RETURN TO TARMA. 



93 



much probability — that the boy had hid the saddle-bags at Utcuyacu , 

 and after we left there had produced them and followed in our track, 

 persuading or bribing the soldier to keep the secret. The commandant, 

 however, thought his servant incorruptible, and that this was no great 

 feat for these people. 



One of our peons carried on his back, for a whole day, (fifteen miles,) 

 a bundle of alfalfa that Gibbon could not lift with ease, and pronounced, 

 upon trial, to be heavier than I am, or upwards of one hundred and 

 twenty-five pounds. 



June 26. — Discharged Mariano because we could not trust him. 

 Though clever and active, he is neglectful and dishonest. We thought 

 it rather hard that the " Gura " should have recommended him to us, 

 as his character was notorious in the town. We believed that the 

 "Cura," with the people generally, was glad to get rid of him, and 

 was disposed to palm him off on any body. 



We delighted the Tarma people with our favorable reports of the 

 Chanchamayo, and they loaded us with civilities and kindness. They 

 did not like the idea of my visiting the Montana of Pozuzu and Mayro ; 

 and seemed to fear that I might find there a better communication 

 with the Amazon. 



