38 



JOURXEY FROai RIO DE JANEIRO 



Accompanied by some of our friends, who kmdly wished to see us 

 set out, we left Praya Grande on the 6th, in hopes of proceecUng a 

 good way on our journey ; but we soon found that it is much more 

 tedious and troul)lesome to travel with loaded mules, than to convey 

 baggage in carriages. Our trouble was increased by the difliculty of 

 getting many of the animals, unaccustomed to their saddles and loads, 

 to carry a burden that did not sit easy. We had in consequence 

 scarcely begun our march, when to our great annoyance, but to the 

 no small amusement of the spectators, we saw almost all our beasts, 

 with the most ridiculous antics, exert themselves to throw off their 

 packages. Several having succeeded in their eftbrts, while others 

 escaped amongst the brushwood, it took some hours before we could 

 restore order and proceed on our march, which considerably shortened 

 this day's progress. 



After proceeding two hours we came to a fme even meadow sur- 

 rounded by delicate feathery mimosas, where, by way of accustoming 

 ourselves to encamp in the open air, we halted, though there were 

 habitations in the neighbourhood. To secure our baggage from the 

 damp night air, it was placed in a semicircle, and the hides spread 

 out before it for us to sleep upon ; we kindled a good fire in the 

 centre. To counteract the effects of the heavy dew of this climate, 

 we covered ourselves with thick blankets ; the portmanteaus serving 

 as pillows. Our frugal repast of rice and meat was soon dressed. 

 We supped under the starry canopy of the tropics ; cheerfulness 

 seasoned the meal, and the neighbouring planters, who passed by in 

 returning homewards for the night, made many remarks on the 

 strange assemblage. In order to be prepared for robbers, if any 

 should appear, we kept a regular watch. My German hounds M^ere 

 of great service, for at the slightest noise they ran boldly barking to 

 the quarter whence it proceeded. The night was beautiful, and we 

 often contemplated the splendid firmament; the cahnre, a small owl 



