Bab Bab 4 · HESITATION

. His intention had

been to join a _“seringal,”_ or caoutchouc concern, in which in those

days a good workman could earn from five to six piastres a day, and

could hope to become a master if he had any luck; but Magalhaës very

truly observed that if the pay was good, work was only found in the

seringals at harvest time--that is to say, during only a few months of

the year--and this would not constitute the permanent position that a

young man ought to wish for.

The Portuguese was right. Joam Garral saw it, and entered resolutely

into the service of the fazenda, deciding to devote to it all his

powers.

Magalhaës had no cause to regret his generous action. His business

recovered. His wood trade, which extended by means of