CHAPTER XIII. 



SAO JERONYM< TO THE DOWNS. 



Voyage down the Rio Negro A- rive at Barra Obtaining a Passport 

 State of the City Portuguese and Brazilian Enterprise System of 

 Credit Trade Immorality, and its Causes Leave Barra A Storm 

 on the Amazon Sarsaparilla A Tale about Death Para The 

 Yellow Fever Sail for England Ship takes Fire Ten Days in 

 the Boats Get picked up Heavy Gales Short of Provisions 

 Storm in the Channel Arrive at Deal, 



At length, on the 23rd of April, I bade adieu, with much 

 pleasure, to Sao Jeronymo. I stopped at several places to 

 buy beiju, fish, pacovas, and ^ny parrots I could meet with. 

 My Indians went several times, early in the morning, to the 

 gapo to catch frogs, which they obtained in great numbers, 

 stringing them on a sipo, and, boiling them entire, entrails 

 and all, devoured them with much gusto. The frogs are 

 mottled of various colours, have dilated toes, and are called 

 Jui. 



On the 26th we reached Sao Joaquim, where I stayed a 

 day, to make some cages for my birds, and embark the things 

 I had left with Senhor Lima. 



On the 28th I went on to Sao Gabriel, and paid my respects 

 to the new Commandante, and then enjoyed a little conver- 

 sation with my friend Mr. Spruce. Several of my birds died 

 or were lost here, and at Sao Joaquim. A little black monkey 

 killed and devoured two which had escaped from their cages, 

 and one of my most valuable and beautiful parrots (a single 

 specimen) was lost in passing the falls. I had left Sao 

 Joaquim with fifty-two live animals (monkeys, parrots, etc.), 

 which, in a small canoe, were no little trouble and annoyance. 



I was lucky enough to get the Commandante to send a 

 soldier with me in charge of the Correio, or post, and thus 



