tile tribes
of Indians, with whom they kept up a steady skirmish. Some of the more
friendly told them that the fruitful land they sought was but a few days'
journey down the river, and they went wearily on, day by day, as the
promised land still fled before their feet. Doubtless they were led by
their own desires to misinterpret the words of the Indians.

In the end Gonzalo Pizarro decided on building a vessel large enough to
carry the baggage and the men too weak to walk. Timber was superabundant.
The shoes of horses that had died or had been killed for food were wrought
into nails. Pitch was obtained from gum-yielding trees. In place of oakum
the tattered garments of the soldiers were used. It took two months to
complete the difficult task, at the end of which time a rude but strong
brigantine was ready, the first vessel larger than an Indian canoe that
ever floated on the mighty waters of Brazil. It was large enough to carry
half the Spaniards that remained alive after their months of terrible
travel.

Pizarro gave the command of the vessel to Francisco de Orellana, a man in
whose courage and fidelity he put full trust. The company now resumed its
march more hopefully, following the course of the Napo for weeks that
lengthened into months, the brigantine keeping beside them and
transporting the weaker whenever a difficult piece of country was reached.
In this journey the last scraps of provisions were consumed, including
their few remaining horses, and they were so pressed by hunger as to eat
the leather of their saddles and belts. Little food was yielded by the
forest, and such toads, serpents, and other reptiles as they found were
greedily devoured.

Still the story of a rich country, inhabited by a populous nation, was
told by the wandering Indians, but it was always several days ahead.
Pizarro at length decided to stop where he was and feed on the scanty
forest spoil, while Orellana went down the stream in his brigantine to
where, as the Indians said, the Napo flowed into a greater river. Here the
nation they sought was to be found, and Orellana was bidden to get a
supply of provisions and bring them back to the half-starved company.
Taking fifty of the adventurers in the vessel, he pushed off into the
swift channel of the river and shot onward in a speedy voyage which
quickly took him and his comrades out of sight.

Days and weeks passed, and no sign of the return of the voyagers appeared.
In vain the waitin