Page:Iracéma, the honey-lips (1886).djvu/56

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IRAÇÉMA.

"Does no other ear listen?"

"None save those of the Virgin who twice in one sun has saved the life of thy brother."

"Woman is weak; the Tabajára is revengeful; and the brother of Jacaúna[1] is prudent."

Iraçéma sighed and lay her head upon the youth՚s breast.

"Lord of Iraçéma, stop her ears that she may not listen."

Martim gently put away the graceful head.

"The Pytiguára Chief may speak; the ears that listen are friendly and faithful."

"His brother orders and Poty speaks. Ere the sun shall rise over the Serra, the Sea-Warrior must seek the river-plain of the Herons՚ Nests. The Dead Star will guide him to the white beach. No Tabajára brave will follow him, because the Inubia of the Pytiguáras will sound from the mountain-side."

"How many Pytiguára braves accompany their valiant Chief?"

"Not one. Poty came alone with his arms. When the bad spirits of the forest separated the Sea-Warrior from his brother, Poty followed his trail. His heart would not let him return to call the braves of his Taba; but he sent his faithful dog to the great Jacaúna."

"The Pytiguára Chief is alone; he must not sound the Inubia, which will raise all the Tabajára braves against him."

"He must do it to save his white brother. Poty will mock at Irapúam, as he mocked him when he fought with a hundred men against his white brother."

The daughter of the Pagé, who had listened silently, now bent towards the Christian՚s ear.

"Iraçéma would save the stranger and his brother; she knows her thoughts. The Pytiguára Chief is

  1. ↑ Jacaúna was the celebrated Chief, brother of Poty, and a friend to Martim Soares Moreno. His name is that of a black tree, also called in Brazil Jacarandá.
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