BEGINNING OF THE RAINY SEASON. iii 



Camp near Casa Grande. 



November i8, 1883. — We have again come into this 

 neighbourhood for a few days. As it is important to com- 

 plete the outdoor work of this section, if possible, before 

 Christmas, the staff on the next division are to finish the 

 survey from where I leave off to the existing railway. 

 They arrived at our last camp on the evening of the 14th 

 inst., and slept there, having to make the best of our scanty 

 accommodation. Next morning, early, I started off with 

 them to point out my proposed route, and after being all 

 day in the saddle, I left them when the ox-cart bearing 

 their impedimenta appeared, and they were selecting a 

 camping-ground. I had a long, solitary ride back, and 

 prepared for moving here the following day. It was in- 

 tensely hot on both these days of travelling ; in fact, since 

 the loth there has been no rain, but sultriness and thundery 

 clouds, with intervals of scorching sun. We managed 

 to secure a room in Aleixo's hut, and having removed 

 the stores of feijoes and milho and toucinho, etc., 

 which it contained, use it for eating and living in, while 

 Roberts sleeps there. I thus have my tent to myself once 

 more, as I wished to be with the men. I was summoned 

 that night by the chief of the other party, as there was some 

 hitch about the route ; so went over there on the morrow, 

 and after anoth'er agreeable day in the saddle, we settled 

 everything very satisfactorily, and I returned here by 

 sunset. 



The members of this other division, in addition to being 

 fearfully tormented by the carrapatos, have suffered from 

 " bernos," to which carrapatos are a trifle. I refer to these 

 elsewhere. 



I would give anything to be able to sketch. I could 



