e to which "The Raposa" probably belonged it was the custom to
preserve the bones of the dead and to paint them with this same red dye,
after which the bones were hung up in the huts of the deceased instead
of being given burial. Beyond this my informant knew nothing of the "Red
Bone" people, except that to enter their country was death.'"

Knowlton returned the book to his pocket and carefully buttoned the
flap.

"When that appeared," he continued, "efforts were made to get hold of
Dexter, with the idea of showing him the photograph of the missing man
and learning any additional details. Unfortunately, by the time the book
was published Dexter had gone to Africa to seek a race of dwarfs said to
exist in the Igidi Desert, and thus was totally out of reach. Then we
were called upon to follow up this clew and find the Raposa if possible.
Men with green eyes and patches of white hair above one ear are not
common. So, though our knowledge of this strange wild man is confined to
those few words of Dexter's, we are here to learn more of him and to get
him if we can."

He looked expectantly at the official. The latter, after staring out
through the doorway for a time, shook his head slightly.

"Something of this Raposa and of those red-streaked people has come to
my ears, senhores, but only as rumors," he said, slowly. "And one does
not place great faith in rumors. Yet I have repeatedly been surprised to
learn, after dismissing a story as an empty Indian tale, that the tale
was true.

"Of the Mayorunas more is known. They are eaters of human flesh,
inhabiting both sides of the Javary, deadly when angered, and very
easily angered. Their country is not many days distant from here, but as
they never attack us we do not attack them. It is an armed neutrality,
as you senhores would say. True, we have to be careful in drinking
water, for they sometimes poison the streams against real or imaginary
enemies, and the poisoned waters flow down to us, causing those who
drink it to die of a fever like the typhoid. Yet," and he smiled, "there
is a saying, is there not, that water is made not to drink, but to bathe
in?"

Knowlton laughed. McKay's eyes twinkled.

"I'm sorry to say that water's about all a fellow can get to drink in
the States now," the blond man said, ruefully. "That is, of course,
unless a man knows where to go."

"_Si._ It is a pity. But here in Brazil one need not drink water unless
he wishes, and often it is bet