248 



SANTAREM 



the spot where these poor fellows were confusedly buried. 

 I could give a long account of the horrors of this time as 

 they were related to me ; but I think the details would 

 not serve any useful purpose. It must not be thought, 

 however, that the Amazonian people are habitually a 

 blood-thirsty race ; on the contrary, the peaceableness 

 and gentleness of character of the inhabitants of this pro- 

 vince, in quiet times, are proverbial throughout Brazil. 

 The rarity or absence of deeds of violence from year to 

 year is always commented upon by the President in his 

 annual report to the Central Government. 



When the Cabanas or rebels entered the town, the 

 friends of lawful government retired to a large block of 

 buildings near the water-side, which they held for many 

 days, to cover the embarcation of their families and 

 movables. The negro slaves generally remained faithful 

 to their masters. Whilst the embarcation was going on 

 many daring feats were performed, chiefly by coloured 

 people : one brave fellow, a mameluco, named Paca, 

 made a bold dash one day, with a few young men of the 

 same stamp, and secured five or six of the rebel leaders, 

 who were carried, gagged and handcuffed, on board a 

 schooner in the port. But the legal party were greatly 

 outnumbered and deficient in arms and ammunition, 

 and they were obliged, soon after Paca's feat, entirely 

 to evacuate the town ; retiring to the village of Prayinha, 

 about 150 miles down the river. Those citizens of 

 Santarem who sympathised with the rebels were obliged 

 to follow soon after, as the revolt took the shape of a 

 war between Indians and whites. The red skins, how- 

 ever, made an exception in favour of the few English 

 and French residents. Captain Hislop remained in the 

 town during its occupation by the Cabanas, and told me 

 that he was treated very well by the Indians and rebel 

 chiefs. 



After Santarem was recaptured, about nine months 

 subsequent to these events, by a small sea and land force 

 sent from Rio Janeiro, aided by the townspeople who 

 were picked up at Prayinha, it was again attacked by a 

 large force of Indians. This affair showed the blind 

 fearlessness and obstinacy of the Indian character in a 

 striking manner. An attack was expected, as the rebels 

 were known to be concealed in great numbers in the 

 neighbouring woods ; so the Commandant e of the c^arrison 



