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THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

A ROMANCE OF THE SUPERNATURAL.

By Mrs. Elia W. Peattie.

CHAPTER IX.

"Good God man, I cried when we were really on the outside and beyond the hearing of the council chamber, "they permit you to depart! They think you will be fool enough to return to be murdered for the crime of exercising your own personal liberty'

De Vega turned on me with a look of pride and reproach

'Brother, we of Bimini obey the law

'You mean that you will tamely go to be murdered'

'Worse would follow than that which threatens, if I did not obey my fate For, understand, it is the decrees of fate which I bow to One of your race cannot understand this as can an Indian My death was designed when the plan of the ages was unrolled Were I to try to mar this plan I would bring disaster to all connected with me I would have no happiness if I should live, knowing that like a coward I had run form death Broth try to understand Not only would I be an outcast from society, but a haunted man as well surrounded by the spirits of the infernal regions who could consort with me and call me their companion For they also have thwarted the will of the great spirit This is the greatest crime an Indian can commit No brother I will be courageous and true Then there can be no punishment and as for the pain of a few moments -- that is nothing It cannot compare with the pain that I have suffered in my heart for months. Death you see has no terrors for me'

We found Bryan and Bridges waiting under the shade of a tree They read in our faces all they cared to know and sadly followed behind us Bryan leaning heavily on his friends arm

As we neared the house, there sprang suddenly from behind a huge cactus plant a little brown body that sped toward us with the speed of some wild animal It was Sin De Vegas face lighted up when he saw him he ran forward to meet him and the two spoke together for a moment

You will not fail me" De vega called back twice as we walked on

By the sign of my fathers,' cried Sin in his pure Seminole, 'I will be there A tiger" -- and he drew up his beautiful little body proudly 'A tiger never forgets what he was promised'

De Vegas hospitality was in no way relaxed when we returned to his lodge. Those elaborate formulas of welcome which the etiquette of his race required were repeated in tones of the most convincing sincerity Dinner was served for us in the long cool dining hall -- fowl fruit the wild potato and koonti -- made into pudding with the aid of strong but savory eggs of some wild bird

From the time we left the state house, we had been the object of curiosity A great crowd of people were waiting for us without the door of the council chamber but so deep in grief was I at the position of my friend that I saw them with undiscerning eyes and only gathered confused visions of stately, slow-moving figures, wrapped in bright colored garments redolent with strong and spics perfumes Many of these followed us as we returned along the avenue of palms, but their curiosity was not of that morbit sort which a crowd of my own countrymen would have displayed It was evident that the people of Bimini did not rejoice in the sorrows of others Their commiseration made itself felt somehow As we sat at dinner a low murmur that came in through the window informed us that many of the people had gathered in the garden Indeed we had not finished our meal before word was brought De Vega that his miners hearing of his return had come down from the mountain to consult with him De Vega sent word that all in the garden were to be served with fruits and wine, and then resume dhis quiet and courtly attention to us

'Brothers, he said, 'I shall this afternoon prepare my testament and make a written disposal of all of which I am possessed as is the law My kinsfolk are few and they have more than their needs Therefore I shall only leave them reminders of my regard I have also a few faithful servitors who deserve something from my hand But you my sworn friends, who have entered my country and my home under circumstances so peculiar, shall have that which will give you a place in the commonwealth The Adelantado himself will not dare disregard you when you stand possessed of the only mine containing gold in the country and control a body of men who know no fear At the same time it will be a great pleasure to me to know that the tasks which I have undertaken will be worthily carried on and that the men who have so long worked for and with me will continue to have masters who will consider their good

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

A ROMANCE OF THE SUPERNATURAL.

By Mrs. Elia W. Peattie.

CHAPTER IX.

"Good God man, I cried when we were really on the outside and beyond the hearing of the council chamber, "they permit you to depart! They think you will be fool enough to return to be murdered for the crime of exercising your own personal liberty'

De Vega turned on me with a look of pride and reproach

'Brother, we of Bimini obey the law

'You mean that you will tamely go to be murdered'

'Worse would follow than that which threatens, if I did not obey my fate For, understand, it is the decrees of fate which I bow to One of your race cannot understand this as can an Indian My death was designed when the plan of the ages was unrolled Were I to try to mar this plan I would bring disaster to all connected with me I would have no happiness if I should live, knowing that like a coward I had run form death Broth try to understand Not only would I be an outcast from society, but a haunted man as well surrounded by the spirits of the infernal regions who could consort with me and call me their companion For they also have thwarted the will of the great spirit This is the greatest crime an Indian can commit No brother I will be courageous and true Then there can be no punishment and as for the pain of a few moments -- that is nothing It cannot compare with the pain that I have suffered in my heart for months. Death you see has no terrors for me'

We found Bryan and Bridges waiting under the shade of a tree They read in our faces all they cared to know and sadly followed behind us Bryan leaning heavily on his friends arm

As we neared the house, there sprang suddenly from behind a huge cactus plant a little brown body that sped toward us with the speed of some wild animal It was Sin De Vegas face lighted up when he saw him he ran forward to meet him and the two spoke together for a moment

You will not fail me" De vega called back twice as we walked on

By the sign of my fathers,' cried Sin in his pure Seminole, 'I will be there A tiger" -- and he drew up his beautiful little body proudly 'A tiger never forgets what he was promised'