136 
VOYAGE UP THE TAPAJOS. 
Chap. IL 
night and day until the stimulating beverage is 
finished. 
We left the Tushaua's house early the next morning. 
The impression made upon me by the glimpse of Indian 
life in its natural state obtained here, and at another 
cluster of houses visited higher up, was a pleasant one, 
notwithstanding the disagreeable incident of the Para- 
rau^te visit. The Indians are here seen to the best 
advantage ; having relinquished many of their most 
barbarous practices, without being corrupted by too 
close contact with the inferior whites and half-breeds 
of the civilised settlements. The manners are simpler, 
the demeanour more gentle, cheerful and frank, than 
amongst the Indians who live near the towns. I 
could not help contrasting their well-fed condition, and 
the signs of orderly, industrious habits, with the poverty 
and laziness of the semi-civilised people of Altar do 
Chao. I do not think that the introduction of liquors 
has been the cause of much harm to the Brazilian 
Indian. He has his drinking bout now and then, like 
the common working people of other countries. It was 
his habit in his original state, before Europeans visited 
his country ; but he is always ashamed of it afterwards, 
and remains sober during the pretty long intervals. 
The harsh, slave-driving practices of the Portuguese and 
their descendants have been the greatest curses to the 
Indians ; the Mundurucus of the Cupari, however, have 
been now for many years protected against ill-treatment. 
This is one of the good services rendered by the mis- 
sionaries, who take care that the Brazilian laws in 
favour of the aborigines shall be respected by the brutal 
