nths longer, and then pulled
the string--_Dios y diablo_! there would have been such a fracas as to
turn the Cordilleras bottom up! Now all that is set back for
years--_Quien sabe_?"

"But," queried the puzzled Jose, "how could Wenceslas, a priest,
profit by an anticlerical war?"

"_Caramba, amigo!_ But the good Wenceslas is priest only in name! He
is a politician, bred to the game. He lays his plans with the
anticlericals, knowing full well that Church and State can not be
separated in this land of mutton-headed _peones_. _Bueno_, the clever
man precipitates a revolution that can have but one result, the closer
union of Rome and the Colombian Government. And for this he receives
the direction of the See of Cartagena and the disposition of the rich
revenues from the mines and _fincas_ of his diocese. Do you get me?"

"And, _amigo_, how long will this disturbance continue?" said Jose,
speaking earnestly.

"I have told you, a few weeks at the most," replied Diego with a show
of petulance. "But, just the same, as agent of your friend Wenceslas,
I have been a mite too active along the river, especially in the town
of Banco, to find safety anywhere within the pale of civilization
until this little fracas blows over. This one being an abortion, the
next revolution can come only after several years of most painstaking
preparation. But, mark me, _amigo_, that one will not miscarry, nor
will it be less than a scourge of the Lord!"

Despite the sordidness of the man, Jose was profoundly grateful to him
for this information. And there could be no doubt of its authenticity,
coming as it did from a tool of Wenceslas himself. Jose became
cheerful, even animated.

"Good, then! Now when do you expect to set out for San Lucas?" he
asked. "Rosendo may return any day."

"_Diablo!_ Then I must be off at once!"

"To-morrow?" suggested Jose eagerly.

"_Caramba, hermano!_ Why so desirous of my departure? To be sure,
to-morrow, if possible. But I must have a chat with our good friend,
the Alcalde. So do me the inexpressible favor to accompany me to his
door, and there leave me. My _peones_ are down at the boat, and I
would rather not face the people of Simiti alone."

"Gladly," assented Jose.

The man rose to depart. At that moment Dona Maria appeared at the door
bearing a tray with Jose's supper. She stopped short as she recognized
Diego.

"Ah, _Senora Dona Maria_!" exclaimed Diego, bowing low. "I kiss your
hand."

The woma