The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

Camaradas was the term for the Brazilian soldiers in the expedition or the non-officers under Rondon’s charge. They performed herculean tasks, transporting boats and supplies over difficult terrain, thereby enabling the expedition to succeed. Given the conditions, mutiny would not have been surprising. However, these men were loyal to Rondon and liked Roosevelt, and never complained about the work.

Palmito, or hearts of palm, came from the inner core of small palm trees (234). Although it was bland and had few nutrients, the men ate it to stave off hunger pains. Their willingness to do so attested to their lack of food and the difficulty of finding food in the jungle.

Founded by Auguste Comte, positivism embraced scientific knowledge and facts over mysticism and faith, putting “trust in the inevitable pull of progress” (76). Rondon was a member of Brazil’s Positivist movement and believed that order and progress should come for all Brazilians, including the Indigenous peoples. He was a strong advocate of The Importance of Racial Respect and Cooperation with Indigenous groups and refused to allow his men to harm Indigenous people even in self-defense.