98 RIO NEGRO. 
to their satisfaction that they were not French. They also stated 
that all the inhabitants living near the mouth of the river had fled to 
the town, and that most of the women and children in the town were 
hurrying off to the interior. They were likewise employed driving 
off the cattle, and preparing to fire the country, the usual mode of 
warfare, and were rejoiced to identify us as Americans. 
All this accounted for the reconnoitring that we had observed, and 
our not being able to obtain a pilot. What still more alarmed them 
was the different vessels firing whilst surveying, and our making the 
attempt to force the passage in the small vessels. 
The captain of the coast guard now afforded all facilities, and a 
pilot for the schooner was sent on board to take her up the river, and 
horses and guides for a party to visit the town were furnished. 
The next morning a detachment of lancers arrived from the 
governor, with orders not to allow our vessels to proceed up, and that 
the pilot should come on shore, which effectually put a stop to our 
plans : when Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold determined to go by 
land. 
It caused much alarm to the pilot, who entreated the officers to 
intercede with the governor in his behalf, and for that of the captain 
of the coast guard, stating that their lives would be forfeited for 
having attempted to pilot a vessel without the governor's orders. 
After some delay, a party proceeded to Carmen, under the escort of 
Guachos, to wait on the governor or commandant. On their way 
they met with a cordial welcome from all they passed, as the minds 
of all were now entirely relieved from fear, and great delight was 
expressed at seeing the North Americans. 
These Guachos are generally well made, tall and muscular, 
with swarthy complexions, black eyes, and long hair, very large 
mustachios and remarkably small feet. Their costume is a red 
striped shirt and white drawers, large, loose, and fringed at the 
bottom of the leg, called calzoncillas. Their trousers (chilipa) con- 
sist of two yards of scarlet cloth, which is sometimes ornamented at 
the corners; to form tins into any thing like a garment appeared 
strange enough, yet when it is on the wearer it has the appearance 
of a pair of Turkish trousers. The mode in which it is put on is to 
confine the ends round the waist by a girdle (tria?ido), the middle of 
the cloth passing down between the legs, while the ends faU over the 
girdle. On the head was worn a red conical cap surmounted by a 
tassel. 
