234 IN THE WILDS OF SOUTH AMERICA 



causing injury to himself, and also to keep the rain from 

 washing the poison off. Hunting-parties take long tramps 

 at frequent intervals, subsisting on the fruits of their prow- 

 ess. At night a rude lean-to is built of branches; a fire, 

 started by rubbing two sticks together, is placed in front, 

 and the game is roasted and eaten; then they stretch them- 

 selves on the bare ground to sleep, like so many sheep or 

 dogs. 



Colonel Rondon was always kind to the Indians. He 

 gave them beads, trinkets, and food. A herd of steers was 

 driven along with the expedition, and one of the animals 

 was killed whenever meat was required. The Indians al- 

 ways received an entire quarter of beef. They built a huge 

 fire, tore off pieces of the meat and threw them into the 

 embers, where they were left until charred; then they were 

 raked out with a stick and eaten. This was continued far 

 into the night, until not a morsel remained. Sometimes 

 the Indians danced for us, and once we joined them. They 

 clasped hands and stamped about in a circle singing in a 

 loud, shrill voice, words that sounded like " Na-na-ha-ha- 

 ha." After a time we regretted having entered into their 

 pastime, for they kept up the dancing for an hour or more 

 and refused to permit us to drop out. 



We remained a day at Juruena to rest and develop films. 

 The pictures taken by an expedition always form one of 

 its important records, and great care must be exercised in 

 developing all exposed films promptly or they will spoil in 

 the hot, damp climate. 



When we were ready to continue our journey on the 

 second morning, we discovered that the Nhambiquaras in 

 departing had taken two of the dogs with them. Colonel 

 Rondon spent some hours hunting for the Indians, but 

 their start was too long and he could not come up with them. 

 I regretted heartily that they had not taken all of the dogs, 

 as they were a mongrel, worthless lot; they were of no as- 

 sistance in hunting, nor did they watch camp. On the con- 

 trary, they brought fleas and ticks into the tents, insisted 



