18 SAXTAREM. Chap. I. 



people could lay their hands on, were brutally massacred. 

 A space filled with mounds, amongst the myrtle bushes 

 in the woods behind Santarem, now marks the spot where 

 these poor fellows were confusedly buried. I could give 

 a long account of the horrors of this time as they were 

 related to me ; but I think the details would not serve 

 any useful purpose. It must not be thought, however, 

 that the Amazonian people are habitually a blood-thirsty 

 race ; on the contrary, the peaceableness and gentleness 

 of character of the inhabitants of this province, in quiet 

 times, are proverbial throughout Brazil. The rarity or 

 absence of deeds of violence from year to year is always 

 commented upon by the President in his annual report 

 to the Central Government. 



When the Cabanas or rebels entered the town, the 

 friends of lawful government retired to a large block of 

 buildings near the water-side, which they held for many 

 days, to cover the embarcation of their families and 

 moveables. The negro slaves generally remained faithful 

 to their masters. Whilst the embarcation was going on 

 many daring feats were performed, chiefly by coloured 

 people : one brave fellow, a mameluco, named Paca, 

 made a bold dash one day, with a few young men of the 

 same stamp, and secured five or six of the rebel leaders, 

 who were carried, gagged and handcuffed, on board a 

 schooner in the port. But the legal party were greatly 

 outnumbered and deficient in arms and ammunition, 

 and they were obliged, soon after Pacas feat, entirely 

 to evacuate the town ; retiring to the village of Pra- 

 yinha, about 150 miles down the river. Those citizens 

 of Santarem who sympathised with the rebels were 



