144 
NATIVE INDIANS. 
each canoe there were eighteen Guayqueria Indians, naked 
to the waist, and of very tall stature. They had the appear- 
ance of great muscular strength, and the colour of their skin 
was something between brown and copper-colour. Seen at 
a distance, standing motionless, and projected on the horizon, 
they might have been taken for statues of bronze. "We were 
the more struck with their appearance, as it did not corre- 
spond with the accounts given by some travellers respecting 
the characteristic features and extreme feebleness of the 
natives. We afterwards learned, without passing the limits 
of the province of Cumana, the great contrast existing be- 
tween the physiognomy of the Guayquerias and that ol the 
Cbaymas and the Caribs. 
When we were near enough to hail them in Spanish, the 
Indians threw aside their mistrust, and came straight on 
board. They informed us that the low islet near which we 
were at anchor was Coche, which had never been inhabited ; 
and that Spanish vessels coming from Europe were accus- 
tomed to sail farther north, between this island and that of 
Margareta, to take a coasting pilot at the port of Pampatar. 
Our inexperience had led us into the channel to the south of 
Coche ; and as at that period the English cruisers frequented 
this passage, the Indians had at first taken us for an enemy’ s 
ship. The southern passage is, in fact, highly advantageous 
for vessels going to Cumana and Barcelona. The water is 
less deep than in the northern passage, which is much nar- 
rower ; but there is no risk of touching the ground, if vessels 
keep very close to the island of Bobos and the Moros del 
Tunal. ' The channel between Coche and Margareta is 
narrowed by the shoals off the north-west cape of Coche, 
and by the bank that surrounds Ba Punta de los Mangles. 
The Guayquerias belong to that tribe of civilized Indians 
who inhabit the coasts of Margareta and the suburbs of 
the city of Cumana. Next to the Caribs of Spanish Guiana 
they arc the finest race of men in Terra Eirma. They enjoy 
several privileges, because from the earliest times of the 
conquest they remained faithful friends to the Castilians. 
The king of Spain styles them in his public acts, “ his dear, 
noble, and loyal Guayquerias.” The Indians of the twc 
canoes we had met had left the port of Cumana during the 
night. They were going in search of timber to the forests* 
of cedar (Cedrela odorata, Linn.'), which extend from Cape 
