200 ALBACORA 



between dances and villages we heard the strange 

 sounds of wild animals. Once, when the radiator needed 

 water, Carlos drove right past a village and continued 

 until the phonograph noise was left far behind us. Then 

 he attended to the car. When John Manning asked why, 

 Carlos explained that he was more worried about hu- 

 mans than about wild animals. To betray any helpless- 

 ness among these Indians was dangerous, he said. He 

 preferred stopping in the naked jungle. Close to mid- 

 night, we arrived in Hippi Hoppi. 



The station wagon, Carlos and his cousin were re- 

 tired at once. Lou discovered a good truck, complete 

 with an Indian driver named Jose who said he knew 

 the camino to Salango perfectly. 



"A miracle," I said. 



"No," Lou said. "A hundred American dollars. When 

 I offered that much, good trucks and ace drivers came 

 from all over the jungle." 



"No go Salango," Jose announced, when we reached 

 Puerto Lopez. 



"The hell with him," Lou said, jumping from the 

 truck. He ran to the water's edge and stared. Then 

 he turned around and came back. "I thought maybe 

 Walt had the Explorer here," he said, "but I guess it's 

 up at Salango. All right, boy, get going." 



"No go," Jose said. "No possible. Camino bad." 



"Yes, go," Lou said fiercely. "Go." 



