These he was in the habit of hunting periodically, for the sake of their fat, which he converted into oil.

At the time of their arrival, he was on the eve of starting on a hunting expedition to the lake, which was about eight miles distant; so Barney and Martin determined to go and "see the fun," as the latter said.
"Martin, lad," remarked Barney, as they followed the Negro slave who had been sent by Senhor Antonio, the planter, to conduct them to the lake, while he remained behind for an hour or two to examine the bales of the old trader; "this is the quarest country, I believe, that iver was made; what with bastes, and varmints, and riptiles, and traes, and bushes, and rivers, it bates all creation." "Certainly it does, Barney; and it is a pity there are so few people in it who know how to make use of the things that are scattered all around them.

I'm inclined to think the hermit was right when he said that they wanted the Bible.

They are too far sunk in laziness and idleness to be raised up by anything else.

Just look," continued Martin, glancing round, "what a wonderful place this is! It seems as if all the birds and curious trees in Brazil had congregated here to meet us." "So't does," said Barney, stopping to gaze on the scene through which they were passing, with an expression of perplexity on his face, as if he found the sight rather too much even for _his_ comprehension.