“What do you mean?” “Have you seen enough?” “Of the river and country? I should say not. I haven’t even started. What I have seen has only aroused my curiosity and a stronger desire for more. I can hardly wait to get into the interior. Think of what is behind those walls of forest!” “Mosquitoes, snakes and cannibals.” “Good! They are just what I want to see.” Rogers sighed but David did not notice it. He folded the map and put it back into his pocket. In another hour they had reached Manaos. CHAPTER IV ROGERS’ WORK Manaos is a surprisingly large city for one that is situated in such an out of the way place, but there is nothing bewildering or startling about it. In some respects it is very much like the larger but more backward towns of our own country but in most it is very different. The first thing to thrust itself upon the visitor’s notice is the intense heat; all the sun’s rays seem to converge in the depression in which Manaos nestles. An inspection of the place, however, reveals compensating virtues in the form of green, shady parks, cooling fountains, and comfortable hotels for the traveller. David was not particularly interested in the city although he took note of some of the more unusual features; he had seen Pará which had impressed him as being more attractive. He felt that enough time had been spent already in travel and in sight-seeing and he was eager to start work. So he lost no time in going to the hotel where someone from the ranch was to meet him, in accordance with the arrangements that he supposed had been made by cable before he left home. No doubt Mr. Rice had come to welcome him personally, he thought; and he was more than disappointed to learn that such was not the case. “Senhor Rice has not been here in weeks,” the proprietor of the hotel told him in answer to his questioning. “But he was either to be here or to send someone,” David protested. “I am going to his ranch and they were to come for me.” “Here is the list of patrons. You may read it. Do you recognize any of the names?” David scanned the page of the register and admitted that the names were all unfamiliar to him. “I would recognize only Mr. Rice’s name,” he added, “and that is not there.” “No, the Senhor is not here.” “Didn’t someone else say he expected me? There must be somebody here who is hunting for me right this minute.” The Brazilian shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, I understand now,” David explained, with a smile. “Whoever is coming hasn’t arrived. He might have been delayed accidentally or perhaps he thought the steamer was not due today. I’ll wait and everything will be all right. When I am asked for, remember that I am here. And, if a message or letter comes, give it to me without delay.”