The Elbert County tribune., 1912-08-09


but few days previously passed through 1t
with large force OF foot and horse
Won Hutten. after serious deliberation con-
cluded to follow closely in the rear of Que
sada In the hope of sharing with him the
treasures Of Ell Dorado should he succeed
in discovering his whereabouts The march
of both expeditions through trackless
plains and woods. impetuous rivers
and deep morasses. in tropic heat and tor
rental rains that were more than enough to
depress the stoutest hearts. But these
dauntless soldiers OF fortune pressed onward.
fully convinced that they would eventually
find the object of their quest After untold
trials and dangers Quesada at length reached
the Province OF Papamene at the headwa-
ters of the Caqueta Japura, and thence
made his way to Popayan, whence he was
glad to return to Bogota wiser but
poorer man.
Won Hutton after following him to Timana
near the crest of the eastern Cordillera, to
the southeast of Popayan. faced about and
directed his course toward the river Qua
Ware on the banks OF which his Indian guide
had assured him was great city called Ma
catoa, the capital Of region rich in gold
and silver. AS evidence OF the truth of
his story he showed the German leader sam
pies of gold fashioned in the form of apples
nisperos, which he said. had been brought
from that city But before he could reach his
eagerly coveted goal the winter season came
on, and the entire country inundated.
There was then nothing left for them to do
but seek higher ground and await the return
of the dry season. But as the district In which
they took refuge sparsely populated and
almost entirely destitute of the means of sub
sistence the intrepid explorers soon began to
experince all the horrors of a famine. For
while their chief sustenance a mixture OF
maize and ants. The ants were secured by
placing some maize near the opening Of ant
hill. and when 1t was covered with these in
sects they consumed maize and insects togeth-
er and thus appeased their hunger But as
there was not enough of this aliment for all.
many were fan to appease the cravings OF
hunger by consuming grubs beetles. or other
things equally disgusting In consequence OF
this their hair, boards and eyebrows fell on
Finally" writes Oviedo Banos "all were
covered with peGtiferous tumors and poisonous
ulcers. and that afflicted troop was converted
into a theater OF miseries and hospital OF
misfortunes." When the inundation had sub
sided sufficiently to permit them to travel they
resumed their march. and after long wander
ing about in the wilderness they found them
selves again at Nuestra Sonora. whence they
had departed twelvemonth before
Their failure and hardshps did not, how
ever. cause them to abandon their enterprise.
Far from it. Their ardor was as quenchless
and their determination to achieve success was
as strong as when they took their departure
the south OF n country abounding In gold and
silver supplied them with clue and gave
zest to the expedition. After a long and peril
GUS march. during which they passed through
the country OF the Uapes and visited their
capital. Macatoa. the brave and persevering
expeditioners reached the land of the rich and
powerful Omaguas who inhabited the terri
tory between the Guaviare and the Caqueta.
that land which Wallace. late 1853. call
ed "the unknown regions between the Rio
Guaviare one side and the Japura on the
other"
Here. from an elevated position. the adven-
turers deserted what they fondly believed was
the goal which they had SO long been striving
to reach. 1t was a city large that though
II was near at hand 1t extended beyond the
range of vision. The streets were straight
with the houses close together and In the
midst OF all an imposing edince. which
their Indian guide informed them was the pal
ace OF Quarica the lord Of the Omaguas Tho
structure aiso served as temple In which.
Won Hutten's guide stated. were idols Of mas