24 



INTRODUCTORY. 



and at the distance of nine miles I encountered the Lake 1 Ibachuna, 

 or, of the winds, which is twelve miles broad and twenty-four long* 

 from north to south, and whose outlet runs among swamps into Lake 

 Rogoaguado, known likewise by the name of Domu, on whose banks 

 yet exist traces of the ancient tribe of the Cayubabos, who now form 

 the population of the town of Exaltacion. 



" Not finding the boat which I had ordered finished, I embarked in 

 a small canoe, and directed my course towards two islands in the lake, 

 about three miles from the shore. These are elevated a little above the 

 surface of the lake, which has not more than a fathom (braza, 66 inches) 

 of depth in this part, and are covered with an impenetrable thicket. On 

 the following day I launched the boat; it was 33 feet (12 varas) long, 

 3f feet wide, and 2f feet deep. It rocked much, and I directed two 

 small canoes to be lashed, one on each side, to serve as counterpoises. 



" I weighed from my port with a course N. W. % N. At the distance 

 of fifteen miles I encountered a stream which served as an outlet, and 

 was connected with another small lake, called Yapacha, towards the N. E. 

 I changed the course, coasting along W. N. W. for nine miles, continuing 

 on other nine S. W. \ S. ; thence I changed to S. twenty-four miles ; to 

 S. W. four and a half; to S. \ E. thirteen and a half. So that I sailed 

 upon a bow-line " (much he knew about a bow-line) " with a depth of 

 2-J- fathoms, (brazadas,) running six miles the hour. (!!) 



" At the capes, or prominent points, I landed, and observed that the 

 belt of woods surrounding the lake was narrow ; and that outside of 

 this the pasturages were so great that they formed a horizon, or could 

 not be seen across. On one occasion I set fire to them, and saw 

 towards the N. W. the answering smoke of the fires of the Chacobos 

 savages. The country of this people was afterwards explored. The 

 tribe was found to consist of three hundred souls ; and among them 

 were people white and ruddy. 



" I continued on E. ^ N., and having navigated twelve miles, the 

 north wind came on so strong, and raised such a sea, that I was in 

 danger of shipwreck. I therefore landed, and remained twenty-four 

 hours, employing the time in examining the mouth of the rivulet called 

 Ibachuna, where there were large morasses. 



" I travelled the next day with oars against the wind, bailing the 

 water from the boat continually. The course was N. N". E. ; and 

 eighteen miles brought me to the point whence I originally sailed. 



" The lake is of good and clear water. It has a bottom of oxide of 

 iron, with 2-j- fathoms (brazadas) of water. There are many fish and 

 rays, crocodiles and porpoises. 



