In one of our rooms here is a large case said to contain a piano
from Hamburg awaiting shipment to Moreno, where lives the richest
man in the country. It is said to have cost him ten thousand dollars,
gold, and came by way of the Orinoco and Meta rivers. There are
no carts here and we cannot help wondering when it will reach its
destination — and who will tune it when it arrives.
March 2^th. No mules yet. We fear that our contractor has
heard of the Prefect's illness and is purposely delaying returning with
the mules. He must realize that when they come the doctor will
leave and the Prefect will not be pleased. The Prefect is convalescing



I70 COLOMBIA

but still keeps to his cot and sends for the doctor frequently. He says
today that if the Syrian does not return by evening he will "send a
special messenger after him and see why under the sun he is delaying
us so long." In other words, the Prefect is feeling better. The dis-
pensary is not so well attended as it has been, but Rice is not sorry
for there are few interesting cases and most of the patients come
merely for the fun of being given advice free.
