be mistaken."

"Mistaken I am not," said the padre; "but you probably do not recognise
me in my present dress. Once you came to the house of Padre Pacheco,
and wished to be instructed in the Christian religion. You remember
that?"

"I do," said the Indian. "And I went away as wise as I came; or rather,
from what you told me I was convinced that it was a religion that would
not suit me."

The padre sighed. "I am afraid that I gave you a wrong notion of it,"
he answered, "and that it was my fault that you did not accept it. But
I have since read the Book God has given to man to make known His will,
and I should tell you very differently now."

"I shall be very glad to hear you," said the Indian, "for I much wish to
understand the white man's religion. I cannot believe that more than
one God exists; and He must be powerful and good, or He could not have
made this world as it appears to us, or given abundance of food to man
as He has done. How to ask Him for what we want, and how to merit His
favour, is what I desire to know."

"I cannot tell you all that now," said the padre; "but I will, as far as
I know it, by-and-by. In the meantime, Senor Desmond wishes to consult
you on a matter of importance."

My father then asked Kanimapo if he would assist the padre, should he
determine to join any of the patriot bands.

The Indian asked time to consider the subject; and while we talked on
among ourselves, he retired to a short distance. He soon returned, and
expressed his readiness to act as the padre might wish. The arrangement
was finally concluded, and our friend promised to join us in the
morning. At all events, in his present costume there was little danger
of his being recognised, and he would run no more risk than would any of
us. He preferred returning to his nest for the night, especially as he
had left a book and a few other articles there. That book, he told us,
was the Bible, which had of late become his constant study.

The evening's rest had greatly restored my mother, and we hoped to be
able to start early the next morning. A watch was set, as usual; and
two large fires were kept up, which would scare any wild beasts, though
they might not prove any impediment to the approach of snakes. Still,
the flames would enable the person on guard to see them; and we had
three or four long sticks cut, ready to attack them, should any be
discovered.

The night passed away quietly; and the moment day b