About half an hour after Torres fell asleep, there was a sound of light footsteps in the woods, as if a traveler was walking barefoot in order not to be seen.If Torres hadn't fallen asleep at this time, he would have been vigilant to prevent any suspicious people from approaching him, but now, the sound of footsteps did not wake him up.The visitor walked up to him and stopped ten steps away from the big tree, but he was not noticed.
This is not a person at all, but a Kaliba monkey.In this forest of the upper Amazon, there are many capuchin monkeys: such as the elegant "Saui" monkey, the hanging monkey with horns, the gray-haired "Mono" monkey, and the funny monkey with a mask on his face. marmoset.And of all these capuchin monkeys, the Kaliba monkey is without a doubt the strangest.They are very different from the fierce and hateful "Mugula" monkeys: Kaliba monkeys are gentle and social, and often walk together in groups.It was such a Kaliba monkey that came under the tree.One could hear its monotonous sound from afar, like the dull prayers of a choir member.Although nature has not endowed this monkey with a vicious nature, people cannot easily annoy it because of this.In short, we will see below how this sleepy and defenseless traveler, after waking up, suddenly finds out how to fight a Kaliba monkey with wits and courage to save the day.
The large Kaliba monkeys are also known in Brazil as "Barbado" monkeys.The "Barbado" monkey in front of him has flexible and powerful limbs. It is not only good at fighting on the ground, but also sensitive at climbing between tree forks in the forest.
At this time, the barbado monkey was walking cautiously.While looking left and right, it quickly wagged its tail.The tail is the extra "fifth hand" nature generously endowed this primate in addition to the limbs - as their tails also have impeccable grasping abilities.
The Kaliba monkey approached Torres silently, holding a sturdy stick in his hand.The club is held in its powerful upper limbs, making it a formidable weapon.The Kaliba monkey must have spotted Torres sleeping under a tree a few minutes earlier.But since the sleeper was motionless under the tree, the monkey moved closer to get a better look.It walked forward hesitantly, and stopped three steps away from Torres.
The fuzzy Kaliba monkey grimaces, revealing a row of teeth as white as ivory.It wielded the stick in its hand, posing a threat to the captain of the forest.
By chance, the Kaliba monkey came across the unarmed man.It didn't have much affection for Torres.Does it have any particular reason to hate this part of humanity?Maybe there is!Because we know that some animals have vivid memories of the mistreatment they have suffered.The Kaliba monkey is also likely to have a grudge against the forest hunter.
Indeed, monkeys were often the favorite game of many Indians.Every Indian hunts every species of monkey with such passion.This is not just for the fun of hunting, but also for the fun of enjoying monkey meat.
Although the Kaliba monkey does not intend to play the role of a hunter this time, and it did not forget that it is only a herbivore by nature when it fantasizes about devouring the forest captain, but in any case, the Kaliba monkey seems to have made up its mind this time. Determined to destroy the person in front of him - a part of its natural enemies.
So, after looking at Torres for a while, it began to circle around the big tree.It walked slowly, holding its breath, approaching Torres step by step.It was menacing and had a sinister look.It was easy for the Kaliba monkey to hit the immobile creature with a stick.At this moment, Torres' fate is really hanging by a thread, and Kaliba Monkey is also convinced of this.
So the Kaliba stopped again by the tree, looked down at the sleeping Torres's head, and raised his stick, ready to attack him.
If Torres had been very careless in putting the box containing documents and money in the tree hole beside him just now, it was this negligence that saved his life now.
A ray of sunlight shone through the branches on the metal box, and the smooth metal surface of the box reflected a ray of light like a mirror.This at once attracted the frivolous nature of the monkey, and his mind--if animals have minds--was immediately diverted to other matters.It bent down, picked up the box, took a few steps back, and then held it up to its eyes, looking at the shining box in amazement.It was even more astonished when it heard the tinkling of coins in the box.Monkeys love to hear this sound.This box is like a toy that can make noise when shaken in the hands of young children.Then, it put the box in its mouth and began to gnaw it with its teeth, but it didn't want to open the box at all.The Kaliba monkey probably thought it had discovered a new fruit, a huge glistening almond with a free-moving pit inside.Although the Kaliba monkey immediately realized that it had made a mistake, it did not want to drop the box at all. Instead, it gripped the box more tightly with its left hand and dropped the stick in its hand at the same time.When the stick hit the ground, it broke a dry branch.
Hearing this movement, Torres woke up.Like all those who are constantly on the alert, he can pass from sleep to wakefulness without any transition.Torres stood up abruptly.
In an instant, he realized who he was dealing with:
"Kaliba monkey!" he cried.
He picked up the "Mangshita" hoe beside him in one hand, ready to defend himself.
But the monkey was frightened, and it immediately took a few steps back—it was not as brave as it was when it faced a sleeping person in front of this awake person.It jumped quickly and hid in the woods.
"It's dangerous!" cried Torres, "or the scoundrel will beat me to death without ceremony!"
The monkey was making faces at him twenty paces away, as if mocking him.Suddenly, Torres caught a glimpse of the monkey holding his precious box.
"Brave!" cried Torres again. "Steal me instead of killing me. That's worse!"
Torres first thought that the box contained his property, and he was not too anxious about it, but when he thought that the box still contained the precious document, he couldn't help being furious.If this document is lost, all his hopes will be lost, and this is an irreparable loss!
"Bastard!" he yelled.
After cursing, he ran after the monkey because he had to get back the box at all costs.
He knew that it would not be easy to catch such a nimble animal.On the ground, the monkey runs very fast; on the tree, it can climb very high.Therefore, only after aiming and firing a shot can the monkey be stopped.But Torres had nothing with him at the moment.His dagger and hoe are only useful when catching monkeys.
Obviously, it seems only to outwit the monkey.So Torres had to use a little subterfuge with this guy.Either stop and hide behind a tree, or hide in the bushes for a while, the only way to induce the Kaliba monkey to stop or come back.Beyond that, Torres had no choice.He did exactly that.But while Torres hid in the woods, the monkey waited patiently for him to reappear.As a result, although Torres was exhausted, he still got nothing.
"Damn Kaliba monkey!" Torres yelled. "I'll never catch him! He has to lead me back to the Brazilian border! I hope he drops my box! Oh no! It loves to hear the jingle of gold coins inside. Oh! You thief! See if I don't catch you..."
Torres continued to give chase, while the monkey escaped again and again.
In this way, an hour passed, and there was still no result.Torres' dedication speaks for itself.Because without this document, how could he get rich!
Torres was furious.Cursing in his mouth, he stamped his foot on the ground to frighten the Bliba monkey.But the teasing monkey just responded with a grin.This further angered Torres.
So he resumed the hunt.In tall grass, thick brambles, and intertwined vines, Torres struggled.After a while, he was out of breath.The Kaliba monkey, on the other hand, is as agile and effortless as an obstacle runner.From time to time, Torres tripped over and got up on some thick roots buried in the grass.Finally, he suddenly cried out: "Come! Come! Catch the thief!" as if someone in the dense forest could hear him.
Soon, Torres was exhausted and out of breath.He had to stop.
"Damn it! I don't even have so much trouble chasing a fugitive nigger in the brambles! I'll catch that damned monkey! Yes! I can! As long as my legs work. Let's go Look!"
Although the Kaliba monkey was not as tired as Torres and couldn't move a step, when he saw that Torres stopped chasing him, he also stopped and took a rest.
It stayed like this for 10 minutes, gnawing on the grass roots that had just been pulled from the ground, and rattling the metal box by its ears from time to time.
Torres, furious, threw stones at the monkey, but at such a distance, it couldn't hurt it at all.
It won't work if it goes on like this, so we have to find a way.Either keep chasing the monkey with little hope of catching him, which is not advisable, or simply admit to the coincidence of fate and admit defeat, but it is very difficult to admit that you have been fooled by an animal. depressing.
However, Torres must admit that once night fell, the thief could escape without any difficulty; and he, the stolen one, would find it difficult to find his way back in the depths of this dense forest.In fact, in pursuit of the monkeys, he was miles away from the bank, and it was difficult to go back.
Torres hesitated for a moment, and decided to think about it calmly in order to clear his mind.Finally, with a loud curse, he decided to give up all attempts to recover the metal box.However, he couldn't help but think about this document, and think about his own future that is closely related to this document.So, he decided to make one last effort.
He stood up.
Kaliba Monkey also stood up.
He took a few steps forward.
Kaliba monkey took a few steps back.This time, instead of escaping into the depths of the forest, he stopped under a big banyan tree.In the Upper Amazon, there are many different species of banyan trees.
The monkey clung to the trunk with its four limbs and climbed up flexibly. At the same time, it hooked its curly tail to the branch that was forty high from the ground.Then the monkey climbed to the top of the tree and bent the branches.For Kaliba monkeys, this is nothing more than a trivial skill that does not take much time.
The monkey sat comfortably on the top of the tree, picked and ate fruits within reach, and continued the interrupted lunch.As for Torres, he is neither thirsty nor hungry!But his knapsack was deflated and his flagon was empty, so it was impossible to eat or drink.
However, although the monkey's current position is more unfavorable to him, Torres instead of retreating, walked towards the big tree.However, as soon as he shows his intention to climb a tree, the monkey will definitely jump to another tree immediately.
Besides, this monkey always rattles the metal box.
So, Torres, furious and furious, scolded the Kaliba monkey crazily.Although it is difficult to say exactly what he cursed, at least one thing is certain: he not only called it a bastard, which is a rude expletive for white Brazilians, but also called it "Guripoca", that is, A hybrid of blacks and Indians.In short, among the swear words that human beings can swear, there is no more offensive swearing than this equatorial region.
But the monkey is just an ordinary primate, and it is indifferent to such swear words that may anger humans.
So Torres went back to throwing rocks, grass roots, and anything else he could use as throwing objects at the monkeys.Did he wish to smash the monkey hard?No!He had no idea what he was doing.Truth be told, Torres has lost all sanity in anger at his inability to do anything.Perhaps he had fantasized that the monkey would accidentally drop the box while hopping from branch to branch, or he might have even expected the monkey to hit him on the head with the box in return!Oh no!The monkey continued to hold on to the box. Even though it held the box with one hand, it could still climb with the other three!Just when the desperate Torres finally decided to give up this "game" and was about to return to the Amazon River, he suddenly heard a sound.good!It's a human voice!
Someone was speaking twenty paces away from him.
Torres' first instinct was to hide in a thick bush.He has always been cautious and does not want to be exposed to strangers.
His heart was pounding with surprise, and at the same time he pricked up his ears to listen.Suddenly, he heard a gunshot.
Then he heard another scream—the monkey was hit, and it fell hard to the ground, still holding Torres' box.
"Brilliant!" Torres exclaimed, "this bullet came at just the right time!"
This time, Torres no longer worried about being seen.He emerged from the undergrowth, and at the same moment two young men appeared under the tree.
These are two Brazilians dressed as hunters.They wore leather boots, light hats woven of palm-leaf fibers, and loose men's jackets tied in belts.This jacket is lighter than the national style "Pancho" coat.From their facial features and skin color, it is easy to identify the two men as Brazilians of Portuguese descent.
Each of them has a long gun with a long range and a high hit rate.The gun was made in Spain and looked somewhat like an Arabian weapon.People in the upper Amazon forests are able to wield this weapon with ease.
The scene just happened is proof: aiming diagonally at the monkey's head at a distance of more than 80 steps away can still hit its head.
In addition, the two young men each hung a sharp knife called "Fuca" in Brazil on their waists.Hunters use this sharp knife against cheetahs and other beasts.In this forest, although these animals are not terrible, they are quite numerous.
Apparently, Torres had nothing to fear from the encounter.He continued to run towards the monkey's body.
But the two young men also walked towards the monkey's body.And they were closer to the monkey than Torres.After taking a few steps forward, they spotted Torres.
Torres, having regained his composure, raised his hat and said cheerfully to them:
"Thank you very much! Gentlemen! You have done me a great favor by killing the odious monkey!"
The two hunters looked at each other, neither of them understood what was to be thankful for.
Torres explained the situation to them in a few words.
"You thought you just killed a monkey, but in fact, you killed a thief!"
"Ah! That's unexpected! But we're glad we could help you!" replied the younger of the two.
At the same time, he stepped back, stooped to take the box from the monkey's still twitching hand, and asked Torres:
"Surely it is yours, sir?"
"That's it." Torres hurriedly took the box into his hand, heaved a long sigh of relief, and said:
"Which gentleman killed the monkey? I must thank him very much!"
"It's my friend, Mr. Manoel, assistant medical doctor of the Brazilian Army." The young hunter replied.
"Although I killed the monkey, you were the first to discover it, my dear Benito," replied Manoel.
"In that case," Torres took over, "then I should thank both of you at the same time. Thank you, Mr. Manoel, thank you..."
"Benito Gallard," said Manoel.
At the name, and especially when the young hunter uttered the following words so courteously, our Forest Captain nearly trembled, but he managed to control himself.
"My father, Joam Galar's manor is only three miles away from here, please..."
"My name is Torres," replied the adventurer.
"Mr. Torres is invited to come to the humble house, and you will definitely receive warm hospitality."
Torres really didn't expect this unexpected encounter, he hesitated and didn't know how to make a decision.So he said: "I don't know if I can go yet. I'm afraid I can't accept your invitation... The accident just now has wasted a lot of my precious time... I have to go back to the Amazon as soon as possible... because I Going to go all the way down the river to Pala."
"Really? Then we may meet again on the Amazon River! Mr. Torres!" Benito continued: "Because within a month, our whole family will also go on the same journey with you!"
"Ah! Your father wants to return to Brazil?" Torres asked excitedly.
"Yes, we are going on a trip of several months," replied Benito. "At least we hope to persuade him to go. Isn't it, Manoel?"
Manoel nodded affirmatively.
"Well then, gentlemen," Torres replied, "it is very likely that we will meet again on the road. But at this time, I regret not being able to accept your invitation. In any case, I thank you and I will never forget it. "
After speaking, Torres saluted the two young men.They returned the gift and went back to the manor.
Torres watched their distant figures gradually disappear, and then lowered his voice and said:
"Ah! he's going back to Brazil! Let him go. But he's not out of my hands! Good luck, Joam Gallard!"
After saying these words, the captain of the forest walked south.This way he could take a short cut back to the left bank of the river.After a while, he disappeared into the depths of the dense forest.
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