428 TRINIDAD. 



Sir Walter left the island to return to Europe. Having" decided 

 to remain at San Tome, de Berrio left one of his lieutenants in 

 command of the island. The latter, with the aid of the few- 

 soldiers who had escaped and other inhabitants, began rebuilding 

 San Jose. De Berrio meanwhile was making preparations for 

 the discovery and conquest of the Dorado; but he met with 

 only disastrous results, and died at San Tome in 1597, disap- 

 pointed. 



" This Berrio," says Walter Raleigh, " is a gentleman well 

 descended, and has long served the Spanish King in Milan, 

 Naples, the Low Countries, and elsewhere, very valiant and 

 liberal, and a gentleman of great assuredness, and of a great 

 heart." 



He was succeeded by his son, Don Fernando. Don Fernando, 

 having been deprived of his command, was superseded by Dor 

 Sancho Alquiza, who acted as Governor to the year 1615. 

 However, Don Fernando succeeded in obtaining his restoratioi 

 to power ; but, as a successor had been meanwhile appointed 

 Don Alquiza — viz., Don Diego Palomeque de Acuna — it wz 

 agreed that the latter should retain the government of Trinids 

 and Guiana for two years — from 1616 to 1619. Don Diegr 

 Palomeque had instructions to protect Guiana against the pre- 

 meditated invasion of Sir Walter Raleigh. Lieutenant Ramc 

 took command of the island 



At the end of the year 1617, Sir Walter Raleigh came 

 anchor under El Gallo, and from there sent boats to attack 

 San Tome. The town was taken by storm after a stern resis- 

 tance, and the brave Acufia was killed. 



After the capture of Santo Tome, the English began to 

 search for supposed hidden treasures ; but they were incessantly 

 harassed by the few surviving Spaniards and the Indians. They 

 then decided on ascending the Orinoco and its affluents, in the 

 hope of finding provisions and discovering gold ; none could be 

 found, and, after a few weeks, they returned to San Tome, where 

 they were again attacked by the Spaniards and Indians. Sir 

 Lawrence Keymis, seeing no prospect of succeeding, rowed down 

 the river and arrived at Trinidad. He was scornfully received 

 by Sir Walter, and committed suicide. 



This was the last attempt to conquer Guiana and occupy the 

 Dorado. For many years this region of Dorado was regarded as 



