ars. For some hundred miles we had the green
forest alone in sight on either side, and here and there long extending
sand-banks, in which turtles are wont to lay their eggs. As we passed
near the shore, vast numbers of wild fowl were seen on the banks, while
the river swarmed with living creatures. Dolphins came swimming by,
showing their heads above the surface, again to plunge down as they
advanced up the stream. Now and then we caught sight of a huge manatee,
and we saw alligators everywhere basking on the shores or showing their
ugly snouts above the surface. At length a high, flat-topped range of
hills appeared on our left hand--the spurs, I believe, of the mountains
of Guiana. The river was now for some distance fully ten miles in
width; so wide, indeed, that it looked more like an inland sea or the
ocean itself than a fresh-water stream. At length we entered one end of
the Tajapuru, which is a curious natural canal, extending for one
hundred miles or more from the main stream towards the city of Para. It
is of great depth in some places, and one hundred yards in width; but in
others so narrow that the topmost boughs of the trees almost met over
our heads. Often as we sailed along we were hemmed in by two green
walls, eighty feet in height, which made it seem as if we were sailing
through a deep gorge. Emerging from it, we entered the Para river, and
sailing on, were soon in a magnificent sea-like expanse, the only shore
visible being that of the island of Marajo, presenting a narrow blue
line far away on our left. We passed a number of curious boats and
rafts of various shapes and rigs, bringing produce from the villages and
farms scattered along the banks of the many vast rivers which pour their
waters into the Atlantic. Still, all this time, we were navigating
merely one of the branches of the mighty Amazon; for, though we had long
felt the influence of the tide, yet the water, even when it was flowing,
was but slightly brackish.

At length, entering the sheltered bay of Goajara, we, with thankful
hearts, saw the city of Para stretching out before us along the shore,
and our vessel was soon moored in safety alongside the quay. Houlston
and Tony hurried off to their friends, who came down to welcome us and
take us to their house. In most places we should have attracted no
small amount of curiosity as we proceeded through the streets. Each of
the ladies, as well as Maria and the Indian girl, with tw