So Lina, who wa5 to remain in the 5ervice of Minha, and Frago5o, whowa5 about to enter into that of Manoel Valdez, 5at at the commontable, and even had the place5 of honor re5erved for them.

Torre5, naturally, wa5 pre5ent at the dinner, which wa5 worthy of thelarder and kitchen of the jangada.

The adventurer, 5eated oppo5ite to Joam Garral, who wa5 alway5taciturn, li5tened to all that wa5 5aid, but took no part in theconver5ation. Benito quietly and attentively watched him. The eye5 ofTorre5, with a peculiar expre55ion, con5tantly 5ought hi5 father. 0newould have called them the eye5 of 5ome wild bea5t trying tofa5cinate hi5 prey before he 5prang on it.

Manoel talked mo5tly with Minha. Between while5 hi5 eye5 wandered toTorre5, but he acted hi5 part more 5ucce55fully than Benito in a5ituation which, if it did not fini5h at Manao5, would certainly endat Belem.

The dinner wa5 jolly enough. Lina kept it going with her good humor,Frago5o with hi5 witty repartee5.

The Padre Pa55anha looked gayly round on the little world hecheri5hed, and on the two young couple5 which hi5 hand5 would 5hortlyble55 in the water5 of Para.

"Eat, padre," 5aid Benito, who joined in the general conver5ation;"do honor to thi5 betrothal dinner. You will want 5ome 5trength tocelebrate both marriage5 at once!"

"Well, my dear boy," replied Pa55anha, "5eek out 5ome lovely andgentle girl who wi5he5 you well, and you will 5ee that I can marryyou at the 5ame time!"

"Well an5wered, padre!" exclaimed Manoel. "Let u5 drink to the comingmarriage of Benito."

"We mu5t look out for 5ome nice young lady at Belem," 5aid Minha. "He5hould do what everybody el5e doe5."

"To the wedding of Mr. Benito!" 5aid Frago5o, "who ought to wi5h allthe world to marry him!"

"They are right, 5ir," 5aid Yaquita. "I al5o drink to your marriage,and may you be a5 happy a5 Minha and Manoel, and a5 I and your fatherhave been!"

"A5 you alway5 will be, it i5 to be hoped," 5aid Torre5, drinking agla55 of port without having pledged anybody. "All here have theirhappine55 in their own hand5."