14 A VOYAGE TO Book Vfl. 



receive from a kjiouledge of the Spanish language ; 

 and accordingly it is spoken here as fluently as 

 their own. They have genius, and generally succeed 

 in whatever they apply themselves to. They are 

 neither so superstitious, nor so excessively given to 

 vice as the others; so that except in their colour 

 and other natural appearances, they may be said to 

 differ greatly from them ; and even in their propen- 

 sity to intemperance, and other popular customs of 

 the Indians, a certain moderation and love of order 

 is conspicuous among these. But to avoid tedious 

 repetitions, I shall conclude with observing, that all 

 the Indians of Valles from Tumbez to Lima are 

 industrious, intelligent, and civilized beyond what is 

 generally imagined. 



The town of Sechura is the last in the jurisdiction 

 of Piura, and its inhabitants not only refuse to fur- 

 nish passengers with mules, but also will not suffer* 

 any person of whatever rank, to continue his jour- 

 ney^ without producing tlie Corregidor's passport. 

 The intention of this strictness is to sup])ress all 

 abuses in trade; for there being besides this road 

 which leads to the desart, only one other called the 

 Rodeo ; one of them must be taken ; if that of the 

 desart, mules nnist be hired at Sechura for carrying 

 water for the use of the loaded mules when they 

 iiave performed half their journey. This water is 

 put into large callebushes, or skins, and for every 

 tour loaded mules one mule loaded with water is al- 

 lowed, and also one for the two mu!es carrying the 

 litter. When they Travel on horseback, the riders 

 carry their water in large bags or walleis made for 

 that purpose ; and every one of the passengers, v*he- 

 ther in the litter or on horseback, ])rovide.s himself 

 with what quaiitity he thinks sufficient, as during 

 the whole journey nothing is seen but sand and hills 

 of it formed bv the wind, and here and there masses 



of 



