time proceeded not. Diego Ordas followed the
enterprise, and departed Spain with 600 soldiers and
thirty horse. Who, arriving on the coast of Guiana,
was slain in a mutiny, with the most part of such
as favoured him, as also of the rebellious part, insomuch
as his ships perished and few or none returned; neither
was it certainly known what became of the said Ordas
until Berreo found the anchor of his ship in the river
of Orenoque; but it was supposed, and so it is written
by Lopez, that he perished on the seas, and of other
writers diversely conceived and reported. And
hereof it came that Martinez entered so far within
the land, and arrived at that city of Inga the emperor;
for it chanced that while Ordas with his army rested
at the port of Morequito (who was either the first
or second that attempted Guiana), by some negligence
the whole store of powder provided for the service
was set on fire, and Martinez, having the chief charge,
was condemned by the General Ordas to be executed
forthwith. Martinez, being much favoured by the
soldiers, had all the means possible procured for his
life; but it could not be obtained in other sort than
this, that he should be set into a canoa alone, without
any victual, only with his arms, and so turned loose
into the great river. But it pleased God that
the canoa was carried down the stream, and certain
of the Guianians met it the same evening; and, having
not at any time seen any Christian nor any man of
that colour, they carried Martinez into the land to
be wondered at, and so from town to town, until he
came to the great city of Manoa, the seat and residence
of Inga the emperor. The emperor, after he had
beheld him, knew him to be a Christian, for it was
not long before that his brethren Guascar and Atabalipa
were vanquished by the Spaniards in Peru: and
caused him to be lodged in his palace, and well entertained.
He lived seven months in Manoa, but was not suffered
to wander into the country anywhere. He was also
brought thither all the way blindfold, led by the
Indians, until he came to the entrance of Manoa itself,
and was fourteen or fifteen days in the passage.
He avowed at his death that he entered the city at
noon, and then they uncovered his face; and that he
travelled all that day till night through the city,
and the next day from sun rising to sun setting, ere
he came to the palace of Inga. After that Martinez
had lived seven months in Manoa, and began to understand
the language of the country, Inga asked him whether
he desired to return into his own country, or would
willingly abide with him. But Martinez, not desirous
to stay, obtained the favour of Inga to depart; with
whom he sent divers Guianians to conduct him to the
river of Orenoque, all loaden with as much gold as
they could carry, which he gave to Martinez at his
departure. But when he was arrived near the river’s
side, the borderers which are called Orenoqueponi
(poni is a Carib postposition meaning “on”)
robbed him and his Guianians of all the treasure (the