434 



APPENDIX. 



compassion. It would appear that the ancient inhabitants of Peru had a similar 

 custom, in divesting themselves of their slender beards ; since in the museum of 

 Lima there are several pairs of small silver pincers, which were found in their 

 pagan temples, and which, according to the tradition of their descendants, were 

 applied to the above purpose. 



Father Girbal having partaken of the hospitalities of the Cacique, in company with 

 several of the principal Conivos, and having made a few presents to his kind and libe- 

 ral host, separated from him, full of satisfa£i:ion,to prosecute his voyage. On theSOth, 

 a Cordillera, which, running S.E. and N.W. resembled that which forms the small 

 strait of the Huallaga, was descried to the west. Notwithstanding the intercourse 

 of our traveller with the Conivos had contributed not a little to tranquillize him, and 

 had intluced him to change his opinion relatively to these barbarians, still, con- 

 sidering that they might be alarmed by his sudden arrival in their towns, he or- 

 dered a canoe to advance, for the purpose of announcing his arrival. 



On the 2d of Oftober, the Indians by whom this canoe was navigated, brought 

 information, that, in communicating the instru£tions they had received, to 

 two of the inhabitants of Sarayacu, the latter had inquired whether they came 

 escorted by soldiers ; and that, on their receiving a reply in the negative, they 

 had promised to impart the intelligence to their tribe. While this was passing, a 

 canoe was descried with two men, who, as soon as the tokens of friendship had 

 been made, approached with demonstrations of joy. These testimonies were suf- 

 ficient to fix the resolution of father Girbal, who, without farther hesitation, 

 proceeded in quest of the town, instead of waiting the expected reply. Under 

 the guidance of the strangers, the canoes entered a large canal to the westward, 

 contending against its current ; and at the distance of a league, fell In with several 

 other canoes, which had on board their cargoes of provisions, and had come out 

 purposely to receive them. After many manifestations of tenderness and sincerity, 

 the voyage was prosecuted, the canoes keeping company with each other, and 

 navigating the canal until they reached the lake, at the distance of two leagues, 

 at which it originated. They landed on its bank, where this first and inconsider- 

 able population of Sarayacu is established, the town being surrounded by thick 

 plantations of wood, to the end that the inhabitants may be under cover, and on 

 the watch, to defend themselves from the pirates of Paro, Ene, Perene, &c. who 

 infest the Ucayali, and plunder the Indian settlements made on its banks. 



The reception was accompanied by all the splendour the wretched Panos could 

 display. Alternating their songs, which were accompanied by the pipe and tabor, 

 by dancings and clamorous rejoicings, they surrounded father Girbal, and con- 

 ducted 



