The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-06-29
Written for The Prison Mirror.
PART w.

PART w.
The captain, during his stay in Para,
picked up a very capable fellow as
pilot. guide and interpreter. This man
was thoroughly familiar with the
Amazon and many of its tributaries.
He also had an extensive acquaintance
with the Indians about the headwaters
of the river. Antonio was a valuable
addition to the expedition; in fact sue
cess depended much upon securing a
man of this description, for without a
pilot and interpreter but little headway
could be made.
The Privateers were now in high
spirits. Few doubts existed that they
would make big success of the vent
ure. Rubber first grade) was being
quoted at this time at 1900 reis, which,
computed in American money, was
about $l.08 per pound, depending as a
matter of course, on the rate of foreign
exchange. The market was bullish and
the price was steadily going up.
The fact that Brazil collects an ex.
port duty of 25 cents per pound on all
rubber shipped out of the country, had,
for a time, the effect of lessening some.
what the ardor of these novices in the
rubber business. Bill declared such a
duty was downright robbery. Jim was
equally forcible in expressing himself,
and Bob said he would never consent
to pay it. The latter argued that hav-
ing already paid an import duty Oh the
value represented in the cargo of the
Flying Spray, it would be equivalent
to paying duty second time, if tax
were levied on the value, for which the
original cargo was exchanged This
argument had the effect, at least, of
putting at rest any conscientious
scruples that might have been held on
the subject. 1t was then agreed to
evade, if possible, the payment of the
export duty; but how to accomplish
this, was left for future events to dis.
cover.
After laying in plentiful supply of
provisions and tropical wearing ap.
parel, the Flying Spray, on the morning
of N November 10th, made sail and started
on her $500 mile voyage into the in
terror of the southern continent.
The run up the Para River to it's
junction with the Amazon, distance
of 300 miles, is through thatportion Of
Brazil known as the delta of the Anna.
zon. Lying almost Immediately under
the equator and watered by copious
rains, this region produces a growth of
tropical vegetation to be found nowhere
else. The natural fertility of the soil
has been added to by deposits, that the
ages have brought down from the up.
per rivers. The soil is here, in many
places, over 100 feet in depth. From
this rich store-hOuse of fertility the
magnificent forests take their unfailing
supply of nourishment. These splendid
forests, that creep down to the waters
edge, are interlaced and intertwined
with great vines and parasites, that
make travel through these jungles al
most impossible. Such roads as do
exist, are but the paths that for centur-
les have served wild beasts and wild
men. The L. A. w. would here find a
herculean task to perform. At some
future time, perhaps, wheelmen may
have established cinder, paths across
the island of Marajo and along the
banks of the Amazon.
The palm here flourishes in all the
splendor of its tropical glory; not one
species of palm, but many varieties,
some of which the intelligent Antonio
pointed out, giving their names. Among
the most noteworthy of these were the
cocoa, the cabbage, the fan. shaped, the
assai and the always present royal
palm. The tree fern grows here to