There is what would seem to be a Providential
circumstance that may be of use to us."
"What is that?"
"Yesterday, as we hurried through Manaos, I noticed that they were
repairing one of the quays on the bank of the Rio Negro. The
submarine works were being carried on with the aid of a diving-dress.
Let us borrow, or hire, or buy, at any price, this apparatus, and
then we may resume our researches under more favorable conditions."
"Tell Araujo, Fragoso, and our men, and let us be off," was the
instant reply of Benito.
The pilot and the barber were informed of the decision with regard to
Manoel's project. Both were ordered to go with the four boats and the
Indians to the basin of Frias, and there to wait for the two young
men.
Manoel and Benito started off without losing a moment, and reached
the quay at Manaos. There they offered the contractor such a price
that he put the apparatus at their service for the whole day.
"Will you not have one of my men," he asked, "to help you?"
"Give us your foreman and one of his mates to work the air-pump,"
replied Manoel.
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