the roads--if we may call by such a name those unmade
highways which are merely marked out through the wilderness by the
passage of men. Bells were ringing in the steeple as they entered the
town, for some fete or holiday was in process of celebration, and the
presence of a considerable number of men in uniform gave to the place
the appearance of a garrison town.

There were so many odd-looking and striking characters in the streets
that the arrival of our party made no particular impression on the
people, save that Manuela's elegant little figure and pretty brown face
drew some attention--admiration on the part of the men, scorn on that of
a few--a very few--of the senhoras. You see, in all parts of the world
some people are found who seem to hold, (though they would find it
difficult to say why), that God's creatures with brown and black skins
ought to be looked down upon and held in contempt by His creatures who
chance to have white skins! You will generally find that the people who
think thus also hold the almost miraculous opinion that those who wear
superfine clothing, and possess much money, have a sort of indefinable,
but unquestionable, right to look down upon and lord it over those who
own little money and wear coarse garments!

You will carefully observe, unprejudiced reader, that we use the word
"some" in speaking of those people. We are very far from pitting the
poor against the rich. We are bound to recognise the fact that amongst
both classes there are gems of brightest lustre, irradiated by rays from
the celestial sun, while in both there are also found qualities worthy
of condemnation. But when we record the fact that some of the white
senhoras looked with jealousy and scorn upon our sweet little Indian
heroine, we ought to recognise the undeniable truth that they
themselves, (so long as actuated by such a spirit), were beneath
contempt--fit subjects only for pity.

As they passed along, much interested and somewhat excited by the
comparatively novel sights around them, Pedro rode up to a mounted
soldier and accosted him in Spanish.

He returned to his party with a gleam of stronger excitement in his eyes
than Lawrence had observed since they became acquainted. Riding
alongside of Manuela, who was in advance, he entered into earnest and
animated conversation with her. Then, reining back until he was abreast
of Lawrence, he said--

"Part of the object of my journey has been accomplished soon