Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/138

114 overtook him as the stars above appeared in their accustomed places, and the scene, which had lately been so glaring, became enwrapped in the cool and quiet lustre of a tropical night.

He slept soundly for several hours; dreaming about his home in the village, and the expectant wife he had left behind. Next his thoughts recurred to Zio the dealer, to whom he had promised a goodly number of hides within the space of two days. Then he dreamed of the priestly father, of whom he had a great dread, and of his parting benediction on his journey: he thought, in his vision, that the priest was before him, and gazed upon him; that as he gazed, his aspect changed, and he regarded him with the most dreadful sternness—accusing him of forgetting his evening prayers and Aves before lying down to sleep upon that spot. The priest's aspect grew more and more severe; his countenance became more terrible, and his voice louder and harsher than before; finally, he stood over him and cursed him with loud and dreadful imprecations, and forthwith consigned him to the torments of purgatory, in retribution. Yes, he felt that he was there: there, among the unhappy