Chapter II: Introduction

PROBABLY the most important of the South American republics, Brazil has now won for herself world recognition and esteem. Though Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama made formal declarations of war against the German Empire, Brazil alone was able to offer material service. Each brave ally offered her all to the cause of freedom, from the great navy and army, the brains, brawn, and resources of the British Empire, to the little army of three hundred men from the tiny principality of thirty-eight square miles, San Marino. Brazil's offering was her splendid navy, which did signal patrol service and was a valued reserve.

We can be certain that two great nations, large and small brothers of the Western Hemisphere, the United States and Brazil, brought together in the fellowship of such a great cause, will ever show their mutual admiration, and keep bright their friendship.

Preface

OUR Little Brazilian Cousin lives in a land not so well known as the countries of Europe and Asia, but one of great natural beauty and charm.

Through it flows the greatest river of the world, the Amazon, whose banks are covered with rich tropical vegetation, most beautiful to behold. Its forests are full of birds of brilliant plumage and strange animals, while the Indians, who were once the only people here, are not yet all civilized.

The Little Brazilian Cousins are nearly all descended from the Portuguese who came to this land, and made it their own, before it finally became a republic like the United States. They built many great cities, and have cultivated the country so that now it is becoming rich and powerful.

With such a beautiful home, and with such advantages, our Little Brazilian Cousin will soon become one of the most important of all the little cousins, as he is now one of the most picturesque and interesting.

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE
I. A QUIET SIESTA 1
II. IN THE FOREST 11
III. A TROPICAL STORM 20
IV. ALONG THE AMAZON 33
V. A VISIT TO GRANDMAMMA'S 44
VI. EN ROUTE TO RIO 52
VII. IN THE CAPITAL 66
VIII. A GALA DAY IN RIO 78
IX. THE COFFEE PLANTATION 91
X. A TREAT IN PROSPECT 101
XI. THE FALLS OF IGUAZU 111
XII. GUACHA 122

List of Illustrations

PAGE
"HE THREW HIMSELF DOWN UPON THE GRASS" (_See page 4_)
_Frontispiece_

"HE PLACED HIMSELF ON A RAFT AND WAS ROWED TO THE
MIDDLE OF THE GREAT RIVER" 27

"THIS HE KEPT UP UNTIL THE PADDLE HAD A THICK
COATING OF RUBBER" 38

"THE FAZENDA OF THE SENHOR DIAS STOOD UPON A HILL
OVERLOOKING THE AMAZON" 44

"THE CHILDREN SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME THE HARBOUR OF
RIO DE JANEIRO" 66

"'I MUST NOT BE SILLY AND CRY,' SHE SAID TO HERSELF" 116

Our Little Brazilian Cousin