A Captain of the Woods explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Truth

  Torres holds a secret document that contains hidden truths about a man's honor and life, which he plans to exploit.

• Mortality and Fate

  The document is described as a matter of life or death for its subject, and Torres's actions could determine his fate.

Characters to notice

• Torres

  A white Brazilian former slave hunter, now a captain of the woods, who possesses a cryptogram that he plans to use for blackmail.

Key passages

• “Torres—for that was his name—unlike the majority of his companions, was neither half-breed, Indian, nor negro. He was a white of Brazilian origin, and had received a better education than befitted his present condition.”

  Torres, a white Brazilian, was better educated than most slave hunters, setting him apart from his peers.

  Highlights Torres's background and education.

• “Yes, said he, at length, here are a hundred lines very neatly written, which, for someone that I know, have an importance that is undoubted. That somebody is rich. It is a question of life or death for him, and looked at in every way it will cost him something.”

  Torres realizes the document is valuable to a rich person and plans to extort money from him.

  Reveals Torres's intent to use the cryptogram for blackmail.

• “Before tomorrow I will be in his presence; before tomorrow he will know that his honor and his life are contained in these lines. And when he wishes to see the cipher which permits him to read them, he—well, he will pay for it.”

  Torres plans to confront the man and demand payment for revealing the cipher.

  Shows Torres's determination to exploit the secret.