8 NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
mosquito-net, large enough for a whole family. 
Charlie and I stowed ourselves beneath it, having 
first spread on the wet ground three layers of palm- 
leaf mats, and over these our blankets. The heat 
was almost insupportable early in the night, but 
afterwards the temperature was agreeable, and the 
shelter from dew and gnats was a luxury, and I 
enjoyed a fair night's sleep. ^ 
April 2 1. — Reached Parinari, a rather populous 
pueblo on a low site scarcely raised above the river 
at flood. The inhabitants are all Indians except 
the Governor, who is a Zambo named Don Domingo 
Mayo. We found the people beginning their Easter 
feast, the Cura of Nauta being expected on the 
following day. Both men and women had their 
faces painted red or white in lines and dots, while 
many were already half intoxicated. 
The Governor was not an amiable character. 
He was very distrustful, and was especially afraid 
that on account of his colour due respect should not 
be paid to him as governor, and was also jealous 
of his wife and of her daughter (a girl of fourteen). 
He was also in constant fear of his life (though, I 
believe, resolute to defend it), and not without 
reason, for his rule over the Indians was a most 
severe one. I could not help admiring the facility 
with which he, alone and without assistance, kept 
some hundreds of Indians in order. He told 
me, however, that he had several times had to 
defend his life against them, and not long ago a 
number of them came on him with pikes ; but the 
^ "Charlie" was an English sailor Spruce had found at Barra do Rio 
Negro and had engaged as an assistant. His story and fate are described later 
in letters to Mr. Benthani. 
