Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 26, 2025
After passing one low smoky little hut half-buried in foliage, the path branched off in various directions, and the boy having left us, we took the wrong turn. We were brought to a stand soon after by the barking of dogs; and on shouting, as is customary on approaching a dwelling, "O da casa!" He directed us to the house of Cypriano, which was about a mile distant along another forest road.
At the last words the captive bends upon her would-be deliverer a bewildered, wondering look. Is it possible Nacena has knowledge of her tenderest secret? It must be so; but how can she have learnt it? Surely Cypriano whom she says she has seen outside and spoken with surely, he could not have revealed it; would not!
If we were to leave the cave, and seek for it anywhere outside, we'd find the ground soaking wet, and, like enough, every one of us get laid up with a spell of rheumatics. Here we'll be as snug as a biscacha in its hole; and, I take it, will sleep undisturbed by the squalling of any more cats." As Cypriano makes no further opposition, it is decided that they remain in the cave till morning.
More, they might with such a clear moon, return to the river's bank and continue on along the trail they had forsaken. A trail so plain as it, could be followed in a light far more faint; at least, so think they. So believing, Cypriano, as ever impatient to get on, is greatly inclined to this course, and chafes at the irksomeness of delay. But Gaspar objects, giving his reasons.
"How do you know that?" questions Cypriano, who with Ludwig has been examining the Indian trail down by the water's edge apart from the gaucho, who had followed it up to the summit of the slope. "Come hither!" he calls out.
Reasoning thus, Ludwig counsels their riding straight on to the Indian town, and trusting to the good heart of Naraguana throwing themselves upon his generosity, Cypriano is equally eager to reach the place, where he supposes his dear cousin Francesca to be pining as a prisoner; but holds a very different opinion about the prudence of the step, and less believes in the goodness of Naraguana.
"A pity to use my best camisa for such a purpose," he observes, while in the act of unfolding it. "Still it won't likely get much damage; and a wash, with a bit of starch, will set it all right again." Then turning to Cypriano, he adds, "Now, senorito; be good enough to strip off everything, and draw this over your shoulders."
With heads rested upon their saddles, and their ponchos wrapped around them, they seek sleep, Ludwig first finding it; next Cypriano, though he lies long awake kept so by torturing thoughts. But tired nature at length overpowers him, and he too sinks into slumber. The gaucho alone surrenders not to the drowsy god; but, repelling his attacks, still lies reflecting.
The reason assigned by Cypriano is not, to his view, satisfactory; though he cannot imagine any other. So, they finish their suppers and retire to rest, without having arrived at any certain conclusion, one way or the other.
They but hear the pattering of rain, with peals of thunder, and the swish of the stream, now swollen. But nothing of these need they fear. To the course counselled Cypriano objects, as also Caspar; fearing for their horses, almost sure to be sacrificed to the fury of the enraged jaguar. And where would they be then?
Word Of The Day
Others Looking