ed by original letters in my hands, from many missionaries
on the Amazons, who felt an interest in this event, and by other proofs,
as will be seen in the sequel of this narrative. These misfortunes would
have been avoided altogether but for the infidelity of Tristan, but for
his neglect, instead of stopping at Loreto, of delivering, as
instructed, in person, my letters to the Superior at Laguna; with this
precaution, on his part, my wife would, as her father had done, have
found the village of Canelos peopled with natives, and a canoe ready to
convey her forward.

To return, it was on the eighth or ninth day, according to Madame Godin,
after leaving the dreadful scene of the death of her companions, that
she found herself on the banks of the Bobonasa. At day-break she heard a
noise at about two hundred paces from her. Her first emotions, which
were those of terror, occasioned her to strike into the wood; but, after
a moment's reflection, satisfied that nothing worse, could possibly
befal her, than to continue in her present state, and that alarm was
therefore childish, she proceeded to the bank of the river, and
perceived two native Americans launching a boat into the stream. It is
the custom of these people, on their landing to pass the night, to draw
their canoe either wholly, or partially on shore, as a security against
accidents; for, should it be left afloat, and the fastening tackle
break, it would be carried away by the current, and leave the sleepers
on shore in a truly helpless state. The natives, perceiving Madame
Godin, advanced towards her, on which she conjured them to transport her
to Andoas. They had been driven by the contagion prevalent at Canelos,
to withdraw with their wives to a hut they had at a distance, and were
then going to Andoas. They received my wife on board with kindness truly
affectionate, showed every attention to her wants, and conducted her to
that village. Here she might have stopped some days to rest herself and
recruit her strength, (and well may it be conceived she had great need
of rest), but, indignant at the conduct of the missionary at whose mercy
she was left, and with whom for that reason she was obliged to
dissemble, she resolved on making no stay at Andoas, nor would even have
stopped a single night had it been possible to avoid it.

A great revolution in the missions of Spanish America dependent upon
Lima, Quito, Charcas, and Paraguay, founded and administered by the
Jesu