Reaching the port with some difficulty, we secured the canoe, climbed up the steep bank, walked through the clearing, which was sown with _yuca_, plantains, &c., and arrived at the house. Here we were received in a friendly manner by an old, tattered-looking _racional_, who upon our asking for Señor Ordoñez informed us that that gentleman was at La Unión, the principal establishment of the Company, which was situated on the banks of the Caraparaná, about three hours' march overland. Somewhat annoyed at this _contretemps_, which made it necessary for us to go to that region, Perkins and I held a short consultation, during which we decided that on the following day I should cross over to La Unión and arrange with Ordoñez to lend us the necessary _cargadores_ and buy what effects we wanted, to be disposed of afterwards as quickly as possible, while Perkins remained with the canoe at Remolino. The old _racional_ did not have any authority to do business with me, but was sure that Ordoñez--who seemed to be the principal man--would arrange matters with us upon any reasonable terms. During the rest of the day we stopped at Remolino to recuperate, but the devouring gnats made such pertinacious attacks upon us that we had no time for resting, being constantly employed in repelling their onslaughts. The old _racional_ wrapped his feet, head, and arms up in rags and went to sleep, probably being accustomed to wearing this armour. On account of the excessive heat we could not endure ours. At about four o'clock a party of six or seven _racionales_ came over from La Unión, intending to return there on the following day with some stores, for it seems that the establishment of Remolino is merely a sort of receiving station and warehouse. This was a lucky circumstance for us, as I could accompany them, and thus avoid all danger of losing my way, for the trail, so our old host informed us, was a mere forest path, in some places almost impassable. The next morning at about six o'clock I set out in company with the _racionales_ through the dense forest. The ground was rolling and cut up into steep hillocks and precipitous valleys by numerous small _quebradas_ on their way to join the Putumayo; as the soil was mostly yellow clay our progress was not rapid. Presently we crossed two rather large _quebradas_, from twelve to fifteen metres in width, over bridges in each case formed by the large trunk of a single tree. These the _racionales_ crossed readily, but I experienced some difficulty in doing so on account of my slippery shoes. At about ten o'clock a torrential rain set in, which drenched us within five minutes. Still, we pushed on, and soon, crossing a comparatively level area, we arrived upon the right bank of the Caraparaná. We climbed into a canoe, rowed across the thirty-metre-wide river, and, clambering up the steep, cleared bank, were at La Unión.