Stray Leaves from a Border Garden 
shaded by two or three tall Palmistes. A sound of music 
stole out of the open windows of the church ; evidently some 
one was practising on a harmonium within. Near the 
church was a small wooden house painted yellow, uplifted, 
of course, on short red-brick pillars. By the door was a 
great clump of Crotons and a tall old crimson-leaved 
Dragon’s-blood bush, and the house itself was almost hidden 
by mauve Bougainvillea. Just as we rode up a tall, fine- 
looking man, dressed as a Catholic priest as to his upper 
garments, but with gaiters on his legs, came out. He looked 
delighted to see my companion, and welcomed us with great 
cordiality, speaking the curious French patois which seems to 
be the most universal language in Trinidad, in spite of its 
Spanish history. Dr. Gordon introduced me. “ Here, Padre, 
here is a countryman of mine come to see what like 
Treenidad is.” “ As my friend’s friend, I make you welcome, 
mos’ welcome,” was the priest’s reply in fairly good English, 
with, however, a little accent which I afterwards discovered 
to be Spanish. He took us in to have some refreshment, 
into a room evidently his sole sitting-room, with polished 
floor, folding-doors of latticed wood ; some jalousies were 
open at one end, and kept from swinging-to by large conch 
shells with pink lips. I saw the priest’s bed beyond with 
snowy mosquito-curtains and ivory crucifix beside it on the 
wall, where also I noticed several devotional prints. The 
furniture seemed scanty — two chairs, one polished with long 
use, a shelf full of books, mostly Spanish ; I forget their 
names now, only I know there was a Don Quixote, that 
quaint pathetic old classic, and a tattered book on Botany 
in French had been most carefully mended, and the Life of 
St. Francis of Assisi, the lover of animals. The two or three 
others looked to be theological. 
A most hideous old negro woman, with a very gay turban, 
brought us some most delicious coffee, a bit of salt 
meat, and a plateful of yam. As she put these down the 
priest, smiling, said to Dr. Gordon : “ I know what mon- 
sieur your friend will be wanting if he is new to the island.” 
He left the room, and presently returned with a square 
330 
