Iracema's Footprint by Bernard F. Blanche

Author:Bernard F. Blanche
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publish on Demand Global LLC

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Rua de Ponte

On the weekend following the burial of Domingo, three convicts had escaped from the county prison at the base of the Alto. The small jail sat just below the intersection of both roads out of Iracema and was partially obscure from the roadway by several large cajueiro trees. The children, who climbed these trees, harvesting the fruit of the cashew, were more easily visible to a passerby than was the building. The climbers would sit in the trees or on the ground and suck the pungent liquid from the pulp.

The convicts had overpowered a single guard during mealtime when visitors brought food to the prisoners. This was the only way that any convicts received meals, for the government did not supply board to them. Usually the church or other charitable organizations would care for an indigent or stranger held in the prison. Frequently, trustees were released during mealtime to return home for lunch or dinner. These prisoners were incarcerated for lesser offenses and were afforded an hour or so to obtain meals.

The escaped prisoners had run into the desert brush immediately following their escape. The police alerted the vicinity with aerial explosives. Even the small village of Bica on the mountain would hear the warning. Stories spread throughout the town about the evil of the three escapees. One rumor portrayed them as violent thieves who had slashed a victim's throat.

The first reports indicated that they had stolen food, liquor, two knives, and a guitar from some inhabitants in the Sertao just outside of town, Marcus and Ben were both warned to be careful at night to avoid falling prey to these men. Several neighbors related stories of the modus operandi of these burglars. They would gain access from the roof of a home, separate the tiles above the living room, and slip down a rope secured to the roof matrix that supported the tiles. Once inside, the first intruder would open the door to permit his accomplices to enter. They would silently search for valuables like radios, coins, clocks, leather goods, or weapons. If the residents were awakened or tried to prevent the burglary, they could be stabbed and killed.

The evening of the escape the praca cleared early as no one wished to get ambushed in the return trip home through deserted streets. The atmosphere was made even more ominous by frequent radio messages played over the public address system at the praca. All persons were advised to travel in groups as the escapees were still believed to be in the area. Sitting at home with time to spend dwelling on the possible danger that the prisoners represented to him, Ben identified himself as a ripe target for such men. They would think of all Americans as rich. He worried, but managed two letters to his family as he listened to the radio broadcast of a soccer match in Fortaleza. Cautiously, he had prepared for sleep by placing a large kitchen knife on the floor under a shirt beneath his hammock.

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