The Last Look | Page 7

true hearts there were in

Spain in those days! and though many were crushed and destroyed, still
some survived, and their descendants at the present day may yet
become the salt of their native land--lights set on a hill to enlighten
their long benighted countrymen.
Before the guests separated another short prayer was offered up, and a
Gospel hymn was sung. Scarcely had the notes of the last verse died
away, when a servant who had been sent out on a message hurried into
the room. "Bad news! bad news!" he exclaimed. "We are all lost; the
cause of the pure faith is lost; the inquisitors will have their way."
The guests gathered round the man with anxious looks, for they knew
well that at any moment they might be placed in the perilous position
he announced.
"The widow Dona Maria Gomez is the cause of it all," the man
answered, to the eager questions put to him. "She is acquainted with
every one of us, and we all thought her a true Christian. Every one here
is also acquainted with the learned Doctor Francisco Zafra. The poor
lady had, it appears, gone mad, and had been placed by her friends
under Doctor Francisco's care. As he is with us, this would not have
been of much consequence, had not Dona Maria managed to escape
from his custody. Now, horrible to relate, she has made her way to the
Inquisition at Triana, and has denounced all the Protestants in Seville.
As she was making her way to the Inquisition, she cried out what she
was going to do, accusing all her former friends, and declaring that she
should have no rest till she had seen every one of them committed to
the flames. Doctor Zafra has never even been suspected by the
inquisitors of favouring the Lutherans. Now, as he will be among the
first denounced by the wretched widow, he has no chance of escaping.
What shall we do? what shall we do?"
"Do!" exclaimed a voice; "put our trust in God, and act like men! Do!
pardon me for speaking, senors--keep together and defy our enemies!"
It was Julianillo who uttered these brave words.
"But then we may all be captured together like fish by one net,"

observed a gentleman.
"Let us pray, friends, for guidance and protection to the loving Saviour
whom we serve," said Don Carlos de Seso. "He will direct us, and
enable us to undergo whatever He may think right for His own honour
and glory."
Don Carlos setting the example, the whole party sank on their knees,
while he offered up a deeply fervent, though short, prayer for the
assistance all needed. Refreshed, the company arose.
"I cannot agree with our friend Julianillo that it will be wise to keep
together," observed the lawyer Herezuelo. "Should the unhappy widow
bring the accusation she threatened, and the officers of the Inquisition
find us all together, they will naturally suspect that the information is
well founded. No; let us retire each one to his own house, avoiding
observation as much as we can. There let us be together in spirit,
praying for each other. We should fear no harm when God is with us."
Another short prayer was offered up and the Christian friends left the
house as they had come--two and three together, in different directions,
hoping thus to avoid observation. The monks returned to their convent,
not, however, without having first been supplied with books from the
rich stores which Julianillo had brought, and for which their brethren
within its walls were eagerly looking. All the other guests went laden in
the same way, and thus the Holy Bible and the works of Luther, and
others, were quietly and secretly distributed throughout the surrounding
towns and villages. Herezuelo begged that he might accompany Dona
Mercia and her daughter to their home, for it was fearfully possible that
even on their way they might be seized by the officers of the
Inquisition and carried off to its dungeons. The last to leave the house
was Julianillo. The lady of the house inquired where he was going.
"To bring to my famishing countrymen a fresh supply of food for the
soul," he answered.
"But surely you have done enough, Julianillo. You run a fearful risk of
losing your life," observed the lady.

"Enough, Signora! enough service to our loving Lord and Master!"
exclaimed the little muleteer. "Oh, no, no! As long as there are persons
in Spain desiring to learn about the blessed Jesus, so long will I try to
bring them books which tell them about Him. And as to fearing the
dangers which may overtake me, I am in the hands of One who can
protect me through far greater than are in my path at