Tropical Heroes

16. An unexpected finding

Manuel looked at the top of the tree, but the branches and the density of the leaves formed a real mushroom with smoke, which made it difficult to visibility. Francisco stood guard near the trunk, while Manuel and Shada started the climb. Shada was faster than the Portuguese, and He took a rope pierced through the body and the knife attached to the waist. The tree was very large, and was proportional to the amount of branches.A few meters from the ground, the smoke was already stifling and they could not see more than two meters above where they stood. had reached the middle of the tree and the branches were still very thick when Manuel leaned on one of the branches and saw a man. Shouted Shada, which He returned to help you. They tied the rope on the individual and started down it, had shallow breathing and the icy body. Francisco was startled to view a figure descending without relying on the branches. The shadow increased as approaching the ground until the observer on the ground could understand what it was. It was an Indian and looked dead. When touched the ground, the body fell to one side, slowly, to lie. Manuel and Shada down as fast as two rays.

- What is this? - Asked Francisco.

- An Indian - replied sarcastically Manuel.

- I know it! He spied on us?

- I think not, is almost dead. Shada, let's leave it next to the fire and get a blanket to warm him.

The piece performed orders promptly.

- I do not believe - said Francisco - that the commander will miss time with the wild ...

- It can be useful to us. You speak his language, no?

- It depends on your tribe.

- I will prepare something hot for him to take. - Manuel said.

- It was just what was needed! - Said Francisco.

Manuel quickly prepared a soup, while Shada fed the fire. When it was ready, the commander mixed a little brandy to broth and gave the semi-conscious Indian.

- This should help you. It is also better to rest, since the journey will start early tomorrow. We must keep the relay for monitoring because Smoke is already very high and also to the case of the Indian awakening. I'll do the first round - ordered Manuel.

Three resting and Manuel stayed up until the early evening, when supped the soup and gave a new dose to the child of the earth. The night passed quiet, as well as exchanges of vigilantes. Just before sunrise, Manuel was already up and fed the fire. Shada soon awakened then and began preparing the morning meal. The Indian still in the same state, but the fever had given and the pale faces had given place a light colored. While Francisco was eating breakfast, Manuel wrote in the journal and Shada finished stow luggage in animals. Was Francisco who broke the ice that morning.

- I hope shine for several days.

- The wind is from the north and, while so there will be no rain - said the commander to countryman.

Silence reigned again for a few minutes until Manuel give an order:

- Shada, secure the Indian in one of the horses and make sure that he will not fall for the hoax.

Francisco with amazement face, asked:

- Will you take it?

The commander ignored the question and walked to the mount wearing. Francisco stood looking at the Portuguese get away and not to get to back, took the place next to the animal that was carrying. Shada held the Indian on a mule and redistributed the burden of this among the rest. The part before to assemble, hid all group camp remains. They headed for the village. On the left, they could see the hill that skirted in the distance; right, a large mountain range that also seemed to cross them forward. It was a day of clean strong heat. They decided that they would not stop to win time. The arrangement of the troops had been altered: in front was Manuel, followed by the Indian. It was midafternoon when they met another river. When the sun was setting, they reached an ideal place to mount camp. They dismounted and encamped, down the Indian and They settled near the site for the fire. Shada went out to fetch firewood while Manuel consulted the reading of the instruments brought in Baggage. Francisco sat on a rock and took the time to probe the commander: