Ch. VI. SOUTH AMERICA. m 



he never moves from the fire-side, till ohliged to come 

 to tahle, or wait on his acquaintance. The only do- 

 mestic service they do, is to plougli their cliacarita, 

 or little spot of" land, in order to its hei ng sown ; but 

 the latter, together with the rest of the cuUure, makes 

 another part, which is also done by the wife and 

 children. When they are once settled in the above 

 posture, no reward can make them stir ; so that if a 

 traveller has lost his way, and happens to come to any 

 -of these cottages, they hide themselves, and charge 

 -their wives to say that they are not at home ; when 

 ,thc whole labour consists in accompanying the tra- 

 '^■e.iler a quarter of a league, or perhaps less, to put 

 him in his way: and for this small service, he would 

 .get a rial, or half a rial at least. Should the passenger 

 .alight and enter the cottage, the Indian would still 

 be safe ; for, having no light but what comes through a 

 hole in the door, he could not be discovered: and 

 «Ven if he should see the Indian, neither entreaties 

 ííor offers would prevail on the slothful wretch to stir 

 a. step with him. And it is the same if they are to be 

 cjiiployed in any other business. 



That the Indians may perform the works appointed 

 by their masters, and for which they are properly 

 paid, it will be of little signification to shew them 

 their task ; the master must have his eye continually 

 upon them : for whenever he turns hisback, the Indian 

 imme<liately leaves off working. The only thing in 

 which they shew a lively sensation and alacrity, is for 

 parties of pleasare, rejoicings, entertainments, and 

 especially (lancings. But in all these the liquor i^imst 

 circulate briskly, which seems to be their supreme en- 

 jaynient. With this they begin theday, and continue 

 "drinking till they are entirejy^deprived both of se^ise, 

 and motion. -r, •; ^ i • . 



Such is their propensity to intemperance,. thatxthey 

 are not restrained by any dignity of character.; .the 

 caci<pie and the alcalde never fail to be of the coui,j\ 



D d 3 P^»y, 



