i85i.] 



DEPARTURE FROM TO MO, 



in his domestic circle took place in consequence. As might 

 be expected, the ladies did not agree very well together. The 

 elder one in particular was very jealous of the Indian girls, 

 and took every opportunity of ill-treating them, and now that 

 the master was absent went, I suppose, to greater lengths than 

 usual ; and the consequence was, one of the girls ran away. 

 This was an unexpected denoueinent, and they were in a great 

 state of alarm, for the girl was a particular favourite of Senhor 

 Antonio's, and if he returned before she came back he was not 

 likely to be very dehcate in showing his displeasure. The girl 

 had gone off in a canoe with a child about a year old ; the 

 night had been stormy and wet, but that sort of thing will not 

 stop an Indian. Messengers were sent after her, but she was 

 not to be found; and then the old lady and her daughter 

 went off themselves in a tremendous rain, but with no better 

 success. One resource more, however, remained, and they 

 resolved to apply to the Saints. Senhor Domingos was sent 

 to bring the image of St. Antonio from the church. This saint 

 is supposed to have especial power over things lost, but the 

 manner of securing his influence is rather singular : — the poor 

 saint is tied round tightly with a cord and laid on his back on 

 the floor, and it is believed that in order to obtain deliverance 

 from such durance vile he v/ill cause the lost sheep to return. 

 Thus was the unfortunate St. Antony of Tomo now treated, 

 and laid ignominiously on the earthen floor all night, but 

 without effect ; he was obstinate, and nothing was heard of the 

 wanderer. More inquiries were made, but with no result, till 

 two days afterwards Senhor Antonio himself returned accom- 

 panied by the girl. She had hid herself in a sitio a short 

 distance from the village, waited for Senhor Antonio's passing, 

 and then joined him, and told her own story first ; and so the 

 remainder of the harem got some hard words, and I am inclined 

 to think some hard blows too. 



Before leaving Tomo, I purchased a pair of the beautiful 

 feather-work borders, before alluded to, for which I paid 

 in silver dollars. Five Indians were procured to go with me, 

 and at the same time take another small canoe, in which to 

 bring back several articles that Senhor Antonio was much in 

 want of. We paid the men between us, before going, with 

 calicoes and cotton cloth, worth in England about twopence a 

 yard, but here valued at 2S, 6^., and soap, beads, knives, and 



