In the _plaza_ he was joined by Rosendo; and together they went to the house of the Alcalde. On the way the priest gazed about him with growing curiosity. To the north of the town stretched the lake, known to the residents only by the name of _La Cienaga_. It was a body of water of fair size, in a setting of exquisite tropical beauty. In a temperate climate, and a region more densely populated, this lake would have been priceless. Here in forgotten Guamocó it lay like an undiscovered gem, known only to those few inert and passive folk, who enjoyed it with an inadequate sense of its rare beauty and immeasurable worth. Several small and densely wooded isles rose from its unrippled bosom; and tropical birds of brilliant color hovered over it in the morning sun. Near one of its margins Josè distinguished countless white _garzas_, the graceful herons whose plumes yield the coveted aigrette of northern climes. They fed undisturbed, for this region sleeps unmolested, far from the beaten paths of tourist or vandal huntsman. To the west and south lay the hills of Guamocó, and the lofty _Cordilleras_, purpling in the light mist. Over the entire scene spread a damp warmth, like the atmosphere of a hot-house. By midday Josè knew that the heat would be insufferable. The Alcalde, Don Mario Arvila, conducted his visitors through his shabby little store and into the _patio_ in the rear, exclaiming repeatedly, "Ah, _Señor Padre_, we welcome you! All Simití welcomes you and kisses your hand!" In the shade of his arbor he sat down to examine Josè's letters from Cartagena. Don Mario was a large, florid man, huge of girth, with brown skin, heavy jowls, puffed eyes, and bald head. As he read, his eyes snapped, and at times he paused and looked up curiously at the priest. Then, without comment, he folded the letters and put them into a pocket of his crash coat. "_Bien_," he said politely, "we must have the Padre meet Don Felipe Alcozer as soon as he returns. Some repairs are needed on the church; a few of the roof tiles have slipped, and the rain enters. Perhaps, _Señor Padre_, you may say the Mass there next Sunday. We will see. A--a--you had illustrious ancestors, Padre," he added with hesitation. "Do the letters mention my ancestry?" asked Josè with something of mingled surprise and pride. "They speak of your family, which was, as we all know, quite renowned," replied the Alcalde courteously. "Very," agreed Josè, wondering how much the Alcalde knew of his family. "Don Ignacio was not unknown in this _pueblo_," affably continued the Alcalde. At these words Rosendo started visibly and looked fixedly at the priest.