The Golden Fleece: A Romance

of them had a regal allowance of rooms. And when Grace Parsloe became one of the occupants, she was allotted two commodious apartments at the extremity of the lef

e until she was ready to accept the wooing of the god of dreams; or, if supernatural terrors daunted her, she could in a few second

the rise and fall of regular breathing, or even an occasional snore, might have given evidence of slumber. At the back of the house, the Indian retainers were lapped in silence. They were a harmless people,-somew

The sky was clear, but there was no moon. A beautiful planet, however, bright enough to cast a shadow, hung in the southwestern sky, and its mysterious light touched Miriam's face, and cast a dim rectangle of radiance on the white matting that carpeted the floor of her room. It was

n it the vague outlines of a human figure, squatting on its haunches, with its head resting on its knees, and its arms clasped round them,-somewhat as figures sit in Egyptian hieroglyphics, or like Aztecan mummies in the tomb. So still was it, it might itself have been a mummy. But ever and anon a blinking of the narrow eyes in th

the court-yard through the open gate. He turned to the left, and, stealing beneath Miriam's windows, paused there for an instant

another, brushing aside the low-hanging boughs, and passing the loveliest flowers without a glance. He was as one preoccupied with momentous business. Presently he arrived at a small open space, remote and secluded. It was completely surrounded by tall shrubbery. In the centre was a basin of stone, evide

vicinity of the spring. He made strange movements with his arms, bowed his head and erected it again, and traced curious figures on the ground with his finger. It appeared as if the venerable Indian ha

the same soft, grayish-white material. The head was covered with a sort of hood, which left only the face exposed; and this too might be covered by a species of veil or mask, which, however, was now fastened back on the headpiece, after the manner of a visor. The front of the tunic was embroidered with fantastic devices in gold thread, brightened here and there with precious stones; and other devices appeare

nce, touching his hand to her foot and then to his own forehead and breast, he said,

y this night be the be

ess of utterance unlike the usual manner of General Trednoke's daughter: "I was glad

to our harm, most revered princ

eed the father of this mortal body which I wear, which (as you tell me) bears th

that is you dwells in h

s she kn

ess; but only as on

e) three centuries have passed since what is called my death. To me it seems as if I had but slept through a night, and were awake again. Nor can I tell what has happened-what my life and thoughts have been

, "and a memory of the body. They are separate, and

e things that were done when Montezuma was k

learned the secrets of the world of spirits; and this science still remained with me after the change, so that I was able to know that I was I, and that you co

to you in this present life, Kamaiakan,

ert. I indeed remember the event, and somewhat of the region of the hiding; but I cannot put my hand upon the very spot. I

re, in former days, the ocean had been. At last there were rocky hills before us; we rode towards a great rock shaped like the pyramid on which the sacrifices were held in Tenochtitlan. We passed round i

ers. But our country remained under the rule of the conquerors; and my life went out. But now the conquerors have been conquered in their turn, and Miriam is the last inheritor of your b

, then, a

nder-ground may arise and again form the sea which flowed hereabouts in the ancient times. Now, this sea will fill the ravine in which the treasure lies, and ma

youth?" ask

e who inherit this land

t what-that seems to tell me I have

ed the ancient Indian. "He is a well-looking youth, a

ove him?" inqui

a riddle, even to her

the past from the present. I-as you know, Kamaiakan-was never wedded; the fate of our people, and my early end, kept that from me. But the thought of that youth is here,"-she put her hand

s head. "The gods know what will be. It is for us, now, to regain t

y. Shall i

e hours from here. None must know of our departure, for there are some here whom I do not trust.

ents affect the r

and the substance of the garment itself has a virtue to preserve the wearer from evil. It is the same that was worn by you when the tr

in a moment trembled around them, and shivered in the solid earth beneath their feet; and in another instant it had passed on, and was subdued slowly into silence in the shadowy distance. No one who has once heard that sound can mistake it for any other, or ev

rising to his feet. And then he pointed

!" exclaime

peared through the bottom of the basin, leaving the glistening

iving man has seen them rise, and make the sea return, and the treasure be lost. In a few days all may be over. But you, princess,

e bright. To feel myself alive, to breathe, to walk, to see, are sweet. Perhaps I have no other conscious life than this. I would like to remain as I a

old man replied, with a troubled look. "The ways of the gods are n

never awake again. You were faithful to me in the old time: have you more care for her than for me? I feel all the power and thirst of youth in me: the gods did not let me live o

in the ways of the new world before you could safely enter into its life. Leave that to me. I am loyal as ever: is it not to fulfil the oath made to yo

u can banish me forever! Yet what if I were to say that, unless you cons

ds, that you would contend. The gods know that I have no care for treasure. But they will not forg

responsibility in this matter. You have called me back: see to it that you do me justice." She waved her hands with

rection in which she was going. In a few moments he heard her light footfall, and, facing about, confronted her. She continued to advance until she was within arm's reach of him: then she

hat of a woman, and her countenance, though changed in aspect by the head-dress she were, yet had features which, he knew, he had seen before. But could it be Miria

language with which he was entirely unacquainted. The next moment she had glided past him, and was ou

she used just now, I should be as wise as before. After all, it may have been somebody else. The image in my mind projected itself on her countenance. I certainly must be in love! I almost wish I'd never come here. This complication about the general's irrigating scheme makes it awkward. I'm bound not to explain things to him; and yet, if I don't, and he discovers (as he can't help doing) what I am here for, nothing will persuade him that I haven't

the truth is that that enterprising young lady was not without a suspicion that he might turn up. Could this information have been imparted to Freeman, it would have saved much trouble; but, as it was, not only did he jump to the

r his own fashion: Don Miguel pale, glaring, b

senor?" demanded th

artly, to inform you that your presence here o

s is an imp

ng greasers. One admonishes them, and, i

uel de Mendoza? Senor, I will wash

re convenient spot. I noticed a very pretty little glade on the right as I rode over here. You are armed? Good! we will h