AND VISIT TO THE PURIS AT ST. FIDELIS. 127 



sugar-plantations ; and they have often done him considerable da- 

 mage. Such a man, who enjoys their esteem and attachment, and 

 who knows how to act towards them, would succeed better than any 

 other in reclaiming them from their savage state, and uniting them in 

 aldeas^ or villages. He accompanied us over hilly roads along the 

 river, where we often had to pass very difficult places, over steep pre- 

 cipices ; we then entered a noble, gloomy forest, where the most 

 beautiful butterflies fluttered round us. In this place we found in 

 the river, close to the bank, a small island, enclosed all round by 

 steep rocks, on which there were some old trees, entirely covered with 

 the bag-like nests of the guasch ( cassicus h(Emorrlioiis.) Plantations 

 of sugar-canes, rice, and coffee, (but the latter are rare,) and some 

 of millet, alternately succeed each other. Abo^ e the glassy stream 

 of the Paraiba rose charming islands, some cultivated, others covered 

 with wood. Towards evening we reached a level spot near the river, 

 with a considerable y«^ewf/«, built in verdant pastures, where Ave were 

 well received, and accordingly resolved to pass the night. On the 

 opposite side of the valley rose lofty mountains, among w hich is the 

 Morro de Sapateira, a high ridge with several peaks. 



The next morning, after our horses were collected in the meadow, 

 we proceeded on our journey, and towards noon reached the Muriahe, 

 which is not broad, but deep and rapid, and is said often to do great 

 damage in the rainy season. It rises in the Serra do Pico, in the 

 country of the Puris, and is navigable, as we were informed, for 

 seven leagues. 



On its banks are considerable fazejidas, where great quantities of 

 sugar are cultivated. A small canoe carried us over the stream, 

 and towards evening we reached the spot where the Villa de St. Sal- 

 vador appears agreeably situated, extending along the opposite bank. 

 In this neighbourhood we met with the Aldea de St. Antonio, 

 anciently an Indian village, which the Jesuits had formed of Gorulhos 

 Indians, but which has now no Caboclos among its inhabitants. 



