“And yet unspoiled
Guiana, whose great city Geryon’s sons[51]
Call El Dorado.”—Paradise Lost, Book xi.
Before we quit the shores of the Apure, I will invite the reader to follow me in imagination, or, better still, in one of the many bongos trading between this and the Orinoco river, on to the adjoining province of Guayana, or Guiana, as it is more commonly known among English writers and explorers. This will give us an opportunity of gliding1 over one of the greatest rivers in the world, which nearly encircles a vast territory hardly known to civilized3 man, that is just now attracting a great deal of notice on account of the recent gold discoveries made there; a country unsurpassed in natural treasures and resources; a sort of hidden paradise which greedy gold-hunters of former times sought in vain under the{392} gilded6 name of El Dorado, and which, strange to say, has remained, like the wealth of California, undiscovered until recently.
What a train of awful recollections this once magic name of El Dorado brings to mind! What tales of woe7, of daring adventure and blasted hopes it has left behind for the entertainment and raillery of subsequent generations! And yet, the gallant8 Raleigh—Sir Walter—like Galileo before the tribunal of the Inquisition, was right in his belief that there was gold enough in Guayana to load the entire fleet of Great Britain in his time.
But let us not anticipate the narrative9 of events, which will come, each one in its turn. Availing ourselves, therefore, of the gentle current of the Apure, we will proceed on our journey, stopping here and there to get a shot at the enormous crocodiles—larger than any we have yet seen—which infest10 its waters near its confluence11 with the Orinoco; and perhaps also at some thirsty jaguar12 taking its young to drink. Humboldt has described these scenes so vividly13, that I must refer the reader to the third volume of his “Travels,” Bohn’s edition, for further information on the subject.
Proceeding14 down the river, which here presents the singularity of becoming narrower, on account of infiltrations through a spongy and sandy soil, as well as other causes, we come suddenly upon a vast expanse of waters, presenting all the appearance of an agitated15 sea, from the conflict between breeze and current. This is the grand old river we are in{393} quest of, the Orinoco. “The air resounded16 no longer with the piercing cries of herons, flamingos17, and spoonbills, crossing in long files from one shore to the other. Our eyes sought in vain those water-fowls, the habits of which vary in each climate. Scarcely could we discover in the hollows of the waves a few large crocodiles, cutting obliquely18, by the help of their long tails, the surface of the agitated waters. The horizon was bounded by a zone of forests, which nowhere reached so far as the bed of the river. A vast beach, constantly parched19 by the heat of the sun, desert and bare as the shores of the sea, resembles at a distance, from the effects of the mirage20, pools of stagnant21 water. In these scattered22 features, we recognize the course of the Orinoco, one of the most majestic24 rivers of the New World.”[52]
At this point the Orinoco, already enriched with the tribute of the Guaviare, the Inirida, the Meta, and the Arauca, which, like the Apure, have their sources amidst the snowy mountains of New Granada, suddenly changes its course, and, in conjunction with the latter, flows nearly in a straight line towards the Atlantic, after describing an arc of a circle around the western portion of Guayana. The vast territory thus encompassed26 within its mighty27 embrace gives rise also to numerous other rivers hardly inferior in magnitude to the above-named, such as the Ventuari, the Cuchivero, the Paragua, the Caura, the Caroni, etc., all of which flow into the Orinoco from the{394} south, thus contributing to swell28 the volume of its waters to the extent that it presents by the time it reaches the ocean on the fifteenth meridian29 of longitude30 east of Washington. Our route being in this direction also, we will not follow the illustrious traveller in his laborious32 exploration of the Upper Orinoco, the Casiquiare and the Rio Negro. I would, however, advise those who are not conversant34 with his works to read his description of the Raudales, or Great Rapids of Atures and Maipures, which he has sketched35 with a masterly hand in his Tableaux36 de la Nature. The following passage, quoted from said work, will convey to the reader some idea of the magnificence of the river at that point:—
“A foaming37 surface of four miles in length presents itself at once to the eye: iron black masses of rock, resembling ruins and battlemented towers, rise frowning from the waters. Rocks and islands are adorned38 with the luxuriant vegetation of the tropical forest; a perpetual mist hovers39 over the waters, and the summits of the lofty palms pierce through the clouds of spray and vapor40. When the rays of the glowing evening sun are refracted in their humid exhalations, a magic optical effect begins. Colored bows shine, vanish, and reappear; and the ethereal image is swayed to and fro by the breath of the sportive breeze. During the long rainy season, the streaming waters bring down islands of vegetable mould, and thus the naked rocks are studded with bright flower-beds adorned with melastomas and{395} droseras, and with silver-leaved mimosas and ferns. These spots recall to the recollection of the European those blocks of granite41 decked with flowers which rise solitary42 amidst the glaciers43 of Savoy, and are called by the dwellers44 in the Alps ‘Jardins,’ or ‘Courtils.’ ”
This is the country of the India-rubber and the Brazil-nut trees, two of the most stupendous denizens45 of the tropical forest; of the wild cacao, the fragrant46 sarapia, or tonka-bean, the sassafras-laurel, the ananas or wild pine-apple, and of numberless other useful products, as well as baneful47 drugs; for here is gathered the mavacure-vine, from the juice of which the Indians of this region compound the most virulent48 poison known in nature, the curare, which the natives employ most effectively in procuring49 game by the aid of their blow-pipes. So quick and certain are its effects, that an animal wounded by one of the small arrows used for the purpose drops dead before the creature is hardly conscious of its danger; and singular enough, no evil effects whatever arise from partaking of the game thus killed; for the curare is perfectly50 harmless when taken internally.
The Raudales are at present a serious impediment to the free navigation of the river up to the frontiers of Brazil; although, as Humboldt justly remarks, this obstruction51 could be avoided by cutting a canal around them, the nature of the ground offering ample facilities for this purpose; but this cannot be done advantageously until the country shall be better stocked with population than at present.{396}
Proceeding down the stream, the only town of any importance we encounter on the route is Ciudad Bolívar, formerly52 Angostura, which is the capital of the State of Guayana and a mart of considerable trade with the llanos of Apure, Calabozo, and Barinas. The old name of the city was changed in honor of the Liberator53, Simon Bolívar, who, after expelling the Spaniards from New Granada, assembled here the first Congress which proclaimed the union of the republic of Colombia in 1819. Pleasantly situated54 on a bluff55 several feet above the high-water level of the river, about three hundred miles from the sea, and connected by its numerous tributaries56 with a country nearly as large as continental57 Europe, Ciudad Bolívar is destined58 to become the seat of a vast commerce, when the now almost desert region of Guayana shall have opened its golden treasures to an enterprising generation. At present it contains about ten thousand inhabitants; has a fine cathedral, government house, and very handsome private residences and warehouses59. The business, according to all accounts, has fallen off greatly since the war of seven years which, under the alleged60 name of Federacion, devastated61 the rest of the republic. Happily for the State of Guayana, it has always been kept free from these periodical turmoils62 by the efforts of some truly patriotic63 men—among others, John B. Dalla-Costa, Jr., the present President of the State, under whose enlightened administration public improvements, roads, hospitals, schools, etc., are being established, and the nucleus64 of a foreign immigration started on the way{397} to the gold fields. The commercial houses are principally German, French, and Italian; but of late many Southern refugees from the United States have been induced to try their fortunes on the banks of the Orinoco; and, judging from past experience in the rapid development of California and Australia, through the energies of the Anglo-Saxon race, the placers of that golden paradise bid fair to become another centre of commercial intercourse65 with foreign nations.
It was from this place that the first expedition in search of El Dorado, on this side of the continent, set out in 1595. None of those composing it ever came back, however, to tell the sad tale of their discomfiture66 by the fierce tribes of Indians which dwelt on the fine savannas67 lying between the Caroni and Paragua rivers, beyond which popular belief, assisted by the traditions of the aborigines themselves, had settled definitely the existence of a region abounding68 in gold. Previous to this, however, the fame of El Dorado had spread over the western part of South America, and several expeditions had been fitted out in Venezuela, New Granada, Quito, and Peru, with the avowed69 object of conquering the wealthy empire of the Omeguas, whose sovereign, El Dorado, or the “gilded king,” was represented as dwelling70 in palaces with columns of massive gold. The climate of that region being warm throughout the year, and the morals of the inhabitants not yet perverted71 by contact with their would-be civilizers, his majesty’s attire72, it was asserted, was in keeping with the glitter of his dominions73; a simple coating of balsamiferous resins74, in which the country{398} abounds75, followed by a sprinkling of gold-dust through the hollow tube of a bamboo, twice a day, being sufficient to distinguish him from the rest of his naked subjects: hence the name. But this sort of drapery being rather uncomfortable at bed-time, it was removed every night by simply washing with water—a most delightful76 luxury in warm countries—and as easily replaced on the following day. Where such embarras de richesse could be indulged in by a demi-savage77 monarch78, gold mines must exist in abundance; the sands of the rivers and lakes must consist of fine gold, and the pebbles79 and rocks of the same precious metal. People were not, however, in perfect accord respecting the precise locality of said auriferous kingdom; some placing it on the eastern side of Guayana, as already stated, under the name of El Dorado de la Parime; others, two hundred and fifty leagues to the westward80 of this, near the eastern slope of the Andes of New Granada; while not a few contended that it was situated in the country of the Omeguas, somewhere near the waters of the Upper Amazon.
Such were the vague notions concerning the country of El Dorado, which the people of former times sought in vain at the cost of many lives and vast amounts of treasure. Strange blindness! when they had it right before their eyes! for, as the noble missionary81 writer often quoted, Father Gumilla, tells us respecting the wealth of South America: “Let us ask the Englishman, Keymisco,[53] and other captains,{399} countrymen of his: Friends, what journeys are these? for what purpose so many dangerous voyages, so many losses of treasure, ships, and sailors?[54] Let us ask both Pizarros in Peru and Quito; both Quesadas in Santa Fé de Bogotá; Orellana, on the Mara?on, and Berrio on the Meta, as well as many other famous chieftains: Gentlemen, what’s your hurry? what the object of so many armaments, marches, and arduous82 explorations, dangerous and painful?—‘We seek,’ they answer ‘the famous and opulent El Dorado: let no one, therefore, be astonished at our determination and earnest purpose; for what is worth much, must entail84 great sacrifices.’ ”
“The Athenians burst into laughter when they met and heard Diogenes seeking for a man; but they laughed most foolishly, inasmuch as the philosopher sought a man of truth only! one who should profess85 it in earnest; and it should have been a matter of shame, rather than raillery, with the men of Athens, to learn that so great a philosopher could not find one among them. But we shall not err2 if we laugh at the simplicity86 of those noble conquerors88. Most singular spectacle! To see so many Spanish chieftains stumbling at each step over an El Dorado of inexhaustible richness, as is in reality the entire new kingdom{400} of Granada, and Tierra Firme, so abundant in gold, silver, and emerald mines, such as those already found within the jurisdictions89 of Pamplona, Mariquita, Muso, Neiva, Los Remedios, Antioquia, Anserma, Choco, Barvacoas, and a great many more which are waiting to be brought to light, as is indicated by the golden sands carried down by rivers and torrents90 from the mountains; thus showing their willingness to be disentombed. Therefore, if there are so many scores of Dorados, immensely rich and superabundant, only waiting to be worked; why so much restlessness, so much expenditure91 and wandering after a Dorado? What need had Peru to risk her militia92 in unknown regions to suffer and perish in pursuit of a Dorado, while she possesses the unrivalled golden fields of Caravalla, with many others? And the inexhaustible silver mountain of Potosi, to say nothing of other veins93 of the same metal, almost innumerable, though less prolific95? It was indeed a singular idea to seek abroad, at great cost of life and treasure, the very thing they possessed96 at home.”[55]
Nothing in the history of modern adventure can compare in hardihood, determination, and reckless disregard of life, with those haphazard97 undertakings{401} in the heart of South America which, although proving invariably most disastrous99 to their promoters, resulted ultimately in a real benefit to the colonial possessions of Spain in the New World, by extending the geographical101 knowledge of those regions. To fully102 comprehend the nature of the task which these adventurers imposed upon themselves, it will suffice to say, with regard to Venezuela, that few spots only, and these far apart, were then occupied by Europeans along its extensive sea-coast. The thirst for gold, which characterized the spirit of the time, and the reputation the country enjoyed for the precious metal, as well as for the fine pearls obtained at Margarita and other places, had attracted thither103 a crowd of lawless adventurers from all parts of Europe, but more especially from Germany—the Emperor Charles the Fifth having, in an evil hour, granted to a company of Teutonic speculators all the territory comprised between Cabo de la Vela and Maracapana, with privilege to capture and use as slaves all those of the native inhabitants who should resist their exactions. The power thus conferred on those merciless adventurers was freely used by them to enslave the doomed104 lords of the land, who were hunted like wild beasts in all directions, and quickly transported to the mines of Hispaniola, or Saint Domingo, where they perished by thousands, the native population of that island having already been exterminated105 in this manner. To accomplish their work more effectually, expeditions were organized and despatched to all parts of the country, some of which penetrated106 beyond the llanos{402} of Apure, Casanare, and Meta, as far as the Caqueta and Putumayo, tributary108 rivers of the Upper Amazon. Others, still more bold, disregarding the frigid109 blasts of the Sierra Nevada, with its dizzy precipices110 and yawning chasms111, sought the “Land of gold” in a westerly direction, fighting their way not only against a frowning nature, but also against the hardy112 mountain tribes, who disputed every inch of ground to the bearded invaders113. It was in this manner that the rich domain114 of Cundinamarca, in New Granada, was made known to the colonists115 of Venezuela, by Nicholas Federmann, in 1539, although Jimenez de Quesada had preceded him, and Sebastian de Benalcazar, by the way of the river Magdalena from the coast of Cartagena.
“The junction25 of three bodies of troops on the table-land of New Granada,” says Humboldt, “spread through all that part of America occupied by the Spaniards the news of an immensely rich and populous116 country, which remained to be conquered. Sebastian de Benalcazar marched from Quito by way of Popayan (1536) to Bogotá; Nicolas Federmann, coming from Venezuela, arrived from the east by the plains of Casanare and Meta. These two captains found, already settled on the table-land of Cundinamarca, the famous Adelantado Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, one of whose descendants I saw near Zipaquirá, with bare feet, attending cattle. The fortuitous meeting of the three conquistadores, one of the most extraordinary and dramatic events of the history of the conquest, took place in 1536.”
No better avenger117 of the wrongs perpetrated on{403} the unfortunate aborigines could have been provided against their merciless persecutors, than this phantom118 of untold119 wealth, which, like the fugitive120 fountain before Tantalus, haunted them day and night, in the camp of the wearied soldier, in the alcove121 of the proud Hidalgo, and even in the quiet seclusion122 of the cloister123. And yet one cannot but admire the pluck of those hardy cavaliers of old who, regardless of the almost insuperable difficulties presented by an unknown and savage country, went boldly in search of this new Ophir over lofty mountain ranges and desert plains, which, even at this day, are the terror of the wayfarer124. Three centuries later, when Bolívar, with a well-appointed army and better roads than Federmann met in his famous expedition, crossed the Cordilleras from the plains of Venezuela, and undertook the recovery of New Granada from the Spaniards in 1819, he lost nearly all his baggage-mules, and many valuable lives besides, amidst the wintry páramos of that tempestuous126 ridge127.
Of the earliest expeditions in search of El Dorado, those undertaken by Jorge de Spira in 1534, and by Felipe de Urre or Utre,[56] in 1541, from the coast of Coro, Venezuela, rank among the most extraordinary on record. The former of these worthies128 had received the title of adelantado, or governor, to the German colony in Tierra Firme, a dignity which was associated in those days with the more vainglorious129 aspirations{404} of the conqueror87, or conquistador, and to this end were directed, more or less, all the efforts of the men appointed to places of distinction in the New World, without neglecting to provide themselves with the more substantial perquisites130 of the fraternity in the shape of Indian captives, pearls, and gold. Accordingly, the Adelantado took especial care to bring with him from Spain a force of about four hundred men, many of whom were persons of distinction, and landed in Coro in the early part of February of that year.
Without troubling himself much about the affairs of the colony, the new Adelantado proceeded immediately to scour131 the country in search of gold; but finding none amongst the savage tribes he encountered beyond the mountains of the coast, boldly plunged132 into the mare133 magnum of the llanos, in spite of the opposition134 of the natives and the asperity135 of the route. The vernal deluge136 of the low lands, however, put a stop in due time to further progress, compelling him to seek the protection of the hilly country to the westward, where years after was founded the city of Barinas. Here he spent several months waiting for the return of the dry season, and in vain endeavors to obtain provisions in a country solely137 inhabited by savage tribes, that did not disdain138 to confront the superior mettle139 of his men whenever they had a chance. Reduced at last to the greatest extremity140 by famine and sickness, the Governor despatched a portion of his force under one of his most tried captains, with orders to penetrate107 into the valleys formed by the lofty range of mountains further west.{405}
Goaded141 by hunger, and with the hope of finding more promising142 realms than those they had encountered on the route from Coro, the soldiers of Spira did not stop until they discovered on a high mountain what seemed to be the granary of the tribes appertaining to that district, which they were not slow in transporting to headquarters. Somewhat restored with this opportune143 supply of food, and not in the least daunted144 by the dangers that threatened him, Spira resolved to proceed on his forlorn journey, sending back to Coro the sick and wounded under a competent escort, which was to rejoin him in his camp. This accomplished145, the Adelantado resumed his march across the plains in a southward direction. Keeping in sight of the western cordillera, and guided by the celestial146 constellations147 at night, Spira and his brave companions presented the spectacle so well described by Goldsmith in the following lines:—
“To distant climes, a dreary148 scene,
Where half the convex world intrudes149 between,
Through torrid tracks with fainting step they go.”
The Deserted150 Village.
After several months of arduous vicissitudes151, when they nearly all perished for want of provisions, subsisting152 in the mean time on the tender shoots of heliconias and the most loathsome154 reptiles155, they stopped at last on the banks of the river Upia, having crossed many others of no less consequence, such as the Apure, the Sarare, and the Casanare, by what means the chronicles of the time do not tell us. Completely exhausted156 now, and again threatened by{406} the approaching rainy season, the weary caravan157 prepared to winter there, selecting for the purpose some high ground near a forest, upon which they built huts and considered themselves secure against the vernal flood. Vain precautions! The thundering voice of the tropical tempest made itself heard at length, and neither human ingenuity158, nor high bank, nor tangled159 forest, could turn aside the mighty swell which, like a partial deluge, sweeps over the boundless160 plain at the vernal equinox. Thus the bold Castilians, after courageously161 braving the terrors of a savage country for nearly two years, found themselves reduced to a small space of dry land, and in danger of being washed away at any moment. Ignorant of the ways, and badly provided with the necessary appliances for procuring game in a country so profusely162 endowed with this commodity, they were still compelled to subsist153 on wild fruits and roots; even these could not be procured163 but at the peril164 of ravenous165 jaguars166, which, like themselves, had been driven thither by the engulfing167 inundation168. More skilled in the art of swimming and navigating169 those waters, the vengeful Indians watched stealthily every opportunity to pick off stragglers from the camp; and thus many of those poor wretches170 were spared the horrors of a lingering death by starvation, sickness, and despair. Yet, the unconquerable spirit of their leader, far from yielding to the force of circumstances, and wholly impressed with visions of a golden paradise, only seemed to urge him on still farther in the unknown interior; for no sooner was he released from his long confinement172 by{407} the subsidence of the waters, than Spira crossed over to the south side of the river, and proceeded on his journey, through innumerable hostile tribes of Indians, who annoyed him considerably173 on his march. During his wanderings over those immeasurable wilds, Spira obtained from an Indian captive some information respecting more prosperous and populated lands to the westward, the inhabitants of which were clad in fine cotton fabrics174, and wore ornaments175 of gold, showing a higher grade of civilization than that of the savages176 he had encountered. Although at first he lent a willing ear to the story, and even sent a strong body of men to reconnoitre the lofty mountain range beyond, the Adelantado desisted from his projected conquest in that direction, owing to the rugged177 nature of the route, as reported by his men, and the little faith he placed on such statements from Indian informers. The fact is, the Spaniards had proved such troublesome guests, that the aborigines, to get rid of them, and perceiving their eagerness for gold, constantly allured178 them towards the wealth of other countries, situated farther off. Had Spira, on this occasion, followed the advice of his informant, instead of persisting, as he did, in his southern exploration, he would, in a short time, have found the promised land of his expectations—the rich and fertile country of the Muiscas, in one word, for he was then only a few days’ march from their own capital on the high table-land of Bogotá. His bad luck led him instead to a region so exactly the reverse of this, that his companions gave it the name of Mal Pais (bad country{408}), not only on account of the roughness of the land, but also of its inhabitants, with whom they had several desperate engagements, before they were enabled to proceed.
Without losing sight of the friendly cordillera which had guided their steps thus far, the Spaniards arrived at the village of a less pugnacious179 tribe of Indians, which they christened with the name of Nuestra Se?ora, or Our Lady, in commemoration of the Feast of the Assumption, which they, in spite of their wretched condition, celebrated180 with great pomp and rejoicings, in 1537. It is the same where they afterwards founded the city of San Juan de los Llanos.[57] Here the Spaniards heard again of regions abounding in gold and silver, situated farther on; and although they had become rather incredulous respecting such reports, they believed, on this occasion, what the Indians told them, in consequence of finding there some signs of a more advanced state of civilization, such as a temple, consecrated181 to the sun, and a convent of virgins182 similar to those which were afterwards found among the Muiscas and Peruvians. Without stopping even to rest his troop, Spira crossed the Ariari, perhaps higher up than Macatoa, and before its junction with the Guaviare. He then penetrated, by force of arms, into the country of the Guayupes and Canicamares, two powerful tribes, and shortly afterwards he discovered the head waters of the Papamene, where he stopped some days to rest his men, and to obtain{409} guides among the Indians to conduct him to the country of riches. The dwellers of Papamene received Spira in a friendly manner, and established with his soldiers a system of exchanges and communication most acceptable on both sides; the strangers obtaining by these means the provisions they were in need of, and the Indians those trinkets of foreign manufacture so highly prized by them. But, tired at last of their troublesome guests, the aborigines persuaded them that a little further on they would find the country they were in quest of. To encourage them still more, five of the natives volunteered to act as guides, pledging themselves to lead them shortly to the heart of that happy country, from whence they would return loaded with riches. Instead of this, the wily Indians conducted them to a dismal183 labyrinth184 of swamps and quicksands, the abode185 of a ferocious186 and warlike nation, dexterous187 in battle and in the management of formidable lances of palm-wood, tipped with blades of human bone, very sharp and pointed125. When once in the heart of this horrid188 wilderness189, the guides disappeared one night, and left their friends to shift for themselves.
Not in the least disconcerted by the untoward190 contretemps, the stubborn leader of the band, instead of retracing191 his steps, prepared at once to make a thorough exploration of that region. To this end he detailed192 his lieutenant193, Esteban Martin—a well tried and competent individual—with fifty infantry194 and twenty horsemen, to reconnoitre the position. Martin soon discovered the difficulties of the undertaking98,{410} and the dangers to which they all would be exposed if the Governor persisted in his project. After an ineffectual reconnoisance of five days’ duration, when men and horses were constantly in danger of being swallowed up by the treacherous195 ground, he returned to the camp, and again endeavored to dissuade196 the Governor from his foolhardy scheme; but Spira was deaf to the timely advice of his lieutenant. Ordering him to leave behind the horses, and to take the fifty men already allotted197 to the service, he enjoined198 Martin to resume the reconnoisance forthwith, by a different route.
The result of the foray was just as the lieutenant had foreseen. The Indians allowed them to penetrate unmolested into the interior of their stronghold, and then cut them up in detail. Although the Spaniards fought like lions on this occasion, very few of them were fortunate enough to reach headquarters, to apprise200 the stubborn Governor of his danger. It became now necessary to effect a retreat from that den5 of horrors which the Spaniards stigmatized201 with the appropriate name of Los Choques—the Onslaughts—in allusion202 to the repeated attacks which the enemy made upon them while endeavoring to accomplish their escape. Unfortunately for the invaders, as they were then very near the line of the equator, where it rains almost incessantly204, they had to contend also against the inclemency205 of the weather, which brought on a multitude of diseases very fatal to men and horses; for they had neither the means nor the physical strength to counteract206 them. Thus many of these brave fellows{411} became a prey207 to the distemper, among them several distinguished208 individuals, whose names are given by Oviedo in his “Historia de la Conquista,” such as Francisco Murcia de Rondon, who had acted as secretary to King Francis the First of France during his captivity209 in Spain.
The most difficult part of the undertaking remained yet to be accomplished, namely, that of retracing their steps to the sea-coast through a flooded and deserted country; for, with the previous experience of the natives, the villages were abandoned at the approach of the dreaded210 foreigners, and stripped of their provisions. So great was the destitution211 among the followers212 of Spira, that, on one occasion, a party of his men fell in with an infant, left forsaken213 by its mother in the hurry of the moment after a surprise; and, without the least compunction, they devoured214 it along with some edible215 roots found in the hut. When Spira heard of it he would have made an example of the cannibals on the spot; but considering that he was still in an enemy’s country, and that he could not very well spare the men—four in number—he commuted216 the sentence of death passed upon them to some other, though quite severe punishment. They all, however, got their deserts after a while; for, as the historiographer Oviedo tells us, every one of them died in the most distressing217 agony—although of various diseases—at the thought of the horrid crime they had committed.
A whole year was spent in this disastrous retreat, which, more than any other feat23 of arms, proved the{412} mettle of the bold conquerors. The remnants of what was a dashing phalanx—ninety men out of the four hundred that five years before had started in search of wealth and fame—reached Coro in February of 1539; and these, far from being discouraged by past misfortunes, only inflamed218 the ardor219 of other incautious adventurers to join them in a renewed search for El Dorado; for we find Felipe de Urre and Pedro de Limpias, two of Spirals followers, engaging in a similar expedition soon after the return of this ill-fated conquistador, who did not long survive the hardships of that fearful journey, for he died in Coro on the 12th of June, 1540. His successor, as Governor of the colony, Bishop220 de las Bastidas, whose mission as a prelate of the church should have been one of “peace on earth, and good-will to men,” far from discountenancing these reckless enterprises, became himself a most ardent221 votary222 of the “gilded king,” to whom he prepared to pay his respects through his lieutenant, the famous conquistador, Felipe de Urre, like Spira and Federmann, of German nationality. The exchequer223 of the colony being rather short of funds at the time, the Right Reverend sent an expedition under Pedro de Limpias, to the lake of Maracaibo, for the purpose of obtaining its equivalent in the shape of Indian captives, a species of merchandise which commanded a ready sale among the traders on the coast of Tierra Firme. The speculation224 succeeded so well that, by the month of June, 1541, the Commander-in-chief was ready to start at the head of one hundred and fifty men, well armed and equipped for{413} a protracted225 campaign. Urre appointed as his chief of staff the ubiquitous Pedro de Limpias, a brave and crafty226 adventurer, long experienced in Indian forays, especially that of the unfortunate Jorge de Spira, and afterwards under Federmann, during his perilous227 journey over the icy Sierras of Cundinamarca.
The only pass through the northern cordillera then known to the colonists was that of Agua-Caliente, a little to the south of the present site of Puerto Cabello, and the same that Spira and Federmann sought some years before in their march through to the Llanos. This pass being situated some fifty leagues east of Coro, and no roads existing at that time, the little band of Felipe de Urre had to follow the coast-line intervening between both places, with no small inconvenience to men and beasts, from the burning sands and the quagmires228 they must have encountered.
The route being pretty well known already, Urre had no difficulty in finding the pass; and then following the line of march of his predecessors229 in their famous perambulations through the Llanos, he reached La Fragua, or Nuestra Se?ora, in safety, stopping there for a while until the return of the dry season, and to obtain further information respecting the mysterious land he was in quest of. His astonishment230 was great, however, when he heard that, a few days before, Hernan Perez de Quesada, with a large force from Cundinamarca, had passed through that place in quest of El Dorado. Fearing that the Spaniard might get ahead of him in this coveted231 conquest, Urre left his winter quarters sooner than he had calculated,{414} and reached the country of Papamene. From thence he might have gained easy access to the populous and well-stocked country of the Guayupes, but for his obstinacy232 in keeping the track of Quesada in his march southward. Although warned in time of the dangers of this route by a friendly Indian, who offered to conduct him instead to the rich domain of Macatoa in a south-easterly direction, the stubborn German still persisted in his purpose, with no better luck than his rival; who barely escaped with his life, and the loss of the greater portion of his followers, to the high table-land of Papayan, after two years of wanderings and vicissitudes through the most dismal solitudes233 and tangled forests.
Compelled by the approaching rainy season to seek also the proximity234 of the mountains, and with most of his force in a deplorable condition, Urre hastened to establish his winter quarters on a spur of the Andes, which stretches far into the low lands, and was named by them the Punta, or Cape203 of Los Pardaos. But here an unexpected misfortune awaited them; for the district being scarcely inhabited, they could find no provisions during their long wintry captivity; subsisting, like Spira and his men, on reptiles and the like. The greatest luxury they enjoyed at times was a ball of corn-meal, well seasoned with a species of red-ants, and roasted on the embers. The game was easily secured by placing the moist paste near the mouth of the ant-nest, which soon attracted the insects, and when well covered with them, they were kneaded together, the same operation being repeated{415} several times, until the roll contained more insects than paste. Reduced, in consequence, to the condition of walking skeletons, and most of them covered with the most loathsome tumors and ulcers235, the forlorn wanderers could hardly extricate236 themselves from that theatre of their misfortunes, when the subsidence of the waters allowed them to seek their old quarters at La Fragua, to recruit before engaging in new adventures.
Although the force had dwindled237 down to less than half the number of those originally brought from Coro, Felipe de Urre determined238 to resume his explorations with only forty men, which was all that could be got together, after leaving a sufficient number at La Fragua for the protection of the sick. Remembering the advice given him by the Indian guide of Papamene to look for the country of the Omeguas in a different direction from that taken by Quesada in his perilous pilgrimage, Urre set out in quest of Macatoa—situated on the right bank of the great river Guaviare—as the most convenient centre for future operations against the warlike Omeguas.
Whether it was indifference239 on the part of the Indians, or a preconcerted plan to bring their common enemy to speedy destruction at the hands of the Omeguas, the most powerful nation among them, the fact is, that the invaders found no difficulty in penetrating240 as far as Macatoa by the help of Indian guides and assistance. In like manner the lord of Macatoa, on being informed of the purpose which had brought the strangers thus far, received them with every{416} demonstration241 of friendship, giving up to them the most commodious242 residences in the town, and assisting them with provisions and attendants in abundance. The same courtesies were extended to them at their departure, although the Cacique warned his guests of the perils243 they would encounter if they persisted in attacking the Omeguas with so small a force. In order to expedite their march, the Cacique sent messengers ahead to apprise the lord of the next tribe, his ally—situated some nine days’ journey from Macatoa—of their coming, and recommending them strongly to his care and attention. On arriving there, so captivated were the inhabitants with the novelty of the strangers and their attire, especially with the horses, that they became even more obsequious244 than the people of Macatoa, and, like these, warned the leader of that squad245 of adventurers not to engage in so desperate a combat with the Omeguas, representing likewise to Felipe de Urre that these people possessed also domestic quadrupeds of large size—probably llamas—which they could use like horses if they chose. In addition to these facts the Spaniards were reassured246 of the immense wealth in gold and silver everywhere to be found among that populous nation, which news so excited their avarice247 that, disregarding all the chances against the success of their enterprise, they hastened towards the goal of their expectations.
Perceiving that his arguments were of no avail with the Castilians, to deter83 them from their rash undertaking, the friendly Cacique offered to escort them with a few of his subjects, on the road to the nation{417} of the Omeguas, reaching the first of their outposts in five days. It is related by the chronicles that, having ascended248 some high ground near by, the Spaniards descried249 a city of such extraordinary extent and magnificence, that, although not very far off, they could not see the end of it. The streets were straight, and the buildings quite near each other; among the latter was to be seen a superb edifice250 of vast proportions, which the friendly Cacique told them was the palace of the lord of that city, whose name was Cuarica; and that it served the double function of habitation to his lordship, and temple to many gods, or idols251, of solid gold.
Here the Cacique, having accomplished his errand, proposed to return to his own dominions; but before taking leave of his protegés, he advised Urre, as a last token of his regard, to capture, at all hazards, the men stationed at the post, before they should carry the alarm into the city. The suggestion was fully appreciated by the Commander and some officers near him, all of whom being on horseback at that moment, immediately gave chase to the fugitive Omeguas. One of these, finding himself hard pressed by Urre, who rode ahead of his companions, turned round suddenly, and struck the Commander so powerful a blow with his lance, that it pierced right through his cuirass, penetrating deeply into the ribs252 of the right side. Disconcerted with the blow, and the pain inflicted253 by the wound, Urre abandoned the pursuit, and turned back to rejoin his companions, while the fugitives254 made their escape into the city.{418}
Greatly perplexed255 with this unexpected mishap256 to their Commander, and fearing that, alarmed with the report carried by the advanced guard into the city, the Omeguas would immediately sally forth199 to encounter them in great numbers, the Spaniards, by the advice of their friendly Indian guide, who still remained by them, placing their wounded leader in a hammock, resolved to retire at once from the neighborhood. Their apprehensions257 were soon realized; for, in a little while, they heard the confused yells of the multitude, amidst the ominous258 booming of big drums and other war instruments, preparing for the attack. Happily for the retreating Spaniards, night came on soon after, which enabled them to place a good distance between themselves and the advancing columns of the enemy.
On arriving at the village of their good friend the Cacique, the first care was to attend to the chieftain’s wound, as well as circumstances would permit; but hardly were they established here, when the Cacique, apprised259 by some of his people who were working on their fields, informed Urre of the approach of the Omeguas. Unable to place himself at the head of his soldiers, the Commander ordered his lieutenant, Pedro de Limpias, to give them battle at once, regardless of their numbers, which, according to Oviedo, amounted to not less than fifteen thousand. The ground being favorable for the use of cavalry260, Limpias headed the charge with the few horses he had at his command; and although the Omeguas resisted for some time the onset261 of those animals,—seen by them for the first time,{419}—they at last commenced to give way; and the infantry soldiers coming up at this moment under the orders of another brave captain, one Bartolomé Belzar, completed the rout31 of the clamorous262 hosts of Omeguas, who have never since, to this day, been heard of; for Urre lost his life afterwards at the hands of a tyrant263 who ruled the colony in his absence, as we shall see presently; and the country remains264 still a perfect terra incognita, although several attempts were made subsequently from Perú and Quito to find that mysterious land.
Convinced that, with the small force at his disposal, it would have been more than rashness to undertake the conquest of a city which, on so short a notice, could raise fifteen thousand warriors265, Urre determined—so soon as his wound permitted him to mount his horse—to return to Macatoa, and hence to La Fragua, which he reached after an absence of three months. Great was the joy in the invalid266 camp of the Spaniards, on the return of their friends; but greater still, at the good tidings they brought of having found the long-sought-for realms of El Dorado; for they had not the least doubt in their minds that such was the country of the powerful nation whose great city they had looked on with anxious eyes, but dared not enter.
It is a singular coincidence that, while Gonzalo Pizarro was engaged about this time in his ill-fated exploration of the country of Canelos, the land of cinnamon-trees, he heard from the Indians of Muchifaro, that not far from there—somewhat in the direction{420} of Félipe de Urre’s discoveries—a great Sire, most opulent in subjects and riches, and whose name was Omeguas, or Omaguas, had his realms; Pizarro sent in consequence his kinsman267 and confidential268 friend, Francisco Orellana, to explore that region, with fifty men, who were launched upon the swift current of the river Napo in a frail269 barge270, constructed in the wilderness, of very rude materials. But Orellana, probably disgusted by this time with the sufferings already endured, instead of searching for the “rich and fruitful land abounding with gold,” abandoned himself and his companions to the current of the stream—one of the greatest tributaries of the mighty Amazon—and once on the bosom271 of the Father of Waters, sought the broad Atlantic, which he reached in safety after a run of two thousand miles. “But it is marvellous,” Prescott says, “that he should escape shipwreck272 in the perilous and unknown navigation of that river. Many times his vessel273 was nearly dashed to pieces, on its rocks and in its furious rapids; and he was in still greater peril from the warlike tribes on its borders, who fell on his little troop whenever he attempted to land, and followed in his wake for miles in their canoes.”[58]
The sufferings endured by Pizarro and his men on this occasion, remind us of the miserable274 condition of Jorge de Spira and Felipe de Urre on their retrograde march to Coro. “Every scrap275 of provisions had been long since consumed. The last of their horses had{421} been devoured. To appease276 the gnawings of hunger, they were fain to eat the leather of their saddles and belts. The woods supplied them with scanty277 sustenance278, and they greedily fed upon toads279, serpents, and such other reptiles as they occasionally found.”
But to return to the way-worn company under the German leader, Urre, whom we left in rather a bad plight280 at their haven281 of La Fragua. After a deliberate consultation282 among the principal captains of the band, it was unanimously resolved to send to Coro for reinforcements, and Pedro de Limpias having offered his services to that effect, he was despatched forthwith by Felipe de Urre with a good portion of his force as an escort; but suspecting, soon after, some evil intentions on the part of his lieutenant, who was always at loggerheads with the German element of the troop, the Commander followed him soon after, with the rest of the men.
Subsequent events proved that the apprehensions of the gallant German were not unfounded; for on his approach to the settlements of the colony, he learned that the government thereof had passed into the hands of an usurper283, a crafty lawyer, named Carvajal, Relator or Recorder of the Audiencia of San Domingo, who, by forgery284 of despatches from that body, had managed to appoint himself Governor, in the absence of the lawful285 incumbent286 of the post. Felipe de Urre was, moreover, warned by his friends of the machinations of his lieutenant, who, instead of demanding the requisite287 contingent288 of men and horses to prosecute289 his conquests, was plotting his{422} destruction, and that of his countrymen, with the wily Carvajal. This individual, whom all accounts represent as an unscrupulous tyrant and most accomplished hypocrite, succeeded, nevertheless, in disarming290 Urre and his adherents291, all of whom he had the effrontery292 to put to death, on some specious293 pretext294 concocted295 between himself and the spiteful Pedro de Limpias.
Thus fell one of the bravest pioneers of South America, and a most disinterested296 champion of its early colonization297. “None of the chieftains,” says Oviedo, “of the many that warred in the Indies, stained his sword with blood less than he; for, having overrun more provinces than any one else in his protracted journey of four years’ duration, his moderation was impelled298 to war only when he found no other means to obtain peace.”
But the tyrannical rule of his murderer, Carvajal, was only of short duration; for about this time the Emperor Charles the Fifth, cognizant of the excesses practised against the unhappy aborigines—through the representations of their zealous299 defender300, the celebrated Father Las Casas—and the deplorable state into which the country had fallen under the bad management of the German company, annulled301 the charter granted to the latter, and sent an eminent302 jurist, the Licentiate de Tolosa, with full powers to regulate the affairs of the colony as Governor and Captain-General thereof. On his arrival at Coro, Tolosa was soon posted in regard to the conduct of the usurper Carvajal, who, for greater security, kept himself at a distance from the sea-coast, in the new settlement of{423} Tocuyo, far away in the interior. The Captain-General managed things so well, however, that he contrived303 to pounce304 upon the wretch171, one night, when least expected; and having tried, and found him guilty of the crimes imputed305 to him, he sentenced him to be hanged—after being dragged on a hide through the streets of the town—from the same tree, a splendid Ceiba, or silk-cotton tree, in the centre of the plaza306, which the tyrant had polluted with his numberless atrocities307, making use of it as a gibbet during his executions.
We shall not follow the other conquerors in their restless search for El Dorado, now in one direction, now in an opposite quarter, until it was brought within the embrace of the mighty Orinoco, where Raleigh’s last adventure was terminated by his unsuccessful attack upon Santo Tomé de la Angostura, the present Ciudad Bolívar, where we must resume our journey.
Although the river has been well known for the last three hundred years, the country within its boundaries, properly called Guayana, has remained comparatively ignored by the outside world until these latter years. A few settlements along its southern shore, and these principally controlled by priestly exclusiveness, was all the advancement308 that had been made there up to the destruction of the missions by the war of independence. Since then the country had nearly returned to its primeval state of savageness309, when the “gold fever,” that most potent310 excitant{424} of all distempers, aroused the lethargic311 apathy312 of the inhabitants, and now bids fair to communicate itself to people of keener sensibilities.
It is possible that the missionary fathers, who had for a long time entire control of the scattered villages south of the Orinoco, were well informed respecting the existence of the gold fields which are being brought to light just now; but the frailes—all of them European Spaniards, and consequently strong supporters of their cause—were wantonly massacred by some staff officers of General Bolívar, and not one of them left to reveal the source of their reputed wealth. And, what is most singular, the learned Humboldt, who explored the Orinoco in nearly its whole course, devotes an entire chapter to prove the non-existence of gold in Guayana, especially on the spot where it has been found in the greatest abundance; although, with his characteristic reserve and far-seeing perspicuity314, he concludes with these words:
“Though the celebrity315 of the riches of Spanish Guiana is chiefly assignable to the geographical situation of the country and the errors of the old maps, we are not justified316 in denying the existence of any auriferous land in the tract4 of country of 82,000 square leagues (250,000 square miles), which stretches between the Orinoco and the Amazon, on the east of the Andes of Quito and New Granada. What I saw of this country between the second and eighth degrees of longitude, is entirely317 composed of granite, and of a gneiss passing into micaceous318 and talcous slate319. These{425} rocks appear naked in the lofty mountains of Parima, as well as in the plains of the Atabapo and the Casiquiare. Granite predominates there over the other rocks: and though in both continents, the granite of ancient formation is pretty generally destitute320 of gold ore, we cannot hence conclude that the granite of Parima contains no vein94, no stratum321 of auriferous quartz322.”
The error of the great traveller in this respect is assignable to the fact that he never left the bed of the Orinoco, which is bordered, as he states, by ledges323 of primitive324 formation. The auriferous deposits of the State of Guayana are found in a range of mountains, having a general course north-east and south-west, about a hundred miles south of the Orinoco river, precisely325 where Sir Walter Raleigh placed his El Dorado de la Parime.[59]
Through the courtesy of J. B. Austin, Esq., of Philadelphia—a gentleman of refined cultivation326 and thorough American energy, who has lately returned from that region—I am enabled to place before my readers the subjoined letter, containing an accurate statement concerning the so-called “fabulous” realms of El Dorado,[A] as they now are:
“The streams having their sources in these mountains,{426} generally flow into the Cuyuni and Masaruny rivers, tributaries of the Esequibo, though some run into the Caroni, one of the great tributaries of the Orinoco. As these gold deposits are approached, the geological features of the country undergo an important change. Quartz appears in immense quantities, running in broad veins through the savannas, or thickly distributed over great extents. This is often auriferous to a slight degree. South of the Yuruary river the system of plains is left behind, and here are ranges of hills and mountains covered with dense327, gloomy, tropical forests, and intersected with numerous streams and rivers. The principal formation, or ‘country rock,’ is highly metamorphosed talcose and chloritic slates328, broken often by upheavals329 of granite, and traversed by veins and ledges of quartz, from thirty inches to ninety feet wide. All this is auriferous, free gold in quartz, and of a richness incredible, until seen and explored. The earth, rocks, and beds of streams all yield gold in the greatest profusion330, and over ten thousand men are now at work there without any scientific direction, and with the poorest appliances for labor33, but all doing well, many accumulating large sums of money. Every part of their labor is by hand, and their tools and implements331 of the most ordinary character.
“Here is timber sufficient for ages of consumption; abundant supplies of water; a quiet, orderly people; good government, and deposits of gold apparently332 inexhaustible. It seems strange that such a country has remained so far hidden for such a length of time.{427} It was known to the aborigines, for we find their old pits, implements and pottery333. Even as late as the time of Sir Walter Raleigh it was known to the Indians, and that gallant leader made four attempts to penetrate its fastnesses, but each time was driven back by the Spaniards. Evidently it was known to the Capuchin fathers, who colonized334 and christianized that section of South America; but by them it was held as a great secret, and upon their overthrow335 and massacre313, in 1815, the trace was lost, until accidentally discovered again a few years since.
“It is a remarkable336 fact also, that the State of Guayana, since the date of its independence from Spain in 1812, has remained free from those internal dissensions and strifes so common in South American states. Its inhabitants are orderly, honest, and industrious337; their pursuits pastoral and agricultural, and its rulers men of great political ability and enlarged liberal views.
“The climate of the State is salubrious, and the communications with the mines good; wagons338 can pass from the river to them in five days, and steamers run every fortnight from the river to England and France in eighteen days, and monthly to New York in twelve days.
“In a scientific point of view the country is most interesting. It is emphatically an unexplored field; its geology, natural history, and botany, almost unknown; pictorially339 it is very beautiful; protection to life and property absolutely safe; and though somewhat{428} rough in its accommodations, still most interesting to the traveller.
“With such unbounded sources of wealth within its borders, so accessible to the great centres of commerce, and under such an enlightened administration of public affairs, it requires no gift of prophecy to foresee the rapidity of development now opening for the great and prosperous State of Guayana.
“The scenery throughout the canton of Upata partakes more of the pastoral character, its most marked feature being quiet beauty. There are places, such as the site of the mission of Santa Maria, the approach to the Yuruary from Guacipati, the great palm forests near Palmar, and the mountain range of Nuri, which are grand, even sublime341; but generally the scene is more park-like, the mountain forms quiet, the savannas sweeping342 off in long swells343, with trees scattered over them singly, in groups, or groves344, seemingly as if planted by man for pictorial340 effect. The valleys are fertile and luxuriant—all the productions of the tropical zone maturing almost without labor; the savannas furnish rich pasturage for tens of thousands of cattle—the forests are prolific in woods of the greatest value—the streams rapid, and their water good.
“The auriferous deposits beyond the Yuruary have been traced from that river through to the Ventuari, about four hundred miles; not, for all this distance, by continuous exploration, but in detached efforts, penetrating from the Orinoco at various points, and always striking the same general system of veins.”{429}
As I understand that Mr. Austin is engaged in writing a book on this important subject, I abstain345 from further comments in the matter, convinced as I am, that no one is better calculated than himself to enlighten his countrymen respecting a region eminently346 adapted to the enterprising energy of the Anglo-Saxon race.
“Son árboles y piedras un tesoro,
Los montes plata y las arenas347 oro.”
Baralt, Oda á Colon100.
In its trees and its stones are treasures untold,
Its mountains are silver, its sands are of gold.
Note.—According to the official returns of the State of Guayana which I have before me, the exports of gold through the Custom-house of Ciudad Bolívar for the months of April and May, 1867, amounted to $158,815.00.
By Steamer Pioneer, 1194 ounces, or $28.568.00
“““ 1800 “ “ 43.200.00
“ Bark Rosedale 3627 “ “ 87.032.00
6620 $158.800.00
This much without taking into consideration the vast amounts which are carried away by private individuals, without passing through the Custom-house to avoid the export duty levied348 on gold by the Venezuelian government.
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gliding
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err
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civilized
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tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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den
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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gallant
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narrative
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infest
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confluence
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jaguar
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vividly
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proceeding
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agitated
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resounded
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flamingos
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obliquely
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parched
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mirage
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stagnant
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feat
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majestic
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junction
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encompassed
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mighty
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meridian
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longitude
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rout
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laborious
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labor
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conversant
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sketched
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tableaux
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| n.舞台造型，（由活人扮演的）静态画面、场面；人构成的画面或场景( tableau的名词复数 )；舞台造型；戏剧性的场面；绚丽的场景 | |
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37
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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38
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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39
hovers
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| 鸟( hover的第三人称单数 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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40
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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41
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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42
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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43
glaciers
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| 冰河，冰川( glacier的名词复数 ) | |
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44
dwellers
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| n.居民，居住者( dweller的名词复数 ) | |
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45
denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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46
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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47
baneful
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| adj.有害的 | |
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48
virulent
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| adj.有毒的，有恶意的，充满敌意的 | |
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49
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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50
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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51
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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52
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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53
liberator
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| 解放者 | |
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54
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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55
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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56
tributaries
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| n. 支流 | |
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57
continental
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| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
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58
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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59
warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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60
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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61
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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62
turmoils
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| n.混乱( turmoil的名词复数 )；焦虑 | |
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63
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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64
nucleus
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| n.核，核心，原子核 | |
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65
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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66
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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67
savannas
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| n.（美国东南部的）无树平原( savanna的名词复数 )；（亚）热带的稀树大草原 | |
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68
abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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69
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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70
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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71
perverted
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| adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 )；腐蚀；败坏；使堕落 | |
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72
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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73
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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74
resins
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| n.树脂，松香( resin的名词复数 )；合成树脂v.树脂，松香( resin的第三人称单数 )；合成树脂 | |
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75
abounds
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的第三人称单数 ) | |
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76
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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77
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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78
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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79
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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80
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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81
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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82
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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83
deter
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| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
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84
entail
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| vt.使承担，使成为必要，需要 | |
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85
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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86
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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87
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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88
conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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89
jurisdictions
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| 司法权( jurisdiction的名词复数 )； 裁判权； 管辖区域； 管辖范围 | |
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90
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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91
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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92
militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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93
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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94
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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95
prolific
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| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
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96
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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97
haphazard
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| adj.无计划的，随意的，杂乱无章的 | |
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98
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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99
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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100
colon
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| n.冒号，结肠，直肠 | |
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101
geographical
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| adj.地理的；地区(性)的 | |
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102
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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103
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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104
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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105
exterminated
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| v.消灭，根绝( exterminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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107
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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108
tributary
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| n.支流；纳贡国；adj.附庸的；辅助的；支流的 | |
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109
frigid
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| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
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110
precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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111
chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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112
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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113
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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114
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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115
colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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116
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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117
avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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118
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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119
untold
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| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
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120
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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121
alcove
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| n.凹室 | |
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122
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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123
cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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124
wayfarer
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| n.旅人 | |
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125
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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126
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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127
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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128
worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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129
vainglorious
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| adj.自负的；夸大的 | |
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130
perquisites
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| n.（工资以外的）财务补贴( perquisite的名词复数 )；额外收入；（随职位而得到的）好处；利益 | |
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131
scour
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| v.搜索；擦，洗，腹泻，冲刷 | |
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132
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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133
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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134
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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135
asperity
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| n.粗鲁，艰苦 | |
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136
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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137
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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138
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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139
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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140
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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141
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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142
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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143
opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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144
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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146
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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147
constellations
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| n.星座( constellation的名词复数 )；一群杰出人物；一系列（相关的想法、事物）；一群（相关的人） | |
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148
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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149
intrudes
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| v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的第三人称单数 )；把…强加于 | |
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150
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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151
vicissitudes
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| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
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152
subsisting
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
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153
subsist
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| vi.生存，存在，供养 | |
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154
loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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155
reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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156
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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157
caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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158
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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159
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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160
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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161
courageously
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| ad.勇敢地，无畏地 | |
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162
profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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163
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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164
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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165
ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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166
jaguars
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| n.（中、南美洲的）美洲虎( jaguar的名词复数 ) | |
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167
engulfing
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| adj.吞噬的v.吞没，包住( engulf的现在分词 ) | |
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168
inundation
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| n.the act or fact of overflowing | |
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169
navigating
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| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的现在分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
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170
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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171
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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172
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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173
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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174
fabrics
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| 织物( fabric的名词复数 )； 布； 构造； （建筑物的）结构（如墙、地面、屋顶）：质地 | |
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175
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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176
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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177
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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178
allured
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| 诱引，吸引( allure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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179
pugnacious
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| adj.好斗的 | |
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180
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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181
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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182
virgins
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| 处女，童男( virgin的名词复数 )； 童贞玛利亚（耶稣之母） | |
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183
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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184
labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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185
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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186
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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187
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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188
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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189
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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190
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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191
retracing
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| v.折回( retrace的现在分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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192
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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193
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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194
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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195
treacherous
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|
| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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196
dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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197
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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198
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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199
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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200
apprise
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| vt.通知，告知 | |
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201
stigmatized
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| v.使受耻辱，指责，污辱( stigmatize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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202
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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203
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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204
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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205
inclemency
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| n.险恶，严酷 | |
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206
counteract
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| vt.对…起反作用，对抗，抵消 | |
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207
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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208
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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209
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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210
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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211
destitution
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| n.穷困，缺乏，贫穷 | |
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212
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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213
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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214
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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215
edible
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| n.食品，食物；adj.可食用的 | |
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216
commuted
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| 通勤( commute的过去式和过去分词 )； 减（刑）； 代偿 | |
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217
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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218
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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219
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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220
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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221
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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222
votary
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| n.崇拜者；爱好者；adj.誓约的，立誓任圣职的 | |
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223
exchequer
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| n.财政部；国库 | |
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224
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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225
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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226
crafty
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|
| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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227
perilous
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|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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228
quagmires
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| n.沼泽地，泥潭( quagmire的名词复数 ) | |
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229
predecessors
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| n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身 | |
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230
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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231
coveted
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|
| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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232
obstinacy
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|
| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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233
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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234
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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235
ulcers
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|
| n.溃疡( ulcer的名词复数 )；腐烂物；道德败坏；腐败 | |
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236
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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237
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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238
determined
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|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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239
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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240
penetrating
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|
| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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241
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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242
commodious
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|
| adj.宽敞的；使用方便的 | |
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243
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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244
obsequious
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|
| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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245
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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246
reassured
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|
| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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247
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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248
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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249
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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250
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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251
idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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252
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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253
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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254
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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255
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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256
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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257
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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258
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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259
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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260
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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261
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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262
clamorous
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| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
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263
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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264
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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265
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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266
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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267
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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268
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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269
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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270
barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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271
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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272
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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273
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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274
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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275
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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276
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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277
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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278
sustenance
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| n.食物，粮食；生活资料；生计 | |
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279
toads
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆( toad的名词复数 ) | |
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280
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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281
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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282
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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283
usurper
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| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
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284
forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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285
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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286
incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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287
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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288
contingent
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| adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队 | |
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289
prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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290
disarming
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| adj.消除敌意的，使人消气的v.裁军( disarm的现在分词 )；使息怒 | |
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291
adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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293
specious
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| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
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294
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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295
concocted
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| v.将（尤指通常不相配合的）成分混合成某物( concoct的过去式和过去分词 )；调制；编造；捏造 | |
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296
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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297
colonization
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| 殖民地的开拓，殖民，殖民地化； 移殖 | |
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impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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300
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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301
annulled
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| v.宣告无效( annul的过去式和过去分词 )；取消；使消失；抹去 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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303
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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304
pounce
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| n.猛扑；v.猛扑，突然袭击，欣然同意 | |
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305
imputed
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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306
plaza
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| n.广场，市场 | |
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307
atrocities
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| n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪 | |
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308
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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savageness
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| 天然，野蛮 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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lethargic
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| adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的 | |
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312
apathy
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| n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡 | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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perspicuity
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| n.（文体的）明晰 | |
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315
celebrity
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| n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望 | |
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316
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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317
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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318
micaceous
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| adj.云母的，含云母的，云母状的 | |
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slate
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| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
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320
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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321
stratum
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| n.地层，社会阶层 | |
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322
quartz
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| n.石英 | |
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323
ledges
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| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
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324
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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326
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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328
slates
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| （旧时学生用以写字的）石板( slate的名词复数 )； 板岩； 石板瓦； 石板色 | |
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329
upheavals
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| 突然的巨变( upheaval的名词复数 )； 大动荡； 大变动； 胀起 | |
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330
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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331
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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332
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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333
pottery
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| n.陶器，陶器场 | |
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334
colonized
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| 开拓殖民地，移民于殖民地( colonize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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335
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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336
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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337
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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338
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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339
pictorially
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| 绘画般地 | |
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340
pictorial
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| adj.绘画的；图片的；n．画报 | |
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341
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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342
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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343
swells
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| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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344
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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345
abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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346
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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347
arenas
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| 表演场地( arena的名词复数 )； 竞技场； 活动或斗争的场所或场面； 圆形运动场 | |
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348
levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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