Next appears the Rock Pennapobre, and not far from the Town Guayra, La Plata falls very high from the Rocks.
The several People of this Countrey.
But as concerning the Natives of this Countrey, it is inhabited by divers sorts of People, differing from one another both in Customs and Language. On the South side of the fore-mention’d River, from the Promontory Antonio to Buenos Ayres, dwell the Quirandies, a stout, but cruel People, who with the Flesh of many a Spaniard oftentimes keep a merry Feast. Farther into the Countrey run the Juries and Diagnitas. Along La Plata lie also scatter’d the Tenbues, a civil People, who live by Fishing. Near the River Paraguay the Ameguaes observe the same manner of Life; But the Carioes keep Cattel, and Till their Lands. A hundred Leagues farther dwell the Payaguaes; and yet farther into the Countrey the Chames and Carcares possess much Gold and Silver, with which Juan d’ Ayola having enrich’d himself here, was destroy’d with all his Men by the Chames, Anno 1541.
Nunnez Cabeca his Journey.
Alvarez Nunnez Cabeca came from Spain to be Governor here, but was not able, by reason of contrary Winds and Tydes to reach La Plata; wherefore Landing at the River Itabucu, and spending nine days in cutting a Way through thick Brambles, he came to the Jurisdiction of Armiriri, and a days Journey farther to Cipoyay; and not long after to Tocanguazu, where the Guaranies, who are the Natives, have two Harvests every year of Maiz and Cassavi, and breed and keep Geese, Hens and Parrots in their Houses: They are Man-eaters, and very revengeful. Cabeca having given this Countrey the Name of Vera, he proceeded on his Journey over the Rivers Ignazu, Tibagi, and Taquari, on whose Shore appears the Village Abangobi, and somewhat farther Tocanguzir. The Countrey hereabouts is very fruitful, and hath many delightful Plains, pleasant Rivers, and Woods; but beyond appear Hills, Mountains, deep Morasses, dangerous Cane-Fields, Receptacles for wild Beasts, and great Wildernesses. Cabeca having pass’d through them all, came into the fruitful Countrey of the Guaranies, who are a wild People, and possess many large Fields of Maiz and Potato’s, also several Silver Mines. From hence travelling Westwardly over the River Piqueri, he spent eighteen days before he came to the Stream Ignazu, which falls into the Parana, and at last came to the River Paraguay; along whose Shore he found a People of a gigantick Stature, call’d The Agazes, who regarded no manner of Husbandry, but went out continually a robbing in their Canoos. These People, as Martin del Barco relates, were not long after all destroy’d by the Spaniards.
Not far from the Agazes dwell the Guaycurues, a valiant People; and somewhat farther the Cacoves, whose Countrey produces Gold and Silver; and yet farther in the Countrey reside the Guaxarapos, who remove yearly to the Paraguay to Fish there when the Water is low; for in the beginning of January the River swells so exceedingly, that the Countrey about it being overflow’d, is cover’d with above six Fathom Water. The Paraguay discharges its Waters into the great Lake Xarayes, full of Islands.
Amongst other Rivers that spring out of the Mountains Andes, the Ignazu, along whose Shore the People Xacoaes, Xaquesses, and Chanesses dwell, falls also into the foremention’d Lake. Somewhat farther lies a great piece of drown’d Land, beyond which the Xarayes have convenient Habitations, plant Maiz, and spin Cotton: Their Countrey borders a great Wilderness, which ends about the Province Tapuaguazu, the Inhabitants whereof, call’d Tarapecocies, are furnish’d with plenty of all sorts of Provisions. The Payzunoes, dwelling on one side of them, are not well known as yet.
Beyond the Town Assumption dwell the Mayaes, in the Way to Peru, and border at the Tamacoaes, both which possess Silver-Mines.
Between Buenos Ayres and Corduba lies the Plain-Countrey Despoplado, ninety Leagues long, without Trees or Houses, but is most Pasture-Ground, which feed many thousands of wild Horses. From hence glide the Streams Luchan, Los Arrechivos, Arreca, Zaracaranna, and others, into La Plata. It is very dangerous for a small Company to travel through this Countrey, because the ranging Furies spare none alive they meet with.
Moreover, the River Grande flows with a wide Mouth into the Sea, and spreads it self within against the Countrey Patos. Also the Rivers Tamandabug, Ararungo, and the Lake Alagoa, disembogue into the Ocean.