CHAPTER VIII
IBARRA AND THE GRAVE-DIGGER.
Just as the old man was leaving the cemetery, a carriage stopped at the
entrance. It looked as though it had made a long journey; the horses
were sweating and the vehicle was covered with dust. Ibarra stepped out
and was followed by an old servant. He made a gesture to the driver and
then turned down the path into the cemetery. He was silent and grave.
"My sickness and my work have not permitted me to return, since the
day of the funeral," said the old servant timidly. "Captain Tiago said
that he would see to it that a niche was arranged for, but I planted
some flowers on the grave and erected a cross made by my own hands."
Ibarra did not reply.
"Right there behind that large cross, señor," continued the servant,
making a gesture toward one of the corners just as they passed through
the gate.
Ibarra was so preoccupied with sad thoughts that he did not notice the
astonishment which some of the people in the cemetery manifested when
they saw him enter. Those who were kneeling broke off their prayers
and followed the young man, their eyes full of curiosity.
Ibarra walked along very carefully, and avoided stepping on the graves,
which could be easily distinguished by the sunken ground. In other
times he had walked over them; but to-day he respected them. His father
lay in one of them. On coming to the other side of the large cross,
he stopped and looked in all directions. His companion was confused
and out of countenance. He searched for marks on the ground but could
not find the cross anywhere.
"Is it here?" he murmured between his teeth. "No, it is over there,
but the earth has been removed."
Ibarra looked at him with an expression of anguish.
"Yes," he continued. "I remember that there was a stone by the side of
the grave. The grave was a little short, a farm hand had to dig it,
as the grave-digger was sick at the time, but we will ask him what
he has done with the cross."
They turned toward the grave-digger, who looked at them with
curiosity. He saluted them, taking off his hat.
"Can you tell us which of the graves over there is the one which had
a cross?" asked the servant.
The grave-digger looked toward the place and seemed to reflect. "A
large cross?"
"Yes, a large cross," answered the old man with joy, looking
significantly at Ibarra, whose face was somewhat animated.
