FERNANDO ALARCHON ad. 



1540. 

 land then I had yet seene, but that they knew not the 

 head thereof, because it was very far into the countrey, 

 and that many other Rivers fell into the same. 



Having learned thus much the next day morning I 

 returned downe the River, and the day following I came 

 where I had left my Spaniard, with whom I spake, and 

 told him that all things had gone well with me, and 

 that at this time and the former I had gone above 30 

 leagues into the countrey. The Indians of that place 

 inquired of me what the cause was of my departure, 

 and when I would returne ; to whom I answered, that 

 I would returne shortly. Thus sayling downe the 

 streame, a woman leapt into the water crying unto us 

 to stay for her, and shee came into our boate, and 

 crept under a bench, from whence we could not make 

 her to come out : I understood that shee did this, 

 because her husband had taken unto him another wife, 

 by whom hee had children, saying that she ment not 

 to dwell any longer with him, seeing he had taken 

 another wife. Thus shee and another Indian came with 

 me of their owne accord, and so I came into my ships, 

 and making them ready we proceeded home on our 

 voyage, coasting and oftentimes going on land, and 

 entering a great way into the countrey, to see if I 

 could learne any newes of Captaine Francis Vasquez 

 and his companie; of whom I could have no other 

 knowledge, but such as I learned in the aforesaide 

 River. I bring with me many actes of taking posses- 

 sion of all that Coast. And by the situation of the 

 River, and the height which I tooke, I iinde that that 

 which the Masters and Pilots of the Marquesse tooke 

 is false, & that they were deceived by 2 degrees, and I 

 have sayled beyond them above 4 degrees. I sayled up He say led %$ 

 the River 85 leagues, where I saw and learned all the ^'^P'^^ ^^' 

 particulars before mentioned, and many other things ; 

 whereof when it shall please God to give mee leave to 

 kisse your Lordships hands, I will deliver you the full 

 and perfect relation. I thinke my selfe to have had 



317 



