Ii8 A YEAR IN BRAZIL. 



CHAPTER VII. 



IN THE VALLEY OF THE RIO CAMAPUAO. 



Camp near Olhos d'Agua. 

 November 28, 1883. — It seems strange to be writing at the 

 end of November, with the thermometer at 75" in the open, 

 two hours and a half after sunset ; but such is the southern 

 hemisphere in the tropics. 



Our new camp is built on a promontory of campo 

 (prairie), far above the swamps of the broad valley which 

 surrounds us on three sides. There is nothing loftier than 

 short grass on this summit, and as we look for miles east 

 and west we shall have the benefit of all the air there is. 

 The scenery is extremely pretty. 



I had two visits from Doctor Rebougas at Casa Grande, 

 on the 24th and 26th. He came to see the progress of the 

 plans and trial section, with which he was satisfied, and 

 was very friendly. 



Yesterday afternoon my horse fell with me for the first 

 time, but it was not his fault. I was trying to cross a 

 piece of wet ground, when the horse went in nearly up to 

 his haunches, and then rolled over, with my left leg under 

 him. Fortunately the ground was very soft, so I pulled 

 my leg out, and got him up and on to more solid ground. 

 We were neither of us any the worse, and were off again, 



