ny me as far as Badillo, where we
disembark for stinking Simiti. And, _amigo_, do you secure a
trustworthy companion. The work may be heavy. Meantime, my blessing
and absolution."

Then he sat down and despatched a long letter to Don Mario.

CHAPTER 28

"Rosendo," said Jose one morning shortly thereafter, as the old man
entered the parish house for a little chat, "a Decree has been issued
recently by the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office whereby,
instead of the cloth scapulary which you are wearing, a medal may be
substituted. I have received several from Cartagena. Will you exchange
yours?"

"_Cierto_, Padre--but," he hesitated, "is the new one just as--"

"To be sure, _amigo_. It carries the same indulgences. See,"
exhibiting the medal. "The Sacred Heart and the blessed Virgin. But I
have arranged it to wear about the neck."

Rosendo knelt reverently and crossed himself while Jose hung the new
scapulary over his head. The old man beamed his joy. "_Caramba!_" he
exclaimed, rising, "but I believe this one will keep off more devils
than that old cloth thing you made for me!"

"Why, Rosendo!" admonished Jose, repressing a smile, "did I not bless
that one before the altar?"

"_Cierto_, Padre, and I beg a thousand pardons. It was the blessing,
wasn't it? Not the cloth. But this one," regarding it reverently,
"this one--"

"Oh, yes, this one," put in Jose, "carries the blessing of His Grace,
acting-Bishop Wenceslas."

"And a Bishop is always very holy, is he not, Padre?" queried Rosendo.
"It makes no difference who he is, for the office makes him holy, is
it not so, Padre?"

"Oh, without doubt," returned Jose, his thought reverting to the
little Maria and the babe which for four years he had been supporting
in distant Cartagena.

"_Na_, Padre," remonstrated Rosendo, catching the insinuation, "we
must not speak ill of the Bishop, lest he be a Saint to-morrow! But,
Padre," he went on, changing the topic, "I came to tell you that Don
Luis has given me a contract to cut wood for him on the island. A
quantity, too. _Hombre!_ I shall earn much money by its terms. I set
out to-morrow morning before daybreak."

Jose reflected. The man's words aroused within him a faint suspicion.
Don Luis and the Alcalde were boon companions. Jose wondered if in
this commission he could see the gloved hand of Don Mario. But he gave
no hint of his thought to Rosendo.

The next morning, long before sun-up, a mist lay t