hat we should have witnessed an exceedingly curious
conflict, in which heroic self-devotion would have struggled with a
rough but very honest love. And that Fray Antonio anticipated such a
conflict was shown by his taking effective measures to render it
impossible. During the remainder of that day he steadfastly refused to
discuss the matter further; not harshly, but by shifting away into other
channels our earnest talk. Only at night, before we lay down to sleep,
of his own motion he turned once more to the matter; and when he briefly
had exhibited to us again the motives which urged him forward upon a
way so perilous, he begged that we would not think ill of his insisting
upon traversing our wishes, but that once more we would clasp hands with
him in sign of our forgiveness and continued love.

So tender was the mood that came upon us with his gentle words that none
of us well could answer him; and this he understood as in turn we took
his hand and strove to utter that which was in our hearts, and only
could say huskily a word or two, of which the meaning was conveyed for
the most part by the sorrow and the longing that were in our tones.
Young's natural instincts were wholly opposed to any display of the
softer emotions, and for shame of the weakness that in this case he
could not help but show, his face and neck flushed red, and he declared
that he had the toothache. And then, as a vent for his overwrought
feelings--of all things in the world--he fell to cursing the
Superintendent of the Old Colony Railroad: on the ground that but for
this functionary, who most unjustifiably had discharged him, he never
would have come to Mexico at all!

For my own part, I was well convinced that Fray Antonio meant then to
say good-bye to us; and for a long while, as I lay awake that night, my
thoughts went backward over the time that we had been companions
together, and so dwelt upon the faithfulness of his friendship, and upon
his gallant bearing in all times of peril, and upon the pure and perfect
holiness which characterized his every act and word. Into the future I
dared not let my thoughts wander, for I could foresee no outcome to the
purpose which he had planned so resolutely but a dreary sorrow that
would rest heavily upon me through all the remainder of my days. And at
last, worn out by my own grief, I fell into a troubled sleep.

The faint gray light of early morning shone dimly in the room as Rayburn
awakened me by shak