RIDE UP COUNTRY. 49 



language well, having lived in Santa Catherina for five 

 years. 



The following letter was handed me last night at 

 Carandahy : — 



" To Doctor Dent, Esq. 

 " Sir, 



" As I have some practise of Engenier's emploied, 

 for fields works, I beg you, if you please, toi take me for 

 your emploied on the exploration works, and you could see 

 what I said by this letter I joint to it. 



" You may answer me for Carandahy, on the Province 

 Telegraph's Estation. 



" I am, sir, wishing you good health, 

 " Your thank venerator, 



"Joseph Peter of Reis." 



I told the good fellow I had no prospect of engaging 

 him at present, but would give his letter to the chief.* 



I have another charge against the postal authorities. I 

 wrote from Rio to my landlord here on the 21st, telling 

 him not to expect me till he saw me. That letter never 

 arrived. He sent the horses every day to meet me, and 

 finally telegraphed the day before I left to know when I 

 was returning. I wired a reply, and the consequence was 

 that the horses met me when I arrived. 



Cajuru, Minas Geraes. 

 August 5, 1883. — On the 30th ult. we determined to 

 start as early as possible on our week's ride ; however, my 

 mule got loose during the night, and after four hours' hunt, 

 she turned up about 10.30. I have not been fortunate so 

 far with my beasts. The chief bought me a horse at 



* I never heard any more of him. 



E 



