276 



JOURNEY FROM CARAVELLAS 



Simplicio was particularly active on this occasion : it may be con- 

 sidered as a proof of the good understanding that subsists, that 

 many of the Portuguese already understand something of the language 

 of those savages. 



The obstacles to be apprehended from the savages being thus re- 

 moved, the Portuguese began to cut a road to Minas Novas, through the 

 great ancient forests on the south bank of the river. It is now quite 

 finished, and would be very serviceable if all that has been boasted of 

 it were really effected. No bridges have been constructed over the 

 deep clefts or ravines of the little forest streams, or corregos, which 

 intersect this road in many places ; on which account loaded mules 

 cannot pass them : it is said too that in various parts of this long 

 journey through continuous forests, poisonous herbs grow, which kill 

 the cattle. Confiding in the report of the excellence of this road, a 

 Mineiro attempted to travel it, with a numerous tropa, laden with 

 cotton, but he lost the greater part of his mules ; it has been asserted 

 indeed that he owed his misfortune, in some measure, to his own 

 imprudence ; but his failure deterred others, so that nobody now 

 frequents the lower part of the road ; the upper part on the contrary 

 is used. I had occasion to convince myself that this road, which if 

 it were in good condition would be of great advantage to this country, 

 does not deserve the commendations that many have bestowed upon 

 it, but something has since been done to improve it. The communica- 

 tion is kept up better by canoes on the river than by this road. 

 Several of them annually come down from Minas with produce, and 

 generally take in return salt and other commodities. It requires 

 about twenty days to reach the first inhabited parts of Minas, in all 

 cases a troublesome voyage, though Mawe seems to have imagined 

 it to be easier than it is. In order to protect this communica- 

 tion against the savages, who are still hostile, several military posts 

 have been established upwards to Minas : they are six in number, 



