172 



STAY AT CAPITANIA, 



sea-beach, lies the Quartel dos Comboyos, where three soldiers are 

 stationed, to keep up the communications. 



We here found traces of the prodigious sea-turtles that come on 

 shore to deposit their eggs in holes which they dig in the sand. In 

 many places remains of these animals were lying about, such as shells 

 and skeletons, in examining which we were much struck with the 

 large size of the skulls ; I found one which weighed not less than 

 three pounds. The Indians eat the flesh of these. turtles, and obtain 

 a large quantity of fat from them : they also make diligent search for 

 their eg-os twelve or sixteen dozen of which are often found in one 

 hole. They are round, white, covered with a leather-like pliable skin, 

 and contain an albumen as clear as water, and a yolk of a fine yellow, 

 which is well tasted though rather fishy. We met some Indian families, 

 who were carrying home whole baskets full of these eggs. The size 

 of the sea turtles may be inferred from the shells we found here, 

 which were five feet in length. 



At noon, when the heat became very oppressive, our tropa was 

 much exhausted, as we had not any water to quench the burning 

 thirst of the animals, nor even of those of the company who were on 

 foot, and dripping with perspiration. We halted, and sought shelter 

 in the shade of the low bushes ; but here too the ground was so heated, 

 that we found but little refreshment ; our feet indeed rested, and 

 we relieved the animals by taking off their burdens. In this situation 

 we derived great advantage from the experience of our young Indians ; 

 who went with some vessels among the bushes, and collected the 

 water from between the leaves of the bromelias. This water is pure 

 and clear soon after rain ; but now when it had not rained for a long 

 time, it was black and dirty ; we even found frogs-spawn and j^oung 

 frogs in it. We strained it through a cloth, mixed it with a little 

 brandy, lemon juice and sugar, and in this way it afforded us a de- 

 licious refreshment. On the bromelia shrubs we frequently met with 



