Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

Of the straight or narrow passage of the Land lying betweene the North and South Sea, by the which Spices may much sooner and easilier be brought from the Ilands of Molucca into Spaine by the West Ocean, then by that way where∣by [ 60] the Portugals saile into the East India.

THe firme Land in some parts thereof is so straight and narrow, that the Indians say, that from the Mountaines of the Prouince of Esquegua or Vrraca (which are betweene the one Sea and the other) if a man ascend to the top of the Mountaines, and looke toward the North,* 1.1

he may see the Water of the North Sea of the Prouince of Beragua: and againe looking the con∣trarie way, may on the other side (towards the South) see the Sea of Sur, and the Prouin∣ces which confine with it, as doe the Territories of the two Lords or Kings of the said Prouin∣ces of Vrraca and Esquegua. Some measure this way in this part, to bee from Sea to Sea eigh∣teene leagues, which I suppose to bee rather twentie, not for that it is any more by measure, but because it is rough and difficult, as I haue said, and as I haue found it by experience, ha∣uing now twise passed that way by foote, counting from the Port and Village of Nombre de Dios, vnto the Dominion of the Cacique of Iuanaga, otherwise called Capira, eight leagues, and from thence to the Riuer of Chagre, other eight leagues. So that at this Riuer, being six∣teene leagues from the said Port,* 1.2 endeth the roughnesse of the way: then from hence to the [ 10] maruellous Bridge are two leagues, and beyond that, other two, vnto the Port of Panama: So that all together, in my iudgement, make twentie leagues. It is a maruellous facilitie to bring Spices by this way which I will now declare. From Panama to the Riuer of Chagre, are foure leagues of good and faire way, by the which Carts may passe at pleasure, by reason that the Mountaines are but few and little, and that the greatest part of these foure leagues is a plaine ground void of Trees: and when the Carts are come to the said Riuer, the Spices may be carried in Barkes and Pinases. For this Riuer entreth into the North Sea fiue or sixe leagues lower then the Port of Nomen Dei, and emptieth it selfe in the Sea neere vnto an Iland called Bastimento, where is a very good and safe Port.* 1.3 Your Maiestie may now therefore consider, how great a thing, and what commoditie it may be to conuey Spices this way, forasmuch as the Riuer of [ 20] Chagre, hauing his originall onely two leagues from the South Sea, continueth his course, and emptieth it selfe into the other North Sea. This Riuer runneth fast, and is very great, and so commodious for this purpose as may bee thought or desired:* 1.4 the maruellous Bridge made by the worke of Nature, being two leagues beyond the said Riuer, and other two leagues on this side the Port of Panama, so lying in the mid way betweene them both, as framed naturally in such sort, that none which passe by this voyage doth see any such Bridge, or thinke that there is any such building in that place, vntill they be in the top thereof, in the way toward Pana∣ma: But assoone as they are on the Bridge, looking toward the right hand, they see a little Ri∣uer vnder them, which hath his Channell distant from the feete of them that walke ouer it, the space of two speares length or more. The water of this Riuer is very shallow, not passing the [ 30] depth of a mans legge to the knee, and is in breadth betweene thirtie and fortie paces, and fal∣leth into the Riuer of Chagre. Toward the right hand, standing on this Bridge, there is no∣thing seene but great Trees.* 1.5 The largenesse of the Bridge contayneth fifteene paces, and the length thereof about threescore or fourscore paces: The Arch is so made of most hard stone, that no man can behold it without admiration, being made by the High and Omnipotent Creator of all things.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Esquegua and Vrraca.
• * 1.2

  The Riuer of Chagre.
• * 1.3

  The Iland Ba∣stimento.
• * 1.4

  The maruel∣lous Bridge.
• * 1.5

  Naturall stone Bridge.