

JAGUARS. 



209 



being attacked, though the Indians from time 

 to time set up a sort of song or howl, (such as is 

 practised hy the Sertanejos when guiding large 

 droves of half-tamed cattle) with the intent of 

 frightening the Jaguars. Towards day-break 

 the deluge somewhat abated, but still the rain 

 was hard and it did not cease. In the morning 

 there was much difficulty in finding the horses, 

 as the Jaguars had frightened and scattered 

 them ; indeed we much doubted that they would 

 all be alive, but I suppose the wild cattle were 

 preferred as being in better condition. The 

 loads were arranged, and we proceeded to Ilha, 

 distant six leagues, arriving there about two 

 o'clock in the afternoon, after having sustained 

 twelve hours of continued rain. The owner of the 

 estate of Ilha sent a message to say that he 

 wished me to remove from the out-house, in 

 which I had settled myself for the remainder of 

 the day and ensuing night, to his residence ; I 

 accepted his offer. It was a low mud cottage 

 covered with tiles, which had been made from 

 the clay that is to be found upon the skirts of 

 the salt-marsh near to which his house stood. 

 He gave us plenty of milk and dried meat; 

 there was a scarcity of Jarmha y but a plentiful 

 year was expected. Immediately on my entrance 

 into his house he offered me his hammock, in 

 which he had been sitting, but mine was soon 

 slung, and we sat, talked, and smoked for a con- 

 vol. r. r 



