Page:The naturalist on the River Amazons 1863 v1.djvu/343

 the Aráras was provoked by a trader from Barra, who wantonly fired into a family of them, killing the parents, and carrying off their children to be employed as domestic servants.

We remained nine days at the sitio of Senhor Joaō Trinidade. It is situated on a tract of high Ygapó land, which is raised, however, only a few inches above highwater mark. This skirts the northern shore for a long distance; the soil consisting of alluvium and rich vegetable mould, and exhibiting the most exuberant fertility. Such districts are the first to be settled on in this country, and the whole coast for many miles was dotted with pleasant-looking sitios like that of our friend. The establishment was a large one, the house and outbuildings covering a large space of ground. The industrious proprietor seemed to be Jack-of-all-trades; he was planter, trader, fisherman, and canoe-builder, and a large igarité was now on the stocks under a large shed. There was greater pleasure in contemplating this prosperous farm from its being worked almost entirely by free labour; in fact, by one family, and its dependents. Joaō Trinidade had only one female slave; his other workpeople were a brother and sister-in-law, two godsons, a free negro, one or two Indians, and a family of Muras. Both he and his wife were mamelucos; the negro children called them always father and mother. The order, abundance, and comfort about the place, showed what industry and good management could effect in this country without slave-labour. But the surplus produce of such small plantations is very trifling.