Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/494

436 interior of the mountains of Caxamarquilla, was able to draw over all the Indians who were there dispersed, to religion, and to the state, by engaging them in a mutual and pacific commerce, which enabled them to comprehend the sanctity of the former, and to appreciate the advantages of an union with the latter; insomuch, that they have constantly remained faithful and attached, and have not suffered the smallest molestation, amid the struggles and contentions of the neighbouring tribes, on the mountain of salt, in the great Pajonal, &c.

We forbear to inquire into the causes of a phenomenon so different from those that have appeared to govern the world, and dispose of the fate of its inhabitants. The genius that presides over these causes, enlightened by the Divinity, is like a fire which, issuing from the pole, runs with a celerity that the sight cannot overtake, to station itself in the centre of the sphere; and illumines in an instant the atoms even which were concealed by the obscure veil of night. We, on the other hand, resemble, in our researches, the faint crepuscules that divide the empires of light and darkness: by the help of them we can scarcely record the greater bodies; and are compelled to recur to the help of the touch, not to be deceived. We will return to our history.

Father Girbal spent four days among the Panos dwelling at the side of the above-mentioned lake; and on the fifth, took the necessary measures to proceed in quest of those who inhabit the banks of the river Sarayacu. He descended the Ucayali by the canal through which he had passed on his entrance, the Indian boatmen having to overcome its current by their oars; and on the 6th of October, at four in the afternoon, disembogued by the Sarayacu, within the distance of a league from the port, which he shortly after reached. The inhabitants, through some mistake, not having been made acquainted with his intended visit, instantly took up arms; but as soon as they had ascertained that it was a pacific assemblage, commanded by a friar of the Order of St. Francis, they exchanged their implements of war for the green boughs of peace, and, surrounding our traveller with a thousand tokens of benevolence and affection, conducted him to the house of the chief. This chief was a female, distinguished from the rest, as well by her demeanour, as by the modest propriety of her dress, which resembled that of a nun. She proved to be the identical Anna Rosa of whom mention was made in the history of the missions of Caxamarquilla, and who, having been brought to Lima in her infancy, by the reverend fathers, had spent several months in the monastery of Santa Rosa