226 OUR SEARCH FOR A WILDERNESS. 



The light revealed a crude little church with an adjoining 

 building standing behind the cross. To this other building 

 the Indians led us. We knocked gently, then harder, then 

 pounded. No response! Half a dozen dogs gathered and 

 howled mournfully. At last finding a side door ajar, we 

 entered a spacious room, part dining-room, part school-room, 



FIG. 94. A VISTA OF THE BIARA. 



with a loom and a half -finished Indian hammock in one cor- 

 ner. We called and shouted, we pounded on the floor and 

 walls, and at last from the distance upstairs came an 

 answering roar. Down to us came the jolliest priest we ever 

 hope to meet. Two strange men and women had invaded 

 his castle at midnight, routing him out of well-earned rest, 

 and yet his welcome was as warm as though we were expected 



