Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/360

310, and conceived the project of proceeding with them to Peru, to appropriate to himself the produce of its rich mines. In reality he set about this undertaking; and having entered with his troop of barbarians, desolated the country through which he passed, stealing the cattle, burning the crops and habitations, and putting to death all those he encountered, whether Spaniards, Indians, or Mestizos. In testimony of the guilt of his intentions, he loaded himself with spoils; but found his punishment in the crime itself; for the Chirihuanos slew him as soon as they perceived that he retreated with the riches they had aided him to collect. They did not think of returning to the country whence they came; but, on the other hand, being delighted with the fertility and abundance of the new land which presented itself, took up their abode in the pleasant vales of Tarija. From that position they continually infested the roads of Peru, Tucuman, and Buenos-Ayres, which were scarcely rendered passable by the protection of an armed force, insomuch that the travellers laboured under similar apprehensions, and were obliged to take all the precautions that accompany the caravans of Arabia and Tartary.

As, in the progress of this history, the Chirihuanos Indians will occupy a considerable space, it may not be amiss, in this place, to give an idea of their origin and customs. These Indians, according to the commonly received opinion, do not constitute a part of the numerous Quechua nation, which peopled the extensive empire of Peru at the time it was first entered by the Spaniards. Their language, their costume, and their characteristic bravery, leave room for a fixed persuasion that they belong to the nation of the Tobas, the aborigines of the provinces of Parahuay. They are not idolaters; neither