Page 218
An. 1685
City of Leon, and Country adjacent.
marched after them: 470 men were drawn out to march to the Town, and I was left with 59 men more to ftay and guard the Canoas till their return.
The City of Leon is 20 mile up in the Country: The way to it plain and even, through a champion Country, of long graffy Savannahs, and fpots of high Woods. About 5 mile from the landing place there is a Sugar work, 3 mile farther there is ano- ther, and 2 mile beyond that, there is a fine Ri- ver to ford, which is not very deep, befides which, there is no water in all the way, till you come to an Indian Town, which is 2 mile before you come to the City, and from thence it is a pleafant ftraight fandy way to Leon. This City ftands in a plain not far from a high peeked Mountain, which oftentimes cafts forth fire and fmoak from its top. It may be feen at Sea, and it is called the Volcan of Leon. The Houfes of Leon are not high built, but ftrong and large, with Gardens about them. The Walls are Stone, and the covering of Pan-tile: There are 3 Churches and a Cathedral, which is the head Church in thefe parts. Our Countryman Mr Gage, who travelled in thefe parts, recommends it to the World as the pleafanteft place in all America, and calls it the Paradice of the Indies. Indeed if we confider the advantage of its fituation, we may find it furpaffing moft places, for health and pleafure, in America, for the Country about it is of a fandy Soil, which foon drinks up all the Rain that falls, to which thefe parts are much fubject. It is in- compaffed with Savannahs; fo that they have the benefit of the breezes coming from any quarter, all which makes it a very healthy place. It is a place of no great Trade, and therefore not rich in money. Their wealth lies in their Paftures, and Cattle, and Plantations of Sugar. It is faid that they make Cordage here of Hemp, but if they have any fuch Manufactory, it is at fome diftance from