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THE GOLDEN BELT! 

on.

THE CARIB’S PLEDGE.

2!!

BY COLIN BARKER

' NEW YORK: 
BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,.
9: WILLIAM STREET.

hum! weanling to Act of Congress, in the year 1am. by
IRWIN P. BEADLE & 00..

h I. Clerk’. omce or the I‘lstrict Court of she United smo- tu‘ h
Southern mum of NM fork.

 

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THE GOLDEN BELT.

 

CHAPTER I.
rnsuum.

Tn! heavy dew of the tropics was yet lying bright and unexhalod
on every herb and flower; myrimls of which, in most profuse variety
of odor and of bloom, streweil, like one gorgeous carpet, the beauti-
ful savannahs and wild forest glades of the fair province of Cahay.

The sun had not fairly risen, although the warm and rosy light.
which harbingereil his coming was tingiug the small and fleecy
clouds that floated, like the isles of some enchanted sea, over the
azure skies. The faint sea-breeze, which murmured still among the
fresh green leaves, though fast sudsiding, was laden with perfume.
of such strange richness, that while they gratified, they almost eloy-
ed the senses; birds of the most superb and gorgeous plumage, were
glancing, meteor-like, among the boughs; but the innumerable in-
sect tribes, which almost rival them in beauty. had not as yet been
called forth, to their life of a day, by the young sunbeams.

The loveliness of those sequestered haunts, which had but recently
been opened to the untiring and insatiate avarice of Europeans, ex-
ceeded the most wild conceptions, the most voluptuous dreams. of
the romancer or the poet. The solemn verilure of the mighty Woods,
thick set with trees, more graceful than the shades of those IEgean
isles. where the Ionian muse was born to witch the world for ages--
the light and feathery primroses, the fan-like heads of the tall palms,
towering a hundred feet above their humblrr, yet still lofty brethren
-— the giant oaks, their whole trunks overgrown with thousands of
bright parasites, and their vast branches canopied with vines and
creepers—masses of tangled and impervious foliage—the natural

' hwus, watered by rills of crystal—the rocks that reared themselves

"Pong the forests, mantled, not as the crags ofthe colnl northern
chines with dark and melancholy ivy, but with festoous ot’ fruits and
lowers that might have graced the gardens of the fabulous llesperiq
dos.

It was upon such a scene, as is but. imperfectly and feebly shadow.
" dd forth in the most glowing language, that the sweet dawn was
basking, when, from a distance. through the lovely woodlands. th-

\

 

\

10 me GOLDER am.

mehow notes of a horn, clearly and scientifically wound, came float-
ing on the gentle air.

Again it pealed forth its wild cadences, nearer and louder than be-
fore— and then the deep and ringing bay of a full-mouthed hound
succeeded.

Searcer had the first, echo of the ‘woods replied to the unwanted
sounds, before a. beautiful slight hind, forcing her way through a
thicket of hriers, dashed, with the speed of mortal terror, into the
center of a small savannah, throun'h which stole, almost silently 8
broad, bright rivulet of very limpfi water.

' Pausing for a second’s space upon the brink, the delicate creature
stood, with its swan-like neck curved backward, its thin ear erect, its
full black eye dilated, and its expanded nostrils snutting the breeze.

It was but for a second that she stood; for, the next moment, a
louder and more boisterous crash arose from the direction whence
she had first appeared —the blended tongues, as it would seem, of
several hounds running together, on a hot and recent trail. Tossing
her head aloft, she gathered her slight limbs under her, sprung, at
one vigorous and elastic bound, over the rivulet, and was lost instant-
ly to view, among the thickets of the farther side.

A few minutes elapsed, during which, the fierce buying of the
hounds came quicker and more sharply on the car,- and then, from
the same broke out of uhich the hind had started, rushed, with his
eyes glowing like coals of tire, his head high in air, and his long,
feathery tail lashing his tawny sides, a formidable bloodhound, of that.‘
savage breed, which was, in after times, so brutally employed against
the helpless Indians, by their Christian conquerors. Another, and
anothcr,and a fourth succeeded, making the vaulted woods to bellow
with the deep cadences of their continuous cry.

Hard on the bloodhounds, crashing through the tangled branches
with reckless and impetuous ardor, a solitary huntsmnn followed —-
splendidly mounted upon afiery Andalusian charger, of a deep chest-
nut color, with four white legs. and a white blaze down his face,
whose long, thin mono, and the large, cord-like veins, that might be
seen meandering over his muscular, sleek limbs, attested as surely as
the longest pedigree, the purity of his blood. The rider was
a young man, of some four or five and twenty years; well, and rather
powerfully made than otherwise, though not above the middle stature;
his long, dark hair, black eye, and swarthy skin, told of a slight
admixture of the Moorish blood; while the expression of his matures,
though‘now excited somewhat by the exhilaration of the chase, grave,
dignified, and noble, bespoke him without a doubt, a polished cavalier
of S in. ,

Eli’sadress, adapted to the occupation which he so gullautly pursued,
was a green doublet, belted close about his waist by a girdle of Cor.
dova leather, from which swung, clinking, at very stride of his horse,
against the stirrup, a long and basket-hilted Bilbao blade, in a steel
.mbbard, which was the only weapon that he wore, except a short.

 

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Mged stiletto, thrust into the belt, at the left side. A broad pom;
brero, with a drooping feather, brooches and gloves of chamois leather.
laced down the seams with silver, and russet buskins, drawn up to
the knee, complete-l his attire. He sat his horse gracefully and firmly.
and the ease with which he supported him, and wheeled him to and
fro among the fallen trees and rocks, notwithstandinsr the fiery speed
It which he rode, bespoke him no less skillful than intrepid as a. horse-
man.

The chase continued for above an hour, during which every specie!
of scenery that the level portions of the isle contained, was traversed
by the hunter; the open forest. the dense swampy brake, the wide,
luxuriant savannah l—and each, at such hot speed, that though he
turned aside neither for hush nor hank. though he plunged headlong
down the steepest crngs. and dashed his charger, without hesitation,
over every fallen tree that barred his progress, and every brook or
gulley that opposed him, still, it was with no little diliiculty that he
contrived to keep the hounds in hearing.

And now the hapless hind, worn out by the sustained exertions,
which had, at first, outstripped the utmost pace of her pursuers, but
which availed her nothing to escape from foes, against whose most
sugacious instinct and unerring scent, she had but tleetness to oppose,
was sinking ftst, and must, as the rider judged, by the redoubled
speed, and shriller haying of his hounds, soon turn to bay, or to be
run down without resistance. »

Her graceful head was bowed low toward the earth, his team stream-
ed down her hairy cheeks, her arid tongue lolled from her frothing
jaws, her coat, of late so sleek and glossy, was all embossed with sweat
md foam, and Wounded, at more points than one, by the sharp thorns
and prickly‘ under-wood, through which she had toiled so fruitlessly.
Still she strove onward, staggering and painting in a manner pitiful
to witness; and the deep buy of the bloodhounds was changed, sud-
denly, into a series of sharp and savage yells, as they caught a view
of their destined prey.

Just at this moment, the hind had reaclitsl the verge of a piece of
dense and tangled woodland, through which she. had toiled for several
miles, when the low range of hillocks which it oyersprczt'l, sank, sud-
denly. by a steep and craggy declivity of twelve or fourteen feet,
having, at its base, a rapid stream, brnwling and fretting over many
a rocky ledge, down to the level of a wide and lovely meadow.

Situated nearly in the center of this flower-sprinkled lawn, half '
circled by a deep bight of the streamlet, and perfectly embowered by
the canopy which a close group of waving palms spread over it,
(here stood an Indian dwelling. [t was of larger size than were most
of the native cottages; thatched neatly with the broad leaves of the

~ palm, and ornamented, in front, by a portico of wooden column

quaintly, and not ungracefully adorned by carvings, wrought by th
lint-edged chisel of the yet unsophisticated savage.
A mt, woven with tasteful scill from many-colored and sweet-scent

 

    

/

18 '1!!! HOW BELT.

ed rushes."was spread upon the floor; while several stools of ebony.

inlaid with shells, and sculptured with grotesque devices, were ranged

along the walls. ()u a projecting slab, which apparently supplied the
want of a table, stood several gourds, ingeniously manufactured into
pups and trenchers—some bowls of hard wood, even more highly
finished than the other articles of furniture, and many ornaments of
gold and strings of pearls, scattered, in rich profusion, among the
humbler vessels of the household.
From three of the columns, were suspended large wicker cages
beautifully interlaced with intricate and quaint devices, containing
aroquets and other birds of splendid plumage; while, from the other,
ung carved war-clubs, of the pouderous iron-wood, flint-headed
javelins, and several bows; not the short. ill-strung, worthless weap-
ons used by the Africans; but long and tough, and win irably made,
and scarcely, if at all, inferior to the tremendous long-bow which
had gained so much renown, and wrought so much scathe to their
foes, in the hands of the English archery. Under the shadow of the
portico, sheltered by it from the warm beams of the sun, there sat
m Indian youth, tall and slightly framed, and not above sixteen or
seventeen years of age, at the utmost, polishing, with a shell chisel,
the shaft of along javelin; on the lawn, in front of the cottage, a
bright fire was blazing, and several native females were collected
round it, preparing their morning meal, with cakes of the cassava
baking among the hot wood embers, and fish broiling on small spits
of aromatic wood. But at a little distance to the left of these, at

the extreme end of the building, nearest to the steep bank which

terminated the grounds, outstretched in a light grass hammock,
which was suspended at the height of two or three feet from the
ground, between two stately palm trees. and swaying gently to and
fro in the light currents of 'the morning breeze, therelay the lovaliest
y'rl that eyes ever looked upon.

Her rich, black hair, braided above her brow, and fastened with
one string of pearls, was passed behind her ears, whence it fell in a
profusion of glossy curls.  wondrously luxuriant, that, had she
stood erect, it would have dowed quite downward to her ankles; her
eyes, large, dark, and he M, as those of a Syrian antelope, were

curtained by the longest and most silky lashes that ever fringed I '
human eyelid. Her features classically regular and even, were redeem. .

ad from the charge of insipidity by the sly dimple at the angles of that
exquisitely arched, and rosy mouth, which Aphrodite, fresh from her
ocean cradle, might have envied; and by the voluptuous curve of
the soft chin. Her complexion was of a warm and sunny hue, half
brown half golden, through which the eloquent blood mantled at
every motion, like the last flush ot‘ sunset upon the darkening sky.
Beautiful, however, as was the countenance, and enchanting the

expression of this Indian beauty, it yet was not until the second or ,

third glance, that the eye could stray from the matchless symmetry.
the untaught graces, and the voluptuous and wavy motions other

  

. W—W‘W:_V ,

 

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cross or run GRADE. v , :18 I

firm, u notice the less striking charms of her face and feature
Her beautiful arms, bare to the shoulder, were adorned with massy
rings of virgin gold, so flexible, from the purity of the metal, that
they were twisted and untwisted, with as much ease as though they
had been silken cords; the right hung over the edge of the hammock,
(ts small and graceful hand resting upon a little stand or table at her
side; ‘while the left, folded beneath her head, was half \‘ailed by her
abundant hair—her dress, a single robe of soft, fine muslin, was
clasped on the right shoulder by a. golden stud, whence it passed un-
der her left arm, leaving her bosom half exposed, and was girt round
her slender waist by a cord of gayly-colored cotton, covering the rest
of her person down to the tiny feet.

Such was the scene, and such the occupants of it, into which,
darting with a momentary energy that gained convulsive strength
from the near presence of her dreaded foes,,the hunted hind leaped
suddenly. The craggy bank and stream were cleared by one tremen-
dous bound, the level lawn was traversed with a speed that seemed al-
most miraculous, yet scarce two spears’ length from her haunches the
furious blood-hounds followed. Whether it was that her eyes were
cast backward toward her dreaded toes, and that her every sense
was engrossed by agonizing terror, so that she marked not any thing
before her — or whether a strange instinct taught her that no danger
was to be apprehended from that quarter, the shy and timid creature
dashed straight across the lawn, passing within ten paces of the fire.
from the vicinity of which the women fled, fearful of the savage
hounds, and sank down with a deep, broken-hearted sob, close to the
hammock of the Indian beauty. ’

Roused suddenly from the half-«'lozing, dreamy languor, in which
she had been so luxuriously indulging, the maiden started from the
couch; and without thinking of the peril, by an involuntary impulse,
stooped down, and lifting up the headol’ the dying hind, wiped away
the fbam from its sobbing lips, and gazed with wistful pity upon its
glazing eyes.

All this had passed, as it were, with the speed of light, for not ten
seconds had intervened between the first appearance of the trembling
fugitive, and the compassionate movement of the young girl.

It had happened, too, that, as will oftentimes occur, when hounds
are running at the utmost of their speed, the blood-hounds. since
they had viewed, flir the first time, the quarry, had given no tongue,

chasing solely by the eye —- so that, until his attention was called to

what was passing by the flight of the terrified and trembling menials,
the youth had remained quietly engaged at his occupation, unconscious
of the peril to which his sister—for such was the relationship be-
tween them -— was exposed. V

Diverted, however, from his occupation by the tumultuous flight of
the girls, he looked up quickly; and, at a glance, beheld the hind
fall dying at his sister’s feet, the fierce hounds dashing forward jot
glut their savage instinct in the life-blood of the quarry. and the

 

fl

‘ was GOLDEN BELT.

. girl, by her own act thrown as it were into the very jaws of the lit-
erally bloodthirsty hrntes, which, with hair erect and bristling, as
if instinct with sentient lite and fury, the white foam flying from their
tushvs. and their eyes glaring with the frantic light of their roused
nature, were bounding toward her, scarce three paces distant.

At the same point of time, the Spanish cavalier, who had while
they were running mute, lost the direction of the chase, made his ap-
pearance at the top of the abrupt ascent; and seeing, as if by intu-

Moorish bit, on which he rode him, and pricking him, at the same
instant, sharply with the spur, un-iismayed by the sheer full of tilt
ground, compelled him to take the tearful leap.

The horse sprang nobly at it, and, aided by the great fall of the
surface, landeJ his hind feet well upon the level ground beyond the
rivulet; but even then he would have fallen, such was the shock of
so steep a drop-leap, had he not been met by the quick support of a.
master hand, so that, recovering himsmt with a heavy flounder, he
dashed on, after scarce a moment’s pause. Still, had there been no
readier aid than his, the maiden must have perished beneath the fangs
of the infuriate blood-hounds; for, though the hunter shouted in the
'loudest tones of his clear, powerful voice, rating the dogs, and calling
them by name, their fierceness was so thoroughly aroused, that they
paid not the least regard to his commanding accents, and probably
would not have been restrained, had he been interposed, himself, be-
tween them and the object of their staneh pursuit, from springing on
their master who had fed them, and to whose slightest gesture, under
more favorable circumstances, they were implicitly obedient.

But as he saw them, already well nigh darting at her throat, that
stripling leaping upon hisfeet, and snatching from the nearest pillar
a bow which fortunately happened to be strung, and two long arrows,
in less time than is needed to describe it, notched a shaft on the sinew,
drew the tough bowstring to his ear, and drove the whining missile,
with almost the speed of light, toward the leading dog.

It was not till the whistling shaft hurtled close past her ear, that
the maid was aware of her danger; for, engrossed by the faint strug-
gles and waning breath of the poor deer, shehad not raised her eyel,
till she was startled by the sound of the passing weapon; and now.
II she lifted them and met the red glare shot from the angry orbs of
the foremost hound, and almost felt the warmth of his quick, panting
breath against her brow, hope left her, antl her senses yielding to
the sudden terror, she sank down upon the body of the dead hind.
as helpless and as innocent.

But, even as light left her eyes. the well-aimed shaft had reached
its mark; directed at the throat of the animal, it flew, and the keen
flint head, cutting a. little way below the ear, clove through and through
the neck, piercing the jugular vein —— the blood gushed in a torrent
from the wound, nor from that, only, but from the throat and nos.

tails, and With one savage yell, he leaped into the air, and fell quite

ition, all that was going on, lifted his blooded horse hard with tho‘

r

z I

    

  

 

    

\

CONFLICT WITH THE ROUNDS.

15

dead within a yard of the Indian girl, whose snow-white dress wal ,
actually sprinkled with large gents of the crimson gore. i
Still she was far from safe, for, unchecked ‘and undnunted by their.

'lender’s death, others of the little pack, haying tremendously, were

)lose at hand. Again the how was raised, and the string drawn to
the utmost, but with n. jerking and irregular tension, which snapped
the tendon of which it was framed; with n sharp twang the bow re-
coiled, and the shaft fell harmless, close to the ureher’s feet, but, un.
armed as he was he hounded forward, and grasping the staff of the
unstrung and useless how, he gallantly bestrode the body of the
damsel, and, with a calm and resolute expression in his clear eye
and comely features, awaited, fearlessly, the unset of the approaching

I savages.

And new the first was close upon him, and with his bristles all
erect, like quills upon the porcupine, and with a deep, stilled growl,
dashed at his face. Still he blanched not, but made a desperate ~
hinge with the tough, horn-tipped bow, full at the open mouth and
yawning throat of his assailant; well for him it was, that he eye was
true, and his hand steady; for nothing else could have availed, even
though now the cavalier was within three strides of the spot, to save
his life.

The thrust took elfect, and though the weapon was but inefi'ective,
and the beast not nmterially ali'ected hythe blow, it still had force
enough to check, in some degree, the violence of his assault, and
hindered him from using his fangs for the moment. th, notwith
standing, such was the weight of his sinewy lithe body, and such
the terrible impetuosity of his attack, that, checked and foiled as he
was, he still plunged so violently against the breast of his young any
tagonist, that he dashed him to the ground; and, himself falling,
they rolled over and over with a stern grapple and fierce cries, on
the ensangnincd gl‘censwm'd.

But, at this critical moment, :1 new and more important nider
came up, in the young Spaniard; who, dnshing his spurs into the
flanks of his Andalusian, with his long, two-edged sword unshcnthed
and brandished in the air, as he stood upright in his stirrups, pur-
posely gallopod over one of the hounds, sending it cowed and how]-
ing to a. respectful distance, then pulling up his horse close to the
confused group. Well knowing the tremendous fury of the animal
with which he had to deal, when it is thin-011;;th arousel, he smote
the other, which was struggling with the boy, and which had 
got free from his "ripe, just at the junction of the neck and scull.

So true and steady‘was the blow, and so keen was the temper of
that thin, two-edged blade, that it clove right through muscle, bone,
find sinew, severing, entirely, the head, except where a small portion

.of the skin remained uninjured, at the farther side; this done, he

    

hastily dismounted, and striking the fourth and last dog a heavy blow
with the fist of his sword, rating him, at the same moment, It 
name. mended in asserting his uzemleucy over his on» on
usual. , '

 

\

16 - run comm em.

The boy had, in the mean time. risen from the ground, still g
ing in his hand the bow, which, during all the progress of that tre-
mendous struggle he never had let go, and gazed, half-doubtful of
the stranger’s purpose, into his eyes— till reassured by the grave
smile which played upon the features of the Spaniard, and by per-
ceiving how effectual had been his aid, when earthly aid seemed
hopeless, he suffered the tense muscles of his dark visage to relax.
and stretching out his right hand to his preserver, uttered a few
words in the Spanish language, not strictly true in the pronunciation,
out in a voice of most melodious richness, thanking him for his time-
] aid. .

y But little heed did the young gallant pay to his address, for he had

thrown aside his blood-stained weapon, and raising the slight body of
the maiden from the earth, for she had not, as yet, recovered from
her fainting-fit, bore her, as easily as though she had been but a
feather‘s weight, with her head leaning on his shoulder, and her
long tresses flowing in dark luxuriance over his arms, into the shelter
ed portico. Placing her on one of the low. cushioned stools, and
supporting her against his breast, he called aloud, in the Indian
tongue, which he spoke fluently and well, for water, and having re-
ceived it in a gayly—decorated calabash, sprinkled her lovely face,
and set about restoring her with a degree of eagerness that savored
not a little of the gallantry of knightly courtesy. Nor was it long
before his eiforts were crowned with complete success, for, in a mo-
ment or two, the fringed lashes partially arose, revealing the dark
eyes still swimming in unconscious languor.

Dazzled by the full light, she once again suffered the lids to fall.
and remained for a few moments, perfectly passive in his arms; al
though he felt by the increased pulsation of her heart, which throh
bed almost against his own, that life and sense were speedily returning
Again she raised her eyes, and gazed, for an instant, with an air of
simple wonderment in his face; then, while the warm blood rushed
back in a crimson flush to the pale features, she attempted to start
from the half-embrace in which he held her.

“ Fear nothing, gentle one,” he said, in her own liquid tongue,
will a calm, placid smile, which did more to reassure her than the
words which fell, half-unheard, on her ear, yet contused and giddy --
“ fear nothing, gentle one from me. Not for the wealth of the whole
Indies — not to be monarch of Castile, would I Work aught of harm
to thee or thine ! ”

While he was speaking, her eye wandered from his face, and fall
ing on the blood-stained group which lay confuscdly piled on each
other—the lifeless limbs of the dead hind, the fierce hounds, one
transfixed by the unerring arrow of the brother, the other slain by
the sharp rapier which yet lay beside them on the turf ~— the panting

charger which stood, although unfastened, perfectly quiet in the 000"

shade of the palm-trees, and, the twu dogs which had survived their tbl
lows, couched humbly‘on the grass before the parties then“ magnets. 10“ .

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‘ u events-or. my. \ 1?

lug from their jaws, their sides panting from their late exertion, and
their eyes closed listlessiy —— she saw the truth intuitively, and with
u quiet smile sunk back again, upon his breast, unable yet to rise, and '
lay there, until her brother had brought forth the females of the house-
hold to attend her.

Leaning on these, the fair girl left them with a gesture of farewell
as dignified, yet easy, at though she had been the lineal scion of I
hundred European monarchs. She was not absent long, however,

* yet she had returned ere the Spaniard had learned from his boat,
while he was busily employed in wiping and returning to its scabbard
his trusty rapier, in picketing his charger, and securing his two houndl,
that the girl whom he had so brawly rescued from a terrible and
painful death, was, in good truth, of royal birth. Though the dough.
ter of a Spaniard, she was the child of a Caribbean princess — the
niece of that peerless Queen Anacnona, who, though the sister of that
most dauntless tbeman of the white invaders, the valiant Cuonubo,
lord of the Golden House, had proved herself from first to last, the
friend and putt-ones»! of the pale strangers. who, in after days returned
her kindness witn inyrntitude so base and barbarous.

In short, Guaricn. returned, and thanking her preserver with the
most feminine and easy grace. pressed him to stay and share their
morning meal —— and he. half-captivated at the first by her artless
beauty, assented willingly and lingered there, enchanting the simple ‘
mind of the Indian beauty by all the rich stores of his cultivated in-
tellect, and listening, in turn to the sweet native ballads which she
sang to him in her rich, melodious tongue— not till the morning
niesl alone was ended, but throng-h the heat of the high noon, and
even till the dcwy twilight; and when he said adieu, a tear swam in
the dark eye of the maiden, and her email hand trembled in his grasp
-—and he rode pensively away beneath the broad light of a moon, a
thousand times more pure and brilliant than that which silvers the
skies of his own bright land, hearing along with him, deep in his
heart of hearts, deep thoughts, and high, warn; feelings, blended
with doubts and cares, and the engrossing nzioulses of interest con
flioting with the wilder passions of a hot and impetuous nature.

Nor did he leave behind him, in the breast ot the young Guarica,
centiments less novel, or feelings less tumultuous; truly, to them,
that day was the hinge whereon the doors revolved of tuture hap-
piness or misery; for, from that day, each dated a new life, fraught
with new wishes, and regulated by new destinies— and to each was
it the harbinger of many strange adventures, of many joys and sor-
rows. and whether for evil or for 5000. of their doom here, and it me,
a. hamfler.

y

 

 

  

. THE comm nu.

CHAPTER II.
THELOVEBS.

Don J HAN Ronnmvns. the father ef" Oraaimbo and Guarica, val a
Spaniard of the old blood, but of an impoverished family, whose reo-
ords of former grandeur had made a lasting impression on the young
man, who had inherited nothing save the pride and ambition of his
race. But of this class of men the most daring adventurers were
found to follow in the road to wealth which Columbus had first track-
ed across the ocean. With education, tact, and courtly manners,
they brought unheard of cruelty and hand into the new land.

Some of these men ingratiated tilelllSPlH'H with the Indian tribes,
where they were at first received ltindly,and a few, with more craft
and forethought than the rest, managed to maintain an unbroken in
fluence with the chiefs, either by prot‘uw and worthless presents or by
intermarriage with their daughters.

To such, a valuable trade between the tribes and the old country
became almost a monopoly; and while some grew rich by rapine and
violence, others pursued acute and far more lucrative course by main-
, taining a crafty friendship, alike with the chit-fa and the Spaniards.
Don ltcdriquua was one ot’ these. 'lhe great Lbjeet of his life wan
gold -— gold enough to rebuild the fortunes of his house and live over
again the splendor of past ages.

To this end he lost no opportunity of ingratiating himself with the
Carib chiefs, whose simplicity of character made them easy dupesto
kindness, while their Valor had more than once repelled hostile ag-
gression with triumph. Rodriques was a man to follow the safer and
quieter track to wealth, and his ultimate enact-st: gave good proof in
the end that his course was the most certain

Partly from a roving fancy and partly from 't wi<h a gather up the,
tnappreciated wealth of gold, pearls, and grsriouustzm-s that existed‘
among the Indian tribes, with as little rt-ga' d paid to their true \alua
as it'Ithey had‘been peblilerstones instead of jewels, ltodriques wooed
and 'Won the moat beautiful native of the island, who, all unconscioul
of the grasping cupidity which actuated his motives, believed her
love to be the one great charm which kept him from his native land

Here, trafficking with the Italians, as crafty man have bargained
with them from the time that civilization first intruded its chicanery
upon their innocence, Don Juat became a man (:1 m «can on!

 

 

 

  

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' an 'mmu man. , I it
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importance, both with the natives and the Spaniards stationeda't the .
forts and the diflierent trading-stations of Hispaniola.

His intercourse and more than friendly relations were kept up with
the Indians even after the death of his wife, and so much of affection
as he could spare from the one great object of his existence, was bestow-
ed on Urazimbo and Guarica, who, knowing little of his true character,
held him in profound reverence.

The home which Rodriques had built and embellished for his chil ,
dren, partook both of the simplicity of the wild tribes and the refine '
ment of old Spain. With magnificent forests and green savannas all‘
around, giving wildness and grandeur to the front of his dwelling,
he had laid out a. broad garden in the rear, inclosed by a noble cactus
fence, which in the season encompassed it with a mightv wall of flow
ors.
It is somewhat depressing to look upon a well-cultured garden in
full bloom, it' it be in a northerr country, for the disagreeable thought
will intrude, that all this glowing duet-shy of colors, all this bloom-
ing world with its atmosphere of fragrance, must soon perish, and in
its stead the dreary sight of snow-drifts alone will meet the eye; but
how pleasing, how invigorating the idea, when while we are gazing
upon a scene of loveliness, that no capricious breeze may suddenly
destroy it, but that from year to year we can still look upon the pic-
ture, blushing at its own loveliness, and apparently never perishing,
but always reproducing.

The garden of the Spaniard was inclosed by a high fenco, that no
vulgar gaze of curiosity might be directed upon its inmates, who were
seldom more than his daughter and two fawns, which, although cap-
tives, had never felt the pangs of captivity, nor knew themselves
prisoners in such a paradise with such a mistress. Here in a spot
which ever sparkled in the unclonded rays of the sun, among myriads
of flowers, from the beautiful coffee-tree to the humblest indigenous
plant, the young Guarica grew up, and, as if taking her nature from
the brightness which continually surrounded her, she was ever vol-
stile and happy. . '

With a thoughtless indifference to futurity, like the birds that sans
around her, she warblod her songs with them, and as the bright an
transparent sky above her, her disposition was ever silvery and un-
elouded. Nature had gifted her with an intellect, energetic and well
arranged in all its faculties; with. this and an inextinguishahle long
ing to drink deep at the crystal fountain of knowledge, and an oppor
tunity of possessing books and time neceessary for reading, she had
accumulated a stock of information without the aid of instruction
from others, which might even compare with those who have had-all ~
the advantages of civilized life.  :

' Guariea, at the time" our tale commences, had just entered the
many age of sixteen, when the dreams of youth are all stamped ,
‘V‘n‘th‘ glowing colors, and when the most somber hues of our dmml
would make a rainbow more vivid/than that. bright one #750th

    

 

:0 ‘ ‘ mooan sum

in the fair skiesot’ Italy. Like her fawns, she run wild in her garden;
and her bl'tfllt harho oi as little care. Care! she had not yet. heard
of that foul fienl which frequents the abode of misery, but seldmn
ventures among th-s eh'ldren of the sun.

In the center of his garden Rodriques had erected on arbor. which
was, characteristic of the luxurious taste of the Spanish. Creeping
vines, which bore flowers of many a charming hue, and exhaled a
thousand delightful odors, completely shaded the bower, and hid those
within from distant view. In this fairy spot, the happiest blending
of the work of nature and of art, the young Gaariea occasionally
retired to dream away the hours with her book. With nothing to fill
her eyes but the beauty around her, and the dark shadows of the
forest, which inspired no other sensation than tla se of pleasure — for
any object of great natural heau'y, however forbiddin: it may ap-
m to others, will invariably excite in our orrasts a song of grst

u e.

One fair summer’s day, Guariea had fallen asleep in her bower
Every thing around had sunk into that calm repose which character
izes a sultry day in southern hemispheres. 'l‘he feathered tribe had
sought the deep shade where they sat silently enjoying the gentle
breeze which scarcely rutlled their downy bosoms. Even the noise
from the fort had ceased, and every thing appeared to partake of
that languor which imperceptibly creeps upon us during the meridian
of a sultry day. As she slept, the high and luxuriant shrubbery
which grew around the arbor was disturbed, and Hernando de Leon
looked in upon the sleeping girl

“ Gentleness and innocence have been symbolized by the image of s
limb, and why not by that of a sleeping woman? ” exclaimed Her-
nando, as he gazed upon that sweet face in its unconscious sleep
She lay with her finely-modeled arm carelessly pressed against the
cushion by her burning,r cheek, and her small white hand protruded
from a profusion of raven hair, which partially hid her face, and
presented a glowing contrast with her skin. Little did the sleeping
girl imagine that the eyes she had been dreaming of ever since they
met her own, were now gazing upon her so eagerly as she lay in the
careless and nntutored attitude of slumber.

A fawn, which had been sleeping near, by the wondrous acutenes
of its auditory nerves, detected a slight noise; it sprang up with a
hleat and licked its mistress’ face, who awoke, and the intruder found
himself standing before the young girl, whose eyes met his enmptured

Me.
8 “ 0h! " she exclaimed,starting up, and the deep tint of her cheek
at. once expanded over her face and neck; “ why did you not wak
me '3 ’ ‘ '

“ I could not, Gaarica," he exclaimed, passionately.

“.ch could not! and why? it needed but a breath or a sligh!
movement— I sleep like thistawn," said she with laughing cam
“Wivquch her'confusion.

 

  

 

 

 

 
 

an new“,

“ It were sinful,” said the lover, in a low tone,-—“ it were almost
a sacrilege to break in upon a repose a.) sweet and calm. I would as
soon think of disturbing the sleep of an invalid utter protracted Watch.
fulness; that sweet sleep was as calm as the ocean with the silrer
moonbeams sleeping upon its bosom.”

“ All of which means that I was sleeping soundly,” she said. at-
tempting to braid back her hair; mmnwhile she broke into a light
and gay song, while her lover knelt down and gazed in her deep
eyes, with mingled admiration and lore, but it was only for a moment
-— she started up, and, placing her hand on his slioulder,‘sai;l, “ O
Hernando, you must leave me; for one will soon be here who must:
not see you—leave mo, I entreat you, and another time we may
meet.”

A cloud passed over the features of the young man, but only for
a moment, and like the wind which brushes over a field of ripe grain,
caused a. momentary shade.

“ For the wealth of Golconda, I would not be the cause of your
receiving an angry look from your flither.”

“ Oh, it is not he -- I can not tell you now; but take this flower,
nourish it in water till it tildes, then come again.”

Hernando took the blushing flower, pressed it fervently to his lips,

‘ and placed it-neur his heart. He arose; lingered at the door; mule
an etl'ort to start, and yet tarried; — he sank again on his knee be-
tbre her; folded her little hand In his; pressed it to his lips, and
hurried out of the arbor.

Through many a cluster of variegated flowers he followed the
serpentine path —— now steeping to pass under the widespread
branches of the fig-tree, which was purple with delicious and fra-
grant fruit—now stooping to pluck some flower, whose vivid and
peculiar tints attracted his eye, or else to catch some of the lazy
ohameleons which, with their green and brown bucks exposed to the
sun, were almost dormant, could be gathered up in handfuls.

In fact, the wildest dreams of fairy scenery could not equal the
Ipot‘ where Hernando now stood— it was a little paradise of itself;
the senses yielded to the luxury strewn upon tea earth, and he felt
its enervating influence. Imperceptibly he sunk into calm and deep
tran uility ~ the charming scenery, the fragrant air. and the beauto
ous uarica all flouttd sweetly through his mind. Every word and
look of the young girl eonvitwtd him o" her love, and with that
certainty upon his soul, he slowly threaded me forest-path which led
to the fort.

 

  

    
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   

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23> _ uni 60mm m.

CHAPTER III

.

THE BXVAL.

A FIENL‘H nuthoress of celebrity says, that “ love is bu! an epiuiii
in the life of man, but that it is the whole life of woman.” Had
she looked deeper into mankind -—— or rather woman/rind — she cer-

\ tainly would not have made that asseition, for the breast of woman
is capable of containing all those nohle passions and sentiments which
make humanity most beautiful, although love is the needle which
constantly guides them through the ocean of life; but in the storm
that sweeps the ocean, they are often thrown out of their regular
track. When they are constrained to lay aside their compass, and
steer with an unflinching courage before the wind, woman can com-
mand a spirit men more expansive than that of the boasted “ lord
of creation."

But it is only during a storm that uonian can bring into requisi-

, tion this otherwise dormant spirit. “'htn the calm arrives, she

/ naturally resorts to llt'l‘ etinpass, for although [ore is not woman’s

“ whole life," affection is as natural to llt'l‘ as it is for a bullet to

rise in quicksilver. Who “(,uld imagine thatthe gentle, the innocent

Guarica,'whnsc disposition was as gay as a bird’s, could lie Cflllnlileof

any thing sterner than love. She h rad e\ ery thing around her, and

in her gayety and happ'nrss appeared to he composed of no human

passions grosser than those which make up the sweetness of affec-

tion. She loved the floaters, she lmttl hrr limits, the birds, and, in

\ tine, every thin},r that name w thin the compass of her existence;

therefore one who had gazed up 11 her rxpiniling charms, till he had

become completely titscinattd, imagined ot‘ course that a large por-’

tion of this low could only to loiton upon himself. With this

gentle and affectionate disposition, joined to a sweet. unconsciousness

of her own loveliness, it is not “under-fol that a. man who had been

encouraged to look upon llt r as his on") rhould feel secure of pos-
sessing her entire regard.

Don Guzman de Herreiro was a Spaniard, with whose haughty
family the father of tiuarica had been intimate in old Spain. it Will
I proud race, partially impoverished by tin-irown pride, but still pure
blood made it of consequence in Rodriqui 8‘ eyes, and he had long ago
promised to mate his daughter with young llerreiro. During Rodi-i
ques’ absence, Guzman had continued his \‘isi’ts to one whom he con
littered his aflianced bride, and it was the presence of this man in be)

home which had impelled Guaricn to send her lover away so early.

 

  

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\ alum: seen an on. . , ,28‘,

.A few hours previous to Hernando’s visit to the garden, the Span-
}ani strolled out to enjoy the picturesque scenery around him. In,
his promenade he drew near the arbor where Guurica usually resort—
ed, to while away the heat of the day. He‘ found her perusing a
work of his native country, and so absorbed was she that she did not
for some time observe the Spaniard standing at her side. His heart
swelled with delight as he gazed upon her youthful countenance. Like'
his countrymen, he imagined that women were made but to submit.

] and that to speak to her of his ardent passion was sufficient to have

it reciprocated, no matter what impediment stood in the way. She
ltarted upon seeing him, and her face slightly reddened, but not as
the Spaniard thought with maiden dit’ridence. He threw himself upon
the cushion by her side, and, taking the book out of her hands, ex-
claimed, upon glancing at its contents :

“ Ah ! Lorenzo Grueiatn ! that author is too grave and moral for
thee; thou art a flower which needs must blush in the sun’s rays —
this book is too shady; thou shouldst trace the bright, the. sunny gay-
ety of Padre de Almeide, whose imuginings are more compatible with
thy disposition —- shall [ procure them for thee ! ”

‘- I have them, sir; butthere are times when we prefer graver sub-
jects, and that time is now.”

“ By heaven ! I did not think a woman capable of comprehending
graver subjects; the light and the gay were mode for wonmn ———come,
cost that volume aside, and listen to what I would say to thee,” and
the Spaniard cost the book among the roses which grew around the
arbor. “ Gum‘icu,” he exclaimed, retaining her hand in his, “ we
have new cast from us the grave and the thoughtful, to indulge in
thoughts more tender; dost thou ever discourse upon iove, Guarica'! ”

“ It is a subject which becomes not one of my age; some year!
must pass over my head before I shall be cnpablc of discoursing upon
that subject Iwould much prefer, senor, to read my book which
you tossed among those flowers -- could you not reach it for me ? "

“ Were I capable of reaching to the top of yonder mil pulmJ
would not," said the Spaniard, and oshadc passed over his features
“ what Wouidst thou with thut cold book, the writings of a man who
would have us live by a code of prescribed laws, which might be
Congeniul to an anchorite, but not to thee? :ome, be gay; why,I
never saw thee so grave; thou certainly has; caught the contagion
from that book."

“I have read the book, and must say, 11 its praise, that it may
be conducive of much good.”

“ Gi .e me that book—I’ll take it home and burn it. Come
Guarica, be gay; thou hast already imported to me a portion of thy
obtuseness; sing me u. song— it has been a long time since 5111
voice gladdened my heart; c‘mst thou not sing '! ” ‘

“ No; I am hoarse from exposure in the night air.”

f‘ Canst not talk guyly with thy bird Voice? " ‘ _

“ ,N‘oLno; Iain Sleepygjt‘ you will learo‘mo will rnp'onypn

this cushion.”

c

 

 

    

5 24" s L um comma nun.

" Indeed. not I. I came to talk with thee, and [will talk with
thee, and if thou art too stubborn to answer me, why. I will do all
the talking myself, and thou shalt listen: it will be something pleu-
ant even to know that thou art listening." I

“ Then talk sensibly, or I will stop my ears.”

“ I will discourse most eloquently upon love.”

“ I will not listen to it from thee.”

“ A21 why not from me ‘3 ”

“ Y7) should not speak to me of love.’ ,

Ihe Spaniard’s eyes flashed tire. For some time he bent his 7
angry eyes upon the ground, and his dark mustaches curled down i
as it‘ he were on the eve of making an angry retort, when remem
bering for what business he had \ isited the arbor, he resolved to z
adopt persuasion.

“ Guarica, dost thou love thy father 7 ”

“ Ah ! indeed, I do,” she exclaimed; “ he is my only parent; my
mother died before I could feel her loss. M y poor young mother! ”

“ And is it not the duty of those who love their parents to obey
them? ”

“ If their commands are within the bounds of reason, then it il
theduty of their children to obey; otherwise it is not justifiable.”

“ And thou wouldst be willing, Guariea, to obey thy father? for
he is a just man, and would not demand of thee that which was not
strictly right —— thou wouhlst be ever ready to please him by com
plying with his slightest wishes 1’ ”

“ I would."

“ It was by thy father’s command, Guariea, that I seek you for I
wife; and it was his request that thou shouldst listen to me.”

“ Am I not listening! If it was his request, I will sit silently
and listen till evening to what you may please to say.”

’ “ Then I will tell thee, Guarica —— since thou art grown up—that
thy father considers thee now of suflicicnt age to marry.”

Guarica started at these ominous words, and an expression of deep
tnxiety crossed her countenance.

“Indeed ! Ican not listen to that subject,” she exclaimed, vehe-
mently; “ my youth, methinks should yet be a barrier to these ad
dresses, especially in the absence of my father.”

“ So, at last, you refuse to obey your father? ”

5‘ It would be impossible for my father to sanction this witheuti
previously apprising me of it.” ~
“ But he dill, lady; I am not in the habit of uttering falsehoods,"
replied the Spaniard, whose anger now begun to break bounds; but
he curbed it, and with all the eloquence he could master, pleaded his

passion. ,

With a spirit as haughty as his own, she spurned his addresses,
and treated his love with disdain. The Spaniard lost all self-control.

Completely thmwn cfi‘ his guard, he rang up, and heaped upon
her  most passionate reproaches, Lutsguarica, with n. spiriteqopl

 

    

 

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A mustn't. lemma. 20 ,-

hhiu own, confronted him, and with an eye keener than his—but
lovely in its fierceness -— she gazed disdainfuliy upon him.

Even the angry Spaniard was struck with surprise at her fearlesl
attitude as she suddenly stepped up to him : her beautiful neck was .
flushed, and her forehead burned with hot crimson. The Spaniard
gazed upon her delicate form, as she drew it up to its greatest
height, and rccoiling from her energetic and quick eye, be rushed
out of the arbor, swearing that no earthly'power should test- net
from him.

' ‘As soon as he had left the arbor, the spirit which had sustained
Gnarica deserted her; she threw herself on the couch, and burst
into a. flood of tears. She strove to compose herself. but she could
not calm the turbulence of her passion; the strength which she had
exerted to sustain herself so firmly before the Spaniard, had (losert-
ed her, and she felt faint and drowsy — she fell upon the couch, and
soon lost all sense of trouble in a deep sleep, where Hernando found

‘ heg‘slumbering, as we have described.

“ at we must follow the angry Spaniard, who walked the garden
for some time in order to regain his composure. He had not gone
far when he discovered the. form of a man, who emerged occasionally
from behind the bushes, but who appeared by his actions to be striv
ing by every means not to be observed by those in the house. Con-
cealed behind the bushes, he watched this man as be advanced
toward the arbor.

With caution he drew close to the spot which he had just left, and
heard the voice of Guarica. His ltl'C‘flSt heaved with a thousand
wild emotions. How changed was that voice since it addressed
him! All its rich music had returned. and like the gay warblingl
of a bird, it rang merrily on his ear.

Like a viper, the Spaniard drew near, till he had a fair view of
the lovers, and their voices in the slightest whispers could be dis-
tinctly heard. With his teeth firmly set, and his eyebrows drawn
over his eyes, and his breast heaving like the ocean in a storm, he
gazed upon the hnp y couple, and little did they imagine that any
thing so deadly to t to bright hopes which gladdened their hearts,
was near them. The Spaniard watched theta with the keen gaze of
envy, and the slightest shade of feeling (lid not pass over Guarica’s
features which he did not see. He was mad with jealousy, for he
now saw that love, which he had imagined had not yet received its
birth in the youthful heart of Guaricu, had arrived to maturity. and
had already been lavished upon one whom he hated above all others.

A glance full of meaning, and of dazzling beauty, may cause
many pleasurable emotions, but that depends altogether upon whom
it is directed; the tell-tale glances which the enraptured Hernando
drank from the lustrous eyes of Guarica were poison to the lurking
Spaniard. and when she pinned the blushing flower over his. breast,
the lurker cursedit, and wished that it had been an asp instead of
a lower. He would have  all he was worthrcould than

 

20' random“ 3m.
secured the death of his rival; still he possessed not suflicient com- "
page. to attempt a deed which he feared might end in the destruction-
ot‘ himself, — for, after all, he was a. coward.
After Hernando had taken his leave, Guzman let} his hiding.
place, and walked toward the house; his rage had settled down to
“ that calmness which is most to be dreaded; for then judgment and
the reasoning faculties are not blinded.

CHAPTER IV.

mm mum’s PLEDGE.
l

THE next day Hernando mounted his charger, and went forth to
the forest. Guarica’s flower had withered, though he had kept its
Item in crystal water all night. He was impatient to hear her voice
again. athirst for the sweet words that told him of her love. As he
galloped through the flu-est, followed by the hounds that had learned
to crouch at Guarica‘s feet and play lovingly with her fawns, a fig-
ure stepped suddenly across his path and seized his horse by the bit;
The horse, restive at feeling a strange hand near his head, made an
attempt to rear, but the Carib savage drew him back to the earth
with a wrench of his strong arm, and, before Hernando could speak,
was looking him gravely in his face.

“ Come with me, stranger, there is a black cloud over this path."

“I am used to danger, chief, as some of your tribe may know,”
said Hernando, smiling, as he touched the. hilt of his sword.

“ Vipers are not killed with weapons like that,” answered the
chief; “ it is with them you have to deal.”

“ Well, what of them‘! I prefer an open foe, like the warriors
of your tribe. You are an enem; to our people, but now and
Itraight forward what other assailant need I fear '! ”

“ We are fees to the Spaniard, but not to you. Come, and I will
show you the snares which white men lay for each other.”

“ But what if this were itself a snare? ”

The Indian drew a knife from his belt, and seizing llernando’tl
hand in his iron grasp, pierced a vein with the point. Applying his
lips to the out, he drew a mouthful of blood and swallowed it. Then
dashing one clenched hand against his broad chest. he exclaimed,
with‘vehemence : '

“ The blood of my pale brother flows here. What Carib ever be-
trayed his own blood '1’ ” ‘ ’

‘ Hernando knew that this was a sacred pledge, and turning to an
mam, with a smile bade him lead on.‘ ' ‘ -- ' i - =

     

    
   
  

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274

THE CYan SWAMP.

v

The Indian did not smile, but his eyes broke into a. blaze of delight,
Ind, with a gesture, he plunged into the forest. '

Some four or five miles from the place of their encounter lay n‘
stretch of swampy land, dark and dismal as stagnant water and the
slimy growth of swamp vegetation could render it. Many a rough
passage and deep gully lay between the broad savannas and thil
dreary spot; but the savage passed them without halting, and Her-
nando followed, though his good steed grew restive with the broken
path. At last they came out on u. precipice which it was impossile
that the horse could descend. . .

“ Leave your beast here— he will be safe,” said the Indian point-E
ing to a footpath which wound like a black serpent down the preci-
pice.

Hernando dismounted, tied his horse to a sapling, and prepared tt
follow his guide on foot. With a step as firm and more rapid than
wild goat‘s, the savage took to the path. llernando followed. With
a fearless and steady step, they Wound their way still on the edge of
the precipice, till the moon had risen, and flung her luxuriant gild-
ing upon every object. They now walked more rapidly, andrsoon
took a southern course, and began to descend. Hernando now un-
derstood where he was going. The continual and monotonous cries

,. of the frogs, and the tall trees with their long festoons of Spanish-

moss—whicll hung over the alluvial bottom, like the curtains of a
funeral pall— indicated sutliciently that they were approximatingmr
had already reached the Cypress Swamp. Many a slimy toad hopped
croaking out: of their way, as they advanced in the swamps. and the
angry scream of some huge “ swamp owl,” as it flapped its broad
wings, and malignantly strapped its bill at them, gave him a hint
that it was time to tread warily in the tracks of his guide, or he
might suddenly he precipitated headlong into the mud and slime, for
they were approaching the interior of the swamp.

After walking for some time, till even the Indian, whose knowl-
edge of that country was unlimited, was constrained to step with ex
treme caution, for fear of sinking into the deceptive mud, they stop-

. The scene 'around bore a terrifying appearance --not one step
further could they advance, without being overwhelmed in mud and
water. As far as the eye could see, by the imperfect light which
penetrated that dismal spot, was but one sickening sight of the green
mud and water, where no human foot could trend without sinking
ten feet or more, to find death at the bottom. -

“ Look upon that spot,” said the savage, pointing with his finger
to a pool of stagnant water; it had the appearance of being deep,
apd a large green frog sit on a broken stump that floated there. with
his gray eyes fixed upon them, and with his hind legs drawn under
him, as if preparing to leap into their faces. Hernando turned his
eyes away from this loathsome sight. “ That spot,” continued the
mugged“ pointing _toward it, “ that spot was to have been my;
white brother’s grave ”  , . . .r z

\ .

 

     

     

19.

THE GOLD“ BELT.

I .

" What!” exclaimed Hernando, recoiling. “ What you say can

not be true. Who could make that spot my grave? Is this a time
for trifling with me, chief? ”

“ It is not, my white brother. I did not bring you here to play
with your feelings, but to save your life. You look at me—you
would inquire what interest I have in saving your life. Listen: it
was a. great many summers ago, when a Carib chief went out to
shcnt leer; he walked all‘ day —-— no deer -— he sat on a log, tired and
hungry; while he sat there. weak and tired, almost asleep, :1 crouch-

. ing panther sprang upon him and bore him to the earth; the Carib
fought hard, for he was fighting for his life, but he was weak and
hungry, and the panther seized him and was hearing him ofl', when
a white man, who heard the noise, came running to the spot. He,
drawing his knife like a true warrior, jumped upon the enraged ani-
mal’s buck, and stabbed him to the heart. The Indian was saved.
The white man had a. warrior’s heart — he took from his wallet some
provisions, which he gave to his starving brother, and bade him eat,
then he walked off. The Carib’s heart swelled, and when the pale
man had disappeared, he fell upon one knee, and called the Great
Spirit to witness, and he swore an oath; he swore in the presence of
that mighty Spirit, to protect all in whom that pale man’s blood flow-
ed ”

“ That man was my father,” interrupted Hernando; “ I have heard
him tell that story many times; and what became of the Carib? ”

“ He stands before you I Now will my pale brother suspect me of
playing with his feelings? But stay. The Carib became a great
chief in his nation, and sat in the councils of Caonabo. He still
hunted in these woods, and as he hunted, three suns ago, sounds
came to his ears, more‘ terrific than the swamp owl‘s, for it was not.
the sound of defiance, but of cowardly murder. Two men advanced:

our brother, who did not wish to be seen, stepped behind a tree.
1: was a big captain of the fort, and a man whom I have seen taking
care of the horses at the fort — a slim-faced Spaniard, with eyes like
a snake‘s; their looks were black, and they talked of murder; your
- brother understood, for he had learned their language in trading with
them; they struck upon the track that we have just passed -—— what
would they in this track, for no game can live here? Your brother
followed them cautiously, and the slim one cursed my white brother,
because he loved a (laughter of the Spaniard whose mother was A
Carib princess, and he swore he should be killed, and hid from his
oomraies in the black heart of the cypress swamp. I left them. and
hunted you — here we are ! "

Hernando was thunderstruck at what he heard; a feeling of hor-
ror pervadedhis frame, as he looked around on that dismal spot.
The tall trees above them bore no other verdure than the rank
Spanish moss. which swept the swamp fur and wide, and the dark

 wrote, with. it. thousand loathsome reptiles, was horrible to
unit . ‘

 

    

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" My brother must keep a sharp eye about him— he must phy
the fox, and if the Spaniards are too strong, send this belt to
Orazimbo, and he will find your brother, who will come toyl/ur
help though he must bring as many warriors as there are leaves on

‘ the trees.”

Hernando took the belt, which glittered richly even in that mur

‘ light; for it Was a. girdle of virgin gold, flexible from its own pl. 1')-
_‘ ty, with a rivulet of burning opal stones, rough emeralds, and nde

gems running through it like a rainbow.
“ It was my mother‘s girdle,” said the chief, while a grim smile
“ Does my!
brother think a Carib would part with that save as the hostage of
good faith? The fair woman who waits for him night and morning

 in the broad hunting-ground, which the Great Spirit paves with his

stars, would cover her thee in shame and never sing more, were tlut
pledge to go unredeemed.”

Hernando took the belt reverently, and placed it in his bosom.

“ It is a noble pledge, and before the blessed lady whom I worship.
shall be right. reverently treasured till we meet again. though heaven
forefend the evil strife you speak of.”

“ It will come,” said the warrior, gravely, “ and when it is upon
you, send the belt to Oruzimbo. He will know where to find your
brother.”

“ How shall I thank you for this noble kindness?” said Hernando,

. deeply moved and reaching forth his hand.

“Your father saved my life,” was the 'simple reply.

“ But that sprang from an impulse of common humanity, while
this has forethought — persistent generosity.”

“ He saved my life—I save yours. Well, let us go.”

With this the warrior turned into the narrow path, and they lei

~ the swamp together.

  

C H A P T E R V.
THE ASSASBINAI‘ION.

THE next. day, as Don Hernando de Leon mounted his horse, I
Inhaltern, whom he had more than once had occasion to reprimand,
came to his bridle-rein and asked humbly what direction he would
take to the hunt. “ A tiger had been tracked to the eastward
toward the Cypress Swamp,” he said, “ and a company of officers

' m already ridden forth. Perhaps the song: would  to join an

sport!” . .

 

 

  

  

 

 

80: can 00mm um. -

At first the young man was tempted to dash his gauntlet in flu :
rufiian’s face, but, on second thought, he answered carelessly : '1

“ By our Lady, it promises brave sport! but which course did my

they take? If I had but a guide now i ’ I 94'

Ah! that is what I was about to utter. Iknow every inch of i 8'”

ground.” '1

“ But you have no horse.” De

“ No animal living can out-travel me, senor.” - V“

i “ Well, well, strike 011' at once. I am all impatience.” ‘ ks;

Directly the two men dashed into the forest. After half an hour
the guide took the very direction which the Carib chief had traveled 83“
with Hernando the day before. When they reached the precipice,

the man pointed out; the narrow path which led downward into the u 3;

swamp. !
“It is somewhere below that the tiger finds a jungle. Hark I ! 1 he’

hear voices.” ‘ he

Hernando listened; a voice certainly sounded from beneath them,
but it was only that of one man, and in the distance recognition wal co'
impossible. 

“ It looks gloomy and dark like a swamp below there; besides, . w]
One can not descend on horseback," he said. dismounting and mm. in
mg toward the edge of the precipice. “ If some of our friend. It
would only come out now and tell what sport the beast promises.” 1“

“ Nay, we must descend before any tidings can he heard,” said
the subaltern, anxiously.

“ Then we will return; this dismal scene beneath has n. forbidding '
.ook, and there is possible sport in the uplands at all timts,” said i
the young man with sunning" inditierrnee, though his glance was
keen and vigilant enough as the guide tollowed close to the preci-
pice, always keeping a few paces behind.

Still, wary us the fox he had been rceommcmled‘to imitate, Her-
nando leaned forward as if to obtain a heltcr View of the dark scone
below. Then the man who lingered lit-hind gathered himself and '
made a leap. Hernando turned suddenly and caught the assassin in
his powerful grasp, thus saving himself from a fall of five hundred
feet.

“Ha, villain !” ,

“ I thought that you were falling, my lord, and leaped forward to ‘
save you,” said the villain, with prompt hlselmod.

“ What. with a dagger in your hand'b- tush now ! ” With a
twist of the arm, he wrenched a poniard from the hand he had
grasped and pushed ‘the wrotch away. “ There, begone! I have
tested you,” he said, with keen scorn.

I “ What do you mean, my lord? a hunter always has his knife
. ready.”

“ And a wise man keeps a sharp eye upon him — out upon you,
hound t— have you no gratitude that I did-not club you- foul bub
over the cliff? " ‘ r z,—

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A-..- uouovu‘ ass;

  

 



a
4

did my life from better hands than a miserable assassin.

 I

  

' 8!
fl Upon my soul— by the blessed Virgin, most worthy sexton“? '

“Tush ! again go tell your employers that I know how to protect
Tell them that
I am resolved not to be thrown into the black heart of the Cypreu

THE ASEASSIN TuWARTED

log 3 Swamp!”

an:
led
ce,
the

  

 

3 bass as a child; nothing but craft could avail him now.

The assassin started back thunderstruck. By what witchcraft had
De Leon got information of his secret? Possessing it, what bcpe
was there for his own life? In that strong grasp he had been help
Hernando held the poniard loosely in his hand while he stood
gazing on the wretch with a scornt‘ul smile on his lip.

“ Poor coward '. ” he said tossing hack the weapon disdainfully,
" your knife soils my hand.”

“ Coward! ” toured the bravo, brandishing the Weapon over his
head, “come on, it' you dare! Coward! what ho! down yonder—-

j he to the rescue ! ”

~which he cost over the clitl‘.

Hernando drew the as yet unused dagger from his belt and, with
cool collected action. advanced steadily on his antagonist, who retreat-
ed backward from the precipice step by step, brandishing his weapon
with the fury of desperation. His \eln-nn-nt gestures and crouching
attempts to spring upon him, bathed llornando for an instant— but
it was only for an instant. Grasping his weapon firmly in the right
hand, while his left arm was lifted to guard against the fierce hinges
which the wretch was making at his face, he advanced on his assailant,
who commenced a retrograde movement, brandishing his sword about:
with desperate trepidation.

As Hernando pressed upon him, he. crouched down to escape the
blade that seemed leaping at his throat. made a spring- on one side,
and fell. The next instant llernando had a hand on his throat and
one knee on his breast. With the strength which intense fright will
sometimes bestow, the. wretch almost threw his antagonist ott‘; but
on the instant his throat was in an iron clutch and the glittering
poniard quivcred above his heart.

The shricks for help which rose from his coward heart were strang-
led in his throat, but his wild eyes. full of awful terror, pleaded
abjectly for life. Hernando drew back his blade to strike the assassin
dead, but dropped his hand in utter loathing of so mean a victim.

The wretch took courage. as he felt the grasp relax on his throatI

1. and shrielted out:

“ 0h, do not kill me — take pity! I am a poor man, unworthy of
your powers Spare me -—- in the name of the blessed Virgin, spare

line!”

Hernando arose and spurned the crown aside with his foot.

“ Keep your base lit'e.” he said, steeping for the nssassin’s dagger _
“ I will not ask who is your employer,
but tell him when I do know his name, it will be to defy and degrade
him to a level with the tool I thrust back upon him with loathing
Hid contempt. Tell him not to tempt my forbearance again“ or,
when I have him by the throat, it- will be his last moment of life."

 
 

. ' \

 

 

  

    

 

82 ' 1m: (20me our.

The bravo answered nothing, but slowly writhing himself fun! a
that relaxed grasp, sprung to his feet, and plunged into the forest. ' "9:

Don Hernando had already mounted his horse and rode away, ,
when the figure of his assailant might haw been seen wending down it
the precipice to the block heart of the Vypress Swamp, where his
employer awaited his onning with keen anxiety. When once together no.
in the gloomy shades, bitter words passed between the two, which
ended in a transfer of gold and. leeper fluttering. be!

“ Well,” said Don Guzman, “ there is one way left. Speak at ""1
once with the Indian whom you told me of; his aim will prove more
certain.” mi

The eyes of the brave kindled. “ Don’t taunt me in that way, “‘
senor. I did my best, but that man has the strength of a fiend ! ”

“ Well, well, he is not good enough for Spanish steel— as flint th
arrow will do the business better. Now back to the fort. My ser-,
vants will swear you have never left it, if any one inquires— but do  '1"
not forget the Indian.” ‘

The bravo slunk nwny eagerly, feeling at the gold in his pocket, ,
and Don Guzman followed at his leisure, returning through the forest ‘ w‘
with horse and hound, as if it had not been a human life he had
failed in hunting down. i

That night two men passed the sentinels, giving the watchword,
and proceeded to the apartments of Don Guzman do Herreiro. One
'was the man who stood with him at the Cypress Swamp; the other.
who flung off a huge cloak and sombrero, proved to be the Carib
chief who had given Hernando his belt.

“It is half an hour past the time, and I began to fear that you
would be late,” he said; “ you look pale.”

“ I did not rest well last night. Did you say I was too late ? ”

“ Oh, no, just in time —- but who comes now ? ” He started, and
his heart began to boot, but seeing only on Indian advancing, he
wwnwm ‘

The savage stalked into the room, and striding up to Guzman, 1‘
mid, “ You sent one of your runners for me — what do you want? ”

“ Take a. seat, chieftain, and I will explain to you in what manner
I wish to engage your services, and for what. purpose. War is your
principal occupation, I believe Y ”

“ When the Carib has an enemy, he kills him: but it is not the
, white man‘s business to pry into our nfl‘airs -— what would you with
me? ” said the savage, in his usual loud and stern voice.

“I would have you kill a white man for me.”

I “ Ha! he! why does not the white men do that himself?" said
the chief, with a gutturnl laugh. I t

" Because I have other affairs to attend to; chieftain do you see
- this ponierd'l it once belonged t) a king; it shall be yours as soul
as you kill him.”

‘6 Ough ! who is the man? ” '
“ They call him Hernando de Leon." - v» v '

'§

rpm B'fi 212:2.

H‘O

 

 

 
 

t_ I regaining his composure, “ I will do it! ” ‘
Guzman muttered, with a smile, “ I then ht the wen u would do ;,
"‘5’: ,, g P0
wn'» - ' . . . .
obi. The Indian did not seem to heed him, but said, briskly, “ To-
the, marrow the chief will demand the king’s knife.”

“ch be, if you are quick uboutiit, I shall add something more. Now y. I
; a i may go.” ,
m" The chief arose, and exclaimed —as a. hideous smile played upon 1
his stern features, which partook both ot‘joy and of exultution—
my, “ By to-morrow morning that pale man shall be safe I "
u ‘ “ Thunk you. good chieftuin. let it be curly,” cried Guzman, and
[int i the chief vanished, but immediately returned and asked :
sen 1 “ Which of you is the cause of his denth ‘I Speak, that the Carib
,do I may know whom to thank for the knife.”
1 “ It is I, chiet'tuln," said Guzman starting up.
mt, The chief fixed his eyes upon his face for a moment, and then,
fit with a writhing smile upon his features, bade him good day.
lad “ I do not like that szu'oge's features,” said Guzman; “ be up-
: poured to treat my noble offer with a. kind of contempt, methought."
rd, “Pooh!” answered the bravo, “ it is natural with the head
pm, chief— they pretend to despise that which above all things they
emf worship; but he is the bravest mun in the nution, and gained his
rib ; station by his indomitable spirit; I sought him because I knew that
5 he would accomplish the business without any quailing; his single
on . word is worth it white man’s oath—hut who comes here? By
heaven ! it is that vilhtin Hernando, as ccrtanly us I breathe; you
_ grow pole—are you sick? let me get you a glass of water, or a
nd loss of— ”
he “ Only a slight faintness come over me — I will seek the cool air.”
Don Guzman slipped out at the back door, and stood trembling-
“. in the passage, but the person who entered proved only 0. brother
n oflicer who hud culled to kill the time which hung heavily on his
er 
m. ,
N ——
n: a
a C II A P T E R VI.
. ‘ run “men’s RETURN.
I At the very time the scene We have described in the last 0113th
w transpiring, a vessel from old Spain put into the principal hare
«hr-o! Hispaniolo, and in it came Don Juan Rodriques, the father

“mm.

   
   
  
 
    
 
  
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
  
 

. The chief started as he uttered that name, and exclaimed quickly

“ It is here, chief, and yours when the mun is dead, and it may ‘

 

 

 

    

I,“ r m comm m1.

of Guarioa, who had been absent as we have said, for monthlh
Old Spain. I

' For the first time in her life, Gunrica had something to conceal,~
and this filled her heart with apprehension when her father appeared

suddenly in his forest home. She remembered how earnestly it:
had befriended Don Guzman, who had so often accompanied him in
their wild wood home; and a vague tear that she had done mi;
in listening to words from another, which site had repelled in him,
Hook possession of her. What if it were all true, and her father had
indeed promised her in marriage to this man ‘.’ Urazimbo had no
.idea of secrecy, and in the frankness of his profound innocence, told
his father every thing, --— that a strange and most noble man had
found out their home while hunting in the woods, and had since
then spent a portion of almost each day reming b00115 “ml Playing
on the lute with Guariea, whose eyes always grew bright when he

came, and who was always talking of his bravery in saving her \

from the fury of his hounds.

ltodriques heard all this with sullen reserve, and before many days.
he rode to the fort and learned that black phase of the story which
Don Guzman had reserved for his ear. “ith true Spanish reserve
he said nothing to his'daughter, for it was his nature to not rather
than threaten or persuade. For years it had been his will that Don
Guzman should he the husband of Guariea, and the very thought of
opposition made the proud blood burn like tire in his heart. He sat
awhile after Guzman had related his grievances, with n. swat-thy red
burning on his forehead.

“ And you saw her alone in the arbor with this young man, saw ‘

her with your own eyes? "
' “I have seen her three times, and she received him as only a
maiden should welcome her betrothed.”

“ Tell me all, did he touch her hand ? "

“ Ay, by my faith, and kiss it too with loud hot kisses, that made ‘

me sick with rage.”
“ And she did not rebuke hint ? "
h “dRebuke him ‘. no, by my knighthood, she gave him the other
an "9
“ Shameless ! ” cried the proud father, rising from his seat, and
treading thc stone floor till his very spurs elanked out his anger,
mnld she has been chary of such favors to thee, her chosen hul-
( ."
“ Nay, ~t‘ I but touch the hem of her robe she shrinks away, and
turns away, as with deadly loathing.”
“ And you saw this without striking the man from chin to heel?
I marvel at it."
Don Rodriqqu clenched his hand, and ground his white teeth bo-
hind his beard.
“ By our Lady, I will bind that young bird safe before another
week endangers the honor of my name ! This comes of her new

 

 
  

   

 

 

 

1

mxosm “venom. , ‘ '

blood, which no power or art em tome. Remember, Don Gum“,

I myypledge is given, and the girl is yours. For this young sparrow».

hawk, I will find jesses that shall fetter him etiectunlly ! ”

“ But that the fiends were against me, I lntd done that already,"
muttered Guzman. ‘

" How? ”

“ Only that I might easily have sent him out of tho wny had I
cared to do it,” slid Guzman, with a. forced laugh.

“ ’l‘hnt were inndeqmte and ignoble revenge. He who would lis-
gmce Rozlriques, must himseif he disgraced.”

“ But. there is a. sure fate on his truck even now.”

“ Again, how '. "

“ A Carib, whom he lms angered, is on his truck, and may have
avenged us with n single blow, llQilH‘C we meet again.”

“ Let him wait, revenge should never be taken greedily, or swat
lowed at u single morsel."

But Gum-icn; while this man lives she will never be mine."

“ Her father says she shall be thine.”

” But while he lives, it will belike holdingu falcon by the jessea,’
said Guzman, coloring under liodriqucs, stern gaze. -

“ This looks like t'eur, Don Guzumn."

\ “ Fear! and to me? Nuy, if I lune not called the man to a
prompt reckoning on the moment of his offence, it. was that [ feared
to carry brawls and tumults into the dwelling of Don llodriquos’ in
his absence. It was only for this reason I let him come-and go un-
questioned.’ '

“ It was Well, and I thank you," said Rodriques, yielding to the
subtle compliment.
shall be no time for greater mischief, now tlmt I have come. When
Guuricn. is thy bride, this youth shall have full chastisement at thy
hands, till then, I will deal with him.”

i“ Better leave him to the Carib,” suid Guzman, with on uneasy
hm h.

“gNay, the Rndriques seeks no savage aid to right his house ;-—-
but new young friend, I will take leave, for these matters must be
thought over cautiously; when my mind is made up, you shall hear
from me again, —- meantime, be silent, it is only fools who gossip of
their wrongs.”

“ Nuy, I have been silent, and cautious from the first.”

The old don smiled il. grim smile that Guzman did not quite like
but he grasped his hand cordially on going forth, and Guzman was
left to a rather uncomfortable solitude.

" No,” he said, muttering to himself, “ revenge is pleasanter
bought than taken; with many thuuks to my future father—in-lnw;
“I may as well trust my Carib friend. [saw that poor wretch in
Hernando’s grasp on the cliff, it must have been very uncomi‘n'tolllot
No. no, revenge is best paid for, 1 want no hawks hovering around ,
the birdie when she is mine. What, ho 1 without there i " g

“ Be prepared for thy prompt espousuls, there I

  

  

  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

/

  

      

‘ “5 m comm me.

The man who had guided Hernando so near to the Cypress Swamp ~
answered this rough call.

“ ()h, it is you; well, who waits i ”

“ No one, senor, the person you expected has not returned, but I
saw him on the edge of the forest to-day, talking with Don llernandc
de Leon.”

“ Ah, did you so E then it is all well; I can wait, good Sebastian,
I can wait, so the thing is done at 121st.”

The man retired, well pleased to know that his own prowess FIE
not to be brought again into active service. The lesson he had re-
ceived on the precipice which overhung the Cypress Swamp, was yet
fresh in his nielnory, and he had no ambition for a renewal of the
service. Once or twice, since that day, he had met Don Hernando,
who passed him with far less notice than he gave to one of the
bounds that followed him to the chase and, to say the truth, the
fellow had shame enough not to desire a second encounter, or a sec-
ond glance of those scornful eyes.

For a marvel,he had spoken truth, when he said that Hernan-
do and the Indian had conversed together on the edge of the forest,
for the chief had waited for him there for hours, and was too impa-
tient of delay to follow his usual cautious pmctice, and follow him
unseen until they got out of sight of the settlement. This was what
passed between them.

“ My white brother is in danger of his life,” were the first words
the chief uttered when they had walked some distance.

“ Ah ! what is going on now 1".” said llvrnamlo.

“ The great wolf of the wiiuerness when he is famishing does not
crave blood so much as that Spaniard —- he dies—I have said it.”

“ Would the panther of the woods stoop to kill a fox -— he is be-
neath the notice of my bold brother.” The savage shook his head.

“ I have said it — go and ask the wolf when he is starving not to
kill the lamb, or the eagle to drop the prey from his claIWS, but now
ask the Carib to change his words." Hernando knew that it was
impossible to prevail upon the savage to revoke his words, but with
a spirit more humane than politic, he said :—

“ He is so frightened at the approach of death that I pity him.”

“ He is unworthy to live,” said the chief, with an expression of
mingled contempt and hatred. “ He is a scorpion, of no use, yet in
full of poison, the sooner he dies the better.”

“ Not so my brother. I pray yOu spare this man. I had him in
my power and let him go free, believe me I have no fear.” ,.

“ But ‘there is another one who wears gold on his bosom and
plumes in his cap, and rides a, horse that goes like the wind. He
ofl'ered me a. king‘s knife to kill you with.”

“ Ay, I knew it must he so, yet I have not one known enemy on
firth; tell me, Arometu, my brother, what is the name of this man? ”

" “ "rometa cannot tell the name, for no one ever spoke it befon

him.

1

._ -hré‘."

    

l
‘i
1

W”

V .,,__......__._.~4

 

 

 

A
l

non ornux murmur. fl

“ And the description is that of so many cavaliers; well, we can
wait, one has pleasanter pursuits than searching for enemies. Good
morning. Arometa.” . I

Two days went by, and still no word of all the evil passions hear-
ing on her destiny reached Guarica, or really disturbed her lover
who had not yet seen Don Itodriques, for he was ever away from
nome.

In the mean time, Don Guzman, between his cowardice and his

’ Wild passion for Guarica, became impatient for the Carib chief to do

his work. It was Wormwood for him to see his rival ride forth no
bravely each morning on his way to that garden bower, which he
had not the courage to enter, for he possessed the bravery of an as-
sassin, not that of a cavalier, and when the Indian delayed to work
out his vile purposes, he at last grew desperate, and bethought him
self of a safer way by which his revenge might be accomplished.
Again he saw Don Rodriques, and with the aid of his creature,
Sebastian, gave him such proof of the treasonable purposes of the
young cavalier in his visits to his Carib children, that the proud
Spaniard took another, and what he deemed honorable course to

avenge the young cavalier’s intrusion on the privacy of his family.

After one of these conversations with Guzman, he went at once to
the governor of the fort, and, from that interview, sprang events
that for a time filled the Spanish community with wonder and excite ‘

. ment.

cuarr’s 11 VII.
THE CHASE OF THE ASSASSIN.

,Amn all the turmoil of evil passion young Love hovered like I
cherub around that garden lawn. Guarica had almost forgotten that
the insolent love of Don Guzman had been forced upon her. He had
disturbed her more than once, but with that arch tact, which is D
charming in the sex; she had evaded his protestations and put him
quite out of her life — and now that her father had returned without
reproaching her, all seemed well.

- Thus, since the lovers first met, days, weeks. and months had run
their course; yet, there was only that change in their feelings, which
marks the first unfolding of the bud, and the full rich bloom of the
flowers. There was no change in the deep azure ot‘,the glowing skies
—no alteration in the green luxuriance of the forest — no falling of
the woods “into the sere—the yellow lea ”— no fast succeeding
Variation from the young floweriness of springtide, to the deep flush

 

    

/

’ THE GOLDEN BELT.

lot gorgeous summer, or thence to the mature but melancholy autumn
-— to the grim tyrant, winter. .

In that delicious island, nature had lavished on the earth, in her
most generous mood, the mingled attributes of every climc and region.
The tender greenery of the young budding leaf was blent at one and
the some moment —ond that moment, as it seemed, eternal —-with
the broad \‘erdant foliage, the smiling bud, the odoriferous and full-
blown flower, the rich fruit might be seen side by side on the some
tree—the same bough. Nothing was there to mark the flight of
time—the gradual advance of the destroyer over that lovely land.
Nothing to warn the charmed spectator that. for him, too, as for the
glowing landscape, maturity but leads to decay— decay which ends
in death! Verily, but it is a paradise for the unthinking. Heaven
Ind emh seemed to join lovingly in making the sweet May of love,
a paradise for those young hearts.

Indeed, no earthly beings could be more happy than the young
Spaniard and his half Indian love. Morn after morn beheld Her-
nando de Leon, threading the pathless forest — now with horse, hem,
and hound, sweeping the tangled thickets, now skit-ring in pursuit
of his fleet falcon, over the watery vryus. and now, with keen, obser-
vant eye, and cat-like pace, wandering, arhalist in hand, in silent search
after the timid deer—but still in one direction, and still with one
' intent, to join the fair Guarica!

Day after day they loitered, side by side, among the cool shade!
of the mighty woods, while the fierce sun was seourging the clear
champaign with intolerable heat; or sat reclined by the cold head

‘ of some streainlct, fuller, to then], of inspiration and-0t love, than were

those fabled founts of Gallant, whence iii-us rose of yore, twin-born,

with the dark Anteros, to greet the eyes of Iainbliehus.
The powerful mind of the young soldier had been cultivated, from
his earliest. youth, to skill, in all those liberal arts and high accom-
lishments, by which the gallant cavaliers of Spain had gained such
onorable eminence above the ruder aristocracy of every other land
—to his hands, no less familiar wore the harp and gittern than the

toledo or the lance; to his well-tutored voice, the high heroic ballads -

of his native land, the plaintive elegies of Moorish Spain, the wild
musical tireytos of the Indian tongue. were equally adapted -— nor did

its accents sound loss joyonsly in the clear hunting holloa, lrss fear- ‘

fully in the shrill war—shout, th it it was off. attuned to the peaceful
cadences of a lady’s lute— his foot firm in the stirrup, whether in
the warliketilt, in the swift race, or in the perilous leap, was no less
graceful in the rapid dance, or agile in the wrestler’s struggle on the
, given-swam.

Hernando was in short, a gentleman of singular accomplishments,
'of n mind well and deeply trained, shrewd, polished, courteous, yet
keen and energetical withnl, and brave as his own trusty weapon.
Like every dweller of a mountain land, he possessed that high and

Tomwtio adoration of the charms of nature, that exquisite apprecio i

H... - _.__.-. A

 

 

 

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run Lori-3m. 39
tion of the picturesque and beautiful -- whet her embodied in the mute
creations of wood and wild and water, or in the animated dwellers of
earth’s surface—which, in the breasts of others, is rather an ac.
quired taste, nurtured by delicate and liberal education, than an in-
tuitive and innate sense.

Handsome, moreover, eloquent and you! g, it would have been no
great marvel had the brightest lady of the proudest Europern court
selected Don Hernando as the ennobled objc< t of afresh heart’s holiest
aspirations. What wonder, then, that tlu untutored Indian girl—
princess although she was, revered almos. to adoration by her own
simple people, secluded, from her earliest childhood, from aught of
mean or low associatitm, rchWl from an I contact with the debase-
ing influences of the corrupt and contamii ating world, secured from
any need of grcveling and sordid labor, vv yluptunus and luxurious as,
the soft. climate of her native isle, yet p1 re as the bright skies that
overhang it— romantic and poetical, as i. Would seem, by necessity
arising from her loaer niuaings,— what wonder that Guarica should
have surrendered, almost on the instant --- Io one who seemed to her
artless fancy, not merely one of a superior mortal. race, but as a god
in wisdom, worth, and beauty —— a heart which had been sought in
lY’ain by the most valiant and most proud of her nation’s young no-

ilit .

His grace, his delicate and courteous bearing—‘9') different from
the coarse wooing of her Carib lovers, who seemed to (annoy that they
were conferring, rather than implorng an honor, when they sougnt her
hand, or the more crafty advances of her father‘s people,— his elo-
quent and glowing conversation — these Would alone have been suf-
ficent to secure the wondering admiration of the forest maiden; but
when to these were added the claim which he now possessed to her
gratitude, by the swift aid which he had home to her when in ex-
tremity of peril, and the respectful earnestness of pure and self-
denying love which he displayed toward her, it would, in truth, have
been well nigh miraculous, had she resisted the hnprcssion of her

~ youthful fancy.

Nor were these unions between the dusky maidens of the west,
and the hidalgos of Old Spain, by any means unfrequent or surpris-

,ing among the earliest of those bold adventurers who had been sharers

—in his first and second voyages -— ot' the great toils and mighty
perils which had been undergone by that wise navigator, who, in the
quaint parlance of the day, gave a new world to Leon and Castilc.

On the contrary, it was rather the policy of that great and good
discoverer, who, in almost all his dealings with the rude natives,
showed higher sentiments of justice and of honor than could hove

n expected from the fierce and turbulent age in which he lived -—
to encourage such permanent and indissoluble alliance! between the
best and bravest of his own followers and the daughters of the
fluiques and nobles of the land, as would assuredly tend, more than
my other means, to bind, in real amity, the ju‘ring races brought
into close and intimate contact by his discoveries and conquests.

 

  

    

THE GOLDEN BELT.

Them was therefore not any thing to (later Gun-Tea from lavish-
ing her heart's gem on the‘handsmnc cavaiit r who had‘s’o singular-
ly introduced himselt' to her fiuor,nnd who,’so eagerly —» my, de-
votcdly— followed up that chance-termed acquaintance. lit-sides,
Guarica was half Spanish,a1rl a princess in right of the living sav-
age blood, that gave her the lot‘tirst type of beauty, and her intel-
ect had received such culture, that Queen Isabella herstlt’ need not
have Scorned the maiden for a companion.

For several months, despite the ancient adage, the. course of true
ovc did, in their case, run smooth. No day, llo\’.‘0‘.‘cr stormy — for
heavy falls of rain, accompanied by sudden gusts of wind, with
thunder-claps, and the broad fearful lightning ot' the tropics, were,
by no means, unt‘rcqucnt—prewnted the adventurous lover from
threading the tangled brake, scaling the steep precipitous ascent,
fording the swollen river, straight as the bird hits to his distant
nest. No turn of duty hindered him — the task performed -— from
hurrying through the hot glare of noon,or through the moonless
night, to visit his beloved.

At first, his well-known order in the chase, accounted to his com-

rades for his protracth and continual absences from their assemblies,
whether convened for Woodland sports, or wild adrenturc— but.
when it was observed that, though he never went abroad SM'E with
the hawk and bound, or arbalist and bird-bolts, he brooked, no
longer, any comrade in his Sportive labors — that. though renowned
above all his compecrs for skill and courage in the mimicry of war,
he often now rcturuod,jaded, indeed, and oven-spent with toil, but
either altogether empty-handed, or, at least, so ill-prot'it'led with the
objects of his unwearying pursuit, that it was utterly impossible to
suppose that a hunter, so renowned, could hare, indeed, spent so
much toil and time, all to so little purpose.
‘ “ This, for a short space, the point of many a light jest, many a
merry surmise, gradually grew to be the subject ot‘ grave wonder
and deliberation; for it was now remarked by all. even by his su-
periors, that llernando— who, of yore, had been the keenest volun-
teer to otl'cr— nay, to urge his services, when any foray was pro-
posed against the daring tribe of t'aonabo, the bold cacitluc of the
Caribs, who now alono,'ot’ the live hereditary t‘nonarchs, who held
sway in if aniola, dared to wage war against the white invader of
his native titstucsses— no longer sought to be employed on such occa-
sions —— nay ! that he even had refused, as it appeared to those who
had solicited his aid, on slight and feigned excuses, to join their per»
iloua excursions. ,

Whispers increased among his comrades, and, erc long, grew to
be dark murmurs—rumor said that no hunter ever saw the form
,of Don Hernando backing his fiery Andalusian, or heard the furious
bay of his stanch blood-hounds in any of those haunts where strayed
most frequently, and in the greatest plenty. the quarry which he
feigned to chase—fame said and for once truly, that though the

 

 

 

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mil-move noonmines. {Y
but mate of the Spuniurds hud been urged, by curiosity, to play
the spy upon his movements, their utmost skill had availed nothing!
that whether in broad day, or in the noon of night, they never ’ ‘
could keep him in view beyond the margin of one belt or‘ forest land;
or track the foot-prints of his eharger— although the soil was deep
and loamy—into its (lurk recesses! that, in wlmtever course he
turned his horse’s head, or bent his footsteps, on depurting from the
fortress of his friends. he ever reached, by devious turns and secret
byvpaths, that same almost impenetrable thicket. uni there vanished
[t wus an age of eredulous fear—of dark iilll.ltLi(',:ll superstition
lie, who a few short months before had been the idol of his country i

/ men, the soul of their convivial meetings, the foremost and the
blithest in their bold hunting-mutehes, the best lance in their l'omya,
was now the object of distrust, of doubt, of ucfiual fear, and almost
actual hatred. ‘

Some said that he had cast by his allegiance to his country and
his king — that he had “(added with an Indian girl, and joined him-
self to her people, heart and hand—that he kept up this hollow
show of mnity with his betrayed, forsaken countrymen. only um
he might gain some sure and fatal opportunity of yielding them, at
once, to the implacable resentment of the Carib Caonabo.

Others, more oredulous still, nwrrod, in secret, that he had
leagued himself— more desperately yet, and yet more guiltily -—with
creatures of another world ! — that mystic sounds, and voices, not
as of human beings, lmd been hourd by the neighbors of his but-ruck.
chamber ! and one —- he who lmd scouted him the farthest and most
closely —swore that, on more than one occasion, he hud beheld a
grim and dusky l'orm rise suddenly, us if from out the earth, and
join him in the wildest of those woodlands, through which he loved
to wander.

Thus did the time puss onword ——- llermmdo and Gum-ica becom
ing, every day, more thud and more confiding, and, if that could be,
more insrp n'able — and at the same time, suspicion, enmity, distrust.
becoming more and more apparent at ever v hour, between him and
his Spanish kinsmon.

“ It will be but, a little while,“ he said. one lovely evening as
they sat by the verge of their favorite strezunlet, with the cold round
moon soaring slowly through the immeasurable azure, and the drm.
rustling gently on the rich lidinge, “it will be but a little while,
beloved, before the good and great Columbus will return, and
then, then, sweet one, there shall he an end to all your doubts,
anxieties, und fours. lie is the best, the noblest, the most just of
men - he is my friend, too, and a tried one. He once returned -
I will ax ow to him my love for my Guarica; his Consent it is meet

‘ -that we should haw, before our union—and of it, l am certain!

~_ Then—then, thou. shalt be mine forever—mine in the light of

__ ~lleaven and all its angels l " ‘

V ." But my father. he has retiu'ncd— what if he frown upon ell

v: flail?" said Gwica. ’

 

      

m now an.

“ Nay, he shall not. I, like himself, nm of good lineage— 3nd

ma speedily expect preferment from the queen —- have no fear.”
ut Gum-ion was thinking of Don Guzman, the unwelcome suitor,
whom she had n'ever found courage to mention to her lover.

“ Why so sud, my Guerrieu it Do you not love me? ” said Her-
nando, remarking her sadness.

“ My own Hernando ! ” was her sole answer—for her heart
swelled as she spoke, and her soul was too full for words, and two

3 large diamond tours collected slowly on the long silky fringes of he!
eyelids, und hanging there like dew-drops on the violet’s petals, slid
slowly down her soft cheeks.

“ Tears ——- tears, Gum-ion? ’ ’ cried the lover, lutlf—rept‘oachfully '._
“ and wherefore? Can it he -—oan it. be tlmt thou doubtest me 1 —
me, who never naked the slightest freedom — never assayed the
smallest and most innocent fumiliurity — me, who would rather die
—die, not on earth only, but for all eternity —- thun call up one
chaste blush upon those mniden eheeks— than wake one doubt in
that pure heart- than print one stain upon the whiteness of that
virgin mind ! (,‘on it be ” —-

“ No ! no i " exclaimed the girl, panting with eagerness to inter-
rupt him, for he had spoken, hitherto, with such impetuous haste,
that she had vainly sought to answer him. “ No! no! Sooner
could I doubt Heaven than thee, Hernando. They were tours not
of sorrow, nor of doubt —but of pure joy ! I know thou art. the
very soul of honor «I know thou wouldst ask nothing of thy
Guorieu, that it would not be her pride, her joy, her duty, to bestow.
It was but joy, deur, deur llernundo, to think that we so soon should
be united, beyond the power of mun to purt us.”

Even as she spoke, while her cheek almost touched the face of her

onng lover, for, in the intense excitement of the moment, she had
leaned forward, clamping llornundo’s hand in both her own, a. sharp.
keen twung, mixed with’u clash us if of steel, wus hem-d behind
them—n long dork streak seemed to glance through the mva
space between their heads with a. loud whining sound, and on the
instant a bolt or arrow stood quivering, buried almost to the feather,
in the stem of a. palm—tree opposite.

To spring upon his feet, to whirl his long two-edged toledo from '

the seabbnrd - to dash, with a loud shout, into the thicket, calling
upon his trusty hounds, which, quite unconscious of the vicinity of
any peril, were slumberingI at Gunricu’s feet, to whom they had be-
come familiar guurdiuns— was but on instant’s work to the young
and fiery hidulgo. For, :it the least, ten minutes’ space he was ab‘
sent from the Indian nmiden, who, trembling with uppi'tixension for
the safety of him whom she had learned to love for more than lifl
itself, with every tinge of color bunishcd by mortal terror from her
features, awaited his return. .

With every sensc on the alert, eye, our, and. spirit, on the watch.
aha stood in terrible excitement. She heard him crashing through

  

 

 

 

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the tangled brake, she heard his loud voice cheering the eager blood-
hound: to track out the footsteps of his hidch foeman, but no bay
of the sngacious animals, no clash of steel, or answering defiance fell
on her anxious ear. Ills search was rain—his anxious labor fruit
1933-110 fraying of the interlaced and thorny hranches' showed
where the dastardly assassin had forced a passage for his )‘ttrenting
footsteps — no print in the clayey soil revealed where he had trodden

-and, stranger yet. the keen scant. of the sagacious dogs detected
not the slightest taint upon the earth, or on the deity herbage, al- ’

though they quested to and fro, three hundred yards, at least, in
circuit, around the tree wherein the well-aimed arrow stood— meet
evidence of the umrderer’s intcnt.
Hernando returned, balked and disappointed, to Gum-ion, big drops
of icy perspiration Standing on his high, clear forehead, and his whole
frame trembling with the agitation of strong excitement.
“ By my patron saint,” he excluimed, as he returned to her, “ this
is most nun-velous‘. there is not, nor hath been, within two hundred
yards of us. a human being since we hme sat here— if I may trust
on mine own eyes, or, what is truer far, the scent of my good hounds! '
Yet here," he added, as he tore, from the stem of the tall palm-tree, -
the short massive holt. with its flair-cornered lmrhcd steel head,
“ here is the evidence, that one — and that, too, a Spaniard— hath
been, or now is close hesidc us. (Rune, dearest, conic, let us leave
this perilous spot. By Heaven! but it is strange! "
In silence—tor the girl was too full of terror—the cavalier of
dark and anxious thought, to enter into any eonvcrso— he led her
homeward. Across the bright sarannah gleaming in the xnouilight,
they reached rapidly the portioo of her loved home —- and there, alter
'lt tender parting, Hernando Vaulted into the saddle of his fiery
Andalusian —-whistled his faithful bloodhoundsto his heel, and dash-
ed away, at a furious gallop, toward the fortress cf his unfriendly
countrymen.

’ linger still to discover, if so it might be, something of him who
'had so ruthlessly aimed the murderch shaft that night, Hernando
rode directly to the spot where he had sat with Guarica when the fell
missile was discharged — he saw the grass hetraying, by its bruised
and prostrate hladcs, the very spot on which they had been sitting ---
but all was still and lonely. Onward he went across the Very ground
which he had searched so carefully, scarce half an hour beflire,
and ere he had traversed fifty paces, both bloodhounds challenged
fiercely.

(‘alling them instantly to heel, the cavalier alighted, hound his hot

n {0' ' Var-horse to a tree, and eagerly scanned the soil. At the first glance,

I ll“
i he?

3 tell. V

on;

deep printed in the yielding mold, hc found the clear print of a
lpanish busltin. furnished with a long knightly spur. To follow the
trace backward was his first, impulse, and scarce three minutes Were
consumed, before he had tracked it to a. tall and shadowy oak, the
bark of which, scarred and thfaced, showed that some person had "
not long before both climbed it and descended. '

 

   
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   

’ charger, trapped and housed richly with the same colors, was retiro

m GOLD” ,m'r.

“ Ha! " he exclaimed, striking his breast with his clenched haul
" ha! idiot that I was, who thought not of this. It matters not, how
ever; for right soon will I have him! Forward, good hounds,” he
added, “ forward, hark. Halloa, ho! Hark, litr'a’ard'. ” and (he
vexed woodlands rang to the tremendous buying of the deep-iiwuthed
dogs, and the hard gallop of the hunter. They reached the open
ground, a league of forest having been already passed, and the hounds,
for a moment, were at fault. ,

Springing again to earth, Hernando easily discovered by the print!
in the soil, that here the fugitive had taken horse, having, it would
seem, left his charger under the keeping of a menial, while prosecuta
ing his tbul enterprise. For, henceforth, two broad horse-track!
might be seen running distinctly over the bare savannah, homewurd.

Layingr the hounds upon the horse-track, the cavalier again re-
monnted, and the fresh dew aiding the scent, away they drove at a
pace almost unexampled, throu ,rh brake and bush, over the open plain,
athwart the murky covert— hill and hollow vanished beneath their
fiery speed— rock and true glanced by and disappeared, so furious
was their paecr— the deepest torrmt barred him not, nor the most
perilous leap deterred him- for the most fiery, the most constant,
the most pervading of all human passions—deadly revenge was
burning his heart's core, turning the healthful currents of his blood
to streams of fiery lava.

The deadest hour of night had long been passed already, when he
dashed forth upon that. desperate race—the pale, cold light of
morning was streaming, broad but still,over the palisaded ditch and
mooted ramparts of the Spanish fortress, when Don Hernando de
Leon pulled up his foaming stood before the drawbridgc.

Early, however, and untimely as was the hour, men were abroad
already —-a mountel serritor, in liveries ot' lsabel and silver. rid-
ing a coal—black jennet, and leading, by the hrille-rein, a tall by

ing from the gates, which were jus‘vclosing, toward the barrackvstables.

Toward this steed. jrled and spent with toil, and all embossed
with sweit and finial-flakes, and galled and bleeding at the flanks
from cruel and incessant spurring, the savage blooilhounds. still in
full cry, dashed, without stint or check, and would have pulled the 7
bay horse down, had not the stern Voice of their master checked?
them. He rode up to the groom, and in adcap voice, calm, slow .
and perfectly unmoved, demanded:

“ Whose charger? "

Without reply, the servitor was hastening away, when he asked
once again, in tiercer tones, drawing his dagger as he spoke.

“ Whose charger, dog‘! Speak, or thou diest ! Whose charger.
and who hath now dismouan from him? Not thatl need thy
voice to tell me what I already know. but that I choose to hear my
knowledge continued by human words. Whose charger? "

“Don Guzman do lIerrcrior's,” replied the faltering menial
" He hath even now gone in -- the bridge is not yet lifted.”

 

  

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45

   

I'HI (LUKE UKRAINE).

“ Excellent well 2 ” replied the cavalier -— “ excellent well min.
Incient comrade—excellent well! my fellow-soldier, whose life I
have thrice saved —once from the Moors, amid the mOuntain glen:
of Malaga—encc from the sert‘, among the dread Antilles—and
once here in this isle of llispaniolia. from the envenomed arrow of
the Carib. Excellent well, Don Guzman i”

In the mean time, dismounting at the gates. he gave his charge:
And his hoands to the care of a favorite domestic, who awaited him;
and with a firm, slow step, crossing the draw-bridge, stopped, tRJr A
moment, to address the sentinel.

“ So 1 ” he said, “ old Gaspcr -— thou kcepest good watch — when
went Don Guzman forth '! ”

“ After we set the watch yesterene, fair sir ! ” replied the old
Castilim, presenting, as he spoke, his partisan. “ Now I bethink
me, it was scarce the minutes after thou, didst ride forth into the
forest 2 ”

“ And he hath now returned ? ”

“ But now ! ”

No further words were interchanged — the young knight slowly
passed across the court-yard, (entered the vaulted passage which led
toward the chambers of Don Guzman—paused at the door, and
without one Word, struck on the panel one strong blow —a stern
voice from within cried, “Enter!” and he did enter, and closed
the door behind him, and locked and double-looked it, and though
strange sounds were heard, and fearful voices, above three hours
passed ere any one come forth I '

CHAPTER VIII.
armsoxnn.

THE whole of the day, on which Hernando de Leon returned from
his nocturnal chase, passed gloomily --no eye of sentinel or wardcr
beheld Don Guzman de Herreiro, nor was he present at. the hull
wherein his comrades feasted.

Hernando, on the contrary, far from his wontctl temper. was there,
the gayest of the gay —- his repartee the keencst, yet most polished;
his laugh the merriest; his song the must entrancing. Men who
had known him for long years; who had fought by his slit: in the
wild forays with the Saracens of bright Granada, and in the scarce
lens desperate encmnters of the tameless Caribs—mcn who had
borne all perils of the sea, the wilderneSs, and, worse than all, tho

I

‘ Mar-house with him—men who had feasted atthe joviaiboard,

h

 

‘“ run cows: Bar.

1
nd drained the wassail cup, for years, with him -— now marveled!
They felt as though there Were a something in his manner which they
had never known before -— a melancholy in the merrimcnt, yet min-
gled with a recklessness, which bullied their sagacity— a deep, ro»
mautic sentiment—an all-pervading tone of profound thought in
his lightest converse— blent with an air of strange abstraction —a
breaking off from graver subjects, and plunging into bursts of wild
and furious mirth—and then again, a softening of the mirth into
the sweetest and the saddest touches of imagination that poet ever
dreamed or minstrel sung.

Thus passed the evening meal; and when the comrades parted,‘
the souls of many who had felt estranged, thcy scarce knew why,
from the youngr cavalier, yearned to partake again his high and gen-
erous friendship— they grasped his hand more warmly than they
had done for months, although their present hindliness was in no
less degree unmeaning, than had been their suspicion and distrust.

Gayly they parted; with many merry comments on the unwouted
absence of Don Guzman, and many a jocular conjecture us to the
cause of his feigned illness— for, when the trumpets had rung forth
their gladscme pool of invitation to the festive board, the scneschal
had borne to the presiding ullicer his courteous greetings, and re-
grets that he was ill at ease, and might not, for that day, participate
in their accustomed revelries.

As Don Hernando was retiring to his chamber, an old veteran,
one of those retainers of a noble house who sometimes form all the
real nobility that is left to it, came respectfully toward him and
placed a small roll of vellum in his hand. Hernando tore the silken
cord that bound it, and uni-oiling the missire, read it by the light
of a silver sconce that burned against the wall. ‘ It Vas a note from
Don Guzman, and after the usuul tormalhies. contained the follow-
ing '

“ You have challenged me to mortal combat. I claim the privi-
lege of the challenged party as to time and place. Being ill in bod-
ily health, I must claim the delay of three days; then I will meet
you at. any place you may appoint, so that it be away from the fort.
Gummy m; llnnnmno.”

Hernando read the cartel with a flushed brow and compressed lip,
“ Is the man a Coward ‘! ” he muttered; “ well, it will be a long
three days to wait; but — ” remembering all at once that the he“
shot the note stood hy,he spoke aloud : “ 'l‘cll Den Guzman do Her-
reiro that I am at his service, and shall wait his pleasure. To
niorrow his cartel shall be answered in form.”

The man bent low and retired without a word. Hernando was ill
at ease and had no desire to go to sleep, so he went forth into the night,
md, thoughtless ot‘ the danger, walked toward the forest. As he
moved, a. shadow seemed following him. It was the Carib clue!
who kept a silent guard over him.

   

  

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“ How strange is that man’s character,” mused Hernando, “ bo-
oause my father by mere chance saved his life, he stands ready .to
take Away the life of his follow-beings, in order to express his gratitude
to the son of that man, for a deed that transpired when that son
was a mere child ! And the tenacity with which he clings to n. res-
olution l A white man may make a thousand idle promises, and
they ore forgotten, but an Indian attaches the greatest importance to
every Word which he utters, for he uses few words in conveying hi
thoughts, and does not take the trouble of thinking unless necessary
— it is a strange nation, and none more strange than my friend, the
chief, who would probably still be my friend, even if I were his bit-'
tel-est enemy.”

With such thoughts as these, Hernando walked leisurely toward
the town; it was a bright moonlight evening; he stood upon the hill'
Overlooking the town. and stopped to gaze upon it; all had sunkto
silence, for the inhabitants hrl retired to rest, and the stillness had
something solemn in it. So he still felt inclined to tarry a moment,
and look upon the beautiful spot beneath him. “ Upon that spot,”
he exclaimed, looking toward the home of Rodriques, “ are centered
all my hopes and, perhaps, all my despair-— that one spot contains
all which I wish to possess on earth, and still beautiful and valuable
as it is, she is a diamond in the midst of it."

A sudden cry attracted his attention, and a. number of Spanish sol
diet-s rushed upon him; he had no arms, but with his large knife he
kept them at bay, although they were armed with guns and pistolets.

“ Charge, men; what! are you sleeping? or afraid of a single
arm? Shame ! charge upon him; but save his life.” v

The soldiers, ashamed of helmr diseonn‘ited by one man. rushed
upon Hernando, but instantly a figure leaped from the undergrowth
Ind the foremost and rashest soldier fell; another flash of the knife
and a second uttered his death-cry. More lives would have been the
cost of that hour's work, but Hernando dashed the (,‘nrih‘s knife aside.
and hesought him to flee, for, whatever the pretence might be, that;
were officers and soldiers from the fort, and resistance was treason.

As he spoke, the savage drew slowly back and disappeared crest-
fallen and rebuked, liken faithful dog who feels that he has been over;
oflicious. Without waiting to demand the reason of his arrest, the
young knight went with his captors to the fort.

The officer who had command of the soldiers conducted him to a
room partially under ground, where persons under arrest were usually
confined; there he was left for the night.having no idea of the rea-
son of his imprisonment, and only uinlerstaiiding with vague indigo
nation that his enemy Don Guzman was at the bottom of it all.

When morning came, the door of llernnndo‘s cell was opened, and '
I file of soldiers stood ready to conduct him for th to the court-martial
which had been promptly convened. For in a new settlement like

, that of [lispaniola, the Spaniards found their only sure protection in
, military

law. whichthcn as now is feanfully prompt in its awn-id .
“other freedom. . 4 .

- »

 

 

(8 ms GOLDEN new.

The oflicer on guard gave him a. brief intimation of the trial he
might expect, as they passed down the corridors of the fort, and when
he entered the large stone hall, where the court was convened, he saw
the imposing preparations made without surprise. The hall wan
guarded by a cordon of soldiers, through which he passed to a plat-
t‘orm raised at the upper end. On this platform sat a band of su-
perior otheers dressed in full uniform, and, prominent among them.
he saw the commander ot’ Isabella, whose grave look was fixed upon
him as he entered. -

“ My lord," said the prisoner, advancing to the platform with the
high martial grace which was peculiar to him.-— “ my lord, why is it
that a Sptiiish cavalier is waylaitl on his evening ramble, and confin<
ad like a common felon over night, and then brought to your pres~
ence under guard as if guilty of some capital offence? ”

The commander bent his head with grave courtesy, and replied,
" Don Hernando do Leon. you are charged with a grave otfense
against your countrymen and against the laws which bind ustogeth.
er.

“ What ofiense, your excellency, and who are my accusers? ”

“ You are charged with holding treasouable intercourse with our
enemies. the Caribs, with designs against the settlement of lsabella,
and with plotting against the lives of your fellow-officers and country-
men."

“ It is a foul slander ! " cried the young cavalier, drawing the glove
from his liand,-—“ a black calumny, for which I hold the author ac-
countable at the sword's point the moment this hand is free to wield
good Spanish steel.”

“ Put up your gauntlet, Don Hernando de Leon,” said the president.
with a halt‘ smile: " a charge like this is not to be disposed of by sin-
gle combat. It is treason against. your sovereign and your country
men."

Don Hernando bowed to the mild rebuke, and answered with pro
hand respect, “I submit, your excelleney. Now let my accuser
come forward."

He looked around as he spoke‘ but instead of Don Guzman, whom
he’ expected to see, a tall and elderly man came forward, whom he
recognized at once as the father of Guariea. The color flushed to
his forehead. Was this the way in which they were first to meet -
as bitter enemies? The thought made his heart swell, and his lip
quivered with sudden pain.

“ Don Juan Rout-ioues, have you brought witnesses to sustain the
charge made against the cavalier De Leon, whom you see a prisoner
before us '! ” said the governor.

Pen J nun stepped close to the dais and answered in a clearI cold
V0109, that seemed coming through ice, “ Your cxeelleney. l have
brought witnesses, and hold myself responsible to make good the
Chris that have been registered against this young man..th
face" “it '

Me‘hardly seen to recognize before. and of: whose history till ’

now I am ignoranu

    

 

 

   

me count mam». (I

” I have witnesses to prove that during my absence from thejo-
land, this young man has intruded himself into my dwelling, where '
it is known to your excellency resides my only son, a Carib by the
half blood and the rightful encique of all the Indian tribes in this
island—a prince whose destiny it may be to unite the natives of
this country in perpetual :iniity with the cavaliers of Old Spain.

“ lie is the heir to 8. house which boasts the best blood of Castilo

I In my own person, and, on his mother’s side, is lord of all the Carib
tribes now divided under his rule and that of his false kinsman
Cuonobo. I speak thus of my son‘s condition, not from vain boasting,
.but to reveal how the power rested in him was to be used to the do
'struetion of Fort Isabella. ()razimbo is but now beginning to feel
the first ardent impulses of manhood. I have reared him with great
care hurtingr his savage nature to its brave instincts, that he may be
strong to defend his own rights and Control his mother’s people—
still subduing the gentle blood that mingles with its fiery might into
'such subordination as will make Orazinibo and the tribes that owe—
him obedience, the faithful allies of Christopher Columbus, and those
brave Spaniards who have followed that great man’s fortunes acres!
the ocean.

“ It was in this hopeful condition I left Orazimbo. The Carib
tribes that have always scorned the rule of Cooano, and owned
Orazimho as their chief, Were friendly to the Spaniards, and of
permeable intent. During the boyhood of ()raziinbo, Arometn, a
warrior of rank, second only to Cuoiioho, and who was one of the
council of that audacious usui-per till his ambition grew lnutinous,
has maintained my son‘s authority among a majority of the ('urib
tribes, while Cuonobo, driien to the iiistnesses ot'thc mountains,
held authority over the fiercest of the tribes by his prowess as a
warrior alone.

“ Through this warrior Arontetn, the prisoner has most cunningly
brought a inalign influence to bear on my son. It is known that
Cuouobo meditates an attack on Fort Isabella. The object of the
prisoner was to induce ()raziniho to make his first battle by the side
of his false uncle, and having once conquered the fort. and put its
commander and oflicers to the sword, to unite in one body and pro-
claim hiniself— the prisoner— governor of Isabella. It was a

1 wicked plot craftin carried out —— so craftin that my son. who in his
frank nature suspected no guile might have been influencel lo accept

' this treason but for my unexpected return.

“ '1 his, my lord. is the charge which I bring :lgiinst Don Hernan—
do (he Leon, the prison-1'. NowI nuke room for the witness who
overheard these tremon-tble overtures both to my son ()l'ilzilllbo and
Ins counselor Aronieta."

The governor bent his head as Don Juan stepped from before thn
dais and motioned To a man, who stood near the door to advance

The witness came forward with a sort of brazen assurance, which
mks bu’t ill the his honesty; be kept his eyes resolutely turuodfroh

 

 

THE GELDEN BELT.

tln prisoner who, with deep indignation, recognized Sebastian, the
wretoh whose life he had spared in the Cypress Swamp.

“Chen called upon to speak, this man swore that he had been often
at the residence of Don Juan itodriques, having ridden there fren
‘quently as an escort to the prisoner, but oftener still had taken
messages to Arometa, a Carib chief, and letters to Orazinibo. That
in, letters had been intrusted to him by the prisoner time and again,
but after the first, he became suspicious from the strange caution of the
prisoner, and opening these Inissivcs, found their contents so full of
treasonable matter, that he rtsolv ed to take but never deliver them.
Alter that many letters, still more boldly developing a fearful plot tot
unite all the Caribs, during the absence of Columbus, and take pos-
session of Isabella, of which the prisoner was to be made commander,
Were placed in his hands for delivery, but after mastering their con-
tents, he invariably destroyed them. ‘

Here an otl'icer of the court inquired if no one of those treasonable
letters had been preserved.

No; the witness had feared to keep them a moment. lest he himself
should he considered an accomplice; nor had he dared to mention them
till since the return of Don Rodriques. On being questioned closely,
this man confirmed all he had been saying with many plausible trifles.
which had their weight with the court. He swore positively to hav-
ing read in De Leon’s handwriting, a proposal for surprising the
Spanish garrison and putting its oilicers to death. He also swore to
a strange and most unnatural intimacy existing between the prisoner
and an Indian by the name of Aronieta, who had been several times
within the very walls of the fortress in disguise, and who had been

' seen again and again plotting with him in the forest, where the pri.
oner went day after day with horse and bound, but never brought
bird or deer back to Fort Isabella. In confirniatieu of this, the wit«
ness lit-sought the court to question the soldiers who had seen their com-
Hides-full dead beneath the blows of this very Carib on the night of
De Leon’s arrest.

After this man withdrew. other witnesses were brought forward,
corroborating his evidence by many suspicious circumstances. Even
tho ofiicers of the fort remembered their old suspicions of the prisoner
and the rumors to which his strange conduct had given currency,
and thus innocently joined with his accuser-s. Hernando himself was
astonished at the array of evidence lu'oug‘ht against him, for truth
and falsehood had been interwm'en with such crafty skill that it seem t
ed impassible ever to disentangle the right from the wronv. ‘

When the evidence was all in, Don Hernando was permitted to
[peak in his own behalf.

“ I am charged,” he said, “ with plotting treason with a young
'1!le- whose evidence, if it continued that already before the court,
would prove my guilt beyond a question. Why is that young chief
absent 1’ I de'nmid his examination. It is not even hinted that he

listened to my alleged re 1 and there is no reason why he show!
not be examined.” p m ’

    

;
i
i
[

   

, mflly against the door.

run Iowa or com. 6!

The governor looked inquiringly at Don Rodriquez.

“ This is an oversight, senor," he said, “ the principal witness
Ihould not have been wanting in 21 case of so much importance.”

“ Urazimbo is in the mountains; a messenger might search for him
in vain,” said Rodriqucs, frowning heavily; “ but surely the evidence
already before the court is sufficient to prove the lilackest treason."

The governor bent his brow and answered nothing, save that the
trial must be delayed till young Ortizimbo could he found — a. emit.
sion that filled Don Guzman with vindictive wrath when he heard it,
for he knew that an acquittal must follow the appearance of ()ruzimhu. .
if confronted with the man whose evidence he had so carefully prepur‘

C H A P T E R Ix.
rm: “on
Don Hans/moo, with more show of respect than he had yet receiv-

ed was escorted by the guard back to his prison, where he out down
to compose his thoughts. His every hope now lay in the appearance

'of Ora-limbo; but how was the young chief to he found? In what ,

way was he, a prisoner lmltlcondemned, to find it messenger who
would go in search of union wandering at random in the forest? He
thought of the Curih‘s pledge, which still lay in his bosom, hut- re-
membered that it Would but prove more conclusive evidence of his in- '
timncy with the Indiuns, should he be discovered in un nttemptto for-
ward it.

“ Alas ! " he exclaimed, taking the lgorgeous belt from his bosom,
and dashing it on the floor, where it lay coiled up and glittering like
a. serpent, dangerous to touch; “ every thing is a delusion. Inm in
the toils, and Sllllll he left to die there without one friend to help me.
It is cruel, hilt they shall not see me cower before my fate. Oh, my
poor Guurica, how she will be listening and waiting for me, and I
here— shut up like a hound — well, be it so, [can bear any thing 3 "

With these bitter words he threw himself on the cold floorund closed
his eyes, while It stern expression ofndespuir settled on his face. All
at once ill] idea flushed upon him. if his servant could get access to
his dungeon for u single moment. he might be sent in Search of Aro-
inet'n. Fired by this new hope, he sprung to his feet, and knocked

“ Welll what'do you wantJ-f‘, “
It‘ve‘s the sentinel'speuking from without.

 

l2 me down m1.
“ Listen; could you not come in a. moment? "
"' My orders are strict— 1 can not do it.”

Hernando drew a piece of gold from his pocket, and thrust it undel
he door. He heard the guard stoop and pick it up.

"I have more— will you listen? ” whispered the prisoner.

“ Well, what do you want 'I ”

“I entreat you, come in a single moment.”

The Voice of the guard sofiened. “ But I must obey orders.”

-‘ It is only for a moment.”

1 “ Well, well; speak to me through the key-hole; I am listening."

5‘ My page —— let me speak one word with Alonzo, my page.”

" It is at the risk of my life.”

“ Truly; but you are prudent, and I have more gold."

” How much 2' ”

" 'l‘en broad pieces, and double that when the man is gone.”

" Thrust them under the door.”

" Let me hear the Voice of my page, then the gold is yours.”

He heard the guard set down his pike and hurry don n the passage
with a light tread; after u fuv minutes. that seemed hours to the pris~
oner, he returned, followed by a second person. 'l'here was a cautious
turn of the lock, and the door opened enough to admit the high-spirit-
ed boy, whose eyes were still heavy with son-owing oter his master’s
misfortunes. As he entered, the guard thrust his hand through the
opening.

“ Come, count out the gold, and be quick," he said, in a frighten-
ed Voice.

Hernando filled his palm with gold; then, turning to the page, bade
him go down to the ulge of the forest, near it great live oak, which
he, described, and tell the Indian he Would find watching near its

. trunk, in what strait he was. Then, whispering low to the page, he
said :

“ 'l‘ake with you an ample cloak with a somhrero, and let him pre-
sent himself at my prison door as if it were yourself coming back;
the guard will not be quick of sight."

“ It is perilous business, lint. if caution and good will can do it, the
Carib shall reach your cell before the midnight strikes.“

“ My life is in your hands. Go. and our Lady guide you,” said
lthe tprisoner, gently; “ she will if it is best that my poor life be
one ."

The Carib chief, Arometa. had witnessed the captivitv of his Span-
ish, friend. with burning impatience to avenge or rescue him. But
he was alone, and without the aid of Urnzimbo t» who had gone into
the mountains to gather up his people to a first well-organizul I‘Qsitk
tam-p against his hithless kinsman Coonoho, whose usurpation made
the first. manly blood burn in his veins - it was impossible for Ammo
{a to attack the fort. where Hernando was confined.

But With the warriors of his'lraee. stratagem was often more ef-
howal than form. mustn‘t-embers} the bus mission on whial.

     

 
   
    

‘ his firm tread died uwuy along the passages of the fort,

 

 
 

L DIBOUIBED CARIB.

the enemies of De Leon supposed him to be on gugcd, and be resolved
to use it as a pretext for gaining admission to the fort. '

'J‘he chief \mited umler the ll‘v'cmllt. from under whose dense foliage
he hnd >10 often wutcliovl for llrrnundo’s coming forth, till it was
quite «lurk. As he lay across its gnarled roots,u voice from out of the
Ihmlows called him lzy name. I

Aromcta started up with his lmml on his knife, mnl came for-
ward. A few whispered words with the page. and u broad Spanish
sombrero shaded his swart thee, and his stntoly figure was disguised
in n, voluminous cloak.

“ Nay. this is wonderful.
peretl the page.

“ Arotuetu will enter with his forehead to the light,“ answered
the Indian, with a. laugh. “ He has many fricntis yonder. Had my
:t'other waited. he would have found the Carib searching tbt‘ his

elt."

With these words the warrior strode nwny toward the fort, braving
the moonlight with careless intrepidity, while Alonzo returned more
cautiously, gliding through the shudows like 9. night-bird.

L‘on Guzman untl Rodriques sut ulone in the young cumlier‘l
chamber, battled and disappointed with the course things had taken
in the court. Guzman lllltl depended on a prompt trial and speedy
execution. and had not once tultcn it into account thut the evidence
of ()mzimbu would he rrquired, that of a. Carib never having been
taken in a Spanish court before.

With the pnjure-l aid of Sebastian, he hml succeeded in convinc-
ing Don ltotlriques of the prisoner’s guilt; but if that noble once
came face to thee with his son. the fraud must he discovered.

“ Why are you so sml‘! " questioned the olal Spaniard.

“ ()riuimho loves his sister, and will not speak what he knows of
this man’s guilt. He may yet escnpe, untl rob me of my bride,"
answered the young nmn, looking at“ the discontent he felt.

“ Nay, we will not wait for this evil chance ; every thing is ready.
i will prepare Guarieu, and on the tluy utter to-morrow the umrringo
shall take place. When a Rodriqucu pledges his word, fate itself
shall not prevent the ucwmplishmont.”

The young cavalier arose with sparkling eyes, and taking the old
noble‘s hand, pressul it to his lips.

" 0h, senor, this is generous. I :un unworthy so much goodness.
Only make the lczttttit’ul Gum-ion willing, and I hm‘e no wish loft."

“ The «.l-tughtt-rs or" our house lmw no will that is not permitted
them,” :muuu-ul lltn litflll‘ltfllfls, with It prowl smile. “Depend-
on it, tln- «lay :it'tor twinorrou' soon Gout-Eon your brillc.”

wm, figs urn/ll pt‘ultllfl", {nth-Mum left the olmmher. and directly

You will puss without question,” whis- i

 

  

    

C H A P T E B X.
nor AND COUNTERI’LOT

Wrm all his brilliant prospects, Don Guzman was ill at ease, he
had practiced a. double fraud; first, on the father of Guurica; again,
on the court-martial, and there was peril in both. True, his rival
was in prison, and his perjured witnesses tit-1n, but what might to
morrow bring forth ‘1’

What if Oruzimbo should appear? What if the governor, who
seemed but too much in favor of the prisoner, should refuse to sign
the verdict, if one of guilt was found, or should indeed pardon the
offender utter all else had titilcd ': While there was it chance of escape,
however remote, the high-horn coward trembled and shrunk away
from the future. What though Gum-ion. became his bride, with that
brave mun'aiive, his bliss Would former be embittered with appre-
hension. The day of reckoning; would surely come. Should he es-
cape the sum-es of thut trial. nothing but mortal combat or open dis-
grace to himself could he expected.

Where could the Cunh clllt'f Le loitering? The people of his race
were not wont to he lugmrd uith :t l‘oonmn in sight. It was at this
hour he had once before visited the fort; perhups he would come
agnin that night. Guzman found himself waiting impatiently for an
interview with the lndiun. lie had not dared to propose the wicked

, deed he medituted to Don l’todriqucs, who uould hnve spurned the
idea. of assassination, Int he has not the less resolved to sure all
future apprehension, by urging: the (‘nrih on to his murderous work.

Don Leon, once out of the wny, he cared not how. and his path to
happiness lay clear. In the field and in lot e, the young envnlier had
been his most fortniduble rival; a caged liou might brook loose—n
dead one never.

A: Don Guzman was dwelling on these buleful thoughts, the door
of his chamber wns flung,r open, nnd Aronu-tn entered. The knight
Iprang to his feet, with ill-concenled triumph.

“ Well, chief, we have trapped your prey,” he said, with fierce
oxultution.

“ Yea, Aromete saw the soldiers fall upon him.”

“ But without your help, he may escape."

“ And you have him safe ? " .

" Ay, ay; while you were hunting for the wolf, we cunght him in
. trap." . ‘ ' ' \

    

 

 

an:

" ' ' 50"”

~wp—umm.

 

 

  

ml: ronox. 65

" That is well ! where do they keep him tie l T ”

“ Sebastian will show you the way to his dungeon. But tell me,
your tribe puts its enemies out of the way without noise? ”

“ .ly,” said Al‘OluCttl; “still and sot‘tly us the ripe leaf drops
from its Dough."

Guzman drew his chair close to the Carib. and laid the richly in
laid poniut‘d which woluu‘e seen before, in his hand. The Indian
exuniined the workmanship with \‘i\id admiration.

“ You like the knife,” said Guzman, smiling till his mustache Curl

.
ed upward

“ L'uonobo has not a knit'e like this,” said the chief, exulting it
his prize.

The cavalier leaned toward him, and touched the weapon with his
tin er.

‘8‘ \\ hen the blade is red, :1 pistolet of like value shall have a. place
beside it in your belt ”

The Carib smiled, at grim loud smile.

“ The king’s knife will be puid for when the sun sets to-morrow,"
he muttered, placing the poniurd in his L‘LSOIH, and folding the cloak
orer it.

“ But why not. to-night? ” said Guzman, in hot haste for his
enemy’s blood.

“ Does no one guard the door?”

“ Yes, but when the Carib kills his prey softly, he keeps the knife
in his belt; but there is a root in the forest which he grinds to pow-
der, and throws into n. cup of wine, when it stands ready for an
enemy to drink. Is there drink for the Wolf you wish to see die? ”

Guzmnn's eye brightened; this idea took away the only dread that
had possessed him—that of a struggle in the prisoner-’5 dungeon,
which might lead to detection.

“ Is the root sure? ” he snid, sinking his voice.

“ Is the bite of a. viper sure? ”

“ And swit‘t '3 ”

“ Twehe hours of darkness— twelve hours of light, and your en-
any sleeps softly, hut grows very cold.”

“ That will do, twelve. hours of durkness— twelve hours of light !
On my bridal morning he will sleep and grow cold, the thought will
give zest to my joy,” said Guzman, with a wicked Smile.

'lhe Carib smiled also; it was an unusual thing to see those grim
lips so disturbed, and boded an evil fate to the mun who came within
their influence. ‘

“ Tell me “here the wolf lies,” be said, glancing nt the door;
“ and see that they give him plenty of drink. Arometu will be uthirst,
and find the cup for himself.” /

“ Stay, Sebastian must point out the door, and this pass will ad-
mit you, fiirtunutely the captain of the guard reports to me.”

The Indian took the scrap of vellum on which the cavalier had

\ written. and followeth nmfi.“.whdm a touch of the bell had summoned
. Icon; a'pnssugeef the fortress. ‘ - r

 

  

  

THE GOLDEN BELT.

     
       
   
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
     
   

66

 

About two hours after Hernando had been left to himself, the dam soak
geon door opened, and the chief, whom he had been hoping for, cam. ' we,
in. lle shut the door, listened a minute, and then drew close to the am
prISoner. » ' v]

“ Brother ! ” . 1m

Hernando snatched the hand. which broke loose from 'he cumber- _ , 'dm

, some drapery of the cloak, and wrung it hard. _ ‘

Speak quick, there is little time. What enImV Sim-ll 1 Stl'ike'f " but

“ None, none. I must he honorably set free. or not at all.” me

“ Take this, and this, and this,” said the chief. throwing 01f hit bu.
Spanish disguise, and drawing the costly poniard from his bosom. 1g“

" Arometa is cunning like the fox, they can not kill him 7 ”

“ No, my brother, no, I must not the, that would seem a confes-
sion of guilt. One thing alone can sate me.”

“ Well. Arometa is ready.”

“ 'l‘o-morrow bring Uraniniho here, when the sun first touches the
great live oak. and [am sn'ed." ,

“ ()rnziniho has gone to the hills, his blood is hot against Caonobo,
who jeers at his youth. He is gathering the tribes. Arometo had

i work here, or he would have gone too.”

“‘l‘hen you know his path? My steed is in the barrack stables,
fleet and fresh—mount and away. If the young chief comes to-
morrow, before the dew is oil‘ the grass, it is well, if not, our Lady .1“

ave mercy, for man will show me none."

“ If Urazimbo comes, my brother is free? " questioned the chief,
but half convinced that Violence was not the secret means of escape. u]

“ As the good steed that you‘will mount."

 

 

 

“ Then the wind is not so swift as Arometa? ” S:
The chief gathered his cloak ahout him, like some Roman hero, GK
and prepared to leave the dungeon; but his eyes fell on the “ golden u
belt ” which still romaine-‘1 on the ilUOl‘. 3-1
“ It should die in my brother‘s bosom," he said, lifting it from . {L
‘the floor. “ Arometa cannot read hooks, but he understands what
this means, when it comes. 1 ” m
" Forgive me ? ” pleaded the prisoner, pained by his own care h
lesoness.‘ '
“ The chief smiled. “ When Arometa opens the door, my l roth a
or must lift you cup to his lips, and drink.” '
“ I will," repliel llernan lo; lii'iingthe tankard between hishands ' a
The ehiefilung the door wide open, and the sentinel, looking in ‘H
San" that the p:isoner was drinking eagerly, one other person, who I
shrank behind a pillar in the dark passage, saw him also and laugh
ed inly. i
As the Carib chief strode away, this man followed him. V.
" Is it safely done '3 ” he questionel . r
. “ Safe as death. Now let some one send to the stables‘ Aromota v ‘ 1
isth now in the'hills.” ‘ ' '  ' ' f ' }

"rm in well. he! Sebastian, give this noble matter. Hernando "

  
   

runnst run run mmxa. ‘51

1‘" do Looms swiflest horse, by the mod he has earned it well. put pis-
tolets in his saddle-bow, and ought else that brave men atl'ect. It
. were best indeed, chief, that you sought the hills at once. so farcWell,

 

  

‘ and thanks — the cavalier will never want his horse again.”
' The reereunt cavalier held out his hand, but before he hal spoken
, half a, dozen words, the chief was away, striding swiftly through the
~ . darkness. l
. Guzman stood and listened; all was still as death in the fortress;
7 but dileotly he heard the measured heat of the horse dashing toward
the torest. It lasted scarcely three minutes, so swift was the speed,
but two men smiled when it passed away. The prisoner in his dun
igmn, and Don Guzman, as he stole back to the chamber he had left.

  
 

CHAPTER XI.

I \ THE VERDICT.
it

ALL this time Guaricn wandered sadly "Juqu her blooming par

“edge, as Ere waited and sighed when Adam left her for his rustic

__ work in Eden. She was all alone; ()razimho had left home directly

, after his father’s return, on some unknown mission to his people in
, the hills. Hernando. t'or whom she filled the vases in the. bower, and
carried out her choicest singing-birds, came no more to her sweet
vwishing. The fitwns watched her restlessness. and after a few inno-

‘ cent caresses, went oil to the thickets, wondering at her indiiferenee
to all their pretty wiles. Vague and unhappy feelings took posses.
sion of her; she felt that something dark and terrible threatened her
future, and had no power to cast the impression otf.

It took shape in the forms of her father and Don Guzman. She
trembled as they came down the garden—path together, and calling to
her fawns, prepared to flee from the bower.

But as her father s:uv her gliding through the thickets he culled

.aloud, and bade her await his coming.

Don Guzman hung bae't, and mnuserl himself with a gorgeous mnp'
,mw, who peeked at him viciously from the branches of a magnificent
musketo asueena. He had not the courage to join limlriques in that
tpnint‘ul interview with his daughter. r
Rodriques made but scant ceremony with his clrld; he told her in
brief, as she stood pale and trembling hefore him, thaton the marrow
I the must prepare to sttnd with Don Guzman at the altar. The hri.
, . dal dresses were all prepared. Indeed the Queen of Spain hadsec
‘ ,' looted them for the bride of her flworim cavalier. and they had held

;;hlt brought up from the ship. ‘ .

 

 

 

  

    

   

‘5?

THE GOLDEN BELT.

A maiden of those times must have been brave indeed, had sh.
dated to dispute the lmhtst of her parent, even in the smallest matter.

Guarica had no words in which to express the revolt of her whole ne- . i

ture against this. union. So she stood hefore her father, with pale
cheek and quivering lip, like a criminal who dared not protest though
crushed to the earth with an unjust sentence.

“ Wilt thou not speak, child 1' ” said the father, with a gleam of
tenderness. “ ’l'he cavalier has \vaited long for such smiles as 5
:hide gives her hetrothed, and there is little time for wooing; the
wedding-(lay will be to-morrow.”

“ 'l'o—morrow —-oh, my father, have pity! I can not, holy Virgin.
1 can not wed with that man. Give mea little time, or lshall die! "

“There is no need of time, tor all eternity would not avail to
change my purpose, Guariea. To-morrow, at daylight,1 trust the
renegade, Don Hernando de Leon, Wlll he shot in the fortress garden
for treason. Before noon we shall have a grand earouse at your
Wedding, for you will then be the wife of the man of all others whom
your father has chosen.” ‘

She did not hear him, hut stood cold and rigid, like a marble statue,
set mockineg among the flowers. Her eyes grew wild and opened

Wide. her pale lips fell apart till the teeth gleamed through with '

painful whiteness.

“ Before the dew leaves the flowers in the. morning, thou wilt don
the bridal-dress. and see that it is of the richest; for henceforth
my daughter must forget the savage blood of her mother, and honor
the land to which her lord belongs. Among the coffers I have

brought, from those polishing in Seville, are carcanete of pearls, with I

tiaras of diamonds and blood-red rubies. Set them close upon thy arms,
thy neck, and in that. rich hair, my (laughter, for there is not a lady in
her niajesty’s court, that goes to her lord dowered with greater
Wealth or more perfect beauty.”

“ Uh, father —- father, spare me! ”

That plaintive cry would have touched a heart of stone, it was so
full of anguish.

“ Tush, child; get within and prepare bravely for this bridal; it
Irks me that ()razianho must perforce he absent, but he belongs to hil
tribes, and thou, my daughter, to a. more gentle people.’ ’

He would not heed the anguish in that pale face, or the broken
aries that died on her lips, but turned away and left Don Guzman to
his wooing. Now Guarica. grew strong; her courage rose, her wo~
man’s nature revolted against that man who had come to claim, not
I'oo her. She shuddereil at his approach, as if a serpent had crept.
under the flowers and was Coiling around her. ‘

He had no courage to seize the opportunity which Don Rodriquel
wt given him; but afte' a few gallant compliments, to which she
listened in freezing silence,'he went in doors. telling her that he
would not disturb the modest happiness of her thoughts. but looked
for her mom smile: on the marrow.

 

 

    
 

 

 

 

    

rm: 2:0an romm calm. 59

 v 80 he left her for a little, and then Guaricn. went into her bower,
r, . r . .

And concealed by its drapery of flowmg vmcs, tell on knees and pray—
7 ed with deep, deep sobs and moans of utter hopelessness. Her love!
in peril — Urazimbo gone— where on earth or in heaven was she to
turn for help.

In the mean time, an unexpected scene was going forward at the
fortress. Deep in the morning, but bethre the grave business of the
day had commenced, a (Yarib warrior, evidently worn and ,travel-
soiled with a long and rapid night’s ride, boldly claimed audience of
the commander of Fort Isabella.

   

   

   

 

how» c‘w‘ itJ-w‘ >'

 

  

n,  A conversation of some length passed between those two strangely ,
" _‘ assorted persons, and then the governor came forth with a. brighter
to ' face than he had worn for many a day. Directly orders were sent
to - forth for the convening ot' the court so abruptly suspended the day

in y before, when Don Hernando went forth in reality a condemned man,
1r " lave in one instance, in the opinion of the officers who sat upon his
n f1“ trial. '
 By these prompt orders the court was convened. True, Don
.' Rodriques and Guzman were absent, for they had not expected the
1" court to convene that day. But as one had given in his evidence,
’ .' and the other had made his personal quarrel a reason for not appear-
-' ing at the court-martial at any time, this was no bar to the proceed.
‘* lugs.
, Exactly as the court had met on the previous day, it assembled
"now. Hernando came in, firmly, and with that quiet dignity which
gave the best assurance of his freedom from guilt. The governor,
more benign and composed in his manner than on the previous day,
regarded him almost with a smile as he came in. Still there was no
witness present in his behalf. The young man’s searching glance
discovered all this, and his heart t'ell. Every instant was hurrying
' him on to an inevitable fate; yet all his friends seemed asleep.

Would no one appear in his behalt‘—-— must he indeed lose honor a!
t V‘ well as life without a struggle"!

' An unimportant witness or two were examined, serving to unite
the threads of evidence existing agtinst him: then came a moment
. of breathless suspense, and then the herald called out —

"Prince Urazimbo — is he in court? ”

There was alight quick stop in tho vestibule, the door fell open,
and between the two guards stood the young Carib chief, his bow in
1 his grasp, and a richly emla-oidorel quiver on his back, from wldch
‘ the agate and carnelian headed arrows flashed to the vivid light

His tunic, of fine crimson cloth, left one arm and shoulder bare, scarce-

ly falling to its knees; but it w 1-1 cavcrcl with rich embroider ‘, and

the sandals on his feet were buttoned at the instep with precious stones,
, rough and brilliant.
' lle advanced with the grace of a young Mercury up the room, and
laying his bow on the dais beforetho governor. Ho spoke'in the pure
1 ; Spanish tongue, and his voice wasrioh and sonorous, partaking neith-
‘ Or of timidity or presumption.

EI" 94'
‘

HwHD’:

. 455:: AVE—“‘7 -l

 

 

 

   

  

'0 was can)“ out.

'i

“ Here is Orazimbo, does any one wish to question him.’

The governor half rem: from his seat.

“ Young,r chief, you know doubtless the charges that have been
brought against this cavalier.”

“ Yes; Aromett told me as we rode from the hills."

“ Did these charges originate in you? Has the prisoner at any
time instigated you or your people to revolt against the Spaniards
3f Isabella? ”

“ He never aroke to me on the subject in his life.”

’l'here was a great stir in the oourt. The oiiisers exchtngod glan-

- cos of quick surprise. The prisoner leaned forward with his lips
apart and half smiling. Tl-e governor’s face brightened all over.

“ But, chiot', it was your own father that made tins charge.”

The youth stepped back, and made a gesture of dissent; but in-
stantly his face cleared.

“ Many ((in persons surround my father, and poison his ear for
he is proud and asks no questions—those persons have deceived
him with a lie.”

“ But the prisoner has been often at, your father’s house during~
his absence 'i "

“ Yes, often as the flower opens after its night‘s sleep.”

“ But what took him there? ”

“ The cavalier loved my sister Guarica, and she loved him; that
is all.”

' The crimson rushed over De Leon’s face in a glow of deep blushes.
A general smile ran through the court.

“And this is all the otl'ence you know against the cavalier De
Leon! ” slid the governor.

“ ()ruzimbo has no oll'ence to charge against this brave soldier.
When Arometa sought me in the hills. and said evil men have put a
lie in your mouth which may kill a brave man, I came down like
a. whirlwind to say the truth. I have said it.”

“ Ay, and bravely said it,” exclaimed the governor, standing up
before his seat of judgment. “ What say you, cavaliers, is this young
officer guilty of the treason charged.”

The otiicors did not leave the court, but drew close together and
whispered with smiles on their lips. 'l'hon one of the highest in rank
spoke out.

“ No. by St. Jago ! We are all agreed that this is a foul conspi-
racy to wrong as hraxe a man as serves among us out of his life.
It is our universal verdict, not guilty, but more worthy of all honor
than he has e\er been, is Hernando de Leon.”

There was no tumult in the court — the clnracter of the Spanish
nation forbade that— but the officers who had been his ju-lges a lit~
tie minute before, crowded around the young man with warm eon-
Kmtllllmons. While the governor came down from his dais and dunked
the young chief for having done justice to his most valued follower.

‘- W no tumult was permitted in the court. the corridor!

/

 

  

 

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GOING To an: EIS VICTIM.

  

Were crowded with armed men, and when they heard the verdict, the
grim walls rung with their triumphant shouts.

Amid the confusion, and while' De Leon was surrounded by his
friends, Orazimbo disappeared. Arometa was waiting for him under
the great live oak. It was now twilight; the two chiefs had ridden,

 
  
 
 
 
  

‘1 as the young Carib had said, like a whirlwind from the hilis, and

1’ now, that their task was done, both felt weary. So casting them-a
selves on the ground, they sought some rest. But as the darknru
closed around them, a horsenmn swept under the very branches of

" . the oak, and sped toward the fort.

’3 Arometa laughed inly. “ He is going to see if the Indian has donel

 

his work; watch a little and we shall see a light traveling from hiu
’ chamber to De Leon's prison, for the twelve hours of daylight and
" the twelve hour of darkness have passed by. Watch.” ‘

Sure enough, after some fifteen minutes, they saw a lamp gleam-
ing from loop hole to loop-hole along the gallery which led to Her-
nando's prison. It was Uon Guzman going in search of his victim.
With a natural consciousness of guilt, he had not ventured to ques-
3- tion any one that he met on his way, and so reached the prison-door
to find it locked and the sentinel gone.

“ Ah, it is all over, and the sentinel has been relieved from guard,"
he muttered, turning away. “ llow still it is ! well, [ have but little
stomach for the sight that lies behind this oaken door. So I will go
back and think of Guarica— ugh, who would believe a man would
' Ihiver so on the night before his marriage.”

As Guzman muttered these words, a burst of merriment reached
him, sounding cheerily up one of the Corridors.

“ Ah, they are holding wassail in the banquet-hall, unconscious of I
what has happened," he said, turning toward the sound. “ A cup
of wine with good company will not come amiss, for i’faith, my heart
seems like ice. What ho, my comrades ! ”

With this cry he flung the door of the banquet-hall open, and stood
in’the full light of a dozen silver sconces.

‘ The ofiieers at the table sprang to their feet, each setting down his
goblet with a elang; fierce (yes turned on the recreant cavalier, and
the stillness of deep indignation fell upon the scene.

While Guzman stood lost in surprise, a goblet was dashed to the
stone 110m", and. .‘striding,r down the room with a. step that rang out
like a defiance, De Leon stood before him, face to face. De Leon,
.whom he thought lying dead in the dungeon on the other side.

White as death itself the coward turned; his limbs trembled till
the gilt spurs on his heels rattled against- the floor.

" De Leon," he t‘altere-l. “ De Leon; and here.”

Hernando looked stezi-ltiistly in that white face, then with cold and
cutting irony addressed him. _

“ I crave indulgence, Don Guzman de Herreiro; your presence
mind: me that a man who has a passage at arms before him at the
brad: of duynwith so bum a cavalier. should not spend his night in

 

 

 

 
 
   

  

    

“ m comm new.

song or wnssail. Gentlemen, I take my letwe with many thanks tor
this festival. Don Guzman de Ilerreiro, at dnylight to-morrow we
shall meet again, and then God help the right.”

Then Don Guzman grew deathly in his pallor, for those stern word:
reminded him of a challenge that he had accepted for the next mor-
ning -—the morning of his wedding-day. .

While he stood utterly lost and merwhelmed, the revelers glided
by him, one by one, each with scorn in his eyes, and the unhappy
man was left alone, with the relics of the feast which had celebrated
his defeat glittering around him. lle sat down by the table,flung
his arms across it, and buried his face in then); his limbs shook vi.
olently, and grent drops of perspiration trembled on his threhead.
At last, a gleam of hope shot athwart the darkness of his overthrow.
Yes, he. would fight; mery thing else had failed, nnd he must tight;
but he was a good sworrlsnmn, and the chances were equal. What
if he should come oil" conqueror, nt‘ter sill, and leave his enemy hleed~

ing on the greensward, after that the wedding! there was time for v

both -— the combat was to take place at dawn, the marriage at high-
noon.

CHAPTER XII.

THE DUEL.

Tnttonanonr that long and weary night, the lamp was still replen-
ished in the lone chamber of Don Gummth and still, from hour to
hour: its solitary inmate paced to and fro the floor, his long spurs
clanking with a dull and hem y sound on the rude pavement; now
pausing to mutter, with clutched hands nnd writhing lip, tin-cc im-
precntions on his own head, on the head of his once loved, but now
detested comrade, and on the. \vt-nlt hand which had failed to execute
his deadly purpose— now hurrying: onward with unequal but swift
ptrides, us though he would hnxe fled the torture of his own guilty
thought».

'l‘hus did he pass that night, in agony more bitter than the threat
tort'trcs that ex er tyrant wreaktd cn mortal body — and When the
first gray light of dawn fell cold and chill through the uncurtained
camancnts of his lmrraek home, it found him haggard and feverish,
yet pole, withnl, and shivering as though he were an agile-stricken
Iufleler.

The morning gun peeled sharp and sudden from the rumparta;
and. fanatid long its echoes were repented t‘rcni,the dark forests.
flinch gm in. on every side, with their interminable man of death-

 

 

 

      
 

  

  

    
   
 
 

 

l ~-

63

  

A MXSERABLE NIGHT.

lug verdure, the battlements of Isabella. At the sound, Guzman
7 started as does the miserable, guilty wreteh who hears the sullen bell
 toll the dread signal for his execution ! Manning himself, however,
with a start -— while the blood rushed, as though indignant at his
former weakness, to lip and cheek and brow — he instantly resumed
his agitated walk; nor did he break it oil nor give the smallest symp-
tom of perception, when a quick, hurried blew Was struck upon the
 panel of the door— a second, and a third time, was that low tap rt)
pirated, but. still Don Guzman heard it not, or if he did hear, heeled
not. Then the door slowly opened, and a gray-headed veteran,
clad in the lireries of that nolilc house, to which, perchance, his
master was the first s'ion who had L‘l'cught no luster, thrust in his
time-blanched locks and war-worn Visage -—
“ Your charger waits, senor," he whispered; “ the hour has long
gone by '. ”
“ What hour ? — what meanest thou '.' —— gone by ?—~gone hy?

Would, would ! oh, would to Heaven it had indeed, gone by I Ha !
I what ! ” he went on, gathering strength as he spoke, and wakening

.from his wild, waking dreams, to a perception of his true position-—
“ ha ! what —- hast thou then dared to suitor me neglect it?
Death to thy soul, slave! hast thou dared suli'er Guzman de Her-
reiro to fail his plighted uord ? "

” Not so, not so, mine honored lord,” fidtered the faithful vassal.
“ The hour, indeed, hath passed when thou didst order that thy
steed should stand beside the water-gate; and he hath stood and
chafed there this half-hour, but scarce five minutes have elapsed,
since the gallant Don Hernando hath set forth into the forest, put
but spurs to your lll'an lloabdil, and ere the words are said, you
shall o’ertahc him ! ”

“Hurry, then, hurry ! ” shouted lIei-reiro, fiercely; and belting
on his long toledo, and casting his Lrond-leulN sombrero on his dis-
ordered lochs, he rushed out, with wild haste, no less to the dismay
than the astonislunent of his Munch serritor, whom he had sum-
moned, almost smugely, to follow him.

For otherwise had passed the hours of darkness to Hernando de
Leon. The banquet ended, he had \vithdrmvn as calmly to his chum
her, as though he had no further object than to lie down upon a
peaceful bed, that he might thence arise with the succeeding morn to
go about his wanted invocations. He had sat down before his little
eseritoir, and having tinislu-d several letters. sealed and directed
them, cast 01? his rest and (huhlet, and drawn t'rmn his t't-ethis titli-
ing leathern bushins— then throwing,r himself upon his lsnees, bc-.
side his pallet-Led, buried his head LCiWCUl hie: hands, and for some
minutes prayed, as it would seem, in deep, though silent terror.

Rising, at length, erect, he spy-(ad his arms abroad, and in nuclear
nigh voice, unconscious, evidently, that he spelte aloud— “and
lbove all, bear Witness, '1 hou,” he cried, “ bear witness, Thou,
who knowest and who scest all things— that not in any mortal

 

     

  

    

64

THE GOLDEN BELT.

wrath—not in the mood of blind and senseless anger, nor in that
selfish strain of Vengeance which reeks of private injury —do I go
forth unto this strife— but as unto a high, yet painful duty 8-— not a!
mine own avenger —for to Thee. and to Thee only, doth belong the
right of vengeance !— but as the Vindicator of society, the punisher of
crime, which else must go unpunished; the righter of the wronged;
the champion of the weak; the faithful, although frail defender of
Thine holy law. If this be not so, leax‘c n;e, 'l'hou, 0 Lord — givc
me up to the mercies of my dircst foe —- sutlcr me to fall unavenged,
unwept, unhonored ! But if in truth, and honor, and in right I
do go forth. strike Thou, as is 'l'hy wont, for the right likewise.”

This said, he lay down quietly upon his couch: and, ere five min-
utes had passed over, slept peaceably and sweetly as an infant, \m
til the self-same gun, which had aroused Don Guzman from the
perturbed Visions of his guilty conscience, broke his refreshing slum-
bers. Arising,r instantly, he, too, girt on his sword, buckled his man
tle over his broad chest, fixed his hat firmly on his head, and strode
forth, all unsummened, to the water—gate.

'l‘here stood four noble chargers; his own proud Andalusian , with
a. less high-bred chargtr at his side, hacked by the page Alonzo;
who, with a merlin on his wrist, and the two powerful hloodhounds,
without which never did Ilernando ride forth into the wilderness,
crouching before him, sat patiently awaiting the arrival of his lord.
A little way aloof, a menial, clad in rich lirerics of lsahel and silrer.
held the hay coursers of llerreiro and his old (squire.

No foot did Don Hernando set in stirrup, hut seizing the reins
firmly in his left hand, while, with his right, he grasped the enntle of
his demipique, he swung himself, at once, with a light leap, to his
charger’s hack; holt upright did the fiery creature bound into the
air, tossing his stag-like head. and long thin mane aloft, in glorious
exultatiou; but, firm as though he had heen,like the fabled centaurl
of old time, a portion of the animal which he hestrode, so fearlessly
and well the rider sat undauntcd. Flinging his reins free to the im-
pulse of the fiery horse, while he yet stood erect, he curbed him
tightly up as his feet struck the. sod; and slightly pricking him
with his long gilded spurs, dashed off, at. a hard gallop, into the
wild glades of the the forest.

A short mile’s distance from the walls of lsahella, embosomed in
deep woodlands, there was a small savaunah, scarcely a hundred
yards across, clothed with a rich, short grass which, in that lovely
climate. never, at any season, lost the rieh freshness of its unerald
verdure; for, in its farthest curve, lurking beneath the shelter of
a group of tall and feathery palm—trees, there lay the. basin of a tiny
crystal spring, whence, welling forth in copious and perennial beau-
ty, :1 silver streamlet lEHlUl, and, ctmpassfng two-thirds of that

small plain with its refreshing waters, stole sway silently among the '

devious wilds, through which it flowed, unmarked, into the neigh-

mam

 

      
    

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m canon. 66'

Here it was— here, in this lovely and secluded spot, flu -— flu- M
lt'would seem, removed from the fierce turmoil, the stern bitterness,
the angry hatre ls of the world, the two t'oemen met.

For halt" an hour, at l‘ast, llernundo had sat there, motionless at
a statue, upon his docile charger, awaiting, in the center of tlut
Sylvan solitude, the coming of the man to whom, t‘or havingr sought
to slay him with the secret shaft of the assassin, and afterward to
dishonor him, he new extended the high privilege of striving to
amend his aim in open day-light, and fair conflict with the hidalgr, 'i
weapon. i;
I Hard by the lovely spring, the page Alonso had looped the brldl l;
of his tall gray charger to the tough stem of a mimosa, and no“
not on the mossy turf, toying with the gigantic hounds, which he

- held closely coupled by a chain of tempered steel riveted firmly to their

stout leathern collars; while, perched on a projecting limb of the
same tree to which the horse was fastened, the hooded inerlin dazed,
with its bells ready on its yellow legs, and its light jesses hanging
all untitsteued.

Just as Hernando had begun to marvel at the protracted absence
of his intended slayer, the sharp and rattling clatter of a horse’s
gallop, tearing his route through the dense saplings of the tangled
wood, was heard approaching; and, in another moment, his reins
and neck and chest embossed with flakes of snow-white foam, and
his flanks bleeding from incessant spurring, llerreiro‘s charger bore
him, at the top of his speed, upon the scene of action.

As ne approached, Hernando raised his hat with the stern courtesy
exacted by the strict punutilio ot' the duel from every honorable eav-
alier; yet, well-schooled, as he was, to suppress eaeh outward token
of every inward sentiment, the noble covalier half started, as he be-
held tho ravages worked by a single night of anguish on the proud
mien and comely features of his antagonist. His hair, which, on
the previous morning, had been as dark and glossy as the raven’s
wing, was now not merely tangled most disorderly, in hideous elf-
locks, but actually streaked with many a look of gray, while his
whole visage, which, though swart and somewhat stern, had yet been
smooth and seemly, was scored by many a line and furrow, plowed
deep into the flesh. durng those. few fleet hours, by the hot plowshare
0f remorse and scorching anguish. No salutation did he make in un-
lwer to the bow of his brave young opponent; but whirling his long
rapier from its sheath — i

“ Draw !” he cried, “ draw, sir l Look on the sun for the last
time, and die ! " as he spoke, plunging his spurs, even mote furl.

' ously than he had done before, into the bleeding flanks of his good

horse, he dashed, at once, upon him, sword in hand, hoping, it was
most evident, to take him at advantage, and hear him, unprepared, to
earth. I! such, however, were his ungenerous and foul intent most
grievously was he frustrated by the calm skill and perfect resolution- ,
0f Hernando; who, merely gathering his reins a. little tighter. In,

 

   

  

66 mn commit m1.

Iheathed his keen toledo . and, without moving one yard from til" i
spot whereon his Andalusian steed, watching, with fiery eye and bimd- 4
expanded nostrils, the motions of the other charger, yet showing by i
no symptom, save the quivering of his erected ears, that he was con-
scious of the coming stril'e —— extended it, with the point slightly el
cvatcd, toward llcrreiro’s t'acc.

0n came the licrce assailant —— on ! with the speed of light l—hil
lel't hand clasping the reins firmly —- his right drawn back, in prepa-

‘ration for the deadly thrust, far past his hip : while the bright point
of the long two-edged blade was glittering in advance of the buy
charger‘s t'rontlet! Now they are within hult‘ sword‘s length 1--
und now ‘.—— see i see that quick, straight llash, bright as the strcatn
of the electric tluid, and scarce—if any thing—less rapid !-—)t
was the thrust of Guzman, Well aimed, and sped with strength, limb
had it reached the mark, must have propelled it through the stoutcst
oorslet that ever bucklered breast; much more through the slight silk-
en jerkin, which was the only armor that would have met its brunt.

Midway, however, in its glancing course, it was met by the calm.
firm party of llernando‘s sword; and thus, diverted from its true di-
rection. passed harmlessly, slightly grazing the bridle-arm of the
young cavalier. 0n came llerreiro still — and, for an instant’s space.
it seemed as though the shock of his charger, at full speed, must have
borne down the slighter Andalusian; but scarcely had he parried that
home thrust, before, with a quick motion of the hridle-lnuul—so
quick, indeed, that it was scarce peroeptildc— and a slight corres-
ponding pressure of the spur on the tlanlt opposite, Hernando wheel-
ed his charger to the left; t‘cinted a thrust at his foe‘s face; and, cir-
cling quite around him, deliverth a full, sweeping out against the buck
part of his neck.

With perl'cct mastery of steed and weapon, Don Guzman met this

-ilous and unexpected movement. Pulling so hard on his long

loorish curb, that his horse, checked at once, stood upright, and al-
most fell backward on his haunchcs, he swung his sword round to
the guard so actively, that the strong blow tell harmless. Then they
closed hand to hand; fragmentsot' the short, mossy turf flew high
into the air, spurned by the iron heels of the excited chargers; sparks
flew from the collision of the Well tempered blades: feathers were
lhoru, blood flowed on either side; yct neither failed nor faltcred.

Atlength, a furious downright cut,aimed by Don Guzman, full at
Hernando‘s head, glanced from his guard. and falling on the ear of th!
high—blooded Andalusian, almost diaserered it ! Maddencd with tor-
ture. the brave brute obeyed the bit no longer, but, with a yell of
agony. bolted, despite the utmost elforts of the rider.

Herreiro marked his llllVilllltlgo, and. as the horse uncontiollahly
dashed by him', cut, by a second rapid lunge, his mltcrsary's rein
flounder. Frantic, although he was, with pain, and freed from tho
direct restraint of the half-useless bridle. Hernando was not carried

bu. before he had recovered mastery enough to wheel his Andalusian
round once more to the wueeuntcr. ‘

    

     

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Perceiving, instantly, that all chance of success by rapid turn or
quick maneuvering was at an end, he — now adopting his opponent’l
lystem — dashed straight upon him,— and, when within arm‘s
length, tin-owingr his own reins loose, caught, with his left hand, the
long silver cheek-piece of llerrviro‘s bit, wheeling his own horse
counter to flunk upon him, by the more dint of spur, without the

, slightest exercise of bit, or bridle; and shortened, at the. same time,
his sword, to plunge it from above, into the throat of the assassin.

 

It seemed as though no earthly power could have mailed to rescue
Guzman from his despetmte situation. liis horse, exhausted by his
own exertions, reeled visibly beneath the shock; his rapier, far ex-
tended and abroad, could by no means have parried the down thrust
which hung,r above him, but in that \‘Ul'y point of time -- that very,
second, long as a thousand ages -— wherein he saw the dark glance
of his injured comrades eye fixed banet'ully upon him; wherein he
noted the grim smile mantling upon his seornt'ul lip; wherein he shud-
dered at the gleaming point of the suspended rapier, which no atom of
his own could possibly “A'L‘l‘t In that dread point of time a yelling
about arose from all the cii'cunijaeent woodlands — a howl— 8.:
though the fiends had all broke loose, to rend the upper air with
their discordant voices. With the yell, a volley of flint-headed
arrows, came hurtling through the air — another — and another.
but, with the first, llernando‘s half-won triumph ended; for, as he
brandished his avenging swm-d alot’t, clear through his elevated wrist
arm-c the 10mg Carib shaft ~— a second grazed his plumc— a third,
most fatal 01'" the tight, pierced through the very heart of his proud

' Andalusian, and hurled him lifeless to the earth.

Ilerreiro turned -— turned for base flight —-— but not..- long did hill
forfeit life remain to him -— for, with the second volley, down went
both horse and man, transfixed by titty shafts, gory and lifeless! --
“ Mount! mount! Alonso — lllt ant, boy and fly," shouted the daunt-
less cavalier, as he lay wounded and encumbered by his slaughtered
horse! T he hold boy heard, but he obeyed not! Forth he rushed,
sword in hand -— forth to the rescue of his lord —— and forth, at the
same instant. from the forest, forth sped the Carib Caonolvo and his
unconqucred horde, with spear, and mace, and how, and whoop and
barbarous war-cry!

“ Down with your foolish sword —’tis madness to resist,"’ cried the
young Spaniard. “ Your horse is strong, turn and fly.”

I'l‘hc page loosened his rein, and took in the danger with a keen
once.
a “ Take this to the chief Arometn; tell him what has chanced, and
if you see me not alive again, have masses said for my soul."

As he spoke, Hernando tore the Carih‘s bolt from his bosom, and
flung it with a. last desperate hope, toward the boy. A dash at the
belt, and away the page plunged, leaping his horse over the slain
deed of his master—over the stark body of Don Guzman, and away
through the wild wood. The feathers in his hat streaming out

 

     
   
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
   
   
  
   
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   

 
 

me come; mm.

straight on the wind, and the golderl belt flashing like a meteor to l
the sunshine. A flight of arrows whizzed after the brave boy, but
his progress had been so switt, that they fell Spent on the way, and
he fled unharmed toward the l‘ort. , —
The moment he was gone, a dozen hands seized upon De Leon. and
he was the fettered captive ot' the invincible caeique Caonobo.

CHAPTER XIII
THE BRIDAL nous

The residence of Don Juan Rodriques presented a beautiful ap-
gearauce on the morning appointed for (luarica’s marriage with Don

uzman dc Ilerrciro. There was no need of grouping exotics or weav-
ing festal garlands in that lovely spot; for every other tree threw forth
masses of rich blossoms, and most of those which were not in flower,
were enwrcathcd with glossy green parasites that gave a rare variety
of tints to their greeuness.

Some preparation there was, but of a sad and mournt'ul kind.
Guarica, who Would as soonhare dreamed of resisting heaven as her

roud father, awoke to this morning with a brow of marble and a

cart of lead. While her hamllnaidons were busy with the sumptuous
garments, j Mpurted from ()ld Spain, she stole away from their
hateful splenr or and went down to the arbor where so many sweet
hours of her life hsul lltOII spent with Hernando.

'l‘h's arbor had been sadly neglected of late, and with the quick
growth of the climate, curtains ot' vines and blossoms had matted
themselves arouml its slen-‘lcr pillars. The long, unpruned branches
swayed and whispered in the wind, filling the neighborhood with
Weird-like music. Thus, when the poor maiden came to her retreat,
she was received by a thousand sighs, which seemed to come from her
Neglected flowers. “or two towns had giown wild also, and stonl
behind a thicket, staring at her with their great eyes, as if she had
been a stranger.

Guarica had no heart to claim the notice of her pretty favorites,
but went sadly into the arbor, wishing that it were her grave. llt‘l'
lute lay upon the cushions within, as she had left it days ago, after
awearing waiting for the lover who must Visit that place no more;
two or three books peeped from beneath the cushions her maidens had
forgotten to remove, and which were now heavy with moisture Damp
us the cushions were, Guarica fell upon her knees. and, bowing her
thee upon them, burst into a passionate tit of weeping, broken with
vague prayers for help which she still despaired of receiving. ' ’

 

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ASSEMBLle OF THE QUIET!- , 6.

The sound drew her fawns toward the arbor. where they stood for
‘I moment timidly looking on. Then, assured by her well-known voice,
they crept to her side and softly licked the hand with which she grasp—
ed the cushion

Guariea uttered a low cry, half thanksgiving half despair. She

‘was not forsalten~something upon the earth still loved and had
pity on her.

With the same heavy feeling at heart, and tears swelling under her
eyelids, she gathered up the lute and hooks and hid them away un.

, der the cushions which she would never repose on again, for hence
forth that arbor must be a forbidden place to her. the associations’
would be dangerous and—oh, how terribly painful in a. few hours
more! The fawns followed her around with puzzled docility. They
did not quite recognize their young mistress in her sorrow. It was
unnatural to them as her.

A voice from the dwelling called her back to deeper misery. She
started like a guilty thing -— gave a piteous look at her fnwns, and
hurried away.

The (‘arib maidens were. waiting sadly in her apartment. bewildered
by the gorgeous array of dresses that had been placed tor her choice
From this day she was to give up her Indian habits and costume.
which had always given a classic grace to her beauty.

The Carib maidens wore sad as herself; for a woman had been
brought from Isabella to supersede them about her person, and when
they began to take oil” her (,‘arih dress. the sound of their giiet‘ was
audible. With a feeling of wild desperation she submitted to he robed
for her martyrdom. As each Carib ornament was taken from her
person, it seemed as if a heart—string broke, and when the dress of
damassine silk enveloped her with its voluminous richness, and her
pretty feet, unaccustomed to any thing but her embroidered sandals,
were encased in stifi‘, high—heeled shoes, she felt like a prisoner sub-
mitting to inevitable chains.

At last she was ready. Her beautiful hair drawn into a. massive
knot and prisoned under a glittering caul —- her face. neck, and
arms shrouded in lace and silk. llow she hated herself in this dress!
for it was the ibrerunner and proof of a terrible future. How strange
and unnatural she seemed to herself in those. robes, waiting the ap-
pearance of a man whom she. hatui to the very core of her heart,
and yet must live with and try to endure forever! These thoughts
drove all the blood from that beautiful face. Her very hands grow
chill as marble when her father came, in his stately way. and hius'
ing her cold forehead, pronounced her beautiful,

For a moment she had some vague idea of appealing to her father
for mercy, but his stern looks, when she was aLout to plead, drove
the words from her lips. I

By this time guests were assembling on the grounds. The most

" distinguished people of the town and officers from the fortress came

‘ _ 5 gay and brilliant cnralcncles, riding fleet horses through the forest.
6 ‘ ‘ i .

8

 

 

    

do

THE 0C LDEN BELT.

 

The governor from Isabella‘and his household were of the number,
and following him close came the Spanish priest, whose solemn duty
it would be to pronounce the nuptial benediction. '

Don Redriques receited his guests with the dignified courtesy
which became his surroundings well; but Guarica stood by his side
silent and still, gazing away into the distance, as if she expecth
some help from afar which must surely come.

The guests had all assembled — knights and ladies full of cheerful
expectation. The priest was there, and the bride, but minute after
minute glided by and still no bridegroom. Where was Don Guzman
:lc Herreiro ‘!

The governor of Isabella knew that he had ridden out early that
morning, apparently for exercise in the forest, and if any of the
officers guessed at another n.0tiw, they hesitated to mention these
surmises in the presence of the bride, whose silence they mistook for
loving anxiety.

At last, when a. chill was beginning to creep over the guests, and
the frown grew dark on Don llodriquts’ brow, a horseman was seen
dashing headlong through the forest and across the optn glade before
the house. With a frightful leap he cleared the cactus‘ fence, and,
without drawing rein, dashed into the midst of the wondering guests.

Before the boy could speak, many a person from the fort recogniz-
ed Alonso, the page of Don Hernando dc Leon, who sat panting on
his horse searching for the governor of Isabella with his eagle eyes.

“ My lord! my lord —— back to the town — back to Fort Isabella—
man the walls —- load pistoth and cuh‘erin - place every sentinel at
his post — Caonobo is not two miles away! The forest is alive with
his warriors — he threatens the peaceful tribes of Urazimbo — he
intends to swoop like a falcon. down upon the fort and take it by sur-
prise. My lord,” he continued drawing a. quick breath, and dashing
the moisture from his brow with one hand, while he held out. the
golden belt with the other, at wich Gum-ice. uttered a faint cry, for
she remembered the Carib’s pledge, and knew that it had been given
to Hernando —“ My lord, where is Aromcta‘! where is Orazimbo
with his men? all will be wanted to crush this cacique. Don Guz-
man do Herreiro lies stark and dead on the greensward of the forest,
slain by the ruthless Caonobo, and —-—” u. cry from the bride remind-
ed the boy of his indiscretion in telling,r this sad news in her presence.
He looked at. Don Ilodriques, asking pardon with his fine eyes. but
that instant the bride stepped forward, her face startlingly alive
though it was pule as marble.

“ The belt— that belt, whence came it? for whom is it intended? ”
lhe quesfioned.

“ It came from my master, lady, Don Hernando de Leon, who was
this morning taken captive while engaged in mortal combat with-
with—your rdon, lmly; but he was carried off by the caciquo
Cacnobo. While a pack of savages held him in their toils, he broke

"my. flung this tilt. from their midst, and shouted for me to bear it.

 

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AWAY LIKE THE WIND. 7 ‘7'

like the wind, to Alometa or Orazimbo, and bid them take horse at
once and charge on the usurper’s track. This done, he bade ml
ride for life and death alarm the fort, which,—— by St Jagol I have
done, for the men are dragging forth culverins and pikes till the
walls bristle again. Now, fair lady, forgive me, that I intrude on.
your grief; and if you can do me the grace, tell me where the young
chief, your brother, is to be found, for every moment is precious.”

Guarica. approached close to the page, her eyes on fire and ha
cheek glowing. ‘

“ Ride to the northward; one with a fresh steed will follow and
lead the way. Stop for no word, but go ! ”

The page wheeled his horse instantly, leaped the cactus hedge, and
rode 011' at full speed, waiting for no second bidding.

While the frightened guests were dispersing, like a. flock of fright-
ened birds, Guariea disappeared. The directions to the page had
been heard by no one, for the startling tidings of Caonobo’s presence
near the fort turned the entertainment into a scene of wild confusion.
Thus Guarica passed through her father's guests unnoticed, andiran
swiftly to the chamber usually occupied by her brother. Here she
' found a Carib boy'busy arranging Uraziinbo‘s weapons on the wall.

“ Go ” she said, “ put harness on Prince ()razimbo’s fleetest horse.
Lead him behind the cactus hedge and wait."

The boy sprang away to perform her bidding.

The moment he was alone, Guarica tore oil' the gorgeous raiment in
v which they had invested her for the bridal, shook her rich locks free
from their golden net-work, and seizing a dress which her brother
. had cast aside, arrayed herself in it. Snotehing a quiver from the
wall, she buckled it to her shoulder, and with his bow in her grasp,
sprang away through the afi‘righted crowd. She passed her father,
as he was preparing to ride toward Isabella with the governor, with-
' out recognition, ran down the garden, sprang upon her brother’s steed,
‘ ind away, swift asthe wind and exultant as a forest-bird.

CHAPTER XIV.

I run cums.

Am. day long the wily savages retreated, through the most will

and devious recesses of the forest, toward their mountain fastnesses,

forcing their hapless captives, wounded though they were and faint

and weary, to strain every muscle to keep up with them. At midday,

' hr a half hour, they halted at a bright, crystal spring, deep-bosode

i4 in the pathless wilderness, kindled their fires, and applied themselvei
, to prepare their artless meal. .

 

 

 
 

    

m: GOLDEN BELT.

Moat picturesque and striking was the aspect of that wild halt; the
Vbite smoke eurltng up in snowy columns, strongly rt-liewd hy the
dark foliage; the bright and spat-Ming tires eastng their red refine
tion on .he gigantic bolls ot‘ the innumerable trust the flexible and
graceful forms of the lithe, aeti't'e natius Ieulining in small g
upon the deep, rich turt', or hurrying to and fro \\'tll| .\‘.\'ill ul.«'
movements; their arms piled up in glituring stacks, I r suingmp
{tom the limbs ot the emhowering shruhs. Most pieturts,,ue it was.

' and most. romantic; and had it been at any other time, no eye would
hm‘e dwelt on it with more eat-inst pleasure —no t'ancy “Lulll hate
[ported more poetically with all its thousand aeeidentsot‘ light and
shade, repose contrasted with swift motion, rare grouping. and bright.
gorgeous coloring, than that of the young Spaniard.

Butas he lay ‘oeneath the canopy of a superb mimosa, with arms
painfully lashed behind his haul; WtIll thongs recently eat from a raw
deer-hide. his thoughts were all to ptinl'ully absorbed. too vaguely
Wandering and distracted, to sulfa him to dwell upon or notice that ‘
gay spectacle.

Conjecture was at Work within his hrain; hut, latsy as it was, no
clue presented itself to his mind whtreluy to .~t:l\'(' the my All
was dark, intricate, and gloomy. By no means Could he disemer or
divine what could haul Let-n the cause (it such an inroad. Ly what
strange accident could the lCltlll'lYt us tivr the duel hate taen fixed at
the precise spot where the (Earths had their amiatse do 2’ ii-l' that they
could have learned the meditated duel was on the \ery late impossi—
ble‘! why such a force or halians >houid hate lten llillritl't‘ l -—- for
the hand it'ts,:tt the may hast l‘t‘t:lx‘t,llll|;,1', full tine hundred strong —
under thri* mtvst rcdoutaed ehanmion, to interrupt a emnhat l.t-tweeu
tWt) Spanish warriors '.‘ or why, supposing, as it was far more natu-
ral t0 deem. that the true object of the expedition had contemplated
some 0nd v idely different. atter thr aoeidtntal capture of one soldier,
the accttletttal purpose of the on>laught had lat-n laid hy and oter. Y
looked in tne delight arising from a success so slight and unimportant.

Deeply, however, as he pondered, he titund not, as has been stated
heretofore, the smallest clue wherehy to much the termination of the
maze in which his thoughts were so mvsteriously intolted. .-\t titties
a wild and anxious terror \\'ould puss s his mind With the idea that

hiseapture must he contacted in some wi a with his repeated \isits tt

the t‘aril) maiden whom he had so l‘lttlll'lllt‘tl \tithin his heart 0'

heart-t- — meet idol for that magic shrine -— that the most distant sur-

mis~t )t' peril, to wl ' s!1t'.‘illt;l|ltllit‘t‘ -d, shook his strong neh es,
trot. as :m eartlupuke azét iti-s the rox. ribbel mottttttins.

[\It in. as roast-n told him that >Ilclt {tucks were the mere ‘ 'ionnr)
workings of a seltLtm-mentiizg spirit, his features Would array them-
lelv‘e in a watt. sickly smile. and he would dum for a brirl‘ moment
that eheert'ulness and hope ware re-rstablished in his heart ‘.

_Thus passed the midday halt; the simple preparations for the [no
Adan neat Wen ended; and, seated on the velvet-cushioned green

  

 

 

   

     

  

 

 

      

 

    

  

THE INDIAN BOY.

ward. the natives ate in silence and in haste, betokming the ne'e'd oi!
rare and. to their inert and Voluptuous characters, unwelcome toil.
Food and a calahash of wattr were set before llrrnatalo. and a lig-
nificaut although mutc gtbtul'i‘ urged him to pl'tfil Ly the opportuni-
ty thus otl'rred; but, though he was awarc of the nects'sEty of keep-
ing up, as. titr as pissihlc, his physical, as Well as mental pou'tls, in
order to cxcrt lnmsclf on any chance occ. . . in to eiii‘ct his tseapc from
the fierce stung-ts, the four Lt' his wounds, (‘lllntht‘ttl l3 lhe anxiety
Mal hunting hittrrncss of his soul. hall parclnal his tin-Lat :mri lipsI
Mid he turned with irrcprtssihlc and painful loathing from the \ian-ls.
which, tlthlgh rude and sitnplc, might well haw satizlicd the palate:
of a suldicr fasting since the prccceilalg uight,aud spent with toil and
travel.

Deeply, however, did he drink of the cool crystal liquid with which
his calahash was: often at.d again rcplcnishcd by a young, bright-C3 9d
youth, of gentler mien and tnildcr tutturt-s than any othor of the
Carihs. who, front the first, had hower utireimirkrd about the cap—
tives, and who now smiled cla-crily upon llcrnandn whilc ministering,
with somcthing of solicitudc and tcndcrntss, to his; most prcssing wants.

After the Spaniard hall exhaustul, at a single draught. thc sccond
gourd of watcr, and had t't-Iapsul alicady into the tltcp al:stracti::u
of his own fcwrul thoughts, he was half startled hy the snuthing
pressure of a con]. iol't hand upon his burning la'ow, lining his
temples with the same pair, icy (lenient which had so gratcfully re-
lieved his fiery thirst. l.ittin;_r his eyes with a suddcn impulsc, he
caught again the i'caturcs of the slight lmlian hoy, which smeral
times helm-c had met his gaze that morning, although unnoticed in
the engrossing tumult of his status.

‘ Again a brilliant smile glanced over the dark linmmonts, and a
quick. flashing light, as if of woll-plcased rrcognition, lcaped from
the lustrous eyes. Although the face was strange, altlnngh, to the
best ofth young Spaniard‘s mcuaa-y, never had tlasc dusky fra-
tureu mtt his cyes, there. was yet something familiar in thcu- aspt'ct
—somcthiug which brought, back. litl'lllllltit) hat-w not why, bright
thoughts of hy-gonc days and hindlctl lat-licr hopts of future wol-
farc. Something there ccrtainly was of indist'uct and \aguc simili-
tude to some one he had sun Lelia-e, although he L‘l uld not, on thI
Instant. hring to his mind time, or place, or person.

Thought was: at wurl; within him to mal-zc out whcrcin, ntal tt
whom, lay this strange similitutle; while still the ninth» hand
ltocpeil his hot tiirchcad, and the mild eys gazed into his nith al«
most female tunlermss.

Entitlcn it fiashrd [ll-(ll him—euthltn as the electric glcnniw-a
radiant light shot fium his chutlcd eyts, his lips n.0ud, and the
first syllables of an lttdiall word wm- (julvoring on his tuiguc.
But the lzoy, instantly apprcciating the meaning (if that auddel.‘
luster. assumed a graxe and warning air, ptcszcd his fore-finger

t In his tip' then he waned his left hand with a gesture” III

 

 

;

    

  

THE GOLDEN BELT.

plight, as tobe imperceptible except to him for whom it was intend
ed.'townrd,the great chiet‘tain Caonobo, who lay at a short distance
under the overbowering shadow of a huge forest tree, mnntled with
thousands of sweet parasites. Caenobo was engaged in consultation,
as it would seem from their gram brows and quiet gestures, of
deep import with his superior wnrriors ,With this graceful gesture,
the boy turned away and was lost instantly to the sight of Hernando.
The (.‘fiib solrliery were now niustering fast, their simple meal con.
cluded, as for their onward route.

Another moment, and the gigantic encique tip-started to his feet;

* he snatched from the branch, “hence they had hung above his headh
his long, tough how and gayly decorated quiver, and strung them
across his naked shoulders; tin-n he braced on his left arm a light
buckler, covered with thin plates of the. purest gold; and, grasping
in his right a ponderous mace of iron-wmd, curiously curred nnd
toothed at every angle with rows of jagged shells, stalked with an air
of native dignity, which could not hme been outdone, had it been
equaled, by the noblest potentate of Europe‘s hanghtiest court.
Across the green sovannah he strode, and Stoml among his warrior-
Iuhjects, the mightiest and noblest of them all— the mightiest and
the noblest — not in the muiner attributes of rank and birth alone——
not in the temporal power only, which may be, and oft is, bestowed
upon the weak of limb and low of spirit —— but in the thews ind sin-
owa — the energies — the daring and the soul — the power to do and
to sufi‘er—the sublime and unmoved constancy of purpme—the
indomitable, irresistible resolve— the all which mnltes out man su-
perior to his fellows

A moment he stood there, gazing around him with n fearless and
proud glance upon the muster of his tribe’s best soldic y. Then
speaking a few words in on undertone to 11 tall savage, who, through
out the day, had been the nighest to his person, he 8 allied off;
Slowly followed four, at least, of the five hundred which composed ‘
his band, in a. direction nearly at right angles to the blind path
which they had hitherto pursued, and which might be perxeivetl, be-
yond the little aren, diving right onward, between walls f impene-
trable verdure, into the far depths of the forest. ,

No dash of weapons —- no clung of marl inl instruments - no heavy
trump of footsteps betrayed the movements of that armed army.
Silently, one by one, in single file, they gleamed, like bhosts upon
the eye of De Leon, as they disappeared, eneh utter each, and shot
Igain, eooh after each, into sight for a moment’s syncs, among tho
vast trunks of the forest through which they held their silent march.

Scarce had the last of this trnin vanished from his sight, before
the tall savage to whose ear the parting words of (‘aonobo had been
uttered, marshnled the little hand which had hem left, us it would
learn, under his sole command. Fifty of these, bearing their long
bows ready bent, with a. flint-headed arrow IlOtChud on the string of

with. tiled 03' under the guidance of an old hon-y headed Carib".

 

 

u.—

 

nncn or run arms. ‘95

whose wrinkled brow, and lean. attenuated frame would have do»
noted him as one unfit for deeds of toil or daring, had not they been,
even more distinctly contradicted by the light vigor of his every
motion. by the kcen tire of his glaring ey es, and by the sincwy grace
with which he wielded his war weapons.

At the same stealthy eat like pace, which he had marked in the
warriors of the larger hand, those dark-skinned archers threaded
the defile of the nmln-agetins path. This path was so narrow as
scarcely to admit one man, and was so densely walled by brakes of
zone and prickly shrubs, that it Would have been a harder task to
penetrate their leal'y rampart, than to carve out a path through the
most powerful bastions that mortal Workman e\er framed of the eter-

, Ital granite.

A signal from the chief directed him to follow, and, conscious of
the entire hopelessness of any present opposition to his will, recruited
somewhat by his brief repose. and cheered yet more by the imagina-
tion that in the number of his captors he had found, at the least,
one friend, Hernando entered with a quick and sprmgy step the dim
pass. Hard upon his heels. urging him close up to the warrior who
preceded him, strode the tall figure of the Carib captain, followed in
turn by the remainder of his train. Onward they marched -— still
onward, tracking the windings of that narrow road, through the
deep matted swamp ——-o\'er the rocky hedge—among the giants of
the forest — still walled at every point by masses of luxuriant verd-
are so dense as to make twilight of the scorching noonday, still 80
defined that a blind man might have groped out his way unerringly,

" , and still so straight that it was utterly impossible for two to go
.nbreast.

The only changes to the dark monotony of this dim defile were
when it t'orded some wild torrent, brawling along in gloomy discon-
tent among the tangled thickets; or when it crossed, upheld on narrow
causeways of rude logs, some wood-girt pool, half lake and half
morass, where, for a little space, the weary eye might strive to pene-
trate the arched vista, through which foamed the restless streamlet;
or dwell upon the (lull and lead-like surface of the small standing
pool. Onward they marched—still onward! The sun. which all
unmarked had clonib the height of heaven, and all unseen descend-
ed to its western verge, stooped like a giant bridegroom to his bed,
and a more dull and browner horror o’er-spread the trackless forest.

The stars came out in the translucent skies, spangling the firms.-
ment with their unnumbered smiles, but not one mirtht‘ul glance
might penetrate the solid vault of the greenery which overcuhopied
their route. The broad, bright moon soared up, far o’er the tangled
tree-tops, and here and there pencil of soft luster streamed down-
ward through some verdant crevice, and a mild hazy light diffused

, itself even in that murky avenue.

Onward they marched —— still onward -— at one unwenried, even,

i ailent pace. No halt was made at. eventide—no halt at the deep

 

 
   

rm 0mm; m.

midnight. The young Spaniard, proud though he was of his capaci-
ty to bear, well trained in every manly and martial exercise, felt that
he was but a child in strength and in actiiity among the dark sons
of the forest. Onward they tmirehed -—- still onward -— and it was
only by the utmost and most hudutu exertion that Hernando unld
maintain the steady, switt p - . which his cap-tor: lltltl, nithtnt one
pant disturbing the calm tenor of their breathing, or one sweat—drop
appearing on their muscular and smart frames.

Daybreak was near at hand -- a deeper gloom had followtd on thi
setting moon -— the stars had set -—and a chill freahntss in the, an
botokened the approach of morning, although the skies were yet
untingeti by any gleam of light, when a low whistle “as heard from
the head of the long tile —— man by man it passed rearward—and
all halted.

After a. second’s space therewas a forward movement, and after a
few steps, Hernando might perceiae that the path opened somen'hat,
and that the men, who went lecture him, tell orderly and steadily as
they advanced into a column of three front, halting, howeyer, as
they did so, in order that no interval might be left in their hne of
march.

Then scarcely had he moved half a yard beyond the spot whereat
the wider road commenced, before the tall chief, mentioned heretofore,
Ind the man next behind him moved simultaneously, by a quick,
pnrd-like spring, to either side of him. and grasped his arms-above
the elbow with 'firm though not painful pressure. Meanwhile the
heavens had brightened somewhat, and he might see that a huge
,mcky 1,111. or, as it, might have. been termed [mom-aptly, mountain,
rose suddenly with an abrupt and giant barrier directly in their
front. I

A narrow road climbing the height by difiieult, precipitous zigzags,
to steep and rugged that even the welldn'eathed and name names
were forced, from'time to time, to pause in the mount to catch their
failing breath. 'l‘hev scaled this vast bent of bare and ahrubless
rock, and as they paiised at every angle, Hernando might looh back
upon the little progress they had made, and mark the almost insep-
arable difficulties which would present themselves to the adiance of
any cit‘ilized force, by so untamed a road. Rough as it was, how |
ever, and difficult of access, an hour of constant labor brought them ;I
at last in safety to the summit. _

Here a scene. widely (litl'erent from the bleak, herbless crags which.
with so much of labor, they had scaled, presented itself to the Span.
im‘tl's eye. A table of rieh, fertile, land of many milea‘ circumfer-
ence, was here otrrapread upon the ledgy top of the huge ltill which

fell abruptly down on met-y side, a precipice of seieral hundred
feet in sheer descent, accessible alone by steep and zigzag aths, bk!
that by which his weary feet had painfully surmounted ttu ascent,
Groves of the richest \erdure tlmuml high above the black and
broken rocks which walled them in on every side—fields, rich},

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

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clothed with the tall maize, mottled and twinlded in the morning air.

Streamlets of crystal water meandrred to and fro, until they reached
the steep brink, when they plunged in bright and foamy cataracts
down to the vale below.
» Here, emhosomed in the verdant groves, circled with rich and fur-
tile fields, watered by rillsot host transluemt wa'tcr— here on a
summit never before [l'utlzlt‘ll by the foot of l-Iuropean, lay the so-
tluded l'astness of tho Curd) t'ammlio—a village larger and more
neatly built than any which Hernando had yet seen in the fair island
Ill llispaniola. Some two or, at the most, three hundred cottagtfi.
of the low Indian liishion, with root’s thatched by the spreading
palm-leaves, and pillared pol‘tlct-S, were scattered about in careless
groups, irregularly mixed with groves and gardens, and carefully
surrounded by a deep ditch supplied with water from a dam upon a
neighboring streamlet, and a stochath composed of m-  re timht/rs
of the already famous iron-wood, framed with much skill. and inge-
unity, in imitation of the Spanish palisadoes.

Columns of smoke were curling" ga‘tly upward from every cottage

 

    

;
I

7 roof, and lights were glancing cheerin from every open door, and

wide, unlatticed casement. Merry \oiees rang in friendly comersé
01' unthinking song through the long Village streets; but none came
forth to greet or cluer the Wounded,Weary .stranger, who was

' . dra'rged on ri rht on wistt'mly eveinrv the hriw-ht fireside. and listen-
O . ’ b 3 u n b h

ing with anxious ears to the gay sounds of merriment, amenlar which
he stood alone and almost liopeitss.

At length, wl.‘en he had passed carry home -- when the lights and
sounds had faded into distance, the hand, which might he said to
bear, rather than now to lead him onward, halted hetero a towering
pile of rock upon the farther Verge of the small area of the table-
land.contiguous to the stern precipice. 'A light was procured in-
stantly by one of the interiors of the tribe, and by it was revealed a

natural aperture in the dark rock, deli nded by a grated wicket cem-

sed of massive beams of iron-wood, securely fastened by a. lock of
punish manufacture.
A key was instantly produced from the tall chieflain‘s girdle, and

V without a word of explanation the gate was opened, the Spaniard's

bonds were loosened, a pile of cloaks of the rude native cotton was
dung down in a. dark recess of the care. which, by the dim light of

.the flickering torch. appeared of immense magnitude. llernanlo

was thrust violently in, the torch extinguished. and the gate 610941
on the moment, locked and double-locked lieliind him.

For a short time he listened to the departing footsteps of his cap-
tors. then, outdone with weariness and woe. he muttered his holy

‘orisons, and. throwing himself down at full length on the simple

fillet, slept tranquilly and soundly till the sun of a new day shone
'gh in the blue heavens. ‘ .

a

 

  

C H A P T E R XV
THE CARIB’S one.

Tun sun was high in heaven, when Hernando de Leon awoke hell
the deep but perturbed and restless slumbers, which, induced by the
féver of his wounds, and the toilsonie journey of the preceding day,
had fallen on him, almost before his limbs were stretched upon their
temporary couch. The bright, rays streaming in between the massive
beams that barred the portal of his dungeon, full of ten thousand
dancing motes, had fallen full upon his thee and uncurtained eyelids,
dazzling the orbs within, so that, when he started from his dreamless
sleep, it was a moment or two before he could so far collect his
thoughts, unaided by the prompting of his eyesight, as to discover
where he was, or whar had been the circumstances which placed him
in that wild abode.

By slow degrees, however, the truth dawned upon his mind; and,
with the truth, that dull sense of oppression, that dense and smother-
ing weight, which, to souls of the highest order and most delicate
perceptions, seems ever to attend the loss of liberty. For a. while,
therefore, he brooded gloomin and darkly over the strange events of
the past day; the singular mode in which he had been so unexpected-
ly entrapped; the unexplained and unintelligible conduct of the sav-
ages; and, above all, the motives which had influenced their treat»
ment of himself.

Hence his thoughts strayed, by no unnatural transition, to the
mild features and kind ministry of the Carib boy, but though he
probed his memory to its lowest depths, he could not satisfy himself
of aught pertaining to those half-remembered lineaments. After a
little space, wandering again, his spirit began to reflect upon the
chances of his liberation; nor did he meditate long upon this topic,
before he came to the conclusion that for his present escape from the
bonds of the fierce cacique, and for his ultimate return to the settle-
ment of his countrymen, he must rely upon his own energies. Hope

of assistance from without was evidently desperate. The speed and

 

 

secrecy with which the Indians had conducted their retreat—tho \ "'I

ignorance of all his comrades respecting his own movements on that
eventful morning—the death flight, or capture of all those who
had been privy to the time or place of his encounter with Herreiro;
"Id. lbove‘ 311. the great and almost certain prohabilty, that sons

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neronss ms PRISON-HOUSE. ,79 .

ulterior object. involving inroads upon the Spanish posts, of magni-
tude suflioient to engage their occupants, exclusively, in their own
self—preservation, had drawn the wily Caonobo to such a distant).
from his usual fustnesses.

All these considerations led the young captive to believe, that on
himself alone ~— on his own ottcn tried resources --— on his own reso- _
ute will, and unflinching nerves—on his own deep sngacity, and
dauntless courage — on his own hardihood of heart, and correstwnd
ing energy of thews and siuews, depended all his hopes of extricatiot
bum imprisoment. His incarceration promised to be long indeed,
and painful, unless it should be brought to a more speedy, though no
less unwished termination, through the medium of a violent and cruel
ieath.

Stimulated by reflections such as these, to something of exertion,
Hernando rose trom his lowly couch, with the intent of exploring, to
the utmost, the secrets of his prison-house. So far as the uncertain
light, checkered and broken by the gratings through which it
found its way, permitted him to judge, his dungeon seennd of con-
sideruble depth and magnitude. To his great surprise, as he raised
himself, he perceived that during his slumlwrs his dungeon had
been visited by some one, who had left, hard by his humble pillow, a
calabash of pure cold water, with a slight meal of fruits and the
cassava bread, which formed the principal urticleot’ nutriment among
the simple Indians.

So sound had been his sleep, that the noise of opening the heavy.
creaking gate had fallen unheard and unheeded on his dulled senses.
To lave his heated brow and hands in the cool element— to quaif a
long, long draught, more soothing and delicious in his present temper,
than the most flagrant wines of Xeres, or the yet more renowned and
costly Bal do Penas, was his first impulse; but when, refreshed and re-
invigorated by the innocent cup, he turned to taste the eatables before
him, his weary soul revolted from the untouched morsel, the risingl
spasm of the throat, the hysteria“ passio of poor Lear, convulse
him.-

Casting the food from him, he buried his hot, aching temples in
his hand, and remained for many minutes, plunged as it were, in a
deep stupor. Then. by a mighty ell‘ort, shaking olf the lethargic

‘ gloom, he drank again, more deeply than before,-— sprang to his feet, r
‘Ind stmde with firm and rapid steps, several times to and fro the
Oren of the prison, immediately within the wicket, whore fell the
)iightest glances of the lnilf-intcrrupted sunlight. _

“Shame, shame! ” he cried, at length, giving articulate expres-
Iion to his thoughts ——‘-shame, shame, on thee, IIernando!-—to
pine and give way thus beneath the pressure of so slight an evil! ”

.“ What is this to thy hard, soul-cankering captivity, among thI
lavage painimry of Spain— when, fettered to the floor, thou 1am

' edst for nine long months, unvisited by the fair light of beam

tit must notbo!~”- ~ I ‘ " .

  

   
 
 
  

   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

\

 
 
 

    

THE G OLDER BELT

Hernando manned himself upon the instnnt, by a. single efi‘ot-t, and
turning from the light, explored with cnutious scrutiny eneh nook
and angle of the cmern. it was of large extent; wide, deep, full of
dark, irregular recesses; and seemed to lune Leon used its a specie!
of magazine or Stwl'C-IIOUSC; for piles of dried fish. buskets of wicker-
work, ht-nped with the golden ears of maize, or roots of the cussat'a.
eutnherrd the floor; while on rude shelves were stowed nway simple
fabrics of the lndinn loom, tnnttings, and rolls of cotton cloth fantul-
Zically dyed; and in one. the must secret nook. protected by it wooden
Joor, a mass of glittering ornaments, some wrought ot the purest gold,
and others of the adulteruted metal, which the savages termedyuanin,
breastplutes, and crowns, and bracelets, enough to have sntistied the
uvurice insutinte of :1 l‘izarro or a Cortes

Nor were these all; for visible amid the darkness, by the rays
which there own gorgeous substance concentrated, lay bars nnd in- '
gets, und huge wedges of virgin metal. besides it pile of unwrought
ore, gleaming with massy veins, of value utterly incalculnble.

Slight was the glance which the young Spaniard enst upon these
more than hineg trensnres — a single crevice opening to the outer
air, had been to him a discorery more precious than the ootmentrnted
wealth of nli the mighty mines of the new World — a single cent of
plate, with helmet nnd liltuiiicl', and it good Spanish hlude to match
them, he would have clutched with hand that scorned the richer
metal —but these were not; and he turned from the cucique’s treasu-
ry with n heedless air, to resumediis hitherto unprofitable search.

Not far did he go, however, before another Wooden door presented

v itself, closed only by an inurtihoiul lnteh, which yielded instantly to

his impatient fingers. It opened, and before him spread a huge and
stately hull, for such it sot-incl, wide as the cloistered chancel of

«some gothic pile, and lot'tier; walled, paved, nnd vnulted by the

primeval hand of nature, first and unrivaled nrchitect, with the
eternal grunite. Unlike the outer elmniber, obscure or dimly seen
by half-excluded daylight, this npartment was flooded with pure, all
pervading sunshine, which poured in, unpolluted nnd unvuiled,
through the rust na urnl nreh which termimtted the superb urcnde.

His heart leaped, us it seemed, with the vast joy of the moment,
into his very thran All suffering, nll unxiety all wue was instantly
gone! for he wus free! free as the [rash summer winds thut. Wantoned
round his hend, rife with the perfumes of n thousand flowery hills!
free as the glowing sunshine that streamed in so gloiiously through
that portal!

With it quick stop and la'nnding pulse. he looped toward the open
“13: he. reached! he steed upon the tlutsholdl \\ herei'ore thnt sud
den start, wherefore that nshy puller pervading.r hrow. und cheek,
and lip! Une other step, and he had teen precipitated hundreds of
'eet from the sheer verge of the huge rock, which fell a perpendicu:
of descent ‘of ninety inthpms, down to the cultured plainbelow,
El. feet were tottering now upon the very brink; audit 

 

 

     

 
  
 

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the isle. he saw {our unravels. with every snow-white an"!

A SPLEXDID IBOSPW.

Inorc than ordinary effort of his strong active frame, to check the
impulse. of his forward motion, which had been so impetuously swift,
that: but a little more would have sufficed to hurl hitn into empty air

With a dull, leaden weight, that sudden disappointment crushed
down the burning aspirations of his soul -- his heart to" sick within-
him—he clasped his hands (Her his throbbing temples—die wal
again a captive It. was. however, but for a moment that he wan
unmanned; before a second had elapsed, he was engaged with all
his energies in the examination of the smallest peculiarities of the
place. hoping, alas! in win, that he should still discover some path
)vherehy to quit his prison-house. But not the titintest track ——not
the most slight prtjtction, wlterton to plant a tent, was there;
shove, below, to right and let'tot' that huge arch, the tnttssy precipice
was smooth and hard and slippery as glass.

After a minute inspection, the Spaniard was reluctantly compelled
to own to his excited hopes, which t‘ain would have delivered them-
selves, that nothing had been gained by his discovery beyond the
power of gazing forth over the beauties of that boundless scene.
Which stretched away for miles and miles. beneath his tiet to the
blue waters of the (court, which lost themselves in turn in the illimit—
u’ble azure of the cloudless skits. “'istt'ully did he strain his eyes
over the wide-spread plain, which . ft'ettt that lofty eminence, stretched
map like and distinct; its ewt'y variation of hill. or sloping upland,
tangled ravine, ut' bread and fertile valley, clearly delineated by the
undulations of those mighty shadows, v hich, thrown by the strong
sunshine from a bundled suetping cleuds,—careered, like giant

‘ wings, over the glittering landscape.

Many an Indian village did he mark, nestling beneath the um-
bmge of its sheltering;r palms, or perched upon some bold prejcction,
around the base of which murmured, with chafing waters, some one
of those bright streams, lllllldltds of which might be setn glancing
gold-like to the morning sun. llut though he gazed till his eyes
ached, he could descry no tokensu" his countrymen. ’Jhe settle-
ments of Isabella were. either tm far distant to be reached by any r
human glance, at were, more proliahly, concealed Ly some dark,
forest-mantled hill, for he. could neither discern them, nor even rec-
ognize the curvature of the lair lay on which they stud.

Suddenly, while he lingered yet, our the distant prospect-ll faint
sound Lutst upon his ear—a :Hlnd oft heard and urtin'gotten;
though so faint. that now it scarctly its-(- alove the whisper (.t' the
breeze, waving the myriad tree-tops of that untrnd'len solitude, and
the small Voice of the far riwr, wla so angry roar was nwllowed by
the influence of distance, into a soft and soothing tnurtnur. He
started and glanced hurriedly around -— again that sennd— nearer
and clearer than before — the runote din of ordnance !

Toward the east he gazul; and thtl't‘, winning their '(llift way
through the calm waters in close propirquity to the green margin of

 

    
  

THE GOLDEN nnm

tothe favoring gales, with fluttering signals streaming from their
mast-heads, and by their oft-repeated saltos, soliciting the notio.
of their countrymen.

It was— it was. past doubt, the squadron of Columbus—long
wished for, and arrived too late ! 'l‘hat squadron which he had so
fondly, anxiously desired, the’pledge and sanction of his nuptial!
with his adored -— Gum-ica. Yes, it was own now making its des-
tined harbor; while he a hopeless captive, lay in a living tomb, his
fitte diknown, his prison unsuspected —- and she, his dark-eyed
love, endured he knew not what, of disappointed love, of intense
yearning, and of hope dct'erred— perchnnce of barbarous outrage
prompted by the suspicion or the jealousy of her wild kinsmen.

Hopeless although he was, he watched those caravels with a gaze
as eagerly solicitous as that which the henighted sailor keeps on the
beacon of his safety— while, one by one, they were lost to his sight
behind some towering promontory, and reappeared again, each after
‘ each, glittering forth with all their white sails skimming in the meri-
dian light. At length he might behold them shortening sail, as
though their haven were at hand. By and by they shot into the
shadow of a wide wood—crowned hill; and, though the watcher kept.
his post until the sun was heading down toward the western verge of the
horizon, they issued not again upon the azure waters, beyond that
mass of frowningl \‘et'duie.

With a heart. sicker than before, he had already turned away, in'
order to go hack into the outer (met-n, Man a sharp, whining
sound beside him, attracted his attention, and ere he could look
round, the long shaft of a (‘arih arrow splintered itself against the
rocky archway, and fell in fragments to his feet. The first glance
of the dauntless Spaniard was outward, to (lg-fiery, if “with, the
archer who had launched that missile, and with so true an aim!
Nor was he long in (louht —-— for, perched upon a projecting crng of
the Same line of cliti's, wherein was le'llll‘llit‘fi the wide care within
the mouth of which he stood. a hundred yards, at the least calcula-
tion, distant, he saw the ('arih hoy, who had so kindly ministered to
his most pressing wants during the toilsome march of the past day.
A quiver was suspended from his shoulders, and a long [ndian how
was yet raised in his right hand to the, level of his eye —-— hut hy the
friendly wafture of his left, he seemed to doprecate the notion that
he was hostiluly inclined.

Again he wm‘ed his hand aloft, pointed toward the broken arrow,
And, turning hastily away, was out of sight lit-fore llt-rnan-‘to could
mply to his brief umicahle gestures. As soon as he had roused ‘his
scattered energies of mind, the Spaniard turned his attention to the
fragments of the splintered shaft, and instantly discow‘rcd a. small
packet securely fastened to thctlint head. Tearing it thence with
eager haste, couched in the Spanish tongue. and traced upon the

, not-up ot' parchment by a. wellu'ememlieied hand. he read the follow-
ing mace: :— . A

 

 

 

   
 
 
    
   
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  

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mu 3mm. 83

" Be of good cheer — friends are about us. When the moon sets
to-night, watch at the cavern month—a elew of thread shall be
conveyed to thee, by which thou shalt draw up a cord suficient tbs
thy weight — means of escape shall await thee at the clitf’s foot—
these, through the Carib, Orazimbo, from thine Ammo." »

He tore the billet on the instant, into the smallest fragment:
and, lest some prying eye should fall on its contents, scattered ,_
it piecemeal through the rocky porch to the free winds of heaven. ,
This done, he looked around him carefully for some projection of thek
rock whereunto he might fix the rope, on which he was to wing hi:
flight down that precipitous abyss, that no time might be wasted
when the appointed hour should come for the adventure. He soon dis-
covered a tall stalaetitic pillar, close to the brink of the descent,
_the strength of which he tested by the exertion of his utmost power.

Satisfied now that he had nothing more to do, but to avoid suspi-
cion and to wait the actions of his friends Without, he returned in-
stnntly to the exterior cave, and secured the door with care. Then

\ dragging back the cotton mattress, on which he had slept the pro;
‘ceding night, into the darkest angle of the prison he stretched him-
self on it to await, as patiently as might be, the approach of eve-
ning. Not long had he lain there, before a grim-risagcd, old, wrinkled
warrior entered with a supply of food and water. Without a word, this
tawny jailer deposited his load upon the rocky floor, and then, with
uncouth courtesy, applied fresh bandages besmearcd with some sweet-
scented Indian salve, which acted almost magicly to the refreshment
of the wound upon the wrist, which had been pierced by the Carib
arrow.

Having done this, he peered about with silent scrutiny into each
angle and recess of the cave-dungeon. ’l‘hen, having severely tested
the strength of the wooden barriers, swung to, and locked the heavy
lattice, and departed. Slowly the hours of daylight lagged away;
but to the slowest and the longest term, its end must come; and
gradually the long shadows, which the setting sun threw over the
green landscape, melted into the dimness of the universal gloom.
One by one the stars came out in the dark azure firmament, and all
was still and sweet and breathless. A non, the moon came forth,
climbing the arch of heaven in her pure beauty, and bathing all on
earth in peaceful glory. a

It seemed to the excited spirit of Hernando, as if she never
would complete her transit over the deep blue skies; and it was with
no small exertion that he compelled himself to wait the time ap-
pointed.

Well for him was it, that he did so ! for when she had attained her
central height, a band of dusky warriors, with the great caeiqne.
Caenobo, at their head, all armed ‘with spears and war-clubs, azue
equipped with many and bright torches, paused at the grated en
trance. and summoned him to show himself to them. his m»

 

    

    

I!!! GOLDEN BET.

After this measure. evidentiy cf precaution, he was left quite alone
and shortly tell nsltep, fora short space, although his slumbers were
disturbed and broken; and the moon hail not set, although her low‘
er rim was sinking t-tst into the forest, “hen he woke.

Cautioust he peered out through the dungeon gate, to see that all
was still without, ere he should seek his post; then satisfied that no
spies were upon the watch, he noiselessly nnclosed the inner door,
Mtened it softly after him, and stealing through the larger cavern,

’showed his tall figure in the arclnvay,just as the last ray of the
moon glanced on the clith around him, ere she should disappear.
She sank. and all was gloom. A moment, and a shrill sharp whis-
the mug on the night air; and again a. shaft whizzed past him, and
(Gil harmless.

A slight thread was attached to it, which fathom after fathom he
drew in, until a stronger line supplied its place, and next a stout
cord, and at length the promised rope ! I I .

With eager hands he gathered it, link after illtk, coil after cod,

, fastened it to the lofty stulaetite, and after hating tried liy a sudden
km the safety of the knot, leaned forth our the rocky brink, t‘o‘see ’
if thence he might do cry aught of his trusty friends ! lrnninzshed
by the distance, into a twinkling gleam, scarce larger than the tire—
fly‘s spark, at the. crags base, there- blau-l a single torch; and this
slight glimmer seen, without one word or doubt, the dauntlcss youth
grasped the stout cable and launched himself over theperilous hrmk,
into the Viewless bosom of the air. The rope had been prepared
with knots at each foot of its length, through every one of which
was thrust a tough l-anihuo, forming a rude extetnpore step-ladder.
These facilitated somewhat the descent, into that black. and, as it
seemed, Lottomltss abyss, hut was still perilous in the extreme, and
3’“ 51‘88 perilous than fearful. Steadily, however, did Hernando,
gl'flsping the short rungs with an iron gripe, and planting -hts feet
one by 0"", dt‘scrnded that fearful ladder; nor, till he stood un-
scathed on the firm soil below, did his brain reel, or his stout
“.el'ves tremble. There, on his remroring from the transient
tremor and bewilderment that fell upon him, he found himself
ciaaped in the t'ond arms of the faithful Gmu-ica; while round him
gathered the bold page, Alonso, and ()razimL-o, the true Carib

' my, Guarica's youthful lit-other, who had designed with skill, and

‘Iith mu accomplished, this desperate adventure of escape.

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

    
   
  

VCll AFTER XVI
THE ESCAPE

Bum! time had the young Spaniard and his Indian princess for
explanation or for converse; for while she was yet clasped t0 hil
grateful breast, in the first sweet embrace of love, a long, wild yell
rang tin“ into the bosom of the night front the care above, and the
bread glare of a hundml torches. tumultuoust Lrandished by as
many strong and savage hands, disclost to the eyes of the aston-
ished fugitiws the tiercc cacique himself, surrounded by the flower
of his wild chitalry, armed at all points with bow. and buckler, war-

. club, and jmelin, und pike, thronging the rccky threshold of that
deserted dungeon.

Each swnrthy figure stood out revealed on that hold eminence like
animated sculptures of the far-famed Corinthian brass, the sinewy
frames, the well-dm‘eloptd muscles, nay more, the Very featuxes n-nd
exprcssion of every Sltl'll eacique, the plumy crowns and pictured
quiver, fill clearly \isihle, and palpuhly dtfincd against the fierce red
glow which formed the Lachgt‘ouud to that animated picture.

Brief time was there, indeed. for instantly discowring the mode.
by which the fugitix‘e had left his place of confinement, and guess-
ing, as it scenud, that his flight was hit t'Letnt—tor though the
crimson glam of the resinous torchts rendeer the group above an
visible as daylight could have done, it laektd the power to penetrate
the gloom which tailed the little knot (.f Leings at the base of that
huge precipice. Two of the boldest of the great cacique’s fellowerl
addressed themselves to the puisuit. by the same fearful and precarioul
ladder, while many others might be seen casting aside the heavier pcr-_
tions of their dress and armature, and git-ding up their loins it: pic-p?
aratiun for a similar purpose.

” llaste, haste, lltiunndo.’ whispered the Indian nmidm. it: I.
mice that fairly ll’t‘llllrltitl with :igitntit n — “ haste to yen thicktt lvy

, the stream ! fly theu, Althfio, mid unlvind tlxe husts ! tune, (3m.
limbo -— ln'Llhel‘ l ”

An! :13 we spoke, grasping; her lover by the arm. («he hurt icd him
away to a dense mass of thorny l-l‘llblfl‘t‘ttl “liltll, mercanpitd
with many a tire und many u ttttigltd eu‘qtr, Cl(.llitt.l the bank of
a wide, lnrawling streamlct, which flowcd with a loud andinoullnf:
Ifimuz‘, though in s slendu Volume. m: 3 met; meet-"aw

9

    

    
 

run GOLD“ BELT.

small rocky fragments detached, in the lapse of ages, from the era;

that overhung it. Here, fastened to the branches, stood three Span-
ish chargers, equipped with the lightest housings then in use, except
that one, in addition to the sad lie, was provided with a velvet cush‘
ion attached to the cantle, and kept in its place by a thong, secur-

' ing it to the richly-plated erupper.

t‘ Mount, mount, Alonso '. ” cried the maiden; “ stay not to hold
your master’s stirrup — mount, and delay not — every minute, now,
is worth a human life ! ”

' While yet the words were on her lips, the page had leaped into
his saddle; and, swinging her slight form. with scarce an elfort, to
the croup of the tall charger, Hernando, without settingr foot in the
stirrup, vaulted into the saddle helm-e her; grasped the reins firmly
with a practiced hand, and stirring his steeds mettle with the spur,
rode on a few paces down the channel of the stream till he had
reached a place clear from the overhowering brushwood. The boy,
Alonso, followod hard on his traces, leading, the third home by the
bridle at his side.

“ Where—oh, where turries Orazimbo'! ” whispered again the Carib
maiden, in the sweet low music of her native tongue; “ without him‘
all is naught ! ”

Ere she had well done speaking, they had cleared the thicket. and
by the strong illumination of the lights above,a fearful scene was

" rendered visible. The foremost twu of their pursuers were half

way down the ladder, while threo more of their followers had nom-

menced the perilous descent, and were now hanging to the .09

most rung! But where was Orazimbo‘.’ 1hr, though the toroldight

was of far more avail to them who profited hy its partial lasts: from

a distance, than to those whose eyes, lilinzlel by its near pres-

ence looked abroad vainly into the surrounding darlmess, the hottom

of the precipice and all the thicket round were buried in impenetra-

ble gloom. Where, where was ()razimho '3
p A sharp twang broke the silence which had succeeded t.‘- the yell

of the infuriated Indians—:1. keen, shirp ringing twang ' a hurt-

ling sound, as of some missile in quick motion, followed -—a long
dark streak was seen almost innnc'lintely gl'tllcing, within the cir-
cling radiance of the torches, toward the loadinv (Jan-ib,——at the
next instant he relaxed his ituid—-:t piercing; ydil of anguish and
despair peuled up to the dark heavens. Ileadlinrciryst the twany
figure of the savage plunged eartliward —- and the soft, heavy,
plushing noise with which it struck the soil announced, as plainly
us the clearest words could tell. that not one hone remained unbrok-
en utter that fearful fall ‘. Another twang - and yet another ~— and,
tiniest simultaneously with the small shrill voice of the fatal cord,
another, and another of the wretchel Indians, transfixed b the un-

Q't'ring shah of Orazimho, were precipitated from their slight hold

-—,-one shrieking hopelessly but incessantly through the deaf air un-

til] the Awful wash finished his cries and agcaies together—an -

 

 

 

nmn'r Down run "Run. 87

mute in his stern despair. Dannted by the deadly archery of their
unseen enemy, and ignorant how many foes were launching death, Qt

‘ every shot, among them, the survivors retreated up the ladder with
wild haste.

When they reached the summit, a long-drawn yell, strangely ex.
pressive of malice t'rusttttted, and disappointed vengeance, told then
who heard it from below, that they had abandoned that precarious
method of pursuit. Another moment, and the light passed away
from the verge, and a loud burst of dissonant and angry voices, re-
3eding rapidly, betokencd that the pursuers had turned olf to some
easier exit from their hill—fin‘tress. ‘ ’

Secured, thus, by the bravery and foresight of her stripling broth-
er, from a pursuit so instantaneous that escape would have been
scarce possible, Guarica called aloud, no longer fearing to betray
their proximity to the enemy by her words. .

“ liasten, good brother, hasten I We tarry for thee, Orazimbo ! ”
and guided by the accents of her well known voice, panting from
the rapidity of his previous motions, and from agitation in a scarce-
ly less degree, with his full quiver rattling on his naked shoulders,
and the long bow which had, of late, done such good service, swing-
ing at his back, the Carib prince dashed down the slight declivity,
and wrenthing his hand lightly in the courser’s mane, bounded at
once upon his back.

“ Follow, Gnarica, follow me close; there is no time for words 2 "
he exclaimed, as he snatched the bridle. and dashing at once into a
gallop, drove down the pehhly channel of the stream— the small
stones and the water flashing high into the air at every stroke of the
fleet steed, and indicating to Hernando the direction which his guide
had taken.

No easy task was it, however, to ride at the fierce pace which Om-
zimbo had taken up, down thlit wild water-course. Though the stream-

. lot was so shallow that it barely reached the horse’s knees, the rugged

,4 inequalities of its bed —here thickly interspersed with rough and

~ - ' craggy fragments, here paved with round and slippery bowlders, and
P; there with broad, smooth ledges of hard, slaty rock, polished by the

,’ incessant rippling of the Current, till ice itself would have aiforded.
less treacherous foothold, rendered it perilous indeed, save to a cava-

' lier of the first order, to put a horse to his speed among its numerous
obstacles.

At first the youthful Spaniard could not conceive the cause which
Ihonld have tempted Ornzimbo to lead him by so strange a path;

.. but, busy as he was in holding up and guidng the stout charger
: which nobly bore his double freight. his mind was actively employed.
Almost on the instant he remembcrcl the wondrous instinct, scarcely
inferior to the scent of the sagacious blomlhouml, with which the
Carib tribes were wont to follow on the track of any fugitive, and he
saw the wisdom of this singular precaution.

l

A ~ For something more tluu two hour's they dashed on ulnar-id;- t

 

 

 

 

    

89 ' rm: comm 1mm.

through thevsparkling waters, which, driven fur aloft, had dinggled
till their garments front huskin to the \‘ery plume —— the stream now
winding in bold eurtes through rich and tau- sautnnas, now diving
into the ileeptst nntl most. de\inus shades trt' underwent! and forest.
Still on they dashed, whether the free night wind, laden with it!
freight of ten thousan dcwy o lul's, sweeping across the open Int-ml-
st, hrnnght freshness to their heated brows, or the damp mist-
wreaths ol' the steamy {mast chilled the very lil'e-hleod in tli:ir wins.
Still on they dllfllleil, rousing the \vild-thwl from their sedgy haunt:
m the stream ’5 margin. scaring the birds of night from their nhuest
impervious reusts, till new the stars began to pale their ineffectual
fires. and a titint streak dawned en the tilzlt‘l‘lt sky to tell of coming
day. They reached a snamth green \‘egu, hruatler than they had
yet passed or seen, and here, fur the first time, Urazitnbo paused.
from his headlong,r race.

“ All is well. now, Guariea— pursuit is far behind; three leagues
hence, just lit-ynnd that fringe ut‘ wood which you may see gleaming
dark ugtinst the turning nmrn, ttrry ynur galltnt ltinsnien, Ion
Hernando. Many would blame us for the duels which we have

wrought in thy behalf. younf,r Spaniard. lint t,‘aennho, by his ln-'

road, has made us allies, and fur this day at least our tire-es are
united.” Then minim,r to Gn-tri’ea, he added, “ All peril is over
for u. space; and if thou art aweary, my sweet sister, here may we
rest awhile.”

“ Nu, no! " Guarica interrupted him, breathless from the wild
speed at which they had thus far journeyed. “ No, no! no, no! we
will n05 pause till we have r'eaehed the C1 "tliers."

“ At cit-it, hmrever," intertwined llcrn-nrlontsing the Indian tongue,
which was no less fatnilin' tn llllll than his native language — “ at
least, let us. if we be free from present danger, ride somewhat gent
ly. in order th it our steeds may so regtin their wind and he in use
again to bear stoutly, if aught should call tia- fresh exertion of their
mettle.

“ lie it an," answerer] Urazimho, turning his horse’s head, and
riding. as he spoke, up the green margin of the rirulet, till he stood
on the le\cl meadow, where he was jnined immeliately by his Cont-
P‘mions —“ he it so. Well, I am assured nu fUCIIlilll can have t'ullow-
{d with such speed as to he less than two haunt-s distant. in our real
-— and nuthis open plain none can amn'uarlt us nndeteetwl. line
hem s alvanee will bring us tn ,1 hind nt' mn' t'titlti'al (Vtrils. under
the bold Aroniet t, that would euntemn the might it Caelmltu's pew-
er...

’ 'aking the lead, he trntted gently l'urward: the daylight larigltten-
in; more and more. till the grett san burst l'rnzn the eluudy \‘ail that
curtained his bright orient ell llttlwl'. and tillel the earth with luster
and rejoicing. Oh, how sweet, to the wry t'ugitiies, was that glad
pun-hunt; awakening, as it did, upon the instant, the niatutinnl
chorus»! ten thousand joyous warble“. and calling tjurt‘h unnnuibu

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

C E~‘_

 

 

mm Iron-r. “Arm. ‘ I 39,
t .

ed odors from the uprising flowers, which had lain sad and seamless

during the absence of that glorious bridegroom. Hope‘ which h-td

languished in their liosoms during the long night hours, was now at

‘ once transmutczl, by n tture‘s \t'onllerous alchemist, into gay. cheery

confidence. Lore, which, oppressed liy tloulit, anxiety. and can.

had been remembered only to aggravate their sorrows and enhance

their illjpl'k‘llt‘llsions, resumed, beneath that gladsome light. its mort-

legitinmte and wonted function. and, before many moments hadelitps-

' e l, ,ilernando was recounting to the attentive ears of the sweet girl

his contident anrl eerttin expectation of an immediate termination It

all the ohstaules which had thus iill‘ opposed their union, while he

inquired e.- Drerly into the late mysterious history of his surprise, im-
prisonment, and reszuc.

Few Words sufficed to make all clear. Chance alone -— blind and
en lden ehance had brought about his capture— a ohauo: which had,
in diet, preset-tel the Spanish settlements from certain peril — prob-
able destruction. Apprtsed of the relaxed discipline, and \eontemp-
ttiusiiegligo-nee of m'Iltu-y us tgrs, w. . ih id crept «in the girr sun dur<
in; the .tlisenceot' ' great emnman ler, the wiy (,‘aonotio lt l'i assetni
hlml all his hold tributary hordes, and was even then in full march
to commence :tn onslaught on walls which he would most assuredly
h we found mounted with cul't‘erius unloaded, and watched, or un-
watched rither, by sentinels unarnwd, and sleeping“. But the delay
occtsioned hy the death of Don Guzman and the capture. of Herimn.
do had proved thal to his enterprise. The ln-ai'e page. whose escape
scented almost a miracle. hnl carried swift warning to the fort. and,
before ten minutes had passed by. the tuesin called the garrison to
arms; the guns were scaled and loaded: and with his own peculiar
band of fleet and fiery skirmishei-s, (lieila. the captain in command,
mounted to ride forth and scour the county

Ere he h ltl ridden forth, however, Don Guzman’s servitor came at
a furious gallop from the scene of action, having esotpetl, though
not unwonnile‘l, by dint of desperate spurring front the wild chief-
tain’s archery. From his report, the truth of all Alonso‘s tidings
was now confirmed past (louht, and the gallant partisan dashed out
in the vain hope of securing his bold compatriot). Nor, though too
late for this, did he fiil to avenge him; for after sweeping many a
league of forest and savanna with his tlcet chivalry. he had, near
nightfall, met the retuning force of Caonolm, who, satisfied that the
meeting of the Spaniards. was wholly unconnected with his onslaught.
inning detached a hundred of his men to esmrt his much-valued
captive, was hurrying hack to swoop, as he fancied, on his unprepar-
ed tiiemen in the dead of night.

Charging immediately with lance in rest. although his little band
numbered not one sixteenth part of the Carib forces. ()jeih. like a
thunderbolt. drove through them; and. as they fled diverse. dividing
his small party into companies of five. pursued them fiercely witha
hot: fire of pistolets. until they reached the shelter of the swamp.
or thickets. impervious to the charger! of their mot-clad anemia

 

 

 

    

THE GOLDEN BELT.

Fifty slain Indians and a single captive attested the rash Spaniard I
prowess, ere the moon had risen, within the walls of Isabella.

Meantime the page had dashel onward with his tidings to the forest- ~

home of Guarioa, lifting her at once from despair to the brightest
hopes. She was free — forever free from the hated union which had
threatened her, while the man she loved hal escaped his bitterest
enemy and was within the possibility of a rescue. She told him,

furthermore, how her sudden impulse had been carried out for his‘

mlvantage — how she lrrl disguised herself and flel from that hate-
ful festive cone, and, with Alonso, sought out her brother among his
people of the forest.

Yielding to her prayers, ()razimbo had left the duty of githering

his people to Arometa, and disguising himself, had joined the band '

of Oaribs, which was conveying her lover to Caonobo’s fortresses in
the mountains. After his incarceration, ()razimbo had joined her
and the page, where the plan which resulted in his escape had been
arranged.

No time was to be lost, for the infuriate Ctonobo, whom Orazimbo.
hurrying hoineward, had met on his retreat, battled, and desperate,
and bent on vengeance, had openly declared, that on the third day
thence. he would march with ten thousand followers, and slay his
captive before the very walls of Isabella, and in sight of his helpless
countrymen, with the most direi‘ul tortures. The simple plan was
soon arranged, and in pursuance of it, Grazimbo forthwith returned
to the hill-fortress, where he was destined to watch constantly for an
occasion of communicating with the prisoner. This was speedily and
thoroughly ell'ected. The horses. with Guariea, had been secreted
in the thicket. by a plan pl‘eemieei‘ted, as soon as the night had be-
come dark enough to vail their movements. ()jeda, who had come
so far with her, returning to array his troop, and cover their retreat
as soon as he was well assured th it the escape of his companion from
the lungeon was well nigh certain, and that his presence on the
spot Would hinder rather than alvance their flight.

All this Hernando soon learned from his sweet companion, and as
they careered easily and freely over the fair green plain which
stretchcl for miles mount them, and on whose broad champaign ex
isted. neither dingle, brake, nor glen, to shade a lurking t‘oeman.
The certainty of safety and of freedom lent wings to the young lov
er’s buoyant and ecstatic soul. Well mounted, and well armed with
weapons of defense —for, with his charger, the bold and wary par-

tisan had failed not to send rapier, and pistolets, and battle-ax -he .

would have cared but little had he been destined to fall in with a
score of roving Indians —— but, as it sremel, no such encounter W!"
to be looked for —- much less apprehended.

    

.. W. 7.; ._.‘  '

 

 

an “mi. ' r 

C H A. P T E R XVII.
ms: BATTLE.

Tm: wide savannah was already passed, and at the verge of the
finest within a short half-mile of the spot where Ojeda waited their
arrival, with ears and soul intent on every sound that might betc-
ken their approach, the fugitives had to cross a narrow streamlet,
running through deep and woo led banks. Orazimbo, who, as their
guide, had led the way, was in the middle of the ford, while Her-
nando, with the maiden, was descending the. steep path which led to
it, when the well-known twang of the Indian how was heard, and an
arrow whizzed through the air so truly aimed, that it passed through
the Spaniard‘s high-crowned hat.

“ Push on," cried the quick-witted youth, upon the instant-
“ push on, boy, to close quarters; ” and as he spoke, snatching a
pistol from his holster, he dashed his spurs into his horse’s flanks,
and passing ()razilnbo in mid chmnel, drove up the opposite ascent,
followed by his page, sword in hand.

[Then from the brush wood rose a loud, wild yell occompnaied by a
flight-of the long Carib shafts: close to the head and breast of De
Leon they hurtled, but none took eil‘ect on him, or on Alonso. A
sharp twang from the rear, fi'dlowel almost immediately by a splash
in the shallow water; and then, with bridle loose, the steed of Ura-
limbo darted at a ‘fieroe gallop onward. Scarce had Hernando
reached the brow of the ravine, before, with leveled pikes and bran-
dished war-clubs, a dozen (,‘aribs rushed against him, and one more
daring than his fellows seized on his bridlefrein. Not half a second
did he keep his hold. for. leveled at :I haud’s breadth of his head,
Hernando’s pistol flashed with unerring aim —the bullet crashed
through the ludian‘s temple, and he fell, without a word 31' groanfi:
beneath the charger’s feet. 3

Rising, upon the instant, in his stirrups, the bold cavalier hurled,
with a sure and steady hand, the discharged weapon in the face of
his next opponent, and before he had even seen the effort, although
it felled hiui stunned and headlong to the earth, unshmthed his

- tmsty rapier with one hand, while with the other, casting his bridle

100%, he drew and discharged flit-Ally his second pistol.

, ' All this had passed with‘ the speed of light: and Alonso, having,
'Ittho sime time, out down, the 'fiystgfihls assailants, the Indiana

 

rim comm m1.

broke away on all sides, and it seemed as if they would have efl‘ootod
their escape; and so, in fact, they might have done, had the young
Spaniard chosen to :tb'indon' ()rnzimbo to his fate: but such was not

his n'tture. Reining his charger up. he turned his head, and called
aloud upon the faithful lndian; aL'the same point of time. the, Ca-
ribs, who had seattercd diverse before his headlong charger. began
again to rally, and one, the boldest of their number, fitting an a:-
‘ row to his bow-string, drew it with steady and swift aim quite to the
head, the chord twangod sharply, and the shaft took eifi-ct, right in
the hr J-id chest of the war-horse, trausiixing his embroidered poitrel',
headlong he fell to earth, and as he fell, the savages, gaining fresh
courage, made a simultaneous rush upon the hapless rider.

So speedily, however, had the skillful sollier regtined his foothold,

And so powerfully did he wiell his rapier, tint they still dreulod to
close with him absolutely. Not so. however, with the fair Giurica,
for, dislodged from her seat by the shock of the oimrger’s downfall,
she had been thrown to some yards“ dist-nice, and seized, us soon as
she had touched the ground. by a gigantic strage. All athirst for
veiigsitwo and for blood, he bran lishsl its poa irons w tr-1da’) round
his head, in very act to smite; while, hampered by their nuinrrous toe-
men, neither Hen-mindo nor the page could possibly assist her in this
tearful crisis.

Just at this moment, the thick, fist betting; tramp of many horses,
at full gallop. was heard by both parties, and the continuous crash.
ing of the l‘u'ashwood, through which, with furious speed, a. hand of
Em'opeaus were. it was evident. m.l=.'zlticitig. The near sounds, it
would seem, inspired both parties with fresh rigor—the savages
trying to finish their fell work before they should come up to the res-
cue. the Spaniards gaining confidence and hope from the vicinity of
friends. '

Too late, however, would the arrival of Ojeda on the scene of ac-
tion have proved to save Guarioa; though now he might be seen
within two hundred yards, plying his bloody spurs, nnd brandishing
aloft his formidable rnpier. Thrice did I-Iornando rush. upon the ln-
iions in the vain hope of suocormg his promised bride, striking down,

‘ at each charge, a (‘nrib warrior; but each time he was driven back
by three of irresistible numbers. Nothing could have saved Guaricn.
from sure death, but that ()rnzimbo, who had received only a flesh
wound sprang from the channel of the stream, armed with a Span-
ish blade. Though faint and staggering, he plied his keen sword
with-such mortal energy, that all shrank back from its downright
Jescent. The chiet’ who had seized Guarica, and whose averted bend
beheld not the approach of this new ooinb tttnt, received the full
"my of its sheer edge on his bended neck. '1 hrough muscle. spine,
Iud marrow. the trenchant blade drove unresisted; loosing his grasp

upon his captive, he dropped dead without a word or struggle, and

carried onward by his own impetus, the (‘m-ib boy foil over him. and
In) beside him! A mud more, and with their untimely, “ 

 

    

 

    
  
 

    

 

   
 
 
 
  

  

  

t
DEATH or run cam. 93

#330,” the fiery Spaniards were uponthem—and not only the

Spaniards, but a terrible array of friendly Caribs, who. under
Arometa, joined in with their sharp war-cry and deadly weapons—-
with flash and shot, stab and stroke, till not an enemy remained
alive upon the bank of that small stream, which late so pure and
lucid, flowed now all dark, curiilezl, and thick with human gore.

But the battle was not yet either lost or mm. A fresh relay of
Caribs, headed by Caunobo himself, rushed like a tornado int! the
nti'ray. With whoop and cry and a storm of deadly weapum they
fell to their death work, burning to avenge the rout of their com-
yanions. Now the light became general. The savage of the moon 
tain grappled fiercely with the Carib of the plains. Spanish cam.
lier and half-clothed Indian came to close quarters. The struggle
tlnentened to prove fatal to the Europeans; but when it was most
desperate, Arometa who had been rallying his followers after their
victory, came rushing hack and poured his forces into‘the melee.
In the midst of this contest, the cacique Cuonoho fought like a tiger
at the head of his forces. With his broad flint hatchet grasped in
his red hand, seeking for some Victim worthy of his prowess, hil
fiery glance fell on ()razimbo, who had planted himself in front of
Guarica, whom Hernando had caught in his arms, and was defend-
ing with his disengaged hand.

With a wild whoop (,‘aonoho sprang toward the boy. One
sweep of his battlwax, and his savage rule over the Carihs would be
undisputed. The battle-ax, formed swift circles in the air, as the
mighty mvage hounded forward, his pluinely crown dancing in the
wind, and his colossal form towering high above his followers.

Now his tawny arm swung the murderous weapon with asure aim,
but as it was descending with all its terrible. force on that young
head, Arometa, wild and firm and brave as himself, sprang to the
reseue. Une tremendous swing of his spiked war-club, and it
rushed down upon that gorgeously coronated head, breaking in the
Ikull, and crushing all that fearful strength in a breath of time.

As Caonobo fell headlong to the earth, a cry went up from his fol-
lowers, 50 wild and startling that, for a moment, the strife mu
checked, and each murderous arm held suspended in its death-work.

Each (‘arib fivilowerot‘ Caonobo understood the meanng of the
sound, and his half-raised weapon fell. Even the victors felt a sort
of regret when the great chief was conquered, and lost all wish to
prolong the struggle. Thus the hotly of Caonoho was carried oil” by
his followers, and no one interposed; but the mournt‘nl deathucry
ringing in one united chorus from the battle-ground. was: answered
fly a funereal wail deep in the. finest. One by one the Citrihs left the
ground. I-lwn Uraziinl'o and Arometa swept their tiillowers into the
mourning ranks; thus l‘y one sublime act. of courage and decision.
accusing the dominion over a whole people, which was his bitthright.

‘ 'Hte next day, high in the fustness which had made his uncle’s pawn:

10, Gemini» was proclaimed unanimously unique.

    

 
 

   
    
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
   
   
 
   
 
  

mz Gowns mam.

When the band of Spanish cm‘aliers reached Isabella. it was to
find the inhabitants in a state/of resolute preparation; for they each
moment expected an attack from the Carib insurgents. Those Span-
iards who lived outside the fort, had sought protection within its
walls. Among those who stood ready to receive the victorious band,

' was Don Juan Rodrigues, and a stater figure gorgeously clad in south
let; with much embroidery in lace and gold —— stood in advance of A

the others, as if he had been commander of the fortress.
Hernando’s heart leaped as he saw this man. It was not the gor

' goons dress, the scarlet. lace or gold, which caused that thrill of the

nerves, 'but the long locks of snow, shading that broad and massive
br'ow— the nir of conscious dignity and inborn worth — the impress
of unutterable thought united to invincible resolve, that stamped
upon that face and figure a natural majesty exceeding that of prin-
ces———a majesty becoming the discoverer of a world.

“ Look up, Gum-ica— look up, and fear nothing,” whispered
Hernando to the maiden, who grew pale and began to tremble with
dread of her father’s wrath. “ It is Christopher Columbus—all
must be well.”

And so itwas; for that night Guarica was betrothed to Hernando
tie Leon, with all due ceremony. in the fortress of Isabella.

CHAPTER XVIII.
oosewslox.

It was a glorious day for Hispaniola, when the wedding of De
Leon and Guarioa took place in the fortress of Isabella; for on that
day Omzimbo brought his people in thousands down from the fast-
nesses, to witness a treaty of amity and peace between himself M

‘cnciquo and ChristOpher Columbus.

From the enoampments in the edge of the forests, the Carib tribes
low the voluminous flag of Spain floating over the battlements of the
fort, side by side, with a broad crimson pennant, which Orazimbo
hurl that day adopted as an insignia of his sovereignty.

While the great leaders of the different tribes were entertained in
thefort, the Italians pursued their pastimes out of doors, full of en-
thusiaqu and trust in the young chiet‘, who with his counselor,
Arometa, had gone among the Spaniards to treat for the general
welfare.

Within the fort, all was harmony and good will. Don Juan had
not only consented/to theunion of his daughter with Do LeDn,‘ but

 

w-r,wa

NV"-

 

   
       
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

  

GENERAL RIC-1010110.

bud been brought to look upon it as a bond of perpetual union be-
tween the power of his son and that of" Spain, to which she would
be fully-consigned.

To the inhabitants of Isabella, the occasion presented a doublc
jubilee. The exchange of a treaty which secured the entire safety,
and a union which bound the natives’ interests with tiiat of the
Spaniards, were events tirit might well prove subjects of rejoicing.

Every thing grand or sumptuous in the possession of the Span-
iards, was brought forth to grace the occasion, and gathered in tin '
great hall of the fortress. Columbus, in his most sumptuous array,
and glittering with the jeweled orders bestowed as an :wknowleclgél
ment of his success, stool with Don Juan. Orazimbo and Aromcta,
waiting for the bridal pair to appear, that they might, with 111 the
.gay company that tilled the hall, follow them to the chapel of the
fortress, where a priest stood ready to perform the marriage ceremony.
At length the folding doors were flung open, and the young couple
appeared, followed by Spanish and Carib maidens, pages and chiefs,
in equal companionship. v

Hernando was in full Spanish costume. rich in color, and glitter.
ing with gold, a plume of white feathers liowed from the cap of
crimson velvet, which he had just given his page to carry, and the
collar of some noble order gicanied on his bosom. Indeed he stood,
in all respects, the fitting mate of the beautiful maiden by his side.
These wedding garments, like her beauty, partook somewhat of her
double nationality. The robe of royal purple, damaskcd with a net-

r work of golden flowers, was arranged with the classical grace so
natural to her Carib habits; but rich lace shaded somewhat her
shoulders and bosom, while robes of pearls and braeci'ets of blazing
jewels gave a degree of barbaric magnificence to her appearance. -
But all this was nothing to the brilliant happiness that lighted her
thee and filled her velvety eyes with the brooding starlight of love. ‘

As the couple advanced up the room, Columbus took a tiara from
its cushion held by a page, and advancing to meet them, placed it
on the beautiful head of the bride, who bent, blushing, to receive
the honor assigned by the court of Spain for the first maiden of the
princely l‘arib line who should wed a high-born subject of the moth-
er country.

Then ()razimbo came forward, followed by two Carib Indians,

‘ ‘ who bore between them —— their great strength almost yielding to the

 

weight—ingots and rough lumps of pure gold, such as Hernando
had seen in the fortress cave of Caonobo during his imprisonment '
there.
“ My father has great wealth with which to endow his daughter,”
said the young caeique, with dignity; “ but a Carib princess must
not go to the Spaniard without some (lower from the people of her
mother." ‘

With these words Orazimbo bent. with something of souriiiueu,
learned by his associations with the stranger, and lifting Guarica’l

   

  

 

  

‘96 ‘ nu: aowmi Bur.

intuit.) his lips. motioned the Indians to step aside with their trea-
gures.

After this, the marriage procession was about to pose on, but
was checked by the chief Arometn, who, taking the “ golden belt ”
Irom his bosom, bode llernnndo clusp it around the waist of his Ca-
rib bride as a pledge of perpetqu amity between her people and his.

Hernando took the belt with becomng tlmnlts, and while elosping
it arrund the wuist of his bride, whispered, “this day thou art
bound, sweet: one, with double eirelets of gold, but only that thy
happiness may be more complete.” Gultriea did not answer, but
the bright tears swelled to her eyes as she cost an eloquent glune
first upon her bridegroom, and then upon the Carib ehiet'.

Now the procession) moved on toward the ehvipel, and there. in the
perfumed smoke of swinging censors, and in the pure light of mtu
a. holy taper, the best bonl that ever sanctioned :1 treaty of peace,
was sealed by those young lips.

The ceremony over, lord and lwiy, soldier and servant, all followed
the young couple to the r.nnpzirts, and there, while they stood he‘-
neath the united banners, with ()rnzinibo on one lnnd, and Christo-
pher Columbus on the other, the silver-inoutlwd trumpets pooled
forth joyous tidings of their union, followed by a mighty shout
which mode the air vibmte from buttlemeut to thrust. From wood
and plain, ravine and hill, that glorious sir. nt Wis taken npnnd im-
"vex-ed by ten thousand (‘m-ih \‘oiees, till the broad reverlwratiol
made the very trees of the forest tremble to the general rejoicing

 

 

 

 

JJEH

‘ rullllnn .

‘ Sandman!” A " Thu. l'cnuu .' " v‘

V'I'ln Selim! B

’STA NE A RD

E DIALOGUES

for School Exhibitions and Home Entertainments.

you I to 1'1 lulu-Ive.

15h f5 Pannlnr Dinlnmvn and firms; ln oar‘u hank.

racll Voluml 1N

li’uw l::.‘ul, sch; youpmu‘, on haul; I wl'lrriw, nu u-zlu.

Basile & Adams, Publishers, 98  Sf... 11'. Y.

 

- Then vlluman have how prcpurerl wlzh 613m!-
Ming ndnyw-l M M'h l ‘nrlun w.lh m- »

 

   

ARE AND YOUNG 1’!) P ‘E bf evlry v reflux?! hmhs mm ‘0.

l rl-furent-e h lbs?! m-nillhlllty 1~~r Tixlmzlflnm,
‘ mui nudedh-fil'lle-g
IL 1x tuir to nuuma “111110

  

n
ollwl’ lznulu in \lm qurlwl, 1‘: am priuu, cannula w umny usgl'ul and .xvnilublu dlnloguun unddmmu

 

cl wit, yak», lunar aml u .nu. .

 
 

"Antlng o! the Mann. For ulna yuunc
linking a Llu Eugl‘uhvuun. l“o turn: y .
‘I‘uuo‘n Cal-run m. Fur null. and founde-
Fur xwvr lndlws.

'J‘lw Ralunrunl. E r six haw.

“'Mch will you (‘noum-l F‘ r Own bays.

 

 

 

   
  

Th: Quoeu or .\l-n_\~ In r tw .ulu git“.
The Tr: PIIHV- l-‘nr l-mr l' it
Thrn firmly: in “'u-lzlml Ll . \lnlo and formula

 

 

If! ‘nw'l fi-nm .
hm \uuu; Lulics.

 

Mn. Snlflln-n' Cullluulml.
Thu Minion cfithu 5mm.

3
ZME DIALOGUES. 130. 1.

 

4}

lluhhubulllf. l-‘nrxlva nlzen.

‘I‘lue Sgt-rnlox‘Sucm‘u. ‘unlnma monks“.

Youn Amerlm. ’1 hue nqu nxnl Im'u lelnn‘...
Jone y lnn'l mutiny. Four l‘evnnlu, onanmlr.
Tlvu Fully nl‘ the I‘m-l. l-‘nr lllrvo malnpwhfl.
{Dugmnllunh For llmea mule Ipmlkerl.

i'l’ho! numut (‘nnumndcm Fur um hnyl.

j'l‘lm y; Y. m. .\l n. l-‘nrlwo nlalu.

Thu Yanr‘» Rn-u nuinz. 19 lullmlu um I yank.
ITlm \'1lluyu w.l'n 0m: chtluumu. Fur nigh.“
1 NHL» and om mule.

 

mm: nmnoemzs no. 2.

The Gmlun an‘hmy.
L'iudurellu u‘ . "
Pain: Gun and suing Bull. l .l
Tn. Gal-lo" Rule. Tu male! mul \wo luhlulul-
Them ofllm l-‘ulry n. Several famnlos.
Tall n I; and 1') um I l’nrlwo thrnvtu-ra.
Tho Cu vnuy Auun . Mu tho City. ‘
nul elmrnrurl.

9 mlnlel and l fomnlo.

E
E
E‘
;
«

   

 

 

    

 
 
 
   

Haw to l'rile ‘ I‘vvnlv ' Starla. Two ml“;
'l'uu Nuw mul Ill» (rl-l. For 1m) Pulls". '
\ Sen-.ninn m L FI-r lwnnmlul.

ha Urunlwrn. lwu Innle

Thu T'xrm- Men «(5' iunrm For {our mnluu

’l'ho Olul Lml) ‘: “ Fur [our mulu.

The Little l‘h-l l' n. Fnr lu'u 1211a "I'll-
I-‘nr live II um

 
   

 

   

 

   
 

For two male‘. I r u young ludlsfi-
Twin: lha Ch: hrs. Fn- Ilm-e null". T "A cue. .
Th. Hupln’ Faun l'nr n-v rnl ‘m‘l . ull.’ wvlirz. Flvomnlnund Hahn“.
'l‘lu Rulubom l‘v‘ Iovarnl «muck-n. The Eugl Tran-alum Fur Nomin- -
DIME DIALOGUES, N0. 3.
‘l'lu SIM Queen. TM In anllro school. The Grnlnl Cor-k. Fur hm lulu.

bras: Rah-u L'nnvemi-vu. lv‘nr kn fvrmln.
Kn lug Bad Cumpunv. A
Conninu l'nulur Diffirullim. 1 "ml", 1 (“Hum
National Reprownulhu. A Burinqnn, ( malt...

ntupln‘ m Duu'h Fur n-umruul mull-I.

Full". l-‘lrliv-I ml". '1

Mudflrplw'e. |-' r two mull-,1 mu! two {unaffix

‘ Tu'u “mull”. Fur two "lull-I.

'l‘hc Sum. Srrvml mnc. Fur Iwo mnlu. ,
Slunwlng the \Vhil-v Frnther. 4 null». l frmn'h
[Thu 1mm Cull. A Human. For an. haul.-

 

   

DIME DIALOGUES, N0. 4.

‘l'luo Mm! Rule. F“ («In or more yer-om.

Stnrzlng in Lina. 'l Im‘: Mlulvthnl m” h-mnlu.
'Illll, Ila ‘a um! Clm 13'. Fur Lhrvu liula ull 1i.
Durhv an Jmu. l-‘ur ln‘o um!” :m I mural”
The Mny. A l"lam! mev. For six I; u pirls.
'l'hu Enclr-Muri Prime: ‘2 mall-9.5. vrnl {vumlw
l;;ln'\f hp “'Iurn “on r Dun. ‘7 m.
1 G1-xbll-'Cli-ml. l-‘uruvamlm \lx-n,
1’: “0:05;. A Uncansiou. Fur luvuty much

 

 

      

 

Tlm Slul-b'rtnwn \‘nlunluv. fl mnlol, l (sunb-
“ not “m “ l‘nul l ry.” Far lullf umlul.

.', u L'l‘lrzm. Trr lhl’u‘ Innle umlonu tumult.

ll ('1‘ ('1 and Urnmn. l-‘nr thru- llltlaylrlu

ith \Vu} . A (munquy. Far two Luyl.
ml Hm l,«rl‘_mr Sun. Fur Iwn lnqlvl.

.wu ("x-1mm. (Du-n. ll Colloquv. l-ur lwnlvy‘.
., “pw ml of l'mnu‘nvlrlu‘c. tor hut luuu.

l'l'im Lulld‘. Fur two umlun.

 

     
 
 

 

DIME DIALOGUES, HO. 5.

Th. 7117M Gun-cl. PM "hm! rr nrlnf.

 

   

mm d llu Curmln. l-‘ornmle n-nl h- n.
75.. Fun Pl Socluly. Flu bow n41 n It! rr‘ner.
Emmi-mun r I)“. Fu-wverul hmuluchurulofl.
Tmllnl ln " Tu?! " F WKVP'III "ml-1.

I 'l‘vlhunul. Fur Inn bu“;
vaml In'a‘m and {u "flu.
I “An-var. FUPLVOIUHIJIUD.

 

 

'Pufl‘xw on Mr'. A CFllnqur. F‘r two male;
Thu Slrnifixl M rll. Fur Nun-ml lg} s.

fl‘xm llll‘lll m Hie. A (‘ulluquy 1‘»: in gun.
lExn-n- t {mm Murlm- Fuller-u

Rln Irv-Mnuuv. An Ac l yClmvmln.

l’l‘lu. Si: “nun. For . Ix vnunulndin.

[T m lfinlnnnn Ml "mun. Fuf tn n null-n.
Fu‘llllnlllll" Ru-nuh-emm'l. Fur t‘lm rlvh.
1A Murr- my“). Feral‘htulluuhlhglxh

DI!!! 131310431, N0. 6.

MW“ flu? Rm IFNM. Mala Ind Ivmnlu.
‘Ia I'-<¢ I M mile-ulna. {at fin 1mm.

. Fur lxuh tr mnl.
" \R (Mn. 8 n xmlnund m mlu.
ll mu vh-t (“Mm M In all [cm-ha.
slew. Paul: made». '

rummaging..de

  
 

““w Tm» Fauna-1m PM» "In. Hula.

Hm V ‘IrluI t r Fnlly Fur u hum!» r of“.
Mn! My’n Mun Vow hmiMuu-Hwolull‘ ‘
Thu UM IuIL Po’ruvu Gunny-no out in
mm Clam. Int : mull" "Hm" \
phrlumu Farm. In lam-nil lmktufi‘

Flu Thu Bldg» SM swam-bu.

 

 

\\

mun—W.

Dino pehool Senna-Malena.

  

. a
r ._ .————~.——_——_—~

DIME DIALOGUES No. 7.

I he have. For iburloun (cumin.
no «Milli in [Airy-in in. Fur girln.
Twenty yure hence. ’l‘wo thin-inn, one male.
The Iny to Windham. For two mnlu.
Worn-m. A poetic; huge nt wordn. ’l'wo 'uoyI.
The ’Oiugiu. A ,ni oquy. For two male
How to gut Till of n unre. For Iavul’hl inyl.
Boerding-Ichonl. ’i‘wumniu and two i'umniu.
Plan for tho pledge. For twu mules.
The ilin nl' drnm‘drinking. For three in I.
True pride. A culioquy. For two I‘emn ue.
I'h- two lecture". l-ur ntnmroun umlul.

 

‘l‘wo view. ui’life. 0011 n . For Mom
The rights ol‘ music. Fonwyo (emails.

A impoieu aue. A query in Vern. 'l‘woglrh
The would-be Ichtmi-tonclel'. For two muse.
Cume to life we won. Fur three "mien.

Eight “link. For two little gull.

‘l‘rnn dignity. A colloquy. Fur two boy).
Gi-iuhwo expensiva. For two inniu.

iimuiu mud the ghost. For two poms.

Lillie red rliliug hood. Fur two iemnlul.

New nppllcntiun ul'nn ohl ruin. iloyn and girl;
Cuiurml cumin; A collnquy. For two me}...

i DIME DIALOGUES No. 8.

The fairy School. For a number orgiris.

The enrolling oillcer. 'i‘hreu glrin nml two hoye.
Thu hm buiienthullunt. For three in.) n.

The girl ol the lye-rind. For thruu giria.

The fowl rnbulilun. 'l‘wo mnl-ae nml one female.
Slow bntuure. San-ml mules and Mo femnien.
Cnnilie’e Veloclpede. One nmle nmi one l'unmin.
Thu lignree. For suvemi :xnuil chllximn.

Tin trill of Pam Sluper. For seven boys.

 

 

timing n phutogrnph. Male: and fomniu.
The no:' ' for grnernl improvément. Fm' girll.
A nuhieumn in disguise. Thre ‘rll, :ix Doyl-
Grcnt expnctntionu. For two boyl.

l‘litying school. Five {simian nnri four mnlu.
Cintlws fur the hunthen. One mile, one full-o
A hnrd unse. For threw boy I.

Gholtn. For ten funnier nml one mull.

 

 

DXME DIALOGUES No. 9.

Myer-tiling 'or he] . For n nunlilur or l'clnniue.

Amerien to Euginn , granting. l" r twu hnyi.
in: old null the new. Four i'emnlns nne male.

Choice of nudes. For twolve little lmyI.

'l‘he lap-dug. For two fe-nnlul.

The victim. For four [annulus nnd one male.

The dueiiu. Fur two bays.

The true philosophy. For families and mniel.

Apuul education. For two i'unmiul.

'l‘im lnw orhumnn klmincle. For two funnier.
Sui-lied childrall. For it mixed uhooi.
Bi-utul nn.i 01mins.
(iilriuinnne and Anfldinl.
he new mhoinr. For A number 0! girls.

rThu mlf-mmln mnn. Fur threu mnlel.

The Mny man (No 9.) For n Achuoi.
.‘lrl. Luck nnd'e economy. 4 boy: and 3 giriI.
Shuum women be given the builotl For boys.

DIME DIALOGUES No. 10.

Mn. Murk Twnln’l rhea. One mnin. onn l'eumio.
Tho nlii flax. School feetivni. Fur thrne boyl.
Tiu court of fully. Fnr ninn zlrie.
Great iival. For nix boy: run elx glrle.

dnL Fur numerous mule: null tannins.
The light of love. Fur twu boy].
The riuwvr uhiidruu. For twulve girlie.
Tin dent uncle. For thren huyn.
A dinnunslon. For two buyu.

’i‘hu ruhunrsnl. For n Ichool.

The true way. Forthmn boy- nnd on. girl.
A prnctlnni ilfo ieuun. Fur three girie.
'l'ha xnunk ml the noldl-r. For two bu
1176-1516. Suhonl l‘eetivnl. For two xi .
Lorri Dnndrenry’l Virit. ‘2 mniul and I Irrnn‘n,
Witchuu in tin: crunm. For ll girll end 8 hog-e.

Frunuhnmn. Uhnrnde. Numroul duration.

   
 

DIME DIALOGUES No. 11.

Agpelrencll on very dunltl'ul. Fur Iix how.
'1‘ e conundrum {inn iy. For male and {mm o.
Curing 'llutly. Three mill-9| and {our fenmlna.
Jul: find the hennutulk. Fur rive ehnrncten.
The wn tn do it nnd not to du it. 3 fatnniel.
How to ucnme hunith ,etc. Mule and i'oninlo.
Thu only true life. l‘ur twn zlrll.
Clmic colloquium For two buys.

l. Gnetnvul Viuu Inil Criltiuru.

II. 'l‘unnrluu nnd Brunet

Yankee ulnrnnce. For severn chnrnntert.
Burden wanted. For levernl cimrnctorl.
When I wnl young. Fur two iris.

The not: precious heritage. or two hayn.
The double cure. ’l‘wu mniee and {our (eumlol.
The flownr-gnrden fairing Fur five little girls.
hmlmn’l novel. Three inlet and two funnies.
Bower. of the widows. For tlmau girl-

ll‘nshionehin rilnipntion. For two lillie thin.
A suhnul cilnrnde. For two boy: and two Klrll.
Jmm ingelow’n “Song: of Seven.” Seven girl.
A Jebnte. l'nr fnnr bnyl. -

Rugged Dicir'l leexnu. For three boys.

Sflli'ml nhnrmle, with tnbiunn.

A very quentinnuble Itory. For two 5031.

A tell. For thr-e inniul. -

'l‘hu reul genti-mnu. For two bop.

bum muomms N0. 12.

A family not to pattern may. Ten ehnruhll.
ilnw tn nun-nun. An nntingchnrmlc. ’
The mention ucnpnde. Fuur nnyn and teacher.
'i'hnt naughty buy. Thren fernth I male.
.Vl'id-(‘lllh An nctinu churnda. ‘

Ali is not cold vhm. glitter; Acting proverb.
Sin tramit glorin mnndl. Acting clinnule.

DIME DIALOGUES N0. 13.

Two o’clock in the men . For threu main.
Ln indignation muting. 'ol' neural funiulel.
“on end buhlnd the nun-n. Severn! chnrnct’l.
he Imtbol. A numbuofbuye nod tench-r.
In Band. Murine. Pint girl: Ind buy.
I N u it mm For “uni elm-scum
‘ fiend. F

 

Worth. not wnn‘ th. For four boy! end I huh“
Nu Inch wowl ne (All. or ennui mm».
The lieopinz beauty. or I eehoo'.

Au innocent intrin‘lle. Two main and e leth

Old Nutty, the («tons-tall". For the. flu.
. hr mar-i little boys. ;

Mhyllur lubed. gut mural 11M. (Ml.
A pruned “him For I

1'- We!!!“

_,r.-r.

 
  

 

   
    
  
   
     
 
  
  
   

    

 

 

  
 

 

 

 

 
   
   
  
   
  
  
   
  

t}.— M'W

 

 

Jun Jon“. F111;“ [Bull and two MM
thorn aim. or our pin“.

unnpoiu li-toner. Fur innr gent. “dimly.
l Who on urtli l. nu! Fur thm mm.
1110 right nut t9 his a ynnI-cr. Far two boyl.
[Woman untnrc win out For ll gltll, whual.
Buncdict Mid hnciieioh For twn boys.
The 50.! m n drau. Fur iii-n PLI’BOHI.
Thu Inrpriu pnrty. Furiix lit in girls.
Apnwcnl dniiiunstntiun. Pul’ tlinw boys.

DIME DIALO

’l'lio fniricn' onenpnlle. Nliiill'i‘ull» riniructurn.

A ioct’s porpiexitiel. For six gentlemen.
ulna cure. Fur two l-uilul nini (mu gent.

The mod than is hi oni-Ji. A number ui'boyl.

Gent amen <Iiu1'uli6y. For two boys.

The little pliiomplier. For two litlh: girll.

Aunt Polly’u lawn. l-‘ur {our indiel.

A wind—lull. Acting clmrndu. Furn number.

Will it pity! For two bop.

DIM DIALO

Polly Ann. For {our indie: itini nne wanticnnm.
The muting n! the Wlitill. liar n animal.

The good they did. For nix lmiiun.

Thu buy who wiiil. it'ur nix unntlcmun.
Gambit - day. A t-olixiqny. For thru girll.
This Iich well mun. For three buyl.

'flin lnvcstigntini; commiuuu. For lillll ladle:

BIKE DIALOGUEJ No. 14.

Rafi-unenl- Actlnxchuuiu. Sunni-Imu—
Camel-nu, tlu nus-:2. For lad Ind ‘vliL
How to "Ink. moth-r. in )iy. gut two buy.
A canninch argument. or two girl;

A wonmn'u hliniinnu. For three girls.
ltuin’nwork (’i‘u-npornnu) For fuur m
'l‘liu intni nimnh For two ynung hull".

E) a nail nose. Fur rnu gum "In. on. lady.
Rctributiun. er n number a! buyl.

61138 No. 15.

Thu iiuir~iit-lnn-. For niimoroul main.

Don‘t buiieve what you hvnr. [fur that l“
Arafat» mic. For tlll’ut‘lldlel.

'l'i-u Ifillltfl‘I rcmlve. Exit-«ct. For twa Imam.
Tcntlllg her mun-is. For lavernl Charade".
The lurelizn-r‘n t unblu. For two lldiel.

The cat without nn owner. Suwrnl dim“
Nntnrni “inaction. For thrue continuum

GUES No. 16.

Thu in) il ui‘ the trunk room. For five glrll.
'l‘lw ho inn. A Culloqny. Far tivu iiitlu glrll.
Kitty’s 'nnsriil. For uvemi lllllu girls.
Sirntnuuin. Charmin. Fur nevei‘nl rhnriictarl.
’l’usiing her Icllolill'l. ’or iniimrun. ulmim.
The world in whnt mi inukn it ’l‘wu giril.
'l'iiu um nini the new. For gentleman And Indy.

 

 

A "corner" in KUKIIBI. For {unr boys.

DIME DIALOGUES No. 17.

Mer: luufl’ IPIICHKH AND DIAL-luv“.

To in hnp y you malt in good. For twa littl.
girll an one boy.

Evniiascant glory. Fur u‘lmvy of 'boyl.l

The little panccinnker.‘ For tw‘o hula girii.

Whitt purta lrlumis. in» two little girls.

Mnrtim W'iuhingtoii hm party. l‘or live little
girl: in old-time cuntnnia

Thu ovil there ll in it. for two young boy.

Wile flllll foolish liltia girl. For two girlt.

A ohlid‘l inquiries. ll'nrtninil chlid fllill tun-liar.

Thu cooking Club. For tivn girin nml othum

How tn dl) it. For two imyu.

A llumlrmi ycnrn to come. hnr boy mid girl.

Don’t trniit falcon. Fur M‘Vurlll mnnll hull I.

Above the Iiiiu. i<ur two iii-mil girll.

The true lieroum. For three liillv lioyl.

6W0 nl little boy: I rhuncu; ’l‘hu story of the
plum pudding; 1'“ but A mini: A littiu girl'-
rlglitt nprauh; Johnny'l opinion of gum].
mot‘nsn; ‘l'iiu haunting hen; iiu know. .1...»
mt; Amati! boy'l VlIIIV ui' earns; ltobhy'n

Aurmun; Nubnd "I child ; Nuttlngntgrnndp.
Grny'ii; Little flaw of how Collin-bill
(lilcovorud Ainnrlr , llttiu nirl’n vi M
Na hm ’- timer-h on tima; A lllllu In
ct; 'i'hu inian vht murder; ituimy R» I l
omi Il-rniun; low the baby Cllllc; A boy I
obwrvntiom; The new Iinte: A innihor'l
lave; 'i'iiis crenwnin’ glory; Baby Lnln: Jolh
iliiiingl on tho lminhiu-bee. wren,nlllgntur;
Dim! yesterday; The chlakenk niintnlie; The
hair nyprnntflloiivnr in [mm evil; Don’t
wniit Lu ha g‘pil; Oni ' I drunan lilluil;
The two little rohinu; nlnw to conduinn;
A nmitenuo IMO: Little inofulaclmnntion: A
uhiiil’n dvnlre: Begun; The gul-lln cut: Rub-
»dnh; Cnlnmn) ; Lillie cinitterbux; When
are tin-y; A bu)". viuw; Tlll twenty frngl'
Going to Ichoul; A morning luilh: he air
of Dundee; A liiiici'; iii the sunlight: Tho
new inili egg; This little nimlciu; lulu Bun;
l'oitcryvnmn ; Then and now.

  

 

_=

   

 

DIME DIALOGUEB No. 18.

Wllllll. For Iovern‘i chlrnchirl.
 without ii thorn. ‘I innlen and l famnla.
Too gun-er by hull. For three Inuit". ‘
0n- zwd‘tnrii dunner Mother. l‘ur o lldlu.
Courting Malinda. For 3 hoyI Ind l lady.
Tho now schoinr. For IFV'WAI buy].

 

Givn I dug n bmi mum. Fur inn! gentlnmcn.

Spring-dine with". For nix little glrll.

Lon Chsriicc; ur. the 'iluy'l rennin. For “
meronl chnriuzlen.

A little trump. For thru liltin hay;

Harri tlinu. Far ‘2 (anti-men and 1 hull“.

 

 

Th lith inhrmlor. For font linl I. _
Albuminan For 3 mtlumun nini 3 indie].

The imn well worth inning. For two ml.
and two lei-inlet.

DIME DIALOGUES, N0. 19.

All I‘M-l nyntarv. Twn {amnion and two main.
Conn-fluent. For five “Min lioyl. ’

Win an the mint-l Fur than ya'uig guru.
“Hunk uncle. Thm unis: nn-l than (Omaha.
5 kind In thl pour. a: Bar‘lhélku'. flay.

people an in-nr . Inst.
or. Acting «ii-nub. For [our durum

a tin-d. Par hnmyl.
. -

    

The rafinmi siiiiplatanu. For {our ladch
{\iirii‘ieinhe: Ben‘mm. “For thru ind“.

m cm a ncnt on. lhil mnlu vind on.
Mini with to" much inru. For thru manta“
’I‘iu fllfy'l turning. Dre" pica. For two filth
Aunt )i‘ninlcn'l upernmnt. For uvmil. '
'l'im In union. 0 G. Two {uniting Anton:
\Vu’ii we to wrong“. the horn. lion cit-fl

 

   

Ind hm foul".
, uld mum dint. » x . ml
undo-r

1'me

   

 

mm ‘ m'aoiaa‘ f3

Hump (ma. Thma mat-n nml [Hm haul.-
Annrnmn c u... |-' .r mo In” (wk.

Ned's pruml. Far urban.

J :1!‘  uuL For «.0 ar nu I u pm! nebular-I.
Tell undremm. Fur (on: Huh: bins.

!% "ml by hug. Fur tam boa l.

Minukru i-lemi’y.
CU'IH I'l r1541 5 -,
A mm Venn-h“. 1 ix lull-x “11-1..

"5914." For fine» up.
DIME DIAL?)

Fm- sun:

 

 

   

    

A mceenuh! donut!“ fun-f.
,u ut‘ dub: nut 01‘ .1.m;.~r.
Mum {a nu I.

Duh: Red RA

 

 
 
  

'J‘ho hmm In: :h: In
EvlJuncc an mg n

\Vv-v-xh 1nd mulch.
Waurhll.

. I‘
For l‘V .

2:: four timahl.
For wrumL

DIME DIALOGUE

The Dark Cup”: M, (‘w mishkm I l' a morning.
For ("we u-nsmnu A u n] law» I m

TIMI. Ju'ur d null: or, a brulhur n luslon.
hm male: and mo hamlet.

High m; or “m nuw nuuhl For two girh.

stung».- .uivumunm. For two buyi.

The kmg‘n limpet. For runr girlw.

A pmch vxamlvlilicnlinll. Furlwo hwl.

 

Mam ur l'iuul m Amerim; or, Yul-ism) u.

Frmmlmmn. er luur 0 n1. ‘
diplumucy. :1 Emma!“ and ‘ Sudden! "In,

  

1 Indian Ind wuu gvmwumn.

. -
DIAE DIAuO
for 3h uln,l mule.
Iv ‘ml. For lwo mums.
a t-rmnhle. For IN» I Illa lm"l.
Tim ph mhm d‘ufinmu. Fur nix funk-1“.
Fur |.x Inulu.
Cami-any “mum-n uml Home i‘npolitnnns.
twu umlen. mu l'unmhun «l m u clnimruu.
Th: «13.! «Lyn. Fur Iwu liulo buys.
Uuhrmnuu Mr. HrnwlL In» 1 mum! humlen.
Th: nul cm. For nu girls.

  
 

Fur

mm: biz—Loam, m. 2 3.

Tan: "ml-u nnl Hume famul I. .
[u-r :i mules um.” .cuuuv. .\ cure my gaml.

'A M‘u' My.
“mum; or, rho mun-mud aunt. Fut hw !

erfiéa—fiiaflbgum

P" r 1‘." mg!" and (hm fem-hi
mu cum") nuns. Aw: Luna ‘5‘;

dawn". Fu-rtwuflfll and Ruhr.
Fur I rut muln HmumAul‘L

mm- r‘uu. lur Lumerumn rinumkr .

' “Mug hoard-xvi. 'lwu run. In um tl:nl_l.'!l'fl.
0m lndymm lu'u grmlumul.
Hn: uedduu wiuamu. Aor hm nun-I.

  
  

'i'lzn til

    

GUES. No. 21.

Fur 1511'»; 4mm nml

  

devm

 

. l‘ur new I
'1‘; : mum for Aunt VI
Wit 1|"fllu I. M" .
u

    

‘ Lumienumwu Mb
~. Fur lnrm mulu.

n tug/em. l~n.r|m:r1.qnxlel.

(h m . elm-mu huhl‘v my wm Inland.
0. hour Lulu

 

     
 
   
   

   

 

   

E v a number of zlrll.

For 1w.) buy: and one pm.

v .Iny; or, [ha I- huol'gu'l philosophuro.

rtlyrce young ludzu. .

‘ ll h Inn». For n numb" of arhnlnn.

'l he way he murmured.- For ‘2 nudes. '2 Ion-ho.

anlhmgu. Van-qu clmrucleu,whnu Ldoshof
vme.

Thu little div-Mr. Fnrhvn tiny girl!-

;\ I‘H'el rm 52. F. r {nur ho;

l'or thrru “Illa uh I.

|Hw~nhlhnu mt‘m- ritliculuui- Fotllnflm

.111qu mu. Furfiru boy.

was, No. 23.

IA lyvnr rmuh-n Fur Ihren main, two (amid!!-
Tim bury bun. Fur l'unrl llle xirin.
Chn-ukmau. For mumrmm l humuer

55:21:00] lime. FM two linla girl-

Hmuhl an». ?1:rinuipu| churuunlnd which
hrm um] gold. Bur-mil churwlun,uudu and h-

nmlu.
lf‘ouhund Muir. Fonhru mnlen. two lanth-
lznormm-e VI: VII rv. Furrluvm m4)“-
:I'mlmtnull.  riuarfcmula.

Hg"

   

 

   

 

 
 

 

I :53 DIALOGUES. No. 21.

I‘m and-Ion A! Hbmr. Farnhu yum-:2 India.
The three uruu. Fur (hr-w lmlu Km“.

Thu mniiu I“ cl. rl‘. Fur n9va Huh-I.

A “Huge nan-z. Fur 1h.“ 21m.

Au unju.-I. nmn. For ilmr In Ilnl.

 

 

 

 

The Ihv'P Kirh \"ul.ur_‘.'. 1 mm Email-I.

Thu payclmmulinur. » ‘2 :a': '7 hum-I. ‘
Mum. I; no word lur it. I- . Imlr I uh m,
Whlwirnl. ‘A u wuhur nftflwr Iu-lh mm. I

 

 

4.

   

Bin-ml am thuyeuwmaa 3mm : firm I

The mhtl-a nflho dularhhlr-s nml Iv.- miaer-
Iblus. Fm no hdma nml Lwn pmluuuu.
lath would Ilium 6 liulu ha)" a I»- when

81" hluu 1h rungh lbw elwnds. I’o' fuur ludiun.
The Man-1 In meal. Fur hur "lulu.

Tun hon". For twain liuln vxrll.

In doan all nut. l-‘uv flu HHII lmyl.
Dhnzbm. PM u o mnla um! [our .‘uunln.
Th. yuan]! . Far mm l»:
Batu-I‘Mth pod In... 'I mind c :
(10ml vomit. Far [I number «r hm . l
‘ ln'oqd. For : qwuuor e: um. xirll.

 

 
 
 
  

n

 

Thu 1

 

l‘rnn mm. Fm- six‘ boyl.

on Imam llev- nrul!

’l he llul‘. qm-m. Twu young uh‘h.

A Bligll‘ ndnnke. t mum, X lemulo, and I“.
«ml ulnHinriu.

T.-\z_\' um! Ime. Tun Hula 'o‘lnws.

1h ohl nud wumr. I ueuMenmn. l lmloflrl.

TIMI Imbl ‘l n . 3 Incl-mum! I cclnlenmn.

M. ['wr (iunm and Mr hr nsrhnl-L A whok
uhuul [um-y linen diulufiuu and Lanna.

 

 

15113 1311130333). IT). 25.

T!» me use A (wealth. fern finds lubed.

(‘ I" r munurvua clmrm Iv“.

un-nrll’ in M: [-l-Ire.

Lina wim hmuln.

The r--zrnvrnkn For fiw huu.

(‘ruhlwe‘n waning. Mverul cllnnevon.

Int-urin Hm hum of n” Ilium“. Two nm‘u.‘

A "Aloha lwawmndo IL-Aiuln. 0n: gunk-um
'1'“ II". . T. ‘

nm In “ 1mm}: in " flung hum. Two Hit
and on» man-nan. -

e

 

Fur lvur h'rl.
Fur (our Huln Kirk.

   

(‘1‘ The show book! ur- mM by Nemde «whom, or w!!! in Im.-pu'1—pli-f. h fl

“also-uni“ of pma. w a mu «m.
g .-

J: ama'rubzmm, 93 minus? a». R.Y.' '

 

. l-‘ur thr'on fomnln ._

 
    

  
  
 
 

 

<4“.

 

 
  

 
   

 

 
 

 

 

 

Dune School Sargon—Dialogues.

 

DIME DIALOGUES Ho.’ 26.

Pm! eon lul- Three lxullen um! um gentlemen. 1T1“: lawn “hm-my. Two nry nmnll gin-1;.
Mnunl‘nnnnudMule—hill». Si: l AlllflMS‘Vfll'fll Prll‘llcc \vlml yuu p l Four mu“,

, a,“ mum H’ullld'iflfln Numcro n x mrnuu-rs.
A hut [hullllxllml full. Six b0 n. The runmuing ngvnt. Two mnlon nml two
TWA"VI|_\I n1 awning lhinal. Two little girl» {cum an.
Dnn‘c nonnt )our uhiclmu bclnlu they nra It}: uh 'l’wu Innlen.

imlclla‘l. Four lmHvs nnd 1| lmv. .A n' mum. 'l‘hren ('elnulen and mu main.
AN 1,. nuri ‘ lm‘u mu] \vur. x Luna. 2 urmlulm-n. jam“; .1 nunnhine. Tum yum"; Jun...
Haw nnulc Jmuh gull r‘nl - f 11m lvmwy. Tm, xunlnn, [How Jlnn PERI] died. 'l we undu-
1 Wm. uwml ll'nllnl'ufmul'lunl.

 

 

 

 

DIME DIALOGUES No. 27.

For three mulesl'l‘hr nlrwl yirl'u good nugel. Fol two Indln NM
tun Ilule Klill.

Numerom!"‘l‘nnt unurnh-Iul liulu- nigger." Fov two mulch

II I lnnl [In munr}. Fur (hrrfl llulc um».

Allyvurunctn nru Il-vl'eill'ul. For nevus! India

Pntuy O'Dowd‘n campnign.
nml om! fun: In.
Hnnvy illfcrel|cel not nlwnyn jnnt.

   

boyn.
Dine-nuanced Annie. For levernl girls.
A d-nlhlc surprise Fnur mnh-n nnd one female. :nnl an: :l-mlcnum.
“'lml» nun 1L! IF.”- five ln-llrfi. Luw‘. pulled. Fur two llnle glrln.
Wlml will cure lhvul! Fur n nuh'nml two buys. An unlurrud rnrv. Fur m'h‘YNl n’luu‘utlurl.
[lulu-nun n1. l““l‘ numerous chn'rnvlurs. 'l'lmnu Mm prune]: mnl mun“ wlm ywl‘unn. Fol
Earl: 5 mm \ln- lmsl. Fur {our hm Llu‘re Inulun. ‘
“MI "I Mum mmnnu, [9 A genus cunquut. Eat In Young glrln.
A bu) n pink Fur nnvnrnl c nu

 

  
 
 

mnlvl.

   

DIME DIALOGUES No. 28.

For nix yunu; imliun nud lwn‘N‘W) rmnn fur {h}- «l une. er than lmla b051,

A In". that lnld. I
r ||‘l nnr. l‘ur nnnmrnun n-lru'm-h n

gu-nllvm-‘II.
Orgnniziug n Alflbilllll“ nnrlrty. For {our ho} n.
Thus nu-nlmninx. Fur I'nnr 11 Ih- lll‘il.
‘l'lm u-hnke yrnper. ' m-nllu ,.
fin-vlcininx ml evil 3 l. ‘ s x ht An lnlnHl 1r nlgn. For fuur lynn.

Ill| Ildml of the rum-e. Fm" {our mnh-n. A gmul um- l‘ur r, nnm'. 1r..,-.i_‘m“l.zh.‘|l
l'hn upnn. ul lhu wou. For mu trunpu of girls. An n;run:sblu yruluaiun. For uvunlobnncm

 

l'er [qu ulnh.‘
For mu nmlun and M"

“n arms Inr |||l‘l|‘| 'v.
. \Snv-d Ly n dream.
'Jlmlml. I tum: «

   

   
   

DIME DIALOGUES No. 29.

For fnur llllle bnrl.

Who nlmll lmvn the 1H lionnry! For nix lyplcnl ‘Simplu <lmnn.
" Fur fnnr mull-1|, luv-I fmnnlel.

Innlu chnrnccurn nnd lwn {cum}. . ‘lh‘. h d “Hm,
I‘hu In: u! hrnvun. Fnl' l'uul' D l mu! tanclner. ‘Tlm nue In. For luur linln ghln.
Fortnne'n win-Al. l-‘nr fv-ur Inn!» n lur‘ll'll‘ll. l'l'ho xnhumnn mmmlnr. tllmlin-x I mvntlunmu.
The nun lesihelen. Fur nlx Iiule gin-1.x.

_ ‘ Thrur. {illln h-nls. l-‘ur I‘xmr nnmll hm n.
‘l‘lm _\un mul no I»! alnnlm l‘m' Hum: lltlln lb >31. \ lieunrn u! the dog! Fnr than lndlul and Um.
No rufu-n-ncnm Su unnllmnnn nlnl lhrns Inn‘

‘ « mum-n."
An mnnmnz znod Imv. Que main, mm frmulz. Jun llnnl'n lmnl. For two boy! and two girl:
What A vlnnnlion dld. For nuvernl Indian.

thngn. For nix mnlu.

      

  

DIME DIALOGUES No. 30.

For two "Nlr nnu.

 

n--l~lhle luqrmn. For flvo voung Indch PM and 110.2.
I (mini-«i " lunlnrn, Fur four Illlll'O. "l'ln- nulln-w rnr
\'in nu. Fur fiva 1m!» lmn-n. IJinn llrmlc uk
Iumk n! hmne. Fur lhmn Hui.) glrl‘. 'Tlm MIu-I'

 

 

  
  

b.4- mzu hnyn.
tnrv. Il'ur (Iva femnlon.

 

   

n

   

Hnmmnu ' luck. For two umlcn nnd llnree'Tlm uni Hm lulrl. ur flwnmh-n

Nlmivn. dV-mluz In): pruny. Fur thrre gemluman nu
Why M Ilhhl’t lulu hlm. Fnueveml “ chm-1 Iwn lmllun.

Mun." lam-<ng rm n n'll. Fur fivn bun.

A fln'lllllnhl ml‘tnlm. For nix young hulk-n, on» ‘llu- Ivnulwr'n rune. For tun lm)| and [hr-
Lulu “Ir! nun u Imy. '

An nil-Innlmlirnl menncnrl».

l’lm lylghnr Mum-Hon. For alum how.

I'm vlclu nd ofn mllllnnr. For nix fnmnlal.

an n.

Fur n wlmle nrhmul.‘(‘nllurn\‘ nf Imllunn. Fnr olwon mun-mun.

Addith nnl [Il‘Nlillnllv m for ‘ Gurldrnn nl Lllan?
A ncoulc pine In Dlnlngnen No. ‘2‘.

 

a’ The nbovo booh nro nold by anndmlafl ovorywhore, or will bn um, youhpnld. to II,
will, CI nulpv. o! prlu; )0 emu ouch.

3mm mm ms, rum-hm, an wan... n. in.

For ‘1 [mum nnd t g" nlnmu‘

    
       
         
       
     
 
       
      
       
  
  
  
   
    
     
  
  
   
    
     
  
   
       
   
      
      

n

 
 

    

Dime Schoél SErics—A‘Spcnkers,

 
   

 

¥ui’| wnt'l do nutter,
he Miniuippi miracle,
\"eu ins tida town: in,
Doha hum vot Mary bar

[at
Pu ()‘Flnherty on wa-
mnn’l righta,

Thu home rularl, how
they “ lpnken,"
Hezekiah anuon
Molhurn-in-luw,
He didn’t sell the fun».
The two diary 0! Frank

iin’: kite,
I would 1 were u. bu)

Ixuln,
A plihotic ntory,

on

All nbout a boo,
Seandnl,

A dark side view,
To our vny,

Uu munan liermnn.

A huulihy Iiiluuuruu,
'i‘oldus no to spank,
um Mrs. Griiuu,

A purudy,

Wu" and can,

liiii Underwood, pilot,
‘Jid (iraniey,

tum,
\Vinivlur Green’s
wurdn,

Mury‘l shinnil vim huan

l‘hu pill peddier’l orn-

DIME DIALECT SPEAKER, No. 23.

Latest Chium ouiruga,

Th: nmnileui destiny of
lhu irishumu,

reg“; Mi-Umln.

Spray: [rum Josh Bil-
lingu,

Dc cirrunmtuucus oh dc
nitiwution,

Dnr’n nutiin new under
dc sun.

:A Nauru ruligiuul poem,

'l'hm. Viulln

:Picnir, delights,
‘Our c mliduluk viewn,

Dundrmiry 'r‘. wimion I ,

lut‘l’lnin hillullngc h) trutlr

mm,

DIME READINGS AND BECITATION‘J,

The idlhm’n pano-

mm:
The lightning-rod ngent
The trugndy At {our ace

flu,
Ruth and Naomi,
Carey of Cornell,
Bnbiu

min find,
Thu bmkenun at
church,
Pulun Mooah’s lur-
mount,

The dim ohl foreat,
Rmhar M. home,

The Sergeant’l nary,
David and Gullah,
Druiuilug At foursome,

Rum,

Why should the spirit
0! mnrtnl hu proud!
The coming minim-ha,

The anginaer'n Itury,

A Inudidniu {or presi-
dent,

Roll cull,

 

Arguing the uellinn
Jim Woiiu mild th- cm,

An Acceuion to the
hlulily,

When the cows come
home,

The dmmtinn pnriy,

Tommy Tn“,

A Michigumler
ancu.

Not one in Ipuru,

Mn. Bron)”:
iumh,

Rock of agel.

.i. CR‘lnl’ Pompey
Sqnuh’n Iarmon,

Anniu‘: ticket,

The nuwlhny,

Pm. corral-panama,

in

pink

  

lMy noighhor’l dngl,
Condeumd Mythology.
Plans,

The Nureidel,
Lem-min u! Atticn,
The stave-pipe trngedy

A d(>kutor'u viruhhlu,

'l‘hu lininan mnn.

Thu illignnt nifuir nt
Muldonn's,

'i'hm little huby rouml
the coruvr,

A genenma iniervnre,

An invitatiun to tha
him] of lib-fly,

The crow,

Out welt.

No. 24.

Death of th‘ 12th squer

Main to: Shnald,

Ai Elhuron,

The cry of womnnhood.

Tho jmignn-nt (My,

The hunt bubhlu,

Curfew mun: not ring
in-night,

The [vi-ell,

’i'hu water mill,

Sam’s iuttur,

Funtltt‘pl of the dead,

Charity,

Au on», on check.

 

a‘Tho nbovo book: an sold by New-dealer. evcrywhou, or will b. sent, pout-paid, to my

“dun. on mipi of pr

ica, 10 mm «ch.

3mm AND ADAMS. Publhheu. 98 William Sh, N. Y.

 

 

 

 

 

DIME POCKET NOVELS.
PUBLISHED SESII-‘tiONTBLY. AT TEN CENTS EACH.

1 Hewhro Harry. 58 Cluu-lwuod. The Purl Fir-ten. y 111 The Truder Spy.

d s}, i ‘ lilnck Panther. 3 1'1? The Fore-t Specter.
' l liners. . “ t. Ahdiel, the Awnger. ' 173 The Border Fm.
Blue Dltk. . t _" ‘ (Him. the (‘rwz uer. ‘ 11‘ “order Vrngnnnw.

. Nut “folk. 6') Lucklus Trapprr. . 'i‘uu-ilumlud .\ M. 175 Border DOING.

The \Vhite Tracker. 6:! The Y rid: Smut. ’ )lnd Trill Hunter. 176 Tiny Son: at Liberty.
The Outhuv‘l Wife. 64 Tlu 1 Ind Tl’lppar. Him-k Nick. 17'! The Lost. Bride.
The Till Trapper. v56 Wolf-Cup. ' ' Kit Bird. 118 Keenan.

. Lightning Ju. 66 Ruitlin Dick. 1 Thus actor Ride“. 119 The ’l‘onhwn Spy.
'l‘he ill-mi Pirnte. 67 Sharp- yo. Glam ’5“. 180 The Prnirle Stum‘o.
The Boy Ranger. n8 hon~Hnnd. ' The Girl Cnpnln. 181 Red Ll Inning.
lhn‘ the Tn per. 60 The Yellow Hunter. ' Ynniwu Ebb. 182 Bun Hun.

' Thu French ‘ py. 10 The Phantom rider. Silvernpnr. lea Nixht Hnyk Ku.

Lung Shot. 71 Del-were Tom. S uetter Dick. 1“ Mun-n: Sum.

Thu Gunmner. '1'? Silver Rifle. ‘ T 0 Child Spy. 133 Hurricane Bill.

Rad Hand. 73 The Skeleton Scout. Mink Coll. lss Th. Rod Dun-w.

Han, the Tapper. '14 Little Rifle. Red Plume. 18'! The Swnmp Srnnt.

Wild Ewen. ‘15 The Wood Witch. Clydu, the Tnilzr. 188 The Shuwnaa‘l F00.
The 5 her ChieL '10 Old Rufi, Tr: per. 'l'he Lolt Cuhl. 139 Moll-wk NIL

Th. 5 “Julian 1'1 Scsrlet Shoul en. The Cunnibll Chief. 100 Old Jupe. V
Wild Nut. 78 Border Riflem-n. Knr-iho. 191 The Prairie Rina. ‘
Indian Jo. 19 Outl-w Juk. ' Scarlet hiocmin. In Old Kyle, Trailer. r
OldKnnt thelhnger. 80 Tiger‘Tul, Seminole. Kidnapped. in Big Foot. the Guide. +
One-E ed Tn per. 81 DmLh-Donler. Maid of the hloun- 194 Red Brotherhood. '
Godbo d, the py. 8‘1 Kenton. the Ranger. min. 195 The Mun in Green.
The Blair Ship. 88 S ecier Horseman. ‘ The Scintn Scouu. 198 Gian-Eye, the Gru‘
Single]! 3. NT 9 Thrne ’l‘rnpparr. I Border Reungude. Shot.
lndinn Jun. 85 Knleolnh. The Mule Chief. 113'! The hairle'l'rapperl

' The Smut. 86 The Hunter ilereule‘. Buom‘, the Hunter. 198 Blnrk .luhn.

Eagle Eye. 5'! Phil Hunler. .‘inunlnln Knu. 199 Keen-Knife.
'l'ha Myulic Canoe. 88 The iudlun Scout. The Red Scnl rev. ‘200 Bind Shipper.

‘ The Golden Harpoon. 80 The Girl Avenger. The Lone Uriel. 901 The Yuung Spy.
The Scalp King. 90 The Ed Hermite“. ’ The Silver Bugle. 90‘} The llvdinn Avenger.
Old Lute. ill gturJ‘ueJhe Sluyor. Chingl. Cheyuine. 903 Rival Lieutennntl.
Kninhnll. Ranger. 9‘) I'll. Antelope Buy. Thu Tnngled Trell. ‘20: The Swnmp Riflv-I.
The Boy l’inneer. 93 The Phnni nu Huntrr. Thu Unseen Hand. 1705 Tu- Built-on Sr uu.
Cumin. the Guide. 94 Tom Pintlu. Pll- L. . The Lone lndiun. 906 Dumlnli Scourge.
The Heart Enter. 95 The Rad “'izlni. The firnnded Chief. ’ 90'! The Twin hrnuh.
Wetzol. the Smut. 96 The Riv-l Trapper; Billy Howie n. ma Burkxkln Bill.

The Huge Hunter. 91 The Squaw Spy. The Vulluy . cont. ‘2“? Border Avenger
Wild Nut, Truppar. 93 Dinky Dick. Red ducket. 2m Tim liumble‘n Churn—

'. i._\’llxvcu :. 99 Colonel Crockett. The Jungle Scout. ‘le Thu Shuirm-l' N-nul.

. The Wh is Outlaw. 100 Old Bear Paw. Cherokcr Chivl.
’l‘he Doz'i‘miler. 101 Rodi-w. The Bandit Hermil.
The Elk Kin . 102 Wild Rube. The Patriot Scour: .
Arlrinn, the ilut. 103 The Indinn Hunters. The “‘nnd Burgers ‘215 The Priaoner of
The Mun-hunter. 104 Sun-d Bugle. The Rad Fne. \‘intrum
The Phnntnlu Tracker 106 Nick Doyle. Beautiful Unknown. "116 Pplog Smllh.
.‘iucctllin llill. lot; The [Indian Spy. ‘ Cnnehrelre More. 217 The Witch of the
The Wull‘ Queen. 101 Job Donn. Hank, the Guide. “'nllnwilh.

. T-‘nn Huwk. Trailer. 108 The Wood King. The Border Scout. z'ln Thy P-niris Pirnm.
- The Mad Chief. 100 The Scalpvsd Hunter. . Wild Nut. 21» Th. llmur ('Aptain.
: The Black Wolf. 110 Nick the Scam. )inid of W'yriming. " ‘ Tm nwi >pi'.

. Arknneu Juck. ill The 'i'uu Tiger. The Three Clpllvee. 1m”. l'mling

. Blackbelrd. 117 The Croused Knives. ' Th- lmlt Hunter. luslum; Hunter-u.
The River Riflen. 113 Tiger-Heart. hi. Burdrr Luv, ‘2' Guilt} or Nut Gullvv
Hunter Hum. 1N Musked Avenger. 110 Thu infled Trail. 9% The Ollllnu‘ Hunger.

 

 

 

_____________
THE FOLLOWING Wild. BE lSSUFD [N THE ORDER AND ON THE DATES lNDlCATED:
225 The Schuylklll Rnnxern. By the nuihnr nf“Quindnm." Randy Februuy 6th.
he Deep. By Rituar Stnrburk. erl}' February ‘10”).
22? lronn. Br Edward S. Ellie. Reudv March Nth.
228 The Mountnlneer. By Edward Willa“. Ready Mmh 90th.
229 The lluntor'n Etienne. Br Edward 5. Ellis. Rnndv April 3d.
280 The Golden Belt. By Colin liurkor. Ready April mh.
28! The Swamp Rlden. By Gamma D. Gilbert. Renin Min let.
282 Juhez Hawk. ii.‘ (3 DIDI'iHK Clfl'k- Ready hlny lbih.
233 Muses-oh}!- Daughter. By A. .1. H. Dupnne. Randy Mny am.
231 The Mad Hunter. liv Mn. Mary A. Deni-on. Randy June 12th.
235 The Reefer of ‘76. By Harrv Cavendilh. Ready June 36th.
236 Antelope Abe, the Buy On dc. By Will Dexter. Rudy Julr 1MB.
28? The llnnter’n V'nw. By Louis Le Grand, M.D. Ready Julv 94th.
288 The Ilunter‘e Pledge. By Edvard \Villetk. Randi Aumm‘nh.
Bflfirll-ttlepute. By Sent: R. Slmrwand. Rendv Auwut rm.
240’ he l’rnlrle Brlde. Hr Mrs. "mm -i.Tl' n. .u, Rmdx- Sepia“.er “h.

l r " luv nll _\'.ursduaier. ur uni puni-pmdi linglc number: (an «up .13 no... u _
a). year \llb' Non.) $7.50. ' ’ I (II 06.) .I ”

BEADLE AND ADAM. Publhhen, 98 Wllllun street. New York.