"It is in the sunshine of the smiles of others," retorted the spice-dealer, "that most men would fain be able to rejoice." "Ay, even so, and that is where most men fall into error," was the calm reply. "Comfort from the smiles of others is like the fleeting comfort a sick beggar gets from the glow of another man's fire. A healthy man has the abiding glow in his own veins, and he carries it about with him where he goes. Thus is it when the spring of smiles is within thine own heart, man, and thou art led to accept gratefully blessings as they fall to thy hand." The spice-merchant's eyes opened somewhat roundly as he heard this short philosophical-sounding speech, so very unlike his jovial neighbour's ordinary conversation, but before he could utter the sarcastic words of surprise hovering on his tongue, he was recalled to his recent anxieties by his friend continuing in a more earnest tone: "And thus, as I like to grasp at the blessings as they come--the blessings of good fire, good friends, good food; good fun--so I can even open my hand wide enough to take hold of another sort of blessings, when they are thrust upon me so plainly that I can but see they are being offered. Do you mind the text upon which Father Ignatius preached to us on Christmas Day?" Master Pedro considered a moment, and shook his head. To say truth, when that sermon began, his head was occupied with the doubt of whom he should trust to send with his next consignment of money, glass beads, and other things, to his son. "It was appropriate to the occasion," he said at last with a clever evasion worthy of the Delphic oracle. But his companion was too much in earnest now to smile. He replied quietly: "The text was this: 'Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye did it not to me. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.'" So sternly solemn was his utterance of those two final words, that the other was thrilled with it, and moving uneasily on his seat, he muttered: "One would think you were talking of the Holy Tribunal itself, to hear you." "Only," ejaculated Sancho, "that I am talking of something infinitely more terrible. The one fire is for five minutes, the other--everlasting. I prefer the five minutes' one, if it must come to the choice. But, if you will help me, I think not we shall run much risk of either. Those who are in danger of their lives over here, and endanger those who aid them, are perfectly welcome, I have discovered, to imperil those same lives on their own account in the other hemisphere, for the glory of our country. And, on this I am resolved--yon black-eyed rascal shall have his chance with the rest." CHAPTER VIII. _A POWERFUL FRIEND._ "Come with me, and ask no questions."