126 M. F. Castelnau’s Report of the 
full of kindness, he kept up our spirits by his example and his dis- 
courses, until the day on which he fell a victim to his evangelical 
zeal, as we shall see by-and-bye. A French artist whom we found 
at Echarate, likewise joined our party. 
We had now to embark on the river Urubamba, which takes the 
name of Ucayali, after its junction with the river Jambo or Apuri- 
mac, the point of embarkation being six leagues from Echarate. 
Thither we accordingly repaired, passing on our way the mission of 
Cocabambilla, which had been founded by Father Bousquet. At the 
quay we found six canoes and two rafts, that had been prepared for 
us by an officer sent forward for that purpose by the prefect. Twelve 
Antés Indians also had been engaged as guides. These Antés form 
a numerous nation, occupying the whole tract of country between 
the rivers Urubamba and Apurimac. They still wear the ancient 
costume of the Incas, consisting of a long robe, and an opening on 
each side for the arms. The Indians paint themselves of a red 
colour, with the pigment called rocou. They never congregate in 
villages, but live in detached families along the banks of the rivers. 
The expedition embarked at last, on the afternoon of the 14th of 
August, starting from the small port of Chouaris, where there is but 
one solitary uninhabited hut, being that set apart for storing quin- 
quina, abundance of which is collected in that quarter. 
Here, M. Minister, Iam compelled to say that there was but little 
harmony between M. Carrasco (the Peruvian naval officer), and the 
French part of the expedition. I abstain from entering into the 
painful details, which I communicated to the Chargé d’affairs at Lima. 
All I shall here say is, that that officer ill answered to the kind and 
generous intentions of the government of the republic. 
Not many minutes after our setting off, we passed the first rapid. 
The very small size of our canoes, rendered these rapids highly dan- 
gerous to us, and one of them narrowly escaped being swamped. We 
found it necessary to remove the slight coverings of palm leaves 
which we had put up to protect us from the broiling rays of the sun. 
On the 15th we passed several rapids, and the Falls of Lliampani. 
Next day, one of the boats made a narrow escape; and a box, con- 
taining our astronomical instruments, was carried down the stream. 
I offered a high reward to whoever should recover this precious part 
of our baggage, and we were fortunate enough to do so. We were 
about six leagues only distant from the port of our embarkation, and 
already, owing to circumstances to me unaccountable, our provisions 
began to fall short. 
During the night of the 17th, four men deserted, and on the day 
following, looking at the difficulties now before us, the question of 
the possibility of our continuing the expedition was discussed. I then 
considered it as my duty to shew that the French never abandon an 
enterprise, however hazardous, as long as there remains the slightest 
chance of success. I called my fellow-travellers together, accord- 
