6o THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



while, into a jicara-grove. This tree, which supplies the 

 calabash used throughout Central America, has some very 

 odd pecuHarities, Its leaves grow by fours, making a cross, 

 and on that account, doubtless, the Indians esteem it sacred ; 

 their pagan forefathers reverenced the cross. The trunks 

 spring at equal distances, as if planted by rule, but such is 

 their natural habit ; I have the strongest impression that Mr. 

 Belt found a cause for this eccentricity, but the passage I 

 cannot discover. Thirdly, jicara- trees always stand in a 

 low-lying savannah, across which they are marshalled in lines 

 and ' spaced ' like soldiers on parade in open order — at least, 

 I never saw them in another situation. Such spots are damp, 

 and the herbage grows strong ; thus the half-wild cattle are 

 drawn thither, and before the wet season comes to an end 

 they have trampled the whole surface, obliterating all signs 

 of a path, if one there be, and confounding the confusion by 

 making tracks innumerable through the jungle round. 



Upon such a waste Roezl entered, and he paused forth- 

 with to deliberate. The compass would not help him much, 

 for if it told the direction of the village, the Indian trail 

 which led thither might open to right or left anywhere on 

 the far side of the grove. Travellers in those wilds must 

 follow the beaten course. 



At length he took bearings, so as to go straight at least, 

 and rode on. Presently an Indian lad came out from the 

 forest behind him, but stopped at sight of the tall stranger. 

 Roezl shouted — he spoke every patois of Spanish America 

 with equal fluency. The boy advanced at length. He 

 could only talk his native Quiche, but Roezl made out that 

 he was going to the village — sent him ahead, and followed 

 rejoicing. So he crossed the jicara-ground. 



But in the forest beyond, it was not easy to keep up with 

 an Indian boy trotting his fastest. In a few minutes the 

 guide had vanished and Roezl hurried along after him. 



