CHAPTER VII 

 CROSSING THE EASTERN ANDES INTO THE CAQUETA 



Of the many little-known places in South America, the 

 least known lie eastward of the eastern base of the Andes. 

 One such region is the Caqueta of Colombia. We had been 

 considering the feasibility of undertaking a trip into this 

 country, but the departure for home of my companion, 

 Doctor Allen, and Mr. Lloyd, from San Agustin, left me 

 alone in the field, and I doubted the advisability of taking 

 the journey without their assistance. From all the infor- 

 mation I could gather, the crossing of the Eastern Range 

 presented great difficulties and would have to be accom- 

 plished on foot. The rainy season had set in, adding to 

 the difficulties of travel. Also, the rivers were swollen to 

 such an extent that there was danger of our being stopped 

 at any one of them ; or, far worse, of being unable to recross 

 them upon our return. However, a nearer view invariably 

 changes the perspective, so I determined to approach the 

 region as near as possible, gather all the data available, 

 and then follow the course that seemed best. 



Accordingly, we bade a reluctant farewell to San Agustin 

 one Sunday morning. The entire village turned out to 

 see us depart and gave us numerous tokens of their good- 

 will and friendship in the form of embroidered handker- 

 chiefs, panama hats, food, and pets. An old Indian sol- 

 emnly presented me with a small monkey, which he said 

 could cry if spanked thoroughly; he offered to give a dem- 

 onstration of the creature's accomplishment, but I assured 

 him that his word was sufficient. A parrot was contributed 

 by another person who said it would be good company, as 

 it "conversed" well. The Vaya con Dios! of these simple, 



92 



