CHAPTER IV.
ALAGOAS AND THE RIO SAN FRANCISCO.
The
Author's Motive for this Excursion—Voyage to the Southward—Description
of the Coast and Observations on the great Restinga—Reaches Barra dc
S.Antonio Grande—Arrives at Maceio—Description of the Town and
surrounding Country— Resolves to visit the Rio S. Francisco—Embarks in
a Jahgada and coasts to the Southward—Batel—Lands at Peba—Journey
thence to Piassabassu on the Rio San Francisco—Ascends the River to
Penedo—The Town Described— Productions of the District—Its
Population—Voyage up the River—Mode of Navigation— Arrives at
Propiha—Vegetation of the Country—Description of a Market Fair —Dress
of the People—Voyage continued to Traipii—Passes the Ilha dos Prazeras
—Barra de Panema—Abundance of Fish of the Salmon Tribe—Village of Lagoa
Funda—Island of S. Pedro—Its Indian Population described—Continues the
Voyage—Fearful Storm—Return to S. Pedro—Serious Illness and Detention
there —Scarcity of Food—Renounces in consequence all intention of
proceeding further —Returns to Penedo—Scheme for Navigating the Rio San
Francisco—Reason why it never will succeed—Arrives again at
Maceio—Visits Alagoas—That City Described—Leaves Maceio—Coasting
Voyage—Singular Mode of catching Fish— Return to Pernambuco.
The great object of my visit to the north of Brazil was to make a journey from the coast to the high lands which lie on the eastern side of the Rio Tocantins. This part of the country, which I was strongly recommended to visit by Von Martius and others, on account of its botanical riches, is distant from Pernambuco about 1,200 miles, and nearly directly west from it. Although I was desirous to begin this journey I was advised by persons well acquainted with the interior of the country not. to undertake it towards the end of the rainy season, on account of the difficulty of finding grass and water for the horses after the period when every think
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