16 



Prince Maximiliaris 



ped in sleep. The negroes were sleeping on the sand of the shore, 

 beside a small fire which cast but little heat, and their naked bo- 

 dies were only covered with a thin cotton cloth, which could ill 

 protect them from the heavy dew. After knocking for a long time 

 at a public-house, the landlord, with only his mantle wrapped 

 round him, and scarcely awake, opened the door. Here we were 

 compelled to remain the whole of the following day, as our Tropa, 

 (thus they called a united number of beasts of burden) could not 

 be disembarked, on account of the shallow water, till late at noon. 



We left Praya Grande on the 6th, accompanied by some of oar 

 friends, in the hope of advancing a considerable way ; but we soon 

 found that it is far more tedious and troublesome to travel with 

 laden mules than after the European fashion. Our trouble with 

 the mules was so much the greater, as those generally unruly 

 beasts, having all been bought in a hurry, and being unused to 

 carry burthens, were continually attempting to free themselves 

 from their loads, which some effecting, we were obhged to turn 

 back and seek for them. After a few hours we reached a pretty 

 level meadow, inclosed by bushes of beautiful feathered mimosa, 

 where to accustom ourselves to sleep under the open sky, we 

 halted, though there were houses in the neighbourhood. Our lug- 

 gage was placed around in a semi-circle, to protect us from the 

 damp night air, and ox hides spread for our beds ; in the middle, 

 we lighted up a large fire. Our protection from the heavy dew 

 consisted in a thick woollen covering over us, and our portman- 

 teaus served for pillows. A frugal supper of rice and meat was 

 prepared, which we shared under a beautiful tropical sky, covered 

 with stars. With no little merriment, we partook of our repast, 

 and the neighbouring planters, returning to their dwellings, as 

 they passed us, made ludicrous comments on the strange gypsey- 

 band *. To be secure from theft in these inhabited countries, we 

 divided ourselves into watches for the night. My German bounds 

 were of great service to me, in this respect, for, at the least noise, 

 they ran, with loud barkings, to the spot from whence the noise 

 proceeded. 



The bright morning procured me for the first time a chasing 

 excursion, which I had only known hitherto from Le Vaillant's 

 description of a similar scene in Africa. Our covering and bag- 

 gage had been wetted through by dew, but the sun soon dried 

 them. A fter breakfast, every one took his gun, and being Avell 

 provided with ammunition, we penetrated into the interior of the 

 country. The bushes around us were enlivened with a multitude 

 of beautiful birds, who charmed us with their notes. In a neigh- 

 bouring marshy copse, I soon killed a pretty water-hen [gallinuld) 

 several kinds of Tangara {tanagea), of the most beautiful plum- 



• It is said that there are gypsies in Brazil ; Köster mentions them, page 39^ ; but 

 I have never seen any* 



