LAS JUNTAS. 



413 



pence a pound ; it is very rancid, and bad of 

 digestion : but travellers must take what they 

 can get. Almost their only commerce con- 

 sists in sending pigs, plantains, and Indian 

 corn, to Novita; from whence they procure, in 

 exchange, cotton and woollen goods, which 

 come from England. There are some gold 

 mines near, but of little consequence. The 

 inhabitants have been much annoyed of late 

 by a very bold tiger, that comes, during the 

 night, into the village, and kills their pigs : 

 they have people on the watch to kill him. 

 The population of the place is about seventy 

 souls. 



Feb. 3d. Rose at dawn of day, breakfast- 

 ed, and prepared for embarkation. Sent very 

 early to Guaybal, by an Indian, to order the 

 necessary canoes. A little before eight, bade 

 adieu to the Alcalde, who had evinced great 

 civility ; and embarking on the river Tamina, 

 we glided with great rapidity down the stream, 

 passing many dangerous shoals and rapids. In 

 one place we were hurried with great velocity 

 down a rapid ; but fortunately, without filling 

 the canoe : I, however, got wet, and was glad 

 when we were clear of this very dangerous spot. 



