/ START ON CAMP LIFE. 83 



I had made them work, and, what was more, rendered 

 them contented and pleased. 



September 2. — I rode into Brumado with Vicente to 

 give a little present from myself and the chief to Joao 

 Baptista. It consisted of silver-mounted whip, spurs, and 

 harness for a horse. 



Camp near Serra. 



September 13. — The natives are really a very excellent 

 set of people. Perhaps the chief fault I can find with them 

 is that they do not consider time at all, and do not under- 

 stand what it is to be in a hurry, which is sometimes very 

 trying. They are very religious, and never take leave of 

 you without saying, " God be with you." When you ask 

 how they are, they reply, " Quite well, thanks be to God," 

 or, "by the Grace of God." When they speak of any 

 future act, they say, " I will do it, if God permits," or " God 

 willing." They ride two or three leagues to Mass every 

 Sunday, or more generally walk it, and are always willing 

 to do anything for you for the " love of God." They are 

 simple-minded, honest, affectionate, and hospitable, and if 

 they are too superstitious, it is from their education. 



I told you of my ride into Brumado, on the second of 

 this month. On the road I passed a dead ox, on which 

 were eight urubus feeding ; the odour from the carcase 

 was agreeably counteracted further on by an orange garden 

 full of blossom. Most of the oranges are now over, but 

 there are some trees bearing both flowers and fruit. 



At Brumado there was a great procession, with litanies 

 and a special midday Mass, to keep off the small-pox. The 

 sight was very picturesque. The crucifer led the way; 

 then came some green bower-like contrivances surrounding 

 the images of S. Sebastian (the protector against disease) 



