d the pious Jose, who was as much the superior of his antagonist in
bodily as in spiritual strength, was about to treat the Great Adversary
to a back somersault, when he suddenly felt the long nails of the
stranger piercing his flesh. A new fear seized his heart, a numbing
chillness crept through his body, and he struggled to free himself, but
in vain. A strange roaring was in his ears; the late and cavern danced
before his eyes and vanished; and with a loud cry he sank senseless to
the ground.

* * * * *

When he recovered his consciousness he was aware of a gentle swaying
motion of his body. He opened his eyes, and saw that it was high noon,
and that he was being carried in a litter through the valley. He felt
stiff, and, looking down, perceived that his arm was tightly bandaged to
his side.

He closed his eyes, and, after a few words of thankful prayer, thought
how miraculously he had been preserved, and made a vow of candlesticks
to the blessed Saint Jose. He then called in a faint voice, and
presently the penitent Ignacio stood beside him.

The joy the poor fellow felt at his patron's returning consciousness for
some time choked his utterance. He could only ejaculate, "A miracle!
Blessed Saint Jose, he lives!" and kiss the Padre's bandaged hand.
Father Jose, more intent on his last night's experience, waited for his
emotion to subside, and then asked where he had been found.

"On the mountain, your Reverence, but a few _varas_ from where he
attacked you."

"How?--you saw him, then?" asked the Padre, in unfeigned astonishment.

"Saw him, your Reverence! Mother of God, I should think I did! And your
Reverence shall see him too, if he ever comes again within range of
Ignacio's arquebuse."

"What mean you, Ignacio?" said the Padre, sitting bolt-upright in his
litter.

"Why, the bear, your Reverence,--the bear, Holy Father, who attacked
your worshipful person while you were meditating on the top of yonder
mountain."

"Ah!" said the Holy Father, lying down again. "Chut, child! I would be
at peace."

When he reached the Mission, he was tenderly cared for, and in a few
weeks was enabled to resume those duties from which, as will be seen,
not even the machinations of the Evil One could divert him. The news of
his physical disaster spread over the country; and a letter to the
Bishop of Guadalaxara contained a confidential and detailed account of
the good Father's spiritual tempta