.XIII TO CATARACTS OF MAYPURES 461 
dispatched on horseback, and towards nightfall 
brought up a drove of cattle to the corral. I had 
an order from the Comisario to pick the best steer 
I could find at Maypures, but as among perhaps 
100 cattle there were only one or two steers, the 
choice was soon made. During the period of wait- 
ing I had made good use 
of my time, and had col- 
lected a few specimens of 
everything (save the com- 
monest weeds or widely- 
distributed species) which 
I could find in flower or 
fruit ; but my Indians 
were becoming very im- 
patient of the zancudos of 
Maypures, and after the 
first night in the village 
(as they declared with- 
out being able to sleep) 
they moved out into the 
river every evening at 
sunset, fastening the canoe ^^^•45- 
to a small island, sleeping 
huddled up under the tolda — exposed to the rain 
beating in, but unannoyed by the bloodthirsty 
zancudo. 
[During Spruce's stay at Maypures he engaged 
one of the Llaneros to be his attendant, and took a 
sketch of him, here reproduced. The features show 
his Spanish descent unmistakably, when compared 
with any of the Indian tribes.] 
When the ox was killed and salted, I had 
scarcely a moment's respite through the day ; the 
A Llanero at Maypures. 
(R. Spruce.) 
