268 TRAVELS ON THE RIO NEGRO. \April, 
faces, which made altogether a rather queer mixture. 
They also carried their hammocks like scarfs over their j 
shoulders, and had generally hollow cylinders in their j 
hands, used to beat upon the ground in time to the ;: | 
dancing. Others had lances, bows, and wands, orna-<^ I 
mented with feathers, producing as they danced in the 
moonlight a singular and wild appearance. 
Senhor Antonio Dias delayed his return, and rather a 
scene in his domestic circle took place in consequence. 
As might be expected, the ladies did not agree very well , 
together. The elder one in particular was very jealous | 
of the Indian girls, and took every opportunity of ill-f | 
treating them, and now that the master was absents [ 
went, I suppose, to greater lengths than usual ; and the I! i 
consequence was, one of the girls ran away. This wasjj 
an unexpected denouement, and they were in a great | * 
state of alarm, for the girl was a particular favourite of||^ 
Senhor Antonio’s, and if he returned before she came „ 
back he was not likely to be very delicate in showing | 
his displeasure. The girl had gone off in a canoe with 
a child about a year old ; the night had been stormy 
and wet, but that sort of thing will not stop an Indian. 
Messengers were sent after her, but she was not to be 
found; and then the old lady and her daughter went off p 
themselves in a tremendous rain, but with no better > ^ 
success. One resource more however remained, and | 
they resolved to apply to the Saints. Senhor Domingos 
was sent to bring the image of St. Antonio from the 
church. This saint is supposed to have especial power ,|j 
over things lost, but the manner of securing his in~|j j 
fiuence is rather singular — the poor saint is tied round j 
