

THK INDIANS. 



18? 



reason, as none of those with whom I conversed, 

 mil they were very many, appeared to know 

 that their ancestors had been obliged to work as 

 slaves. 



The instances of murder committed by Indians 

 are rare. They are pilferers rather than thieves. 

 When they can, they eat immoderately ; but if 

 it is necessary, they can live upon a very trifling 

 quantity of food, to which their idleness often 

 reduces them. They are much addicted to liquor, 

 and will dance in a ring, singing some of the 

 monotonous ditties of their own language, and 

 drink for nights and days without ceasing. Their 

 dances are not indecent, as those of Africa. The 

 mulattos consider themselves superior to the 

 Indians, and even the Creole blacks look down 

 upon them ; "he is as paltry as an Indian *," is 

 a common expression among the lower orders in 

 Brazil. They are vilely indifferent regarding 

 the conduct of their wives and daughters ; lying 

 and other vices attached to savage life belong to 

 them. Affection seems to have little hold upon 

 them ; they appear to be less anxious for the 

 life and welfare of their children than any other 

 cast of men who inhabit that country. The 

 women however do not, among these semi-bar- 

 barians, perform the principal drudgery ; if the 

 husband is at home, he fetches water from the 

 rivulet and fuel from the wood ; he builds the 

 * " Mojino como caboclo." 



