ARRIVAL AT PIATO. 



'213 



1 ied round their noses. The water was shallow 

 here, as this spot was rather higher than the 

 lands around ; and in one place the ground was 

 beginning to make its appearance. At dusk we 

 reached Chafaris, a fazenda, situated upon dry 

 land, and here we put up under an unfinished 

 house. The horse upon which my trunk and 

 case of bottles had travelled, had fallen down, 

 and, to add to my discomfort, my clothes were 

 completely w r etted, and even the red bag did not 

 entirely escape. 



I passed a wretched night, from the ague and 

 from over fatigue. The following morning I 

 had some conversation with the owner of the 

 place, and purchased two of his horses. At noon 

 I sent off the comboio, under the care of Feli- 

 ciano, who was desired to reach Piato the fol- 

 lowing night. I remained with the Goiana guide 

 and Julio, who had been promoted to John's 

 placeof groom. With considerable difficulty the 

 packages were carried across the river, which 

 runs just below this estate ; the stream was at 

 present rapid, and the stony bed in which it runs 

 increased the difficulty. When I passed on the 

 morning following, the depth and rapidity of the 

 current were considerably diminished, for no 

 rain had fallen during the night. I had mounted 

 the two persons who accompanied me upon the 

 two horses which had been purchased the day 

 before, and I rode a led horse which was quite 



p 3 



