254 OVEK THE EASTEEN CORDILLEKA. 



No reliable information could be obtained concerning the 

 obstacles we might encounter, or estimate made of the 

 time which would be consumed in penetrating the forest. 

 This uncertainty also constrained us to see that our sup- 

 ply was sufficiently large to meet any emergency. 



Our provisions being obtained, and carefully secured 

 in sealed cans, to preserve them from the excessive hu- 

 midity of the forest, the next difficulty was respecting 

 means of transportation. Indian arrieros and peons with- 

 out number are always ready for a trip down the occi- 

 dental slope of the Andes ; but an excursion down the 

 opposite side is what few of them care to undertake. To 

 secure carriers we were obliged to send among the tribes 

 inhabiting those regions. The curate, who possessed ec- 

 clesiastical jurisdiction over the Indians of the interior, 

 was the only person through whom we could negotiate 

 with them. After several weeks' delay, every thing was 

 arranged, and just one day before the close of October we 

 were assured positively, for the last time, that maiiana, 

 horses and guides, from Papallacta, a little Indian village 

 upon the eastern slope of the Andes, just at the com- 

 mencement of ti'ee-vegetation, would arrive at Quito to 

 take us to the former place, where, discarding our horses, 

 we were to reorganize our train for the march through 

 the forest to the Rio Napo, one of the northern atHnities 

 of the Amazons. 



Upon the appointed morning the cavalcade — over a 

 dozen animals — accompanied by twice the number of un- 

 • couth Indians, came clattering into the court-yard of the 

 Casa Frances. From the mingled herd five of the best 

 beasts were selected for our party, and the best again from 

 this chosen number for the heaviest member of our com- 

 pany, who even then had little occasion to feel proud of 

 his Tartar. The others were by no means imposing in 

 appearance, or superbly decked, but were plainly capari- 



