Eric Flint: Grantville Gazette.Volume XII

Henriques' party beached their canoe, and approached the fort. A bored-looking guard called down for him to identify himself. "I am Henriques Pereira da Costa. We come from Belem do Para, in the Amazon."

The guard's boredom vanished. "Wait here!" He came back a moment later with several other Dutchmen.

"I am Commander Van der Gies of the Zeeland Chamber of the Dutch West India Company. You say you came from up river, but ultimately from Belem do Para?"

"Yes, we found the connection from the Amazon to the Essequibo."

He was congratulated on this great achievement. The Dutchmen ignored Mauricio, assuming he was a slave. And of course the Indians were equally uninteresting to them.

Mauricio fidgeted. Henriques realized, suddenly, that Mauricio might be uncertain of how their return to civilization would affect his status. Kasiri also seemed ill at ease, sensing Mauricio's discomfort. Coqui, on the other hand, appeared oblivious to their emotional turmoil.

Henriques interrupted the Governor. "Forgive me. Allow me to introduce my fellow explorer, Mauricio… my half-brother."