Chap. II. CORPS OF TRABALHADORES. 93 



The river view frQin this point towards the south was 

 very grand ; the stream is from two to three miles 

 broad, with green islets resting on its surface, and on 

 each side a chain of hills stretches away in long per- 

 spective. I resolved to stay here for a few weeks to 

 make collections. On landing, my first care was to 

 obtain a house or room that I might live ashore. This 

 was soon arranged ; the head man of the place, Captain 

 Antonio, having received notice of my coming, so that 

 before night all the chests and apparatus I required 

 wei*e housed and put in order for working. 



I here dismissed Pinto, who again got drunk and 

 quarrelsome a few hours after he came ashore. He left 

 the next day to my great relief in a small trading 

 canoe that touched at the place on its way to Santarem. 

 The Indian Manoel took his leave at the same time, 

 having engaged to accompany me only as far as 

 Aveyros ; I was then dependent on Captain Antonio 

 for fresh hands. The captains of Trabalhadores are 

 appointed by the Brazilian Government, to embody the 

 scattered Indian labourers and canoe-men of their 

 respective districts, to the end that they may supply 

 passing travellers with men when required. A semi- 

 military organisation is given to the bodies ; some of 

 the steadiest amongst the Indians themselves being 

 nominated as sergeants, and all the members mustered 

 at the principal village of their district twice a-year. 

 The captains, however, universally abuse their autho- 

 rity, monopolising the service of the men for their own 

 purposes, so that it is only by favour that the loan of a 

 canoe-hand can be wrung from them. I was treated 



