Capuchin Missions of the Carotii. 31 



this may be proper as a military arrangement, but the poor in- 

 habitants have suffered by it most sevei'ely. On passing our 

 horses over in the afternoon, found mine unable to stir a peg. 

 Was obliged to buy one of the commandant for twenty dollars, 

 who turned out blind, but being young and of good figure did 

 not mind the blemish. U. passed the night on the other side, 

 crossed myself in the morning. 



18th, Morales detained the ferry-boat till seven, so were 

 over late. K. and myself resolved to push on the whole way to 

 Angostura, leaving the baggage to make a two days' journey. He 

 mounted on his mule, myself on my new purchase. U. had started 

 before breakfast. Arrived by nine at San Felipe, and were pro- 

 vided with breakfast by the fair tenant. At twelve overtook U, 

 breakfasting in a hut. Halted with him an hour, and at two 

 arrived at Palma Sola, distant from Carnache about nine leagues. 

 It was here absolutely necessary to rest and bait, so entered a 

 hut, where we found an old man and his family, and took pos- 

 Bession of two of his hammocks. Our host had been taken as 

 a soldier, but deserted to rejoin a starving family of five chil- 

 dren. He had cultivated a provision-ground, which not being 

 yet in bearing, he was obliged to work the alternate weeks for a 

 neighbour who paid him four rials per week. While talking 

 with him, one of his daughters entered with an old matchet 

 which she said the Indians refused to purchase. From the 

 hungry looks of the children, suspected they had been that day 

 without food, so despatched the girl with all the money I had 

 left, a two rial piece, to buy some cassava, but alas ! it was a 

 new one, and the Indians refused it. Could not help the poor 

 fellow, whose industry and ingenuity interested us ; but left a 

 message for our servants, in hope they might pass that way ; 

 unhappily they had taken the other. Found the soil rich and 

 good about Palma Sola, and several little conucos established 

 there. The Indians of Panapana had their grounds in this 

 neighbourhood, though eight miles distant. At four P.M. re- 

 sumed our journey. Route through a better country than that 

 of Panapana, though the savannah was very bare of wood. To- 

 wards sunset my new purchase began to flag, and could not be 



