NOTICES OP PERU. 



413 



wa« a loud laugh, and 1 saw him sit down by the curate, and, 

 lighting his cigar, torture his features to look cheerful, but the 

 whole effort only resulted in a grin. 



We left Lambayeque about twelve o'clock, and embarked 

 on a large balsa, called El Sacramento, which was laden with 

 supplies for our ship. The crew consisted of ten brawny In- 

 dians, who, like all of their tribe, wore the hair braided behind, 

 and cut short from the crown to the forehead, except a long 

 tuft in the centre. Their dress was complete in a pair of cloth 

 trowsers. 



All being ready, the square sail was hoisted, and one end of 

 the balsa pushed off towards the breakers, while the other was 

 retained on the beach by a rope held by a party of Indians on 

 shore. Presently the sail filled, a heavy wave broke roaring 

 on the beach, sending a sheet of foamy water towards the shore, 

 and our balsa was afloat. The balseros who had been bearing 

 off the bow of the vessel, or rather raft, gave a shout, jumped 

 on board, and the rope was let go. The sail was now sufficient 

 to urge us steadily through the surf into the open sea, aided 

 by broad paddles, called rudders, which the Indians worked 

 cheerily. As we got into deep water, several short planks 

 were forced down between the logs, giving steadiness, and, 

 like the keel of a ship, keeping the balsa near the wind. 



After we were fairly under way, the Indians put on their 

 ponchos, and sat themselves down, with gourds of mot^ and 

 little shell-fish, before mentioned, called Donax. At four 

 o'clock P. M. we reached the ship, and, having been thirteen 

 days in port, got our anchor and put to sea. 



