All were now merry as they breathed in the light breeze that began to arise.

Even the mothers, so full of cautions and warnings, now laughed and joked among themselves.
"Do you remember," one old woman was saying to Capitana Tika, "do you remember the time we went to bathe in the river, before we were married?
In little boats made from banana-stalks there drifted down with the current fruits of many kinds and fragrant flowers.

The little boats had banners on them and each of us could see her name on one of them." "And when we were on our way back home ?" added another, without letting her go on.

"We found the bamboo bridges destroyed and so we had to wade the brooks.

The rascals!" "Yes, I know that I chose rather to let the borders of my skirt get wet than to uncover my feet," said Capitana Tika, "for I knew that in the thickets on the bank there were eyes watching us." Some of the girls who heard these reminiscences winked and smiled, while the others were so occupied with their own conversations that they took no notice.
One man alone, he who performed the duty of pilot, remained silent and removed from all the merriment.