All possible publicity, as by so doing they
would but manifest their own hellish rancour and their hostility to
the word of God.
Being eager to resume my labours, I had no sooner arrived at Madrid
than I wrote to Lopez at Villa Seca, for the purpose of learning
whether he was inclined to co-operate in the work, as on former
occasions. In reply, he informed me that he was busily employed in
his agricultural pursuits: to supply his place, however, he sent
over an elderly villager, Victoriano Lopez by name, a distant
relation of his own.
What is a missionary in the heart of Spain without a horse? Which
consideration induced me now to purchase an Arabian of high caste,
which had been brought from Algiers by an officer of the French
legion. The name of this steed, the best I believe that ever
issued from the desert, was Sidi Habismilk.
CHAPTER XLVI
Work of Distribution resumed - Adventure at Cobenna - Power of the
Clergy - Rural Authorities - Fuente la Higuera - Victoriano's Mishap -
Village Prison - The Rope - Antonio's Errand - Antonio at Mass.
In my last chapter, I stated that, immediately after my arrival at
Madrid, I proceeded to get everything in readiness for commencing
operations in the neighbourhood; and I soon entered upon my labours
in reality.
