Capuchin Missions of the Caroni. 21 



recovered and sent after me from Pastora the day before. 

 Hitherto our beasts had all stood the journey well : but about 

 three P.M., our soldier's little mare knocked up, and he was 

 obliged to lead her. We had too far to go to wait for him. 

 About five it began to rain. Inquiring the direction of Cupapuy, 

 K. and myself resolved to leave our Indian with the baggage 

 and gallop forwards. By good fortune there was a little moon, 

 by the aid of which we distinguished the path, though in many 

 places quite overgrown with high grass and rushes. But my 

 horse knew the track and we proceeded with confidence. Though 

 the compass assured us we were in the right path, we some- 

 times mistnisted it, and it was nine before we arrived at the 

 journey's end. The whole village was asleep, and it was some- 

 time ere we could gain admittance. When housed, had nothing 

 for it but to strip off our wet clothes and lie down upon the 

 benches. Not a drop even of water to be 'got. The boys did 

 not arrive till near twelve. As to the soldier, he did not appear 

 till next day, when he marched in on foot with his saddle, arms, 

 and baggage on his shoulders, having abandoned his poor 

 mare in the savannah. This is an incident by no means rare 

 with these wretched animals. 



6th. Halted at Cupapuy till noon to dry our clothes. The 

 fever had much abated, though many were still dying of debility 

 zmd starvation, being unable to go abroad in quest of food. 

 Urged the propriety of issuing rations of soup at least to the 

 sick, and explained the facility of making it from the mere bones 

 by length of boiling. Afterwards procured an order to that 

 effect from the commissioner. The total burials at this place, 

 exclusive of the Labranza, had been 320. Found here U.'s 

 servant, Jacinto, sick. Learnt from him that his master had 

 set out to join us, but had the next day returned with a smart 

 attack of fever, and was now at Upata. Accordingly, set ofi'at 

 two P.M. to join him. On the way, endeavouring to pass M.'s 

 mule, on which K. was mounted, received a kick that almost 

 broke my leg. 



7th. Despatched the soldier on my new purchase to recal 

 Anisette from San Antonio. He returned on foot the day after, 



