TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



233 



beheld the confusion of the caravans, loading and 

 unloading, we could not think without regret of 

 the future fate of our instruments, books, and col- 

 lections, which would be given up to blind chance, 

 instead of being under our own care. The cara- 

 vans (tropas), however, particularly on the better 

 road from Saint Paul and Minas to the capital, are 

 so well organised, that comparatively very little 

 risk is to be apprehended. Each caravan, which 

 may consist of twenty to fifty mules, is conducted 

 by an Arieiro, on horseback ; he gives the neces- 

 sary orders for the caravan to set out, to halt, or 

 to encamp for the night ; takes care that the bur- 

 dens are well balanced, and the pack-saddles (^can- 

 galhas) in good condition ; repairs them when 

 they gall, cures the sick beasts, and attends to the 

 shoes. Under him are the drivers (toccadores'), 

 each of whom generally has to manage a division 

 (lote) of seven mules. They go on foot, put the 

 burdens off and on, feed and water the animals, 

 drive them to the pasture, and cook the provisions. 

 The Arieiro, generally a free mulatto, frequently 

 attends to the sale and purchase of goods in the city, 

 and acts as commissioner for the proprietor of the 

 caravan. The drivers are for the most part 

 negroes, who soon become accustomed to the em- 

 ployment, and prefer this wandering life to the 

 labour of gold- washing, and working in the plant- 

 ations. The most important article of trade 

 brought hither by the inhabitants of Minas Geraes, 



