But even if we do not know their names, the islands of our great river are truly splendid! See how they rest under the shadows of those gigantic palm-trees with their drooping leaves! And the girdle of reeds which encircles them through which a pirogue can with difficulty make its way! And the mangrove trees, whose fantastic roots buttress them to the bank like the claws of some gigantic crab! Yes, the islands are beautiful, but, beautiful as they are, they cannot equal the one we have made our own!" "My little Minha is enthusiastic to-day," said the padre.
"Ah, padre! I am so happy to see everybody happy around me!" At this moment the voice of Yaquita was heard calling Minha into the house.
The young girl smilingly ran off.
"You will have an amiable companion," said the padre.

"All the joy of the house goes away with you, my friend." "Brave little sister!" said Benito, "we shall miss her greatly, and the padre is right.

However, if you do not marry her, Manoel--there is still time--she will stay with us." "She will stay with you, Benito," replied Manoel.

"Believe me, I have a presentiment that we shall all be reunited!" The first day passed capitally; breakfast, dinner, siesta, walks, all took place as if Joam Garral and his people were still in the comfortable fazenda of Iquitos.
During these twenty-four hours the mouths of the rivers Bacali, Chochio, Pucalppa, on the left of the stream, and those of the rivers Itinicari, Maniti, Moyoc, Tucuya, and the islands of this name on the right, were passed without accident.

The night, lighted by the moon, allowed them to save a halt, and the giant raft glided peacefully on along the surface of the Amazon.
On the morrow, the 7th of June, the jangada breasted the banks of the village of Pucalppa, named also New Oran.