The _rancheria_, he said, was the last civilised spot they would pass, for Tucuman was many days' journey away from the water; so was Salta; and, after that, the river became only a stream, running through the territory of the Aymaras. The cotton he knew nothing about, which, from Hutchinson's point of view, was awkward, as it would mean many landings and perhaps many fruitless searches. The next morning the Consul woke soon after dawn, to find the guide peering through the hatch of the little after-cabin where he and Ruberta slept. "The man-eaters have come," whispered the Quiteño; "they have been watching us all night, I suppose. If you bring your gun you can kill many of them." Hutchinson went on deck and looked towards the nearer bank, which was about eight yards away. Crouching behind the reeds were some fifty Indians. He called out to them in Spanish; they made no answer, but slunk backwards a few steps up the slope, so bringing themselves into full view. They were of medium height, stark naked, with no ornaments whatever, and armed only with short spears. The explorer had seen Niger savages and Fuegians, but neither had the debased, abject look of these men. "Speak to them in your tongue. Tell them we mean no harm," he said. The Quiteño obeyed, and it was plain that they at least partially understood him. "The dogs!" he said scornfully. "They think our boat is alive. May I kill them, Señor?" "Rubbish. Tell them I and my friend are coming on shore after breakfast.--Ah, Señor Don; here are the cannibals, you see." "What do they say?" asked Ruberta, laughing. "The dogs!" reiterated the guide. "They say that my people kill and eat them;" and he would have unslung his bow, but that Hutchinson stayed him. "Tell them we will do them no harm, and that we are only coming to look for flowers; but that if they attempt to injure us we shall kill them." This menace was more to the Indian's taste, and he delivered the latter part of it with unction. "They say they are not afraid of _you_, gentlemen, because you have no bows. It is I whom they fear." The crew had now come on deck, and at their appearance, one by one from the bowels of the boat as it were, the savages retreated still farther. The Zambo cook, as usual, laid the explorers' breakfast on deck. "Let's test them with a little Christian diet," said Ruberta, flinging a bunch of bananas towards the inquisitive crowd, who at once scrambled for it. Those who succeeded in getting one of the fruits ate it greedily, rind and all, which told a tale: there was no fruit about here, and the savages, not having energy or courage to travel, had never tasted such a delicacy. Hutchinson cut off a thick round of cold ham and threw it after the bananas. The man who captured it took a big bite, and while he coughed and spluttered at it, his neighbour snatched the remainder from him, and was soon coughing in like manner. They had never tasted salt.