Ch.T. south AMERICA. 15 



fes of fait ; but neither fprig, herb, flower, or any 

 other verdure. 



On the 24th we left Scchura, and crofled the de- 

 fart, making only fome fhort ftops for the eafe of our 

 beafts, fo that we arrived the next day at five in the 

 evening at the town of Morrope, 28 or 30 leagues di- 

 ftance from Sechura, tho' falfly computed more by the 

 natives. The extent and uniform afped of this plan, 

 together with the continual motion of the fand which 

 foon effaces all tracks, often bewilders the moil 

 experienced guides, who however fhew their Ikill in 

 foon recovering the right way ; for which they make 

 ufe of two expedients : ifb, to obferve to keep the wind 

 diredly in their face ; and the reverfe upon their return ; 

 for the fouth winds being conflant here, this rule cannot 

 deceive them : 2d, to take up a handful of fand at 

 different diftances, and fmell to it ; for as the excre- 

 ments of the mules impregnate the fand more or iefs, 

 they determine which is the true road by the fcent of 

 it. Thofe who are not well acquainted with thefe 

 parts, expofe themfelves to great danger, by flopping 

 to reflor fleep ; for when they again let forward, they 

 find themfelves unable to determine the right road ; 

 and when they once have loft the true diredion, it is 

 a remarkable inftance of Providence if they do not 

 perilli with fatigue or diilrefs, of which there are many 

 melancholy inftances. 



The town of Morrope confiils of between 70 and 

 Bo houfes, built like thofe in the preceeding towns ; 

 and contains about 160 families, all Indians. Near 

 it runs a river called Pozuelos, fubjed to the fame 

 changes as thofe above-mentioned ; though the lands 

 bordering on its banks are cultivated, and adorned 

 with trees. The inflind of the beafls ufed to this 

 road is really furprizing ; for even at the diitance of 

 four leagues, they fmeil its water, and become fo" 

 impatient that it would be diflicuk to (lop them ; ac- 

 I cordingly 



