Roosevelt and the River of Doubt

          Teddy Roosevelt had lost the 1912 election. One year later he was invited to Brazil by his son Kermit. When he arrived in Brazil the minister of foreign affairs had asked him if he wanted to explore the Rio de Duvida-River of Doubt. Roosevelt's crew consisted of his 24-year-old son Kermit, Colonel Rondon, a naturalist sent by the American Museum of Natural History, Brazilian Lieutenant Joao Lyra, team physician Dr. Cajazeira, and 16 highly skilled camaradas. They were travelling to the banks of the river. Roosevelt was bit by a poisonous coral snake and they were all attacked by natives. The natives had most likely been following them for a while but attacked Colonel Rondon while he was hunting alone and killed his dog. Rondon had said, "Die if you must, but never kill". They left gifts and that probably prevented a massacre. The first death was on March 15 when a camaradas drowned while he was trying to save Kermit's overturned canoe. They finished mapping the 1,000 mile tributary and came back with a nice collection for the American Museum of Natural History.