it was you who, in the forest of Iquitos, got into difficulties with a
guariba?"

"Quite true, gentlemen," replied Torres. "For six weeks I have been
traveling down the Amazon, and I have just crossed the frontier at the
same time as you have."

"Very pleased to see you again," said Benito; "but you have not
forgotten that you promised to come to the fazenda to my father?"

"I have not forgotten it," answered Torres.

"And you would have done better to have accepted my offer; it would have
allowed you to have waited for our departure, rested from you fatigues,
and descended with us to the frontier; so many days of walking saved."

"To be sure!" answered Torres.

"Our compatriot is not going to stop at the frontier," said Fragoso, "he
is going on to Manaos."

"Well, then," replied Benito, "if you will come on board the jangada you
will be well received, and I am sure my father will give you a passage."

"Willingly," said Torres; "and you will allow me to thank you in
advance."

Manoel took no part in the conversation; he let Benito make the offer
of his services, and attentively watched Torres, whose face he scarcely
remembered. There was an entire want of frankness in the eyes, whose
look changed unceasingly, as if he was afraid to fix them anywhere.
But Manoel kept this impression to himself, not wishing to injure a
compatriot whom they were about to oblige.

"Gentlemen," said Torres, "if you like, I am ready to follow you to the
landing-place."

"Come, then," answered Benito.

A quarter of an hour afterward Torres was on board the jangada. Benito
introduced him to Joam Garral, acquainting him with the circumstances
under which they had previously met him, and asked him to give him a
passage down to Manaos.

"I am happy, sir, to be able to oblige you," replied Joam.

"Thank you," said Torres, who at the moment of putting forth his hand
kept it back in spite of himself.

"We shall be off at daybreak to-morrow," added Joam Garral, "so you had
better get your things on board."

"Oh, that will not take me long!" answered Torres; "there is only myself
and nothing else!"

"Make yourself at home," said Joam Garral.

That evening Torres took possession of a cabin near to that of the
barber. It was not till eight o'clock that the latter returned to
the raft, and gave the young mulatto an account of his exploits, and
repeated, with no little vanity, that the renown of the illustrious
Fragoso was increasi