264 Trip from Angostura to the 



pretty lake, lying at the foot of the above-mentioned rock. I 

 inspected the cattle en passant — they were grazing in a fine sa- 

 vanna, and surrounded by horsemen that had just collected 

 them to drive them off to Angostura. Took leave of our host 

 here ; and, pursuing our route, soon ascended an elevated plain. 

 On reaching the summit, the beautiful prospect of the rocky Ca- 

 roni, with a stupendous barrier of woody mountains, on the east- 

 ern side, burst all at once upon us. It was truly a magnificent 

 scene. The river, about a mile broad, studded all over with 

 rocks and wooded islets, made a wide sweep from the south- 

 ward, until, at length, its waters were collected into one broad 

 navigable channel, where the ferry had been established at Car- 

 nache; — beyond, it was again broken by innumerable islets, and 

 falls at least 200 feet before it reaches the level of the Orinoco. 

 We reached its margin about 10 A.M. rousing two deer in our 

 path; and, while the canoe was crossing towards us, prepared 

 our beasts for the passage, by unsaddling and fastening a long 

 rope about their necks. The canoe was manned by five Indians; 

 besides whom, it admitted three of us, with part of the baggage : 

 one horse and one mule swam along-side; the boys holding the 

 rope by one end, and encouraging the animals by their voice. 

 The canoe soon returned for the rest; and, in 40 minutes, we had 

 effected the passage without accident, notwithstanding the 

 great rapidity of the current. Breakfasted under the trees, in 

 order to refresh the beasts, and afterwards proceeded to Car- 

 nache, a mile further. Reached this place about one, P.M. ; — 

 being the first mission, it naturally excited our curiosity. It 

 stands on a pleasant spot, upon the right bank of the Caroni, 

 about 1 leagues above its junction with the Orinoco. As all 

 these Indian towns are built nearly upon the same plan, the de- 

 scription of one will serve for the whole. On the south side 

 stands the church, and contiguous, on the east, the building is 

 continued upon a smaller scale, so as to form the Padre's house, 

 and, on a still decreasing scale, the dwellings of his officers, Sfc. 

 Behind this range of building, are the kitchen, curing-house, 

 store-rooms, cotton-press, and other works. In front, on the 

 north, is a large open space or square, behind which arc seen 



