ready to stake his
onzas upon a "main." In addition to these accomplishments, the padre
boasted of others. In his cups,--and this was nothing unusual,--he was
in the habit of relating the _liaisons_ and _amourettes_ of his earlier
life, and even some of later date. Although the neophytes of the
mission were supposed to be all native Tagnos with dark skins, yet there
was to be seen upon the establishment quite a crowd of young
_mestizoes_, both boys and girls, who were known as the "sobrinos" and
"sobrinas" of Padre Joaquin.

You cannot otherwise than deem this an exaggeration: you will imagine
that no reverend father could practise such conduct, and still be held
in any sort of respect by the people among whom he dwelt? So should I
have thought had I not witnessed with my own eyes and ears the
"priest-life" of Mexico. The immoralities here ascribed to Padre
Joaquin can scarcely be called exceptional in his class. They are
rather common than otherwise--some have even said _universal_.

It was no zealous feeling of religion, then, that could have "set" the
monk in such hostile attitude against the family of the poor cibolero.
No. It was some old grudge against the deceased father,--some cross
which the padre had experienced from him in the days of the former
Comandante.

As Padre Joaquin walked forward on the azotea, his busy bustling air
showed that he was charged with some "novedad;" and the triumphant smile
upon his countenance told that he calculated upon its being of interest
to those to whom he was about to communicate it.

"Good day, father!--Good day, your reverence!" said the Comandante and
Roblado speaking at the same time.

"_Buenos dias, cavalleros_!" responded the padre.

"Glad to see you, good father!" said Roblado. "You have saved me a
ride. I was just in the act of starting for the mission to wait upon
your reverence."

"And if you had come, capitan, I could have given you a luxury to lunch
upon. We have received our buffalo-tongues."

"Oh! you have!" cried Vizcarra and Roblado in the same breath, and with
an expression of interest that somewhat surprised the padre.

"Ha! you greedy _ladrones_! I see what you would be after. You would
have me send you some of them. You sha'n't have a slice though--that
is, unless you can give me something that will wash this dust out of my
throat. I'm woeful thirsty this morning."

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the officers. "What shall it be, father?"