Page:A narrative of travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro.djvu/239

 1 8s i. 3 KIDNAPPING THE INDIANS. Z07

together. The " negociantes " and authorities in Barra and Para, ask the traders among the Indians to procure a boy or girl for them, well knowing the only manner in which they can be obtained ; in fact, the Government in some degree authorise the practice. There is something to be said too in its favour, for the Indians make war on each other, — principally the natives of the margin of the river on those in the more distant igaripes, — for the sake of their weapons and ornaments, and for revenge of any injury, real or imaginary, and then kill all they can, reserving only some young girls for their wives. The hope of selling them to the traders, however, induces them to spare many who would otherwise be murdered. These are brought up to some degree of civilisation (though I much doubt if they are better or happier than in their native forests), and though at times ill-treated, they are free, and can leave their masters whenever they like, which, however, they seldom do when taken very young. Senhor L. had been requested by two parties at Barra — one the Delegarde de Policia — to furnish them each with an Indian girl, and as this man was an old hand at the business, he was now agreeing with him, furnish- ing him with powder and shot — for he had a gun — and giving him some goods, to pay other Indians for assisting him, and to do a little business at the same time if he had the opportunity. He was to return at the furthest in a fortnight, and we were to wait for him in Sao Jeronymo.

The Tushaua came to pay us a visit almost every day, to talk a little, and sometimes drink a cup of coffee. His wife and some of his daughters, who possessed a " sai'a," also often came, bringing us pacovas, mandiocca-cake, and other things, for which they always expected to be paid. We bought here a good number of stools and baskets, which cost five or six hooks each ; also fowls, parrots, trumpeters, and some other tame birds. When we first arrived, almost the whole body of the inhabitants came to visit us, requesting to see what we had brought to sell ; accordingly we spread out our whole stock of fish-hooks, knives, axes, mirrors, beads, arrow-heads, cottons and calicoes, which they handled and admired in unintelligible languages/for about two hours. It is necessary to make this ex- position in every village, as they will bring nothing to sell un- less they first know that you have what they want in exchange.

Two days after the dance we bade adieu to Jauarite, and by