Capuchin Missions of the Caroni. 13 



ill of the fever. Visited him, but could only give comfort and 

 recommend bark. These musical gentry were nowise better 

 fed or clothed than the rest of the people. Uasipati was founded 

 in 1757, of the Caraib tribe : its population in 1803, 850, which 

 number is now much reduced. It once had cattle in abundance, 

 now the stock is reduced to 300, and between 4 and 500 mares. 

 After a substantial breakfast, provided by our lively teniente, at 

 noon pursued our journey to Pastora, where we expected 

 to fall in with Uscategui. The road traverses an undulating 

 savannah. Soon crossed the bed of a torrent, the Carichapo, 

 very steep and rocky, Being nearly dry, met with no difficulty, 

 but at times it was necessary to swim it. This torrent runs 

 southward into the Uruguare, which afterwards joins the Coyuni. 

 Advanced for 7i leagues, in a line due W., across rich savannahs 

 abounding in horses and cattle, and at three P.M., reached 

 Pastora, gallopping most of the way to save our dinner. Velas- 

 quez, the commandant, welcomed us to his repast, consisting of 

 beef, rice, and vegetables. Fell to with good appetite, not- 

 withstanding the greasiness of the dishes. Found him a well- 

 informed genteel man, ready to afford us every assistance and 

 information. Pastora, or Yarnario, is built upon the banks of 

 the river Uruguare, or Yuanrare, in the midst of a very fertile 

 plain. It was settled in 1737, the fifth establishment in point 

 of date, and served principally as XheHcdo, or breeding-ground 

 of the missions. Judging from the prodigious numbers running 

 wild between this and Puedpa, and said to exceed 100,000, it 

 must have possessed considerable herds. The stock is now 

 reduced to about 1,500, and 1,100 mares and colts. In 1803, it 

 contained a population of 600. The houses were under repair ; 

 part of them new tiled, the rest thatched. Church and resi- 

 dence tolerable, but by no means equal to those of Uasipati. 



29th. Spent the Sunday at Pastora. No morning service 

 was performed at any of the missions. Matamoro's mule was 

 missing. Anisette despatched in quest of her, but without suc- 

 cess. In the afternoon Velasquez lent me a fiery young horse, 

 training for Sedeno, and we rode out to visit the Labranza 

 (tillage-ground). It is about a league on the other side of the 



