318 STAY ON THE RIO GRANDE DE BELMONTE, 



to take breath, but our shot was too hght, and the canoe was too 

 Heavy to be rowed quickly forward ; we had no balls, and these ani- 

 mals cannot be shot till their heads are seen above water, near tho 

 canoe ; then aim must be taken at the ear: the terrified animal lost much 

 blood, but yet it escaped, which it would scarcely have done, if we 

 had had dogs with us. The ease and address with which these crea- 

 tures swim, are very useful to them for evading the hunters who pur- 

 sue them. Though the tapir, a large heavy animal, six or seven 

 feet long, is defended by a very thick hide, yet the Portuguese always 

 kill it with shot, and not with balls : but for this purpose they must 

 absolutely have long rifle guns, and a strong charge of large shot ; 

 these hunters too will fire twelve or sixteen times at an animal with 

 shot, rather than load with ball. That they may be able on their ex- 

 cursions to kill all kinds of animals, the Brazilians always load their 

 guns with shot, and kill in this manner a wild swine, or a tapir, as 

 well as a jacutinga (penelope). The tapir is also hunted for its 

 flesh, and dogs are very useful in the chase of this animal. It is 

 usually found in the morning and evening, in the rivers, where it is 

 fond of bathing, to cool itself. If the animal is severely wounded, and 

 rather exhausted, the Brazilians often attack it swimming, with their 

 knives in their hands, and endeavour to wound it. In this manner 

 they turn to account the custom of their nation always to wear a 

 stiletto, or a knife in their girdles, a custom which is observed even 

 by the priests, and affords occasion to many murders. 



Having been detained by this unsuccessful attempt, I did not reach 

 the station till late at night ; and early in the morning I was awaked 

 by the newly-arrived Botocudos, who were impatient to become 

 acquainted with the stranger. They knocked violently at my door, 

 which was locked, till I opened it, and immediately loaded me with 

 numerous marks of friendship. Captain Gipakeiu was much pre- 

 possessed in my favour, because he had been told that I was a 

 great admirer of the Botocudos, and burned with impatience to be 



