appears
black as ink, and from this circumstance it takes its name, but when
close to it the water is so clear, that the bottom can be seen at a
great depth ; we could also see that it was inhabited by numbers of
fine fish. Our luggage was taken over by an old Indian in a canoe,
which was so small that only one horse-load could be transported at a
time. We took up our mid-day quarters under the wide-spreading branches
of a large Cashew tree, but the shade which this kind of tree yields,
does not shelter well from the rays of the sun, as it is never very
thickly covered with leaves. We all bathed in the waters of the
beautiful stream, and rejoiced that for several days to come, we should
still have this enjoyment, as our route to the westward lay along its
margin. There is nothing so refreshing to the traveller in a tropical
climate, as frequent ablution in cold water. We were not far from the
house on which the outrage I have before mentioned was committed by the
Indians; the attack was made during the day, while the men were absent
in the fields, and after burning the house, and killing three women,
they carried off two children. The people at Santa Maria informed me
they lived in constant dread of the Indians, and that they had serious
intentions of removing to a more populous district. These Indians live
generally at a considerable distance to the north-west, only extending
their excursions into this neighbourhood when in pursuit of game, and
are known by the name of Cherentes. It is supposed this attack
originated in consequence of one of the Indians having been fired at,
and wounded by mistake, who in revenge had, with the assistance of some
of his countrymen, committed the outrage above mentioned.
The
desolate tract of country, upwards of forty leagues in breadth, which
we were now about to cross, in order to reach the province of Goyaz, is
called by the people of the country Os Geraes. It is seldom traversed
except by drovers, who take cattle from the north of Goyaz to Bahia.
There is, however, a path through it, and the mulatto I engaged at
Pamagua, having once traversed it, was to act as our guide. From him I
learned that there was only one habitation to be met with, a small hut,
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