280 



Trinidad is the centre. They would also faci- 

 litate probably any military expedition, that 

 should ascend the Oronooko to attack Spanish 

 Guiana. The governors of Cumana long ago 

 sought to call the attention of the ministry to 

 this Indian tribe, but always without success. 

 The Guaraons run with extreme address on 

 muddy lands, where the Whites, the Negro, 

 or any other Indian, would not dare to walk ; 

 and it is therefore commonly believed, that they 

 are of less weight than the rest of the natives. 

 This is also the opinion that is held in Asia of 

 the Burat Tatars. The few Guaraons, whom I 

 saw, were of middle size, squat, and very mus- 

 cular. The lightness with which they walk in 

 places newly dried, without sinking in, when 

 even they have no planks tied to their feet, 

 seemed to me the effect of long habit. Though 

 I sailed a considerable time on the Oroonoko, 

 I never went so low as it's mouth. Future tra- 

 vellers, who visit those marshes, will rectify what 

 I have advanced. 



3. The Guaiquerias or Guaikeries. They are 

 the most able and most intrepid fishermen of 

 these countries; and they alone are well acquaint- 

 ed with the bank abounding with fish, that sur- 

 rounds the islands of Coche, Margaretta, Sola, 

 and Testigos ; a bank of more than four hun- 

 dred square leagues, extending east and west 

 from Maniquares to the mouths of the Dragon. 



