178 THE PERUVIAN INDIANS. Chap. X. 



gained her independence, there were a few million survivors, 

 scattered in ^^llages at wide intervals over a region once thickly 

 peopled by their ancestors. The Council-room at Seville was, 

 like another place, thickly paved with good intentions. 



I was thrown a great deal amongst the Indians, and at one 

 time I had the most excellent opportunities of judging of their 

 character, and I was certainly most favourably impressed. 

 They now have many vices engendered by centuries of op- 

 pression and evil example, from which their ancestors were 

 probably free : they are fond of chicha and aguardiente, and 

 are very suspicious ; but I found that this latter feeling dis- 

 appears when the occasion for it is found not to exist. Thoy 

 have had but too good reason for their suspicion generally. 

 On the other hand, they are intelligent, patient, obedient, 

 loving amongst each other, and particularly kind to animals. 

 Crimes of any magnitude are hardly ever heard of amongst 

 them ; and I am sure that there is no safer region in the 

 world for the traveller, than the plateaux of the Peruvian Cor- 

 dilleras. That the Indians are not cowardly or mean-spirited 

 when once roused was proved in the battles which they 

 fought under the banner of Tupac Amaru in 1781 ; and a 

 people who could produce men capable of such heroic con- 

 stancy as was displayed by the mutUated heroes of Asillo 

 should not lightly be accused of want of courage. A\Tien 

 well led they make excellent soldiers. 



Although there is so large a proportion of mestizos, or half- 

 castes, in Peru, it is very remarkable how isolated the Indians 

 still remain. They have their separate language, and tradi- 

 tions, and feelings, apart from their neighbours of Spanish 

 origin ; and it is even said that there are secret modes of inter- 

 com-se, and even secret designs amongst them, the knowledge 

 of which is guarded with jealous care. In 1841, when General 

 Gamarra was at Pucara, on his way to invade Bolivia, it 

 was reported that certain influential Indians, from all parts 



