462 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 
second negro walking in front to see where it was possible to 
pass without getting completely out of depth. These streams, 
not quite deep enough to allow the horse to swim, and with 
such a broken bottom that he is in constant danger of fall- 
ing, are sometimes more difficult of passage than a river. 
We met with only one accident, however, which, as it did no 
harm, was rather ludicrous than otherwise. The negroes had 
left us, saying there was no more deep water in the road, and 
when we came presently to a shallow stream we entered it 
quite confidently. It was treacherous, however, for just on 
its edge was a soft, adhesive bog-mud. In entering, the horses 
stepped across this quagmire, but their hind legs were in- 
stantly caught in it. Major Coutinho, who was riding at my 
side, seized my bridle, and, spurring his own horse violent- 
ly, both the animals extricated themselves at once by a 
powerful effort. Our servant, who followed behind, was not 
so fortunate ; he was mounted on a small mule, which 
seemed likely to be swallowed up bodily for a moment, so 
suddenly did it disappear in the mire ; the man fell off, and 
it was some minutes before he and his animal regained the 
road, a mass of mud and dripping with water.. We reached 
Ceard at five in the afternoon, having made a journey of five 
leagues. Every one tells us that the state of the roads is 
most unusual, such continuous rains not having been known 
for many years. The sickness in the city continues un- 
v 
abated, and a young man who was attacked with yellow- 
fever in the next house before we left has died in our 
absence. Everywhere on our journey we have heard the 
same complaints of prevalent epidemics, and the authorities 
are beginning to close the schools in the town on account of 
them. The steamer is due in a day or two, and we are mak- 
ing our preparations for departure. We should not bid good 
