Jt^O THE LIFE O? 



under the deepeft afflidlion for the lofs of i near 

 relation, who died a few days before. This re- 

 lation had come to a tragical end while we were 

 preparing for our journey, having been found 

 murdered upon the fhote near St. Pedro. It 

 was generally fuppofed that he had been detec- 

 ted in an intrigue, as he had been feveral times 

 obferved by his fervants to go out late in the 

 evening, difguifed and armed j from the mark 

 about his neck it was evident that he had been 

 fuddenly caught by a * lace, no very unufual 

 mode of alTafTmation in that country, and having 

 been thus ftrangled was thrown into the water. 



A little before we reached this place, where 

 we took up our firft night's quarters, the coun- 

 try begun to look more fertile, and cultivation 

 to appear. This captain's houfe is one of thofe 

 appointed for the reception of the Governor, in 

 his journeys between Fori Allegro, a town fitu- 

 ated about 60 leagues up the Rio Grande, where 

 he ufually refides, and Port St. Pedro, which he 

 onlyoccafionally vifits. Ourfupperwas,as I have 

 before mentioned, very fumptuous, and mighty 

 at leafl:, have handfomely entertained forty per- 

 fons ; a vail quantity of provifion went away 

 untafted, and after a fine defert, and plenty of 

 excellent wines, we retired to reft; our beds 



* The natives give the name of lace to the plaited lea- 

 ther thons with which they catch animals. 



were 



