LOPEZ VAZ A.D. 



1572-87. 



But now I will returne to my former discourse. Upon 

 the seacoast of Tierra firma Eastward from Cartagena 

 standeth a little towne called Santa Martha, betweene SantaMartha. 

 which towne and Cartagena the mightie river of Mag- 

 dalen before named falleth into the sea with such a strong 

 current, that by reason thereof it is knowen 20 leagues 

 from the shore. Santa Martha is a very poore towne, 

 because it hath often bene robbed by the Frenchmen, 

 and hath no trade but with a fewe Indians that dwell 

 thereabout. Here beginneth that wonderfull long ridge ^ mightie 

 of high mountaines covered with snow, which streatching ^ ^^^ ^/ 

 through many countreys, runneth along the kingdomes 

 of Peru and Chili, and continueth to the very streights 

 of Magellan. These mountaines are scene with snow 

 upon their tops above thirtie leagues into the sea. At 

 the foote of these wilde mountaines there is a valley called 

 Tagrona, which is the richest place that is knowen there- ^^^ ^'^^^ 

 about : but because the countrey adioyninpf is so moun- ^ 0' ?/ 

 tainous, and the inhabitants so many and of so good a 

 courage, shooting poysoned arrowes which are present 

 death to such as are wounded with the same ; therefore 

 it lyeth as yet unconquered, notwithstanding it hath cost 

 many Spanish captaines their lives. 



Passing along the coast of Tierra firma to the East of 

 Santa Martha, where is an other small towne of above an 

 hundred houses called Rio de Hacha. This towne is J^io de Hacha. 

 somewhat rich by reason of the pearles which they get 

 there. Also they have a trade with the Indians for some 

 small quantitie of golde. From hence they goe along 

 the coast to Cabo de la Vela, which because it is of the ^^^^ ^^ ^^ 

 same propertie with Rio de Hacha before mentioned, I ^^' 

 omit to speake of it. Upon this coast there is a lake or 

 gulfe which openeth into the sea, at the mouth whereof 

 they gather great store of pearles. Beyond this place Great store of 

 there is another poore towne, which hath sixe or seven ^^^' ^^' 

 times beene spoyled by the Frenchmen. From hence 

 there lyeth an high way to the newe kingdome of 

 Granada, but it is above seven hundred leagues in length, 



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