AND AMONG THE BOTOCUDOS. 



293 



bundle of arrows, and reeds for arrows. He panted under his load, 

 and ran quickly away with his body much inclining forwards. His first 

 question likewise was, whether his countrymen had returned from Rio 

 de Janeiro; and the most livelyjoy was expressed in his whole appear- 

 ance, when we answered him in the affirmative. 



When I soon afterwards returned to the quartel, I found a great 

 number of Botocudos, lying at their ease, in all the rooms of the 

 house. Some were sitting at the fire, and roasting unripe mammao 

 fruit; others were eating flour which they had received from the com- 

 mandant ; and a great part of them were contemplating with asto- 

 nishment, my people, whose appearance was very singular to them. 

 They were not a little surprised at their white skin, light hair, and 

 blue eyes. They crept through every corner of the house, in quest 

 of provisions, and their appetite was always keen: they climbed up 

 all the mammao trees, and where their fruit shewed by its yellowish 

 green colour that it was beginning to ripen, it was immediately plucked ; 

 nay, many ate it quite unripe, either roasted on the hot coals, or 

 boiled. 



I immediately began to barter with these savages, giving them 

 knives, red handkerchiefs, glass beads, and other trifles, for their arms, 

 sacks, and other utensils. They manifested a decided preference for 

 every thing that was made of iron ; and, like all the Tapuyas on the east 

 coast, immediately fastened the knives they had obtained, to a string 

 tied round their necks. A very interesting scene was afibrded us, by 

 the reception which they gave to their countrymen and relations, the 

 young Botocudos, who had been with the ouvidor to Rio, and now 

 came in successively. They were welcomed with the greatest cordi- 

 ality ; old Captain June sung a joyful song, and some even affirmed, 

 that they saw him shed tears of joy. It has been asserted that the 

 Botocudos are accustomed, by way of welcome, to smell each others' 

 wrists ; Mr. Sellow among others says, he has observed this practice; 



