of the river it was necessary, above all things, to have a clear
outlook.
This evening the dinner, which promised to be the last of this first
part of the voyage, was not served without a certain amount of
ceremony. Half the journey on the Amazon had been accomplished, and
the task was worthy of a jovial repast. It was fitting to drink to
the health of Amazones a few glasses of that generous liquor which
comes from the coasts of Oporto and Setubal. Besides, this was, in a
way, the betrothal dinner of Fragoso and the charming Lina–that of
Manoel and Minha had taken place at the fazenda of Iquitos several
weeks before. After the young master and mistress, it was the turn of
the faithful couple who were attached to them by so many bonds of
gratitude.
So Lina, who was to remain in the service of Minha, and Fragoso, who
was about to enter into that of Manoel Valdez, sat at the common
table, and even had the places of honor reserved for them.
Torres, naturally, was present at the dinner, which was worthy of the
larder and kitchen of the jangada.
The adventurer, seated opposite to Joam Garral, who was always
taciturn, listened to all that was said, but took no part in the
conversation. Benito quietly and attentively watched him. The eyes of
Torres, with a peculiar expression, constantly sought his father. One
would have called them the eyes of some wild beast trying to
fascinate his prey before he sprang on it.
Manoel talked mostly with Minha. Between whiles his eyes wandered to
Torres, but he acted his part more successfully than Benito in a
situation which, if it did not finish at Manaos, would certainly end
at Belem.
The dinner was jolly enough. Lina kept it going with her good humor,
Fragoso with his witty repartees.
The Padre Passanha looked gayly round on the little world he
cherished, and on the two young couples which his hands would shortly
bless in the waters of Para.
“Eat, padre,” said Benito, who joined in the general conversation;
“do honor to this betrothal dinner. You will want some strength to
celebrate both marriages at once!”
“Well, my dear boy,” replied Passanha, “seek out some lovely and
gentle girl who wishes you well, and you will see that I can marry
you at the same time!”
“Well answered, padre!” exclaimed Manoel. “Let us drink to the coming
marriage of Benito.”
“We must look out for some nice young lady at Belem,” said Minha. “He
should do what everybody else does.”
“To the wedding of Mr. Benito!” said Fragoso, “who ought to wish all
the world to marry him!”
“They are right, sir,” said Yaquita. “I also drink to your marriage,
and may you be as happy as Minha and Manoel, and as I and your father
have been!”
“As you always will be, it is to be hoped,” said Torres, drinking a
glass of port without having pledged anybody. “All here have their
happiness in their own hands.”
It was difficult to say, but this wish, coming from the adventurer,
left an unpleasant impression.
Manoel felt this, and wishing to destroy its effect, “Look here,
padre,” said he, “while we are on this subject, are there not any
more couples to betroth on the raft?”
“I do not know,” answered Padre Passanha, “unless Torres–you are not
married, I believe?”
“No; I am, and always shall be, a bachelor.”
Benito and Manoel thought that while thus speaking Torres looked
toward Minha.
“And what should prevent you marrying?” replied Padre Passanha; “at
Belem you could find a wife whose age would suit yours, and it would
be possible perhaps for you to settle in that town. That would be
better than this wandering life, of which, up to the present, you
have not made so very much.”
“You are right, padre,” answered Torres; “I do not say no. Besides
the example is contagious. Seeing all these young couples gives me
rather a longing for marriage. But I am quite a stranger in Belem,
and, for certain reasons, that would make my settlement more
difficult.”
“Where do you come from, then?” asked Fragoso, who always had the