RETURN TO MANAOS. 275 
dinhas have a quite peculiar character. They are little 
graceful, lyrical snatches of song, with a rather melan- 
choly cadence ; even those of which the words are gay 
not being quite free from this undertone of sadness. 
This put us all into a somewhat dreamy mood, and we 
approached the end of our journey rather silently. But 
as we drew near the landing, we heard the sound of a 
band of brass instruments, effectually drowning our feeble 
efforts, and saw a crowded canoe coming towards us. 
They were the boys from the Indian school which we 
visited on our previous stay at Manaos. The canoe 
looked very pretty as it came towards us in the moon- 
light ; it seemed full to overflowing, the children all 
dressed in white uniforms and standing up. This little 
band comes always on Sunday evenings and festa-days 
to play before the President's house. They were just 
going home, it being nearly ten o'clock ; but the President 
called to them to turn back, and they accompanied us to 
the beach, playing all the while. Thus our pleasant three 
days' picnic ended with music and moonlight. 
