214 



DANGERS OF NAVIGATION. 



" We started about 8 o'clock, and employed an hour and a half in 

 passing the cascade, which was composed of two strong rapids. Imme- 

 diately after this, two other rapids arrested our course. We passed the 

 first by the left bank; but, as it was impossible to continue our route on 

 that side, after consultation, we embarked to cross to the right bank. 



"We found the current of exceeding rapidity ; and the second cataract 

 roared and foamed only one hundred metres below us. The Indians at 

 every instant cast anxious glances over the distance that separated them 

 from the danger. At one moment our frail canoe manifestly lost ground; 

 but the Indians redoubled their efforts, and we shot out of the strength 

 of the current. 



"At this moment we heard cries behind us, and an Indian pointed 

 with his finger to the canoe of M. Carrasco, within a few yards of us. 

 It was struggling desperately with the violence of the current; at one 

 instant we thought it safe, but at the next we saw that all hope was lost, 

 and that it was hurried towards the gulf with the rapidity of an arrow. 

 The Peruvians and the Indians threw themselves into the water ; the old 

 priest alone remained in the canoe, and we could distinctly hear him 

 reciting the prayer for the dying until his voice was lost in the roar of 

 the cataract. We were chilled with horror ; and we hastened to the 

 bank, where we met our companions successively struggling to the shore 

 from the lost canoe. M. Bizerra, particularly, encountered great danger, 

 but he evinced a remarkable sang-froid, and, amidst his difficulties, never 

 let go the journal of the expedition, which he carried in his teeth. 



"Poor little Panchito, the servant of the priest, wept bitterly, and 

 begged us to let him seek the body of his benefactor ; but an hour was 

 already lost, and our absolute want of provisions forbid us from acceding 

 to his sad demand. 



" We deeply regretted the loss of our companion, whose death was as 

 saint-like as his life." 



The party suffered grievously from the hardships of the voyage and 

 the want of food. They were at the point of starvation when they 

 arrived at Sarayacu, forty-four days after their embarkation at Echarate. 

 M. Castelnau's description of their condition when they arrived is quite 

 touching. 



"At 3 p. m., after a journey of thirty miles, the Indians all at once 

 turned the canoe to a deserted beach, and told us that we were arrived 

 at Sarayacu. Before us was the bed of a little river nearly dry, to 

 which they gave this name. The absence of any indication of habita- 

 tions, and the dark forest which surrounded the beach, made us believe 

 for the instant that we were the victims of some terrible mistake. We 



