VISITS FROM NATIVES 215 



were swampy, and the river broad and swift, many hours 

 might be consumed in getting the mule-train, the loose 

 bullocks, and the ox-cart over. We had few accidents, 

 although we once lost a ferry-load of provisions, which 

 was quite a misfortune in a country where they could 

 not be replaced. The pasturage was poor, and it was 

 impossible to make long marches with our weakened 

 animals. 



At one camp three Nhambiquaras paid us a visit at 

 breakfast-time. They left their weapons behind them 

 before they appeared, and shouted loudly while they 

 were still hid by the forest, and it was only after repeated 

 answering calls of welcome that they approached. 

 Always in the wilderness friends proclaim their presence ; 

 a silent advance marks a foe. Our visitors were men, 

 and stark naked, as usual. One seemed sick ; he was 

 thin, and his back was scarred with marks of the grub 

 of the loathsome berni fly. Indeed, aU of them showed 

 scars, chiefly from insect wounds. But the other two 

 were in good condition, and, although they ate greedily 

 of the food offered 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, seemingly not only purpose- 

 less 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 



