92 
TRAVELS ON THE AMAZON. [November, 
about seven thousand during the last six months. Many 
hundreds of cattle are said to have been killed by them 
in a few years. 
The slaves appeared contented and happy, as slaves 
generally do. Every evening at sunset they came to bid 
good-night to Senhor Leonardo and myself, a similar sa- 
lutation taking place when they first met us in the morn- 
ing. If one goes out for the day to any distance, he bids 
adieu to all he may meet, as if he were parting from his 
dearest friends on the eve of a long journey ; contrasting 
strongly with the apathy of the Indian, who scarcely 
. ever exhibits any feelings of regret on parting, or of 
pleasure on his return. In the evening they play and 
sing in their own houses : their instrument is a home- 
made guitar, from which they obtain three or fom: notes, 
which are repeated for hours with the most wearisome 
monotony. To this music they join an extempore song, 
generally relating to some events of the day ; and the 
doings of the “ brancos,” or white people, have often a 
considerable share in it. Many of them keep fowls and 
ducks, which they sell, to buy any little luxuries they 
may require, and they often go fishing to supply the 
house, when they have a share for themselves. 
Every Saturday evening they meet for Divine service, 
which is performed in a room fitted up as a chapel, with 
an altar gaily decorated with figures of the Virgin and 
Child, and several saints painted and gilt in a most bril- 
liant manner. Some of these figures are the work of 
Senhor Leonardo, who is an excellent self-taught carver ; 
and when the candles are lit, and all is in order, the effect 
is equal to that of many village churches. Two of the 
