in Para, was pursuing his studies in the same institution as Benito.
The conformity of their characters and their tastes proved no barrier
to their uniting in the closest of friendships, and they became
inseparable companions.

Manoel, born in 1832, was one year older than Benito. He had only a
mother, and she lived on the modest fortune which her husband had
left her. When Manoel's preliminary studies were finished, he had
taken up the subject of medicine. He had a passionate taste for that
noble profession, and his intention was to enter the army, toward
which he felt himself attracted.

At the time that we saw him with his friend Benito, Manoel Valdez had
already obtained his first step, and he had come away on leave for
some months to the fazenda, where he was accustomed to pass his
holidays. 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