The National tribune., 1898-07-28

my poor dear Jose -Maria," said he,
had his head bitten off by a cayman
that had got entangled in our nets. Ever
since that night-that fatal night
Theresa and | offer up our prayers to the
Omnipotent, imploring Him to take us to
himself; for, aiasi nothing now has any
charms for US here below. The first OF us
that will depart for that bOurn from
whence no traveller returns will be IN
tered by the survivor beside our beloved
child-there, under that little hillock
yonder, which is surmounted by wooden
cross, in front of my humble cottage; and
the last of us two to leave this valley OF
tears will no doubt meet with some
charitable Christian hand, to place our
mortal remains beside the bodies of those
We loved SO tenderly during our hapleSS
pilgrimage here below"
Here RelempagO ceased his painful
history, and, that he might give a free
course to his grief and tears, he rose and
bowed us his adieu, which we returned to
him with hearts oppressed with sym
pathetic sorrow.
AGAIN AT JALA-JALA.
The wind had ceased bio ing, and the
attentive sailors were awaiting our orders,
so that in few moments afterwards we
were sailing towards Jaia-Jala, where we
landed before sunset.
We were now at the beginning of the
Winter-the rainy and windy season. No
stranger had dared crossing the lake, to
come and visit us, SO that, alone with my
dear wife, our days gliGed most happily
and TRANQUILITY away, for we knew not
what ennui was or meant; our mutual
affection was so great that our own pres
ence was sufficient company for each
other.
This delightful solitude was soon in
terrupted by a fortunate and unforeseen
event A letter from Nlanila-a very rare
c;r ctay of TaI a oh
informing me that my eldest brother,
Henry, had Just arrived there; that he
had put up at my brother-in-law and
that he was expecting me with all i'm
aginable Impotence. | was not aware
that he had left France To come and see
me. so that such news, and his sudden,
as well as unexpected, arrival, surprised
and Overioyed me.
was once more to see one of my dear
est relationS-a brother whom | had
always tenderly loved. | resolved to set
out at once for Manila. / chose my
Indians, and few minutes after / was
scudding over the waters of the lake,
slowly-too slowly for my impotence.
At length | arrived, and Immediately
FASTENED to my brother-in-law'S and
there threw myself into Henry's arms.
Our emotions were such that for some
time we could not speak; the abundant
tears we shed alone showed the 10Y of our
hearts. When the first transports was
over, | asked him questions beyond NUM-
Der. Not one member of my family was
forgotten; the smallest details concerning
these beloved beings were to me of the
greatest interest.
The next day we started for la-Jala
Henry was eager to become acquainted
with his siSter-in-law and to make the
dear companion of my life q sharer in my
After a few days spent in the most
agreeable conversation about France, and
about all those beloved friends who re-
manned there, feelings of sadness that
could with difficulty repress became inter
mingled with my Joy. My youngest
brother was, TO my great regret, dead at
My second brother, Robert,
resided at Porto Rico; and my two
law, both Captains of vessels,
engaged in long voyages, were gone to the
indies. My poor mother and my poor
sisters were alone, without protectors,
without support.
After some time of rest, Henry asked to |
Join me in my labors. | then made him |
acquainted with my mode of cultivation |
and he took upon himself the manage
ment of the plantations and of their /
products. | reserved to myself the regu
ation OF my Indians, the charge of the /
focks, and that OF putting down the |
bandits.
| had frequent quarrels, and even in
ceSsant conflicts, with these turbulent |
Indians; but / never boosted of these |
petty engagements, in which | was often
obliged to take a most active part On |
he contrary | recommended strict silence
10 my attendants. | did not like to ex-
pose him TO the dangers l ran myself, as |