re were some
thirty of them. Then we should have to hunt for the animals in the
morning--a job which meant that one had to ride sometimes for miles to
track them and bring them all back to camp. This prospect, on top of the
work I had already in hand of writing, taking astronomical and
meteorological observations, photography, developing negatives, drawing,
collecting and classifying botanical and geological specimens, which
occupied all day and the greater part of the night, was a little too much
for me. But such was my joy at having got rid of my unpleasant companions
that I would have put up with any additional discomfort and inconvenience
in order to get on. Alcides behaved splendidly on that occasion.

June 8th and 9th were absolutely wasted. The relief from the mental
strain of constantly looking after--and being on my guard against--my
companions was great. They were days of great happiness to me.

On June 10th Alcides and I were making ready to depart, with all the
animals and baggage, when the four mutinous followers and Filippe the
negro--most penitent--begged to be re-employed. Under ordinary
circumstances I should certainly never have taken them back; but when one
was hundreds of miles from everywhere, and had no possible way of finding
a man, one had to be patient and make the best of what one could get. I
gave them another chance--principally in order to save what I could of my
baggage, most of which I was certain I should have had to abandon had I
proceeded alone with Alcides.

The Capim Branco river was situated between two undulating ridges of
lava.

I steered a course of 300 deg. bearings magnetic (N.W.), beginning a steep
climb at once through the thin forest of the plateau to the north. In
many places the mules slid and rolled down the precipitous slope of
igneous rock and marble debris, scattering the packs in every direction.
It was a wonder they were not killed. We urged the animals on, we pushed
and pulled them, we held them with all our might by the bridles when they
began to slide. After many narrow escapes we reached the summit--an
immense flat stretch of campos with stunted trees and delicious crisp
air--quite delightful after the stifling atmosphere of the Capim Branco
basin. The elevation above the sea level was 2,300 ft. On the summit of
the plateau was a deep stratum of red soil. Having marched across the
entire width of the plateau, we found, on descending on the opposite
side, anoth