Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-02
BY G. M. DYOTT.

The only response to my appeal for
volunteers to accompany me on Col.
Fawcett's trail was the one word,
"Suyas." AS he pronounced 1t. Anau-
qua would hit the back of his head with
the edge Of his f1attened hand and make
a hideous grimace. We knew enough of
the Suyas Indians and their ways to
interpret the meaning Of these gestures.
The SuyaS were a warlike tribe, who,
under guise of friendliness, approach
stranger and at the first opportune mo-
ment hit him over the back of the head.
I was not surprised to run up against
such opposition. 1t is always difficult
to find Indians willing to travel into
hostile territory. spoke to Joao CHM
AGO on the subject, but he had little
sympathy with the move because it in
volved not only risk but hard work,
which was not to his liking.
Before we left got Aloique and Ca
buzala together and explained that re-
quired four or five men to accompany
me to the Kuluene and that presents
would be forthcoming for those who
went
How to Deal With Indians.
In dealing with these Indians one
always works through the chief Of a
household. You state your wishes and
offer knives, etc, as presents. Then
some young men of his family, who in
turn must receive further gifts when
their work Is completed.
There Is no guarantee after you have
made the first distribution of presents
that the man appointed to the task will
come. At the last moment they may
fail you. Other men have then to be
procured and more presents handed out.
Altogether 1t Is most unsatisfactory
way of doing business, but there Is no
alternative.
Considerable skill Is required to bring
about deals of this kind On this occa-
sion we distributed few small pres
ents to the chiefs Of the two house.
holds from whom we expected to get
men. This was to induce a more
friendly atmosphere and was followed
by request that the chiefs come to
our encampment to discuss the matter
further.
The afternoon was now well ad-
vanced and 1t was time to be going.
AL our gear had been collected ready
to start back and we were about to
leave when an Indian hurried up to us
carrying in his outstretched hands a
large gourd full Of farinha. Tact COM
PEELED US to accept the gift, although
prohered with motive. He was fol-
lowed by second and third and Sc
on until men, women and children
alike were bringing us handfuls Of 1t.
Presents Prove Costly.
A sack was produced and within ten
minutes we found ourselves with some
IS pounds Of 1t. At the best Of times
we had little use for this gritty sub
Stance, but our real concern was that
each donor expected a knife or ak in
return for the small quantity he had
given us. In other words, that sack OF
farinha would cost us at least four
dozen valuable knives.
We persuaded an Indian to carry the
stuff back to camp and made a start
for home before any more presents
could be forced upon us. With invita-,
ton to Aloique and CabuZala to follow
we said good-by to our friends and
got under way.
To our CONSERVATION the entire vii.
lage followed at our heels. with the OBJ.
vious intention Of spending the night
out, for each had his hammock rolled
up and slung over his shoulder. My
heart sank at the thought. There was
to be no peace for us, that was evident
and how was to dispatch all our cargo
down the Kuluseu when surrounded by
so many inquisitive eyes?
had planned to send the major
portion of my expedition down the
Kuluseu to where it was joined by the
Kuluene. Here they would camp and
wait for me while did little scout