302 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 
tain Faria. He has made every arrangement for our com- 
fort which a vessel of war, not intended for passengers, can 
afford, giving up his own quarters for my accommodation. 
On deck he has arranged a little recess, sheltered, by a tar- 
pauling from the sun and rain, to serve as a dining-room, 
that we may take our meals in the fresh air instead of 
dining in the close cabin below decks intended for this 
purpose. 
The morning following our departure was an interesting 
one, because we found ourselves at the mouth of the Ramos, 
unknown to steam navigation, and about which the Captain 
had some apprehensions, as he was by no means sure that 
he should find water enough for his vessel. It was, there- 
fore, necessary to proceed with great caution, sounding at 
every step and sending out boats in advance, to ascertain 
the direction of the channel. Once within the river, we 
had depth of water enough to float much larger vessels. 
The banks of this stream are beautiful. The forest was 
gay with color, and the air laden with the rich perfume 
of flowers, which, when we came up the Amazons six 
months ago, were not yet in bloom. We were struck also 
with the great abundance and variety of the palms, so 
much more numerous on the lower course of the Amazons 
than on the Solimoens. The shores were dotted with 
thrifty-looking plantations, laid out with a neatness tind 
care which bespeak greater attention to agriculture than we 
have seen elsewhere. Healthy-looking cattle were grazing 
about many of the sitios. As the puff of our steam was 
heard, the inhabitants ran out to gaze in amazement at 
the unwonted visitant, standing in groups on the shores, 
almost too much lost in wonder to return our greetings. 
The advent of a steamer in their waters should be to them 
