But the remembrance is too vague; the
impression, however, is far from being a pleasant one!"

"Where and when could you have met him? Cannot you call it to mind? It
might be useful to know who he is and what he has been."

"No--I try all I can. How long was it ago? In what country? Under what
circumstances? And I cannot hit upon it."

"Mr. Fragoso!"

"Miss Lina!"

"Stay on board and keep watch on Torres during our absence!"

"What? Not go with you to Ega, and remain a whole day without seeing
you?"

"I ask you to do so!"

"Is it an order?"

"It is an entreaty!"

"I will remain!"

"Mr. Fragoso!"

"Miss Lina!"

"I thank you!"

"Thank me, then, with a good shake of the hand," replied Fragoso; "that
is worth something."

Lina held out her hand, and Fragoso kept it for a few moments while he
looked into her face. And that is the reason why he did not take his
place in the pirogue, and became, without appearing to be, the guard
upon Torres.

Did the latter notice the feelings of aversion with which he was
regarded? Perhaps, but doubtless he had his reasons for taking no
account of them.

A distance of four leagues separated the mooring-place from the town of
Ega. Eight leagues, there and back, in a pirogue containing six persons,
besides two negroes as rowers, would take some hours, not to mention the
fatigue caused by the high temperature, though the sky was veiled with
clouds.

Fortunately a lovely breeze blew from the northwest, and if it held
would be favorable for crossing Lake Teffe. They could go to Ega and
return rapidly without having to tack.

So the lateen sail was hoisted on the mast of the pirogue. Benito took
the tiller, and off they went, after a last gesture from Lina to Fragoso
to keep his eyes open.

The southern shore of the lake had to be followed to get to Ega.

After two hours the pirogue arrived at the port of this ancient mission
founded by the Carmelites, which became a town in 1759, and which
General Gama placed forever under Brazilian rule.

The passengers landed on a flat beach, on which were to be found not
only boats from the interior, but a few of those little schooners which
are used in the coasting-trade on the Atlantic seaboard.

When the two girls entered Ega they were at first much astonished.

"What a large town!" said Minha.

"What houses! what people!" replied Lina, whose eyes seemed to have
expanded so that she might see better.

"Rather!" said Ben