The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-03-03

where we find no lnha abtants.
The mountains become more rounding, and
are covered with fine sort of grass. Shepherd
esses are following thousands OF sheep and lambs.
The girls spin wool and chat together, while the
dogs follow Iazily after. If we pass close 10 the
flock and the sheep run back, these dogs make a
furious attack upon us, keeping between US and
! their flock. The temperature oil spring OF ex.
ceilent water, near the path, was 4S0. TO the
southeast snow peaks stand up in full view. The
| day is warm and pleasant. Here comes cheerful
| party of ladies and gentlemen on horseback. AS
we pass each other the gentlemen take off their
hats and the ladies look prettily under their white
straw ones Their figures show 10 advantage in
riding dresses, and they manage and sit their
horses well. The cool mountain air gives them
fresh color which contrasts well with gazele.
| eyed beauty and long black hair. ] thought their
dresses rather Short but sight OF the foot OF one
| Of them, small as it was, reminds one there is
proof positive against the propriety of mans
travelling through this world, alone.
| Now meet the market Indian driving asses,
loaded with potatoes, corn, and saddles of mutton,
10 Tarma. ! wanted some mutton for the party,
but Jose was positively refused by an old woman,
who got out Of his way by twisting the tail Of her
! donkey, who was disposed 10 come to a stand and
be relieved OF his load was told Indians scarcely
sell except after they arrive in the Plaza. | can
| account for it by the woman's wanting an excuse
TO 90 to town. for Jose offered her more than the
market price.
At the end of thicbly populated valley, which
stretches off to the southeast, we halted at an In.
| dian hut, for dinner. The wife was at home with
her chidren-fne, healthy looking little ones.
Boiled mutton, potatoes, and eggs, with good wheat
bread, were placed upon the ground at the door.
The children and dogs formed an outside circle
around US. After dinner the woman gave me an
orange, which she said came from the woods,
pointing to the Andes to the east of u.s. Some OF
these Indians the range OF mountains and
garden on the eastern slopes for the market, on
these table lands-Puna, as the Spaniards cali the
elevated flats
The husband was threshing barley with his
neighbors. The grain is separated from the straw
| by the tramping OF oxen and horses. Over the
surface Of this level valley there numbers of
such threshing parties. The gram is cleaned
from the chaff> by being poured from the top of a
mans head or a windy day; many of them suf-
fer with iniamed eyes, and even lose them some
! times by a shift of wind which blows the barley
! boards into the eyes.
Black cattle are numerous here, and at the foot
of the mountains so white churches, which
stand in the midst Of thick population of In
dians. We meet number of tax gatherers 60
ing among the threshers with silver headed canes,
receiving measure Of grain instead Of contribu-
ton money. They old Indians. very well
dressed; with standing collars and ad-brmmed
hats and respectable Quaker-like air abou, them.
1t is an active time with the priests also, who 60
abroad among the farmers, for tithes.
The valley is all activity, and merry are the
people. Women visiting about from place to
place astride of plump little jackasses. This is
a plentiful season.
When the crops fail on these table lands the
suffering among the Indians is very great. Seed.
time is in September, just before the rains COM
mence. If there hard frosts in February the
chances that famine follows.
Crossing small ridge on the east we come
in full view Of the great valley of the Juaja,
stretching away south. The snowy peaks are
represented in a sketch from our camp near the
town.
Jose's wife and children came 10 the tent and
brought supper and ucerne for our mules. One
of The sons, fine looking boy OF eighteen, volun.
teered TO 60 with me. Jose desired | should let
hum 60, and | had objection but when his
mother came to ask me, if | was not satisfied to
take her husband without taking her son and only
protector, also, referred Jose and his son to her.
She settled the in her own way, and gave
me her blessing
Juaja has population of about twenty FIVE
hundred inhabitants. | say about because there
is no such thing a census known at this eleva-
ton. The houses are built ones story, Of adobe
walls, or OF unburnt bricks, and tile roofs; the
streets are we'll paved, and run at right angles
with each other. pretty little whitewashed
church stands upon the plaza, where the women
sell their marketing and say their prayers. The
Indians come 10 market and church at the same |
time. Sunday morning is the great market day. |
drove of small horses arc most miserable look |
ing rats. The horse Of The lowands and coasts
are much their superiors.
Men live to a good old age in this climate
seventy, eighty, and ninety years common
some have arrived at one hundred and twenty and
one hundred and thirty. | am under the impres.
sion that the Indians live longest. Meszo and
Spanish Creole girls have been known 10 bear
children at eight and nine years of age.
The Spanish Creole population is small. They
are generally shop-keerers, the only dealers in
foreign goods, which are retaed to the Indians at
enormous profits. They travel to Lima and pur.
chase goods, which used as an nducement
for the Indians TO work silver mines, existing three
eagues 10 the east OF Juaja, in the Andes range,
out which present little worked. The In
lians prefer blue in their dresses 10 any other
color, and consume considerable quantities OF in
1igo. The demand for wax in The churches is Of
ome account, Eggs and wool are the principal
exports 10 Lima, and are carried over the Cordil.
eras the backs of jackasses. Travellers do
lot know why they meet SO many bad eggs at
,reakEost in Lima. II is customary 10 pass them
ound the country as current money, or coins, for
ONE time before they sent TO the coast TO be
aten Mrs. Jose says three eggs will buy her q
lass of brandy or SiXDence worth of ANYTHING