Chap. II. 
CORPS OF TRABALHADOE.es. 
93 
The river view from this point towards the south was 
very grand ; the stream is from two to three miles 
broad, with green islets resting on its surface, and on 
each side a chain of hills stretches away in long per- 
spective. I resolved to stay here for a few weeks to 
make collections. On landing, my first care was to 
obtain a house or room that I might live ashore. This 
was soon arranged ; the head man of the place, Captain 
Antonio, having received notice of my coming, so that 
before night all the chests and apparatus I required 
were housed and put in order for working. 
I here dismissed Pinto, who again got drunk and 
quarrelsome a few hours after he came ashore. He left 
the next day to my great relief in a small trading 
canoe that touched at the place on its way to Santarem. 
The Indian Manoel took his leave at the same time, 
having engaged to accompany me only as far as 
Aveyros ; I was then dependent on Captain Antonio 
for fresh hands. The captains of Trabalhadores are 
appointed by the Brazilian Government, to embody the 
scattered Indian labourers and canoe-men of their 
respective districts, to the end that they may supply 
passing travellers with men when required. A semi- 
military organisation is given to the bodies ; some of 
the steadiest amongfst the Indians themselves beinof 
nominated as sergeants, and all the members mustered 
at the principal village of their district twice a-year. 
The captains, however, universally abuse their autho- 
rity, monopolising the service of the men for their own 
purposes, so that it is only by favour that the loan of a 
canoe-hand can be wrung from them. I was treated 
