532 



skin. His name was Zerepe^ a very intelligent 

 Indian, who was highly useful to us in the se- 

 quel, but who now refused to accompany us. 

 Born in the mission of Atures, of a Maco father, 

 and a mother of the nation of the Maypures, he 

 had returned to the woods (a! monte), and had 

 lived some years with the unsubdued Indians. 

 He had thus acquired the knowledge of several 

 languages, and the missionary employed him as 

 an interpreter. We obtained with difficulty the 

 pardon of this young man. " Without these 

 acts of severity," we were told, "you would 

 want for every thing. The Indians of the Rau- 

 dales and the Upper Oroonoko are a stronger 

 and more laborious race than the inhabitants of 

 the Lower Oroonoko. They know, that they 

 are much sought after at Angostura. If left to 

 their own will, they would all go down the river 

 to sell their productions, and live in full liberty 

 among [the Whites. The missions would be 

 deserted." 



These reasons are, I confess, more specious 

 than true. Man, in order to enjoy the advan- 

 tages of a social state, must no doubt sacrifice a 

 part of his natural rights, and his ancient inde- 

 pendence. But, if the sacrifice imposed on him 

 be not compensated by the benefits of civiliza- 

 tion, the savage, wise in his simplicity, retains 

 the wish of returning to the forests that gave 

 him birth. It is because the Indian of the 



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