WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA 87 



Chapter XXIV 



Of the Provinces of the Cumanagotos and Palenques. 



245. The Province of the Cumanagotos h"es 12 leagues from 

 Araya Point, opposite the Borracha ; it is an island lying across the 

 mouth of the Rio Cumanagoto, to the W. of Margarita ; it runs length- 

 wise down the coast 12 leagues to the Rio de Unare, and crosswise it 

 reaches inland the plains and the country of the Caribs, across to the 

 other coast as far as the Gulf of Trinidad, running back of the Parias. 

 It is divided into three provinces, valleys, or sections, which are called 

 Aragua, Guere, and the Vergantin, 



246. These Indians are brave and muscular, well built and war- 

 like. They paint their eyes (alcoholados) and use a gourd tu cover 

 their private parts. This tribe will number over 30,000 Indians within 

 the area of 12 leagues square above described. They are great archers, 

 using poisoned arrows, the effects of which are practically always 

 fatal, since the poison is deadly ; the chief remedy and antidote is one's 

 own filth dissolved and drunk with water or wine ; another remedy is 

 ambir, the quintessence of tobacco, and benzoin dissolved and drunk 

 with water or wine. 



247. The most warlike among them is a Christian Indian who was 

 raised from childhood on the island of Margarita, and who ran away 

 when he grew up ; these savages elected him as their leader and chief ; 

 his name is Cristobal Uriare. Among the Palenques inland there is 

 another chief whose name is Cahadulce ; he is more well-disposed and 

 friendly toward the Spaniards, and if he goes to war against them, 

 it is because he is forced to by his tribesmen. Since their subjection 

 would be important from every viewpoint and would bring in a large 

 population, many have wished to effect it, and at the moment it is 

 desired and envisaged by Capt. Juan Ochoa, who is a leading wealthy 

 and important resident of Caracas ; it would be highly fitting that he 

 be granted the favor of reducing them at his own expense and thus 

 doing away with a humiliating condition observed by everyone ; since 

 they are peaceably inclined, the remainder will be gradually brought 

 into the fold. This country is dry and with poor water supply ; the 

 Indians drink from wells, or jagiieyes, as they call them in that country ; 

 and in the dry season it is common for them to wait in line to draw 

 water. They have many ranches of mares and horses they have stolen 

 from the Spaniards, and so they are well off and the great majority are 

 mounted on horseback. 



