# XVIII: Fragoso explained — The Giant Raft

> Chapter companion for The Giant Raft by Jules Verne.

## What happens

Fragoso returns to Manaus with news that Torres's deceased comrade was named Ortega, confirming Torres's story. Judge Jarriquez, desperate to save Joam Dacosta from execution, uses the name 'Ortega' to finally decipher the cryptogram, revealing the number 432513. He rushes to stop the execution, declaring Joam Dacosta innocent.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Innocence

The chapter climaxes with the last-minute revelation of Joam Dacosta's innocence, highlighting the fragility of justice and the power of truth.

### Deception and Truth

Fragoso's confirmation of Torres's story and the deciphering of the cryptogram expose the deception that condemned an innocent man.

## Character check-ins

### Fragoso

Returns exhausted from his journey, confirms Ortega as Torres's friend, and urges Judge Jarriquez to stop the execution.

### Judge Jarriquez

Desperate and on the verge of destroying the document, he finally deciphers the cryptogram using the name 'Ortega' and rushes to halt the execution.

### Joam Dacosta

Condemned to die, he is saved at the last moment when Judge Jarriquez declares his innocence.

### Torres

Referenced as the former captain of the woods whose story about his deceased friend Ortega is confirmed by Fragoso.

### Ortega

Revealed as Torres's intimate friend and the likely true author of the crime of Tijuco; his name provides the key to the cryptogram.

## Key lines

> Fragoso seized his hands and stopped him. 'The truth is there!' he said.

Fragoso physically prevents Judge Jarriquez from destroying the document, insisting that it contains the truth.

_Fragoso's desperate intervention preserves the evidence needed to save Joam Dacosta._

> A yell of delight escaped him! This number, 432513, was the number sought for so long!

Judge Jarriquez cries out in joy upon discovering that the number 432513 is the correct key to the cryptogram.

_The moment of breakthrough after repeated failures, leading to the exoneration._

> Innocent! Innocent!

Judge Jarriquez declares Joam Dacosta innocent as he stops the execution.

_The climactic declaration that reverses the unjust sentence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se/chapters/xviii-fragoso
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se/chapters