THE VICAR APOSTOLIC
The Spaniards knew nothing about working silver except as they learned it from the Moors.”
“What are you doing, Jean? Trying to make my bell out an infidel?” Father Joseph asked impatiently.
The Bishop smiled. “I am trying to account for the fact that when I heard it this morning it struck me at once as something oriental. A learned Scotch Jesuit in Montreal told me that our first bells, and the introduction of the bell in the service all over Europe, originally came from the East. He said the Templars brought the Angelus back from the Crusades, and it is really an adaptation of a Moslem custom.”
Father Vaillant sniffed. “I notice that scholars always manage to dig out something belittling,” he complained.
“Belittling? I should say the reverse. I am glad to think there is Moorish silver in your bell. When we first came here, the one good workman we found in Santa Fé was a silversmith. The Spaniards handed on their skill to the Mexicans, and the Mexicans have taught the Navajos to work silver; but it all came from the Moors.”
“I am no scholar, as you know,” said Father Vaillant rising. “And this morning we have many practical affairs to occupy us. I have promised that will you give an audience to a good old man, a native priest from the Indian mission at Santa Clara, who is
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