MARTIN RATTLER. 239

In a very short time he learned, through the
medium of his own bad Portuguese and the Brazilian’s
worse English, that he was not more than a day’s
ride from one of the diamond mines of that province
of Brazil which is named Minas Geraes; that he was
still many leagues distant from the sea; 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 very fond of the English, but he
could not speak their language at all, and required an
interpreter. “And,” said the Brazilian, with a look
of great dignity, “I hab de honour for be de ’ter-
preter.”

“Ah!” exclaimed Martin, “then I am in good for-
tune, for I shall have a friend at court.”

The interpreter smiled slightly and bowed, after
which they proceeded for some time in silence.

Next evening they arrived at the mines; and, after
seeing to the comfort of his horse, and inquiring rather
hastily as to the welfare of his family, the interpreter
conducted Martin to the overseer’s house, in order to
introduce him.

The Baron Fagoni stood smoking in the doorway
of his dwelling as they approached, and the first
impression that Martin received of him was anything

but agreeable.