A Woman Holds Chief Command. 273 
waterfall, the dull thunder of which they had already heard during the 
course of tlie night. Below them the stream shot down to a depth of 
130 feet. They next ascended a neighhouring height on the top of 
which they again followed terracylike declivities for some miles, 
crossed a considerable-sized stream, and then climbed a second mountain- 
ridge, the dividing range of tlie INfazaruni, whiich stretches away from 
Irutipu in an entirely westerly direction. The Aunawai was the tirst 
stream of importance that they met after entering the watershed of the 
Mazanmi. It flowed from the East to the Carimang, close to the source 
of which, after an exhaustive march of 18 miles, they reached a small 
village. 
6.33. Although the Akawais are generally known as the tribe most 
fond of travel, my brother was nevertheless surprised to find a settle- 
ment of them so far westwards among the Arekunas. The little village 
numbered 22 occupants. 
G31. The source of the Carimnng lay somewhat N.W. from the little 
village on the slope of a wooded range of hills on the opposiite side of 
which the rivulets streamed into the Apauwanga. • 
G3.5. During the next 24 hours the way led over swampy savannahs, 
and the provisions were at so low an ebb that the 14th Deceml>er was 
almost hailed a fastdnv. They now turned from W to E. At last, 
after many difficulties they succeeded in crossing the Cutzi, a swishing 
mountain-torrent 110 feet broad. Some of the Indians, who on account 
of the depth had to carry their loads on their heads, were even carried 
along by the current wherelty luggage got lost. The rain fell in torrents. 
On the opposite bank they had again to cUmb mountains from 12 to 
1.500 feet high. 
636. In the afternoon they reached an Arekuna settlement still in 
the course of construction. The large house, which was surrounded by 
several smaller temporary ones, had not yet been completed: for pro- 
tection against night-surprises and jaguars the whole of the buildings 
were surrounded with palisades. As the male occupants had all marched 
off to a drinking party, from Avhich they were not expect(»d for another 
three days, one of the women ventured on the road to inform them of 
the presence of the strangers: in the absence of their men thev did not 
dare sell any extra large quantity of provisions, and they themselves 
could only be tempted by the seductive sight of some glass necklaces to 
give them just as mnch as would relieve their ravenous hunger. 
637. The Carimang which irrigates the foot of the hill on which the 
settlement lav had a breadth of 60 feet here. A mile from the village 
it formed a big cataract, the wild roar of which could be distinctly re- 
cognised in spite of the pouring rain. 
638. The sister of the chief, a slim young buckeen, a widow, carried 
on the chief command during her brother's absence. Her husband had 
fallen in the feud mentioned and her whole love was now centred upon 
her child, a pretty boy. The woman whom they had despatched returned 
next morning with the news that she had found the men in a deep state 
of intoxication, but as the drink was running short, they would soon be 
following he?. In the evening my brother heard the beating of the drum 
