that he had
departed early in the morning and was not to be expected back for some
hours! A charming way of keeping an appointment which he was so anxious
to bring about.

In the company of Mr. Louis Schnoor I also called on the
persons who said they had made arrangements for my expedition, as I did
not wish to have any misunderstanding in the matter. Far from having
purchased mules, horses, saddles and harness, they could produce nothing
on demand, and finally asked me to remain in Araguary for one
month--fancy one month in Araguary!--so that they could produce their
purchases.

As I was driving in Mr. Schnoor's carriage we met, a long way from his
home and hotel, the Chief of Police and hotel proprietor. I immediately
dismounted and informed that gentleman of my visit at the appointed time.
I also demanded that whatever he wished me to settle must be settled at
once.

"Nothing at all," said he, shaking me warmly by the hand. "You owe me
nothing. It was all a mistake. It was all a mistake. Please do not think
of it any more. You owe me nothing, nothing, nothing. If I can be of use
to you, pray order me! I am your humble servant." And his delightful
politeness was such that I could hardly realize it was the same vicious
man of the previous evening. In my surprise I had to turn to Mr. Schnoor
to inquire whether I had got hold of the wrong man.

Yes, indeed. Some of those fellows of Central Brazil were a remarkable
mixture of villainy and charm--in chemical language one might describe
them as sublimates of rascality and delightful manners.

However, good manners or not, I had taken such a dislike to the place
that I was glad when eleven o'clock came and Mr. Schnoor conveyed me to
the special train--an engine and one car. I inspected the new station of
the Goyaz railway, which was already finished--a useful, well-constructed
building, quite sufficient for its needs. In the company of Mr. Schnoor,
his chief engineer, Mr. Schirmer and Mr. Bertoux, we left Araguary--oh,
what a relief!--for the end of the line, 45 kil. away. I had decided to
go and wait there in the open country the few hours which would be
necessary to collect the men who were to accompany me, and the mules.

The work on that portion of the Goyaz line which was already laid was
well and quickly done. Mr. Schnoor assured me that in four or five months
more they expected to run trains to Catalao. An iron bridge will
eventually be built across the Paranah