254 TRAVELS ON THE RIO NEGRO. [April,
Sao Gabriel, whence he had brought the correct date, agreed with them, there was no withstanding such authority. A minute examination of my diary was made, and it was then found that on our first stay at Caruru we had reckoned our delay there as five days instead of six. The Indians generally keep accounts of the time very accurately on a voyage, by cutting notches on a stick, as boys do at school on the approach of the holidays. In our case, however, even they were most of them wrong, for some of them agreed with me, while others made a day in advance, and others again a day behind us, so that we got completely confused. Sometmies the traders residing at the Indian villages pass many months, without seeing a person from any civilised part, and get two or three days out in their reckonings. Even in more populous places, where all the inhabitants depend on the priest or the commandante, errors have been made, and Sundays and Saints' days have been desecrated, while Mondays and common days have been observed in their place, much to the horror of all good Catholics.
The next morning I took a turn round the village, — bought some paroquets and parrots, and some feather ornaments and small pots, of the Tushaua ; and then, having nothing to keep me at Jauarite, and having vainly endeavoured to get some Indians to go with me, I left for Sao Jeronymo. On arriving at the first great fall of Pinupinu, we found only one Indian, and were obliged to send to the village for more. That afternoon they did not cnoose to come, and we lost a beautiful day. The next morning, as was to be expected, commenced a soaking rain ; but as the Indians arrived we went on, and about noon, the rain clearing off a little, we passed the fall of Panore, and arrived safely at the village of Sao Jeronymo. Here we disembarked, and unloaded our canoes, taking possession of the doorless " casa da nacjio," and made up our minds to remain quietly till we should get men to go down the river.
The same afternoon Jesuino arrived, and the next morning left, — kindly inquiring when I intended to proceed, and saying, he had spoken with the Tushaua to get me Indians. In two days, however, the Tushaiia also left for Barra, without giving me a single Indian, notwithstanding the promises and threats I had alternately employed.
