ILL-BALANCED OFFICIALS 
the Government, I had then to apply to the Command ante 
of the flotilla of the Government boats. It will be easily 
understood that my anxiety was great to go and rescue 
my men; so that on leaving the palace I immediately 
proceeded to the private house of this gentleman — a 
great friend of the Governor, I learned afterwards. On 
sending in my card at five o’clock in the afternoon I was 
kept waiting a little time, then there appeared a yellow¬ 
faced individual in his pajamas, muttering words which I 
should not like to repeat. 
“ What do you want? ” he said to me. “ Do you not 
know that I sleep from twelve to six every afternoon? 
What do you mean by disturbing me? I am sure you 
would not disturb officers of your own navy in this way! ” 
I very politely answered that the officers of my navy 
were well known for being wide awake at all times, and 
not for sleeping the whole day as well as the entire night. 
When I explained to him, and presented the order from 
the Minister of Marine requesting any officer of the 
Brazilian navy to give every possible assistance, he told 
me that none of his boats were in a condition to move out; 
furthermore they were needed, as great political trouble 
was expected in the city. 
I was beginning to feel anxious, as in my weak state 
it would have been a serious matter for me to undertake 
the river journey in a small rowing-boat, which journey 
would have occupied several weeks, when I could have 
done the whole thing in two or three days at the most 
in a steam launch. Even a rowing-boat was not obtain¬ 
able unless you purchased it outright, and if you obtained 
the boat you could not obtain the men to row it. 
It is extraordinary how many things in the world de¬ 
pend on absolute chance. When I returned, sadly dis¬ 
appointed, to the hotel, I met a Swiss gentleman, Dr. 
Alberto Maso, who was in the employ of the Brazilian 
Government as delegate of the Minister of Agriculture 
351 
