TO THE RIVER ESPIRITO SANTO. 



143 



this neighbourhood, and killed him likewise. The commanding 

 officer gave us much interesting information respecting the Puris. 

 He assured us that these savages were at present really very desirous 

 of livmg at peace with the Portuguese ; which entirely coincides with 

 the wishes they expressed to Mr. Moraes at St. Fidelis. Such a 

 good understanding would be very advantageous for this coast ; for 

 as the inhabitants live much dispersed, they are constantly exposed 

 to the cruel attacks of those unfeeling barbarians, and the country is 

 in danger of becoming desolate, unless other measures be adopted. 

 The savages, as masters of these forests, appear suddenly, first in one 

 place and then in another, and vanish as suddenly, as was expe- 

 rienced in the attack at Ciri : they are acquainted with all the lurking- 

 places in the woods, are cunning and crafty, are accurately acquainted 

 with the weak sides of the Portuguese planters, and many of them 

 have also some knowledge of their language. 



On the day that we halted at the station, we traversed the neigh- 

 bouring woods and marshes, accompanied and guided by the soldiers. 

 Our whole booty consisted of a few ducks, and a bird which was 

 new and interesting to us, and belonged to the family of the co tin- 

 gas*. On the coast the great sea- tortoises, which in spring seek the 

 shore, were swimming about, and slowly raising their large round 

 heads above the surface of the water. At night a violent storm 

 arose, and the rain poured down in torrents ; from which the shat- 

 tered roof of our abode afforded but an indifferent protection. 



On the following very gloomy day, we had a most disagreeable 

 specimen of the negligence shewn in keeping up the only way along 

 the coast, on which there are neither bridges, nor passable roads : 



* Procnias melanocephalus : the head black, the iris of the eye of a cinnabar red ; all the 

 upper parts are linnet-green, the lower yellowish green, with darker transverse stripes ; 

 8 inches 7 lines long. 



