PERU. 265 



fight, and with this intent he took a seat and drew his knife. At the 

 instant, as if intimidated by the sight of the weapon, the bird whirled off 

 in a different direction. Dr. Pickering confessed, however humiliating 

 the acknowledgment, that he was at the time very well satisfied with 

 the condor's determination to let him alone. 



Condors are numerous here, and many stories are related of their 

 attacks upon animals ; but this was a more decided manifestation of a 

 disposition to assail the human race than any we heard of. 



Dr. Pickering was enabled to reach the ridge that bounded the 

 valley, but there were many higher beyond. The view thence was 

 magnificent, overlooking to the west eight distinct ridges between him 

 and the sea, which was scarcely defined enough to be made out with 

 any certainty. He descended by the same route again to the village. 

 The alcalde discovering that one of the party (Mr. Agate) was an 

 artist, became extremely anxious that he should make a sketch of his 

 father-in-law, an old revolutionary soldier, who resided there. As the 

 son-in-law had been so attentive, and offered them so many civilities, 

 among others the loan of a silver dish, spoon, and fork, he could do 

 no less than gratify these wishes. For this purpose the old man 

 dressed himself in his uniform. The task of sitting was almost too 

 much for him, and he was nearly overcome with the excitement and 

 exertion. The old man was greatly delighted with the picture, as 

 were all those about him, except the son-in-law, who expressed great 

 dissatisfaction that it should be without legs, — it being only a half- 

 length, — and offered a large price to have them put on ; but time did 

 not admit of it. The sketch was given to him, which has placed it 

 out of my power to present it to the eye of the reader in a wood-cut. 



Mr. Agate's first effort was deemed so successful that his reputation 

 was at once established at Banos, and shortly afterwards he was 

 called upon by the sacristan to engage him to paint the four Evange- 

 lists for the church. Price was no object, provided he could do it, and 

 they would besides consider it as a great favour. 



Some of the bystanders proposed to have the constable painted, and 

 pointed to a strapping big negro. 



The houses literally contained no furniture, and the silver lent to our 

 party was believed to constitute the only valuables in the place. The 

 only articles besides that were seen, were some roughly-made wooden 

 spoons, earthen dishes, and water-jugs, a few boards made into a rough 

 table, with a stool or two, and a bedstead made of canes and plastered 

 with clay. In no part of the United States, whether in the cabins of 

 the Far West, or in the poorest suburbs of our eastern cities, are 

 persons to be seen living in such a miserable manner. The country- 



vol. i. x 34 



