226 
EXPLORING FOR CASTILLO A RUBBER 
many I have forgotten. But I have not forgotten the sharp twinge, like 
a red hot needle, that tells of the presence of the grub in one’s flesh, 
or the killing of it with nicotine, the heating of the spot bv a firebrand, 
and then the desperate squeeze that shoots the inch-long intruder out 
into the open. 
I also learned here why it was that so many of the natives have 
sore feet, about half of our men being then laid off. A disease which 
they call the “massamora,” something like chilblains, attacks them, the 
cause being a minute insect that is found in stagnant water or decaving 
vegetation. Unless cared for, the feet swell dreadfully and the skin 
cracks and festers, making most troublesome sores. 
CRUZ, THE HUNTER, WITH WILD TURKEY. 
One of the worst rains came on while we were at llanos, but all 
were under cover — that is, all except the Prospector and the Scout, who 
came in drenched and cross because the rest were dry and feasting on 
mangos and bananas. While it rained Donna Maria was approached 
with the proposal that she get the Indian woman who lived near to do 
some washing. She got the woman to come over, but as it was a "fiesta” 
(St. Peter’s Day), she had religious scruples against working. Nor 
could she work the next day, she explained, as that was the fiesta of 
St. Paul. All of which was solemnly repeated by Elias Ojo. I have 
not mentioned him before, but he deserves it. He was a boy about 
fourteen, hunchbacked, withered, with enormous black eyes, and treated 
