CHAPTER XXIII
MARTIN MEETS WITH FRIENDS AND VISITS THE DIAMOND MINES
One day, after Martin had spent many weeks in wandering alone through theforest, during the course of which he was sometimes tempted to despair ofseeing the face of man again, he discovered a beaten track; at the sightof which his heart bounded with delight. It was a Saturday afternoon whenhe made this discovery, and he spent the Sabbath-day in rest beside it.For Martin had more than once called to remembrance the words which goodAunt Dorothy used to hear him repeat out of the Bible "Remember theSabbath-day, to keep it holy." He had many long, earnest, and seriousmeditations in that silent forest, such as a youth would be very unlikelyto have in almost any other circumstances, except, perhaps, on asick-bed; and among other things he had been led to consider that if hemade no difference between Saturday and Sunday, he must certainly bebreaking that commandment; so he resolved thenceforth to rest on theSabbath-day; and he found much benefit, both to mind and body, from thisarrangement. During this particular Sabbath he rested beside the beatentrack, and often did he walk up and down it a short way, wondering whereit would lead him to; and several times he prayed that he might be led byit to the habitations of civilized men.
Next day after breakfast he prepared to set out; but now he was muchperplexed as to which way he ought to go, for the track did not run inthe direction in which he had been travelling, but at right angles tothat way. While he still hesitated the sound of voices struck on his ear,and he almost fainted with excitement; for, besides the hope that hemight now meet with friends, there was also the fear that thoseapproaching might be enemies; and the sudden sound of the human voice,which he had not heard for so long, tended to create conflicting andalmost overwhelming feelings in his breast. Hiding quickly behind a tree,he awaited the passing of the cavalcade; for the sounds of horses' hoofswere now audible.
In a few minutes a string of laden mules approached, and then sixhorsemen appeared, whose bronzed olive complexions, straw-hats andponchos, betokened them Brazilians. As they passed, Martin hailed them inan unsteady voice. They pulled up suddenly and drew pistols from theirholsters; but on seeing only a fair youth armed with a bow, they replacedtheir weapons, and with a look of surprise rode up and assailed him witha volley of unintelligible Portuguese.
"Do any of you speak English?" inquired Martin, advancing.
One of the horsemen replied, "Yees, I spok one leet. Ver' smoll. Whereyou be com?"
"I have escaped from the Indians who live in the mountains far away overyonder. I have been wandering now for many weeks in the forest, and Iwish to get to the sea-coast or to some town where I may get something todo, that I may be enabled to return home."
"Ho!" said the horseman, gravely. "You com vid us. Ve go vid goods to deDiamond Mines. Git vork dere, yees. Put you body on dat hoss."
As the Brazilian spoke he pointed to a spare horse, which was led, alongwith several others, by a Negro. Thanking him for his politeness Martinseized the horse by the mane and vaulted into the saddle, if the rudecontrivance on its back might be so designated. The string of mules thenmoved on, and Martin rode with a light heart beside this obligingstranger, conversing with much animation.
In a very short time he learned, through the medium of his own badPortuguese and the Brazilian's worse English, that he was not more than aday's ride from one of the diamond mines of that province of Brazil whichis named Minas Geraes; that he was still many leagues distant from thesea; and that he would be sure to get work at the mines if he wished it,for the chief overseer, the Baron Fagoni, was an amiable man and veryfond of the English,--but he could not speak their language at all, andrequired an interpreter. "And," said the Brazilian, with a look of greatdignity, "I hab de honour for be de 'terpreter."
"Ah!" exclaimed Martin, "then I am in good fortune, for I shall have afriend at court."
The interpreter smiled slightly and bowed, after which they proceeded forsome time in silence.
Next evening they arrived at the mines; and, after seeing to the comfortof his horse, and inquiring rather hastily as to the welfare of hisfamily, the interpreter conducted Martin to the overseer's house in orderto introduce him.
The Baron Fagoni stood smoking in the doorway of his dwelling as theyapproached; and the first impression that Martin received of him wasanything but agreeable.
He was a large, powerful man, with an enormous red beard and moustache,and a sombrero-like hat that concealed nearly the whole of his face. Heseemed an irritable man, too; for he jerked his arms about and stamped ina violent manner as they drew near, and instead of waiting to receivethem, he entered the house hastily and shut the door in their faces!
"The Baron would do well to take lessons in civility," said Martin,colouring, as he turned to the interpreter.
"Ah, he be a leet pecoolair, sometime! Nev'r mind. Ve vill go to him,"
So saying, the interpreter opened the door and entered the hall wherethe overseer was seated at a desk writing as if in violent haste. Seeingthat he did not mean to take notice of them, the interpreter spoke tohim in Portuguese; but he was soon interrupted by a sharp reply, utteredin a harsh, grating voice, by the overseer, who did not look up or ceasefrom his work.
Again the interpreter spoke as if in some surprise; but he was cut shortby the overseer uttering, in a deep, stern voice, the single word "Obey."
With a low bow the interpreter turned away, and taking Martin by the armled him into an inner apartment, where, having securely fastened thewindow, he said to him, "De Baron say you be von blackguard tief; go boutcontrie for steal diamonds. He make prisoner ov you. Adios."
So saying, the interpreter made his bow and retired, locking the doorbehind him and leaving Martin standing in the middle of the room staringbefore him in speechless amazement.