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The Discovery of Guiana by Sir Walter Raleigh
page 83 of 97 (85%)
Aio, Ara, and the rest, which are situate in the provinces of Parino and
Carricurrina. When we were come as far down as the land called Ariacoa,
where Orenoque divideth itself into three great branches, each of them
being most goodly rivers, I sent away Captain Henry Thyn, and Captain
Greenvile with the galley, the nearest way, and took with me Captain
Gifford, Captain Caulfield, Edward Porter, and Captain Eynos with mine
own barge and the two wherries, and went down that branch of Orenoque
which is called Cararoopana, which leadeth towards Emeria, the province
of Carapana, and towards the east sea, as well to find out Captain
Keymis, whom I had sent overland, as also to acquaint myself
with Carapana, who is one of the greatest of all the lords of the
Orenoqueponi. And when I came to the river of Cumaca, to which Putijma
promised to conduct Captain Keymis, I left Captain Eynos and Master
Porter in the said river to expect his coming, and the rest of us rowed
down the stream towards Emeria.

In this branch called Cararoopana were also many goodly islands, some
of six miles long, some of ten, and some of twenty. When it grew towards
sunset, we entered a branch of a river that fell into Orenoque, called
Winicapora; where I was informed of the mountain of crystal, to which in
truth for the length of the way, and the evil season of the year, I was
not able to march, nor abide any longer upon the journey. We saw it afar
off; and it appeared like a white church-tower of an exceeding height.
There falleth over it a mighty river which toucheth no part of the side
of the mountain, but rusheth over the top of it, and falleth to the
ground with so terrible a noise and clamour, as if a thousand great
bells were knocked one against another. I think there is not in the
world so strange an overfall, nor so wonderful to behold. Berreo told me
that there were diamonds and other precious stones on it, and that they
shined very far off; but what it hath I know not, neither durst he or
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