394 



A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. 



mention these . anecdotes for the purpose of 

 showing the kind of man, who usually followed 

 me wherever I went. 



Several months now succeeded each other with- 

 out any disquietude. I had another attack of 

 ague during the rainy season, which was how- 

 ever much less violent than that of the preced- 

 ing year. I likewise met with an accident which 

 had nearly proved fatal, occasioned by a blow 

 from the fore feet of a high-fed horse ; he reared 

 and struck me, but this was done more in play- 

 fulness than with the intent to do mischief. 



I had had some intention of leaving Jaguaribe, 

 owing to the turbulence of the neighbourhood, 

 to my ill-health, and to some disagreeable occur- 

 rences which had taken place between my land- 

 lord and myself. However, as this would have 

 been very inconvenient, I resolved to stay, not- 

 withstanding all these and other disadvantages. 



Preparations were made in the month of 

 August for setting the mill to work ; the cane 

 had not attained this year its accustomed growth 

 in most parts of the country, and that which I 

 possessed was particularly stinted in size, for I 

 had not commenced planting until it was almost 

 too late. Every thing being ready towards the 

 end of the month, I sent for a priest to bless 

 the works. Unless this ceremony is performed, 

 every person who is to be employed about the 

 mill, both freeman and slave, would be afraid to 



