208 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



use. Having no Firman from the Grande Senhor, we were constrained 

 to use supplications instead of violence ; but the offence which we had 

 given rendered the man deaf to our entreaties. Though resolute in his 

 determination not to accommodate us himself, he so far relented as to 

 point out where we might probably fare better. In conformity to his 

 directions we made several attempts which proved fruitless ; and we were 

 fortunate, at lenglh, in lighting upon a young man at a Coral who, 

 seeing the urgency of the case, advised us to make application at a hut 

 which stood at a small distance. 



It was situated on a pleasant knoll, and though constructed of mud, 

 and unadorned with whitewash, had an air of rustic neatness. Near it 

 were a few hides of wheat, over which was thrown a temporary roof of 

 thatch. Having announced our approach as usual, by three quick beats 

 on the palm of the hand, saying, at the same time, " with permission," 

 there appeared at the door a most venerable and interesting old man, 

 whose countenance seemed a pledge of the success of our application. 

 With appearances, not of civility alone, but of accomplished manners, 

 he invited us into his house ; and having learned our wants, sent a child 

 to call ahother person, who proved to be the young man whom we had 

 seen before, and who received the orders of, probably, his father in a 

 respectfid and graceful way. When he was withdrawn, the old Gentle- 

 man called for, and presented to us, milk in a large beaker ; observing 

 with an air of gaiety, that it was all which his hut could furnish. His 

 tone and manner seemed to intimate, that he recollected another house 

 and superior accommodations ; yet the recollection did not interrupt his 

 flow of spirits, nor his attention to his guests. In a short time the arrival 

 of the horses was announced ; when he arose, took my hand, and led 

 me to a very noble animal, the best of the three which the young man 

 had brought. The eye of the animal indicated more fire than I had been 

 used to, and he seemed almost unbroken ; so that some symptoms of 

 a want of confidence, which I had probably ^splayed in mounting, 

 induced him to assure me that the creature Was perfectly gentle. I 

 found him, though only four years old, well deserving of his master's 

 praises. 



