eyes the whole night.

* * * * *




CHAPTER XVIII.

THE TERRIBLE WORD.


It was time to arrive. Extreme lassitude made it impossible for Mrs.
Weldon to continue any longer a journey made under such painful
conditions. Her little boy, crimson during the fits of fever, very pale
during the intermissions, was pitiable to see. His mother extremely
anxious, had not been willing to leave Jack even in the care of the
good Nan. She held him, half-lying, in her arms.

Yes, it was time to arrive. But, to trust to the American, on the very
evening of this day which was breaking--the evening of the 18th of
April, the little troop should finally reach the shelter of the
"hacienda" of San Felice.

Twelve days' journey for a woman, twelve nights passed in the open air;
it was enough to overwhelm Mrs. Weldon, energetic as she was. But, for
a child, it was worse, and the sight of little Jack sick, and without
the most ordinary cares, had sufficed to crush her.

Dick Sand, Nan, Tom, and his companions had supported the fatigues of