We rode over many domes of an elevation of 2,550 ft., and then over some
that were smaller in diameter but of greater height. In the depressions
between we invariably found rows of _burity_ palms amidst other
vegetation, and the characteristic heavily foliaged trees.

We encamped near a delicious spring of water on the very summit of a
dome. The water emerged from a circular hole and was warm--so much so
that the next morning, when my Fahrenheit thermometer registered an
atmospheric temperature of 50 deg., steam rose from the water of the spring.
Around the spring a curious conical mound of white finely powdered matter
resembling kaolin had formed. This appeared to me to have formerly been a
small geyser. The cone was broken on one side and the water did not come
out with great force. A few yards down the slope of the dome another
similar white cone was to be seen, with a great mass of granular
ash-pellets and tufa, such as are commonly found near geysers or thermal
springs. We called that camp Cayambola.

On the night of June 12th the minimum temperature was 50 deg. Fahr., the
elevation 2,430 ft. The sky was somewhat clouded, the clouds occupying
four-tenths of the heavens. At sunrise we observed radiations in the
sky--this time, curiously enough, from north-east to south-west, instead
of from east to west. The longest and highest semicircle above us was in
double filaments, and resembled an immense fish-bone.

We were supposed to be then in a country infested by cannibal
Indians--swarms of them. My men were quite amusing in their fears. Four
of them were troublesome and insisted on the whole expedition turning
back in order to see them safely out of danger. I remembered on those
occasions an old Italian proverb which said that to "women, lunatics, and
children" the wisest thing is always to say "Yes."

So when they threatened all kinds of things if we did not return I
generally answered that we would continue a little farther, then we would
see; and from day to day this went on, making forced marches forward all
the time--generally of from 30 to 42 kil. daily. The dissatisfaction
among my men grew, nevertheless, considerable, and a constant watch had
to be kept over them. Alcides and Filippe the negro showed great courage,
and, whatever other failings they may have had, they invariably displayed
extraordinary bravery from beginning to end.

Alcides' principal faults were his great wastefulness and violent temper