LA MULATA 261 



been there nearly long enough when a storm of great 

 severity made up about the summit of Guajaibon ; 

 with ominous flash and peals of thunder it headed 

 for the coast driving us to shelter in the tienda. 

 When, with distant rumblings, the storm finally 

 passed, the heavy rain clouds disappeared, reveal- 

 ing again the big mountain. A setting sun tinted 

 the dissolving mists with a flush of rose, and the 

 Pan, growing somber in the fading light, took on 

 a deep purplish cast, seeming to actually expand 

 and approach us as darkness crept on. Soon 

 brilliant stars flashed from a cloudless sky, lesser 

 ones gradually filling in the spaces, and the Milky 

 Way glowed like filigreed silver. Fireflies began 

 swinging their bluish-green lanterns in silent signal 

 to each other. Some tree toads called with bell- 

 like sound. A herd of cattle drew near to lie upon 

 the ground, close to the tienda, and their audible 

 breathing was the last sound heard as we drowsily 

 turned in upon some cots placed on the salesroom 

 floor. The proprietor barred the doors securely 

 against the fourteenth-century bandits of Spain, 

 and carrying out our only light, a tallow dip, 

 bolted the door into his own apartment. He 

 took no chances. 



