Leaving the astonished Brazilian he went to his room and spent the greater part of an hour looking out of the window at the little plaza across the street and--thinking. “I can’t stay here any longer,” he finally concluded. “If I do I’ll get into a fight and I don’t want to fight. I’ll have to watch my step.” He packed his belongings, slowly and without paying a great deal of attention to just what he was doing. When he entered the office and asked for his statement the owner of the hotel appeared grieved. “Why are you leaving now?” he asked. “The boat does not leave until tomorrow.” David gritted his teeth but smiled. “I know it. But I am sailing out of here right now. How much is it? I am in a hurry.” A moment later he stepped out into the street and turned in the opposite direction to which he intended going, knowing that inquisitive eyes were following him. A few blocks away he entered a side street and then came back toward the center of the city. He found one of the smaller inns and secured a room without arousing comment. Now he felt more free to pursue the plan he had formed for, unknown and among disinterested persons, he was more apt to get the help and information he needed. Or at least there would be no interference. He made no inquiries until late the following morning. Haste or a show of too great eagerness might arouse suspicion. And then, after artfully swinging the conversation he had started with the clerk to hunting and to big game, he casually inquired if it would be possible to hire a launch or boat of any kind for a trip up the river. Much to his delight he was told that such a thing could be arranged without trouble. There were numerous craft leaving the port daily that would drop him at any of the little colonies or camps situated along the river bank. The clerk even gave him the names of several persons with whom arrangements could be made for such an outing. To David the future seemed decidedly brighter and not long after he sought the first man on his list. After locating the man--the keeper of a small shop on the Rua Amazonas, and making a trivial purchase, he remarked that he might find it necessary to make a short journey on the river and was looking for a launch he could hire by the hour or day. The Brazilian was quick to grasp the opportunity. “My boat is at the disposal of the Senhor,” he said. “It is a good boat, very seaworthy, and does not pitch or roll badly; that is important, for the river is so enormous and storms come up suddenly. Where do you want to go?” “How much, by the day?” David countered. “Sixty milreis. I will go with you and run the launch myself.” David hesitated for a moment, as if pondering the proposition. Sixty milreis equalled twelve dollars. “Well,” he said thoughtfully, “your price is pretty high but if the boat is extra good I guess I will take it. I want to start tomorrow.” “How far do you want to go? I must know on account of the provisions.”