Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 16.djvu/374

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countrey were so affectioned to the Portugals, that they would venture for them their liues, wiues, children and goods.

In the yeere 1537. the licenciate Iohn de Vadillo gouernour of Cartagena, went out with a good armie from a porte of Vraba called Saint Sebastian de buena Vista, being in the gulfe of Vraba, and from thence to Rio verde, and from thence by land without knowing any way, nor yet hauing any carriages, they went to the end of the countrey of Peru, and to the towne La plata, by the space of 1200. leagues: a thing worthie of memorie.

For from this riuer to the mountaines of Abibe the countrey is full of hils, thicke forrests of trees, and many riuers: and for lacke of a beaten way, they had pierced sides. The mountaines of Abibe as it is recorded haue 20. leagues in bredth. They must be passed ouer in Ianuarie, Februarie, March, and Aprill. And from that time forward it raineth much, and the riuers will be so greatly encreased, that you cannot passe for them. There are in those mountaines many heards of swine, many dantes, lyons, tygers, beares, ounses, and great cats, and monkies, and mightie snakes and other such vermine. Also there be in these mountaines abundance of partridges, quailes, turtle doues, pigeons, and other birdes and foules of sundrie sorts. Likewise in the riuers is such plentie of fish, that they did kill of them with their staues: and carrying canes and nets they affirme that a great army might be sustained that way without being distressed for want of victuals.

Moreouer they declared the diuersities of the people, toongs, and apparell that they obserued in the countries, kingdomes, and prouinces which they went through, and the great trauels and dangers that they were in till they came to the towne called Villa de la Plata, and vnto the sea thereunto adioyning. This was the greatest discouerie that hath beene heard of by land, and in so short a time. And if it had not beene done in our daies, the credite thereof would haue beene doubtfull.

In the yeere 1538. there went out of Mexico certaine friers of the order of Saint Francis towards the north to preach to the Indians the Catholicke faith. He that went farthest was one