IN RIO

Evening Star, Issue 19310, 24 July 1926, Page 10

IN RIO

A LIVELY ADVENTURE [Written by Roukut IX Cocun.i,, for the ‘Evening Star.’] The deep blue waters of the harbor wore motionless, like an enormous sheet of glass, till the s.s.Dcmar, •steaming slowly through their phiciditv, moulded them into miniature white-capped wavelets. In the background, gradually rising ivom tbc sea , front, the tall Semi, du Mar, deeply I wooded almost to its summits, rws ■ bathed in the golden brown of the morning sun, ■which, reheating on the now slightly ruffled waters, l.'aned them into shimmering masses of gold and silver. Nestling amidst t tic emerald green of the dotted .islets, luxuriant in their tropical growth, were little white dwellings, emitting stray hazy pulls of slowly-ascending bluish smoko that blended with ami was quickly lost in tho_ azure ot the sky; but only when in its centre was the enormous expanse of the baj brought to view. Away m the disftanco the brightly-hued spurs ot the stately Cariocas fringed the edge, and at their foot by tbc sea front the ■white spires of the capital ciqy, , Janeiro, backed by the verdure ot the mountain side, stood out in view. Steamers, dozens of them ot an nationalities, and from every quarter of the globe, lay at anchor, and darting hither and thither, from isle to islo and across the bay to the picturesque suburbs there, .gaily beflagged launches and ierry boats, with sirens hooting the while, were quickly Mending their way. A harbor in a million, said MacGee. one of the many passengers assembled on the top deck. “ It's beautiful! Wondc rful! Ivc never seen anything in my life to equal it!” exclaimed Chambers, a fellow traveller from Buenos Aires. “ What’s that tall hill at the entrance there?” , „ . “ Pao de Assacar. Sugar loaf mountain is the translation. There’s a cable tramway arrangement running to the top. If you’re interested in scenery, that’s the place to go . Hey, you youngsters, there’s someone calling you Dvcr there. Quick! Hop up here, you two, before those kids come back. “Now, if you look over there,” continued Mac Gee, pointing with his binoculars, “ you’ll see Rio.” Chatting in this strain and pointing out the beauty spots, ho was kept fairly busy until, docking at the wharf, a scramble was made by everyone for the gangway. “Not coming ashore, Mac?’’ called back Chambers. “No; you go right ahead and have a good time; but don’t forget wo leave for Lisbon to-morrow afternoon at 4.” “Why, what’s the matter? 1 was looking forward to a run round town with you. You know the runs of the ropes, and can speak the language much better than 1 can.” “ Can’t be done just now, old man. 1 may wander off to-night. If I do I’ll be at the Cafe d’Arnor, about halfway down the Rua Gonezol, ofl the Avenida. Look out for me there if von are passing any time about 9 o’clock.” “ All right. Cheerio just now.” Joining the others, Chambers landed on the quay, and, passing through and out of the Customs-house, found himself on the,outskirts of the city. “Auto, senhor—auto?” inquired one of the many taxi drivers assembled there. “No, thanks. 1 want to stretch my legs a bit. Which is the nearest “Follow that pathway, senhor; it way into the city?” loads to the Avenida Rio Branco.” “Thank you.” „ Setting out at a quick p.ace. Chambers followed the direction given. An ex-Australian soldier, bronzed, and well built, he was easily noticeable amongst tho many pedestrians wending their way citywards. Entering the broad Avenida lie paused for a moment. The pavements on either side were composed of black-and-white Mosaic tiles, and along their outer edge rows of tropical trees were growing. In the centre of the whitish roadway, almost dazzling in the rays of the now midday sun, was a luxuriant mass of palms and shrubbery, up one side and down the other of which the steady flow of traffic was continually passing. Tho brightlycolored goods in the shop windows and the pleasant hues of the neat yet simple dresses of the graceful senhoritas all added to the _ picture, and helped to impress it vividly in his memory. “My! The more I see of this place , the better I like it,” ho murmured, and, crossing to a tree-shaded, outside table of a cafe, he called for refreshments. “ Senhor?” said a white-jacketed waiter making his appearance. “Do you speak English?” asked Chambers. “ Sim, Senhor, urn pouco,” was the reply. “1 don’t know what you are saying, but if you understand lemonade iced bring me some, will yon, please?” “ Sim, Senhor.” The Portuguese waiter vanished inside an adjacent building, and in a few moments reappeared with the required beverage. “How much—er quanto?” said Chambers, endeavoring to make use of the few Portuguese words he knew. “Quaifto pagar.” “ Wis'h I had brought my dictionary,” ho added to •himself. Tho now smiling waiter informed him that his account was “ dos milreis.” “ Will you take > English money?” “Sim, uina shilling, gracas Senhor,” be added, as he received the amount, and still grinning he busied himself attending other customers. Chambers, resting a while, idly watched the passing crowds. Very smart and well dressed were tho people. x No trace of poverty was evident anywhere; the ladies hatic.ss, shaded by hrightly-huecl sunshades, were chatting gaily to their white-suited male companions. A few, the elder senhoras, carried beautifully-worked silken fans, with which every now and then, they majestically fanned themselves. In front of a shop window a short distance away a number of dark-eyed, gesticusenhoritas were standing. They were joined by a salesman from the establishment. A short discussion followed, and they all disappeared within tho building. “Loteria! Loteria!” A youth had made his appearance selling lottery tickets. Darting here and there amongst the crowd, ho appeared with little effort to obtain willing buyers for the numbers ho was vending. The hooting of a motor horn noxt attracted the dreamer’s attention, and, glancing to the roadway, he saw several highlypowered motor cars of the very latest design smoothly gliding along, bearing their masters home for their midday siesta. After a while the bustle died down a little, and, rising from the table, Chambers continued bis journey along the Avenida. Stopping in front of an imposing jeweller’s window, ho was admiring a display of Brazilian gems there, when a card bearing the magic words “ English spoken ” came within his vision. The temptation to hear his mother tongue was very great, so he entered the shop. “Good afternoon,” a young American greeted him from behind the counter. “ Wanting a few curios?” “ Please,” said Chambers, who did nothing or the kind. “What would you prefer?” " Oh, anything! As a matter of fact I’m just dying to speak to someone. Qan’t understand the lingo those people are talking out there.” “Sure! Pleased to meet you. Stranger in town, I guess.” “Yes. Just, off; the Demar this »norning.”

“Staying long?” “ No: leaving to-morrow.” “Well, if you’re, going to England you’d better take a few reminders ot your visit with you* Hero’s a hue range of gems; ten milreis per ca iat upwards, aquamarines, emeralds, amothvsts. sapphires—all found in the Republic. Just look at that emerald! I’ll bet you never saw anything Jiko it in vour life before,” “ It’s a fine stone, but too expensive for me. What is tins? “That’s a particularly bright aqu.marine. Weighs fully three and f a-ha It carats. Make a wondciiul ling. “I’ll take that. It looks rather a good stone. You’ll accept Enghs.i money, 1 suppose? . . n “Sure! Best money m the woikl. Thanks! Now, is there anything else you 'would like?” T ,„ “ No, thank you. I think I’ll wander back to the boat again.” Hvc-hye. Soy, ii any or your friends want mementoes send them along here. John llyrams the mime; here’s my card.” “Thank yon. 1.11 mention it. Good-bye.” Once outside he hailed a passing taxi. “Drive me to the boat, will you—boat—wharf—or—vapor Demar, I mean, sabe.” “ Sim, Senhor.” Twenty minutes later he was on board. “Hello! Back early?” a voice greeted him from the depths ol a deck chair. ~ . , “That you, Mae? Yes; got tired wandering round in tho heat. Luncheon over, I suppose.” “Yes; and afternoon tea, too.” “Just my luck. Where are all the others?”

“There’s a couple smooging over near the stern there—a bit touched by the sun by the look ol them. Thompson’s fishing up lor’ard somewhere. Steward says he’s c..ught one or two beauties. The others arc still ashore, and won’t be back till to-morrow.” “Oh! What’s your opinion of this stone, Mac? .1. bought it from a jeweller in tho Avenida.” “Hellol That looks like a diamond,” said Mac Gee, sitting suddenly up and critically examining the gem. “ What shop did you get it from?” “llyrams. Here’s ins card.” “Don’t know the firm; hut you should have this tested. Ask the chief steward. He’s a bit of an expert on these things.’’ “Thanks! I will. The jeweller said it was an aquamarine, but 1 think he’s mistaken. I’m going to my cabin for a while. See you later.”

That evening some time alter dinner tho three friends—MacGee, Chambers, and Thompson—were on the promenade deck watching tiro brightly-lit ferry boats crossing the bay. it was one of those beautifully clear moonlight nights characteristic to Rio, and tho stray notes of music that drifted up from passing launches gave a limit touch to the pantomime scene. “ Did you show Thompson that stone of yours? ” asked Mac Gee, resuming their conversation. “Yes, but I didn’t sec the - chief steward; lie’s not back j’et.” “ It’s a diamond all right, Mae,” said Thompson. “It certainly looks like one,” returned Mac Gee. “ Well, boys, what say to a run up town?” “Good oh!” returned Chambers. “ Wo won’t need overcoats.’ Leaving the steamer, they passed clown and olf the wharf to a waiting taxi, and were soon on their way to the oily. Amidst the rows of_ tho gently waving palms in the Avenida electric lights now twinkled; the theatres, cabarets, and calcs were all brilliantly illuminated;' and the atmosphere, made cheerful by the sounds of hidden music, seemed tilled with a most fragrant and delicate perfume. Crowds_ of laughing, talking people were passing to and fro. “ We’ll hop out here,” said Mac Gee, and, alighting, they mingled with tho happy throng on the pavement. “Not much use going to a show,” he continued.! “You chaps wouldn’t understand it. Come on down to the d’Amor.” “What’s that?” asked Thompson. “Oh! a little cabaret I found when I was here last month. Wo go down this street. That’s it, away down there where all those lights are.” Arriving at the imposing entrance of the cabaret, they entered. “ This is a fairly decent place,” said Chambers, looking round. “I should say it was,” answered Thompson. “ It’s supposed to be one of the best in Rio,” returned Mac Gee. A waiter, all smiles, showed them to a vacant table. Sitting at one next to it were several rather brightly complcxioned senhoritas. So Mac Gee decided they would go to the other side of tho room. Suited at last, refreshments were ordered, and they settled down to enjoy themselves. From somewhere behind a nearby mass of shrubbery an orchestra tuned up, and tho centre of the room was quickly peopled with dancing couples. Tho dreamy waltz ended, and a specialty dance was in progress, when Thompson, nudging Chambers, pointed to an opposite table. “The chief steward; so this is where he gets to?” said Chambers. “There's your diamond tester, Mac.” “ Wonder who his two companions are?” said Mac Gee. “Rather attrac-tive-looking girl that one in black.” “ Look out! he’s seen us,” exclaimed Thompson. “Hello, you fellows! ” called out tho chief. “ Come on over.” “ I’m staying here,” said Thompson to Ins companions. “ What on earth for? ’’ asked Chambers. “Hurry up you two,” said Mac Gee, who had already risen. i “ Oh, all right, in a moment,”_ returned Thompson, and the three joined the chief steward and his party. “Senhoritas, Senhors Mac Gee, Thompson, and Chambers. Gentlemen, my two cousins, the Senhoritas Goznc.” The introduction over, Mac lost no time in opening up n conversation, and soon had the whole party laughing over one of his famous jokes. “You no doubt speaktließortuguc.se language perfectly, senhor? ” said one of the cousins to Chambers.

“ Yes—er—yes, of course, that is, I have a knowledge of it; but your English is excellent.” “ That is natural, senhor. Both mysister and myself were educated in England.” “ Rather cold in winter—did you not find it so?” “ Oh, yes, I freeze there in winter time. A great pity it is not warm like Rio—such a wonderful country.” Mac Gee and his dark-eyed favorite had risen, and were engaged in tho mysteries of one of the latest dances, when Chambers, requesting the pleasure from his companion, joined them. Left to themselves, Thompson and the ship’s officer were discussing a topic of mutual interest, when a small paper dart landed on the table. “(Wonder where that came from?” said 'Thompson Another arrived. This time it grazed his neck, and glided gracefully over his shoulde-. Indignantly he looked round and sought to find the perpetrator. Smack! A small bon-bon landed on his head. “Hero, I wonder what tho idea is?” “ Probably some senhorita has taken a fancy to you,” said the officer, grinning at his triend’s embarrassment. “ You know these people are awfully passionate—better watch your step, old man.” “ What! I don’t know anyone here.” “Never know your luck. They’re goers once they start. Usually ends in trouble,- unfortunately.” “Thank goodness yon fellows, arc back,” said Thompson to the dancers as they returned- *

“You look a bit flustered,” returned] Chambers. I “ What’s the matter?” added MacGee. “Someone mistook our friend’s head for a target,” answered tho _ oflicor. “ Been throwing bon-bons at him.” “Dark horse. What’s her name, Tommy?” Laughing, they quickly forgot the in-cident,-and the conversation drifted to tlio gem Chambers had purchased that afternoon. Fortunately, ho had it with him, and, after a very critical examination, tho officer pronounced it a diamond.

“ Better keep it in a safe place,” ho warned him. “That stone’s worth at least two hundred pounds.” ineven o’clock was chiming as tho three cousins left the cabaret. “ Wouldn’t be a bad act if we made a move, too,” remarked Thompson. “ IV a it. a while, and see the next turn. Supposed to he rather a good dancer,” said Mac Gee. The lights at that moment were extinguished, and colored ones took their place. A spotlight threw its beam on tlurtwirling figure in the centre of tho floor. Dancing to the strains of a very haunting tegic, the dancer was joined by others and all moved amongst the tables. Around tho one occupied by onr throe friends a particularly fascinating dancing girl glided. It was evidently poor Thompson’s unlucky night, for she paid him marked attention. Several limes her large feathered fan brushed his burning checks, and more than once it found a resting place under his chin; but it was when a soft arm glided round bis nock that his indignation knew no bounds. Jumping up, he demanded to know what the game was. And then, considerably embarrassed by the laughter of those about, sat down again with as much* dignity as ho could comm a ml. “ I don’t see anything to laugh at.” he exclaimed to Chambers, who evidently thought the matter a huge joke. Unfortunately, sipping a glass of wine, Chambers found out at that moment that it was impossible to drink and laugh at the same time. Disastrous results followed, and after Ids coughing had subsided, the trifle of _ a broken glass and spilt wine remedied by an obliging waiter, he turned to Thompson, and was about to speak, when that young man, making a sudden dive From tho table, collided with tho departing waiter, and received tho contents of a tray that was being removed over his person. He certainly looked a picture, with ire cream and various conserves splashed generously on his countenance; but when a dancing girl glided gracefully round him, everyone roared with laughter—poor, shy, little man, running away from tho ladies, was he? On his feet in an instant, lie made for tho door, pursued by several senhoritas, mercilessly pelting him with confetti. People at tho other side of tho cabaret began to inquire the cause of the commotion, till someone mentioned “thief.” “Stop, thief!” The cry circled the building, and in an instant a stream of yelling people were at the heels of the racing boy. Down tho Rua lie sped, with the yelling crowd after him. Faster and faster he ran in an endeavor to shako them off. Mercifully a faxi at that moment passed, and, jumping on it while it was still going, ho made his escape. Very lucky, indeed, for several vigilantes had by this iimo appeared on tho scene. “ 'What on earth’s the matter with the ass? ” asked Chambers of Mac Gee. “ Goodness knows,” he returned. “Como on back and got out bats. I’m going to the boat.” Returning to the cloak room, they received their hats, and were leaving, when Chambers, uttering a yell, began searching frantically in every pocket. “ What’s the matter; you got ’em, too ? ’ ’ “ I’ve lost my pocket hook. That diamond was in it.” “It can't he far away.” said MacGee. “You'must have dropped it by the table during the scuffle. Come on in and sec.” The two friends returned, and, with tho assistance of the management, diligently searched everywhere amongst the fallen tables and strewn dishes, but uo wallet was found Another search gave the same result. And reluctantly they abandoned looking further, and made their way back to the Demar. Once on hoard, they went to Thompson’s state room, and beheld that ■worthy cleaning the final traces of his recent conflict from bis clothing. “You’re two beautiful friends—T don’t think—leaving me to he nearly murdered by that yelling mob of savages. Blest tf I’ll iKitbcr my head about your nld pocket book again.” “ Pocket book!” they both exclaimed. “Where! Have you got it?” cried Chambers.

“Why. certainly, I thought you knew. That waiter picked your pocket, sr I tried the same game on him. Hero it is. Better not flash that diamond round again.” “Thank goodness, ’ Tommy, boy, you’re a brick. Shake, old man.”