BAFTS OF TJIE NATIVES. 
231 
Missions of tlie Orinoco, formed the project of founding a 
city at the mouth of the Meta, under the name of the Villa 
de San Carlos. Indolence, and the dread of tertian fevers, 
have prevented the execution of this project; and all that 
has ever existed of the city of San Carlos, is a coat of arms 
painted on fine parchment, with an enormous cross erected 
on the bank of the Meta. The Guahibos, who, it is said, 
a re some thousands in number, have become so insolent, 
that, at the time of our passage by Carichana, they sent 
Word to the missionary that they would come on rafts, and 
burn his village. These rafts (valzas), which we had an 
opportunity of" seeing, are scarcely three feet broad, and 
twelve feet long. They carry only two or three Indians ; 
but fifteen or sixteen of these rafts are fastened to each 
other with the stems of the paullinia, the dolichos, and other 
creeping plants. It is difficult to conceive how these small 
craft remain tied together in passing the rapids. Many 
fugitives from the villages of the Casanare and the Apure 
have joined the Guahibos, and taught them the practice of 
eating beef, and preparing hides. The farms of San Vicente, 
iiubio, and San Antonio, have lost great numbers of their 
horned cattle by the incursions of the Indians, who also 
Prevent travellers, as far as the junction of the Casanare, 
h’om sleeping on the shore in going up the Meta. It often 
happens, while the waters are low, that the traders of New 
Grenada, some of whom still visit the encampment of Para- 
ruraa, are killed by the poisoned arrows of the Guahibos. 
Prom the mouth of the Meta, the Orinoco appeared to us 
be freer of shoals and rocks. We navigated in a channel 
hve hundred toises broad. The Indians remained rowing in 
he boat, without towing or pushing it forward with the’" 
jjruis, and wearying us with their wild cries. We passes* 
rhe Canos of Uita and Endava on the west. It was night 
' T hen we reached the Randal de Tabaje. The Indians would 
?°t hazard passing the cataract; and we slept on a very 
^commodious spot, on the shelf of a rock, with a slope 
°1 more than eighteen degrees, and of which the crevices 
sheltered a swarm of bats. We heard the cries of the 
> a guar very near us during the whole night. They were 
Answered by onr great dog in lengthened howlings. I 
Tai ted the appearance of the stars in vain: the sky was 
