SPANISH EXPEDITION TO EL DORADO. 







despatched his camp master to Spain to levy men, sending with him some golden carvings and 

 " images, as well of men as beasts, birds, and fishes," in order to obtain further aid from 

 the king and his subjects. This agent, Domingo de Vera, was a man of ability, and 

 thoroughly unscrupulous; he courted notoriety by appearing always in a singular dress, 

 adorned with golden trinkets and jewels, and being of great stature, and riding always 

 a great horse, attracted much attention, being known popularly as the Indian El Dorado. 

 He was successful in raising seventy thousand ducats at Madrid, and a large additional 



RALEIGH ON THE RIVER. 



sum at Seville : obtained authority for raising a band of adventurers, and five good 

 ships to carry them out. Men of good birth left their estates, respectable middle-class men 

 gave up their incomes and employments, sold everything, and embarked with their wives 

 and children ; even a prebendary, and many priests, gave up sure prospects of 

 advancement to join the expedition, which at last aggregated two thousand persons. 

 Berrio had only asked for 300, and when the expedition reached Trinidad, they had to 

 be apportioned to various other settlements ; the women and children being serious 

 encumbrances at the time, and enduring great misery. The savage Caribs attacked their 

 canoes when proceeding to St. Thomas and elsewhere. One detachment of three hundred 

 were reduced to thirty souls by the crafty Indians, who, after very partially supplying 

 them with provisions, watched them sink with weakness and disease till they became an 

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