152 VOYAGE UP THE TAPAJOS. Chap. II. 



was attached to the foremast and leapt ashore ; had he 

 not done so, we should probably have been driven many 

 miles backwards up the storm-tossed river. After the 

 cloud had passed, the regular east wind began to blow, 

 and our further progress was effectually stopped for the 

 night. The next day we all went ashore, after securing 

 well the canoe, and slept from eleven o'clock till five 

 under the shade of trees. 



The distance between Point Cururii and Santarem 

 was accomplished in three days, against the same diffi- 

 culties of contrary and furious winds, shoaly water, and 

 rocky coasts. I was thankful at length to be safely 

 housed, with the whole of my collections, made under so 

 many privations and perils, landed without the loss or 

 damage of a specimen. The men, after unloading the 

 canoe and delivering it to its owner, came to receive 

 their payment. They took part in goods and part in 

 money, and after a good supper, on the night of the 

 7th October, shouldered their bundles and set off to 

 walk by land some eighty miles to their homes. I was 

 rather surprised at the good feeling exhibited by these 

 poor Indians at parting. Angelo Custodio said that 

 whenever I should wish to make another voyage up 

 the Tapajos, he would be always ready to serve me as 

 pilot. Alberto was undemonstrative as usual ; but 

 Ricardo, with whom I had had many sharp quarrels, 

 actually shed tears when he shook hands and bid me 

 the final " adeos." 



