fabric; and the quantity of the same precious metal, wrought up into idols, monuments, altar places, and the like, was beyond all calculation. Hearing this, and beholding, as he proceeded along through the broad thoroughfares, the strongest evidence that what he heard was no other than the truth, he did from it imagine that he was in that right famous place called El hombre Dorado, or the Man of Gold; of the which divers notable commanders of the Spaniards had searched for in vain; and for the discovery thereof Sir Walter Raleigh had got together so brave an expedition; and, as imagination was strengthened into certainty by his guides telling him the city was called Manoa, it did create in him a singular curiousness to observe, as closely as was possible, this wonderful place.

As he rode onwards he could not but marvel at the sight of such goodly structures, that seemed