WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA 75 



here that the dugouts customarily stop on their way from Trinidad 

 to Margarita when there is bad weather or a storm ; they make into 

 this gulf or to a small island lying across it, called Duck (Patos) 

 Island, for the quantities of ducks there; it has good harbors for 

 shelter till the storm has passed. Behind this gulf is the Chaimas, 

 near Guarapiche, which also comes from the settlement of San Felipe 

 de Campos. 



Chapter XVIII 



Of the Route Followed by the Dugouts Voyaging from Trinidad 

 to Margarita, and of Other Features of the Country. 



194. The navigation and route of the natives of the island of Trini- 

 dad (whose Indians belong to the Nepuyos and Guayanes tribe) 

 pass through the Dragons' Mouths, which lie 7 leagues from the 

 island of Trinidad ; they are exceedingly dangerous at all times be- 

 cause of the strong currents and riffles caused by the points or island 

 of Chacachacare ; straight down the coast 4 leagues from these mouths 

 is the harbor of Auquire, at the foot of the lofty Paria ranges, 

 which seem to reach to the sky. 



195. From Auquire it is 4 leagues farther to the harbor of Pargos, 

 which is excellent ; from there, 2 leagues to that of Mejillones ; from 

 Mejillones it is 3 leagues to Puerto Vie jo ; at this point begin the 

 first habitations of the Paria Indians. Two leagues straight ahead 

 is the harbor of Santa Cruz (Paria), where more Paria Indians 

 live ; from Santa Cruz it is 5 leagues to the harbor and river of 

 Unare, where there is a famous valley with many plantations of 

 bananas, coconut palms, and other fruit trees, although the settle- 

 ments lack Indians ; at this point they are near the Cumanagotos. 



196. Ten leagues after one passes the Unare comes the Rio de 

 Caribes, behind Malapascua Point, which is called on the navigation 

 charts the Cabo de Tres Puntas (Three-pointed Cape). This river 

 is bordered by many farms and cattle ranches belonging to the resi- 

 dents of Margarita. Two leagues beyond lies Puerto Santo, where 

 they rest and make ready for the trip across to Margarita. Nearby 

 there is another river called Rio de Franceses (Frenchmen's River), 

 with some converted Indians. From this harbor to Margarita, 12 

 leagues, they start toward evening and get to the island of Margarita 

 at dawn. 



197. Twenty-seven leagues from the island of Margarita live the 

 Paria Indians, the best Indian tribe to be found in these parts ; they 

 are Christians, very friendly with the Spaniards, and faithful vassals 

 of His Majesty, although quite bereft of anyone to instruct them 



