CHAPTER XIII - EXCURSIONS BEYOND EGA

Summary

November 7th, 1856.—Embarked on the Upper Amazons steamer, the “ Tabatinga,” for an excursion to Tunantins, a small semi-Indian settlement, lying 240 miles beyond Ega. The “ Tabatinga ” is an iron boat of about 170 tons burthen, built at Rio de Janeiro, and fitted with engines of fifty-horse power. The saloon, with berths on each side for twenty passengers, is above deck, and open at both ends to admit a free current of air. The captain or “ commandante ” was a lieutenant in the Brazilian navy, a man of polished, sailor-like address, and a rigid disciplinarian; his name, Senhor Nunes Mello Cardozo. I was obliged, as usual, to take with me a stock of all articles of food, except meat and fish, for the time I intended to be absent (three months); and the luggage, including hammocks, cooking utensils, crockery, and so forth, formed fifteen large packages. One bundle consisted of a mosquito tent, an article I had not yet had occasion to use on the river, but which was indispensable in all excursions beyond Ega; every person, man, woman, and child,. requiring oneras without it existence would be scarcely possible. My tent was about eight feet long and five feet broad, and was made of coarse calico in an oblong shape, with sleeves at each end through which to pass the cords of a hammock.