heir inaccuracies--gave the wrong boundary as the correct one! In any
case, both the States of Matto Grosso and Para were in actual occupation
of the respective disputed territories, and Goyaz was much too poor to
afford fighting for them, so that I fear her most unreasonable claims
will ever remain unsatisfied.

The final blow to the financial status of the Province was the loan
raised on the Banco do Brazil of Rs. 300,000,000 (L20,000 sterling) at an
interest of 7 per cent per annum. The Presidente counted on the receipts
from the exports as well as on economy in administration in order to pay
the interest on this sum--a dream which soon became impossible to
realize.

It was then attempted to float an internal loan of Rs. 200,000,000 (about
L13,334 sterling) at an interest of 6 per cent; but, as the Presidente
pathetically ended his message to the State Congress, "not a single
person presented himself to subscribe to the loan."

The receipts from the export of cattle from Goyaz State amounted in 1910
to only Rs. 171,901,000 (or L11,460 1_s._ 4_d._ sterling). After all
expenses were deducted the State of Goyaz then showed a deficit of Rs.
325,510,743 (L21,700 14_s._ 4_d_. sterling).

CHAPTER VIII

Fourteen Long and Weary Days--Disappointment--Criminals as
Followers

IT was in the town of Goyaz that I had entertained hopes of finding
suitable followers to accompany my expedition. The officials in Rio de
Janeiro had given me glowing accounts of the bravery of the people of
Goyaz. According to them those settlers of the interior were all
daredevils, courageous beyond words, and I should have no difficulty
whatever in finding plenty of men who, for a consideration, would join
the expedition.

"They will one and all come with you," a well-known Colonel had exclaimed
enthusiastically to me in Rio--"and they will fight like tigers."

I carried the strongest possible--although somewhat curiously
worded--credentials from the Federal Government to the Presidente and
other officials of Goyaz, the letters, which had been handed to me open,
stating that the Presidente was earnestly requested to do all in his
power to help to make the expedition a success. When I presented these
documents, I explained clearly to the Presidente that all I wished was
that he should help me to collect thirty plucky men, whom I would
naturally pay, and pay well, out of my own pocket, feed and clothe,
during the entire time th