Page:Iracéma, the honey-lips (1886).djvu/28

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14
IRAÇÉMA.

war than all these warriors who now gladden the light of his eyes have drank Cauim[1] at the feasts of Tupan. He has seen more combats in his life than moons which have stripped his brow. How many Potyuára skulls has his implacable hand scalped before Time plucked off his first hair ! And old Andíra never feared that the enemy would tread his native ground; he rejoiced at their coming, and, as the breath of winter revives the dried tree, he felt youth return to his decrepid body when he scented the war from afar. The Tabajáras are prudent. They will lay aside the Tomahawk to play the Memby[2] at the feast. Let Irapúam celebrate the coming of the Emboábas, and give them all time to swarm upon our plains. Then Andíra promises him the banquet of victory."

Irapúam could no longer restrain his fury.

"The Old Bat[3] can remain hidden amongst the wine-jars, because he fears the light of day, because he drinks the blood only of the sleeping victim. Irapúam carries the war at the point of his tomahawk. The terror which he inspires flies forward with the hoarse boom of the Boré. The Potyuára already trembles as he hears it roaring in the Serra, roaring louder than the rebounding of the sea."

CHAPTER VI.

Martim strolls pace by pace amongst the tall Joazeiros which encircle the wigwam of the Pagé.

  1. ↑ Cauim, wine of the Cajú.
  2. ↑ Memby, horn or trumpet.
  3. ↑ Andíra means "Velho Morcego," or "Old Bat;" hence the taunt of Irapúam.
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