“Ah!” he exclaimed. “Would that I could see this marvelous phenomenon and sip of its celestial juice!”
“It could be done,” I replied, hesitatingly, “but it would involve some hardship and considerable danger.”
“Did you ever see one of these plants?”
“Yes; not two days since.”
Silvela sprang to his feet, with a Spanish oath.
“Dios mio!” he cried. “Rodriguez, why did you not tell me? When can we start to find it?”
“Softly,” I admonished. “I told you there was danger. Haven’t you heard that this devil’s plant has been known to gorge itself upon human flesh?”
“The wild story of some frightened native,” he scoffed. “Take me to it and nothing shall prevent me from testing the fabled powers of its juices. Stop! Did you not drink of this delicious nectar?”
I shook my head sadly.
“No, I had no wish to try. Why should I seek to become young in body when my heart is old within?”