238 MARTIN RATTLER.

an unsteady voice. They pulled up suddenly, and
drew pistols from their holsters; but on seeing only
a fair youth armed with a bow, they replaced their
weapons, and with a look of surprise rode up and
assailed him with a 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. Where you be com?”

“T have escaped from the Indians who live in the
mountains far away over yonder. I have been wan-
dering now for many weeks in the forest; and I wish
to get to the sea-coast, or to some town where I may
get something to do, that I may be enabled to return
home.” .

“Ho!” said the horseman gravely. “You com vid
us. Ve go vid goods to de diamond mines. Git
vork dere, yees. Put you body on dat hoss.”

As the Brazilian spoke he pointed to a spare horse,
which was led, along with several others, by a Negro.
Thanking him for his politeness, Martin seized the
horse by the mane and vaulted into the saddle, if the
rude contrivance on its back might be so designated.
The string of mules then moved on, and Martin rode
with a light heart beside this obliging stranger, con-

versing with much animation.