Untitled - The Alfred Russel Wallace Website

126 NOTES OF A BOTANIST CHAP,
the Bombonasa, but his native place is Quito.
are all under
Canelos, Puca-yacu, and Sara-yacu
his rule, and he divides his residence equally among
them. It should be observed that his title is
Lieutenant -Governor, the Curaca of each pueblo
being considered its real governor. The labour
of the Indians is entirely voluntary, nor is there
any tariff of prices strictly
adhered to. In conse-
quence, the Indians are sufficiently impertinent
and difficult to treat with. The pueblo of Puca-
yacu contains some nine men accustomed to carry
and after more than a
cargoes to the Sierra ;
week's delay, Don Ignacio and Don Victoriano
have with much difficulty persuaded five of these
to accompany them ; the rest excuse themselves
from pretended sickness or some other motive, so
that I, who need seven cargueros, am still waiting
to see if I can induce the Indians of Sara-yacu to
accompany me, as they are much more numerous
than those of Puca-yacu. The Indians of Canelos
are away at their tambos on the Rutuno, etc., with
licence of absence for three months, which does
not expire till June 20.
Don Gabicho (as he is familiarly called) presented
himself to us with shirt outside trousers (Amazon
fashion), so that it stood for jacket as well, and his
head adorned with a broad-brimmed hat of tamshe,
similar to those woven by the Indians of Maynas
well ventilated but affording
of the same material ;
no protection against rain ; so, to render it water-
he had stuck it all over with the feathers of
proof,
small birds, the points all directed to the brim.
I have rarely seen a gayer or stranger head-gear.