This was not an easy task for Reuben and Grace Larson; the local Quichua Indians ran away and hid from them! Reuben decided that building a trading post at Dos Rios could bring people right to his doorstep. At first, they traded matches, machetes and various trinkets for food for their family. As the Larsons reputation for honesty grew, they distributed salt, delivered mail and bought gold for the Ecuadorian government. Reuben also oversaw the maintenance of local schools and trails in the area.