Explorers and Missions of Brazil's Wild West: Part 3

In 1922 Albert Maxwell set out following the advice of Marechal Rondon in search of a place for his mission.  He and a colleague made contact with the Kadiweu, Terena, Bororo, Paracis and Nhambiquara tribes in Mato Grosso. All went well until Maxwell decided to visit Bolivia.  The tales of cannibal tribes across the border were too much for his companion, and he left Maxwell to go on alone.
Leaving his horse in Vilhena and continuing by canoe, Maxwell was welcomed by the Tupi Indians. He became very sick with malaria and expected to die there among the Tupi. The only way out was by horse and Maxwell was too weak to stay in the saddle.  His savior turned out to be a black man without a name, probably a descendant of slaves and brought up by a local tribe.

This man agreed to take Maxwell by canoe down a mystery river whose existence was known only to him.  He proceeded to tie Maxwell to his saddle, ride through the jungle to the headwaters of this river, carve a canoe and float him northwards towards the great Amazon River.
They passed by several abandoned settlements of rubber tappers.  In one they found rum for 'Blackie' and quinine for Maxwell. The medicine kept him from dying on the trip.  Most of it was spent in the canoe because they were afraid of what might be at the water's edge.
The dangers were real as they learned from two men they met on the river. These men were too scared to return down the river because they knew of group of warriors waiting to ambush and kill them.  They joined forces and Maxwell suggested they trust God and let the boat drift down the river. The boat took itself to the bank furthest from the waiting tribesmen and although they attacked, the arrows couldn't reach them.

Maxwell finally reached a settlement after 42 days on the river.  From there he was taken down the Amazon and to the coast of Brazil.  As far as I know there is no written record of Albert Maxwell and 'Blackie' being the first explorers to find and navigate the length of that uncharted river. Although it was Maxwell's spirit of adventure and courage that brought them to that spot, it was a humble nameless man and God who saw them through.