AND JOURNEY TO THE RIO DOCE. 



171 



tions in their manner by clapping their hands, and had then treache- 

 rously killed with their formidable arrows, the Portuguese who had 

 crossed over to them, confiding in these amicable demonstrations, 

 every hope of finding sentiments of humanity among these savages was 

 totally extinguished. But that this opinion, derogatory to the dignity 

 of human nature, was carried too far, and that the incorrigibility of 

 these people proceeds as much from the manner in which they have 

 been treated, as from their native rudeness, is strikingly evinced in 

 the beneficial effects which the moderate and humane conduct of the 

 governor, Conde dos Arcos, has produced in the capitania of Bahia, 

 among the Botocudos residing on the Rio Grande de Belmonte. The 

 traveller who has just quitted the theatre of this inhuman petty war- 

 fare on the Rio Doce, is particularly struck, and furnished with occa- 

 sion for the most important reflections, when after the lapse of a few 

 weeks he arrives in the district on the Rio Grande, and there sees the 

 inhabitants, in consequence of a peace concluded three or four years 

 ago, living with these very savages on the most friendly footing, which 

 ensures to the latter the desired repose, and to the former security and 

 the greatest advantages. 



In order to make ourselves acquainted with the remarkable country 

 on the Rio Doce, of which we had heard many interesting particulars 

 at Capitania, we left the Quartel do Riacho early in the morning, 

 accompanied by two soldiers, and crossed the riacho (brook) from 

 which the station has received its name, close to the huts. From this 

 place we had a very fatiguing journey of eight leagues in deep sand, 

 amid the intense heat of December. 



The soil is a heavy sand mixed with quartz and small flints, ex- 

 tremely fatiguing both to man and beast. For some distance inland 

 the sands are covered with low bushes, especially of the dwarf cocoa- 

 palm ; behind these rise the thick forests, in which, not far from the 



