The Kalapalo village was still in front of them. About three o’clock in the afternoon, as the canoes rounded a bend in the river, the men saw smoke hanging heavily over the water, the sign of an encampment. Just then several naked Indians appeared on the shore. As soon as the men beached the canoes, the Kalapalos put their arms around them, held their hands, and spoke kindly.
They brought large beijus (a primitive type of bread made from grated manioc root), which the hungry men devoured. They were here making a forest clearing for the purpose of planting corn and cassava, their two staple foods. They crouched on the ground to hear Harry and Harold play their instruments. They listened to hymns on the phonograph, nodding their heads in approval. They examined the photographs of the men’s families. It was a joyous experience for the missionaries after the
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