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THE RAPIDS OF THE ALUtEIIlA AXD THE MAJIORE. (io 
Tlic next rapid of Aharas lias an ineonsiderablo declivity (3 feet 
4 in.), and can be passed by full canoes towed up the river. This, 
though far less troublcsoino than caiTying tlio load over stocks and 
stones, is more dangerous, and requires rather more attention than 
will be, thought necessary at first sight. As the unwieldy boats, 
ivhen held only by one long rope, ai-e apt to chift transA'^ersely against 
some rock, smaller cords are attaclied fore and aft, to regulate the 
position of the vessel from the shore, in case of need. The greater 
part of the crew are up-stream, holding the great cable ; and each 
one has to look out for liirasclf, as the boat comes up, how best he 
can get from rock to rock, either jumping or swimming ; while others 
stand on either side witli the smaller ropes, at one or other of which 
they pull on word of command. Others stand breast-high in the 
roaring, hissing foam of the rapid, trying to keep the bow of tlie 
fragile craft ofi' the glistening black rocks of gneiss, Avhich would 
violently open up all its ill-caulked seams. It is jierfectly astoni.shing 
to witness the case with which these Indians secure their footing on 
the slippery, wave-washed stones, carry heavy ropes through the cur- 
rents, or, if necessary, ascertain by diving whether the boat has 
grounded, and how best to get her afloat again. The little rapid 
of Periquitos is passed in the same way as that of Araras ; not so, 
however, the great Cachoeira do Eibeirao. The river-bed there is, 
for almost four miles, so obstructed by rocky islands and reefs, and 
the declivity is so great, that it forms an almost uninterrupted 
succession of roaring fidls and rapids. The breadth of the river, 
too, has increased, especially at the upper end of the rapid, Avhere 
is the principal break (to 2,190 yards) ; and it embraces several larger 
islands. 
Plat rocky hills extend to nearly the water’s edge on both sides ; 
and dense virgin forest coA*ers not only the shores but also the lai’ger 
isles. 
While the Indians were Avorking hard at draAving the boats over 
the last of the rapids, I had taken the meridional altitude of the 
sun, and found, in climbing over the rocks of the right shore, another 
“AATitten rock,” covered Avith spiral lines and concentric rings, evenly 
carved in the black gneiss-like material, and similar to those of the 
Caldeirao. Looking about for more, I discovered a perfect inscription, 
whose straight orderly lines can hardly be thought the result of lazj" 
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