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In his belt only one of those weapons, more sword than hunting-knife, called a "manchetta," and in addition he had an "enchada," which is a sort of hoe, specially employed in the pursuit of the tatous and agoutis which abound in the forests of the Upper Amazon, where there is generally little to fear from wild beasts.
Benito renewed his attack, and Torres, whose return thrust did not touch his adversary, felt himself lost. He was again obliged to retreat. Then he would have shouted shouted that the life of Joam Dacosta depended on his own! He had not time! A second thrust of the manchetta pierced his heart. He fell backward, and the ground suddenly failing him, he was precipitated down the cliff.
During the struggle, at the first blow I struck Torres in his chest, my manchetta was stopped by some hard substance under his poncho, like a plate of metal " "That was the case!" said Fragoso. "Yes," replied Manoel; "doubt is impossible! That was the case; it was in his breast-pocket." "But the corpse of Torres?" "We will recover it!" "But the paper!
They then jumped back, but almost at the same instant they rushed together, and with their left hands seized each other by the shoulder never to leave go again. Torres, who was the strongest, struck a side blow with his manchetta which Benito could not quite parry. His left side was touched, and his poncho was reddened with his blood.
"What is the matter with you, my lad?" exclaimed Torres, retreating for a few steps. "I think I had better put myself on guard." And as he spoke he drew from beneath his poncho his manchetta, the weapon, adapted at will for offense or defense, which a Brazilian is never without. And then, slightly stooping, and planted firmly on his feet, he waited for what was to follow.
At this noise Torres woke, and with the quickness of those who are always on the watch, with whom there is no transition from the sleeping to the waking state, was immediately on his legs. In an instant Torres had recognized with whom he had to deal. "A guariba!" he cried. And his hand seizing his manchetta, he put himself into a posture of defense.
Well! now that his secret is known, now that he is a prisoner, it is I who refuse to enter his family, the family of a thief, of a murderer, of a condemned felon, for whom the gallows now waits!" "Scoundrel!" exclaimed Benito, who drew his manchetta from his belt and put himself in position. Manoel and Fragoso, by a similar movement, quickly drew their weapons. "Three against one!" said Torres.
"No! one against one!" answered Benito. "Really! I should have thought an assassination would have better suited an assassin's son!" "Torres!" exclaimed Benito, "defend yourself, or I will kill you like a mad dog!" "Mad! so be it!" answered Torres. "But I bite, Benito Dacosta, and beware of the wounds!" And then again grasping his manchetta, he put himself on guard and ready to attack his enemy.
In addition to being thoroughly accustomed to the manchetta, which he often had had occasion to use, the adventurer was strong, active, and artful, so that against an adversary who was scarcely twenty, who could have neither his strength nor his dexterity, the chances were greatly in his favor. Manoel by a last effort wished to insist on fighting him instead of Benito.
He perceived the danger; he tried to retake the offensive and regain the lost ground. His agitation increased, his looks grew livid. At length he was obliged to stoop beneath the arm which threatened him. "Die, then!" exclaimed Benito. The blow was struck full on its chest, but the point of the manchetta was stopped by a hard substance hidden beneath the poncho of the adventurer.
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