Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-19

see that all weapons are put out of
harms way. Thus the revolvers and
other arms which Bob habitually dis
played were taken from him, as were
the rifles that happened to be lying
about in full view. Bussey was ac-
costed by one of the band and told to
hand over his AS Colt. He was not
very brisk in complying, and while
he hesitated the man produced an
enormous knife, sharp as razor.
Jol<ingly telling Bussey how handy
such knife was for chopping up to-
bacco or Sitting cigarette papers
Bussey's knowledge of Portuguese
was slight. but he grasped the idea
that Sitting up cigarette papers was
only one of the many uses to which
such weapon could be put. He
passed over his revolver without
delay.
Our mules We're the next to go:
one by one we saw them lassoed and
aaddled with saddles that were not
ours. Capt. Miranda explained that
he was extremely sorry to do this,
but that his men were extremely in
need OF fresh animals. He also re-
GREETED that his men had helped them
selves to other things, but again he
the men were very much out of hand
and were getting worse day by day.
Serious as the situation was. it had
its amusing side. The rebel chief was
greatly interested in our journey and
asked us to tell him about it. After
listening carefully to the details he
called one of his men over and or.
dered him to return the arms and
ammunition that had been taken from
us. With a curious smile he made
the laconic statement that we needed
weapons in our business just as much
as his own men did in theirs. With
regard to the pack animals, the best
he could do was to help us recover
from the federal government. Pro
ducing pencil and paper, he proceeded
to write a requisition on the Brazilian
authorities for the animals taken
from us In. pursuance of his duties.
AS some tangible proof of his friendly
feelings, he gave us the WORKOUT
animals his men had discarded.
His best act was to allow us to
take a supply of food to the starving
people on the military telegraph line
that spans the wilderness Of Matte
Crosse. This food had been lying in
Tapirapoan for six months, but owing
in Sac LUZ no steps had been taken
to forward it. Needing our represen-
tations. the rebels did not touch the
food. but allowed us to transport it
to Utiariti.
Little did Capt Miranda realize
that in doing these things he was
saving his own neck from the hang
mans moose a few weeks later. Be
fore the bandits left us / ranged
them up before the motion picture
camara and found them not at all
averse to appearing on the screen.
They considered it form of high
class publicity. LET them see in
Rio what brave fellows we are"
they exclaimed. "And you can tell
the government that we don't care
two cents for their miserable army"
SO saying, they pranced about on
their animals and flashed their re-
volvers in the sun.
The show was over Miranda and
his men had worked fast. Having
taken what they wanted, they lost
no time in getting away. Down the
trail they galloped on our spirited
mules, past the corral and out into
the open, while we stood staring at
the cloud of dust i'm which they dis
appeared. They are pretty tough
bunch" said Bussey with a sigh OF
relief.
TT looked as if the River of Doubt
expedition had reached n turning
point in its career. Our mules were
gone and our stores depleted. The
very breath was Knocked out Of us.
The wisdom Of carrying on seemed
dubious. 1t was had enough to travel