[35] to say, proved to be fresh. I then sailed northwards till I came to a very high mountain, at about twentysix leagues from the Punta del Arenal: here two lofty headlands appeared,—one towards the east,1 and forming part of the Island of Trinidad; and the other on the west,2 being part of the land which I have already called Gracia. We found here a channel3 still narrower than that of Arenal, with similar currents, and a tremendous roaring of water: the water here also was fresh. Hitherto I had held no communication with any of the people of this country, although I very earnestly desired it. I therefore sailed along the coast westwards; and, the farther I advanced, the fresher and more wholesome I found the water; and, when I had proceeded a considerable distance, I reached a spot where the land appeared to be cultivated . . . . I then anchored at the mouth of a river; and we were soon visited by a great number of the inhabitants, who informed us that the country was called Paria, and that farther westward it was more fully peopled. I took four of these natives, and proceeded on my west-
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| Fleet of Columbus |
