1849.] 
THE JOUENEY COMMENCED. 
115 
disagreeably at every step he took. Of course this was 
taken off when he was delivered over to me, and he pro- 
mised to be very faithfnl and industrious if I took him 
with me. I also agreed with a lame Spaniard to go as 
pilot, because he said he knew the river, and some little 
experience is required at the time of the Piroroco. Pie 
begged for a few milreis beforehand to purchase some 
clothes ; and when I wanted him to assist me in loading 
the canoe he was feasting on biscuit and cheese, with oil, 
vinegar, and garlic, washing it down so plentifully with 
caxa^a that he was quite intoxicated, so I was obliged to 
wait till the next day, when, having spent all his money 
and got a little sober, he was very quiet and submissive. 
At length, all being ready, we started, rowing along 
quietly with the flood-tide, as there was no wind, and at 
night, when the tide turned, anchoring a few miles up the 
Guama. This is a fine stream, about half a mile wide in 
the lower part. A short distance up, the banks are rather 
undulating, with many pretty sitios. During ebb-tide 
we managed generally to anchor near some house or cot- 
tage, where we coidd get on shore and make a fire under 
a tree to cook our dinner or supper. Luiz would then 
take his gun and I my insect-net, and start off into the 
forest to make the most of our time till the tide turned 
again, when we would continue our voyage, and I gene- 
rally had occupation skinning birds or setting out insects 
till the evening. About thirty miles above Para the 
Piroroco commences. There was formerly an island in 
the river at this point, but it is said to have been com- 
pletely washed away by the continual action of the bore, 
which, after passing this place, we rather expected to see, 
I 2 
