In both sections, after the flagellation, a chain is tied around the Indian's neck, and in this way many of them die. Señor Loayza knows all this perfectly well, for he himself gives the order to flog all who do not bring in the amount of rubber they impose upon them. In Esmeraldas, Don Bartolomé Guevara, inspector of sections, killed two _capitánes_; this is the individual who introduced the method of having men tied to four stakes and flogging them. When he makes his _correrías_ and orders the floggings he says that the Indians must either work or die, for he does not wish to return to his country poor. This terrible man must have flogged over five thousand Indians during the six years he has resided in this region. He has also, I am told by people who have seen him, shot many whites to death. Don Luis Alcorta had a mistress named Carolina Diaz, who had a little son by a German. Alcorta, the stepfather of this little boy, who was three or four years old, could not bear the sight of him, and almost daily this wicked wretch kicked and clubbed him; when the mother intervened she, too, was clubbed. The poor woman has become consumptive and lives here now, but as to her little son, this Alcorta killed him in two months with the numerous clubbings he gave him. When this same man killed Faustino Hernandez, shooting him to death with the help of Belisario Suárez, they made a great feast, in which, among others, Miguel S. Loayza, Luis Alcorta, Belisario Suárez, Olivarez, and Dagoberto Arriarán took part, celebrating the graces, valour, and courage of the assassins. It is worthy of note that the Barbados negro, King, and the white, Olivarez (the one-eyed man), were the ones who shot the unfortunate Hernandez in the head; these also took part in the festivity, which terminated in drunkenness and scandal, all with the consent and approval of the manager of El Encanto, Señor Loayza. This, Señor Saldaña, is what I know and have witnessed, and I am ready to maintain this statement anywhere. Make any use you deem convenient of this declaration, in favour of those sufferers. CARLOS SOPLÍN. HANG (_Sworn before_) FEDERICO M. PIZARRO, _Notary Public_. [Illustration: A SIDE STREET AT IQUITOS. [To face p. 232.] _Translated from "La Felpa" of Iquitos, January 5, 1908._ _Note._--For obvious reasons the author of the following letter does not sign his name in full. IQUITOS, _July 16, 1907_. SEÑOR BENJAMIN SALDAÑA ROCCA,--I write you this to inform you about the horrible crimes, such as murders, robberies, floggings, tortures, &c., that are committed in the possessions of Señores J. C. Arana and Hermanos on the River Putumayo.