230 Through the BraziHan Wilderness 



f ered them, they had with them a big mandioc cake, some 

 honey, and a little fish. One of them wore a high helmet 

 of puma-skin, with the tail hanging down his back — 

 handsome head-gear, which he gladly bartered for several 

 strings of bright coral-red beads. Around the upper 

 arms of two of them were bands bound so tightly as to cut 

 into and deform the muscles — a. singular custom, seem- 

 ingly not only purposeless but mischievous, which is 

 common among this tribe and many others. 



The Nhambiquaras are a numerous tribe, covering a 

 large region. But they have no general organization. 

 Each group of families acts for itself. Half a dozen 

 years previously they had been very hostile, and Colonel 

 Rondon had to guard his camp and exercise every pre- 

 caution to guarantee his safety, while at the same time 

 successfully endeavoring to avoid the necessity of himself 

 shedding blood. Now they are, for the most part, 

 friendly. But there are groups or individuals that are not. 

 Several soldiers have been killed at these little lonely 

 stations; and while in some cases the attack may have 

 been due to the soldiers having meddled with Nhambi- 

 quara women, in other cases the killing was entirely 

 wanton and unprovoked. Sooner or later these criminals 

 or outlaws will have to be brought to justice ; it will not 

 do to let their crimes go unpunished. Twice soldiers 

 have deserted and fled to the Nhambiquaras. The runa- 

 ways were well received, were given wives, and adopted 

 into the tribe. 



The country when opened will be a healthy abode for 

 white settlers. But pioneering in the wilderness is grim 

 work for both man and beast. Continually, as we jour- 



