\ UniTto ■•... . I c- "XIqw^X -v_^,i:^«*ii^^.^\ i/_ ^^ 7^^^ bJ^V\^\!JVVt- i^ IVvL-^-^XVLV. e ^ ON THE AMAZON. Three Vassar Girls In South America. A HOLIDAY TRIP OF THREE COLLEGE GIRLS THROUGH THE SOUTHERN CONTINENT, UP THE AMAZON, DOWN THE MADEIRA, ACROSS THE ANDES, AND UP THE PACIFIC COAST TO PANAMA. BY LIZZIE W. C H A M P N E Y. ILLUSTRATED BY "CHAMP" AND OTHERS. BOSTON: ESTES AND LAURIAT, PUBLISHERS, 301-305 Washington Stkbet. 1885. Copyright, 1884, By Estes and Lauriat- A^l Riirfi/s Reserved. PREFACE. The author would acknowledge her obligation for much of the data used as background to this story to Mr. Herbert Smith, author of " Brazil, the Amazons, and the Coast," and to the letters and lecture of her husband, as well as to the published books of Professors Orton, and Ilartt, and INIrs. Agassiz, to the reports ot Lieutenants Herndon and Gibbon, and to other standard works. The admirable illustrations, by Mr. Franz Keller, which form a prominent feature of the book, are reproduced from his excellent work, "The Amazon and Tsladeira Rivers." l. w. r. 15KAZ1L SAUDADE DE PALMEIRAS. Aqui, scntada na musgosa pedra, onde aurea parasita crescc c mcdra, es que^o-me a scismar, e contemplo cm silencio os altos montes que se estendem sem fim nos horizontcs : vagas d'un grande mar. Quern podera isolar-se no teu seio 6 doce solidao, trazendo cheio de amor o cora^ao, e meditando a sombra das palmeiras escutar o bramir das cacboeiras perder-se na amplidao. Adelixa Amelia Lopes Vieira. C O N T E N T S. I. The Start II. The Voyage III. Para .... IV. A Palmer's Pilgrimage V. Near to Nature's Heart VI. The Fazenda da Silva VII. Queer Fish VIII. On the Trail . IX. A Jaguar Hunt X. Victoria Regia XI. The Madeira Trouble XII. Help .... XIII. The Delectable Mountains. — Cuzco XIV. In the Heart of a Volcano II 22 51 70 88 106 116 1 22 141 155 174 190 214 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Maud in her Studio . II Deligiit Holmes .... 13 Maud buying the Sketch-Box 15 Protessor Hohnes 16 \'ictoria 17 Good-By 18 Five Thousand Dollars Reward . 19 Brazilian Flag .... 20 Adieu 21 Heaving the Log 23 Maud and the Doctor . 24 Senhor Silva .... 25 A Leaf from ALaud's Sketch-Book 27 The Photographer, Mr. Jenkins . 29 Diving for Coins .... 31 Birthplace of Josephine 3- Tlie Professor fishing for Sea-Weed 33 Maud and Senhor Silva passing the Light-Ship .... 35 Ascending the Para River 38 The Assai Stand. 40 Tropical Plants . 41 Indian Girl . 42 Carrying the Sick Child 43 Rocket Prayers . 47 The Temple of I sis . 53 Siphonia Elastica 57 A Rubber Settlement . 59 After a Lizard 62 ALanufacture of Rubber 63 .Maud's Sketch in the Rubber Swamp 65 Mr. Jenkins takes the Girls into Con- fidence 66 In Confidence 71 Mr. Jenkins's Opponent at Cards Old Crone spinning Indian Idea of an Eclipse . Indians singing Mass Child asleep in the Sliadow of Cross .... Senhor Palacios' \'alet Javary Palms Orchids .... Head of Swimming Tapir . The Cottage at the Fazenda Graciliano spearing Fish The Pirarucu Pedro returning from Fishing Indian Child's Hobby-Horse The Praise Priest Canoeing in a Submerged Forest Seeing them off . Pedro The Professor at Work A Giant of the Forest Jaguar fishing The Dried Leaves Animal . A Halt in the Forest . "A Ringing Shot pealed throng Air" .... The Senhor reads and disapprov Tiie Professor botanizing . Tropical Foliage . Macaws .... '■ I have had quite enough of man " . Victoria Regia Maud has a Suspicion th( the that PAGE 75 77 So 85 91 92 93 97 99 loi 107 108 III i'3 117 120 123 124 124 125 129 132 135 133 143 146 147 148 150 151 157 X ILL USTRA TIONS. Iheolino Cataract Laldeirao do Inferno . Moutlj of Liitreal River, Madeira Caripuna Indian luintinjj liark Canoe of Caripuna Indians Indian Dogs Mr. Jenkins reveals himself Tapuyo Indian River Craft Bolivian Merchant Kxaltacion . Sword- Dance '•(lol" Victoria exclaimet I'cru .... dates hewn in the Rock I'cak after Peak . rA>:E \U\ 165 167 1 63 169 »7i ■75 177 •79 18 1 185 188 191 •97 •99 Inca Huayna Ccapac . Inca Tupac Yupanqui Inca Yupanqui . Spanish Monastery Effigies The Farewell Tree The Apurimac Andean Peaks Pizarro on the Road to Cuzco Cliimborazo Cotopaxi Spanish America The Hacienda Mirandella Graciliano and the Letter 204, 2 07, PACE 202 -03 203 205 208 209 217 219 221 224 225 227 231 235 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. CHAPTER I. THE START. AUD stood in her tiny studio, high up under the chimes of Grace Church, while below her Broadway surged like a turbid, restless ri\er. Maud had worked here unremittingly all winter, but now her Easter orders were tilled, and the last lily-decorated banner had left her work-table. There were signs of spring in the parks, where the sod w'as green and the trees a blur with bursting leaf-buds; there were signs of spring, too, in the shop win- dows, furs having been packed away in cam- phor-gum, and suffocating feather trimmings replaced by crisp French flowers, and airy lawns and laces. The south wind blew softly, "Then longen folk to gon on pilgrimages." A great restlessness possessed Maud; her studio walls seemed to be closing in around her, and the migratory feeling which beats in the breast of the swallow woke in her heart, — she must go some- where. Her life had grown monotonous and narrow; she was hungry 12 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. for a glimpse of broader horizons. There was a modest little store before whose windows she always paused on her goings up and down Broad\va\-, a trunk store, with a tempting array of steamer-chairs, sole-leather and canvas-covered packing-cases displayed upon the sidewalk, antl tantalizingly suggestive bags and reticules, lunch-bas- kets and toilet-cases, wicker-co\'ered flasks, Russia-leather hand-bags, and other oil-skin or rubber-cased paraphernalia of a strictly business- like aspect, or daint}-, satin-lined luxuries, reminding one how easy the march of civilization had rendered journeys which were once full of hardship and privation. On this particular morning, Maud had even entered the store, and had inquired the price of a particularl}- neat sketch-box. Her Angers lingered enviously over the useful and ingenious space-saving appliances, and she put it from lier with a regretful sigh. Nearer home she had caught a glimpse, through a conservatory door, of rich tropical foliage, palms, tree-fans, and orange-trees, and memories of where she had last seen them in wild luxuriance came drifting thick upon her. ISIaud was lonely, too; her mother had taken her invalid husband abroad, and ]Maud had remained bravely at her post of duty, sending regularly the little drafts which purchased the rest needful to restore her father to vigor. Maud could not afford to take a vacation. If only some opportunity would present itself of combining travel and money-making! but nothing seemed at present more unlikely. She was not just the person for a companion to an invalid, or governess for unruly chil- dren. She thought of her two Arm friends, Cecilia, studying music in Germany, and Barbara, happily married in England, and she was not greatly to blame if a little feeling of envy crossed her usually contented and self-reliant spirit. She looked out of her studio win- dow straight up toward the sky, and she could see, far above the spire of Grace Church, a straggling flock of wild geese flying north. The long V line was broken, ibr they had come fiir and were wear}- of wing, and latterly their ranks had been thinned by the sportsman's THE START. 13 gun; but the leader kept bravely on, with his beak pointed due north, as thouirh he carried a loadstone in his breast instead of a heart. o Maud stretched her arms as though they were wings, — had she stood on tlie parapet just outside the window she might have leaped off, the feeling that she, too, must liy, was so strong within her. Just then a letter was slipped beneath her door. She looked at it for a moment without opening it. "If this letter contains any possible suggestion in the way of travel," she said, "I will accept it." Oddly enough this was just what the let- ter brought. It was from a Vassar friend. Delight Holmes, the daughter of a western professor. Maud remembered her as a shrinking little freshman, with light, tiuffy hair, and beseeching eyes, whom she had helped and be- friended in her own sen- ior year at college. How- ever, that was two years ago, and there had been time for Delight to blossom into more of self-reliance, and Maud opened her letter with a warm feelinof of interest. It read as follows: DELIGHT HOLMES. "Fossil-Leaves on the Paradise, Kansas. "Dearest Maud, — There is really not much use in my writing, for we shall soon be in New York, but I have a proposal to make, and I want you to be thinking it over. " Father has at last received the commission which he has so long desired, to make an expedition to the Amazon, and mother and I will accompany him to J. THREE V'ASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. South America. It will be the crowning work of father's life. His theories are already developed and his book half written ; he only needs personal obser- vation to correct mistakes and to add proof. It is very necessary that the book should be illustrated, and means have been provided for an artist to accompany the party. The compensation which father can offer, beyond travelling ex- penses, will only be five hundred dollars, and we shall be gone at least five months. I am ashamed to offer you so paltry a sum, but we know of no one else to ask. Will you come with us for the sake of friendship and the good time we will surely have together.^ We will sail from New York on W'ednesday, the 15th. " I must n(^t neglect to say that the friend who has made this possible is Mr. Delavan, the father of my Vassar chum, Victoria Delavan. He is a very wealthy man, and has become interested in father J;hrough our friendship. Last week he sent us five round-trip tickets, supplemented by a generous check. Victoria's mother died last winter ; she has been with us ever since, and is going out with us. Indeed, it is she who has engineered the trip. She is a magnificent girl, and I want you to know her better. I think you were scarcely acquaintances in the old Vassar days. Father is rather lame in Portuguese, and when I told him that you had been to Portugal, and understood the language, he declared that this was an additional reason why you must go with us. " I am sure you have not the heart to disappoint " Your friend, Dklight Holmes." Maud clapped her hands in her jo}-; a door of escape had been opened to her, and the very opportunity for which she had so longed, to visit new lands, presented at the same time. Her father and mother were visiting her sister Lily now. Lily was the wife of a naval officer, settled for a few years in a charming villa at Nice, the five hundred would be more than they would need for the coming season, and with her own expenses paid, what more could she desire? She hurriedly wrote to her parents, detailing the scheme, and quite sure in advance of the reply, stopped that afternoon at the trunk store, and secured the travelling sketch-box which she had so nmch admired. Maud was right in expecting her parents' approval, for a cablegram THE START. 15 was soon received announcing their consent. Processor Holmes was known to them personally as a man of the strictest inte^ li,u.,l- Wnitjou , ■•^l.i-t. ,l'V'' lii»-.«.ivi< IVI.«U« d,c,»i,rt MvE..il.i'. 4^1^ . CioWiairvJlet-ectiifi Ajtncy T way, being thoroughly conversant with five languages. It is sup- posed that he sailed for Europe on one of yesterday's steamers; but detectives are on his track, and he will certainly be caught." '^Only to think!" exclaimed Maud, ''he may even be on this vcr}' steamer. I wonder whether we shall meet him." '^ You will find his description in that paper," replied Mr. Delavan, '^ but very probably he is cleverly disguised." '' Do read it," Delight begged. '''There are certain characteristics, as the color of the eyes, which cannot be disguised, and I would like to be able ; to recognize him." ^ I: Victoria took up the despised paper and read: " Mr. Bartlett is a person ol medium height, of prepossessing ap- pearance and handsome face, showing the striking combination of light com- plexion and hair with dark eyes. He dressed his whiskers in the English style, affecting English mannerisms, also, in speech and toilet. He was a good talker, and an accomplished lin- guist, speaking French, German, Span- ish, and Portuguese with equal fluency. He had carried on extensive correspondence for the firm with houses in Bordeaux, Marseilles, Hamburg, Bremen, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Oporto, and it is naturally supposed that he will seek refuge in one of these cities. All outgoing steamers are closely watched, and it is the opinion of the detective force that he has not yet left the country. A reward of five thousand dollars is offered for his appre- hension." <5 n,s Li\lGIA'ND f LI Ne'll-^ I FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD. 20 rHKEE I'ASSAR GIRLS IX ::iOi-TII AMERICA. Wliilc tlicv were' cliscussinu: the matter in the most animated man- ner, tlie Avarning-bell rang all but the tourists on shore. There they stood, makin<,^ a gay group of fluttering ribbons, scarfs, and curls, with the dark background of tlie wharf with its bales and boxes. The green lira/ilian flag bellied and tugged over the little group on deck, displaying the cross of the Order of Christ and the sphere of the old Portuguese explorers. INIaud tore her tiowers apart and pelted her friends on shore with Jacqueminot roses. The whole scene was pretty enough for a picture, as an itinerant photographer evidently thought, for he had planted his tripod near the binnacle and was taking instantaneous views by the dozen. Mr. Delavan pushed his w-ay ashore, the Last to leave the ship, and as he stepped off, the <'anir plank was drawn in. The engine gave a con\ulsi\e throb, there was a shiver through the entire frame of the steamer, and through the widening space between it and the wharf the sliiny water rushed as through a sluicc-wa}-; but at that mo- ment a gentleman hurried excitedly through the crowd and leaped on board. The mo- mentum of his spring threw him against the camp-chair upon which Maud was leaning, jostling her slightly. He raised his hat with a polite apology, and then darted down to the cabin. Maud looked up and saw^ the photographer regarding her with a peculiar expression of interest. "He has just taken your photograph," Victoria whis- pered, "with that distinguished looking gentleman bowing to you. How disagreeable to have him about; he will be photographing us all when we least suspect it. I wisli I had thought to have father forbid his pointing his camera at us.'' The steamer had backed into the main stream, had turned and was IIKAZH.IAN FLAG. THE START. 21 slipping down the harbor, tlic round tort on Cilovcrnor's Ishmd was behind them, the pretty villas gleamed white on Staten Island, a Cunarder just beside them was steaming out to England — Maud might have tossed a ball on board, and how widely they were soon to be separated! A bark whieh had seen heavy weather was being towed in, and there were darting, puffing tugs, lazy sloops, and all manner of river and sea eratt. They remained on deck watching the animated scene until the long line of hotels on Coney Island sunk into the horizon, and a heav}' ground swell off Sandy Hook sent them to their state-rooms. 22 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. CHAPTER II. THE VOYAGE. ITH all Mailers experience of travel she was a poor sailor, and lor several da3^s sea-sickness held her a prisoner. She could hear the others lausfhinof and chat- ting in the cabin and on deck, for since they had crossed the Gulf Stream the sea was smooth, but to her, life was a giddy, nauseating chaos, and she realized the opinion of one of William Black's characters, " It is a sicken- ing thing to be sick." She had hardly strength enough to stretch out her hand to the smelling-salts in her convenient little wall-pocket, or to scowl at the stewardess, who would persist in offering her that wretehed beef tea. But one morninir the waves knocked against the side of the vessel in a gentle, sleepy way, the sun shone brightly in upon her, and the air from her open port-hole was fresh and invigorating. Delight came in and helped her to dress, and Maud acknowledged that she might feel better on deck. ""Though I never can get there, it is quite impossible," she asserted, closing her eyes with a shudder. '■I will manage it," Delight said, helping her to a seat in a wicker arm-chair just outside the stateroom door, and tucking her in with fleecy wraps. Then she ran away for the steward, and presently there were men's voices, and Maud felt herself lifted and carried upon deck. Here the fresh air revived her, and she was received with THE VOYAGE. 23 merry greetings Irom the rest of the party. Tlic sailors were liea\ ing the log, and she found herself experieneing a languid interest in the ship's rate of speed. She changed her estimate of Victoria as she noticed how her costume had been modified to suit the exigencies of travel. Miss Delavan now wore a flannel travelling-dress, with a broad alligator-skin belt fiistened by curiously wrought silver clasps. She was not a beautiful girl, but there was rare intelligence in the quiet, reserved face, and if there was disdain there, there was also true nobility of character. Maud noticed with satisfaction that the HEAVING THE LOG diamond ear-rings had disappeared. "That is Delight's influence," she said to herself. "One cannot be long in the company of that sensible little puss without following her example." Victoria was scanning the horizon through a fleld-glass oflered her by a dark-skinned Brazilian. There was something familiar in his attitude, and a second glance told her that he was the polite stranger who had been so tardy in coming on board. Delight noticed her look of inquiry, and remarked, "That is the Senhor Jose Ignacio da Silva, a wealthy Brazilian, who is returning to his estates after a visit in the north. He seems to have taken quite 24 THREE VASSAR u/RLS EV SOUTH AMERICA. X ^^. fefv^Hm a fancy to Victoria, at least, I fancy that she is the attraction, though he is very polite to us all." Maud's attention was now attracted to a modest appearing; young man with whom the Professor had been conversing, and whom he now brought forward and introduced as Dr. Stillman. " I shall feel quite secure," ?^Iaud re- marked, '^ noA' that I know we have a ph\"sician on board." I am rather a student than a practising physician," the young man re- marked, in a deprcca tory wav; " the ink is too fresh on my d i p 1 o m a for me to flour- ish my jNI. D. pre- tentiously."" "And so you arc going to South America, to make experiments on the natives? "' *' Hardl}'," he replied, "I still preserve xwy character of student, my specialty just now being materia nicdica. We are indebted to Brazil, you know, for many of our most powerful drugs, and the object of my journey is to investigate native remedies, and, if possible, add a few new ones to those already known to science." I lis manner was so very quiet and unassuming that his intention seemed the most natural and commonplace thing in the world. There was nothing particularly striking about the little doctor; his MAUD AND THE DOCTOR. THE VOYAGE. 25 dress was inconspicuous, his hair an ordinary shade of brown; his eyes could only be guessed at, for they were hidden behind spectacles ot" London-smoke, but ^Nlaud had not the slightest doubt that they were inotiensively gray. For some reason the Professor liked him, probabh^ because he was something of a botanist, and for his gentle, respectful man- ner, but ]Maud felt that his presence was rather unnecessary, and hoped that once arrived upon the Amazon he woidd be- come so much interested in sarsaparilla and Peruvian bark as to lose sight of their part}'. Victoria, who joined them soon atter, ignored his presence altogether, and if Delight was kind to him, it was only because it was an impossibility for De- light to be rude to any one. Senhor Silva came forward and was introduced; he spoke English without accent, but he was very foreign looking. His hair curled closely to his head in jetty rings, and his complexion was more than sallow, it was almost saffron. When it transpired that Maud had visited Portugal, he chatted pleasantly of Lisbon, which it seemed was his birthplace. "I became slightly acquainted with a family of 3'our name, in Lisbon,'' ]NLaud remarked; and the Senhor listened with interest while she related a little adventure in the Library of National Archives, how an obliging student had helped them translate the old records of the Inquisition, and how he brought his mother to call upon them; and Senhora Silva, in her turn, extended courtesies. SENHOR SIL\-A. 26 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. takiiii,^ them to tlie ncvcr-to-bc-lbrgottcn graduating exercises of her daugliter's class at the Convent do Bom Successo. When Maud liad tinislied her story, Senhor Silva asked, "And did Tcsuino or his sister Candida never mention a half-brother in tlie wilds of Brazil? " " Thev spoke of acquaintances there, but I do not remember an} brother.'' *'Ah! tliat comes from remaininjr so lon^r from home. I must certainly go to Lisbon next }ear, and bring them all out to see their myth of a brother." "Then are 3'ou really related?" "From your description I have no doubt that the Senhora Silva of whom you speak is my step-mother, and Jesuino and Candida my half-brother and sister. Was not the mother rather stout, with dark hair and eyes, and had she not a mole on the left cheek?" "On the right, I think." " Precisely. Did they take you out to their quinta at Cintra?" "No; I do not think they spoke of having one there, and we were at Cintra several da3's; Jesuino was studying at Coimbra. What a queer c^ld town it is. Did 3'ou graduate there?" " I am sorry to say that I am not a university man. I emigrated to Brazil and was deep in politics when I should Ikuc been whisking my student's gown through the college cloisters." That Senhor Silva was related to her good Portuguese friends Avas at once a passport, and for the remainder of the voyage he assumed the easy footing of an old acquaintance. ()l tlieir other lellow-passengers Maud onlv noticed a tonsured priest, reading his bre\iary, and, j^tacing the upper deck alone, a sen- hora from Rio, returning from a visit to the North, and a little go\- erness going out to a family in Pernambuco. Recovery from sea-sickness is always rapid, and the next day Tvlaud was able to get out her water-colors, and to begin a sketch of m^A f»ooh^" A LEAF FROM MAUD'S SKETCH-BOOK. THE VOYAGE. 29 the open sea. She was sitting under the shelter of the smoke-staek, at a little distance Irom her party, to whom Delight was reading aloud from Bates' " Naturalist on the Amazons," when a broad shadow fell across her paper, and the photographer addressed her: "Excuse the intrusion,'' he remarked glibly, -'I am myself an artist in an humble way; my name is Jenkins and I will be obliged if you will examine some of my work." As he spoke he ottered her a package of photo- graphs, and Maud's artistic impulses conquered the -■ slight aversion which she felt for the pushing charac- ter of the individual. She looked over his views, and inquired if they were for sale, for many of them were \'ery good. "I regret," he replied, "that I have not provided myself with sufficient ma- terial to dispose of any during the voyage; but if you would fayor me with an order, I would be happy to send them to your address. " He drew out a pencil and note-book ready to jot dow^n the numbers, but Maud replied that she did not particularly care for marines, she was more interested in faces. "Then 3'ou will enjo}' looking over this scrap-book," Mr. Jenkins replied, taking one from the inner pocket of his overcoat. "I have here a portrait of every individual on board, from the captain to the cook's assistant." "How did you induce them all to sit?" Maud asked, incredulously. THE PHOTOGRAPHER, MR. JENRINS. 30 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. "They didn't know they were sitting; I have my little sneak-box," (lifting a canvas-covered box with leather straps, an extremely in- offensive looking travelling-bag), "and I sit with it under my arm until I catch the person I want, then I sight it, so, press this pneumatic tube, and pop I the thing is done." "You were using an ordinary camera the day we embarked" — "Yes, I have both, but lor unconscious instantaneous pictures there is nothing like my little friend here. See, I have caught the Professor in the midst of a yawn; there's an open countenance for you! and here is the Brazilian lady sUl}- taking a pinch of snuff behind her lace handkerchief; she has no idea she has gone on record for that little weakness. This sailor with his arm extended is heaving the log. There you are 3'ourself, with that Portugee gentleman bowing to you; he 's an uncpmmonly uneasy sitter; he seems to have e3'es in the back of his head; as soon as I get him nicely sighted he turns square round, or wiggles, or tips his hat; but I '11 have him 3'et. That young Doctor, too, is a vexatious specimen; his spectacles are regular reflectors, and throw the light all over his countenance. I wish he could be induced to take them off a minute." "I will try to help you," Maud made oflcr impulsively. "I will get each of them to pose for me, and then you will have a good oppor- tunity." The next morning her offer was forgotten, for they were steaming into the crater-like harbor of St. Thomas, one of the Virgin Islands of the West Indies. All around them on sea and mountain and city, was flung the conflagration of a mid-summer sunrise, such as they had never seen equalled. "It is like a transformation scene in a fairy ballet," said Senhor Silva. The Professor gave him a look of withering scorn. "Sir," he ex- claimed, "it is the New Jerusalem!" Maud was silent, but her eyes were filled with mist. This beauty was so supernatural that it called for tears. THE VOYAGE. 31 Soon the ship was surrounded b}' importunate boatmen, anxious to ierry the passengers to the shore. In one boat were little ragged, half-naked blaeks, sereaming for dimes. Senhor Silva threw some eoins overboard, and the shining darkies plunged into the water, struggling with one another, until one vietoriously reappeared with a nickel in his mouth; and the diving was repeated as Victoria tossed more small change over the ship's side. Meanwhile the Doctor had secured a boat and was assisting the partv into it. They were to have but a stay of six hours and he was eager to show them the picturesque cit}'. Senhor Silva recommended the place for the cheapness of its bay-rum and cigars, and pointed out the island ol Santa Cruz from which the rum was brought, some forty miles awa}^ The Doctor w^as more inter- ested in the history of the city, and showed them old buildings dating back to the time of the Danes, and unrepaired ruins from the hurricane and great tidal wave of a dozen years previous. Maud watched with admiration the swarthy blacks coaling the vessel, women aiding in the work gayly attired, and the proud swing of their powerful bodies suggesting poses for her sketch-book. Victoria entered a small curiosity shop and invested in souvenirs, a set of pearly fish-scale jewelry for Delight, some rare shells for the Professor, and some barbaric handkerchiefs as draperies for Maud. As they returned to the vessel the}' found themselves in company with Mr. Jenkins, who had been securing negatives of West Indian lile. The girls spoke of him as they were arranging their hair for DIVING FOR COINS. 32 THREE I ASS A R (J/RLS EV SOUTH AMERICA. dinner in tlic drcssinjj^-rooni and Maud related her eneounter witli him the da\- pre\ ious, Victoria paused in tlie act of adjusting a Cape* jessamine and exchiimed, '^ Maud Van \'eehten, don't you see, he is the deteeti\ e."" "How ele\er you are," Maud replied, slowly,"! do believe 3'ou are right, and he suspects Senhor Silva and the Doctor." "Not Senhor Silva," Victoria replied with decision. "How could that be when he has lived all his life in Portugal and Brazil ? But the Doctor, that is another matter, and I confess, that, as I study the case, there are suspicious circumstances. I would like to exam- ine his ewes." Delight laughed merrily. " Victoria talks as if she were a physician looking for symptoms of a disease. I declare, dear, you would make a good doctor; you see right to the causes of everything." "T a doctor," sneered Victoria; "the very ideal catch me wasting m\- life in that way." "What is it to waste life?" Delight questioned, meekly, but Vic- t;)ria was too deei-)ly absf^rbed in her new train of thought to mark the query. "We must manage to make him show us his eyes," she repeated, "his hair is probably dyed, it has just that look. How can we abolish the spectacles?" i;ii; I iii'LALi: oi' j(iM:riiiM:. THE VOYAGE. n The opportunity was nearer than they thought. After the stop at St. Thomas came a delightful sail amongst islands; some small and barren, others, like Guadeloupe, Martinique, and the Barbadoes, covered with tropical foliage, or shooting to the height of live thousand feet, their mountain summits hidden in the clouds. In speaking of Martinique and of the Empress Josephine's girlhood here Dr. Stillman grew quite enthu- siastic, and in his unconscious emo- tion lie removed his spectacles and wiped them carefully, turning his calm glance full upon the three girls. Delight blushed and looked away un- easil}', iNIaud started with a half gasp, but Victoria's keen eyes glit- tered and she met his wild gaze un- flinchingly, — his eyes were uncom- monly handsome, and blue-black in their dark melancholy. For an in- stant there was a hush and then Maud heard a sharp click behind her and knew that Mr. Jenkins had secured his photograph. Now came glorious moonlight nights. Every evening showed the pole-star nearer the horizon, until Anally it set altogether, and the constellation of the Southern Cross came in sight. The\' hung oxer the ship's side, watching the glowing phosphorescent light upon the waters, the Professor always interested in fishing for sea-weed and the beautiful medusae or jelly fish, and Senhor Silva occasionally shooting at the sharks which followed the vessel. Sometimes they sang. Victoria had a ringing soprano. Delight a rather weak alto, r ' win ^ if 0m THE PROFESSOR FISHING FOR SEA-WEED. :« I THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. Sciihor Silva a tine tenor, and the Doctor a hill, rich bass voice, and many a favorite sone: was sung in quartette or duo, while the waves lapped the side of the vessel and tlie moonlight flooded them with its jjlamor. "I do not believe," Delight had said to Victoria, "that the Doctor can be the defaulter. It does not seem possible to me that a bad man could sing in such a whole-souled glorious wa}'.'' "Ah! little Delight," Victoria had replied, "have you never heard it stated that music has nothing to do with morals? "*' "Crossing the line," furnished the occasion for much sport, and manv rough practical jokes among the sailors. One old salt was dressed as Neptune, another as his wife, and the afternoon was given up to rollicking carnival, while a new seaman had his head shaved in no very gentle manner. The equator passed, the}^ noticed long before they were in sight of shore the vast volume of turbid fresh water riowing out on the surface of the salt, since its specific gravity is less, and mixing slowly with it. It was the might}' Amazon continuing its course in the ocean after it escaped its banks. The Professor's line brought up tangled bits of foliage, withered and torn fragments of palm leaves. " If" we could descend to the ocean floor in a diving-bell," said the Professor, " we should see the debris of the river channel, sandstone and shale, cut away and brought down from the heart of the continent with deposits of vegetation, building itself gradually into a sub-marine mountain range." While the Professor was speaking, Senhor Silva swept the horizon with his powerful fleld-glass. "The lightship is in sight," he said. "We are nearing Para, and there I must bid 30U farewell for a time, for I have business to transact relative to the purchase of a small cargo steamboat to ply between my sawmills on the upper Amazon and Para. I intend to launch extensively into the exportation of costly woods for cabinet manufacture." THE VOYAGE. 35 "What are some of the woods to be found on the river?" Maud asked. " I remember seeing* some beautilul cabinets in Lisbon formed of a marquetry of prceious timbers brought from Brazil in the time of the tirst explorers, but I hardly fancy I could have told the names of any with the exception of ebony and mahogany."" "Many of the varieties have no English names," Senhor Sil\a re- plied. "The ditierent species oi Jacaranda or rosewood head the list, then comes Palisander, corrupted from Paolo Santo, a violet-tinted wood, the JMoiracoatidra or zebra wood, the pao d'arco, a rich bi wood, and the tuya^ intricately mottled, many ^. kinds of cedar and laurels, with others of beau- tiful graining or mar capable of a high p Dye-woods will also \\\y way, with others medicinal character, but I am principally interested in cabinet timbers, and have made a partnership arrangement with a New York tirm who will make it their business to introduce them into the United States." "No country," Maud replied, "is paying more attention to build- ing at present. They will certainly be in demand for mosaic floors, wainscots, and interior finishings." " When Papa builds the house which he has always promised to give me, I shall order all the wood-work from you," said Victoria. Senhor Silva bowed. " I will give you an opportunity of selecting and marking the logs, for the Professor has kindly consented to visit MAUD AND SENHOR SILVA PASSING THE LIGHT-SHn\ 36 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. my fazcnda. We will make an excursion into the forest and you shall 3'ourself blaze the trees which you would like. I will tind you before }uu leave the city and will certainly arrange to make the trip up the ri\er with you. I am sorry that my engagements make it impossible for me to do the honors of Para." " It will not be necessary,'' the Professor hastened to assure him. ■" I am familiar with the city, and Dr. Stillman has kindl}' agreed to remain with us." Mr. Jenkins was standing so near, with his neck outstretched with such an expression of interest as the Professor made this remark, that the latter turned and asked the photographer if he wished to speak with him. Not at all disconcerted, Mr. Jenkins asked the hotel at which the party proposed to stop, as he had some photographs to deliver to one of the 3'oung ladies. "The Hotel do Commercio," the Professor replied. "Thank you," said Mr. Jenkins glibly, " it is very possible that you may see me again." Senhor Silva turned on his heel with an expression of disgust. PARA. 37 CHAPTER III. PARA. HE Para River is the southern moutli of the Amazons, which, as it empties into the Athmtic, separates, ^^ seemingly to form a delta, the great island of Marajo, " a tract of land as large as the state of New York. But ]Marajo has not been built up by the river; it has, on the contrary, opposed its rocky foundations to its current, and forced it to either side. The southern channel is the one more easily navigable, and eighty miles from its mouth has been built up the cit}- of Para, which ma}' one dav become the metropolis of Brazil. For although Rio Janeiro now surpasses it. Para has the advantage of situation, being nearer the ports of Europe and North America, and with water communica- tion stretching back across the continent. As they sailed into the harbor, past the little fort, the girls scanned the shore with interest, pointing out the palm-trees, and the white houses nestling in the green of the plantations, with tall crosses marking the tiny chapels by the shore. It was early morning when the party stepped from the launch and were surrounded by porters eagerly demanding their baggage. Dr. Stillman, noticing the Profes- sor's "-lance of mild wonder at chanires which attracted his attention, sprang to the front and led them to the picturesque old custom-house. Here their baggage was examined in a court resembling a cloister- garden in its wealth of graceful, large-leaved plants. From the custom-house they passed to the Hotel do Commercio. ''Ah! this is ghastly," Victoria exclaimed, opening a tiny silver vinai- 38 THREE I'ASSAR GIRLS L\ SOUTH AMERICA. orette as the sickcninsr odors from a covered drain met them at the doorway. '' They are the spirits of fever and malaria," said the Doctor, ^* that we shall meet more than once on our journey up the river." The Professor led the way up the ancient wooden staircase to the balconies overlooking the court3'ard. Here parrots screamed and a monkey tutiged at his chain. The Doctor pointed to the vultures soar- ing high in air, with the remark that they were the health commission of Para. '' But for these scavengers," he asserted, " the Paranese Av o u 1 d b II r y themselves in garbage." A Av h i t e - aproned mulat- to now ushered them into the breakfast-room temptingl}' set with c 1 e a n cloths and white dishes. " Ah ! this is Paradise after Purgatory," Maud exclaimed, pointing to the long windows reaching to the floor with their charming view^s of the river harbor and shipping. The Hotel boasted a French cook and the bill of f u"e was not remarkable for oddities. Maud found the fried bananas delicious. Victoria ordering ^ueijo Fhiinctigo with the idea that it was some preparation of flamingo, was somewhat chagrined at receiving some Holland cheese. The Doctor told of the experience of Lieut. Gibbon, who was asked if he was fond (^V"^ ivawas^^ the pet name for baby, and mistaking the word {ox iruavas^ replied that they were much better when preserved than ASCENDINT. THE PAKA RIVKR. FARA. 39 when eaten raw. A burst of laughter greeted his assertion, and he was asked if he had ever eaten one. " Hundreds," he replied, " and I will take one now with the greatest of pleasure." Mrs. Holmes was seen to examine her bill of fare with something like consternation. "What is it my dear ?" asked her husband. "We certainly ought not to stop at such an expensive place," she replied, "they charge one thousand live hundred reis for breakfast I" " But a thousand reis is only hfty cents," explained the Prolessor, "and seventy-hve cents is not an exorbitant sum." Alter breakfast the Doctor invited the ladies to a drive in an open barouche — the Professor hnding himself too much occupied to ac- company them. The light was so dazzling that they lifted their sun- shades, but the temperature was delightful. They drove along the Rua dos Mercadores or principal business street. Mule-cars ran through the centre and there was more of bustling activity than Maud had expected to tind in a tropical city. " The morning is the fashion- able hour for the promenade," the Doctor explained. The shops were of various colors and covered with gaudy advertisements, while the display of goods added to the vivid decorative effect, and gave the street the appearance of being draped with pennons and flags. The}^ visited the market, with its piles of pineapples, mangoes, plantains, and oranges, and Maud found here the same splendid negro types which had struck her in Morocco, women with their heads bound with gay 'kerchiefs, or with mops of bushy hair, their white waists slipping off their glossy black shoulders, and their laps tilled with some rich-tinted fruit. "We must patronize the Assai stands," said Mrs. Holmes. "The Professor has often praised this national drink of Brazil." "What is Assai?" asked Victoria. ""It is the name of a palm," replied Delight, "from whose tVuit a kind of sherbet is made, which is said to be very refreshing." The doctor pointed to some baskets filled with a dark phun-like 40 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. fruit, and showed them the process by whicli the pulp was rubbed throu<'-h sieves into jars of water. The beverage was served to them in small bowls formed of calabashes. Fastidious Victoria hardly sipped hers, but the rest of the party were of the opinion that one might become very fond oi it. "Mrs. Agassiz speaks of it, you remember," said Delight. "She i^ivcs the native proverb, and translates it freely for us, — THE ASSAI STAND. ' Ouem vein para Para parou ; Oucm bcbcn Assai ficou : ' Which is, being interpreted, — 'Who came to Para was glad to stay; Who drank Assai went never away.' " From the market they drove to the Botanical Garden, where Vic- toria, ordinarily undemonstrative, lost her heart to the palms. "Why don't you make them your specialty, this summer," Delight PARA. 41 asked. "You will have a grand opportunity lor studyini;- them, and there are at least two hundred ditlerent varieties in South America." "I will study them," \''ictoria replied; '"'but only as an amateur, for the love of them. I never ^r^^^si could be a specialist, as you understand the term. I want to roam all about this great tanirled garden of the world and study just what I like, because it amuses me, and not because it is going to be of any special use to any one IT se. The Doctor regarded her with a respectful pit}', at least it seemed to ^Nlaud that both of these conflicting emotions were mingled in his glance. " It seems to me," he said, " that the keenest amusement is found in things that are of the most use, and in stud}'- ing the nicety with which nature adapts them to our '^J needs. Take, for instance, a discovery recently made in this verv country. A patient of the great French opthalmologist. Dr. Wecker, had been treated for Paniuis, a disease of the e\e, and had only been partiallv cured. While travelling in Brazil the malady came on again, and he was told of the ycqiicriitx bean, which the Indians used in a decoction for similar trouble. lie tried it, was completely cured, and sent some of the beans in a letter to Dr. Wecker, who TKOFICAL PLANTS. 42 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. also experimented \\\l\\ tliem, and announced the discovery of an entirely new remedy. It has already been accepted by science, and can be obtained at almost ever}' pharmacy anywhere in the civilized world. These beans are of a bright scarlet color, and are perforated bv the natives and worn as ornaments. The Indian girl we met at the entrance to the garden had on a necklace of them." "■ Why, they were black-eyed Susans," Delight exclaimed. " I have a cup of them at home that an old sea- captain brought from the West Indies." "The botanical name is Arbor Precato- 7'ius, so called because they were used for the beads of rosaries." "Then if an}- Indian had trouble with his eyes," Maud remarked, "all he had to do was to stew his beads, and anoint his eyes ^ with the hol\- water. If he were devout, f/ he might ascribe the cure to the efficacy of his amulet." '^■f^'^^" '='^'^- "Very likely, for the Indians are very superstitious; but they have drugs of their own which work in quite as magical a way. IIa\e you ever heard of the curare, 'the liquor which kills with a whisper'? It is made of the juices of various plants and attacks the nerves of motion, the heart last of all, so that the victim is to all appearance dead long before life is extinct. He can hear but cannot speak, is conscious of what is passing around him but can make no sign. No antidote is known for this terrible poison." The Doctor's enthusiasm once excited he passed fi-om one plant to another explaining its properties, or any curious facts concerning its growth or history. Victoria listened with a well-bred assumption of interest, but she told her companions afterward that she was in- wardly raging. "The idea," she exclaimed, "of his forcing upon us PARA. 43 %5w^ a lecture about his old drugs when all I wanted was to enjoy those exquisite tiowers." He atoned lor the infliction, however, tor he drove them home by way of the Estrada de Sao Jose, and here, as Victoria acknowledged, she tirst saw palms. These were royal palms imported from Mauri- tius among the most beautiful of the entire fam- il}-. One looked down a colonnade of stately columns crowned with a mass of feathery fo- liage, shifting, whispering with the slightest mo- tion of the air, while the mast-like trunks are said to remain perfectly unmoved even in storms. They were out- ^^ side the city when they passed an In- dian woman seated by the side of the road in an attitude of extreme dejec- tion, a bundle of rags lay at a little "(^4*%/' distance, under the s h a d o w o t' a m a n go tree, and from tlie bundle a hand WMved with an ac- tion expressive of the utmost misery. The Doctor stopped the carriage, and leaping down from his scat beside the driver, hurried back to the forlorn objects. Presently he approached and motioned them to go on to the city. Looking back they saw that the woman had risen and that she and the Doctor were ■ V.'' CARRYIXO THE SICK. CIULD. 44 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. supporting the sick child between tlieni in a small hammock. "They are taking it to the hospital,"' the driver explained. "It is probably a leper.-' It was sultry noon by the time they returned to the hotel. "I have been quite anxious about you," said the Professor. " It is time you were taking your siestas. You will have sunstroke if you run about at such unnatural hours." "Maud," Delight called sleepily iVom her hammock, just as her friend was dropping into a dream, " does this remind you at all of \our visit to Morocco?" "No, dear, it is very different. That was an old, old civilization crumbling to dust; this is a new world just born." "You haven't reached the newness 3'et. We will find tliat up the river. i\re you not wild to begin your sketching?" " If you will come down by the river-side with me this afternoon we will see what we can find among the Indian tvpes." Silence succeeded for a few moments,unbroken except by the sleepy creak of the hammock ropes, and then Delight spoke again, "Victoria, what book have 3'ou there? I verily believe you are reading." "The\' are some manuscript papers of Dr. Stillman's on Indian poisons, and they are intensel}^ interesting." " I thought you did not care for his old drugs." " Well I don't sympathize with his thirst for beneficence, the dis- covery of new remedies, and all that; but I always had a liking for chemistry. If I had lived in the dark ages I would have been an alchemist or a Lucrctia Borgia, just for the fascination of seeing the fluids work." "Victoria," said Maud, " I believe you will turn out a genius if you onlv will work." "That is precisely what I will not do," Victoria replied. "O Victoria," Delight objected, "you do work w^hen you are inlerestcd in a thing. You should have seen her last year at College, PARA. 45 Maud. The scheme for this trip became wliat tlie French call an u/ve /ixee with her and she made all iier studies tend towards it. She ^vas like the 3'oung man that Ilamerton tells about, who was prepar- ing to be an explorer and who used to upset himself in the lake, and besides swimming and riding and shooting, learned carpentry and sewing and cooking and all sorts of wood-craft to prepare himself for a wild life. Victoria took private lessons in taxidermy, so as to be prepared to mount specimens, and the other accomplishments of the young explorer, with the exception of carpentry, she mastered at home." " I should think you would have found taxidermy ver\' disagree- able," Maud remarked. "I did at first," Victoria replied, ^'but I came to understand how one can become an enthusiastic surgeon even. Bv the bve I ha\e changed my opinion in regard to Dr. Stillman. After seeing him help that poor woman with the sick child I am certain that he is no defaulter; he is only an innocent fanatic." The afternoon was cool and pleasant. The dazzling light shim- mered now in long slant beams instead of splintering its lances from the zenith, and the girls sallied out together for a stroll along the /v//ir da Imperatriz to the water side. The wdiolesale stores were closed, for this was the hour when the well-to-do merchants left business to sit in their gardens sipping coffee and smoking cigarettes with guests who sauntered in for an afternoon chat. Along the shore canoes were draw^n up, and under tlie awnings or toldas, the girls could see the shy brown faces of the Indian women, or the bold black ones of negresses. They had come, many of them, from long distances to market their wares at Para; gaudily decorated pottery, calabashes, Brazil nuts, fish and cacao. Maud was attracted to one boat gay with macaw^s and paroquets wdiich a little naked child was feeding. A jaguar-skin hung over the side of the boat, and a palm branch drooped from the awning. ^6 THREE W-ISSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. Altogether it was an iincommonl}' picturesque combination, and Maud, deliglited, shook out lier camp-stool, and unjointed her caseL Deliglit threw a shawl on the ground, and spreading the great white sketching umbrella, seated herself by Maud's side, prepared to read aloud from Southey's History of Brazil. The Indian woman caiue to meet them, her hands tilled with bows and arrows, and actuated quite as much by curiosity as by a desire to sell the articles. Victoria examined her wares. "These arrows are poisoned," she said; and she repeated the w^ord '' curare f'' \n a questioning way. The woman understood her and nodded, talking volubly in the ////- gna gcraU or Tupi dialect. "Will you see if she understands Portuguese?" Victoria asked of Maud. It seemed that she did understand, for she replied to Mar.d's questions, that the poison was manufactured by an Indian witch, who lived far up the river, in the neighborhood of Obidos. " I wonder whether the witch can manufacture medicines as well as poisons," Victoria mused; "if so. Dr. Stillman ought to have her address." jNIaud carried on the conversation a little further, eliciting the in- formation that the witch had a famous remedy for the teitiafia, a ma- larial fever, and that her name was Justimiama dos Reis. Victoria made a careful note of this, as she declared for Dr. Still- man's benefit, and she bought two of the arrows, which tipped, as they were wMth toucan feathers, were very decorative objects. A party of jauntily dressed Mamelucos, or half-breed herdsmen, stroll- ing that way, alarmed the girls soon after, and they returned to the hotel before Maud had finished her sketch. The next day was the Sabbath, the fete-day of Saint Somebody, and as there were to be great ceremonies at Nazareth, the party took the mule-car for the suburb. Nossa Senhora de Nazareth, in her spangled gauze dress, reminded Maud of some of the Spanish images of the Virgin. PAKA. 47 Every day was made hideous at certain hours by the chmgorous ringing of bells, which was managed in an altogether unique waN'. Boys mount into the belfries and beat lustily upon the bells with ham- mers. As the girls approached the church they could see them maintaining their vigorous anvil exercise, delighting in the discord which they produced with all the barbarous love of ear-rending noise which our northern boys indulge in on the eve of the orlorious Fourth. The ceremonies were rather tawdry than imposing, the only startling feature being the sending up of rockets by the devotees which were supposed to be the carriers of prayers to heaven. The cemetery seemed to be the favorite spot for religious pyrotechnics. Maud wondered whether the idea was borrowed from the Chinese, and Victoria suggested that it mic^ht have been handed down from the fire- worshippers. On Monday the Professor manifested some impatience to start up the river, but Delight pleaded for a longer visit at Para. " We have not begun to explore its beauties," she argued; ■'and you ought to give Maud a chance to make some sketches for herself, for very soon you will keep her busy drawing hideous fossil fish. Besides, had they not told Senhor Silva that they would leave on the Saturday boat, and was it fair not to keep their appoint- ment?" The last consideration prevailed, and the Doctor took them again for an excursion to the outskirts. They started at earliest dawn and drove out of the city before it had full}' awakened, only here and there a servant was yawning ROCKET I'KAVEKS. 48 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. sleepily as slic stared at them troni behind the WMictian blinds. As the\- left the streets and struek the broad Una road the sun rose and a Hood of lii^ht was poured over the fresh leaves. Larti:;e shield- shaped arums, vines and trees mixed in one inextricable tani^le. Strange tiowers starred the thickets; everything was new and tropical and interesting. They caught glimpses of picturesque rocinhas^ or country houses, with tiled roofs, and walls a mass of vines, and they came out upon the banks of the lovely Una river, palm-shaded, with drifts of butterflies fluttering over its placid surface. ''It is all delicious," Maud exclaimed, '' but it makes me w^ild to think how little of this beauty I can carry away." " Take it away in your soul, child," exclaimed Victoria. '"And so I shall," replied ^Nlaud, ''but it seems selfish to enjoy all this and do nothing to make others enjoy it too." ^' I wonder we don't come across our friend the photographer spot- tinor some of this beautiful scenerv," the Doctor remarked. " Mr. Jenkins was more interested in human types," Delight re- plied. " I do not think we shall meet him again." Oddly enough they came across him that very evening. The girls were paying a visit to the shop of Monkey Joe, an animal store. ■^'What a menagerie it is!" Maud exclaimed. "Here are snakes and armadillos, monkeys and wild hogs, electric eels, and every variety of queer bird; here is even — " and just then, from the outer yard, where the larger wild beasts were kept, Mr. Jenkins appeared with his sneak-box. "Have you been photographing the animals?" Delight asked. "No miss," he replied, "but the people who come to see them. T^^Ionkey Joe's is tlie most attractive spot in Para. Sooner or later, all strangers come here; but I haven't yet succeeded in shooting the party I am in search of." "Dear me, I hope you don't mean to assassinate any one!" Maud exclaimed. PARA. 49 Mr. Jenkins laughed, and asked when they expected to start up the river. Victoria had no intention that lie should be inlbrnied, and drew Maud away, with an exclamation of enthusiasm tor a strangely human little monkey who was looking at them appealingly iVom his wistful black eyes. It is a Coata, Joe says, and has long black hair, a match. Victoria thinks, for her winter furs. Indeed if it were not for those expressive eyes peering out from under the silky bang, the monkey might be mistaken for a muti". The little thing came shyly down from its perch and licked Victoria's lingers, and she was further interested in it by the infor- mation that it was an orphan and had sulked since its mother died, refusing to eat, though it now accepted the food which Victoria offered it. Several days of great heat succeeded, when none of the party cared to remain long upon the streets, and they realized why Brazil was named from the Portuguese word braza^ burning embers. '^ We cer- tainly are in a brazier," Maud announces, " and the sooner we set out upon our river trip the better." "Perhaps we will find that it is only out of the frying pan into the fire," Victoria suggests languidly*; but she has hardly force to object, nor does she care to do so, now that the time agreed upon with Senhor Silva has arrived. It is rather strange that they have neither heard nor seen anything of him in Para. Granted that he was too busy to call, he might at least ha\e sent them some token of remem- brance; but Victoria is sure that he will keep his appointment with them; and they leave on the midnight boat, the stars shining clear overhead and a refreshino: breeze striking them as the\' steam out into the Marajo Bay. Half of the upper deck, back of the smoke-stacks, is assigned to their part}^, and here they fasten their hammocks under the awning. They scan the half dozen first-class passengers as they come on 50 THREE VA^SSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. board; but the boat is off and away and the Senhor is not among them. Victoria wraps herself in her travelling shawl, and retires to her hammock, taciturn, and even ill-humored. She purposely neglects to bid the Doctor good-night, as if he were in any way to blame for her disappointment. A PALMER'S riLCRIMAGE. 51 CHAPTER IV. A PALMER S PILGRIMAGE. IT certain!}' seems like Sun- day," said Delight, tlic next day after several hours of silent voyaging; for the dif- ferent members of the expe- dition were all too much in- terested in the moving pano- rama of the shore to chat much. ^'It is Palm Sunday, then," said Victoria, " for see how the}' spring up everywhere, over-top- ping the other foliage, and break- ing into fountains and waves ot plumy green spray." ''Yes, the palms hold revel here," said the Professor. ^'I can count a dozen varieties in a halt hours sail — feathery Jupatis drooping over the river side, giant Min'/is, like the columns of some temple, graceful Assais, shooting up into the air, true rocket trees, and Bhssus, with their elegant wine-glass outlines. As Professor Agassiz says, the remarkable common character which palms possess as a class does not prevent the most striking difference between va- 52 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. lions kinds. lie goes on to class thcni by the ditlcrcnt arrangement of their leaves, the Baccabas being disposed in pairs one above another, tlie Jiiajas in cycles ol" five spread slightly, so as to lorm an open \ase, the Assai has an eight-leaved arrangement, the Cocoanut ■pahii disposes its leaves in groups oi thirteen, and so on." ■^Mrs. Agassiz describes the fruitage of the palms with the eye of a true artist," ]Maud remarked. ^'' Only note the sense of color in this paragraph : "^The Baccaba, or wine-palm, from which the flowers droop in long crimson cords, with bright green berries from distance to dis- tance along their length, like an immense coral tassel flecked here and there with green, hanging from the dark trunk of the tree. On the Cocoanut palm the flowers burst from the sheath in such a long- plume of soft creamy white blossoms; such a plume is so heav}^ with the weight of pendent blossoms that it can hardly be lifted, and its eftect is very striking, hanging high up on the trunk just under the green vault of leaves.' " "The palm is the providence of the natives of South America," said the Professor; "it serves them for raiment, shelter, food, drink, fuel, cordage for hammocks, nets and fishing-tackle, its wax for candles, and its oil for illuminating purposes, while beautifying the landscape with their graceful forms." "What a delightful Palmer's jMlgrimage it would be," mused the Doctor, "to follow the palm around the globe, through all the coun- tries to which it is a native, — to And the date palm in the oases of Africa, to note its sister varieties shading the ruins of ancient Egypt, to walk through Palmyra, the city of palms, and Elim, where were forty j)alm trees; to lind it again in Persia, in the hanging gardens of Babylon, in India, and, in short, in all of the fascinating lands of the Orient." " That is almost too extensive a tour even for my imagination," re- plied Victoria. " IIow many varieties of palms are there, Professor.-' " A PALMER'S PILGRIMAGE. cc "About tivc huiielicd arc knovsn. The must complete treatise on the subject is the monograph by Martius, u large work containing over two hundred colored plates; but it was written in the early hall' of this century, and many new species ha\ e been disco\ered. I recommend you to begin a monograph ot your own." "There would be a certain litness in your taking up the study ol" palms," said the Doctor, "lor you remember that the early significa- tion of the palm-branch was victory, and your name is Victoria." "But I do not deserve it," Victoria replied. "I remember reading a poem in a magazine long ago; only one verse remains with me: " ' O fainting soul that readest well this story, Longing- through pain for death's benignant balm, Think not to win a heaven of rest and glory If thou shalt reach its gates without thy palm.'" It was so unusual for \^ictoria to express a sentiment like this, that all were silent for a moment. It was her own voice that broke the stillness with some merry remark on quite another subject. Their life on board the river-steamer was quite a family one. The shore side of the upper deck was given up to their use, and the long table, on which not over-tempting meals were served them, was strewn between mealtime with books, writing and drawing materials, specimens, and the working paraphernalia of a naturalist. Delight was busy classifying and fitting in her herbarium the ferns which she had collected in the vicinity of Para. Maud sketched constantly. Mrs. Holmes busied herself with some light needlework. The Pro- fessor was continually taking notes, examining the hsh which were prepared for the table, making observations with meteorological instruments, or flitting to ditferent parts of the boat to make inquiries on every imaginable subject. Only the Doctor and Victoria were idle, and, seated in reclining chairs, chatted while the lovely landscape glided by. It was the Doctor who talked most; Victoria only listened. £;6 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. Maud noticed that tlie Doctor conversed generally upon the subject in wliicli he was most interested, and that Victoria in spite ol" herself was entertained. Slie asked questions, and read the books which he lent her, dry, technical books, she would have called them a short time before. ^Nlaud was indiscreet enough to say to Victoria, at one time when they found themselves alone together, that she thought the Doctor had a very good influence over her. \'ictoria flushed indignantly. "You are greatly mistaken,"' slie replied, "he has not the slightest influence whatever." ^' I beg your pardon," Maud said, coolly touching in a bit of cloud with a critical air, ^' then the improvement may possibly be Delight's influence." "What improvement do you mean?" Victoria asked in a resentful wa}'. " I refer to your sudden interest in botany, and your wakening from your old listlessness.'- " Have I not a right to be listless if I choose ? " "No, I think not, ^to whom much is* given, of him, you know, much shall be required.' " "Yes; but if I make the Professor and Delight my substitutes, — If I give them the opportunity of doing more than I ever could per- sonally, — I should think my responsibility might end." " I fear I have oflended you," Maud said more kindly, as she saw that the girl was really in earnest, "but Victoria, I do not think any of us can be excused from personal service in this warfare. Your money is being put to a noble use, but the world has a claim on your talent as well." " I have no talent," Victoria replied, shortly. "If you are sure of that you have an excuse for inaction; but be sure you do not send in false returns of this kind of property to the tax-collector." Delight suddenly appeared at this juncture with the news that they A PALMHR'S riLGRIMAGE. 'r>7 had been signalled iVom the shore, and that a boat was approaching. They conld see a man wa\ing his liandkerchief, — some would-be passenger, who wished to be taken on board. Maud eyed the figure intently, contident that their missing friend had at last kept his ap- pointment, and Victoria took more than one long look through the tield-glass before she could convince herself that this was not Senhor Silva, but as the boat neared the steamer a simultaneous exclamation of recognition burst from the party. It was iNIr. Jenkins. The Doctor seemed, if pos- sible, more annoyed to meet him than the others, and all felt his coming an intrusion. He did not. however, appear at first inclined to trouble them with his society, but greeting each mem- ber of the party with a familiar nod, he retired with his camera to the rear of the steamboat. They w^ere nearing Breves, where they were to land. Here they made their tirst acquaintance with the rubber industry. As the boat was to make quite a stop, an excursion was planned in canoes to the rubber swamps. Mrs. Holmes was sure that the place was infested with malaria and mosquitos, and did not care to go. There was room for three beside the Indian boatman in each canoe. The Professor, Victo- ria, and the Doctor took their places in tlie first, Maud and Delight were seated in the second, and the canoe-man was just about to push away, when Mr. Jenkins hurried up with his sneak-box and begged to 'be included in the party. They could not refuse, and the two boats shot from the shore away under interlacing boughs into the dusk and SIPHOXIA ELASTICA. 58 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. silence of the forest. Palms, lianas, and a dense underbrush were all matted and tangled together on every side. Their guide pointed out the rubber trees, the Sipho7iia Ehisiica^ and they noticed the gashes cut in the bark, and the little clay cups set to collect the milk}- sap. They were paddled across the swamp, to the hut of a rubber-col- lector, or seringuerio. He was bent with ague and rheumatism, and his poor home was built on stilt-like supports, to raise it above llood-level. The palm-thatched roof projected like that of a Swiss chalet, over balconies where hammocks were hung for the siesta; at night they were carried into the interior, and the door, — there was no window, — was closed to keep out the mosquitos. All around them was the forest, so dense that it was impossible to penetrate it to any distance except by the path made b}' the rubber-collector, who spends his da3's wading through marshy grounds where lurk poison- ous water-snakes, and jungles where jaguars prowl. The gatherer, as he goes his daily rounds, makes a number of fresh cuts around the trunk of each tree, sets his cups, and passes on. Later in the day he makes the same rounds, with a queer pail manu- factured from a calabash, with a braided cover and handle, into which he empties the sap collected in the little cups, which in turn lie pours into the shell of a great iortitniga or turtle. The Protessor explained the process after this. Delight noticed a tall earthen jar which she examined curiously, for she could not imagine for what use it was intended. '^ What do you think it is?'' asked the Professor. ^^ It looks like a lamp chimney," Delight replied, " though it is much too large." 'Mt is a chimney, however," replied the Professor, ^' a lire of palm nuts is made beneath it, and the rubber is prepared by dipping the blade of this long wooden paddle into the rubber sap, and then coag- ulating the fluids by holding the paddle in the dense white smoke, which pours from the top of the chimney." The seringuerio obligingly went through the operation. The A PALMER'S PILGRIMAGE. 6 1 smoke hardened the sap into a leather}' substanec, and at the same time changed it to a yellow color. As fast as it hardened, the man poured on more sap, until quite a mass of rubber had collected on the paddle, when he sliced oil' the cake of rubber with a knife. Each of the girls made a cake of her own, and speculated as to the use to which it might tinally be put. *" I have no doubt,'' said Victoria, *^that mine will go to Europe; will be vulcanized and manipulated in various ways, and tinally made up into a set of rubber jewelry.'' "I should prefer that mine should be put to some useful purpose," said Delight, " spread thin over a gossamer water-proof; or made into a rubber doll for some baby girl." "I will take mine in its crude state," said Maud, "and use it just as it is in the service of Art for erasing faulty pencil marks." '^ I remember," said Delight, " seeing a rubber-tree in a green-house, when I was a small child, and that the gardener, a whimsical man, told me that its h'uit was cut into over-shoes, and that children's sizes were picked before they had ripened." "That is no more absurd than some of the notions ignorant people tbrm," said the Doctor. " In the earl}' part of this century there was a great furore in England for exporting all kinds of manufactures to Brazil. Some enterprising man sent a cargo of warming-pans, blank- ets, and skates, articles for which one would think little demand could be found in the tropics; but his wares found a good market, for the planters used the warming-pans for sugar ladles; the blankets as strainers in the gold regions; and the skates were fiistened to boxes for rockers in the diamond washing districts." " That reminds me," said Mr. Jenkins, " of a trader on the Amazons, who imported a quantity of playing cards, but could not sell them because the Indians were not educated up to California Jack. But the man was not to be outwitted; he gave each of the face cards a ditferent name, and sold them for fifty cents a piece, as portraits of the Saints. Fancy the King of Hearts as St. Francis Xavier! " 62 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. " It would do better as a representation of Joseph in his coat of many colors,'" Maud remarked drily. The photographer gave her a look of gratitude, for the Doctor evidently a\ oided him. lie now posed his camera and took in rapid succession several tine negatives of the forest, with its broad-leaved arums growing lush and rank by the water-side against a dark background of dense, tangled Negetation. wmw^-''^'y AFTER A LIZARD. "The rubber-tree," exclaimed the Professor, "is a giant species of milk-weed;**' and then he sprang ankle deep into the swamp after a rare lizard that was basking on the trunk of a tree, ""This is an excellent place to begin your study of palms," said the doctor to Victoria. "There are ti\e varieties beside that spring; can 3'ou tell me their names?'' Maud was working rapidly, her sketch. box open on her lap; while Delight brushed away the mosquitos which were singing in the dusk. MANUFACTURE OF KUniJEU. A rALMER'S ril.CRIMAGE. 65 " I understand now," she said to Maud, " why tlic liousc has no windows. He closes the door at night, and kindles a little smoky fire inside, to keep out those horrible insects. Mother was quite right not to come. Do you remember how Jules Verne classities the ditierent species; ^ the gray, the hairy, the white-clawed, the dwarf, the trumpeter, the little iifer, the harlequin, the big black, and the red ol' the woods ? ' " "I am not a microscopist,'' Maud replied, " but I think I ccnild make a better classification than that. In my limited experience I have already observed at least eighteen varieties; viz: the giant, the nightmare, the always voracious, the ogre, the contralto, the soprano, the alto, the tenor, the basso, the chorus, the violoncello, the first violin, the trombone, the harp, the cornet, the flute, the zithern, the ^lYh triangle, and indeed the H^-^^^^^ - whole orchestra, with all 4/^^^^^?^-^'"^)^ MAUD'S SKETCH IN THE RUBBER SWAMP. the names ever given to all the hobg-oblins." ^' There is a difference in their notes," Delight assented musingly, "some are thin and high, and others full and rich. We have had educated fleas on exhibition in New York. I wonder how it would do to give mosquito symphonv con- certs." "Our time is half up," announced the Doctor, " we must paddle awa}', if we are to secure any of that gaudy painted pottery for which Breves is noted." The Professor's canoe led the way through the yg'dpo, or forest swamp, past cane brakes, over which rosy spoon-bills fluttered, and where alligators slipped now and then with a heavy thud into the water, through a labyrinth of small lakes and channels called igct- 66 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. rapes or canoe paths, along which great, blue butterflies, whose wings have a wonderliil metallic lustre, skim lazil}', and the mangroves stoop to the clear water. The Doctor, the Professor, and Victoria, are out of hearing, when Mr. Jenkins startles the two girls with liim by a strange question : " Miss Van Vechten, did I understand you to say that you were acquainted with the family of the Senhor Silva, who was our com- panion on the steamer.-'" ^' I knew his mother, brother, and sister, in Lisbon. Will you tell me why you ask } " MR. JENKINS TAKES THE GIRLS INTO CONFIDENCE. " Yes, if you two young ladies can keej^ it to yourselves. I am a detective, sent out from New York by Gold, Glitter & Co., to trace the confidential clerk who levanted with so much of their cash. From information which I received at Para, and from my own ])er- sonal observation on board the steamer, I am positive that the rascal is one of two men." Maud and Delight looked at each other in suspense. "Either he is Senhor Silva, or else he is this precious doctor that the Professor has taken such a fancy to." "O no!" exclaimed Delight; "my father could not be so deceived!" " He is a perfect gentleman," said Maud, musingly. A PALMER'S PILGRIMAGE. 67 "So was tliis Bartlett; and I've noticed that although the Doctor can be polite enough to you young ladies, he don't put on an}- dancing airs with me; and he's quite particular about not sitting lor his picture. However, I've sent back two ver}- good ones to the ihm, and when we return to Para. I expect to hear whether he is the man. Mean- time, you must excuse mc if I stick rather close to your party; lor it won't do for me to lose sight of the Doctor as I have of the Senhor. He is an artful dodger, he is, and he gave me the slip in l\ira.'' "We expected to have his company up the ri\er," said Delight. She WMS going to add, "and we shall probably come across him before the journey is over," but she hesitated about giving Mr. Jen- kins any more clews. "I don't see v/hy you should care to follow the Senhor,'' said Maud. "He was born in Lisbon, and I assure 3'ou that his family are highly respectable. Do you know anything of this Mr. Bartlett's antece- dents.?" "Oh! yes, I have his whole memoir; he was born of poor but honest parents, down in Rhode Island; he was especially bright at figures from his earliest childhood; likewise languages; he learned Portuguese when he wms apprenticed to a Portuguese Jew tallow- chandler, at Padan Aram." " So you see it could not have been the Senhor," Delight interrupted, confidently. "The Senhor speaks English remarkably well," insinuated Mr. Jenkins. "But your description is all at fault," said Delight. "Mr. Bartlett is said to have been a blond, while Senhor Silva has a remarkabl}' dark complexion and black hair." Mr. Jenkins replied by a significant pantomime, washing his face and hands carefully in an imaginary fiuid, and remarking, scnten- tiousl}', " Hair dye." "If the Senhor is only Mr. Bartlett disguised," Maud remarked, 68 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. ^*" how could he know about my Lisbon friends, and describe them so accurately?" "That's what gets me," replied Mr. Jenkins, 'Mts the one extenuat- ing circumstance in his favor, you are his best witness; it's a pitv that there is n't some one to prove an alibi for the Doctor too. Do you know where he was born and bred?" " In New Haven," said Delight promptly. " He told me so." '^ He ought to have put it further oti," said Mr. Jenkins. " But he is familiar with the vicinity of Padan Aram," exclaimed Maud. ^' I spent a summer there, sketching, and he knew all about Nonquitt and New Bedford." "That's where he wasn't smart; nothing like a woman for the detective business." *" But then again he does not understand Portuguese very well, only a little from having been in Brazil once before." "That 's where he was a little too smart, he speaks it well." "All this circumstantial evidence is mere nonsense," Maud an- nounced with authority, "anyone can see that Doctor Stillman is as true and honorable as he is gentle and kind. I consider your suspi- cions insulting in the extreme." "All the same. Miss Van Vechten; I shall watch him pretty close till I get him back to Para and receive my orders from headquarters." "There is no need of resenting Mr. Jenkins' suspicions," Delight remarked quietly; "it is his business to suspect, and that he is fol- lowincf a false scent can do the Doctor no harm. I will guarantee that he will not attempt to elude or escape you, but that you will hnd his entire career perfectl}- open and straightforward." "Where are the others?'' Maud asked; "we have been so much absorbed in listening to Mr. Jenkins that we have not noticed where the canoeman has been taking us." Maud, after a vigorous conversation with the Indian, elicited the information that he had been engaged by the hour, and had paddled A PALMERS Pin: RIM AGE. 69 aimlessly on, expecting to be told when to return. Mr. Jenkins con- sulted his watch. "We must row at once for the steamer; the others are doubtless there, and wondering what has become of us." "What if they have started without us," Maud exclaimed. "Father would never allow them to do that,"' Delight replied. When they reached the open ri\er they found the steamer still there, but met the Professor waiting anxiously for them on the shore. " I did not know but I should have to land the party," he exclaimed, "and wait in Breves for the next boat. Were you lost.'*" Victoria met them as they came on deck, displaying her purchases in the way of red and yellow pottery, chickens with green and blue crests and impossible tail-feathers. The Professor had some remark- able finds, too, in fossils and in antique pottery, a vulture, and a non- descript idol. Mr. Jenkins looked about in an uneasy way. "Where is the Doc- tor? '" he asked. "We were so sorry!" Victoria replied; "but the woman who made the potter}- was very sick, and the Doctor thought he could cure her, so he had his medicine-chest carried from the boat and stayed." Utter silence followed Victoria's news. The steamer was making good time now up the broad river. Mr. Jenkins gave the girls an expressive look and strode away to the captain, asking if he could be put ashore. "No, indeed," replied the indignant functionary; "we wasted time enough waiting for you at Breves. We can't stop again just as we've got up steam; but I'll put you oti' to-morrow, if you wish it, with the greatest of pleasure." 70 THREE ^'ASS.IR CJ/A'LS IN SOC/TII AMERICA. CHAPTER V. NEAR TO NATURE S HEART, ALTHOUGH Delight had dclcndcd the Doctor so warmly she was by no means so confident as she had seemed. She had a judicial mind, accustom- ed to weigh evidence, and not easily carried away by her feelings. That Dr. Stillman had steadily won their good opinion was not a convincing proof that he was inno- cent, and her kind heart was greatlv troubled. She lay awake the greater part \ ol" the night, pondering -:v the situation. Something V seemed to trouble Victo- % ria, too, for she tossed about uneasily in her ham- mock, which happened to be hung quite near Delight's. "Vic," whispered the latter, after a time, " are you asleep? " "You know I am not," Victoria replied pettishly; "you must have heard me jrrumblinof and tumbling:." NEAR TO NATURE'S HEART. 71 "Yes; but I did n't know but perhaps the ijiazil nuts you ate for dessert might possibly have disagreed with you." "Nonsense; m}- digestion is all riglit, but ni\' self-respeet is out ol" order. Come here, and sit on the side ol" my hammock, and I will tell you all about it." Delight crept across in the moonlight, and Victoria began her con- fession. "Do you know, Delight dear, that 1 believe that f' sick Indian was only an excuse for Dr. Stillman to leave our party? " Delight started. " I know it," she replied ; " but what makes you think so?" " Well, you know your dear papa is quite deaf, and he was so much interested in everything about us, that the Doctor and I were as good as alone all day ; and De- light, dear, I was dread- fully rude to him; and I am quite ashamed of m}'- self, for I don't see how I could have been so unladylike. This was how it hapj-)ened. Every- thing was so lovely and strange in that canoe-ride that I grew quite enthusiastic, and I remember that I said it would be delightful to glide on so forever, near to Nature's heart, and away irom all the artiticiality of our modern societ}'. And Dr. Stillman agreed that it would, provided that one were not quite alone, but for two people who loved each other to begin life so would be like the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. I was not sure whether he was making IN COM lOKXCE. *j2 THREE VAS:SAK i'.IRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. sport ol mc or whether he was really ^jjrowiiiL; sentinieiiLal, and as I did not approNc of either attitude, 1 was vexed enough; and-I asked him what, in tliat case, would become of" liis tine theories of living tor the benetit of the human race. Then he acknowledged that 1 was right; that life in such a paradise would be selfish in the extreme, and not to be wished for b}' any one until he had won his palm. And after tiiat he read me another of his moral lectures about' the joy ot" li\ ing tor others, and of loving people we don't like, which I told him seemed to me an evident paradox. And he even proceeded to make a personal application of his remarks, and to beg me to choose the career for which I thought God had particularly fitted me, and in which I could do the most good in the world. Oh! I was angry. I told him that w^e were not all intended to be cart-horses, and hold our noses to the grindstone. By-the-by, it strikes me now^ that was rather a mixed metaphor, for I never saw a cart-horse do such a thing, but I don't beliijve he noticed it, for he did not smile, but grew quite gray- about the lips, and replied that it was only his extreme mterest in me which prompted him to take such a liberty. Then I informed him that it was indeed a libert}', and that he had no business to be inter- ested in me, and that as I intended to finish my education at Vassar, I had no need of a tutor." "O Vic, how could you have been so rude?" " Outrageous, was n't it? " "Yes. I don't believe you really were as bad as that." "Oh yes, I was; and he begged my pardon humbly enough, but he was every bit as angry as I. The spectacles came oti", and his big eyes flashed, and he said I should not be troubled by any interference in future. At that moment I believe he would ha\ e liked to have rolled me in the mud. as William the Conqueror did Matilda, when she scorned him." "" I believe that, like Matilda, you would have respected him more if he had done so. What happened next ? " A'EAK -JO NATCA'/rS HEART. 73 ""Nothing ill paiticular. AVc IodUccI at the poUciy, and I told llic Professor tliat Professor Orton brought back a (luantity of it, and it was in the Museum at Vassar. 'I'hen, naturally, we talked about Professor Orton and the beautil'ul collection of vSouth American birds and other curiosities whieii he gathered with so much pains in his trip across this continent, and which X^issar now owns. 1 lamented that the poor man should ha\ e died just at the beginning ol" his ca- reei- and Dr. Stillman replied that he en\ied him, for he had done a defniite work for science and would be remembered as a man who had accomplished something. Your father said that Vassai- might be ver}- proud of Professor Orton's memory, and then a messenger came and desired the Doctor to call on this sick person; and while we waited outside in the shade of the mangoes I cooled down a little, and realized that I had been hasty, and had possibh' ofiended him, an(J, determined that on our way back to the ship 1 would satisfy mv self-respect by a not too abject apology. But when he came out lie announced that he would not be able to accompany us. — this poor creature needed his attention. I was so surprised that 1 could not say anything. Your father hoped that he would tind us at Santarem, where we intend to make our longest stop, and he promised that in case we left the town before his arrival we would lea\ e a letter for him informmg him of our next moxements. ' It I am too busv to do it myself, Miss Victoria here will be my amanuensis," your father said, and I could feel that the Doctor looked straight at me, though I would not meet his gaze. 'Very well," he said, 'if Miss Victoria will write me ot' your plans, I will try to join you,' and then he went back into the house, and we came away." "I don't see, then, what you have to worry about; \-ou will have }'our opportunity to apologize, after all." "Yes; but a written apology is so much more compromising than a spoken one. I could have made some casual remark which would not have signified much, and yet would have placed us on good 74 7HRKE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. terms, and now I must cat humblc-pic or complicate the matter still more. Besides, if I write at nil, it is the same as acknowledging that I want him to travel with us, and he was dangcrousl}' near being sentimental, and it might be encouraging him.'' '^ Then," said Delight checrfull}', " cverNthing seems to be for the best, just as it is." ^' You are such a perverse little optimist. I really believe if you were cast into the (S.Mr. Jenkins made a rather startling com- munication to us girls. He thinks that the Doctor is that defaulting cashier in disguise." Victoria grasped her friend's hand tightl}', — "The idiot! " " Why, Vic, you were the first to suggest the idea." "Yes; but that was before I really became acquainted with Dr. Stillman. Does he impress you as a scoundrel?" "No, dear. 1 can hardly imagine that anyone could be enough of a iiypocrite to wear such a face as Dr. Stillman's over a black heart; but I should hesitate to trust my own impressions in a case like this." "You are too stlf-distrustful and cautious. People who weigh both sides so evenly end by never having any opinion of their own. Now I always trust to m\' intuitions." "And you are sonrctimes mistaken." "Better to be honestly mistaken than to be forever on the fence, hesitating, doubting, balancing." "Well, Vic, even supposing Dr. Stillman to be perfectly innocent, NEAR TO NATURE'S HEART. 75 it seems to me that it is fortunate that he is not subjected to the espi- onai^e and doo^o:in"^ of this detective." "I do not agree with you. It seems to me that liis lea\ing us at this juncture will be regarded by this narrow-minded creature as a suspicious circumstance, while, if he had staged, even Mr. Jenkins would have seen that he was entirely on the wrong track." " Vic, dear, don't worry ■ , about it; everything will come straight, I am sure." " And this letter, which I am to write the Doctor at Santa- rem ? " " Never cross a bridge till you come to it. You will know just what to do when the time comes." Lite on the steamer passed tranquilly and pleasantly. The girls began to understand whv it was proper to speak of this ^P intricate network of braided 'W^K~-=?3 watercourses as the Amazo;/5, and not as one river. The steamer, to avoid the swift current, hugged the shore, giving them a tine view ot the rank vege- tation, the lowlands covered with thousands of cattle, and the woods matted together with looping lianas and parasitic plants. ]\Ir. Jenkins left the steamer at its next stopping-place, Monte Alegre, or the Joyous Mountain. At their last view of him he was playing cards with a priest, but his sneak-box was on his knees, and one wary eye kept watch on the steamboat landing. lie announced his intention of remaining: here until the arrival of the next boat IKNKINS' OPPONENT AT CARDS. 76 THRICK 1\IS:SAR G/RLS A\" SOUTH AMERICA. bound down the river, when he would return to Breves. Near Monte Alegre they visited a cacao orchard, and saw tlie process ol" dryin*^ the fruit from wliicli chocohite is made. It grows in oblong shells citrht or ten inches in len meaning. "It is a paradise indeed, but lile in such a paradise would be pure seltishness; for surely we are placed in this world to help lift up our lellow creatures and relorm society, and not to desert our own countr\' and time with its calls for earnest labor." It was a strange speech for Victoria to make. It sounded cxactl}' like one of the Doctor's, and she remembered W'ith a blush that the w^ords which had incensed her so highly and had led to their quarrel were almost identical with these. Was she comina' to aefrec with him so exactly? Had the Senhor known how^ deeply her mind was becoming inter- ested in new aims for higher living, he might have argued that here was a mission field in the uplifting of the little community over which he reigned almost as a feudal lord. But the Senhor had no sympathy with such ideas, and he continued to press considerations of a more selfish nature. ''I hope," he said, "to build here a domain. I shall add to my land and my servants until I am the most powerful proprietor in this region. I shall build a castle here which 3-ou must help me plan, and whose appointments 3'ou shall select in Europe. My family is influentially connected, and with my means it will not be difficult to purchase a title. Say that you w-ill accept that of the Baroness da Silva y Palacios and I will secure it for you. I do not ask 3'ou to answer me now^, only to think of it, and to tell me when the trip is over." " I ought not to let 3'ou think of it as possible," Victoria said. " I ought to tell 3-ou now, once for all." "No," he interrupted, "I will not receive m3' answer now; 3'ou must have time to think." "Ver3' well," she replied, "perhaps it will be best so." That evening after dinner the vote was taken. The Senhor was elated and confident as he passed his wide Panama hat, but his expression changed as he read the slips, — there were onl3' two marked Tapajos, while there wxre three ballots for the Madeira. 154 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. As she bade him good-night, Victoria lingered an instant behind the rest. '^ I can decide better away iVom you,'' she said. "One moment, Victoria," the Senhor replied; but she had gone. "She is afraid that she will consent," the Senhor said to himself. "The battle is more than half won," — and then he scowled deeply — "but I cannot so to the States for her. I mic^ht, however, meet her in Europe. No, that is too problematical. They must return this way, and, little as they have it in their minds, they shall do so." THE MADEIRA TROUBLE. OD CHAPTER XL THE MADEIRA TROUBLE. HEIR last day at the iazcnda was a biis\' one. The Senhor drew Maud aside early in the morning. '^ 1 would like to eonsult you," he said in the flattering- tone in whieh he had latterly tried to ingratiate himself in jNIaud's good opinion. "I wish to make Miss Delavan a good-by present: what do you think would please her most?" "Will you act on my suggestion."*" Maud asked, "in case I give my opinion." "Most certainly," the Senhor replied blandly. "Then if you will sit to me for 3'our portrait, I ■will do my best to make one which will keep 3-ou in her remem- brance." The Senhor shot a keen look at Maud's impenetrable face, reflected a moment, and accepted the ofler. "But what can you do in one day?" he asked. "It will only be a sketch, but I will work fast, and do my best." Maud kept her promise and speedily washed in a striking likeness. While the painting w\as progressing Victoria had kept her room. "The time has come for me to w^rite that apology to the Doctor," she said to Delicrht. "I wish I could see him and talk it out; however ' what must be, must,' " and Victoria wrote a gentle, lady-like note, as unlike the one which the Doctor had just received, and purporting to come from her, as sweetness from poison. This note she lelt with her own hands the next day at Senhor Correa's. A shabby priest was 1^6 THREE I'ASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. loiHii^inU" in the store, and wlien slie left he tlirew away the cii^-arette Avliich lie had been smokini;- and spoke to Senhor Correa. ''That letter is lor my Iriend Dr. Stillnian, is it not?"" "Yes. He has gone up the river, has he not?" "Yes. I j(jin him by the next boat, and I will deliver it." " Verv well," and Vietoria's note was salely buttoned within liro- ther Dennis's cassock. The priest then sauntered down tcj the land- ing and embarked on the same steamer with the Professor's j'JartN'. It was doubled in size now, lor the Senhor had insisted on their tak- inir a hall" dozen of his own servants, among whom were l^hiiomena Graciliano. and Pedro. "You can obtain boats easily enough up the river," he said, "but cannot always depend upon tinding faithful servants." It so happened that the Senhor could not go to Santarem to sec them olf, for his steamer from the upper Tapajos arrived as they were leaving, and there were a number of matters which required his immediate attention. The Indians were to return to him when thev had safely conve3'ed the party to Exaltacion. The Senhor begged the Professor not to wait until their return, but to send him frequent news of their welfare, promising at the same time to forward letters for them to different cities on the Pacitic coast, which, transferred bv the usual route for crossing the continent, might be expected to reach their destination more quickly than the Professor's party. Maud, while making her sketch of the Senhor, had noticed carefully every little peculiarity of complexion, and she had come to the con- clusion that his mustache was dyed. The ends w^ere intensely black, but close to the lip there wms a little distance where it had ireshly grown, where the color was much lighter. She was positive, too, that it was not gray, but a light yellow^ Then she remembered Victoria's discovery in regard to the wig, and close to the Senhor's neck she discovered a curling wisp of golden hair. It was hardly long enough to be detected, a mere point shining among the glossy black waves. THE MADEIRA TROUBLE. 157 but Maud saw it, and it conlirmcd licr suspicions. Siic had never lancicd tliat she would lon<;- lor the society ot' Mr. Jenkins, but slie would have been <^-reatly pleased at this juncture to ha\e had a lew moments' con\ersation with him, or e\en to have known his address. She hunted up the newspaper containing- the description of ^NTr. Bartlett, and in the solitude of her own room that last afternoon at the fazenda she dashed in another sketch of the Senhor, folio wino- the study alread}' made in form and feature, but chani2"inir the colorinir. The eifect was ^startling, and she was on the point of mailing the result to iSIessrs. Gold and Glitter, of New York, when the memory of her Lisbon friends restrained her. The brother of little Candida ^^^ could not be the default- ing clerk, — and baffled and puzzled she hid the portrait in the bottom of her sketch-box. Their voyage up the river was uneventful, — the same lazy tropical da}'S following one upon another, the same luxu- riance of tropical foliage in the landscape, and the broad yellow river tiowing on to the sea. They had noticed far down toward its mouth bits of pumice- stone floating upon its surface, and every day brought them nearer the volcanoes which had sent them these hardened foam-flakes as their greetings. Brother Dennis did not seek their society. He had succeeded in deceiving Dr. Stillman, but he wisely declined at this time to sub- mit his disguise to the scrutiny of a bevy of sharp-eyed girls. He MAUD HAS A SLSPICION. 1^8 THREE VASSAR GIRLS L\ SOUTH AMERICA. left them at Manaos, determined to follow them later if a clue which seemed to present itself should prove false. The Professor availed himself of steam transportation as far as it was atibrded, but found himself stranded one tine morning in a little village on the banks of the Madeira, whose principal interest consisted in its being a depot of the rubber trade. Now began the real difficul- ties of the trip. Two boats were hired, and the part\- now experi- enced the more arduous camp and canoe life. They carried provisions for two months, with tents, tools, medicines, and presents for the Indians whom the}' might meet. The}' mounted the river slowly, paddling against the current. The scenery was monotonous, and they passed verv few settlements, even of Indians. Now and then the settlement of a Seringueiro, or the gipsy-like camp of a few Car- ipunas, who had come to the river in search of turtle-eggs, and evcrv- where else the loneliness of the wilderness. With little of outside interest they came to know each other more intimately, and Maud began to feel herself more strongly drawn to Victoria. A change had come over the girl. She v/as no longer careless and frivolous. vShe was carefully studying her own soul, and her mind was iilled with a vague discontent; all her previous ambitions seemed puerile, and she longed lor the ^' more excellent way." Delight was cheerful and merry as ever, extracting entertainment and even enthusiasm out of the most meagre material. It was Delight who first suspected a romance between Philomena and Graciliano. " He is not married at all," she informed the other girls, "as the Senhor led us to suppose, when we were talking that night about the dolphins. But he is terri- bly jealous of Philomena, and only came on this trip because he knew she was coming." Delight listened to the songs which tlie boatmen sang, and copied them in her note-book. There was one which was so musical that Victoria learned to sing it, and her rich voice often carried the air above the supporting drone of the Indians. THE MADEIRA TROUBLE. I^C) " Navigando Voi siguicndo En mi canoa, Del Madera Con la proa La carera Al sentenrion. Sin timon." Had it not been for Delight's merry ways their interest might have palled in this long streteh of their journey, but she kept every one in "■ood humor with her own lis^ht-heartedness. " You remind me of a saying of Alphonse Karr," Maud remarked to her one day. "^ Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses.' " All went well until they reached San Antonio, the first of the eighteen falls of the Madeira. Here ic a Brazilian outpost, abandoned in times past on account of fevers, and scantily garrisoned at the time of their visit with a few soldiers. San Antonio was made, as late as 1882, the depot for the railroad supplies, rolling-stock, engine, rails, houses, and other property of the Madeira and Marmori Railroad. It was sad to witness the abandonment of this enterprise, and the waste, through the long rains, of machinery and property exceeding one hundred thousand dollars in value. They were told that the road, as far as it had been cut through the forest, was so completely overgrown as to be scarcely traceable, while every particle of movable material left unguarded had been carried away by the Indians. Now began the portages which it was necessary to repeat so frequently as they proceeded. The boats were unloaded and towed up the rapids, while the packages and boxes were carried on the backs of the Indians along the shore. At the Theotino Cataract, the next considerable fall, it was necessar}^ to transport the boats themselves on land for nearly eight hundred yards. Rollers were placed beneath them, but the process was very tedious and wearisome even for the sturdy Indians. The scenery was no longer monotonous, but, broken by ranges of hills, it was in some places wildly picturesque. The Theotino Cataract l6o 'JHREE I'AS^AR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. was especially imposing. The spectacle of its whirling, tossing spray; its black crags and leajnng wa\es playing w ith the driftwood and tossing tree-trunks into the air as though the}- wx're child's play- things, was exhilarating, and thrilled the nerves with a sympathetic sense of power. The portage, however, was difficult, and ]Maud heard the servants grumbling among themselves; Pedro apparently paciticd in a sentence of which INIaud could only understand the words, "Not here, but at the Caldeirao do Inferno." The rapids of Caldeirao do Inferno, or IlelFs Kettle, has the worst reputation of all the eighteen falls of the Madeira. ]More than one hardy traveller has been drowned in its treacherous eddies, and many a cargo has been wrecked upon its rocks. What was the consterna- tion of the tourists, on arriving at this hazardous point, at being informed by Pedro that the Indians would go no further; that indeed this was the spot at Avhicli tlie Senhor had ordered them to leave the party. It was in vain that the Professor exhausted ever}' means in his power to induce them to continue with them as far as the Mission of Exaltacion. The Indians were obdurate, and prepared one of the boats lor their descent, unscrupulously lading it with food and such other articles as took their fancw Only Philomena remained faithful. She had become strongly attached to Victoria and relused to leave lier. Apparently Graciliano wasted much eloquence upon her in en- deavoring to change her determination. She turned her back upon him resolutely, and he reluctantly entered the boat as it was pushed from shore. They sat down on the boxes of the Professor's fossils in utter silence; no one had a suggestion to otler, so complete was their despair. Suddenly Philomena uttered a glad cry, and pointed to the black head of a swimmer coming rapidly tow\ard them through the water. It was Graciliano, whose resolution had deserted him, and who had returned to share the fortunes of the lad}' of his heart. lie shook the water from liim like a 2:rcat Newfoundland doer, and re- ceived Philomena's joyful welcome with sheepish satisfaction. THE MADEIRA TROUBLE. 163 "Tell me truly," Maud asked, "did the Senhor bid you desert us in this extremity? He promised us that you should eonvey us all the way to Exaltacion." "We were not to desert you," Graciliano replied, "we were to take vou back with us. The men are waitin<^^ now at the rapid of the Little Hell. If you care to return they will take 3'ou, if not, they will go back to-morrow morning without 3'ou." "Shall we return?" Delight asked. "What other alternative have we?" "Return to Senhor Silva's!" Victoria exclaimed. "Never." "Not necessarily to Senhor Silva," Mrs. Holmes suggested; "but to Manaos, where we can take the steamer for Para." "We ought to be able to hire Indian paddlers in this vicinitv," the Professor suggested, "and if so, we can continue our journey as we have planned it. I do not like to trust our lives in the hands of those treacherous men again. They have stolen our goods, and, rather than convey us to a civilized region, where the}' would be compelled to restore them, I fear they might be tempted to murder us all." Graciliano, when conferred with, shrugged his shoulders, and it was decided to go into camp where they were for the night. This was effected very comfortably; for their stock of provisions and comforts, though lessened, w^ere still sufficient for their neces- sities. The next morning the Professor and Graciliano started, on what appeared to be an Indian trail, in search of a village. All day long the forlorn women waited for them on the bank of the river, but night settled upon them, and the Professor did not return. Maud thought with a shudder of the fate of Madame Odonnais, and Philomena told blood-curdling stories of tribes of savage Indians, murderers and cannibals, who roved this region, and had kidnapped men not many years before. No one slept during that night. The}' built a bonfire and piled driftwood upon it from time to time, not knowing whether it 164 THREE I'ASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. would prove a beacon to Iriend or loe. Morning dawned, and Phi- lomena prepared breakfast, but no one could eat a morsel. Toward noon a Boli\ian merchant, descending the river witli a train of ca- noes nnd barges, laden with hides and tallow, came down the ri\er bank with his servants to arrange a portage around the lalls. lie offered to take them down the river, but this proposal was tirmly declined. Mrs. Holmes begged him to send some one in search of her husband, and he agreed to do so after he had completed the transfer of his boats. A lew hours later, much to their relief, the Professor and Graci- liano appeared with three friendly Caripuna Indians, whose services they had secured. The Bolivian merchant, on examination of their canoe, agreed to exchange it for one of his own convoy above the falls, thus avoiding the transport of both around the rapids. En- couraged by this piece of good fortune and by the timely arrival of reinforcements, their goods were speedily carried up the bank, and before nightfall were safely stowed in the new canoe. For a time their troubles seemed to have ended. The Professor made valuable discoveries of fossils, and in the broad river spaces between the rapids they progressed easily, spread- ing two sails with which the canoe was provided, and gliding easily along before a fa\orable wind. But in the repeated portages, the Professor, anxious to be of help, over-exerted himself, and when the journey was nearly accomplished he was taken ill with an intermit- tent fever. "It is the tertiana,"* said Philomena. ^' The falls of the Madeira are noted for it. When the railroad was being built we used to hear that a man was buried for every sleeper laid in the track." Their trouble was increased by Mrs. Holmes's discovery that the medicine chest had been carried away by Pedro for the sake of the brandy and Jamaica ginger which it contained. Victoria's botanical studies now came to the front. With Graciliano as pioneer, to clear THE MADEIRA TROUBLE. 167 the way before her with an axe, she made a short excursion into the tbrest, and returned with some of the fruit of the guarana. Philo- mena prepared the paste, moulding it into the shape oi the curupira, or bird of the evil eye ; for without this symbolic form she was sure the drug would lose its efficacy, and un- der its administra- tion the Professor for a time experienced some relief. During their marches he Avas now carried in a hammock, and keep- ing up heart as best they could, with the knowledge that they were n earing the Cachoeira das Ba- naneiras, the last im- portant fall of the Madeira. It was at the Ba- naneiras, however, that the last catas- trophe occurred. The violent treatment which the boat had re- ceived in its battles with sharp rocks in being towed through rapids, and especialh' the straining and wrenching in rolling o^■er MOUTH OF LATERAL RIVER. ^L^DE11;... i68 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. the stony Lrround and through the obstrueting underbrush had so weakened it, that when the Indians loaded it in the rapids above the falls, the shock occasioned by the fall of a heavy box of fossils, which one of the Indians dropped, jiroved the last straw^ and the canoe went to pieces before their eyes. Fortunately, none of the part}' were on board, and the In- dians rescued most of the provisions, but the Professor's precious collections went to the bottom like lead. The poor man gave a cry of amazed grief, and sank back in his ham- mock, utterly over- come. What was to be done ? Xothing but to camp' once more and wait for help. They were in the neighborhood of unfriendly Indians^ notorious robbers and plunderers who, were they aware of their misfortune, would take ad- vantaire of their distressed condition; but the river was the highway, CARU'l NA INDIAN llL'Nil.Xt. THE MADEIRA TROUBLE. 171 and it was to be hoped that some other traveller as friendly as the Bolivian merchant would appear to their relief. The Professor's fever, increased by his excitement and disappointment, assumed a more alarming type, and, to add to their discomfort, their provisions began to give out. Graciliano and the Indians fished; there was still a good supply of farina, but the canned articles had disappeared, and only one ham remained. The Caripunas had brought with them a pair of lean and mangy dogs, who cleared the remains of ever}' meal, and, like Pharoah's lean kine, seemed none the fatter for their eating. One morning it was dis- covered that the ham had disappeared, and this time one of the dogs really was fat. He lay in contented idleness, winking at them sleepily with liis thievish eves. The Indian owner, unable to say a word in defence of his pet, and apparenth^ actuated by a desire to do the fair thing, offered to kill the dog as reparation, urging that in so doing he returned the stolen meat with interest, and assuring them that dog-flesh was very good eating. It was Delight who retailed the story to the others, and it raised the one laugh in which they indulged during their melancholy camp on the Bananeiras. The next day a number of Indian canoes passed them, going down the river, and the Caripunas left them with the full consent of their employers, for they had no longer work or provisions for them. Graciliano killed and roasted a monkey for supper, from M'hich Philomena and he made a plentiful meal, lor the others could INDIAN DOGS. 172 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. not bring thcmsclxes to toucli it, though Philomcna arranged an arm as tcmptingh' as possible, and assured lier young mistress tliat it was verv like squirrel. The guarana seemed no longer to exert any inrtuence over the Prol'essor; he was delirious and raved piteously about his theories. "To think," said Victoria bitterly, "that it is the Senhor's perlkly whicli has brought us to this extremity. lie j-)retended an interest in the Professor's \vork, and assured us that his ser\ants were laithful only to wreck the expedition and make it necessary lor us to return to him. But, even if he had succeeded, I do not see what advantage he could have expected to reap, since we lose our good opinion of him." "He evidently supposed that we w^ould blame his servants,'' said Maud, "and he is so very plausible that if we were to return I be- lieve he could make us all think that he had nothing whatever to do with the matter. Now, however, there seems to be no opportunit}' to return. Victoria used the correct word, — we are really in ex- tremity." "Man's extremity is God's opportunity," said Delight with a quaver in lier usuallv jovous voice. " When things are at their very worst the next cliange must be for the better, and surely nothing can be much worse than this." Poor Delight I As she spoke, Maud and Victoria looked at each other, an unspoken fear palsying their hearts. The}' had watched the Professor narrowly, and had seen him slipping, slipping slowly out of their hands. Mrs. Holmes was almost crazed with anxiety, only Delight would not see the awful danger and Avas obstinately hopeful and cheerful. It was Maud's turn to sit up with the sick man to-night, and Victoria left the cabin and walked desperately and aimlessly down to the foaming water below the fall. '' It he dies," she said to herself, " wdiat will become of us? It is true that we have plentv of money, but in our condition it is of no more use THE MADEIRA TROUBLE. 173 than Crusoe's gold on the uninluibitcd island. lie must )iot die, and yet without help he surely will. Oh! where is Dr. Stillman?" In her despair she had uttered the ery aloud, thinking herself quite alone. Now to her alarm she saw a dark figure gliding along the river bank toward her. She turned and walked rapidly toward the cabin, but looking over her shoulder she saw that the man had also quickened his pace and was gaining upon her. The stories of the kidnapping Indians flashed upon her mind, and she ran frantically. She might have escaped, but the ground was rock}- and uneven. She tripped on a rolling stone and fell violently forward. She tried to rise, and as she did so she felt a firm grasp upon her shoulder, .^aul, brave girl as she was, she tainted quite away. 174 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. CHAPTER XII. HELP. HEN Mr. Jenkins left the steamer he imagined himself on the track of the Senhor. A merchant bearing the name of Silva had come up the river with the ' \ l\ ) I \ Captain on a previous trip, and had stopped at .// 1 / \ Manaos. At Manaos, therefore, Mr. Jenkins ■IT '"^ disembarked and proceeded to make inquiries ' .^■■^=^^i,__^ \ concerning his man, whom he found, to his disgust, to be a perfectly reputable and ancient resident of the place, a wealthy, aged, and corpulent individual, sur- rounded by a large family. Mr. Jenkins should not have built too much upon the name, which he now found to be as common in Brazil as its equivalent, Wood, in the United States. Before de- scending the river Mr. Jenkins met the Doctor, as he imagined that he might; but he scarcely recognized him, he had become so thin and dejected. " Cheer up, my friend," he exclaimed, giving the young man a hearty blow upon the shoulder. " I have brought you an answer to the letter which you left at the sawmill on the Tapajos last week/' The Doctor received the letter with a look of wonder, and as he read it his mystification deepened. ^' I do not understand this, Brother Dennis," he said. " It purports to be from a lady of my acquaintance, but I have already received a letter from her, written in a very different tone and hand." "Conclusion is evident that one of the letters is a forgery," said Mr. Jenkins cheerfully. HELP. 175 "Yes, but which letter? It makes worlds of difference for me," "I saw Miss Victoria Delavan place this letter in Senhor Correa's keeping with her own hands."' "Then the other letter is the forged one,'' Dr. Stillman ex- claimed, a great wave of joy sweeping across his worn lace. "But who could have been interested in doing sucli a base thing? Surely no one of her companions." " I don't know; have you the letter? Let me see it." "Here it is. I don't know why I saved it except to wound m}\self again and attain bv re-readino^ it." Mr. Jenkins gave a long, sharp whistle. "That is the handwriting of the man I am in search of — the defaultino' clerk of Gold, Glitter & Co." " What do you, an Irish priest, know of Gold, Glit- ter & Co.?" In answer, Mr. Jenkins tore off his goggles and threw his priestly broad- brim on the ground. As Dr. Stillman continued to stare in mild surprise, he drew from an inner pocket of his gown his scrap-book of photographs, and remarked: "Allow me to present these, with the compliments of your humble servant, Abijah Jenkins, of the Detective Bureau, No. — , Great Jones Street, New York. Can be telephoned for, except when on special duty, as at present, Irom the rooms of the Police Court Tombs Prison." "Your disguise is perfect; but I do not understand its object." MR. JENKINS REVEALS HIMSELF, J -(3 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. " It is not necessary tliat you sliould. Indeed, I am not sure but vou already know too niucli, since I liave made it e\ident tliat tlie ro<^>'ue I am in search of is a member of Prolessor Holmes's party. They are clever lellows at disguises. Who can lie be? Not the Prolessor liimselL His age is certainly not make up, and the Senhor Silya, whom I at tirst suspected, was not Avith them when they came up the river." ^' Perhaps he has adopted ladies* attire." The Doctor spoke in tine scorn, but Mr. Jenkins caught at the idea. ^' It is perfectly possible. They sometimes do that, you know. There was a Flying Lulu, a clever trapeze performer, who was a <>Teat belle, and who turned out to be a man." "But one of these ladies! You are surely insane." "No, I am not. That is Bartlett's handwriting, and that is proof positive that Bartlett exists somewhere. I believe he is in the Pro- fessor's party, and I propose to tind him. I have carte blanche as to expense, and the live thousand extra which I shall obtain if I am suc- cessful is worth an effort. They have gone up the jNIadeira, and I shall follow them. AVould you like to go with me?" "Yes, if only to protect them from any annoyance to which you might subject them." "I shall not annoy them unless I am sure, but I have a shrewd fel- low to deal with and I must be shrewd myself. You must promise not to betray me, or I '11 not take you with me." "I promise, and I will even undertake to help you." "You can do that if you choose. Find out who wrote that letter. It is perfectly natural that you should want to know that for personal reasons. When I know that, I have all the information I want." " I agree to do this if you will promise, on your side, not to trouble the ladies in any way." " I shall trouble no one but the author of that letter." "Then it is a compact." HELP. 179 When the Doctor and Mr. Jenkins readied San Antonio they found tlie BoHvian mercliant who liad assisted tiie Professor at the Caldeirao ready to ascend the river with his empty barges, ha\ ing disposed ot liis cargo of liides and tallow at the rubber depot below. Though of mixed blood, his father having been a mulatto and iiis mother an Indian, he was intelHgent as well as wealthy, for slavery does not exist in Bolivia, and such education as there is, is free to all. The vears which had passed over his frosty poll had made him kind!}' as well as shrewd, and though his face was as twisted as a gnarled apple, the Professor's party had reason to remember long his courtesy to them. lie readily agreed to give Brother Dennis and the Doctor passage, and the \o3-agers ascended the river much more rapidl}' than the Professor had done. When they reached the "^ Kettle,""' he told them of his adventure wnth the unfortunate tourists, and the Doctor's heart blessed him for his kindness to those dear to him. As their meeting drew near, he grew more and more impatient. The long delays caused by the portages were al- most insupportable, and he frequently strode on ahead; at such times acting as pioneer, and stri\ing by every means in his power to hasten their progress. They reached the lower rapids o\ the Bananeiras at nightfall, too late to unload or to attempt to get the boats near the fill that night. But after the evening meal, the Doctor, urged by an impetuosity which he could not himself explain, walked on u]i the ri\er bank, and, as we have seen, unintentionally alarmed Victoria. "I would not have frightened you for any consideration," he said, as she slowly regained consciousness, "but I thought I heard my BOI.IVIAV MKKCUANT. l8o THREE VASSAR GIRLS IX SOUTH AMERICA. name called, and I naturally hurried forward. I called when I saw that you retreated, but you did not recognize me." "You iia\ e e(jme not a moment too soon,'" Victoria replied. "I fear the dear Professor is already beyond 3'our power to save." The Doctor's opinion, after a protracted examination, was not encouraging. He was non-committal to INIrs. Holmes and Delight, but to Victoria he acknowledged that there was very little hope. ''We will get him to P>xaltacion, where he can ha\"e all needed com- forts: further than that I cannot promise." Victoria's anxiety for the Professor was such that she had given the Doctor no opportunity at their hrst meeting to speak on the subject uppermost in his mind, and until the3M-eached Exaltacion their life on board the barge threw them all so intimately together that there was no chance for private conversation. The Doctor did, indeed, mention his visit at the fazenda of vSenhor Polacios and learned with surprise that Victoria had never received the letter which he left for her. He could not mention the forged letter which he had himseli' received in the presence of the others, and he quietly waited a more convenient opportunity. Brother Dennis w^as presented to the part\', but, beyond the remark that they liad noticed him on tlie steamer between Santarem and Manaos, he excited no attention. All breathed a sigh of relief w'hen the barges arrived at the old Jesuit mission bearing the loft}' name of the Puerto de Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz. Peace and rest seemed to brood over the decaying town. Silent brown women glided noiselessly about. The plaza with its square of \erandahed cottages w^as like the cloister ol' some old con\ent, and the tall crucifixes, and the adobe church, with its curious figade, helped the illusion. Victoria almost fancied that she could see the exiled brothers of the Society of Jesus attending to their priestly avocations. Surely, she thought, if the Professor must die, no more peaceful spot could have been chosen for his last hours than this. K\.\l-iACll<.\. HEL1\ l8? Tlie Corrcgidor, or Prefect of the Deparlnient, [issioncd them apart- ments in the ancient Collegium. Here, lor a time, the Professor's lil'c seemed iust to tiicker in the socket. Mrs. Holmes and Deli.. INCA VLPAKRUI. 204 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. ^' What seems stranLjc to me,'' said Delight, '^ is that the\' eoulcl liave done so much without iron." ^'Silver must liave taken its place. You know Pizarro caused his horses to be shod with silver, for lack of the stronger metal.'"' ^' The Peruvians had no horses, and when the natives first saw the Span- ish cavaliers they imagined that horse and rider were one animal, — terrible centaurs, with power to command the lightning and the thunder with clumsy blunderbusses." "These ruins have such a Titanic and ancient look," said Victoria, '"'"that I can scarcely realize that the taking of Cuzco by Pizarro occurred as late as 1533, and that the last de- scendant of the Incas was cruelly executed in our owji century." The Professor was of the opinion that man}' of the immense ruins not only out-dated the Spanish conquest, but were contemporaneous with some of the remains in Egypt and Persia. The}' found much to entertain them in modern Cuzco, its churches and convents, as well as in the sou- venirs of the past. There was the Cathedral with its two bell-towers, and the pretty legend in regard to the missing bell. Two bells of the same size had been cast for these towers and christened respec- tively INIaria and Magdalcna. But the ship bearing the Magdalena foundered at sea, and now^, when the Maria tolls or sends forth a joy- ous peal, the fishermen say that they can hear her sister chiming ar» answer, though buried deep beneath the sea. EFFIGY. THE DELECTABLE MOUMALXS.— CUZCO. 207 They saw the great elligies which, on the lestixal of the Scnor dc /as Teinblores (Christ of the Earthquakes), parade the eitw They were nut unlike tlie images used lor the same j)urj)ose in I*assion week in Seville. Maud made a note ot" the imbecile creatures. San lUas, iVom whom a quarter in the cit}' is named, was dressed like a Spanish courtier of the time of Charles V., with an angel attendant perched upon a spiral spring, shading his saintship with a pink silk parasol. Nearly all of the tigures were arranged with these springs, which gives them a swaying, bobbing motion as their litters are carried through the streets. San Benito follows next in the procession, — a negro saint resembling Brudder Bones; and next comes Saint Christopher, ; leaning on a palm-tree stalT, and costumed like an Assyrian king. Then follows St. Joseph, the car- penter, dressed like a Carmelite monk, and carrying a saw as a symbol of his craft. Next appears the effigy of the Blessed Virgin, a wax doll in the toilette of an empress, loaded with jewels, her blund hair curled and powdered, and a fan in her dainty hand. Her dress is embroidered with pearls, a collar of rubies supports her immense lace ruff, and her diadem is of immense value. Her glass eyes arc contrived by clock-work to revolve rapidly, and so she progresses, curtesying, ogling, while the crowd shriek their admiration. The most horrible image of all is the Christ, stretched upon a cross, black- KFFKiV 208 THREE VASSAR GIRLS I\ SOUTH AMERICA. cncd by ai^c, liaxini;- nc\er been retouched since the Emperor Charles sent it iVoni Cadi:'., as liideous as an idol, and draped \vith a tawdry petticoat ol' lace, looped by a ribbon. ^' Tell me," said Maud, "was the ancient Sun worship of the Peru- vians Averse than this idolatry?" ^' It is possible," replied the Professor, " that when we consider all its degrading features we must confess that ic was. The religious legends, though many of them poetical, were manifestly invented to give divine authority to the rei«:n of the Incas. Accordino- to tradi- tion the time was when the ancient races were plunged in barbarism. The Sun, taking compassion on their degraded con- dition, sent two of his children, Manco Capac and INIama Oella Iluaco to gather the natives into ^communities and teach them the arts of civilized life. They bore with them a golden wedge, and were di- rected to take up their residence on the spot where the sacred emblem should without effort sink into the ground. At Cuzco the wedge sank into the earth and disappeared forever. Here the children of the Sun established their residence, and entered upon their beneficent mission, and became the ancestors of the Incas." So the days slipped b}' and the time came when the Professor was anxious to continue his journey to Lima and the north, and Mr. Jenkins was impatient to embark. Circumstances favored the Doctor and, just before he left, gave him the opportunit}' which he sought. The environs of Cuzco furnish much that is interesting, and they had EFFIGY. THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS. — CUZCO. 211 made a number of excursions from tlicir luclgin<;s in the queer liule house in the Calle de las Ilehideiras, or street of slierbets and ices. One of tlie most enjoyable of these was to the J^\)rtress of Sacsaluia- man, whose Titanic terraces might have ser\ ed as the foundations for the Tower of Babel. Their last excursion was to the Convent of Recolletta, and to a gorge in the mountains called the Ladder to Heaven. They had picnicked in the valley; Maud was sketching; the Professor and Mrs. Holmes resting, — when their guide told them of a famous old tree a little further on toward San Sebastian, called the "Tree of Farewells." "When any one leaves Cuzco, his relations and friends accompany him as far as this tree/' said the man, " and then bid him God speed, and all who there part in friendship are sure to meet again. It is a very ancient tree. It was planted by the Inca Capac Yupanqui." "I would like to take a photograph of it,'' said Mr. Jenkins. "Let us ride over and bid the Doctor and Mr. Jenkins bo)i voyage under its shadow," Delight sugorested. "You and Victoria can go," said Mrs. Holmes, "we will await you here." Arrived under the tree Mr. Jenkins posed Victoria and the Doctor in the act of bidding each other farewell, while he retired to a little distance to bring them into focus. Then Victoria and the Doctor photographed Delight and Mr. Jenkins, and, having each plucked a leaf of the magical tree as a souvenir, they turned the noses of their mules toward the convent. What possessed the fleet little animal upon which Delight rode? It scrambled over the ground in a perfect fury of impatience, followed by Mr. Jenkins, who, lashing his own beast as best he might, could only approach within a few }ards, while Victoria and the Doctor were left far behind. It was then that the Doctor saw and seized his opportunity. "Victoria," he said, "3'ou know that the charm goes for nothing unless we really wish to meet again." 2 12 THREE VASSAR GIRLS I\ SOUTH AMERICA. '^ I 'm sure I wish it, don't you? '' she replied. "That depends upon the answer you make to this question. You have done me great honor ah'eady; will }ou make me still happier by eonsenting some day to be my wile ? " Victoria reined in her mule and looked at the Doctor with un- feigned astonishment. " Wlw, you are just like the rest," she said. "And are you going to give me the same answer which you ha\e given 'the rest'? Tell me at least that 3-ou will think it over." "That is precisely what I have always told the others, and the more I thought about it the less I liked the idea." " Then, Victoria, accept me without thinking about it." " I can't under the circumstances. You know ^ It is well to be off with the old love, before one is on with the new.' " " Then I am to understand that you are already engaged ? " "No! I'm only ^thinking it over,' and, as I told you, I don't like it. But I could n't think of your case at the same time; it would n't ' be honest and true.' " " You might set down my name as a possible candidate for the situation when next it falls vacant." "Don't speak with such infinite scorn. I am not to blame, am I, if people ask me to consider such things." "You might at least decline to encourage them." " So I do. I decline to encourage you, but it does not seem to please you. Come, Dr. Stillman, you have asked me in what wa}' Vassar girls are different from others differently educated. This i^ one of their peculiarities, — the}' are more cautious in taking a step of this kind. We are more sufficient to ourselves, less dependent upon marriage in every way, and more exigeante^ " I see you do not care for me, or you could not be so coolly calculating." "I beg your pardon, Dr. Stillman, I do care for you; so much so that I am not willing you should betroth yourself to a half-hearted THE DELECTABLE MOUXTALXS. — CUZCO. 21- girl. You have been very good to me, and I cannot trille witli you. You have my unqualitied respect and esteem. You have wakened my sense of accountability, my mental and moral energies, but you have not wakened my heart, — perhaps I ha\e none. Your work has been successful. When you consider the material you ought to be content. No, you only imagine that you love me," she added, as she noticed the look of keen anguish in the young man's face. " I have heard that young physicians are apt to feel a deep interest in their lirst patients, which is never experienced for later ones. I have been your tirst patient. You have cured me of lassitude and inditler- ence to the real objects of life. I 've no doubt you will do the same for others without fancying 3'ourself in love with them. You are my true friend, and I give you my hand again, as I did under the parting tree, wishing you for all your life a hearty bon voyaf^e.^^ According to the correct thinir in romances the Doctor should have pressed Victoria's hand to his lips at this juncture, but he could not get his refractor}- mule near enough even to take it, and he contented himself with doing it in imagination. The next morning he departed with Mr. Jenkins for Arequipa, and the Professor and his charge took the broad road of the Incas for the north. It was noticed by her companions that Victoria was absent- minded and silent. In reality she was submitting herself to severe self-criticism. "I have not treated him like the rest," she said to herself, '"^w^hich proves that I do not feel toward him as I do to the rest. I have alwa3's been reasonable, and told them that I would consider the matter, ascertaining in due time that I did not care ior them a particle. I have been unreasonable with Dr. Stillman and dismissed him without the least consideration. Docs that prove that I perversely do care for him a little? If it does, all I have to say is that it is quite too late.'' 214 THREE VASSAR GIRLS IN SOUTH AMERICA. CHAPTER XIV. IN THE HEART OF A VOLCANO. THE road on which they were now travelling was cut out of the mountains from ten to ele\cn thousand feet above tlie level of the sea, three thousand feet higher than the Flospice of St. Bernard, and yet for some distance from Cuzco, instead of an Alpine region of perpetual snow, they journeyed through fertile valie3S and luxur- iant forests. Notable among the new vegetation were the Rhexia, or king of shrubs. Its immense violet flowers were not more cur- ious than its variegated stem and its leaves, green above and lined with orange. They passed through cinchona forests, from whose bark the great staple remedy, quinine, is manufactured. "Do you suppose the Incas used it? " Maud asked. "Possibly," the Professor replied, "but its good qualities were only announced to the world in 1638 by the Countess of Cinchon, the wife of the Spanish viceroy." Their road led them at times b}' the side of roaring cataracts. The Apurimac, the principal of the Peruvian rivers, is flanked for a part of its course with fluted shafts, and walls of basaltic formation, forming tall clifls and caiions through which the yellow waters foam and swirl. Nothing could have been more beautiful than this enchanted region; but with Victoria's distrust of the wisdom of her decision there sprang up in her a demon of doubt which poisoned for a time her friendship for Maud. It was caused by the forged letter which the Doctor had left in her possession. Who could have written it was a question which she had asked herself again and again without obtaining any light. Someone had done so who had first read the IN THE HEART OF A IVLCAAO. 3ir Doctor's letter to lier, and who wislied to make iiiischier between .them. She could not attribute such an action to either of her old friends, Delight or her mother, but Maud was more of a stranger. ^Nlaud had always expressed open admiration lor the Doctor; was it not possible that she had done this thing through envy and jealousy? So, while her heart was troubled with the greater discontent, this little canker-worm of suspicion fed and fattened, and poisoned all the delightful present. At Cuzco they had been joined by an agreeable travelling com- panion, a Mr. Hartley from the United States, who had come to South America as a newspaper correspondent to report the war between Chili and Peru, but who had remained out of love for the country and a slight interest in some silver mines. He had made himself an encyclopaedia of information, and long and interesting were his disquisitions on guano and politics, topics which X'ictoria declared were equally disagreeable. He had examined the Chilian fleet and pronounced the countr}' able to blockade the PaciHc ports of the United States at any time. The Professor and he had many an argument over the reduction of the United States, the Prolessor asserting that the glor}' of our country was in her weakness as a military power, and that war was a relic of barbarism. The rest ot' the party found Mr. Hartley extremely amusing, for he was a keen observer and a racy stor3'-teller. He had made many acquaintances during his stay in the country, and he asked their permission to intro- duce them to a certain Seiior and Seiiora Chrysostomo Nepom- uceno Palacido Joaquim do Santo Thyrso y Mirandella who resided at Qiiito. "^ I shall certainly die of an indigestion of these long names,""' Victoria had asserted; but Maud, who enjoyed foreigners, was sure that it would be pleasant to make the acquaintance of some Spanish Americans as well as of the Brazilians, who, being of Portu- guese extraction, preserved certain race diflbrcnces as well as pe- culiarities arising from ditierent surroundings. 2l6 THREE VASSAR GIRLS JX SOUTH A. ^T ERIC A. They followed the Vj)« li., Tfi'i^^i^' <-?. ^^^c \C*>.^^^BVct»■\v Q>cu^ f^3^VV°\tf^