A STORY OF CATTLEYA BOWRINGIANA 41 



' But the pig will want all the money.' 



' You need not tell him how much I am to give you.' 



Don Hilario argued, however, until, finding Oversluys 

 immovable, he grew sulky. The fact is that to strip their 

 church against the Indians' wish would be not a little perilous 

 even though the Cura were implicated ; to ignore him would 

 be madness. Collectors have risked it, they say, before and 

 since, but never assuredly unless quite certain that the prize 

 was worth a deadly hazard. In this instance there was no 

 security at all. 



As they approached the village Don Hilario brightened 

 up. ' Well,' he said, ' what will you give me ? ' 



Oversluys had no money, but he offered a sum — the 

 amount of which I have not heard — payable in Guatemala 

 city ; to be doubled if the orchids should prove white. Don 

 Hilario declined this proposal with oaths ; he dared not go 

 to Guatemala city, and he could not trust a friend. The 

 negotiations came to an end. Grumbling and swearing he 

 rode for a while by himself; then fell into silence, and 

 presently rejoined Oversluys quite cheerful. The houses 

 were close by. 



' It's a bargain, friend,' he said. ' Your hand ! It's a 

 bargain ! ' 



' Good ! Now I won't take my mules with the orchids 

 into the village. Can you lead us round to the other side ^ 

 There is a hut there, I daresay, where I can leave my men 

 and return with you.' 



Don Hilario declared that such precautions were un- 

 necessary, but when Oversluys insisted he led the way 

 through by-paths. They did not meet a soul. Upon the 

 edge of a broad savannah beyond was a corral, or enclosure, 

 and a shed, used by the vaqueros for slaughtering, branding, 

 and so forth in the season, empty now. Hundreds of cattle 

 browsed slowly towards the corral, for evening approached 



