Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/467

Rh live, not in towns or villages, but in distinct huts, insomuch that, although their number does not exceed one thousand, they occupy more than twenty leagues of territory north and south, and from ten to twelve east and west. The implacable hatred which had subsisted between the Serebos and Sipibos, since the former were, in a bloody conflict in the year 1736, vanquished by the latter, seemed to render all union and friendly intercourse between these tribes impracticable. At length, however, after a lapse of four years, they were reconciled by the entreaties and persuasion of the reverend missionaries. Friar Juan de Dios Fresneda, without a moment's delay, seized on the favourable opportunity, and collected the Sipibos, whom he established in a town, in the vicinity of the river Pisqui, which received the name of Santo Domingo. This event was soon followed by the voluntary submission of the Conibos, one of the most irrational and extravagant tribes of the Enim empire. They dwelt on the eastern bank of the Gran Paro, near its confluence with the Pachitea. In the year 1685, several Franciscan monks descended the rivers Enne and Pachitea, and reached their settlement, on which they bestowed the name of St. Michael. Father Ricter, a Jesuit belonging to the conversions of Mayanas, afterwards proceeded thither by the Ucayali; but, in imitation of those who had preceded him, confined himself to a short visit to the establishment, notwithstanding he met with a very flattering reception among these unconverted Indians, who still retained a distant recollection of the kindness and benevolence of the Franciscans. In the sequel, father Fresneda proceeded to St. Michael, to take on himself their spiritual direction.

Under these favourable circumstances the Manoa missions began to flourish, and to hold out the promise of much eventual success. In the midst, however, of these hopes, the number of the missionaries having been gradually diminished, and their operations embracing a great extent of territory, they were incapable of stifling the rancour and jealousies which subsisted among these savage tribes, who discharged their fury on their peaceable benefactors, by whom they had been united in the bonds of fellowship.

A road which had been opened from Pampa-hermosa to Manoa, to prevent any untimely accidents, was found scarcely practicable by fathers Santa Rosa, Menendez, Errans, Asnar, and Jayme, who had set out for the new conversions, and were