"
The Indian took the letter which Joam gave him, and a handful of reis
was the price of the commission he had undertaken.
No members of the family, then gone into the house, knew anything of
this. Torres was the only witness. He heard a few words exchanged
between Joam and the Indian, and from the cloud which passed over his
face it was easy to see that the sending of this letter considerably
surprised him.
CHAPTER XVII
AN ATTACK
HOWEVER, if Manoel, to avoid giving rise to a violent scene on board,
said nothing on the subject of Torres, he resolved to have an
explanation with Benito.
"Benito," he began, after taking him to the bow of the jangada, "I
have something to say to you."
Benito, generally so good-humored, stopped as he looked at Manoel,
and a cloud came over his countenance.
"I know why," he said; "it is about Torres."
"Yes, Benito."
"And I also wish to speak to you."
"You have then noticed his attention to Minha?" said Manoel, turning
pale.
"Ah! It is not a feeling of jealousy, though, that exasperates you
against such a man?" said Benito quickly.
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