306 CRUISE OF THE BARRERA 



obviously impossible and to have to die just then 

 and there seemed indeed a pity, but we resolved 

 to die together and bravely. In the very nick 

 of time, a woman appeared from the house and 

 called off the mammoth creature. 



We were most hospitably received by the aged 

 couple who jointly and without assistance attend 

 the light. Their abode, well appointed with 

 many evidences of refined taste, and a model of 

 neatness, at first disconcerted us, so accustomed 

 had we been to the bohios of the peasants. With 

 easy courtesy, reminiscent of Castilian days, 

 this kindly couple insisted upon our lingering over 

 their excellent coffee and cakes, a temptation 

 indeed notwithstanding our eagerness to make the 

 most of our last day in the field. And so we 

 tarried under the charm of their personality, mar- 

 veling at this gentle Spanish couple, who, amid 

 simple duties and isolated upon this hilltop, had 

 captured the elusive sprite of happiness and induced 

 her to abide with them. 



While chatting, a young man in somewhat for- 

 mal dress appeared. He was also a Spaniard of 

 the ancient regime — a student of philosophic and 

 poetic turn of mind, who found in the lightkeeper 



