Untitled - The Alfred Russel Wallace Website

CANELOS TO BAftOS 141
plantations of yucas, plantains, yams, etc., and
about nine we reached a house where we found an
old man and several women. Here we remained
an hour, and I bought a cock of the old man,
though I must needs shoot it with my gun,
as it
was wild and would not allow itself to be caught,
he said. After a short chase among the wet
yucas, I brought it down and we bore it off in
triumph. It took us two hours more to reach the
centre of the settlement, where are the Curaca's
and two other houses. The way was very muddy,
and in that short distance traversed by above
twenty streams, with steep slippery descents to
them. It was noon as we reached the Curaca's
house. We had had drizzling rain for some time
this morning, which with the heavy rain of yesterday
and the soft muddy nature of the earth had
bad order and we reached
put the track in very
our halting-place in pitiable plight. A good many
years ago, it seems, some missionary had induced
these Jibaros to become Christians, and to erect a
church and convent, after the fashion of those of
Canelos and Puca-yacu, but they have long ago
renounced Christianity and the church has fallen to
decay. The convent was still tenantable and we
took possession of it that is, I and my servants,
for the Indians installed themselves in the Curaca's
house. The Curaca was absent in the forest and
did not return till evening, when I bought a couple
of fowls and some plantains of him. His name is
Hueleca a young man of middle stature, slender in
body, but with remarkably muscular arms and legs.
'
"
with our Christian Indians from
Compared
Sara-yacu, we found him a person of gentlemanly