Well-built, and of distinguished bearing, with a certain
native pride which became him well, the young man was treated by Joam
and Yaquita as another son. But if this quality of son made him the
brother of Benito, the title was scarcely appreciated by him when
Minha was concerned, for he soon became attached to the young girl by
a bond more intimate than could exist between brother and sister.
In the year 1852--of which four months had already passed before the
commencement of this history--Joam Garral attained the age of
forty-eight years. In that sultry climate, which wears men away so
quickly, he had known how, by sobriety, self-denial, suitable living,
and constant work, to remain untouched where others had prematurely
succumbed. His hair, which he wore short, and his beard, which was
full, had already grown gray, and gave him the look of a Puritan. The
proverbial honesty of the Brazilian merchants and fazenders showed
itself in his features, of which straightforwardness was the leading
characteristic. His calm temperament seemed to indicate an interior
fire, kept well under control.
Pages:
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65