Drie scheeps-togten na het goud-rijke koningrijk Guiana, in America geleegen, door den Engelssen ridder Wal...

FIRST VOYAGE

lost sight of [the ship].

1595

Anchoring before Curiapan.

On the 22nd of March we arrived at Trinidad, dropping our anchor before the point of Curiapan, which the Spaniards call Punto de Gallo, situated at 8 degrees. There I went ashore with some of our men, but for 4 or 5 days could speak to neither Spaniards nor Indians. When we then departed again, we noticed a fire, but out of fear of the Spaniards, the Indians dared not speak with us.

Arrival at Terra de Brea.

We then rowed from there into a harbor of the Spaniards called Terra de Brea, and found many sweet, flowing rivers, among which was one of salt water where a multitude of oysters were found on the branches of the trees, all salty and well-tasting.

Finding much mineral pitch.

Around this headland of Terra de Brea, one finds such an abundance of mineral pitch asphalt that it would be sufficient for all the ships in the world. We took a sample for our ships and found it exceptionally good. This pitch is resistant to the sun, better than that from Norway, and therefore very good for those who must sail southward. From here we came to Anna Perima, and sailed past the Caroni River, where a Spanish city is situated, and so on to Conquerabia.

The Island of Trinidad described.

The Island of Trinidad is very narrow and mountainous on the north side. The soil is exceptionally good and produces much sugar, ginger, and other spices. One also finds a multitude of wild animals, wild boars, fruits, birds, and fish, and it also provides bread-crops, maize and cassava a starchy tuberous root, as well as all other roots common in the West Indies. Likewise, one finds there many strange animals not to be found in other regions of the Indies. The Spaniards have also found some gold grains in the