THE SHRUB ALUMBRE. 145 



fortable dwelling, with a good shed, under 

 which we slept. 



May 4th. The bogas requested time to 

 dry their mats, which we agreed to, that we 

 might also have the opportunity of drying 

 our bedding, &c. They then complained 

 that they had no meat, which we told them 

 was their own fault, for neglecting to buy 

 it at Morales, where we offered them mo- 

 ney: we gave them, however, half a pig 

 on their promising to proceed : and then 

 cleaned the piragua, and put every thing 

 to rights. As soon as they had made their 

 feast of the pig, which they roasted, they 

 wished to break their agreement; but we 

 forced them on in the hope of reaching St. 

 Bartholomew's on the following evening. 

 We here procured a branch of the shrub 

 called alumbre, by putting about eight inches 

 of the stem of which into water, it causes 

 all the mud and earth held in solution, 



VOL. X. L 



