down in the daytime,--
though there is little chance even then of any one reaching the spot,"
he observed.

Candela now led the way, crying out to us when to stoop down and when to
crawl, as we passed through the narrow passages by which he had before
conducted me. The padre followed, and I kept close after him. Thus we
progressed, till we reached the more open part of the forest, near the
edge of the river. Candela now pushed on at a rapid rate, till we saw
the light of our camp-fire a short distance off. I then proposed going
ahead to announce the padre's coming.

I found my father watching at the entrance of the opening; Gerald and
the Indian had arrived, and he was beginning to get anxious at my
non-appearance. He was very glad to hear that Padre Pacheco was alive
and well, and was coming to the camp; so I hastened back to meet him and
Candela.

While we were greeting the padre, his servant received an equally warm
welcome from Tim and Chumbo.

My father endeavoured to persuade the padre to accompany us up the
mountains.

"I would rather advise you to remain here," answered the padre. "You
would run no risk of being discovered while living, as I do, at the top
of a tree; and you may kill as much game as you require."

"We should kill no game while living at the top of a tree, that is very
certain," answered my father; "and the report of our guns, when shooting
in the forest, would be more than likely to reach the ears of our
enemies."

At last the padre, with a sigh, agreed that my father's plan was the
best. "As for accompanying you," he said, "I cannot make up my mind.
If I could discover where the brave Bermudez, or Paez, or Bolivar
himself, are, I would join their forces; and I might do good service by
preaching to the men, and encouraging them to perform their duty."

"You are more likely to hear of them by accompanying us to the
mountains, than by remaining where you are," said my father. "Our
Indian guide will be able to gain information; and should any of the
patriot bands come into the neighbourhood, you will have the opportunity
of joining them. I will introduce our friend Kanimapo to you, and you
can consult him."

The Indian, who was seated at a little distance, near another fire, with
Tim, Chumbo, and Candela, was accordingly summoned.

The padre examined his countenance attentively. "We have met before, my
friend," he said.

"I do not know you," answered the Indian; "you must