Nov.] 



TOWN AND BAY OF SECHURA. 



223 



enable them to labour two or three days without eating or drinking. 

 But if their store become exhausted, they soon feel their strength 

 decay, and must procure a fresh supply. The same substance also 

 preserves the teeth and fortifies the stomach. 



The fishing vessels of these people are very ingeniously constructed, 

 though somewhat rude in the workmanship. From five to eight logs 

 of the cabbage-tree, from thirty to forty-five feet in length, according 

 to the intended capacity of the vessel, are fastened together with ropes 

 made of the bark which is peeled off the logs. The large or butt-ends 

 of these logs are all laid one way, and they form the head of the vessel. 

 About ten or twelve feet farther aft a mast is erected, secured by 

 shrouds and back-stays, on which they set a large square sail. With 

 this simple rigging these rafts will sail six or eight miles an hour, on 

 a wind, making little or no lee-way, which is prevented by a number 

 of paddles that are thrust down between the logs and serve the pur- 

 pose of lee-boards. Abaft the mast about ten feet from the stern is a 

 platform, elevated two or three feet, on which they sit, eat, and sleep. 

 I have seen these catamarans forty or fifty miles from land. 



There is but very little trade to this place, though the inland plan- 

 tations are very productive. On the coast, between the town and the 

 shore, the land presents a very barren appearance ; but the country 

 through which the river flows produces fruits and vegetables of almost 

 every description that are found in Peru, and these can be had at a 

 low price. The plantations depend for moisture almost entirely on the 

 night dews, which are very copious. 



Of the character and manners of the inhabitants of Sechura I might 

 speak in favourable terms. They are friendly, hospitable, industrious, 

 and economical; remarkably quick of apprehension, penetrating, 

 shrewd, and decisive in their judgments. They are also cleanly in 

 their persons, being in the constant habit of bathing every morning 

 before sunrise, either in the river or at the seashore. This is doubt- 

 less one cause of the uniform good health they enjoy. In their man- 

 ners they are lively, sociable, polite, and liberal. 



The usual dress of the men is a cotton shirt reaching to the knees, 

 beneath which they wear a pair of loose trousers reaching to the 

 middle of the calf. The females wear a long cotton gown reaching 

 to the ankles, with a mantle of baize or some lighter cloth over their 

 shoulders. On holydays, festivals, &c, they assume the Spanish 

 dress. Some of them are very skilful in the use of medical herbs and 

 plants, with which this part of the coast abounds ; but they are very 

 tenacious of the art, and are careful to keep the secret from Europeans. 



Although most of them have embraced the Roman Catholic faith, 

 they all retain mere or less of their former mythological notions. 

 Earthquakes they believe to be caused by the footsteps of the Almighty 

 when he condescends to walk upon the earth. Under this impression, 

 whenever they hear an unusual or alarming noise they rush out of 

 their huts, jumping about and stamping their feet, at the same time 

 exclaiming in a loud voice, " Here am I ! Here am I !" 



The bay of Sechura is spacious, safe, and easy of access, and it 

 affords smooth anchorage at all seasons of the year. It is, perhaps, 



