The sun was low on the horizon, but an hour had still to elapse before nightfall.
"These stories are not very lively," said Fragoso, "and our betrothal dinner was best at the beginning." "But it was your fault, Fragoso," answered Lina.
"How my fault ?" "It was you who went on talking about the district and the diamonds, when you should not have done so." "Well, that's true," replied Fragoso; "but I had no idea we were going to wind up in that fashion." "You are the first to blame!" "And the first to be punished, Miss Lina; for I did not hear you laugh all through the dessert." The whole family strolled toward the bow of the jangada.

Manoel and Benito walked one behind the other without speaking.

Yaquita and her daughter silently followed, and all felt an unaccountable impression of sadness, as if they had a presentiment of some coming calamity.
Torres stepped up to Joam Garral, who, with bowed head, seemed to be lost in thought, and putting his hand on his shoulder, said, "Joam Garral, may I have a few minutes' conversation with you ?" Joam looked at Torres.
"Here ?" he asked.
"No; in private." "Come, then." They went toward the house, entered it, and the door was shut on them.
It would be difficult to depict what every one felt when Joam Garral and Torres disappeared.

What could there be in common between the adventurer and the honest fazender of Iquitos?
The menace of some frightful misfortune seemed to hang over the whole family, and they scarcely dared speak to each other.
"Manoel!" said Benito, seizing his friend's arm, "whatever happens, this man must leave us tomorrow at Manaos." "Yes! it is imperative!" answered Manoel.
"And if through him some misfortune happens to my father--I shall kill him!".