Benito.

In an instant Manoel and Fragoso had hurried up to them. It might have
been supposed that in Benito's state of excitement he would be unable to
restrain himself when he found himself once again in the presence of the
adventurer. It was not so.

As soon as the young man saw himself face to face with Torres, and was
certain that he could not escape, a complete change took place in
his manner, his coolness returned, and he became once more master of
himself.

The two men looked at one another for a few moments without a word.

Torres first broke silence, and, in the impudent tone habitual to him,
remarked:

"Ah! How goes it, Mr. Benito Garral?"

"No, Benito Dacosta!" answered the young man.

"Quite so," continued Torres. "Mr. Benito Dacosta, accompanied by Mr.
Manoel Valdez and my friend Fragoso!"

At the irritating qualification thus accorded him by the adventurer,
Fragoso, who was by no means loath to do him some damage, was about to
rush to the attack, when Benito, quite unmoved, held him back.

"What is the matter with you, my lad?" exclaimed Torres, retreating for
a few steps. "I think I had better put myself on guard."

And as he spoke he drew from beneath his poncho his manchetta, the
weapon, adapted at will for offense or defense, which a Brazilian is
never without. And then, slightly stooping, and planted firmly on his
feet, he waited for what was to follow.

"I have come to look for you, Torres," said Benito, who had not stirred
in the least at this threatening attitude.

"To look for me?" answered the adventurer. "It is not very difficult to
find me. And why have you come to look for me?"

"To know from your own lips what you appear to know of the past life of
my father."

"Really?"

"Yes. I want to know how you recognized him, why you were prowling about
our fazenda in the forest of Iquitos, and why you were waiting for us at
Tabatinga."

"Well! it seems to me nothing could be clearer!" answered Torres, with
a grin. "I was waiting to get a passage on the jangada, and I went on
board with the intention of making him a very simple proposition--which
possibly he was wrong in rejecting."

At these words Manoel could stand it no longer. With pale face and eye
of fire he strode up to Torres.

Benito, wishing to exhaust every means of conciliation, thrust himself
between them.

"Calm yourself, Manoel!" he said. "I am calm--even I."

And then continuing:

"Quite so, Torres; I know