R. H. SCHOMBURGK. 65 



in question. They resolved to ascend it from its 

 western side, and to follow it along the whole ridge. 

 On reaching a rocky plane, inclined at an angle of 

 forty degrees, and quite smooth, a fine prospect 

 opened ; the mist was still hovering over the valley, 

 and only the summits of the Mocajahi mountains, 

 looking like islands rising out of the ocean, were 

 visible. JMuch difficulty was found in cutting a 

 passage, in consequence of the dense vegetation, but 

 several other of these elevated rocky planes were 

 ascended ; and after many obstacles, the highest or 

 eastern summit was reached, from which the eye 

 commanded a glorious view of the surrounding 

 country, amply repaying the toils of the ascent. It 

 is hardly necessary to say that no lake was found; 

 nor did there appear any reason for believing that 

 one had ever existed. 



Having descended the mountain, they were over- 

 taken by night, and with it complete darkness, only 

 lighted up by the dark red flitting light of the large 

 fire-fly, — much more brilliant tlian the pale phos- 

 jDhoric light shown by the species near the coast. 

 On arriving at a Senhora Liberada's, the canoes of 

 the press-gang came in, — a villainous looking body 

 lately sent by the Brazilian authorities under the 

 plea to press Indians, for the navy. Of these unfor- 

 tunate Indians, there were only nine men, three of 

 whom were upwards of sixty years old; the rest 

 consisting of women and children ! They were 

 Wapisianas and Atorias from the I^rsato moun- 

 tains, at the eastern bank of the Taliutu, and were 



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