TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



107 



Tired with the hardships of such a journey, he 

 had decamped, and carried with him everything 

 of value that he could find. In this critical situation 

 we had no resource left but to perform the neces- 

 sary business of the tropeiros ourselves, and to 

 continue our journey with the rest of the drivers. 

 After advancing five leagues farther, we reached 

 the village of Jundiahy, wet through by the rain, 

 which had not ceased during our march through 

 the woody mountain. 



The Villa de Jundiahy*, a small place on a low 

 hill, derives all its importance from its favourable 

 situation for the inland trade. All the tropas which 

 come from the capitania of S. Paulo to Minas 

 Geraes, Goyas, Matto-grosso and Cujaba, are Or- 

 ganised here for this long expedition. The in- 

 habitants possess large herds of mules, which 

 perform this journey several times a year. The 

 manufacture of pack-saddles (cangalhas), saddles, 

 shoes, and everything necessary for the equipment 

 of the tropas; and the incessant arrival and 

 departure of large caravans, give the place an 

 appearance of activity and prosperity, and justly 

 acquire it the name of a land port (^porto seco). 

 Paved roads lead from this place to the above- 

 named provinces. The journey to Villa Boa de 

 Goyaz is completed in one month, to Cujaba in 



* The name belongs to the Lingua Geral : Jundia a small 

 fish, Hy the water, the river. 



