4G SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



at length, the survivors reached the Coca or Napo, one of the large 

 rivers whose waters pour into the Maragnon, and contribute to its 

 grandeur. There a bark was built, and fifty soldiers, under the 

 command of Orellana, proceeded in it down the stream, sent by Piz* 

 arro to procure food for their perishing associates ; but no principle 

 of honour, or emotion of pity, could actuate such men ; Orellana, 

 regardless of their situation whom he had left on shore, determined 

 to abandon them to their fate, to follow the course of the stream, 

 and explore the countries through which it passed. 



Pizarro had no suspicion of the treachery of his officer until he 

 learnt the fatal tidings by one of the fifty in the bark, and this man- 

 had been landed on a desert shore, there to perish, because he ex. 

 pressed his abhorrence of such a cruel breach of trust : Pizarro hav- 

 ing proceeded onward, happening to reach the spot, and hearing 

 the dreadful tidings, immediately attempted to return to Quito, 

 which was at the distance of twelve hundred miles. In this des- 

 ponding rout hunger compelled them to feed on roots and berries, 

 and even to gnaw the leather of their saddles and sword-belts. 

 Four thousand Indians and two hundred and ten Spaniards perish. 

 d in this wild, disastrous expedition, which continued near two 

 years ; and only fourscore got back to Quito, naked as savages, and 

 so emaciated by famine and fatigue, that they appeared more like 

 spectres than men. 



Of Orellana's enterprise, Dr. Robertson speaks as follows. " This 

 scheme of Orellana's was as bold as it was treacherous. For, if he 

 be chargeable with the guilt of having violated his duty to his com- 

 mander, and with having abandoned his fellow soldiers in a pathless 

 desert, where they had hardly any hopes of success, or even of 

 safety, but what were founded on the service which they expected 

 from the bark ; his crime is, in some measure, balanced by the glory 

 of hav ing ventured upon a navigation of near two thousand leagues, 

 through unknown nations, in a vessel hastily constructed, with green 

 timber, and by very unskillful hands, without provisions, without a 

 compass, or a pilot. But his courage and alacrity supplied every 

 defect. Committing himself fearlessly to the guidance of the stream, 

 the Napo bore him along to the south, until he reached the great 

 channel of the Maragnon. Turning with it toward the coast, he 

 held on his course in that direction. He made frequent descents on 

 both sides of the river, sometimes seizing by force of arms the pro- 

 visions of the fierce savages seated on its banks ; and sometimes pro- 



