PEBAS. 



219 



time, for I was now getting so weak that I could scarcely climb the 

 banks upon which the towns are situated. Father Valdivia received us 

 with great cordiality, and gave us quarters in a new house he was build- 

 ing for himself. 



The new settlement had not yet a name ; Ijurra wished it called 

 Echenique, after the new president; while I insisted on " Ambiyacu," as 

 being Indian and sonorous. The population already numbered three 

 hundred and twenty-eight — almost all the people of Pebas having come 

 over. The inhabitants are principally Oregones, or Big Ears, from the 

 custom of introducing a bit of wood into a slit in the ear and gradually 

 increasing the size of it until the lobe hangs upon the shoulder. They 

 have, however, now discontinued the custom, and I saw only a few old 

 people thus deformed. 



They are fishermen, and serve as peons ; but their condition seems 

 better than that of the inhabitants of the other towns on the river, 

 which is doubtless owing to the presence and exertions of the good 

 priest, who is very active and intelligent. 



Visited Pebas in the afternoon. We found it nearly abandoned and 

 overgrown with grass and weeds. We saw some cattle roving about 

 among the houses, which were fat, and otherwise in good condition. 

 The town is situated immediately on the banks of the river, which is 

 here unbroken by islands, three-quarters of a mile broad, and apparently 

 deep and rapid. We carried over to the new town specimens of black 

 clay slate that crops out in narrow veins on the banks, and made a fire 

 of it, which burned all night, with a strong bituminous smell. 



November 10. — I gave Arebalo the message sent him by Padre 

 Calvo, which was a request that he would send the Sarayacu men back 

 in the larger canoe that we had brought down for that purpose. He, 

 however, was careless in the matter, and two of them went up the 

 river with a trader, and one down. The others started back in the 

 canoe ; but much to my surprise, and even regret, I found in the 

 evening that they had returned, turned over their canoe, sold their pots 

 and other utensils to Arebalo, and expressed their determination to go 

 down the stream. They said that if I would not take them they would 

 go with anybody that would. I of course was glad to have them, and 

 I quieted my conscience in thus robbing Father Calvo by the reflection 

 that if they went with me to the end of my voyage, I could give them 

 my boat and fit them out for the return ; whereas, if they separated, 

 they might never go back. I think that Arebalo winked at their con- 

 duct in returning, because he and the padre were busy with their new 

 town, and did not wish to furnish me with men of their own. 



