558 



granite rocks. We passed on the West the 

 Cano Orupe *, and then the great rock known 

 by the name of Piedra del Tigre. The river 

 is there so deep, that no bottom can be found 

 with a line of twenty-two fathoms. Toward 

 evening the weather became cloudy and gloomy. 

 The proximity of the storm was marked by 

 squalls alternating with dead calms. The rain 

 was violent, and the roof of foliage, under 

 which we lay, afforded but little shelter. Hap- 

 pily these showers drove away, at least for some 

 time, the moschettoes, with which we had 

 been severely tormented during the day. We 

 found ourselves before the cataract of Cariven, 

 and the impulse of the waters was so strong, 

 that we had great difficulty in gaining the land. 

 We were continually driven back to the middle 

 of the current. At length two Saliva Indians, 

 excellent swimmers, leaped into the water, and 

 drew the boat to shore by means of a rope ; and 

 made it fast to the Piedra de Carichana vieja 9 a 

 shelf of bare rock, on which we passed the night. 

 The thunder continued to roll during a part of 

 the night ; the increase of the river became con- 

 siderable ; and we were several times afraid, that 

 our frail bark would be forced from the shore by 

 the impetuosity of the waves. 



The granitic rock on which we lay is one of 



Urupi. 



