86 BACK AT CUMANA. 



instead of passing between the island of Margareta and 

 the isthmus of Araya. They accordingly started from 

 the mission of Catuaro, and proceeded to the town of 

 Cariaco, where they embarked in a canoe, on the morn- 

 ing of the 2'ith. Quitting the town they sailed westward 

 along the river of Carenicuar, which ran through gar- 

 dens and plantations of cotton trees. They saw the 

 Indian women on the banks washing their clothes with 

 the fruit of the soap-berry. Contrary winds beset them 

 in the gulf of Cariaco. The rain fell in torrents, and 

 the thunder rolled very near. Swarms of flamingoes, 

 egrets, and cormorants filled the air, seeking the shore, 

 whilst the alcatras alone continued peaceably to fish in 

 the middle of the gulf. They landed till evening, and 

 then resumed their voyage, under a misty sky. In the 

 morning they saw the vultures perching on the cocoa- 

 trees, in flocks of forty or fifty. 

 At last they reacbjd Cumana. 



