m--days of plunging through
fever-laden bogs; staggering in withering heat across open savannas;
now scaling the slippery slopes of great mountains; now swimming the
chill waters of rushing streams; making his bed where night overtook
him, among the softly pattering forest denizens and the swarming
insect life of the dripping woods. His black skin glistened with
perspiration and the heavy dew wiped from the close-growing bush. With
one hand he leaned upon a young sapling cut for a staff. With the
other he incessantly swung his _machete_ to clear the dim trail. His
eyes were held fixed to the ground, to escape tripping over low vines,
and to avoid contact with crawling creatures of the jungle, whose
sting, inflicted without provocation, might so easily prove fatal. His
active mind sported the while among the fresh thoughts stimulated by.
his journey, though back of all, as through a veil, the vision of
Carmen rose like the pillar of cloud which guided the wandering
Israel. Toil and danger fled its presence; and from it radiated a warm
glow which suffused his soul with light.

When Jose arose that morning he was still puzzling over the logical
conclusions drawn from his premise of the evening before, and trying
to reconcile them with common sense and prevalent belief. In a way, he
seemed to be an explorer, carving a path to hidden wonders. Dona Maria
greeted him at the breakfast table with the simple announcement of
Rosendo's early departure. No sign of sorrow ruffled her quiet and
dignified demeanor. Nor did Carmen, who bounded into his arms, fresh
as a new-blown rose, manifest the slightest indication of anxiety
regarding Rosendo's welfare. Jose might not divine the thoughts which
the woman's placid exterior concealed. But for the child, he well knew
that her problem had been met and solved, and that she had laid it
aside with a trust in immanent good which he did not believe all the
worldly argument of pedant or philosopher could shake.

"Now to business once more!" cried Jose joyously, the meal finished.
"Just a look-in at the church, to get the boys started; and then
to devote the day to you, senorita!" The child laughed at the
appellation.

Returning from the church some moments later, Jose found Carmen
bending over the fireplace, struggling to remove a heavy kettle from
the hot stones.

"Careful, child!" he cried in apprehension, hurrying to her
assistance. "You will burn your fingers, or hurt yourself!"

"N