him. And
having thus failed, and there being no other person to speak to except
this stranger, I determined to go to him, and in his company seek
through the whole world for my people. This will surprise you, O mother,
because of that fear which came on me in his presence, causing me
to hide from his sight; but my wish was so great that for a time it
overcame my fear; so that I went to him as he sat alone in the wood, sad
because he could not see me, and spoke to him, and led him to the summit
of Ytaioa to show me all the countries of the world from the summit. And
you must also know that I tremble in his presence, not because I fear
him as I fear Indians and cruel men; for he has no evil in him, and is
beautiful to look at, and his words are gentle, and his desire is to be
always with me, so that he differs from all other men I have seen, just
as I differ from all women, except from you only, O sweet mother.

"On the mountain-top he marked out and named all the countries of the
world, the great mountains, the rivers, the plains, the forests, the
cities; and told me also of the peoples, whites and savages, but of our
people nothing. And beyond where the world ends there is water, water,
water. And when he spoke of that unknown part on the borders of Guayana,
on the side of the Cordilleras, he named the mountains of Riolama, and
in that way I first found out where my people are. I then left him on
Ytaioa, he refusing to follow me, and ran to grandfather and taxed him
with his falsehoods; and he, finding I knew all, escaped from me into
the woods, where I have now found him once more, talking with the
stranger. And now, O mother, seeing himself caught and unable to escape
a second time, he has taken up a knife to kill himself, so as not to
take me to Riolama; and he is only waiting until I finish speaking
to you, for I wish him to know what will happen to him after death.
Therefore, O mother, listen well and do what I tell you. When he has
killed himself, and has come into that place where you are, see that he
does not escape the punishment he merits. Watch well for his coming, for
he is full of cunning and deceit, and will endeavor to hide himself from
your eyes. When you have recognized him--an old man, brown as an Indian,
with a white beard--point him out to the angels, and say: 'This is
Nuflo, the bad man that lied to Rima.' Let them take him and singe his
wings with fire, so that he may not escape by flying; and after