236 THE LIfE Of 



Mr. Minchin landed on the north llde of the 

 river, which is very broad, and we were on the 

 fouth, where no boat was to be had ; they there- 

 fore went to the pilot's, and we mounted our 

 horfes to proceed to the town. The General 

 had already learnt from the fignals, that one of 

 the fhips had been lofi: on the bank ; from us he 

 learnt all the particulars, and next morning 

 fent his barge to bring Mr. and Mrs. Minchin to 

 town. 



Mr. Minchin requeued the General to permit 

 him to proceed over land, but his Excellency 

 thought proper to refufe, telling him, that he 

 would provide him a pafHige in one of the next 

 Ihips, which would fail in the courfe of a few 

 days. Thc^General added, that fuch an indul- 

 gence was very unufual, and that his granting it 

 to me was purely the effc(5t of private friend- 

 ihip, as he muft anfwer himfclf for any confe* 

 quenccs that might cnfue. 



CHAP. XXI. 



^The author prepares for his journey , accompanied by 

 Mr. Blacky Richards a >boy^ a Brazilian Jervant ^ 

 izvo dragoons^ and iivo Indians. — Set outy and lay 

 the jirjl night at Tropa Velha^ uihere the country 

 pegi^ls to g'i'ow fertile. — Elegant entertainment 



there. 



