40 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



since the plants could hardly be flowenng then ; and there is 

 no difference in growth betwixt the white varieties and the 

 red. Besides, Oversluys had not the very slightest confidence 

 in this youth, 



' How will you get them ? ' he asked. 



' Never mind that. Pay me half the money down and 

 I'll bring the plants to-morrow. You know, our Indians 

 are suspicious of collectors. You mustn't be seen in the 



village.' ^ . r • u 



That was reasonable enough m one pomt ot view, but 

 preposterous in the other. 'Oh,' said Oversluys, 'I must 

 see the orchids at any risk— that's fiat ! and I must hear how 

 you mean to work.' 



'Why?' 



' Because if you take them without the Padre's consent 

 you know as well as I that the Indians will be after me at 

 daylight, and — h'm ! There would be work for the doctor ! 

 What sort of man is your Padre V 



' A sort of pig, of course,' laughed Don Hilario. ' A 

 fat old boar, ready for the knife. And my knife is ready, 

 too ! Patience, friend, patience ! ' His eyes still laughed, 

 but he made the significant gesture so common in those lands 

 a sudden stealthy grip of the machete at his waist. 



This was not an unimportant revelation. ' You are on 

 bad terms with the Cura.? ' Oversluys asked. 



' Not now. He thinks I have forgotten. It's years ago. 

 I was a boy. But the Castilian never forgets ! I will tell 



you.' 



The story was not edifying. It related to a young 

 woman in whom the Cura felt interest. He surprised her 

 in company with Don Hilario and beat the lad. 



'Well,' said Oversluys, 'I'm sorry you and the Padre 

 are not friends, because I will have nothing to do with re- 

 moving orchids from the church unless he bears part in it.' 



