The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon Chapter 20

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.