"Who can find it, then?" asked Stein. "The swallows," said José. "The swallows!" "Yes, sir. It is an herb called _pito real_, which nobody knows or sees except the swallows. When their little ones lose their sight they rub the little eyes with the _pito real_, and cure them. This herb has also the virtue of cutting iron and everything it touches." "What absurdities this José swallows like a real shark!" cried Manuel, laughing.--"Don Frederico, he actually believes that snakes never die." "No, they never die," said the shepherd gravely: "when they see death coming they escape from their skin and run away. When old they become serpents: little by little scales and wings appear. They become dragons, and return to the desert.--But you, Manuel--you do not wish to believe anything. Do you also deny that the lizard is the friend of man? If you do not believe it, ask Miguel." "Does he know it?" "Without doubt. He was sleeping in a field; a snake glided near him; a lizard, which lay in the furrow, saw the snake, and presented itself to defend Miguel. The lizard was large, and it fought with the snake; but Miguel not awaking, the lizard pressed its tail against his nose, and ran off as if its paws were on fire. The lizard is a good little beast: it never sleeps in the sun without descending the wall to kiss the earth." Imagination in the Andalusian supplies the place of knowledge. He has a precedent for everything. Tradition is the light that guides his feet. Let him alone, says Fernan Caballero. Would he be happier if his wants were greater--if his life were less simple? Would he be happier if he believed less? If he thinks, with the good Maria in _La Gaviota_, that the Jews formerly had caudal appendages, and that they are only now prevented from wearing them by the ring that governs in place of the queen, _qu' importe_ so long as a sick Jew will be treated as tenderly as a sick Christian? If you could alter their ardent natures, if you could cut out the firm love that often changes to fierce jealousy and deadly hate, you would improve them and lessen crime; but that you cannot change until you can change the climate. Change Spain to England, and you can have schools, trades-unions, and all the modern improvements; but while Spain is Spain you of the North can neither understand nor reform her.