Page:The naturalist on the River Amazons 1863 v1.djvu/292

CHAPTER VII.

THE LOWER AMAZONS—OBYDOS TO MANAOS, OR THE BARRA OF THE RIO NEGRO.

Departure from Obydos—River banks and by-channels—Cacao planters—Daily life on board our vessel—Great Storm—Sand-island and its birds—Hill of Parentins—Negro trader and Mauhés Indians—Villa Nova, its inhabitants, climate, forest, and animal productions—Cararaucú—A rustic festival—Lake of Cararaucú—Motúca flies—Serpa—Christmas holidays—River Madeira—A mameluco farmer—Mura Indians—Rio Negro—Description of Barra—Descent to Pará—Yellow fever.

A trader of Obydos, named Penna, was about proceeding in a cuberta laden with merchandise to the Rio Negro, intending to stop frequently on the road; so I bargained with him for a passage. He gave up a part of the toldo, or fore-cabin as it may be called, and here I slung my hammock and arranged my boxes, so as to be able to work as we went along. The stoppages I thought would be an advantage, as I could collect in the woods whilst he traded, and thus acquire a knowledge of the productions of many places on the river which in a direct voyage it would be impossible to do. I provided a stock of groceries for two months' consumption; and, after the usual amount of unnecessary fuss and delay on the part of the owner, we started on