Chap. X. THE PERUVIAN INDIANS. 179 



of tlie country, were about to assemble in the hills near 

 Azangaro, for tlie discussion of some gi-ave business ; and 

 that they were in the habit of assembling in the same way, 

 though in different localities, every five years. The object of 

 these assemblies was unknown — it may have been merely to 

 converse over their ancient traditions — but it was feared, at 

 the time, that it was for some far deeper and more momentous 

 pm-pose. It is believed that similar meetings have since 

 taken place near Chayanta"* in Bolivia, near Quito, and in 

 other parts, but the strictest secrecy is preserved by the 

 Indians themselves. The abolition of the tribute has probably 

 had the effect of separating the Indians stiU more from the 

 white and mixed races, for they used to have constant inter- 

 course connected with the payments to the authorities, which 

 brought them into the to\^Tis, while now they live apai-t in 

 their solitaiy huts in the mountain fastnesses, or in distant 

 villages. 



It may be that this unhappy people, descendants of the 

 once mighty race which, in the glorious days of the Incas, 

 conquered and civilised half a continent, is marching slowly 

 dovm the gloomy and dark road to extinction ; " the fading 

 remains of a society sinkmg amidst storms, overthrown 

 and shattered by overwhelming catastrophes."^ But I trust 

 that this may not be so, and that a fate less sad is still 

 reserved for the long-suffering gentle cliildren of the Sun. 



* In 1859 there was a veiy formi- I yauta, which was not put dovm until 

 dable rising of the Indians in Cha- [ after much bloodshed. ^ Humboldt. 



N 2 



