1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

287

Rimac, 1 met with a poor Spaniard (for there are some poor there, as well as here), travelling on foot, carrying a little Girl of about two years of age in his Armes ; and being an acquaintance of this Pantoia, he asked him how he came to give himself the trouble of carrying that burthen ; to which the person that was on foot, replied, that he was poor, and had not money to hire an Indian to carry it. "In this discourse with him, Pantoia observed that his mouth was full of the Cuca ; and it being, at that time, that the Spaniards abhorred all things which the Indians did eat or drink, because they had been abused to Idolatry, and particularly they hated the Cuca^ as a base and stinking Weed, which gave cause to Pantoia to ask him farther, why he, being a Spaniards, did use those things which the Spaniards hated ; for his necessities could never be so great as to compell him to Meats or Customs unlawfull. To which the Souldler replied, that though he abhorred it as much as the Spaniards, yet necessity forced him to imitate the Indians therein ; for that without it he could never be able to travell and carry his Burthen, for that holding it in his mouth, he found such refresh- ment and strength, that he was able to carry his Load, and perform his Journey with chearfulness. Pantoia wondring at this Report, related to many others, who, afterwards, making the same experiment thereof, found that the Indians made use of it rather for their refreshment and necessity, than for any pleasure in the taste, which in itself is not very pleasant or agreeable."

Lima.

1