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Show CHAPTEE XIII. THE VACA DE LUMBEE. The morning I left Santa Cruz for the historic town of Loretto I went to assist at mass in the only church in the village. It was as early as 6 o'clock and I was sur prised and edified to see the number of Mexicans and Mexican half- bloods who were waiting for the service to begin. After mass, as I was passing and repassing, ex amining the windows and certain peculiarities of the architecture, I was struck with the singular appearance of a half- breed woman who was kneeling by one of the pillars, with a number of children also kneeling beside her ; a group like which we see carved in marble on some of the ancient tombs of Europe. While I was studying from a respectful distance their features and facial ex pressions, the Mexican priest who had offered up the Holy Sacrifice came out from the sanctuary and in a sub dued voice bade me good morning. After an interchange of courtesies I asked him, " Why is this poor woman crouching there with her children V 9 He answered, just as if it were an every day occur rence : " Some poor woman, I suppose, who has something to ask of God. " Then observing and turning to me he said : " She is the wife of a Mason who was hurt by a fall two or three days ago, the family is quite destitute and no doubt they have come to ask help of God. ' ' With out interrupting her devotions, I laid down by the base |