Capuchin Missions of I he Caroni. 17 



hither, as Well as to Pastora, though not so virulent as else- 

 where . 



2d. Borrowed fresh horses, our own requiring rest. Rode 

 over to Santa Clara, distant about three leagues, in the hills to 

 the^south. Found this Guayaca village beautifully placed on 

 the side of a hill, with a view westward of the woods, and east- 

 ward of the boundless plain. Houses all deserted. The resi- 

 dence only inhabited. Parties were out in the bush in quest of 

 the fugitives, but two only had been yet sent in. Saw here little 

 worth notice, except the skin of an Ahoma, twelve feet long and 

 of considerable breadth. This animal is said to abound here, 

 as also the tiger ; we had seen the print of the foot of the latter 

 on our route. It would seem they are here bolder than usual, 

 as the people assured us they would attack a man off his guard. 

 They are reputed to track their prey like the blood-hound, and 

 only to be baulked by taking to the water. The print we had 

 seen was very large and recent. Tried much to procure a spe- 

 cimen of the Guaco, the celebrated remedy for the bite of 

 snakes ; it is said to be abundant, but my guide would not or 

 could not find one ; there is generally a degree of mystery 

 among the Indians regarding medicinal products. Yapara- 

 pana or Santa Clara was settled in 1779; the church is still 

 unfinished. Returned to dine at Puedpa, and hearing nothing 

 of U., resolved to proceed for Euri next day. 



3d. V. did not accompany us far, either on account of the 

 distance, (sixteen leagues,) or not liking to quit his own district. 

 Traversed plains as usual, and crossing a range of low hills, 

 with a slight detour to the north, entered a succession of other 

 savannahs. Found the waters here take a westerly direction 

 towards the Caroni. A considerable stream we crossed in the 

 middle of the circle must at times be rapid and dangerous. 

 Took the direction straight to Euri. K. and myself trotted on 

 after breakfast ; the distance was great and our beasts began to 

 flag, particularly my old Vaguero, whose back was now very 

 raw. At four leagues from Euri, espied, at a small distance, a 

 body of seven or eight horsemen, whom we at first judged by 

 their manoeuvres to be inclined to iiitercept us, but were pleasod 



Vol. IX. C 



