ACROSS UNKNOWN SOUTH AMERICA 
enough in carting baggage along the rapids, and they 
would not be burdened with what they called “ stupid 
stones.” 
This last bit of infamy turned me so much against 
my men that I could not bear the sight of them. It will 
be easily understood that when you go to such terrific 
expense and risk as I did in obtaining valuable material, 
and had obtained it, to be deprived of it through the 
ignorance and meanness of one’s own men, who were 
treated with the greatest generosity from beginning to 
end, was certainly most exasperating. In a half-hearted 
way I packed up all the other things and made ready to 
continue the journey. The contempt I had for my men 
from that day, nevertheless, made it quite painful to me 
to be in their company. At S. Manoel the men gave me 
no end of trouble. Benedicto refused to go on any longer. 
The other men wanted to halt there for a month in order 
to recuperate their strength. Filippe the negro was 
drunk, and slept all the time we were there. 
I know too well that on expeditions it is fatal to halt 
anywhere; therefore I was anxious to push on at once. 
The night before our departure Mr. Barretto gave a 
grand dinner-party in my honour, long speeches being 
read out by him and his assistant, when we sat down on 
rough wooden benches and packing-cases to a most 
elaborate meal of fried fish, grilled fish, boiled fish, tortoise 
eggs — quantities of them — stewed pork, and roast pork. 
A whole sucking-pig adorned the table. The greatest 
happiness reigned that night at table, and I owe a deep 
debt of gratitude to Mr. Barretto for his exquisite kind¬ 
ness during the two or three days I was his guest. My 
men were also asked to the banquet, and had a good fill. 
But I felt extremely sad, quite broken-hearted, over the 
loss of the fossils, and I could really enjoy nothing, not¬ 
withstanding outward appearances. 
After dinner, when my men had retired, Mr. Barretto 
234 
