322 TO THE AMAZON AND HOME [chap, x 



flight is feeble, and the naked young have spurs on their 

 wings by the help of which they crawl actively among 

 the branches before their feathers grow. They swim no 

 less easily, at the same early age. MUler got one or 

 two nests, and preserved specimens of the surroundings 

 of the nests; and he made exhaustive records of the 

 habits of the birds. Near Megasso a jaguar had kUled 

 one of the buUocks that were being driven along for 

 food. The big cat had not seized the ox with its claws 

 by the head, but had torn open its throat and neck. 



Every one was most courteous at Manaos, especially 

 the governor of the state and the mayor of the city. 

 Mr. Robiliard, the British consular representative, and 

 also the representative of the Booth Hne of steamers, was 

 particularly kind. He secured for us passages on one of 

 the cargo boats of the line to Para, and thence on one 

 of the regular cargo-and-passenger steamers to Barbados 

 and New York. The Booth people were most courteous 

 to us. 



I said good-bye to the camaradas with real friendship 

 and regret. The parting gift I gave to each was in gold 

 sovereigns ; and I was rather touched to learn later that 

 they had agreed among themselves each to keep one 

 sovereign as a medal of honour and token that the owner 

 had been on the trip. They were a fine set, brave, 

 patient, obedient, and enduring. Now they had forgotten 

 their hard times ; they were fat from eating, at leisure, 

 all they wished ; they were to see Rio Janeiro, always 

 an object of ambition with men of their stamp ; and they 

 were very proud of their membership in the expedition. 



Later, at Bel^n, I said good-bye to Colonel Rondon, 

 Doctor Cajazeira, and Lieutenant Lyra. Together with 

 my admiration for their hardihood, courage, and resolu- 

 tion, 1 had grown to feel a strong and affectionate friend- 



