Like everything else, that has changed; heads have
re-taken their natural form, and there is not the slightest trace of
the ancient deformity in the skulls of the chaplet-makers.
Every one, with the exception of Joam Garral, went ashore. Torres
also remained on board, and showed no desire to visit San Pablo
d'Oliven?a, which he did not, however, seem to be acquainted with.
Assuredly if the adventurer was taciturn he was not inquisitive.
Benito had no difficulty in doing a little bartering, and adding
slightly to the cargo of the jangada. He and the family received an
excellent reception from the principal authorities of the town, the
commandant of the place, and the chief of the custom-house, whose
functions did not in the least prevent them from engaging in trade.
They even intrusted the young merchant with a few products of the
country for him to dispose of on their account at Manaos and Belem.
The town is composed of some sixty houses, arranged on the plain
which hereabouts crowns the river-bank. Some of the huts are covered
with tiles--a very rare thing in these countries; but, on the other
hand, the humble church, dedicated to St.
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