86 



CHUNCHOS INDIANS. 



the table and went down to the river-side to have a talk. The Indian, 

 after salutations, made signs for a looking-glass, which was thrown over 

 to him; then, for a knife, with which he was also gratified. He then 

 asked for a tinder-box. There being none at hand, Noel went up to his 

 quarters for some. On his return, he met an officer coming up the 

 bank, with an arrow through his arm ; and shortly after, another, with 

 one planted deep in his back, between the shoulders. It appears that, 

 as soon as the Indian had received his presents, he drew his bow at the 

 General. The party turned to fly; but a flight of arrows from the 

 forest wounded the two officers ; and the one who was shot in the back 

 died of the wound eight days afterwards. These arrow-shots are of 

 frequent occurrence; and several of the soldiers of the fort have been 

 severely wounded. A number of arrows were discharged at some 

 soldiers, who were washing their clothes near the banks of the river, 

 whilst we were here. We picked them uj), and the commandant made 

 us a present of them. 



These arrows, as are the arrows of all the Indians I have met with, are 

 so heavy that, at a greater distance than twenty or thirty yards, it is 

 necessary to discharge them at an elevation, so that they shall describe 

 a curve in the air; and it is wonderful to see with what precision the 

 Indians will calculate the arc, and regulate the force so that the arrow 

 shall fall upon the object. On the Amazon many fish and turtle are 

 taken with bows and arrows. An Indian in a canoe discharges his 

 arrow in the air. It describes a parabola, and lights upon the back of 

 a fish, which the unpractised eye has not been able to see. The barb, 

 with which the arrow is armed, ships on the end of it, and is held in its 

 place by a cord which wraps around the shaft of the arrow, and is tied 

 to its middle. The plunge of the fish shakes the arrow clear of the 

 barb; the cord unwinds, and the arrow floats upon the water — an im- 

 pediment to the fish, and a guide to the fisherman, who follows his 

 arrow till the fish or turtle is dead. The motion of the arrow is so slow, 

 and it is so readily seen in its course, that I imagine there would be no 

 danger in the reception of single arrow-shots in front ; for an abundance 

 of time is allowed to step aside and avoid them. I have seen boys shoot- 

 ing at buzzards on the beach ; and the arrow would alight upon the 

 very spot where the bird had been sitting some seconds after he had 

 left it. 



Whilst here, we visited the haciendas of the Brothers Santa Maria, 

 Padre Suarez, and Lapatero — all, I believe, inhabitants of Tarma. That 

 of the last seemed the largest, and in the best order of any that I had 

 yet seen. A description of the method of cultivating the staples of the 



