"Joam Garral, we are off the Ronde Island. We are passing the
frontier!"

"The frontier!" replied Joam.

And rising, he went to the side of the jangada, and looked long and
earnestly at the Ronde Island, with the waves breaking up against it.
Then his hand sought his forehead, as if to rid himself of some
remembrance.

"The frontier!" murmured he, bowing his head by an involuntary
movement.

But an instant after his head was raised, and his expression was that
of a man resolved to do his duty to the last.


CHAPTER XII

FRAGOSO AT WORK

"BRAZA" (burning embers) is a word found in the Spanish language as
far back as the twelfth century. It has been used to make the word
"brazil," as descriptive of certain woods which yield a reddish dye.
From this has come the name "Brazil," given to that vast district of
South America which is crossed by the equator, and in which these
products are so frequently met with. In very early days these woods
were the object of considerable trade. Although correctly called
_"ibirapitunga,"_ from the place of production, the name of