The colony, freed from the disturbers of its peace, began at length to enjoy tranquillity; but the fruits never corresponded to the labour bestowed upon it for many years by the indefatigable Sanchez and his various companions. Many adults, however, especially when at the point of death, and a still greater number of infants, received baptism; the rest were civilized. The Spaniards accounted the friendship of this nation, formerly for many years their bitterest enemies, an immortal benefit; and learnt, at length, after they had lost us, that to our patience and industry they were chiefly indebted for it: for when, to the grief of all Paraguay, we were sent back to Europe, almost all the Abipones returned to their former savage state, and were not to be appeased by the Spaniards without the utmost difficulty. CHAPTER XXXII. A COLONY INHABITED BY THE YAAUKANIGA ABIPONES, AND DISTINGUISHED BY THE NAME OF ST. FERDINAND AND ST. FRANCIS. The city of Corrientes, brought to extremities by the depredations of the savages, had long been desirous to follow the example of the other cities, and found a colony of Yaaukaniga Abipones, which might defend them against the inroads of the Tobas and Mocobios. A little town was at length prepared under the directions of the Vice-Governor Patron, and with the consent of Ychoalay, who at first opposed the design. The Indians had themselves made choice of a situation, which, though not the most opportune, was approved by the Spaniards, from their being unable to meet with a more eligible one. It is a small piece of plain ground, two leagues distant from the western shore of the Parana, a little below its junction with the Paraguay. Towards the east it has the city Corrientes in front, and behind it flows the Rio Negro, the waters of which are so bitter and salt that the very beasts refuse them. It is surrounded on every side by woods and pools, all destitute of fresh water, but swarming with leeches, crocodiles, and various kinds of large snakes. This whole tract of land runs out into plain ground, partially interrupted with marshes and woods, and affords rich and wholesome pasture for cattle, especially where a grove of caranday palms is extended for many leagues along the shore of the Parana. The soil, if tilled, returns every kind of seed with interest. The trees are laden with a variety of fruits, and resound with the singing of parrots and other birds, and the chattering of apes. Boars, stags, deer, various kinds of rabbits, capibaris, ducks, plenty of honey, alfarobas, and noble trees, affording wood for making ships, waggons, or houses, are every where to be seen. But tigers, alas! continually infest this place; the climate, which is excessively hot, abounds in whirlwinds, lightning, and rain; and the air, pregnant with noxious vapours proceeding from the