THE
COMPANIONS
OF C O L U M B U S .
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plete these arrangements, however, unlooked-for calamities fell upon the settlement, that for a time interrupted every project, and made every one turn his thoughts merely to his own security.
CHAPTER XVIII. CALAMITIES OF THE SPANISH CAVALIERS AT DARIEN.
T H E town of Darien was situated in a deep valley surrounded by lofty hills, which, while they kept off the breezes so grateful in a sultry climate, reflected and concentrated the rays of the sun, in足 somuch, that at noontide the heat was insupportable ; the river which passed it was shallow, with a muddy channel and bordered by marshes ; overhanging forests added to the general humidity, and the very soil on which the town was built was of such a nature, that on digging to the depth of a foot there would ooze forth brackish water.* It is not matter of surprise that a situation of this kind, in a tropical climate, should be fatal to the health of Europeans. Many who had recently arrived were swept off speedily ; Pedra足 rias himself fell sick and was removed, with most of his people, to a healthier spot on the river Corobari ; the malady, however, continued to increase.
The provisions brought out in the ships
had been partly damaged by the sea, the residue grew scanty, and the people were put upon short allowance ; the debility thus pro足 duced increased the ravages of disease ; at length the provisions were exhausted and the horrors of absolute famine ensued. * Peter Martyr, decad. iii. cap. 6.