eauty,
these are natural to her. After all, her father seems to have been a
gentleman of birth, and people who live with nature may have every
fault in the calendar, but they cannot be vulgar. That is the gift of
civilisation."

When he reached the camp, Leonard found the priest talking
confidentially to Juanna.

"By the way, Father," he said somewhat brusquely, "as you see, I have
got rid of those slaves. It was impossible to take them with us, and now
they must shift for themselves: at any rate, they are better off than
they were yonder. What are your plans? You have behaved well to us, but
I cannot forget that we found you in bad company. Perhaps you wish to
return to it, and in that case your way lies eastward," and he nodded
towards the Nest.

"I do not wonder that you distrust me, senor," said Francisco, his
pale and girlish face colouring as he spoke, "for appearances are much
against me. But I assure you that although I came into the company of
Antonio Pereira by my own will, it was for no evil purpose. To be brief,
senor, I had a brother who fled hither from Portugal because of a crime
that he had committed, and joined Pereira's band. With much toil I
tracked him out, and was welcomed at the Nest because I am a priest
who can comfort the sick and shrive the dying, for wickedness does not
console men at the last, senor. I persuaded my brother to return with
me, and we made a plan to escape. But Pereira's ears were long: we were
betrayed, and my brother was hanged. They did not hang me, because of
my calling. Afterwards I was kept a prisoner and forced to accompany
the band in their expeditions. That is all the story. Now, with your
permission, I will follow you, for I have no money and nowhere else to
go in this wilderness, though I fear that I am not strong enough to be
of much service, and being of another faith you will scarcely need my
ministrations."

"Very well, Father," answered Leonard coldly, "but please understand
that we are still surrounded by many dangers, which any treachery
might cause to overwhelm us. Therefore I warn you that should I detect
anything of the sort my answer to it will be a quick one."

"I do not think that you need suspect the Father, Mr. Outram," said
Juanna indignantly. "I owe him a great deal: had it not been for his
kindness and counsel, I should not be alive to-day. I am most deeply
grateful to him."

"If you vouch for him, Miss Rodd, that is enough. You have had the