THE SEPOTUBA RIVER 147 



having the widespread popular education, which is and 

 must be supported and paid for by the government, 

 made a purely governmental and absolutely non-sectarian 

 function, administered by the state alone, without 

 interference with, nor furtherance of, the beliefs of any 

 reputable church. The Colonel is also head of the 

 Indian service of Brazil, being what corresponds roughly 

 with our Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Here also he 

 is taking the exact view that is taken in the United 

 States by the staunchest and wisest friends of the 

 Indians. The Indians must be treated with intelligent 

 and sympathetic understanding, no less than with 

 justice and firmness ; and until they become citizens, 

 absorbed into the general body politic, they must be 

 the wards of the nation, and not of any private associa- 

 tion, lay or clerical, no matter how well-meaning. 



The Sepotuba River was scientifically explored and 

 mapped for the first time by Colonel Rondon in 1908, 

 as head of the Brazilian Telegraphic Commission. This 

 was during the second year of his exploration and opening 

 of the unknown northwestern wilderness of Matto 

 Grosso. Most of this wilderness had never previously 

 been trodden by the foot of a civilized man. Not only 

 were careful maps made and much other scientific work 

 accomplished, but posts were established and telegraph- 

 lines constructed. When Colonel Rondon began the 

 work he was a major. He was given two promotions, 

 to lieutenant-colonel and colonel, while absent in the 

 wilderness. His longest and most important exploring 

 trip, and the one fraught with most danger and hardship, 

 was begun by him in 1909, on May 3, the anniversary 

 of the discovery of Brazil, He left Tapirapoan on that 

 day, and he reached the Madeira River on Christmas, 

 December 25, of the same year, having descended the 



