[28]. This embrace consists in passing the arms round each other, much in the same manner that is observed when two boys are about to engage in wrestling, and is resorted to very generally among Brazilian gentlemen, to express a particular regard upon meeting or parting with each other.
[29]. In addition to the other remarkable things, two very large cobras were encountered and killed by one of my attendants. This is a most venomous serpent, and resembles very much the rattle-snake in its shape and color. These were found close together, and were supposed to be male and female. Each was lying quietly upon a separate stump of a large tree, and seemed to bask in the warm sun without any sense of danger.
“They are so unacquainted with man,
Their tameness is shocking to me.”
Upon seeing the first this man alighted and cut a stick, walking up deliberately, so as to strike a deadly blow, without any movement on the part of the snake.
He had remounted when the other was observed, and the same process was repeated with it as the first. Both were wide awake, and kept their sly wicked gaze fixed upon their slayer as he advanced, ready to destroy him if he had afforded the opportunity.
With the exception of a small specimen, about a foot and a half long, killed near the Jacaré river, these are the only cobras seen during the tour, and they are unusually large, being three feet long, with a thickness such as a rattle-snake of similar length would have. The bite of one of these serpents, without a prompt remedy on hand, is considered certainly fatal to man or beast, but fortunately they do not seem to be numerous in any part visited.
[30]. The only means of cleaning the cotton used at this place are sundry little hand-rollers, worked by little darkies, which cannot average over two pounds each to the day.
The spirit of enterprise is sadly deficient along this river, though the communication of the steamboat could place any thing at their doors that might be desired.
[31]. A considerable lot of cotton gathered from these stalks lies in the seed at the residence, and does not give evidence of nice handling, but the fibre is good. Even with the spirit of progress which Senor Miguel manifests in his appliances generally, the little hand-roller is his only reliance for picking cotton, and hence this seed cotton remains on hand.