During the next day their route followed the
stream, the canoes being dragged along, or rowed where the water was of
sufficient depth. The Spaniards still carried away all food from the
country before them, the only things they found being some large sacks of
hides. These, in their extremity, were used as food, the leather being
scraped, beaten, and soaked in water, after which it was roasted. Even
then it could not be swallowed without the aid of copious draughts of
water.
Only the courage and determination of the chiefs induced the men to go on
under such severe privations. The fifth day's journey ended as badly as
the previous ones, the only food found being a little flour, fruit, and
wine, so small in quantity that Morgan had it distributed among the weaker
members of his troop, some of whom were so faint as to seem on the point
of death. For the rest of the men there was nothing to eat but leaves and
the grass of the meadows.
The feebler men were now put on board the boats, the stronger continuing
to travel by land, but very slowly, frequent rests being needed on account
of their great exhaustion.
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