numerous eddies and shallow water, owing
to the great width of the river. Innumerable mounds of gravel rose in the
centre of the stream up to a few inches below the water level.

Another hill range, 100 ft. high, met that day was crescent-shaped, the
arc of a circle thus described being from south-east by east to
north-east.

The hill range on the north-east side of us was eroded, exposing a red
vertical wall 60 ft. high. A small river 2 m. wide coming from the east
entered the Arinos on the right bank.

For 3,500 m. from that point the stream had an average width of 250 m.,
and was really magnificent with the wonderful cleanliness of the
water--not the slightest impurity, not a speck of wood or a leaf floating
upon its surface.

Fourteen kilometres of heavenly navigation--barring X's language and the
comments of his companions--and we came to an ideal triangular island,
1,200 m. long, 200 m. wide at its broadest point, with the usual
extensive gravel spit at its southern end--Victor Emmanuel Island. The
vegetation upon it was too gorgeous for words, but there was no animal
life except insects.

Four kilometres farther a basin 300 m. in diameter and from 1 to 6 ft.
deep was crossed, in which a strong _corrideira_ was met. The navigable
channel was in the centre of the basin. A stream 10 m. wide, of most
beautiful crystalline water, which had its origin from the south-west,
threw itself into the Arinos on the left side, some 2,000 m. below the
basin.

From this point for 8 kil. the river flowed with a slight deviation of
10 deg. in a northerly direction. The left bank of the river was now quite
open, with patches of _chapada_ and somewhat taller but still stunted
vegetation beyond; a thin row of tall trees lined the river side. On the
right bank was luxuriant forest, and again plenty of beautiful rubber
trees. Two islets of gravel were next seen.

We were experiencing great difficulty in getting suitable camping places
at the right time when we needed them. By 4.30, having come across a spot
which seemed suitable, we halted, having gone that day 85 kil. 700 m.

CHAPTER VI

The _Tapirus Americanus_--Striking Scenery--The _Mate_
Tree--Photography in Camp--Brazilian Way of Reasoning--A New
Christopher Columbus--The Selection of our Camps--Beautiful
Fruit--A Large Tributary

WE were still at an elevation of 1,100 ft. The water was almost stagnant,
and was evidently being held up by s