Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1896 — Indian Walkers. [ARTICLE]

Indian Walkers.

All travelers in South America are impressed by the Wonderful endurance of the Indian couriers of Pont and Bolivia. A Frenchman, declares that they filled him with attaniration. The manner in which they journey over the Cordilleras on foot lie pronounces astonishing. They climb and descend at the same pace. They speak rarely, scarcely ever complain, and never stop, If the traveler halts for a moment to light a cigar, they are at once some hundreds of feet in advance. The gait is slow, but without relaxation. That is what makes them such incomparable couriers. Often wlieiuii man has a journey of several days to make, lie takes his wife along; she bears her baby upon her back, and The dog follows. The husband carries the provisions. And this is how they travel; • The Indian chews coca and spins cotton. The wife sings to the baby, and spins also. They eat without halting, and make but the .shortest stop to drink. Toward night, "to comfort themselves.” they cucw some "roasted beans.” I was escorted by an Indian and his family who traveled after this fashion.