“Long and earnestly did the padre ponder these words and pray over them; and gradually the Holy Spirit enlightened his mind, and he saw how hateful that system was which could forbid or discourage the reading of the blessed word of God.  He soon resolved to forsake the priesthood.  But when he had done so, he knew not what to turn his hand to.  He had no one like-minded to consult with, and he felt that it was wrong to eat the bread of idleness.  Being thus uncertain what to do, he resolved in the meantime to carry goods into the interior of the country, and offer them for sale.  The land round his dwelling and his own gun would supply him with food; and for the rest, he would spend his time in the study of the Bible, and seek for more light and direction from God.

“Such,” continued the hermit, “is a slight sketch of the history of my country and of myself.”

“Yourself?” exclaimed Martin.

“Yes.  I am the Padre Caramuru, or rather I was.  I am Padre no longer, but Senhor Carlos Caramuru, a merchant.  Yet I know not what to do.  When I look round upon my country, and see how they know not the precious word of God, my heart burns in me, and I sometimes think that it is my duty to go forth and preach.”

“No doubt ye are right,” said Barney.  “I’ve always bin of opinion that when a man feels very strong in his heart on any partic’lar subject, it’s a sure sign that the Almighty intends him to have something more to do with that subject than other men who don’t feel about it at all.”

The hermit remained silent for a few minutes.  “I think you are right, friend,” he said; “but I am very ignorant yet.  I have no one to explain difficulties to me; and I fear to go about preaching, lest I should preach what is not true.  I will study yet for a time, and pray.  After that, perhaps, I may go forth.”

“But you have told us nothing yet about the trade of the country,” said Martin, “or its size, or anything of that sort.”

“I will soon tell you of that when I have lighted another cigar.  This one does not draw well.  Have you got a full pipe still, my friend?”

“All right, Mr. Carrymooroo,” replied Barney, knocking out the ashes.  “I’ll jist load wance more, and then,—­fire away.”

In a few minutes the big cigar and short pipe were in full play, and the hermit continued:—­

“This country is very large and very rich, but it is not well worked.  The people are lazy, many of them, and have not much enterprise.  Much is done, no doubt; but very much more might be done.

“The empire of Brazil occupies nearly one-half of the whole continent of South America.  It is 2600 miles long, and 2500 miles broad; which, as you know perhaps, is a little larger than all Europe.  The surface of the country is beautiful and varied.  The hilly regions are very wild, although none of the mountains are very high, and the woods are magnificent; but a great part of the land consists of vast grassy