The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-06-18
Arequipa, Peru.

correspondent OF the ChlcagO 1T.O.
N,ae writes: n' 'wI''I- .o ...''
The City Of Arequipa is situated in a
most charmingly picturesque valley at
an elevation Of some 5000 feet above
the level of the sea, and differs from
Lima and other cities near the coast in
that it seems to be more nearly what
one would naturally look for in q South
American town. The population of for
eigners has not become large enough to
make European city of it, as has been
the case with Valparaiso and Lima.
Here the native Indians are to be seen
in all their untrammeled freedom, wear
ing the picturesque costumes which were
in fashion among them centuries ago,
and which by their gay and brilliant
colors are perhaps the first thing to
catch the eye of the visitor. Droves of
llamas from the interior, laden with
sugar, rice or charcoal, are frequently
encountered in the streets. These mild
eyed, peculiar looking creatures seem to
be sort of cross between a camel and
an ostrich as they stalk along, driven by
some small Indian lad, whose voice
they obey most perfectly. Nothing
seems more natural than that they should
be beasts of burden, and also thoroughly
docile, but let anything occur to provoke
them and they show unmistakable signs
of vicious temper, and spit and kick at
any one approaching until their temper
has had an opportunity of cooling down.
Under these circumstances the philo-
sophical native who has the animals UNI,
der his charge seats himself by the road
side and awaits the pleasure Of the
brute, knowing perfectly well that it is
the only thing to be done. A North Amer.
lean mule can never hope to. rival the
South American llama whenit comes to q
question Of downright obstinacy, for in
the matter IL that they are simply per-
feet. On the street corners, protected
by scanty awning from the suns rays,
are to be seen small stands, resembling,
to q considerable extent, the peanut and
apple stands Of our own Republic, where
the native drink Of chicAa is supplied to
the thirsty wayfarer from the mountains
for the moderate compensation of two
cents per quart. Itresembles sour small
beer in taste, but being made from fer
,naented Indian corn possesses consider
able nutriment, and serves both for food
and drink. This seems to be about the
extent Of the dissipation Of the Indians
in Arequipa, although 1 am told that
I" fire.water has been introduced
among them in the mines further inland
with quite as much success as in some
of cur reservations, = and that they
take to it most kindly and are willing to
pay any price in valuable ores for it. l
dare say, in time the mines may be
made to pay very we'll without the inl-
portation Of any more costly machinery,
for they are unquestionably rich, and
the Indians have long since discovered.
where they can be easily worked. Those
in the vicinity Of Arequipa are an indus.
trious race, and cause very little trouble.
The men are mostly donkey and llama
drivers, and make, trips Of hundreds of
miles into the interior with freight. The
women remain behind and attend the
chichs stands. While waiting for Gus
toners they are never idle, but are
always employed in knitting or spinning
or in making some article Of dress. ~
Their dresses are peculiar, consisting
Ola skirt Of some bright color, with :
shawl whose shade contrasts effectively
with the dress; . mans straw hat sur.
mounts the, head. The hair hangs
down the back in two heavy braids, to
which is frequently addeda "switch'' of
cotton twine, which i apqpulady sup.
posed to add to its beauty and increase
It's growth. The children, when ANAL,
are slung In 8 shawl on the mothers
back, and sleep most contentedly with.
their heads dangling over the outer
edge Of their nests. No carriages are
to be seen In any part ofths city. One
'streetrailroad connects With the rail.
road station and the main business Dor
ton OF tho town, abeut . mile distant.
Everybody rides on horseback, and
here, q In most Peruvian towns, the
horses are al taught to pace. A horse.
with any other gait q q once rscoe-
mixed Is : I" Chileno. !" The streets afe
III paved with Stone, and on either side