t whistle; and the Americans, with Carmen
standing mute and motionless between them, looked back at the fading
group on shore, where Rosendo's tall figure stood silhouetted
against the green background of the forest. For a moment he held his
arm extended toward them. Carmen knew, as she looked at the
great-hearted man for the last time, that his benediction was
following her--following her into that new world into which he might
not enter.

* * * * *

Reed lifted the silent, wondering, big-eyed girl from the dinkey
train which pulled into Cartagena from Calamar ten days later, and
took her to the Hotel Mariana, where his anxious, fretting wife
awaited. Their boat had hung on a hidden bar in the Cauca river
for four interminable, torturing days.

CHAPTER 39

On the day that Carmen arrived in Cartagena, Rosendo staggered down
the Guamoco trail into Simiti. On that same momentous day the flames
of war again flared up throughout the country. The Simiti episode, in
which the President had interfered, brought Congress to the necessity
of action. A few days of fiery debate followed; then the noxious
measure was taken from the table and hastily enacted into a law.

But news travels slowly in Latin America, and some time was required
for this act of Congress to become generally known. The delay saw
Carmen through the jungle and down to the coast. There Reed lost no
time in transacting what business still remained for him in Cartagena,
and securing transportation for his party to New York.

Jose, the shadow of his former self, clung pitiably to Rosendo's hand,
imploring the constant repetition of the old man's narrative. Then
came Juan, flying to the door. He had seen and talked with the
returned _cargadores_. The girl had not come back with them. He
demanded to know why. He became wild. Neither Jose nor Rosendo could
calm him. At length it seemed wise to them both to tell him that she
had gone to the States with the Americans, and would return to Simiti
no more.

The blow almost crushed the lad. He rushed about the town half dazed.
He gathered groups of companions about him and talked to them
excitedly. He threatened Rosendo and Jose. Then, evidently acting on
the advice of some cooler head, he rushed to his canoe and put off
across the lake toward the _cano_. He did not return for several days.
But when he did, the town knew that he had been to Bodega Central, and
that