2 Paulo

Chapter 2 Paulo "Ooh, I hope we're right about this being the Amazon," said Sofia. "My mom says millions of animal species live here."

She leaned over the rail toward the densely wooded riverbank, scanning the tall, skinny trees and the vines and bushes for signs of animal life. Max tugged on the back of her shirt. "I know you love animals," he said with a grin. "But don't fall in!" "I can't see anything from here anyway," Sofia sighed. "Let's go below deck," Max suggested. "There might be some stuff down there that can help us figure out what we're here to do." They hurried over to the wooden hatch, which led to a metal ladder. Rung by rung, they climbed down to the cabin, which was illuminated by sunlight streaming through the portholes. They raced past the small kitchenette and stopped beside a long, low bookshelf. A giant atlas lay on a table, just as it had on their last adventure. As Max and Sofia came closer, the book flipped open, and its pages turned quickly in a blur and finally settled down. "We are in the Amazon rain forest," Sofia declared, pointing at the page. "In Brazil. See?"

Max studied the map, which showed a wide river winding through a patch of green. "Yes! We were right!" He offered Sofia a fist bump. "But wait... I don't know very much about Brazil. Do you?" "Not really," Sofia confessed. "Hey, let's see if there's anything in here!" She walked to the big sea chest carved with animals. "Remember, last time the chest had snorkeling gear, which was just what we needed for our adventure." The top of the chest was made of heavy wood, but Sofia was able to get it open without much trouble. "Look!" At the bottom of the chest lay two beaded necklaces alongside a pair of flashlights and bug spray. Sofia picked up one of the necklaces and saw that the beads were different shades of brown, as if each had

been made from a different type of wood. "What do we do with those beads?" Max asked. Sofia was already putting on her necklace. "We wear them," she said, as if he'd asked the silliest question in the world. Max shrugged and put his on, too. "I guess we'll also need these," he said, grabbing one of the flashlights. Sofia nodded and reached for the other one, and motioned to the can of bug spray. "Don't forget this. We don't want to get eaten alive

by mosquitoes." "Good idea!" Max said as he sprayed himself all over. As Max followed Sofia back up to the deck, he noticed that the trees were much closer now—and much taller. "I think the boat is taking us ashore!" he said. They waited, full of excitement, as they drifted closer to the riverbank. Tree branches reached out over the water, beckoning them forward. Then Wind Rider lurched to a stop. "Is there a dock?" Max asked, glancing down at the murky water. The sandy riverbank was still several yards away. "Who needs a dock?" said Sofia. When Max turned around, he saw Sofia reaching toward the branches of the tree that hung over the deck. She heaved herself up onto a branch, and the wooden beads dangled from her neck. "Come on!" she said to Max, grinning. Max followed, carefully crawling along the tree limb, pushing past its shiny, rubbery leaves. When he reached the thick trunk, Sofia was already climbing

down, using a tangle of vines as a ladder. As her feet hit the rain forest floor, Sofia breathed in deeply. Down here, below the canopy of trees, the world felt dark and shady. She glanced around, searching for a path through the tangled tree roots, rocks, and leaves. "Which way now?" she asked. Max dropped to the ground beside her. "I don't know," he said. "Just keep your eyes open for anyone —or anything—that might need our help." As he and Sofia passed by the vines and waxy plants, they could hear a faint pitter-patter of water dripping from leaves all around. Birds called to each other, so different from the caw, caw of the seagull that had brought them here. Max looked overhead, hoping to see the gull, but he couldn't even see the sky—the trees were so thick! They eventually found a narrow path and walked for what felt like hours, until the trees began to spread