Describes the navigation as far as the Callao of Lima, which is the
port of the City of the Kings.
I have now described, though briefly, the way by which this South Sea is
navigated as far as the Quiximies, which is in the land of Peru. It will
now be well to continue the route until we arrive at the City of the
Kings. Leaving then the cape of Passaos, the coast trends to the S. ¼ W.
as far as Puerto Viejo, and before reaching it there is the bay of
Caraquez, which vessels enter without any danger. Its conveniences are
such that ships of even one thousand tons may be careened here, and it
is easy to enter and sail out, except that there are some rocky islands
at its mouth, but there are no obstructions beyond those which meet the
eye. Near Puerto Viejo, and two leagues inland, is the city of Santiago,
and two leagues to the south of the port there is a round hill called
Monte Cristo. This Puerto Viejo is 1° S.[139] of the equator. Five
leagues further on in the same direction is the cape of San Lorenzo, and
three leagues beyond this cape, to the south-west, is the island which
is called La Plata, a league and a half long. Here, in ancient times,
the natives of the main land held their sacrificial festivals, and
killed many lambs and sheep, and some children, whose blood was offered
to their devils and idols, figures carved in stone which were objects of
worship. The Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro, with his thirteen
companions, during their voyage of discovery, landed on this island and
found some silver and jewels, and many robes and dresses of cloth richly
embroidered. From that time to this the island has remained with the
name which it now bears. Following the coast line to the S. ¼ E. we come
next to the point of Santa Elena. Before reaching this point there are
two places, the one called Callo and the other Calango,[140] where ships
touch, and take in wood and water. The distance from the point of San
Lorenzo to that of Santa Elena is fifteen leagues. There is a creek on
the north side of the latter point, where there is good anchorage.[141]
At the distance of a cross-bow shot from the point there is a fountain
of bitumen, which appears to be natural tar. Of this, and of the wells
made by the giants on this point, I shall give an account further on,
which will be well worth hearing.[142]
From this point of Santa Elena vessels go to the river of Tumbez, a
distance of twenty-eight leagues. The river bears from the point S. ¼
E., and between them there is another great inlet. To the N.E. of the
river of Tumbez there is an island which is more than ten leagues
round, and it has been very rich and populous, so that the natives
rivalled those of Tumbez and of other parts of the main land. There were
great wars and many battles between them, so that time and the arrival
of the Spaniards have greatly diminished the number of the islanders.
The island is very fertile and well wooded. It is the property of his
Majesty. There is a rumour that a great sum of gold and silver was
buried there in ancient times. The Indians say that these islanders were
given to idolatry, and were very vicious, many of them committing the
abominable offence, and being guilty of other great sins. Near this
island of Puna there is another further out, called Santa Clara. This
island has neither inhabitants, wood, nor water; but the ancient people
of Puna had their cemeteries on it, and performed sacrifices. They have
placed on the heights, where they built their altars, great quantities
of gold, and silver, and fine ornaments dedicated to their gods. When
the Spaniards arrived, these treasures were concealed (so the Indians
say) in places where they could not be found.[143]
The river of Tumbez flows through a country which is thickly inhabited.
Near the sea there is a fortress, a very strong and handsome structure,
built by the Yncas, kings of Cuzco and lords of all Peru, in which they
had great store of treasure. There was also a temple of the Sun, and a
house of Mamacunas,[144] which means principal women of the virgins
dedicated to the service of the temple. These women lived according to
rules almost the same as those of the vestal virgins of Rome. The
edifices are now in a ruinous state, though their remains show how great
they once were. The mouth of the river of Tumbez is in 4° S.[145] Thence
the coast trends S.W. to Cape Blanco,[146] distant fifteen leagues,[147]
and then towards the island of Lobos.[148] Between Cape Blanco and the
island of Lobos there is a point called Pariña, which runs out into the
sea almost as far as the former point.[149] From point Pariña the coast
runs S.W. to Payta. From Tumbez towards the south, the coast is without
trees, and if there are any hills they are naked, and rocky. The rest of
the coast is a sandy desert, and few rivers fall into the sea. Payta is
a little more than eight leagues[150] from Cape Pariña; it is a good
port, where ships refit, in 5° S.[151] From the island of Lobos (just
mentioned) the distance to Payta will be about five leagues. Following
the coast we come to Punta del Aguja,[152] and between it and the island
there is a large inlet. This point is in 6° S. To the south of it there
are two islands called Lobos, from the great number of seals, and all
vessels can pass between them and the main land.[153] From Punta de
Aguja the coast trends S.W. to a port called Casma. The coast runs S.W.
to Malabrigo,[154] where vessels can only lie in fair weather, and ten
leagues further south is the reef of Truxillo, a bad port, with no other
shelter than the buoys of the anchors. Vessels sometimes touch here for
provisions. Two leagues inland is the city of Truxillo. From this port,
which is in 7⅔°, vessels go to the port of Guañape,[155] seven leagues
from Truxillo, in 8⅓°. More to the south is the port of Santa, where
vessels touch, and near which there is a great river with very good
water.[156] All the coast is without trees (as I said a little way
back), sandy, and broken with craggy rocks. Santa is in 9°. Five leagues
further on is Ferrol,[157] a secure port, but without fuel or water.
Another six leagues brings us to Casma, where there is a river and
plenty of wood, so that vessels can put in for supplies. It is in
10°.[158] From Casma the coast runs south to the islets of Huara, and
further on is Guarmay, where there is a river.[159] Another six leagues
takes us to Huara, where vessels can take in all the salt they require,
for there is enough to supply Italy and all Spain, and even then it
would not be exhausted.[160] Thence the coast trends south to the island
of Lima. Half way, a little nearer Lima than the islets of Huara,[161]
there is an island called Salmerina, nine or ten leagues from the land.
The island of Lima forms the shelter to Callao, which is the port of
Lima.[162] The port is very safe. Callao, which (as I have said) is the
port of the City of Kings, is in 12⅓°.[163]