136 VOYAGE UP THE TAPAJOS. Chap. IL 



night and day until the stimulating beverage is 

 finished. 



We left the Tushaua's house early the next morning. 

 The impression made upon me by the glimpse of Indian 

 life in its natural state obtained here, and at another 

 cluster of houses visited higher up, was a pleasant one, 

 notwithstanding the disagreeable incident of the Para- 

 rauate visit. The Indians are here seen to the best 

 advantage ; having relinquished many of their most 

 barbarous practices, without being corrupted by too 

 close contact with the inferior whites and half-breeds 

 of the civilised settlements. The manners are simpler, 

 the demeanour more gentle, cheerful and frank, than 

 amongst the Indians who live near the towns. I 

 could not help contrasting their well-fed condition, and 

 the signs of orderly, industrious habits, with the poverty 

 and laziness of the semi-civilised people of Altar do 

 Chao. I do not think that the introduction of liquors 

 has been the cause of much harm to the Brazilian 

 Indian. He has his drinking bout now and then, like 

 the common working people of other countries. It was 

 his habit in his original stafe, before Europeans visited 

 his country ; but he is always ashamed of it afterwards, 

 and remains sober during the pretty long intervals. 

 The harsh, slave-driving practices of the Portuguese and 

 their descendants have been the greatest curses to the 

 Indians ; the Mundurucus of the Cupari, however, have 

 been now for many years protected against ill-treatment. 

 This is one of the good services rendered by the mis- 

 sionaries, who take care that the Brazilian laws in 

 favour of the aborigines shall be respected by the brutal 



