The Power Supreme: A Novel of Church and State in South America

Front matter

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Preface

In the remote portions of South America, among those who live far from the changing interests and excitements of modem affairs, story telling is a favourite relaxation. Many a long evening about the camp-fire is shortened by tales of intrigue and danger told by hardy adventurers.

When the little party aiding me in my explorations were gathered together, surrounded by black night and trackless forests, we were insensibly drawn together, became interested in each other, and told the stories of the things which we had seen, and of the things which we had done. Often the tales were trivial, but frequently there would be found among us adventurers, who for political or civil offences found it convenient to seek asylum at unfrequented places in the jungles.

The stories — faithful accounts — illustrated the disorganized political and social conditions in Spanish America, — conditions which happily are gradually improving under the guiding influence of the United States. Presently better order will reign among our southern neighbours, and the evils of other days will be forgotten ; a sufficient reason why some of the wild tales vi PREFACE

of reckless adventure, cruelty, and wickedness should be preserved.

They are instructive, too, in that they demonstrate the value of a well-regulated social order and the security of a state founded on upright homes and honoured maternity. When the better social conditions are lacking, history shows there is no security for state or individual.

Of all the men who told me of their adventures, not one stands out with such prominence in my memory as a half-breed guide named Joaquin, a man of giant strength, manly vigour, and keen intelligence, who had followed wild callings and engaged in revolutions bordering on the Caribbean Sea from Central America, down through the coast of Colombia, and in Venezuela, but the exact locations in his story are purposely disguised.

He was in middle life when he served me some time ago, and the account of him here given deals with the period shortly after our own Civil War. In attempting to tell his story as nearly as possible in his own words, I have sought to imitate the poetic recitative, which in the euphonious language of the Spanish Indian is so naturally fitting and harmonious.

Contents

OHAPTSB PAGB

I. Indian Boyhood 1

II. Up the River ." 7