t4 . A V O Y A G E T O Book Vlh 



receive from a knowledge of the Spanifli language i 

 and accordingly it is fpoken here as fluently as 

 their own. They have genius, and generally fucceed 

 in whatever they apply themfelves to. They are 

 neither fo fuperftitious, nor fo exceffively given to 

 vice as the others j lb that except in their colour 

 and other natural appearances, they may be faid to 

 differ greatly from them ; and even in their propen- 

 fity to intemperance, and other popular culloms of 

 the Indians, a certain moderation and love of order 

 is confpicuous among thefe. But to avoid tedious 

 repetitions, I fhall conclude with obferving, that all 

 the Indians of Valles from Tumbez to Lima are 

 induftrious, intelligent, and civihzed beyond what 

 is generally imagined. 



The tov/n of Sechura is the laft in the jurifdi6lion 

 of Piura, and its inhabitants not only refufe to fur- 

 nilh pafTengers with mules, but alio will not fufFer 

 any perfon of whatever rank, to continue his jour- 

 ney, v/ithout producing the Corregidor's palTport. 

 The intention of this flridnefs is to fupprefs all 

 abufes in trade ; for there being befides this road 

 which leads to the defart, only one other called the 

 Rodeo ; one of them muft be taken ; if that of the 

 defart, mules mud be hired at Sechura for carrying 

 water for the ufe of' the loaded mules when they 

 have performed half their journey. This water is 

 put into large callebaflies, or f[<.ins, and for every 

 four loaded mules one mule loaded vvith water is al- 

 lowed, and alfo one for the two mules carrying the 

 litter. When they travel on horfeback, the riders 

 carr-y their water in large bags or wallets made for 

 that purpofe ; and every one of the pafTengers, whe- 

 ther in the litter or on horfeback, provides himfelf 

 with what quantity he thinks fufHcient, as during 

 the whole journey nothing is feen but fand and hills 

 of it formed by the wind, and here and there maf- 



