232 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



while Don Filipe resolved to despatch a few of the weeds on 

 his own account to Europe, and he consigned them to a 

 friend at Barranquilla. But the friend never returned him 

 a farthing. He had handed the case to some one else for 

 shipment, and this some one, he said, could not get his 

 money from England. It is pleasant to hear, however, that 

 Don Filipe had implicit trust in British honesty. He 

 proclaimed his friend a swindler, and doubtless he was right. 



All the cash that this good man was out of pocket could 

 not well have exceeded ten dollars, and his time did not count. 

 Perhaps he would have been less furious had the loss been 

 greater. Anyhow he nursed his wrath with Indian stubborn- 

 ness — for Don Filipe was an Indian, though distinguishable 

 from a white only in character, as are myriads at this day. 



Kerbach did not doubt that he had found his Odonto- 

 glossum, and gaily started for the hacienda. Some little 

 diplomacy might be needed, and rather more cash than 

 usual ; but of course a sane man would come to terms at 

 last. Don Filipe was absent when he arrived — a fortunate 

 chance, perhaps. Meantime Kerbach entertained the ladies, 

 played with the children, and made himself agreeable. The 

 haciendero found him seated at the piano, and applauded 

 with the rest. 



But his face changed when they got to business. Ker- 

 bach opened with flattering remarks upon the wealth of the 

 country and its prospects. Don Filipe purred with satis- 

 faction. Gradually he worked round to orchids. Don 

 Filipe ceased to purr, and he hastily begged leave to visit 

 the cacao plantation. As they rode through the sheltering 

 woods Kerbach looked about him sharply. It was too late 

 for flowers, but the growth of Odontoglossum Harryanum 

 is very distinct. He espied one plant and recognised it as a 

 new species. 



The trouble must be faced, and after dinner Kerbach 



