The Indians came to visit me every day, and following my rule of giving to every visitor something to eat, I was making satisfactory progress in cultivating their friendship.

Some of them after eating from my plates and cups, went to the river to rinse their mouths and wash their hands carefully, to get rid of any evil that might lurk in the white man's implements.

To be generous is the first step toward gaining the confidence of both the Indians and the Mexicans, and a gift of food is more eloquent than a long speech.

The Indian, however, before he knows you, always wants to see you eat first.
I interviewed many of the shamans, and began to gain some little knowledge of their songs, which helped to bring me nearer to them.

Shortly after my first arrival here it happened that rain fell, and precipitations continued quite frequently during my stay.