220 THROUGH THE BRAZILIAN WILDERNESS 



the temptation had proved irresistible to one of their num- 

 ber, and the others had been afraid to interfere, and also 

 afraid to stay in or return to our neighborhood. We had 

 not time to go after them; but Rondon remarked that as 

 soon as he again came to the neighborhood he would take 

 some soldiers, hunt up the Indians, and reclaim the dog. 

 It has been his mixture of firmness, good nature, and good 

 judgment that has enabled him to control these bold, 

 warlike savages, and even to reduce the warfare between 

 them and the Parecis. In spite of their good nature and 

 laughter, their fearlessness and familiarity showed how 

 necessary it was not to let them get the upper hand. They 

 are always required to leave all their arms a mile or two 

 away before they come into the encampment. They are 

 much wilder and more savage, and at a much lower cul- 

 tural level, than the Parecis. 



In the afternoon of the day following our arrival there 

 was a heavy rain-storm which drove into the unglazed 

 windows, and here and there came through the roof and 

 walls of our daub-and-wattle house. The heat was intense 

 and there was much moisture in this valley. During the 

 downpour I looked out at the dreary little houses, showing 

 through the driving rain, while the sheets of muddy water 

 slid past their door-sills; and I felt a sincere respect for 

 the lieutenant and his soldiers who were holding this deso- 

 late outpost of civilization. It is an unhealthy spot; there 

 has been much malarial fever and beriberi — an obscure 

 and deadly disease. 



Next morning we resumed our march. It soon began 

 to rain and we were drenched when, some fifteen miles on, 

 we reached the river where we were to camp. After the 



