rivers
separated by high ridges. Where the trail crosses the main ridge, which
is 5,000 feet high, it can be done only on mule- or horse-back. The
other way is by continuing north by rail to Curalinho and on from
there by rough stages and wagons. Though the latter way does not
contain as many blood-curdling passes as the other, it was considered
worse, formerly, being very fatiguing. The introduction of rough
country wagons of American make, over this route, ameliorated the
conditions, and they have been further improved by a betterment of
the road. Diamantina can now be reached by fast mule-back over this
route in two days from the railroad.
This
field extends over an immense territory of a very wild, rough
character, on both sides of the northern end of the Serra do Espinhaco.
It is a plateau broken up by steep-sided, deep valleys, in which
numerous streams that feed the Jequetinhonha and the Sao Francisco
rivers, have their rise. The Jequetinhonha after running northeast,
when it turns due east to empty into the Atlantic, becomes the Rio
Belmonte. The diamonds are found in the streams, the valleys of the
streams, and in crevices and depressions in the hills.
Operations
in Brazil are carried on now largely by " servicoes,"— bands of workmen
hired by one man or organized into squads which divide results. These
select " journaleiro," or spots where they feel sure of finding
diamonds, and proceed to gather the cascalho and wash it in their
primitive way according to the season and conditions. The natives carry
small wooden bottles, made by boring out the center of a straight twig
into which they fit a wooden stopper, for the purpose of
