42 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



and the woods were full of jaguars doubtless. Though uii- 

 watched at this time of year, they took refuge nightly in the 

 enclosure. It was just such a spot as Oversluys sought. 

 His men had food, and he told them to remain with the 

 animals. Then he returned with Don Hilario. 



It is usual to ask the Cura for lodgings in a strange 

 place ; he himself puts up a traveller who can pay. This 

 was a rotund and masterful priest. They found him 

 alighting from his mule, with soutane rolled up to the waist, 

 showing a prodigious breadth of pea-green trousers. He 

 v/ore a triple string of blue beads round his neck, and 

 flourished a whip of cowhide. 



Oversluys looked like a traveller who could pay, and he 

 received a greeting as warm as foreigner can expect ; a 

 foreigner in those lands is presumed to be no ' Christian.' 

 They entered the parsonage. Don Hilario was to broach 

 the business, but first Oversluys would satisfy himself that 

 the orchids were worth negotiation. He slipped away. 



A glance settled that. The church was a low building 

 of mud, as usual. On either side the doorway, looking down 

 the street, stood an ancient idol, buried to the waist, but 

 still five feet high. The features were battered, but the 

 round eyes, with pupils cut deep in a half circle, glared in 

 hideous threat, and the mouth gaped for blood ; no need of 

 an interpreter there — one saw and felt the purpose. But 

 Oversluys was not interested in these familiar objects. He 

 looked up. His comrade had not exaggerated the size of 

 the orchids, at least. They were noble specimens. But as 

 for their colour he could see no trace to guide him. 



Don Hilario had gone to greet his parents ; it was com- 

 paratively late when he returned, but then he got to business 

 forthwith. The Cura was startled. He showed no indigna- 

 tion, but after pondering declined. Before going further, 

 Oversluys asked whether the orchids were white.? Im- 



