TRAVELS OP THE MISSIONARIES. 



405 



marquIUa ; to the west by the river Conchucos ; to the south by the river Huama- 

 lies ; and to the east by the Andes mountains, from which it is divided by a branch 

 of difficult ascent, separated from the great chain. The rocky territory in the vi- 

 cinity of these mountains, and the plains bordering on the river Huallaga, were in 

 the last century peopled by various tribesof barbarous Indians, who acknowledged no 

 other superior than their elders or captains. Addifted to plunder, they attacked 

 and ravaged the neighbouring tribes, more especially those of Condurmarca and Col- 

 lay. By a lucky accident, in the year 1670, a shepherd penetrated through the thick 

 forests which served them as a natural defence, and inspired them with a taste and 

 an affe£tion for the gentle manners of the converted Indians. Actuated by this 

 sudden change in their sentiments, they entered into a mutual and pacific com- 

 merce with the latter ; and, laying aside their savage ferocity, aspired to the advan- 

 tages of society and religion. Under these circumstances, the minor friars, pro- 

 vincials of the Order of the Twelve Apostles of Lima, obtained theViceroy's permis- 

 sion to undertake this spiritual conquest. It was entered on in the year 1676, by 

 the reverend father Juan de Campos, accompanied by two lay friars, Joseph Araujo 

 and Francisco Gutierrez. 



Among the different nations of wandering Indians, dispersed over this moun- 

 tainous territory, those of the Cholones and Hibitos were the most considerable in 

 point of numbers. Father Gutierrez colledled and established the former in a 

 large town, entitled San Buenaventura de Apisoncho. The second were, by the 

 management of father Araujo, established in another town, named Jesus de Ocha- 

 nache. In both of them an exadt order of moral and political government was ob- 

 served. The Indians having been divided into bands and companies, regular hours 

 were appointed for instruction and labour ; and the indispensable obligation was 

 laid on them, to contribute alternately to the maintenance of their spiritual guides. 

 By these means they were subjedled to a constant application, and the fathers 

 suppUed with whatever was necessary for their maintenance, with the exception of 

 wine and meal. 



After the death of these apostolical missionaries, disputes having arisen between- 

 the two nations, it was found necessary to divide each of them into two distinft 

 tribes. To the Cholones were allotted the towns of Pampa-hermosa and San Bue- 

 naventura clel Valle, both situated on the western banks of the river Huallaga. The 

 Hibitos were stationed at Jesus of Mount Sion, between Pampa-hermosa and the 

 valley, and at Jesus of Pajaten, at the confluence of the river thus named with the 

 Aspur, which, having formed by their junClion the river Catena, empty themselves 

 westward into the above-named Huallaga. For the aid and convenience, both of 



the- 



