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'Olivenca, 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.Peter and St.Paul, has only a roof of straw, rather more appropriate for a stable of Bethlehem than for an edifice consecrated to religion in one of the most Catholic countries of the world.
The commandant, his lieutenant, and the head of the police accepted an invitation to dine with the family, and they were received by Joam Garral with the respect due to their rank.
During dinner Torres showed himself more talkative than usual.