After reaching the landing at Conceicão we assisted in drawing the huge canoe from the water upon rollers of wood, and thus taking it upon the beach beyond the ordinary rise of the water. Here lay quite a number of similar vessels of these people awaiting their further movements upon the water.
We brought down with us a supply of the palmetto, which is prepared by stripping off the outer layer, until the central tender and white stem alone remains. This is then chipped off from the end by a knife, and boiled or stewed with a little fresh meat, and seasoned with pepper and salt, making one of the best vegetables I have eaten in Brazil. The portion used is about a yard long, presenting a green exterior, and found at the top of the trunk of the palmetto, (a species of palm,) with the leaves spreading out at its upper extremity. There are the sweet and bitter, of which the latter is particularly good for the stomach.
Thursday, December 7, 1865.
It being understood that the cart was to be ready for us to start upon our return at six o’clock this morning, we rose and got a cup of coffee shortly after five o’clock a. m. But, on repairing to the cart, it was found that the mules were not even caught from the open common in which they had been grazing, and that it would be necessary to find them before they could be harnessed for the trip.
As Senor Ferreira did not make his appearance, we sent a messenger for him, and in the mean time, the head man of the trio who paddled the canoe up the river presented his account. He was informed that this would be settled, with any other claims which might be rendered, through Senor Urcezino Antonio Ferreira, for services received by our party during this trip.
Up to this time, we had no means of knowing our true relations to this personage, and were doubtful whether to consider ourselves the guests of a gentleman who had taken charge of us at the request of his friend the vicar at Santos, or were to regard this man as simply a business agent to procure what might be required on our account.
This question was summarily solved by the presentation of an account, by him, for all accommodations afforded us, as follows:
| Carriage from Santos to São Vincente | $4 00 |
| Passage in canoes from São Vincente | 2 00 |
| Eating breakfast at São Vincente | 2 00 |
| Lunch and porterage on the way | 3 00 |
| Boating up and down river | 5 00 |
| Eating at Conceicão | 5 00 |
| Transportation on the beach | 20 00 |
| $41 00[[24]] |
In addition to this, the servants at the house were paid two dollars and fifty cents for their attention; and thus it is hoped and believed that all obligations are cancelled to this Senor Urcezino Antonio Ferreira, of Conceicão.
It is proper to remark, that the cart and mules used for our transportation on the beach were the property of this individual, and that the turn out was kept for the purpose of making money out of the passengers on this route along the beach.