342 
TRAVELS ON THE RIO NEGRO. [February, 
time of my leaving, had fixed on that very day to give a 
feast of fish and caxiri. Antonio, my former pilot to 
Barra, was one. I met him coming to the village from 
his sitio, and he flatly refused to come with me, unless I 
waited some days more for him; I therefore made him 
send his Macu boy, Joao, instead, to go and return, and 
so pay for what both owed. This he did, and we went 
on our way rejoicing, for Antonio was what they call an 
Indian “ ladino,’’ or crafty ; he could speak Portuguese, 
and, strongly suspecting him of being an expert thief, 
I was not sorry to be without his company. 
On Saturday evening, the 21st, we arrived at Sao 
Jeronymo, where I was cordially received by Senhor 
Augustinho. The next day was occupied in paying my 
men, and sending for Bernardo to conduct my canoe up 
the falls, and get me more Indians for the voyage. 
On Monday he arrived, and I let him take the canoe, 
but did not go with him, as, for some days past, the ^ 
ague had again attacked me, and this was the day of the I 
fit ; so I sent the two guardas, my head men, who could 
speak Portuguese, to take charge of the canoe and cargo, 
and remained myself tiU the next day. In the evening 
a small trader arrived from above, very tipsy, and an 
Indian informed Senhor Augustinho that it was with 
my caxa^a, which the men whom I had brought specially 
to take charge of my cargo, had opened. This I next 
day found to be the case, as the seals had been broken, 
and clumsily refastened with a burning stick. These 
men were half-civilized Indians, who came with me 
as hunters, to interpret for me with the Indians and ' 
take charge of my goods, on account of which I paid_ 
