HUMAN BEASTS OF BURDEN. 157 



clearing on the upper terrace gave us a view of the 

 lower one, which was an unbroken mass of bushes 

 and weeds ten or twelve feet high. Perhaps half 

 an hour had elapsed, when we saw a single Indian 

 ascend the platform of the second terrace, with his 

 machete slowly working his way toward us. Very 

 soon the top of a long box was seen rising above 

 the same terrace, apparently tottering and falling 

 back, but rising again and coming on steadily, with 

 an Indian under it, visible from time to time through 

 the bushes. Toward the foot of the terrace on 

 which we were it disappeared, and after a few nfin- 

 utes rose to the top. Holding on with both hands 

 to the strap across his forehead, with every nerve 

 strung, and the veins of his forehead swelled almost 

 to bursting, his face and his whole body dripping 

 with sweat, he laid his load at our feet. A long 

 line followed ; staggering, panting, and trembling, 

 they took the loads from their backs, and deposited 

 them at the door. They had carried these loads 

 three leagues, or nine miles, and we paid them 

 eighteen and three quarter cents, being at the rate 

 of a medio, or six and a quarter cents, per league. 

 We gave them a medio extra for bringing the things 

 up the terrace, and the poor fellows were thankful 

 and happy. 



In the mean time the fire was still burning, and 

 the smoke rushing out. We set the Indians at 

 work on the terrace with their machetes, and as 

 the smoke rolled away we directed them to sweep 



14 



