234 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



In such a difficulty one applies to the Cura. Kerbach 

 paid this gentleman a visit. A tall, stout, good-natured 

 ecclesiastic was he, willing to help a stranger, perhaps, even 

 though unprovided with the dollars which Kerbach offered 

 ' for the poor,' if his mediation proved successful. The 

 Cura made the attempt and failed signally. It was useless 

 to try again. The good man begged ten dollars, or five, or 

 one, upon the ground that he had done his best. But Ker- 

 bach in despair was not inclined for charity. The Cura 

 sighed, hesitated, tossed off a glass of aguardiente and pro- 

 posed another way. 



' This is a wicked country, sir,' he said. ' Ah ! very 

 wicked. And the wickedest people in it have a proverb 

 which I shudder to repeat. But your case is hard. Well, 

 sir, they say (heaven forgive them and me !), " If the saints 

 won't hear you, take your prayer to the devil." Horrible, 

 isn't it ? ' 



' Horrible ! ' said Kerbach. ' But I don't know where 

 to find the devil.' 



' Yours is a pious country I have heard, though not 

 Christian, In this wicked land even children could tell you 

 where to seek him. Now, you will give me a trifle for my 

 poor ? ' And he held out his hand. 



' But I'm not acquainted with any children. Your 

 reverence must really be more explicit.' 



' Bother ! ' exclaimed his reverence, or some Spanish 

 equivalent. ' Well, you will pay me the fifty dollars 

 promised ? ' 



' Twenty ! When Don Filipe signs the lease.' 



' And all incidental expenses ? Then my sacristan will 

 call on you to-morrow. Never talk to me again of your 

 impious projects, sir.' 



The sacristan was very business-like. He demanded a 

 dollar to begin with for the Indian who would work the 



