

CA.TUAES. 



169 



dows were more dreaded than flesh and blood. 

 We slung our hammocks in different directions 

 in the large room, and each took his arms, and 

 settled for the night; — a sudden panic seized 

 my additional guide, and lie was sneaking out 

 of the room ; but I stopped him, and said, that 

 I would send him back to his own country if he 

 went out ; the business was however settled by 

 taking the key from the door. The story ran 

 thus: — The master and mistress of the house had 

 been murdered by two of their slaves, and it was 

 said that their ghosts occasionally took a walk 

 in this room ; nay, it was even reported that the 

 old gentleman used his gold-headed cane, and 

 woke with it those who slept in the house. We 

 had not, however, the honour of his company, 

 and in the morning had much laughter, at the 

 fellow who had been so dreadfully frightened. 



The country through which we proceeded on 

 the morrow, presented a more cheering appear- 

 ance. We reached, at a short distance from 

 Areias, some enclosed and cultivated lands, then 

 passed over a salt-marsh and arrived at Cajuaes, 

 distant from Areias two leagues. The place 

 receives its name from the great number of 

 acaju trees, and consists of six or seven huts. 

 Here we dined, finding good water and abun- 

 dance of maize-stalks for our horses. There 

 was some appearance of comfort and enjoyment 

 of life, at least comparatively speaking. Beyond 



