and when I opened them he was gone. You will now understand why I asked you, Señor, who, as a European, must be a learned man, if mortals like ourselves can raise the dead."
These superstitious notions are not at all prevalent in Mexico, and the Jarochos seem to have a complete monopoly of them. I gently hinted that all this was nothing but the result of a diseased imagination.
"I know well," said he, "that the ghost of my deceased relative has not been raised by any human power, but I believe that God himself has sent it to me. I have taken my resolution. I shall not stay in the village a day after to-morrow, although I leave it with a broken heart."
"But is there no way of reconciling your duty with your love?"
"That can only be done by delegating my powers to a devoted friend. A guest makes a part of the family; and in this quality, Señor, you might take my place and seek the murderer, who would not hesitate to give you satisfaction."
"That would be too glorious a mission for me, and I fear I should not be successful in the search," I said, modestly; "but I have no objections to accompany you, and aid you in your task."
"That is an offer which I will not refuse," Calros answered. "We shall then set out the day after to morrow."
This delicate point settled to our mutual satisfaction, we stretched ourselves under a shed which served as a sort of veranda to the cabin. A gentle breeze was beginning to dissipate the heat of the day. The lizards were silent in the grass; and in the savannas, the wild cattle, by their joyful lowing, testified to the
