Ch.IX. south AMERICA. 1^3 



each end, which are aifo laflied with all polTible 

 ftrength, they refift the rapidity of the currents irt 

 their voyages to the coaft of Tumbez and Paita, 

 The Indians are fo fkilful in fecuring them, that they 

 never loofen, notwithftanding the continual agitation ; 

 though by their neglefb in examining the condition of 

 the Bejucos, whether they are not rotten or worn, fo 

 as to require others, there are fome melancholy in- 

 flances of Balzas, which, in bad weather, have fepa- 

 rated, and, by that means, the cargo loft, and the 

 paflengers drowned. With regard to the Indians, 

 they never fail of getting on one of the beams, which 

 is fufficient for them to make their way to the next 

 port. One or two unfortunate accidents of this kind 

 happened even while we were in the jurifdidtion of 

 Quito, purely from the favage carelefTnefs of the 

 Indians. 



The thickeft beam of thofe which compofe the 

 Balza, is placed fo, as to projedl beyond the other in 

 its after-part ; and to this is lafhed the firft beams on 

 each fide, and thus, fucceflively, till the whole are fe- 

 cured ; that in the middle being the principal piece, 

 and thence the number of beams is always odd. The 

 larger fort of Balzas generally carry between four 

 and five hundre<i quintals, without being damaged 

 by the proximity of the water; for the waves of the 

 fea never run over the Balza ; neither does the water 

 fplafh up between the beams, the Balza always fol^ 

 lowing the motion of the water. 



Hitherto we have only mentioned the conftruc- 

 tion and the ufes they are applied to; but the greateft 

 fingularity of this floating vehicle is, that it fails, 

 tacks, and works as well in contrary winds, as Ihips 

 with a keel, and makes very little lee-way. This ad- 

 vantage it derives from another method of fleering 

 than by a rudder; namely, by fome boards, three or 

 four yards in length, and half a yard in breadth, cal- 

 led Guaras, which are placed vertically, both in the 



N 4 head 



