r
sowing maize. Being an expert hunter, he had bought mats and earthen
pots with the produce of the chase, and had also made several utensils
in wood, besides a store of calabashes; these, with a few other
articles, served amply to furnish the abode to which he was to take his
young wife. He had also, they told us, presented his father-in-law with
a deer, part of which we were eating. The conjurer, who performs an
important part on such occasions, presented himself to us. Of course he
had been invited to the feast, since he acts as the officiating minister
and declares the couple united. Our friends, who had already indulged
somewhat freely in chica, continued passing the calabash round until
they grew very noisy; the old conjurer especially, who, with several
others, at length rolled on the ground and dropped off to sleep. The
more sober of the party, however, assisted us in putting up a little
hut, in which we took shelter,--while they, in spite of their scanty
clothing, lay down round the fire, more for the smoke which kept off the
mosquitoes than for warmth; indeed, we were now in a complete tropical
climate, differing greatly from that of Popayan.

The provisions collected for the feast were sufficient to afford us a
good breakfast; and having rewarded our entertainers, we expressed a
wish to set out. Instead of one guide, three volunteered to come,
saying that each of us would require one; indeed, none of them were
disposed to go alone. We found, on reaching the river, that they
proposed proceeding down it some distance in a canoe. This, too, would
save us from fatigue; and there would be less risk, we hoped, of our
falling in with the Spaniards.

We found, on conversing with the Indians, that they had anything but
friendly feelings for the Godos, who had carried off several of their
people, and on other occasions ill-treated them, compelling them to work
without reward. We therefore felt ourselves perfectly safe in their
company. Whenever we approached a spot--whether hamlet or farm--where
they thought it likely the Spaniards might be quartered, one of them
would go on ahead, and, keeping under shelter, creep up and ascertain if
such was the case. On each occasion finding that the coast was clear,
we continued down the stream. Throughout its course the country on
either side was wild and uncultivated, only small patches here and there
being occupied by settlers, who owned some of the vast herds of h