114 



are represented in the general statement of the 

 population by the Mestizoes and the Zamboes, 

 whose numbers daily increase. I still found 

 however four thousand tributary Indians in the 

 valleys of Aragua. Those of Turmero and Gua- 

 cara, are the most numerous. They are little, 

 but less squat than the Chaymas; their eyes 

 announce more vivacity and intelligence, owing 

 perhaps less to a diversity in the race, than to a 

 superior state of civilization. They work like 

 freemen by the day; they are active and labo- 

 rious during the short time they allot to labour; 

 but what they earn in two months is spent in 

 one week, in buying strong liquors, at the small 

 inns, of which unhappily the numbers daily 

 increase. 



We saw at Turmero the remains of the as- 

 sembled militia of the country, and their ap- 

 pearance alone sufficiently indicated, that these 

 valleys had enjoyed for ages undisturbed peace. 

 The Capitania-general, in order to give a new 

 impulse to the military service, had ordered a 

 grand review; and the battalion of Turmero, 

 in a mock fight, had fired on that of La Vic- 

 toria. Our host, a lieutenant of the militia, was 

 never weary of describing to us the danger of 

 these manoeuvres. " He had been surrounded 

 with muskets, which might have burst at every 

 instant; he had been kept four hours in the 

 Sun,, and his slaves were not permitted to hold 



