The distance from the city of Cali to the city of Popayan is twenty-two leagues, over a good level road without any forest, although there are some zigzag ascents, but they are not rugged nor difficult, like those we have left behind. Leaving, then, the city of Cali, the road passes through meadows and plains watered by rivers, until one is reached, which is not very large, called Xamundi, spanned by a bridge of stout canes. He who has a horse crosses by a ford without any danger.

Near the source of this river there are Indians whose district, also called Xamundi, extends over three or four leagues. The district and river take their name from that of a chief. These Indians trade with those of the province of Timbas, and they collect much gold, which they have supplied in great quantity to those who hold them in encomienda.

Five leagues further on, in the same road to Popayan, is the great river of Santa Martha, where there are always balsas and canoes, so that it can be crossed without danger, and thus the Indian inhabitants go and come from one city to the other. The banks of this river were once very populous, but the people have been extirpated by time and by the war which they waged with the captain Belalcazar, who was the first to discover and conquer them.