How It All Goes Down
Have No Fear
- On February 11, 1925, Fawcett, his son, and his son's friend leave Rio for São Paulo.
- There, the dudes get a little partying in during the last night of Carnival.
- From there, the men travel to Cuiaba, the "stepping off point" to the jungle (20.19).
- In Cuiaba, Raleigh reminisces about home when he meets an American missionary who has several issues of Cosmopolitan magazine.
- Fawcett, meanwhile, hears news of Rice's historic achievements, such as taking photographs of the jungle from his plane.
- Although Rice has praise heaped upon him, Fawcett is glad that his rival has not found Z.
- In April, Fawcett hires some guides and takes the trek into the jungle.
- Fawcett is so excited that he rides ahead of the group. The men soon lose sight of him and fear has been taken hostage by a tribe.
- Fawcett is fine. He doubles back and rejoins the group. They stick together as the jungle becomes more treacherous.
- When the men meet tribes in the jungle, the natives turn out to be friendly.
- The men dance and party and eat and feel rejuvenated…except for Raleigh, Jack's friend, who is fragile and sick. He is unraveling much like Murray did years before.
- Fawcett attempts to talk Raleigh into returning to civilization with the guides, but Raleigh insists on staying.
- The guides return. Fawcett, Jack, and Raleigh prepare to continue their journey alone.
- Fawcett writes a letter to his wife: "You need have no fear of any failure" (20.74).
- Famous last words. Literally.