Everything was placed at their disposal.

Alarcon's word was their law.

They relieved the men entirely of the wearisome task of towing the boats, striving with each other for the privilege.

Without this help it would have been impossible for Alarcon to have proceeded far up the river, and he fully appreciated this, though the chief reward bestowed on the helpers and all the natives was crosses made of sticks and of paper.

These, he informed them by signs, were precious, and he distributed them in large numbers.