That head-dress, David was to learn later, was typical of the masters of the smaller river craft and was their only badge of position and authority for, otherwise, they were dressed exactly like their ragged crews. David did not like the looks of the swarthy newcomer. But that did not matter. He wanted to get to Las Palmas and the man possessed the means of getting him there. “My name is David Jones and I am from New York,” he said by way of greeting. “I have been waiting a long time for you.” “Me? Why have you been waiting for me? What do you want?” the captain asked in surprise. “I want to get to the ranch. Didn’t Mr. Rice instruct you to bring me out?” “I don’t know anything about it. Nobody said a word to me.” “Well,” David tried to conceal his impatience with a laugh, “I am expected at the ranch and I want to get there so soon as possible. I can have my baggage here in fifteen minutes.” The captain was looking at him sharply, even suspiciously. “Do you think this is a passenger boat?” he asked. “We don’t carry strangers without a written order from the boss.” “But this is different,” David protested. “I am not a stranger. They are looking for me. Mr. Rice must have misunderstood the date or he would have been here personally.” “That is not my fault,” said the captain gruffly. “But I can go with you, can’t I?” “No! If you knew the boss you would not ask me to take you. He is awful when anyone does a thing he don’t like. He killed a man for that very thing last week.” “I am not afraid he’ll kill me.” “Neither am I. I don’t care what happens to you but I do care what happens to me.” “How soon is the _Aguila_ coming back to Manaos?” said David in despair. “Not for six months. Next week she starts on a long trip to carry supplies to the rubber camps upriver.” “And the _Indio_?” “The _Indio_ has a broken propeller. They sent for a new one but it generally takes a year to get anything from abroad.” “Say,” David was wiping his face in desperation, “I have to get to Las Palmas and that is all there is to it.” “I have nothing against it. Get there any way you like--but not on the _Aguila_.” A sudden idea came to him. Perhaps the fellow wanted money. “I’ll pay you well. How much do you want?” he asked. The Brazilian straightened up; his eyes blazed. “Are you trying to bribe me?” he bellowed, “and right in front of my men? If you are, you’re insulting me. I am paid for my work and I want none of your money. A fine person, you are, to try to buy me to disobey my chief’s orders.” “I did nothing of the kind,” David returned hotly. “I offered you money to pay my passage because I could hardly ask a stranger to carry me for nothing.” “Well, I accept your explanation, but you will not go, just the same. That is settled--understand? I am very busy.” This was said in such a manner that David could not fail to grasp its significance.