356 MODE OF LOADING. 



zontal pieces at the lower end ; on this they 

 place their burthen, and then fasten it with 

 straps, about three inches broad, made of 

 the tough, fibrous bark of a tree, soaked to 

 make it sufficiently pliable; two of these 

 cross the load, and passing over the shoul- 

 ders of the peon, on whose back the machine 

 is placed, they cross his breast like a sol- 

 dier's belts, and are fastened at the sides, 

 leaving his arms quite at liberty : a piece of 

 the same bark as the straps passes over his 

 forehead, and is secured to the top of the 

 bamboo behind; this steadies and secures 

 the whole. One pad of linen is placed be- 

 tween the silla de cargo, (or chair,) as it is 

 called, and the loins; and another between 

 the straps and the head, to prevent the 

 chafing of these parts. In this manner they 

 journey on, never stumbling, and seldom 

 halting, climbing up the mountains, and 

 sometimes running, when the ground will 

 admit. They are entirely naked, except a 



