"They say," said Lewis, "that there is no help for it; we must push on
to the river now. The mules must have water."

"Right you are," said the stranger. He pointed to one heavily laden
mule. "We don't need those provisions. Give them to Old Immortality.
They'll last her a hundred years."




CHAPTER XIII


They arrived in Petrolina at dawn. Before them swept the vast river.
Beyond it could be seen the dazzling walls and restful, brown-tiled
roofs of Joazeiro. The distant whistle of a shunting locomotive jarred
on the morning stillness.

For the first time Lewis saw the stranger in action. Off came the loads.
They were sorted rapidly. Tent, outfit, and baggage were piled into one
of the ponderous ferry-canoes that lined the shore. All that was left
was handed over to the guide for equal division among the men.

"Now," cried the stranger, "there's always a marketplace. Tell them to
take this worn-out bunch along and find the cattle corner." He waved at
the ponies and mules.

The market was in full swing. Rubber, goatskins, hides, and orchids from
the interior; grain, tobacco, sugar, and rum from the river valley, met,