"When we formed this project we were both in a reckless mood.

Much of the country you propose to explore has never been trodden by the white man's foot.

It is a country of impenetrable forests, fordless rivers, and unclimbable mountains.

You will have to undergo terrible hardships, you may die of hunger or of thirst, and escape the poisoned arrows of wild Indians only to fall a victim to the malarious fevers which none but natives of the country can resist." "When did you learn all this?
You talked very differently a few days ago." "I did, but I have been making inquiries." "And you have fallen in love." "True, and that has opened my eyes to many things." "To the dangers of this expedition, for instance; likewise to the fact that fighting Spaniards is not the only thing worth living for." "Very likely; love is always stronger than hate, and I confess that I hate the Spaniards much less than I did.

Yet, in this matter, I assure you that I do not in the least exaggerate.