30 Excursion from Angostnrtt to the 



hut, in which were mustered about thirty hands, hard at work 

 picking corn. A tremendous pair of stocks stood in our passage, 

 in which it seems the whole were secured of nights, having been 

 lately brought in from the woods. The crop of the season had 

 been most prolific, and the Carnache people had assisted in the 

 harvest, but all had returned with the fever, and some had died. 

 Murucuri, once containing 800 souls, had now not more than 

 fifty, and these had been forcibly brought back from the woods. 

 The site is advantageous, about a quarter of a mile from the 

 Caroni, with the hills behind. The church had been pulled 

 down, probably to make room for one of brick, like those at 

 San Miguel, Caroni, and Carnuache. The inhabitants of the 

 Caraib race ; the captain was one of those in confinement. The 

 commandant and his nephew, true Llaneros, entertained us with 

 their campaigns on the Apure, and, like all those I had met 

 with from the Llanos, appeared quite inveterate against the 

 Spaniards. The horse on trial did not give satisfaction, but 

 offered twenty dollars for him, the other not being procurable. 

 Determined to take my chance at Carnache, and slinging in the 

 gallery, while our host slept on his arms in the house, and his 

 nephew Llanero-lita stretched himself on a hide in the rays of 

 the moon. Passed a comfortable night. 



17th. Started at day-light for Carnache. Road hilly and 

 stony, running through the woods on the margin of the river. 

 A rude bridge over a torrent very nearly gave way under our 

 weight; K.'s mule struck her leg right through it. Distance about 

 six leagues. Soil in many parts apparently rich, producing 

 excellent high grass. Direction S.W. Entering Carnache from 

 the north, found the pastures excellent, Uscategui had arrived 

 with little Palacio the preceding day. Much fatigued and rather 

 feverish, but proposed to set forward in a couple of days. Agreed 

 to wait, in hopes to recruit our beasts. Accordingly spent the 

 next day at Carnache. John discovered he had left a spoon 

 behmd at Caroni, and of his own motion rode back to fetch it. 

 Learnt that the whole of the missions hence on the Caroni and 

 Orinoco, were under the control of the governor of Guayana 

 Vleja, in order to secure the communication with that fortress ; 



