4S- -VOYAGE to SËKEGÂt. 
Riuy be observed a kind of round pyramids of eartli^, some of 
■vvliîcli are about seven feet high : they resemble the monuments 
raised to the memory of the great nito of the country; but they 
are in fact the buildings of auts^ ar,d are as firm and compactas 
if they were formed of mortar. On breaking them^ a mnititude 
©f ants fiercely issise out, and endeavour to puiush ihe disturbers 
of their repose. These ants are whitish, and about the size of a 
barley-corn i their nests have only a snsgle aperture at about one 
llnrd of its height; and the ants attain it by means of a path^ 
which runs round the pyramid from the bottom to the entrance* 
Pasqua, which means the tree or pavilion of the king, is a 
■village iiot remarkable for the number of its inhabitants, as its 
population does not exceed 300 persons, including the Porta* 
guese, who are about one fourth of the number; but it is im- 
portant oo account of its political distinction. The king keeps 
is it a garrison of 100 infantry to awe the neighbouring states^, 
and protect the Bagnons from the enterprizes of the savage Fe- 
hips. This garrison is charged with exacthig the tribite impos- 
ed by the kings, and w ith punishing the vagabonds. The village 
is stuTOuvtded by six rows of pallisades, comparatively fastened 
together by six traverse beams, and they are kept in good repair : 
it is situated on the bank of a little river called St. Grigou, but 
which is in several maps called Pasqua. This river is not widcy 
but is very deep, and contains plenty of fish, though crocodiles 
abound in it, and destroy immense numbers: its banks are fertile 
and agreeable. 
About a league from Pasqua, and on the bank of the same 
river, a Spaniard from tiie isle of Cuba, called Don Juan Mai- 
donado, had taken up his residence in a charming house, all the 
environs of which were delightful. The land which w^as, not in 
tillage, formed vast meadow s iriterspersed with bowers of palm 
and other trees, which presented a most charming appearance. 
The house of this Spaniard was large and convenient, w'as 
surrounded by eight or ten huts occupied by his slaves, and the 
whole vvas enclosed by a quadruple wall of piles, the innermost 
of which w^as ten feet high, well terraced, and supported by two 
raised ways, with four platforms, each of which contained two 
pieces of cannon. Don Juan lived peaceably in his fortress^ 
and was esteemed and respected by his neighbours: he was rich 
îmd did much good, but he had no wife. 
At this residence travellers were cordially received and feasted. 
The people of the country do not agree with respect to this ex- 
îraordiiiary man; some say that he left several children, heirs to 
Jiis virtues and solitude. He lived in fhe most intnnate way with 
several Negresses, without beirsg attached to any one of them by 
the tics of marriage. Others assert^ that he had no children; 
that the king inherited his property, and that he left his ordinary 
residence to return to Spain, 
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