CHAPTER VIII. OEIRAS TO PARNAGUA.
The
Author's reception by the President of Piauhy—City of Oeiras
described—Its Population—Its Trade with the Coast—Great want of River
Navigation—-Its chief exports are hides and cattle—Its Climate —
Diseases — Character of the Barao de Parnahiba—His great power in the
Province—History of this Remarkable Man—And of the Civil War on
declaration of the Independence of Brazil— Resources of the Province —
National Cattle Farms—Course of the Author's Journey quite changed by
an alarming Revolt—This Insurrection described—He determines on
travelling southwards through Goyaz and Minas Geraes—Leaves
Oeiras—Description of the Country—Chapadas — Passes through many Cattle
Farms—Curious mode of catching Cattle—Passes Pombas—Algodoes—Golfes—
Retiro Alegre —Genipapo —Canavieira —Urusuhy—Prazeres —Description of a Piauhy Family—Reaches Flores—Rapoza—Arrives at Paniagua—Universal Hos-pitality of the Natives—Salt found in the Neighbourhood.
As
I brought several letters of recommendation with me to the Barao de
Parnahiba, the President of the Province, I made enquiries for his
house on entering the city, and was directed to it by a soldier. The
Palacio, as it is called, is situated on the most elevated part of the
town, is of one story, and has a very ordinary appearance. On arriving
at the door I found it guarded by a sentinel, one of the most
abject-looking beings that can be imagined. He was a young mulatto,
dressed in the uniform of the troops of the line, which seemed as if it
had not been off his back for the last six years; his cloth cap was old
and greasy, his blue jacket one half patches and the other half holes,
was open in front, displaying his naked breast, for he could not boast
the possession of a shirt; his trowsers were little better than his
jacket, and his bare feet were thrust into a pair of old shoes, down at
the heels,
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