238 PROGRESS DOWN THE RIVER. 



meralda some of the dwarf and fair Indians, that 

 ancient traditions had mentioned as living near the 

 sources of the Orinoco. The Guaicas, or diminu- 

 tive class, whom they measured, were in general 

 from 4 feet \0h to 4 feet Hi inches in height ; and it 

 was said that the whole tribe was of the same stature. 

 The Guahariboes, or fair variety, were similar to the 

 others in form and features, and differed only in hav- 

 ing the skin of a lighter tint. 



On the 23d May, the travellers left the mission of 

 Esmeralda in a state of languor and weakness, 

 caused by the torment of insects, bad nourishment, 

 and a long voyage, performed in a narrow and damp 

 boat. They had not attempted to ascend the Ori- 

 noco towards its sources, as the country above that 

 station was inhabited by hostile Indians ; so that of 

 the two geographical problems connected with the 

 river, — the position of its sources, and the nature of 

 its communication with the Rio Negro, — they had 

 been obliged to content themselves with the solution 

 of the latter. When they embarked they were sur- 

 rounded by the mulattoes and others who considered 

 themselves Spaniards, and who entreated them to 

 solicit from the governor of Angostura their return 

 to the llanos, or at least their removal to the mis- 

 sions of the Rio Negro. Humboldt pleaded the 

 cause of these proscribed men at a subsequent pe- 

 riod; but his efforts were fruitless. The weather 

 was very stormy, and the summit of Duida was en- 

 veloped in clouds ; but the thunders which* rolled 

 there did not disturb the plains. Nor did' they, gen- 

 erally speaking, observe in the valley of the Orinoco 

 those violent electric explosions which almost every 

 night, during the rainy season, alarm the traveller 

 along the Rio Magdalena. After four hours' naviga- 

 tion in descending the stream, they arrived at the 

 bifurcation, and reposed on the same beach of the 

 Casiquiare where, a few days before, their dog had 

 been carried off by the jaguars. The cries of these 



