While coasting _Trinidad_, Columbus beheld land stretching twenty leagues to the south. It was the low coast intersected by the mouths of the _Orinoco_. It does not appear that either the admiral or any of his men landed on this coast; and they sailed away from it, ignorant of the fact that they were the first Europeans who had looked on the _terra firma_ or mainland of South America. On the 2nd of August Columbus continued his course to the south-west point of _Trinidad_, which he called _Punta Arenal_, and where his crews were permitted to land and refresh themselves. The anchorage at this place was, however, extremely insecure, and in the night-time Columbus trembled for the safety of his squadron, owing to a sudden rush of water caused by the swelling of one of the rivers which flow into the Gulf of _Paria_, and which tore one of his ships from her anchorage. He was, however, so fortunate as to escape without injury, and on the following day he passed in safety the formidable strait lying between the island and the mainland, and found himself in a tranquil sea beyond. He was now on the inner side of _Trinidad_, with the Gulf of _Paria_ on his left. The admiral now shaped his course northwards, steering for a mountain at the north-western point of _Trinidad_. On nearing it he beheld two lofty capes opposite each other, the one on the island, the other on the promontory of _Paria_, which stretches far out from the mainland. Between these capes there was another strait, which appeared even more dangerous than that he had left behind him, and to which, owing to its formidable appearance, he gave the name of _Boca del Drago_, or the Dragon’s Mouth. In order to avoid it he steered westward, under the belief that the promontory of _Paria_ was an island. He found the beautiful coast indented with fine harbours, and the country in some places cultivated and in others covered with forest. He was greatly surprised to find the water become fresher and fresher as he proceeded, and likewise to find the sea as tranquil as if it were a vast harbour. Up to this time he had held no communication with the people of the mainland, although he had in vain endeavoured to enter into parley with the inhabitants of _Trinidad_ at _Punta Arenal_. After sailing for several leagues along the coast, he anchored on the 6th of August, and sent his boats on shore. Although traces of men were found, not a soul was to be seen. Columbus therefore proceeded further westward, and once more anchored. Here a canoe came off to the nearest _caravel_, the captain of which contrived to secure the three or four Indians which it bore. They were brought to the admiral, from whom they received beads and hawks’-bells, with which they returned delighted to the shore, and which induced their countrymen to come to the ships in numbers, bringing with them bread, maize, and other articles of food.