Fathers that, like so many Alexanders, IN the morning of the next day, the city of San Josef de Oruño having been sacked of its valuables by the victors, who found great store of wealth in it, there was discovered, in a loathsome dungeon, five of the powerfulest native lords, chained, and dying of famine, after having been cruelly tortured, by the order of Don Antonio de Berrio, to make them say where they had hid their treasure. These were immediately liberated, and treated with exceeding attention by Sir Walter Raleigh. As soon as it was known that the power of the Spaniards had been overthrown in that island, the natives came flocking toward the city in great numbers, testifying, in every conceivable manner, how glad they were in their hearts that the iron rule of their oppressors had been put an end to. Sir Walter got them altogether, as many as were in the neighborhood, in a large plain outside of the city, and it was a goodly sight to behold so great a multitude of these people, all clad in divers colors, wonderfully discreet in their behavior, the most of them well limbed, and of comely faces, and regarding of their deliverers as a race from heaven. Sir Walter got the caciques about him, and then, by means of his interpreter, addressed them in a famous speech, explaining to them that he was the servant of a queen who was the powerfulest cacique in the world, and had under her more great chiefs than that island contained trees-that she had the very absolutest hatred for all sorts of oppression, and had sent him purposely to free them from the cruelty of the Spaniards, whose enemy she was on account of their treachery and tyrannical doings. Then he showed them a picture of Queen Elizabeth, on the which they gazed with wonderful veneration, and called out, in their language, that she was the mightiest princess on the earth; and it seemed as if they were almost inclined to worship the picture, so greatly had they been moved at the sight of it. What he said having been explained to the people, there presently arose such shouts as was almost deafening to hear; and every one did exhibit his satisfaction in a manner that, however strange it might be to some of the English officers and soldiers, was as sincere as any that was ever seen. The Acarawana then made a famous oration concerning of how grateful were the people of that island at finding that the heart of the Great Spirit had been turned toward them in the midst of the afflictions they were enduring at the hands of their oppressors, and had sent to their assistance a band of his choicest warriors for the overthrowing of their tyrants. He proceeded at some length, detailing many horrible cruelties his countrymen had suffered of the Spaniards out of their desperate thirst of gold, till all who understood were moved with wrath and indignation against such villanies; and it was resolved that the city should be burnt down forthwith: the which, when the Indians came to know, there arose such rejoicings amongst them as was quite wonderful to behold; and at the desire of Sir Walter Raleigh they hastened to set it on fire. In a brief space it was blazing away in many places, whilst hundreds of the natives danced, and sung, and shouted about the burning building like so many mad people. In the meanwhile Sir Walter did inquire of divers of the caciques, some of whom were of the main land, and had been planted in Trinidad by Don Antonio, in hopes of their destroying they that were natural of the island, such particulars of Guiana as he thought they could give; and they quickly made him acquainted with all they knew. Having liberated those of the Spaniards as were of the common sort, retaining only the governor and his officers till their ransom should be paid, Sir Walter departed to his vessels accompanied by great multitudes of the natives, carrying boughs of trees, and singing of his praises as if he were some mighty conqueror. When he had returned to Puerto de los Españoles he found that two more of his ships had arrived, the sight whereof pleased him mightily, and he made instant preparations for proceeding in search of El Dorado. Many were the plans that were considered before one was pitched upon, that was thought to be more practicable than the others for the purpose required, that had for its object the best means of navigating the great river Orinoco, up which they were about to proceed; but it was agreed at last, because only small vessels could be used, that an old gallego boat should be cut down into a galley, in the which he thrust with himself nigh upon sixty men, beside divers of his officers, his secretary, and Harry Daring-in the Lion's Whelp's boat and wherry he had other of his officers and twenty men, in another wherry these rivers and islands, and the old man proved them an admirable pilot. there were ten, and in Sir Walter's own and swam to the barge more dead than barge ten also-making above a hundred alive. Sir Walter retained the old Indiin all. These carried victual for a month, an, because he was natural of that place, and were well armed every one of them. and was like enough to know the naviThey rowed very famously from the gation better than any stranger; and it open sea till they came to a stream, being was well he did, for it was soon discovthe first Christians who had ever ventur-ered that Ferdinando knew nothing of ed therein, and Sir Walter in remembrance of his friend Master Spenser and his poem of the Faëry Queen, did call it They rowed on among many fair isthe river of the Red Cross. Here they lands covered with an abundance of spied three Indians in a canoe, and saw goodly trees, and having speech with the divers others on the banks of the stream, natives whenever they could find occawhich were shadowed by a thick wood, sion, passing up the river with the flood, gazing on them with a singular curious-and anchoring during the ebb, when they ness. Wishing to have speech with those in the canoe, Raleigh gave chase, and having eight oars with him was enabled to overtake them before the Indians could reach the island. By means of his interpreter he spoke to them of his desire to traffic, and those on the shore seeing that no harm was offered to their countrymen, did take heart, and straightway came and trafficked for such things as they had, with a show of such great friendliness that it induced the interpreter Ferdinando to go with his brother to a village close at hand to fetch some fruit and make acquaintance with the natives; but when he had there arrived, the lord of the island was for seizing him and putting him to death because he had brought a strange nation into his territory to spoil and destroy him, the which when the brothers saw they showed their nimbleness of foot without loss of time, and were soon seen by Sir Walter and his companions pursued by the Indians with a great cry and tumult. Ferdinando's brother having most speed quickly made for the barge, crying out that his brother was slain; whereupon an old man of the Indians who was standing close by was laid hold of at the command of Sir Walter, and told that if Ferdinando was not let free they would cut off his head; and then the man cried lustily to his countrymen to save the interpreter: but they heeded him not at all, for they set a hunting of him with deer-dogs with so main a cry that the woods did echo with the noise. It was debated whether the adventurers should land and by force carry off Ferdinando, but none knew where he was to be found, or what force the natives had in that island, so they kept coasting along the shore in hope of rescuing him should he make his appearance; and it so happened that he was presently seen to leap out of a tree where he had taken refuge, had the ill hap to have their galley ground, and stick so fast she could not be moved anyhow, which made many in her fearful that they should be forced to take up their dwellings in these parts after the fashion of the natives, who build their houses high up in the midst of tall trees; but Harry Daring said he doubted not there was as exquisite fine fun to be had in trees as elsewhere; however, after casting out all her ballast, and with a monstrous deal of tugging and hauling, they agam got her afloat. At the fourth day they fell into as fair a river to look on as eye ever saw, which was liked all the better for having but few windings; but when the flood of the sea left them, which it did at that place, they were forced to row with might and main against a violent current, every one of them, the gentlemen taking it in turns with the mariners and soldiers, which they did on being persuaded it was but two or three days' work. When that time had passed, the sun shining fierce upon them, and the tall trees that bordered the banks of the river shutting out the air, and the current against them becoming stronger every day, the compa nies began to despair; but the pilot promised them relief on the next day, and they pulled on as vigorously as they could. Notwithstanding this, many days were spent by them in the same way, till they were driven to short allowance. At last their bread being nigh the last morsel, having no drink at all, and being scorched and tired almost unto death, some did begin to speak harshly of the enterprise, and were for turning back; but Sir Walter talked to them very reasonably that it would be worse to turn back than to go on, they having no provision to look to unless they proceeded, the which if they did they would be sure to get all they wanted in a day or two at the utmost; whilst, should they attempt to return, they would either be starved on the way, or escaping from that, be laughed at of the world for going of a fruitless errand. Now all of them, both those in the galley and in the barge and wherries, had no victual left, and they would have been in very hard case indeed, but flocks of birds of all sorts of fine colors, carnation, crimson, orange, tawney, and purple, and some mixed, kept flying about, and by shooting of as many as they could, the people had wherewith to eat for some days more. The old Indian, who was now the pilot, seeing their extremity, offered to take them to a town of the Araucas, where they should find a store of all good things, both for eating and for drinking, but to get to it they must leave the galley at anchor, she drawing too much water to proceed up that branch of the river along which they must go; and departing at noon with the barge and the wherries, he undertook to return ere night with plenty of bread, hams, fish, and abundance of the country wines, for those that tarried behind. This upon consideration Sir Walter allowed, seeing that it was the best that could be done; therefore taking with him his secretary, two of his captains, and sixteen musketeers, he was for departing on the instant. Harry Daring did press very much to be of the party, but his commander would have him stay where he was, for this reason that whilst divers of the companies when they were badliest off were nigh upon sinking with despair, he would keep them laughing as merrily as if they had naught to care for, by telling of them what laughable tricks he had played, and droll mischiefs he had done, when he was apprentice to the barber-chirurgeon in East Cheap; and Sir Walter thought that the men would be all the more patient if he tarried amongst them; therefore, assuring them of his speedy return to their relief, he proceeded on his way. After six hours' hard rowing, the sun being set, and no sign of habitation visible-though the old Indian declared the town was so close at hand-they began to suspect he was betraying them, particularly as he said that the Spaniards who had escaped from Trinidad were with others of their nation in a village upon the river. As it grew toward night, and still there was no sign of any place, Sir Walter did question the pilot very closely; but he still kept saying it was nigh at hand-it was this turning and then that, at the which when they came and still finding no habitation, they were angered; and well they might be, for they had rowed forty miles without bit or sup, and were continually forced, worn and weary as they were, to cut with their swords a passage along the stream, because the branches of the trees did so cover the water. At last they determined to hang their pilot; but he implored so earnestly for them to go a little further, that they spared him yet awhile. Although every one of the party were exceeding faint and vexed at the great way they had come to so little purpose, and of the monstrous labor they had had to get there, they could not help admiring the beauty of the country on both sides of them. By Master Francis the sight was enjoyed more than any other, because of Sir Walter's anxiety for his fol lowers, and their care for themselves which engrossed their thoughts, but the former feasted his eyes on the beautiful scenes that lay before him, illumined by the silvery moonlight, till he forgot hunger, and thirst, and weariness. Besides, it was a great contrast to what they had been passing for so many miles, which seemed naught but woods and prickly bushes, for what he now saw were plains of some twenty miles in length, having the grass short and green, which was marvellous refreshing to the eye, with here and there groves of trees, as if the most wonderful art had been used in the planting of them, whilst as they rowed along, the deer came down feeding at the water's side, as tamely as if they had been used to a keeper's call. At last, about an hour after midnight, they saw a light afar off, which they made for presently, and soon heard the dogs of the village barking in full chorus. Here they quickly arrived, and though there were but few people left in it, the cacique having, it was said, gone with most of his people up the Orinoco, to trade for gold and to buy women of the cannibals, a dwelling was provided for Sir Walter and his men, where all were hospitably entertained, and promised in the morning to have as much of such things they required as they could carry with them. Raleigh and his companions retired to rest themselves as soon as they could, for to sleep off the fatigues they had endured. Master Francis did not remain long before he was in a sound slumber, from the which waking earlier than the others, and not being inclined to sleep again, he passed out of the house without waking any, being curious to see the place. Meeting with none as he went on, for scarce any of the natives were out of their houses, he strolled along, much pleased with the comfortableness of the dwellings, and the exceeding pleasantness of the scenery around him, till he came to a grove of tall trees, many bearing sweet blossoms, and some loaded with fruit very delicate to the eye. Numberless small birds were up and tuning of their merry pipes to a pleasant harmony; and there were others of a more brilliant plumage who flew about the verdant branches, making a wonderful noise certainly: yet was there in it a great lack of music. Having proceeded some way, enticed along by the delightfulness of what he beheld, he was bending down the more closely to examine a curious flower that had struck his eye, growing nigh unto the root of a tree, when all of a sudden he felt a huge cloak thrown over him, in the which his arms were pinioned so that he could not move them in the least, and then being forcibly gripped, he was hurried along, not knowing where he was going or what he was to be done with. He cried out as well as he could, for he was so muffled up he could scarce speak: but in a moment he heard a voice at his elbow, which, to his great astonishment he recognised as that of Padre Bartolomé, telling him to hold his prate or he should have a bullet through his head. He marvelled at this hugely, because he knew not that he had ever done him any of fence; but hearing as he went along the voice of one and then of another, all talking Spanish, he surmised that he had fallen into the hands of such Spaniards as had escaped from Trinidad, and he doubted not they were going to revenge on him the overthrow they received at San Josef de Oruño. Presently he felt himself lifted on a horse, whereon one got up behind him and held him fast; and directly after that they set a galloping as fast as they could. He could tell by the noise that there were at least some five or six horsemen. They scarce ever said a word one to another; but that was nothing strange, seeing that they were going at so great a pace. Master Francis had made up his mind that he was to be killed, but this in his own heart he cared but little for of itself; for he was of a truly courageous disposition though of a modest nature, and was more to be depended on in such a strait than they who bear it more bravely when no danger is at hand. He thought this life could be but of small value, since the meanness of his birth took from him all hope of honorable advancement, and Joanna's ill conduct had deprived him of every reasonable expectation of happiness. Still he could not help thinking there were those he liked not the parting with so suddenly--to wit, such true friends as Sir Walter Raleigh, Master Shakspeare, and Harry Daring, whom he loved so in his heart, that he would give the world to see again were it possible. Then he took to thinking of the manner of death it was most like he should die. He could not bear that he should be hanged like any mean villain. And then he wished they had but given him time to draw his rapier, he would on no account have allowed himself to be taken alive. At last, considering that his end was drawing nigh, he thought 'twould be but Christian-like to forgive those who had done him wrong; and from his very heart he did forgive Joanna the treachery she had played him; and as he did so, he could not but grieve that a creature who had appeared to him of so superlative an excellence, should at last take to the doing of such villanies as he believed she had done. At this time his reflections were put a stop to by the party coming to a sudden halt. He was lifted from the horse and sat down on the ground with his back leaning against what he thought was a tree. By the talking they made he could hear they did intend taking some refreshment, whilst the horses were allowed to crop the herbage around them ere they proceeded on their journey; but whilst they were sitting of themselves down, preparing to make what good cheer they might, Master Francis heard all at once a great screaming and yelling close at hand, and a noise of missiles rushing through the air, and afterwards a rush of many persons toward him. At first, he could only marvel what it all meant; but hearing the groans and execrations of the Spaniards, he guessed they had been set upon, and in a moment after he found himself unbound, with a many armed Indians gazing upon him with strange and curious looks. Taking of a hurried glance around him, he observed that all the Spaniards were slain with arrows and spears, excepting only Padre Bartolomé, whom some of the Indians were binding with cords, and talking to all at once in a monstrous furious manner; but, Master Francis, knowing not their language, could only guess they were wrath with the priest, and meant him some harm. After the same fashion behaved they not | knowledge about the matter. Let this to him; for they did converse one to another with very wondering looks, and then seemed they to put questions to him with more mildness than he could have expected of them. Thinking they were desirous of knowing what he was, and how he came there, he was for telling them in Spanish, but he had scarce uttered a sentence when their looks turned to fury, and they beat him with blows, and bound him hand and foot, and talking furious and fast, with many signs, gave him to understand they would have his life. Believing that they took him for a Spaniard, he then addressed them in English, whereupon they again looked to one another as if not knowing what to think of it; and he strove by signs to make them understand he was an enemy to the Spaniards, and had by them been surprised and taken prisoner. Whether they understood this, or were favorably disposed toward him on account of the comeliness of his appearance I know not, but certain it is that after much talking amongst themselves, they unbound his cords; yet did they make signs to him the whilst, that if he sought to escape he should be speared on the instant. Presently they brought him some singular sort of roots, which seeing of an Indian eat before him, he took to the tasting of, and found it to be such excellent meat, that he eat plentifully; and then they gave him to drink wine of the country, which would have been all the more pleasant had there not been such quantity of pepper in it. Notwithstanding this, he felt wonderfully refreshed of the victual he had had; and had great hopes that by their treating of him so bountifully they bore him no ill will. All this while many of them came crowding round him, examining his dress very curiously, and asking of him abundance of questions, which, though he knew not the meaning of, he would strive to answer as he best might, but always in English, which never failed to set them talking to one another with such looks as proved it astonished them mightily. He saw not Padre Bartolomé again for some days, but being allowed his liberty, though he was closely watched, he noticed that his captors were some two hundred in number, well armed with spears and other Indian weapons, and appeared to be returning from some war expedition, but this was no more than his conjecture, for he could have no certain be as it may, he journeyed with them for the space 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 pork, 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 frowning 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 some time longer, amidst an exceeding wild country till they came to a goodly city, wherein they were welcomed by crowds of Indians who flocked out of their houses to meet them |