My old camarada having me now in his power, informed me that it would be necessary to take one more horse than was expected in his arrangement with Mr. Bennaton, and that instead of going for ten dollars as he had agreed, that he must have seventeen dollars and fifty cents. Upon my objecting he then named fifteen dollars, saying that he would have to take provisions for us and the animals; and, under all the circumstances, I acceded to this proposition, as it is the exact amount supplied by Mr. Bennaton for expenses.
Wednesday, January 3, 1866.
I brought out my blanket and pillow last night to facilitate the preparations of mine host for my night’s rest; and a rude bedstead with cords of the sipo vine, over which were some matting, a horse-blanket, and a sheet, gave promise of comfort. But the numerous fleas beset me so that I was induced to strip off shirt and drawers and wrap up in the blanket to protect myself against them. Getting once clear of these pests, and having the woollen blanket next my person, it was impracticable for them to make an entrance, as their legs get tangled in the wool so as prevent jumping, or even crawling to any considerable extent.
It is somewhat remarkable that no bedbugs or chinches have been seen in this country, and it is fortunate for the lower classes (who are so filthy) that this insect does not propagate here to any large extent.
I am sitting upon my trunk writing, while the corn is being shelled and other arrangements are progressing for our outfit. My two tin-plates, and knife and fork, have been brought forth for use here, and upon the voyage. I gave my friends at Paranapanema upon separating a can of tomatoes, and one of partridge, reserving two cans of tomatoes and one of mutton for this trip; and, from the present aspect of affairs, they are likely to be in urgent demand, as supplies are scarce.
One of the men working on this place has shot a large monkey, and these people tell me that these ugly animals are frequently eaten here, but I hope it will not be served up for our trip.
One of the advantages I hoped to derive in being separated entirely from those speaking English was improvement in the use of the Portuguese language, but these caipiras have such a bad pronunciation that I have considerably greater difficulty in communicating with them than with educated Brazilians, and there is not much encouragement to learn any of the language from them, so that I will talk no more than is needed.
After a great trial to my patience, we started at noon, and I found the son was to accompany the old man as my escort for the voyage. Making a halt at the son’s house, I found a cucumber lying on the table, and getting some salt, it was enjoyed very much. This is a new place, as is also that of the wife’s family near by, and there are a number of new shanties through this obscure tract of country, which have been built as retreats for those getting out of the way of recruiting officers. I witnessed the modus operandi of dodging the issue this morning, in the movements of a man and his wife.
She was mounted astride of one horse, and sundry supplies of eatables were packed in panniers upon another tackey, while the man went afoot with his gun. Upon inquiry as to their destination, the only answer was, that they were going into the forest to sojourn for a time.
The country passed through to-day was for the most part hilly and very poor, having the native pine in great number and of large size, which here, as its namesake with us, is an indication generally of thin soil. The wood of this is more like the soft white pine, and not much used.