A DANGEROUS EXPEDITION 
apparel between London and Central Brazil. I have 
never in my life adopted a sun helmet — the most absurd, 
uncomfortable and grotesque headgear that was ever 
invented. I find, personally, that a common straw hat 
provides as much protection as any healthy person 
requires from the equatorial sun. 
If I give these details, it is merely because they may 
be of some use to others, not because I wish to advertise 
these facts; and also, if I do not give the names of the 
firms which supplied the various articles, it is because — 
unlike many other explorers —-1 have been in the custom 
of never letting my name be used in any way whatever 
for advertising purposes. 
There are many people who are enthusiastic over a 
dangerous project when they first hear of it, but after 
thinking it over and talking with friends and relatives, 
their enthusiasm soon wears off. That is what happened 
in Rio. I wasted some time in Rio — socially most 
enjoy ably employed — in order to get followers and come 
to some suitable arrangement with the Government. I 
was deeply indebted to the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. 
Pedro de Toledo, for allowing me the free use of all the 
telegraphs in Brazil, and also for a special permission 
(of which I never availed myself) to use, if necessary, 
the flotilla of Government boats on the Amazon. Cre¬ 
dentials were also furnished me, but owing to the way in 
which they were worded, they were more of a danger to 
me than a protection. They actually proved to be so once 
or twice, when I was compelled to present them. The 
expedition was considered so dangerous, that the Govern¬ 
ment published broadcast statements in the official and 
other papers stating that “ Mr. A. H. Savage-Landor’s 
expedition across Brazil was undertaken solely at his own 
initiative and absolutely at his own risk and responsi¬ 
bility.” They also circulated widely the statement that 
I had promised not in any way to injure or hurt 
13 . 
