252

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

At this moment the servant whom we had first seen when we approached De Vegas house entered the room His manner in spite of that stately [?] which it was always his ambition to maintain betrayed excitement

Father said he there awaits without the Lady Opaka and her train

I know not how it was but at this information each of us sprang to his feet De Vega turned white under his swarthiness Bryan still weak from his illness trembled in sympathy with De Vega I felt as if a hand were at my throat This woman whom the governor of the land thought it worth his while to denounce for political reasons -- this woman who had such a fatal influence over my poor friend and who seemed to contain in herself the knowledge of letters of which her race was ignorant who was in fact the disturbing element of this placid land -- it well to meet and know her' There thoughts poured hotly through my brain and yet I knew and I admitted to myself that I would not for anything the world had to offer have left that roof knowing she was under it without seeing her

Come with me, I dare not meet her alone, said De Vega in a strained voice He paused to drain another glass of the mulberry wine and then, after two or three laboring breaths drew himself up flung apart the curtains at the door and entered the other room

In the white lights of noon backed by the gray panels of the apartment stood a group of women Their dark and innocent eyes were turned on us Their [?] bodies obtruded themselves through the white [?] of their garments As we entered on of them parted from the group and glided toward De Vega with hands outstretched I saw a terrible look shoot into the Indians yes -- such a look as a spirit might wear, which though the murky gloom of an inferno beholds heaven Then he roused himself and accepted the hands which the lady extended toward him

"Opaka" [?] athed

'My brother sobbed the lady I have come in ask for pardon I have committed a crime It is I who am responsible for all this evil which has fallen on you'

"Lady' said De Vega sternly, you were the servant of fate Such words as you speak do not accord with all that you have taught me It is your teachings which have fortified me You will surely not be the one to disprove those lessons which I learned so well, and which are now my only consolation

But she did not heed his words

I will go before the council she protested, they shall reconsider They shall place the blame where it belongs

My dear lady cried De Vega in anxiety make yourself no more enemies than you already have Interfere not in this matter Already I have heard that Padre Anton whispers Hes among those who will lend ear to [?] Dear lady, beware! Thnk only of yourself My death is nothing Have you not yourself taught me that death is better than life when life has ceased to be beautiful?

But what a death, my brother [?]'

Hush hush!'

'Oh let me plead for you Do not deny me this one little thing! It will quiet my spirit, which is torn with remorse'

'Lady, if I lived, could you love me?"

The imploring eyes which had been lifted to his dropped suddenly A fllush spread over the face and the stately [?]

But -- but she protested falteringly, there is life poetry, philosophy, friendship'

Beautiful teacher interrupted De Vega you have many pupils who think that they learn form you the principles of truth But I am your best pupil for I have learned from you the great truth which is love and beside which all else is nothing -- or rather but a part of this great whole of love Do you understand me? I spearate this guava into fifty parts and I call these parts by splendid names -- duty philosophy sac

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

At this moment the servant whom we had first seen when we approached De Vegas house entered the room His manner in spite of that stately [?] which it was always his ambition to maintain betrayed excitement

Father said he there awaits without the Lady Opaka and her train

I know not how it was but at this information each of us sprang to his feet De Vega turned white under his swarthiness Bryan still weak from his illness trembled in sympathy with De Vega I felt as if a hand were at my throat This woman whom the governor of the land thought it worth his while to denounce for political reasons -- this woman who had such a fatal influence over my poor friend and who seemed to contain in herself the knowledge of letters of which her race was ignorant who was in fact the disturbing element of this placid land -- it well to meet and know her' There thoughts poured hotly through my brain and yet I knew and I admitted to myself that I would not for anything the world had to offer have left that roof knowing she was under it without seeing her

Come with me, I dare not meet her alone, said De Vega in a strained voice He paused to drain another glass of the mulberry wine and then, after two or three laboring breaths drew himself up flung apart the curtains at the door and entered the other room

In the white lights of noon backed by the gray panels of the apartment stood a group of women Their dark and innocent eyes were turned on us Their [?] bodies obtruded themselves through the white [?] of their garments As we entered on of them parted from the group and glided toward De Vega with hands outstretched I saw a terrible look shoot into the Indians yes -- such a look as a spirit might wear, which though the murky gloom of an inferno beholds heaven Then he roused himself and accepted the hands which the lady extended twoard him

"Opaka" [?] athed

'My brother sobbed the lady I have come in ask for pardon I have committed a crime It is I who am responsible for all this evil which has fallen on you'

"Lady' said De Vega sternly, you were the servent of fate Such words as you speak do not accord with all that you have taught me It is your teachings which have fortified me You will surely not be the one to disprove those lessons which I learned so well, and which are now my only consolation

But she did not heed his words

I will go before the council she protested, they shall reconsider They shall place the blame where it belongs