THE ROAD TO BOLIVIA 269 



the children of the Sun, to redeem and regenerate. Earh'' in the 

 Christian era a man and a woman appeared one morning in the pres- 

 ence of the astonished natives on the Island of Titicaca, who said that 

 they had been sent by the Great Creator, the father and ruler of all 

 things, who inhabited the sun, to lead them into a better life, to teach 

 them the knowledge of useful things and improve their condition. 

 Previous to the arrival of these mysterious missionaries the Peru- 

 vians were divided into rude and warlike tribes, ignorant of useful 

 industry and culture, knowing no law and no morals. 



The Island of Titicaca is now the property of Mr Miguel Garces, 

 of Puno. A village of 700 or 800 Indians are living in mud huts 

 and raising wheat, barle}', and potatoes among the remnants of the 

 earliest culture of America. . The island lies a mile or so from the main 

 shore, from Avhich it ii^ separated b}^ a bottomless channel. The 

 nearest port is the little town of Calle. 'J'here is no communication 

 except b}' bahas, the curious craft that are older than histor3\ and 

 were used b}' the Incas, as they are used by the Indians today, for 

 transportation. The}' are built of barley straw, tied together in 

 bunches, and then bound b_y wisps in the shai)e of a double or treble 

 gondola. 



'J'he Indians who inhabit the island are usually docile and indus- 

 trious, for they are com{)elled to wring a scanty living from the un- 

 Avilling soil, and are assiduous in their religious duties at a little chapel 

 attended by a native ]>riest, although they still retain many of the 

 rites of their aboriginal religion. 



The ruins of the ))alaces and temples which formerly covered this 

 sacred ])lace have been the object of investigation bv arclueologists for 

 nearl}' four centuries — ever since they were destro3'ed by the Spanish 

 invaders — and much of the material used in their construction has 

 been carried away for building purposes, both upon the island and 

 the mainland. It is remarkable that even one stone should be left 

 upon another during the 3()0 3'ears since the c.oii.qvidadors invaded 

 the peaceful precincts of the place, for they destro3'ed and ))lundered 

 everything of value, and tliose who have 1)een searching for the secrets 

 of the extinct civilization liave overtiu'ne<l nearl}' everything tluit the 

 .Si)aniards left. Among the best preserved of the ruins are the royal 

 ))aths of marble, as sumptuous as those of Italy or (ireece at a similar 

 period. 'I'lie b<^ttoins were carefully covered with a mosaic of small 

 stones, and the water was received tlirough the throats of the eagles, 

 condors, an<l serpents wrought in gold and silver. 



