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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/2471-h.zip b/2471-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d80fc91 --- /dev/null +++ b/2471-h.zip diff --git a/2471-h/2471-h.htm b/2471-h/2471-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6bb5935 --- /dev/null +++ b/2471-h/2471-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9964 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Crusade of the Excelsior, by Bret Harte + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Crusade of the Excelsior, by Bret Harte + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Crusade of the Excelsior + +Author: Bret Harte + +Release Date: May 16, 2006 [EBook #2471] +Last Updated: December 17, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Bret Harte + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> <big><b>THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR</b></big> + </a><br /><br /> <br /> <a href="#link2H_PART1"> <b>PART I. IN BONDS.</b> + </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER I. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER II. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> + CHAPTER III. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER IV. </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER V. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER VI. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> + CHAPTER VII. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER VIII. </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER IX. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER X. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> + CHAPTER XI. </a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="#link2H_PART2"> <b>PART + II. FREED.</b> </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER I. </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER II. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER III. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0024"> + CHAPTER IV. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER V. </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER VI. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER VII. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0028"> + CHAPTER VIII. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART1" id="link2H_PART1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PART I. IN BONDS. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <h3> + A CRUSADER AND A SIGN. + </h3> + <p> + It was the 4th of August, 1854, off Cape Corrientes. Morning was breaking + over a heavy sea, and the closely-reefed topsails of a barque that ran + before it bearing down upon the faint outline of the Mexican coast. + Already the white peak of Colima showed, ghost-like, in the east; already + the long sweep of the Pacific was gathering strength and volume as it + swept uninterruptedly into the opening Gulf of California. + </p> + <p> + As the cold light increased, it could be seen that the vessel showed + evidence of a long voyage and stress of weather. She had lost one of her + spars, and her starboard davits rolled emptily. Nevertheless, her rigging + was taut and ship-shape, and her decks scrupulously clean. Indeed, in that + uncertain light, the only moving figure besides the two motionless shadows + at the wheel was engaged in scrubbing the quarter-deck—which, with + its grated settees and stacked camp-chairs, seemed to indicate the + presence of cabin passengers. For the barque Excelsior, from New York to + San Francisco, had discharged the bulk of her cargo at Callao, and had + extended her liberal cabin accommodation to swell the feverish Californian + immigration, still in its height. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there was a slight commotion on deck. An order, issued from some + invisible depth of the cabin, was so unexpected that it had to be repeated + sternly and peremptorily. A bustle forward ensued, two or three other + shadows sprang up by the bulwarks, then the two men bent over the wheel, + the Excelsior slowly swung round on her heel, and, with a parting + salutation to the coast, bore away to the northwest and the open sea + again. + </p> + <p> + "What's up now?" growled one of the men at the wheel to his companion, as + they slowly eased up on the helm. + </p> + <p> + "'Tain't the skipper's, for he's drunk as a biled owl, and ain't stirred + out of his bunk since eight bells," said the other. "It's the first mate's + orders; but, I reckon, it's the Senor's idea." + </p> + <p> + "Then we ain't goin' on to Mazatlan?" + </p> + <p> + "Not this trip, I reckon," said the third mate, joining them. + </p> + <p> + "Why?" + </p> + <p> + The third mate turned and pointed to leeward. The line of coast had + already sunk enough to permit the faint silhouette of a trail of smoke to + define the horizon line of sky. + </p> + <p> + "Steamer goin' in, eh?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. D'ye see—it might be too hot, in there!" + </p> + <p> + "Then the jig's up?" + </p> + <p> + "No. Suthin's to be done—north of St. Lucas. Hush!" + </p> + <p> + He made a gesture of silence, although the conversation, since he had + joined them, had been carried on in a continuous whisper. A figure, + evidently a passenger, had appeared on deck. One or two of the + foreign-looking crew who had drawn near the group, with a certain undue + and irregular familiarity, now slunk away again. + </p> + <p> + The passenger was a shrewd, exact, rectangular-looking man, who had + evidently never entirely succumbed to the freedom of the sea either in his + appearance or habits. He had not even his sea legs yet; and as the barque, + with the full swell of the Pacific now on her weather bow, was plunging + uncomfortably, he was fain to cling to the stanchions. This did not, + however, prevent him from noticing the change in her position, and + captiously resenting it. + </p> + <p> + "Look here—you; I say! What have we turned round for? We're going + away from the land! Ain't we going on to Mazatlan?" + </p> + <p> + The two men at the wheel looked silently forward, with that exasperating + unconcern of any landsman's interest peculiar to marine officials. The + passenger turned impatiently to the third mate. + </p> + <p> + "But this ain't right, you know. It was understood that we were going into + Mazatlan. I've got business there." + </p> + <p> + "My orders, sir," said the mate curtly, turning away. + </p> + <p> + The practical passenger had been observant enough of sea-going rules to + recognize that this reason was final, and that it was equally futile to + demand an interview with the captain when that gentleman was not visibly + on duty. He turned angrily to the cabin again. + </p> + <p> + "You look disturbed, my dear Banks. I trust you haven't slept badly," said + a very gentle voice from the quarter-rail near him; "or, perhaps, the + ship's going about has upset you. It's a little rougher on this tack." + </p> + <p> + "That's just it," returned Banks sharply. "We HAVE gone about, and we're + not going into Mazatlan at all. It's scandalous! I'll speak to the captain—I'll + complain to the consignees—I've got business at Mazatlan—I + expect letters—I"— + </p> + <p> + "Business, my dear fellow?" continued the voice, in gentle protest. + "You'll have time for business when you get to San Francisco. And as for + letters—they'll follow you there soon enough. Come over here, my + boy, and say hail and farewell to the Mexican coast—to the land of + Montezuma and Pizarro. Come here and see the mountain range from which + Balboa feasted his eyes on the broad Pacific. Come!" + </p> + <p> + The speaker, though apparently more at his ease at sea, was in dress and + appearance fully as unnautical as Banks. As he leaned over the railing, + his white, close-fitting trousers and small patent-leather boots gave him + a jaunty, half-military air, which continued up to the second button of + his black frock-coat, and then so utterly changed its character that it + was doubtful if a greater contrast could be conceived than that offered by + the widely spread lapels of his coat, his low turned-down collar, loosely + knotted silk handkerchief, and the round, smooth-shaven, gentle, pacific + face above them. His straight long black hair, shining as if from recent + immersion, was tucked carefully behind his ears, and hung in a heavy, + even, semicircular fringe around the back of his neck where his tall hat + usually rested, as if to leave his forehead meekly exposed to celestial + criticism. When he had joined the ship at Callao, his fellow-passengers, + rashly trusting to the momentary suggestion of his legs on the gang-plank, + had pronounced him military; meeting him later at dinner, they had + regarded the mild Methodistic contour of his breast and shoulders above + the table, and entertained the wild idea of asking him to evoke a + blessing. To complete the confusion of his appearance, he was called + "Senor" Perkins, for no other reason, apparently, than his occasional, but + masterful, use of the Spanish vernacular. + </p> + <p> + Steadying himself by one of the quarter stanchions, he waved his right + hand oratorically towards the sinking coast. + </p> + <p> + "Look at it, sir. One of the finest countries that ever came from the hand + of the Creator; a land overflowing with milk and honey; containing, sir, + in that one mountain range, the products of the three zones—and yet + the abode of the oppressed and down-trodden; the land of faction, + superstition, tyranny, and political revolution." + </p> + <p> + "That's all very well," said Banks irritably, "but Mazatlan is a + well-known commercial port, and has English and American correspondents. + There's a branch of that Boston firm—Potter, Potts & Potter—there. + The new line of steamers is going to stop there regularly." + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins' soft black eyes fell for an instant, as if accidentally, on + the third mate, but the next moment he laughed, and, throwing back his + head, inhaled, with evident relish, a long breath of the sharp, salt air. + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" he said enthusiastically, "THAT'S better than all the business you + can pick up along a malarious coast. Open your mouth and try to take in + the free breath of the glorious North Pacific. Ah! isn't it glorious?" + </p> + <p> + "Where's the captain?" said Banks, with despairing irritation. "I want to + see him." + </p> + <p> + "The captain," said Senor Perkins, with a bland, forgiving smile and a + slight lowering of his voice, "is, I fear, suffering from an accident of + hospitality, and keeps his state-room. The captain is a good fellow," + continued Perkins, with gentle enthusiasm; "a good sailor and careful + navigator, and exceedingly attentive to his passengers. I shall certainly + propose getting up some testimonial for him." + </p> + <p> + "But if he's shut up in his state-room, who's giving the orders?" began + Banks angrily. + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins put up a small, well-kept hand deprecatingly. + </p> + <p> + "Really, my dear boy, I suppose the captain cannot be omnipresent. Some + discretion must be left to the other officers. They probably know his + ideas and what is to be done better than we do. You business men trouble + yourselves too much about these things. You should take them more + philosophically. For my part I always confide myself trustingly to these + people. I enter a ship or railroad car with perfect faith. I say to + myself, 'This captain, or this conductor, is a responsible man, selected + with a view to my safety and comfort; he understands how to procure that + safety and that comfort better than I do. He worries himself; he spends + hours and nights of vigil to look after me and carry me to my destination. + Why should I worry myself, who can only assist him by passive obedience? + Why'—" But here he was interrupted by a headlong plunge of the + Excelsior, a feminine shriek that was half a laugh, the rapid patter of + small feet and sweep of flying skirts down the slanting deck, and the + sudden and violent contact of a pretty figure. + </p> + <p> + The next moment he had forgotten his philosophy, and his companion his + business. Both flew to the assistance of the fair intruder, who, albeit + the least injured of the trio, clung breathlessly to the bulwarks. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Keene!" ejaculated both gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + "Oh dear! I beg your pardon," said the young lady, reddening, with a naive + mingling of hilarity and embarrassment. "But it seemed so stuffy in the + cabin, and it seemed so easy to get out on deck and pull myself up by the + railings; and just as I got up here, I suddenly seemed to be sliding down + the roof of a house." + </p> + <p> + "And now that you're here, your courage should be rewarded," said the + Senor, gallantly assisting her to a settee, which he lashed securely. "You + are perfectly safe now," he added, holding the end of the rope in his hand + to allow a slight sliding movement of the seat as the vessel rolled. "And + here is a glorious spectacle for you. Look! the sun is just rising." + </p> + <p> + The young girl glanced over the vast expanse before her with sparkling + eyes and a suddenly awakened fancy that checked her embarrassed smile, and + fixed her pretty, parted lips with wonder. The level rays of the rising + sun striking the white crests of the lifted waves had suffused the whole + ocean with a pinkish opal color: the darker parts of each wave seemed + broken into facets instead of curves, and glittered sharply. The sea + seemed to have lost its fluidity, and become vitreous; so much so, that it + was difficult to believe that the waves which splintered across the + Excelsior's bow did not fall upon her deck with the ring of shattered + glass. + </p> + <p> + "Sindbad's Valley of Diamonds!" said the young girl, in an awed whisper. + </p> + <p> + "It's a cross sea in the Gulf of California, so the mate says," said Banks + practically; "but I don't see why we" . . . + </p> + <p> + "The Gulf of California?" repeated the young girl, while a slight shade of + disappointment passed over her bright face; "are we then so near"— + </p> + <p> + "Not the California you mean, my dear young lady," broke in Senor Perkins, + "but the old peninsula of California, which is still a part of Mexico. It + terminates in Cape St. Lucas, a hundred miles from here, but it's still a + far cry to San Francisco, which is in Upper California. But I fancy you + don't seem as anxious as our friend Mr. Banks to get to your journey's + end," he added, with paternal blandness. + </p> + <p> + The look of relief which had passed over Miss Keene's truthful face gave + way to one of slight embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + "It hasn't seemed long," she said hastily; and then added, as if to turn + the conversation, "What is this peninsula? I remember it on our map at + school." + </p> + <p> + "It's not of much account," interrupted Banks positively. "There ain't a + place on it you ever heard of. It's a kind of wilderness." + </p> + <p> + "I differ from you," said Senor Perkins gravely. "There are, I have been + told, some old Mexican settlements along the coast, and there is no reason + why the country shouldn't be fruitful. But you may have a chance to judge + for yourself," he continued beamingly. "Since we are not going into + Mazatlan, we may drop in at some of those places for water. It's all on + our way, and we shall save the three days we would have lost had we + touched Mazatlan. That," he added, answering an impatient interrogation in + Banks' eye, "at least, is the captain's idea, I reckon." He laughed, and + went on still gayly,—"But what's the use of anticipating? Why should + we spoil any little surprise that our gallant captain may have in store + for us? I've been trying to convert this business man to my easy + philosophy, Miss Keene, but he is incorrigible; he is actually lamenting + his lost chance of hearing the latest news at Mazatlan, and getting the + latest market quotations, instead of offering a thanksgiving for another + uninterrupted day of freedom in this glorious air." + </p> + <p> + With a half humorous extravagance he unloosed his already loose necktie, + turned his Byron collar still lower, and squared his shoulders + ostentatiously to the sea breeze. Accustomed as his two companions were to + his habitually extravagant speech, it did not at that moment seem + inconsistent with the intoxicating morning air and the exhilaration of sky + and wave. A breath of awakening and resurrection moved over the face of + the waters; recreation and new-born life sparkled everywhere; the past + night seemed forever buried in the vast and exundating sea. The reefs had + been shaken out, and every sail set to catch the steadier breeze of the + day; and as the quickening sun shone upon the dazzling canvas that seemed + to envelop them, they felt as if wrapped in the purity of a baptismal + robe. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, Miss Keene's eyes occasionally wandered from the charming + prospect towards the companion-ladder. Presently she became ominously and + ostentatiously interested in the view again, and at the same moment a + young man's head and shoulders appeared above the companionway. With a + bound he was on the slanting deck, moving with the agility and + adaptability of youth, and approached the group. He was quite surprised to + find Miss Keene there so early, and Miss Keene was equally surprised at + his appearance, notwithstanding the phenomenon had occurred with singular + regularity for the last three weeks. The two spectators of this gentle + comedy received it as they had often received it before, with a mixture of + apparent astonishment and patronizing unconsciousness, and, after a decent + interval, moved away together, leaving the young people alone. + </p> + <p> + The hesitancy and awkwardness which usually followed the first moments of + their charming isolation were this morning more than usually prolonged. + </p> + <p> + "It seems we are not going into Mazatlan, after all," said Miss Keene at + last, without lifting her conscious eyes from the sea. + </p> + <p> + "No," returned the young fellow quickly. "I heard all about it down below, + and we had quite an indignation meeting over it. I believe Mrs. Markham + wanted to head a deputation to wait upon the captain in his berth. It + seems that the first officer, or whosoever is running the ship, has + concluded we've lost too much time already, and we're going to strike a + bee-line for Cape St. Lucas, and give Mazatlan the go-by. We'll save four + days by it. I suppose it don't make any difference to you, Miss Keene, + does it?" + </p> + <p> + "I? Oh, no!" said the girl hastily. + </p> + <p> + "I'M rather sorry," he said hesitatingly. + </p> + <p> + "Indeed. Are you tired of the ship?" she asked saucily. + </p> + <p> + "No," he replied bluntly; "but it would have given us four more days + together—four more days before we separated." + </p> + <p> + He stopped, with a heightened color. There was a moment of silence, and + the voices of Senor Perkins and Mr. Banks in political discussion on the + other side of the deck came faintly. Miss Keene laughed. + </p> + <p> + "We are a long way from San Francisco yet, and you may think differently." + </p> + <p> + "Never!" he said, impulsively. + </p> + <p> + He had drawn closer to her, as if to emphasize his speech. She cast a + quick glance across the deck towards the two disputants, and drew herself + gently away. + </p> + <p> + "Do you know," she said suddenly, with a charming smile which robbed the + act of its sting, "I sometimes wonder if I am REALLY going to San + Francisco. I don't know how it is; but, somehow, I never can SEE myself + there." + </p> + <p> + "I wish you did, for I'M going there," he replied boldly. + </p> + <p> + Without appearing to notice the significance of his speech, she continued + gravely: + </p> + <p> + "I have been so strongly impressed with this feeling at times that it + makes me quite superstitious. When we had that terrible storm after we + left Callao, I thought it meant that—that we were all going down, + and we should never be heard of again." + </p> + <p> + "As long as we all went together," he said, "I don't know that it would be + the worst thing that could happen. I remember that storm, Miss Keene. And + I remember"—He stopped timidly. + </p> + <p> + "What?" she replied, raising her smiling eyes for the first time to his + earnest face. + </p> + <p> + "I remember sitting up all night near your state-room, with a cork jacket + and lots of things I'd fixed up for you, and thinking I'd die before I + trusted you alone in the boat to those rascally Lascars of the crew." + </p> + <p> + "But how would you have prevented it?" asked Miss Keene, with a + compassionate and half-maternal amusement. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know exactly," he said, coloring; "but I'd have lashed you to + some spar, or made a raft, and got you ashore on some island." + </p> + <p> + "And poor Mrs. Markham and Mrs. Brimmer—you'd have left them to the + boats and the Lascars, I suppose?" smiled Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, somebody would have looked after Mrs. Markham; and Mrs. Brimmer + wouldn't have gone with anybody that wasn't well connected. But what's the + use of talking?" he added ruefully. "Nothing has happened, and nothing is + going to happen. You will see yourself in San Francisco, even if you don't + see ME there. You're going to a rich brother, Miss Keene, who has friends + of his own, and who won't care to know a poor fellow whom you tolerated on + the passage, but who don't move in Mrs. Brimmer's set, and whom Mr. Banks + wouldn't indorse commercially." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, you don't know my brother, Mr. Brace." + </p> + <p> + "Nor do you, very well, Miss Keene. You were saying, only last night, you + hardly remembered him." + </p> + <p> + The young girl sighed. + </p> + <p> + "I was very young when he went West," she said explanatorily; "but I dare + say I shall recall him. What I meant is, that he will be very glad to know + that I have been so happy here, and he will like all those who have made + me so." + </p> + <p> + "Then you have been happy?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; very." She had withdrawn her eyes, and was looking vaguely towards + the companion-way. "Everybody has been so kind to me." + </p> + <p> + "And you are grateful to all?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Equally?" + </p> + <p> + The ship gave a sudden forward plunge. Miss Keene involuntarily clutched + the air with her little hand, that had been resting on the settee between + them, and the young man caught it in his own. + </p> + <p> + "Equally?" he repeated, with an assumed playfulness that half veiled his + anxiety. "Equally—from the beaming Senor Perkins, who smiles on all, + to the gloomy Mr. Hurlstone, who smiles on no one?" + </p> + <p> + She quickly withdrew her hand, and rose. "I smell the breakfast," she said + laughingly. "Don't be horrified, Mr. Brace, but I'm very hungry." She laid + the hand she had withdrawn lightly on his arm. "Now help me down to the + cabin." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <h3> + ANOTHER PORTENT. + </h3> + <p> + The saloon of the Excelsior was spacious for the size of the vessel, and + was furnished in a style superior to most passenger-ships of that epoch. + The sun was shining through the sliding windows upon the fresh and neatly + arranged breakfast-table, but the presence of the ominous "storm-racks," + and partitions for glass and china, and the absence of the more delicate + passengers, still testified to the potency of the Gulf of California. Even + those present wore an air of fatigued discontent, and the conversation had + that jerky interjectional quality which belonged to people with a common + grievance, but a different individual experience. Mr. Winslow had been + unable to shave. Mrs. Markham, incautiously and surreptitiously opening a + port-hole in her state-room for a whiff of fresh air while dressing, had + been shocked by the intrusion of the Pacific Ocean, and was obliged to + summon assistance and change her dress. Jack Crosby, who had attired + himself for tropical shore-going in white ducks and patent leathers, + shivered in the keen northwest Trades, and bewailed the cheap cigars he + had expected to buy at Mazatlan. The entrance of Miss Keene, who seemed to + bring with her the freshness and purity of the dazzling outer air, stirred + the younger men into some gallant attention, embarrassed, however, by a + sense of self-reproach. + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins alone retained his normal serenity. Already seated at the + table between the two fair-headed children of Mrs. Brimmer, he was + benevolently performing parental duties in her absence, and gently + supervising and preparing their victuals even while he carried on an + ethnological and political discussion with Mrs. Markham. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, my dear lady," continued the Senor, as he spread a hot biscuit with + butter and currant jelly for the youngest Miss Brimmer, "I am afraid that, + with the fastidiousness of your sex, you allow your refined instincts + against a race who only mix with ours in a menial capacity to prejudice + your views of their ability for enlightened self-government. That may be + true of the aborigines of the Old World—like our friends the Lascars + among the crew"— + </p> + <p> + "They're so snaky, dark, and deceitful-looking," interrupted Mrs. Markham. + </p> + <p> + "I might differ from you there, and say that the higher blonde types like + the Anglo-Saxon—to say nothing of the wily Greeks—were the + deceitful races: it might be difficult for any of us to say what a sly and + deceitful man should be like"— + </p> + <p> + "Oor not detheitful—oor a dood man," interpolated the youngest Miss + Brimmer, fondly regarding the biscuit. + </p> + <p> + "Thank you, Missie," beamed the Senor; "but to return: our Lascar friends, + Mrs. Markham, belong to an earlier Asiatic type of civilization already + decayed or relapsed to barbarism, while the aborigines of the New World + now existing have never known it—or, like the Aztecs, have perished + with it. The modern North American aborigine has not yet got beyond the + tribal condition; mingled with Caucasian blood as he is in Mexico and + Central America, he is perfectly capable of self-government." + </p> + <p> + "Then why has he never obtained it?" asked Mrs. Markham. + </p> + <p> + "He has always been oppressed and kept down by colonists of the Latin + races; he has been little better than a slave to his oppressor for the + last two centuries," said Senor Perkins, with a slight darkening of his + soft eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Injins is pizen," whispered Mr. Winslow to Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + "Who would be free, you know, the poet says, ought themselves to light out + from the shoulder, and all that sort of thing," suggested Crosby, with + cheerful vagueness. + </p> + <p> + "True; but a little assistance and encouragement from mankind generally + would help them," continued the Senor. "Ah! my dear Mrs. Markham, if they + could even count on the intelligent sympathy of women like yourself, their + independence would be assured. And think what a proud privilege to have + contributed to such a result, to have assisted at the birth of the ideal + American Republic, for such it would be—a Republic of one blood, one + faith, one history." + </p> + <p> + "What on earth, or sea, ever set the old man off again?" inquired Crosby, + in an aggrieved whisper. "It's two weeks since he's given us any Central + American independent flapdoodle—long enough for those nigger injins + to have had half a dozen revolutions. You know that the vessels that put + into San Juan have saluted one flag in the morning, and have been fired at + under another in the afternoon." + </p> + <p> + "Hush!" said Miss Keene. "He's so kind! Look at him now, taking off the + pinafores of those children and tidying them. He is kinder to them than + their nurse, and more judicious than their mother. And half his talk with + Mrs. Markham now is only to please her, because she thinks she knows + politics. He's always trying to do good to somebody." + </p> + <p> + "That's so," exclaimed Brace, eager to share Miss Keene's sentiments; "and + he's so good to those outlandish niggers in the crew. I don't see how the + captain could get on with the crew without him; he's the only one who can + talk their gibberish and keep them quiet. I've seen him myself quietly + drop down among them when they were wrangling. In my opinion," continued + the young fellow, lowering his voice somewhat ostentatiously, "you'll find + out when we get to port that he's stopped the beginning of many a mutiny + among them." + </p> + <p> + "I reckon they'd make short work of a man like him," said Winslow, whose + superciliousness was by no means lessened by the community of sentiment + between Miss Keene and Brace. "I reckon, his political reforms, and his + poetical high-falutin' wouldn't go as far in the forecastle among live men + as it does in the cabin with a lot of women. You'll more likely find that + he's been some sort of steward on a steamer, and he's working his passage + with us. That's where he gets that smooth, equally-attentive-to-anybody + sort of style. The way he skirmished around Mrs. Brimmer and Mrs. Markham + with a basin the other day when it was so rough convinced ME. It was a + little too professional to suit my style." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose that was the reason why you went below so suddenly," rejoined + Brace, whose too sensitive blood was beginning to burn in his cheeks and + eyes. + </p> + <p> + "It's a shame to stay below this morning," said Miss Keene, instinctively + recognizing the cause of the discord and its remedy. "I'm going on deck + again—if I can manage to get there." + </p> + <p> + The three gentlemen sprang to accompany her; and, in their efforts to keep + their physical balance and hers equally, the social equilibrium was + restored. + </p> + <p> + By noon, however, the heavy cross-sea had abated, and the Excelsior bore + west. When she once more rose and fell regularly on the long rhythmical + swell of the Pacific, most of the passengers regained the deck. Even Mrs. + Brimmer and Miss Chubb ventured from their staterooms, and were conveyed + to and installed in some state on a temporary divan of cushions and shawls + on the lee side. For even in this small republic of equal cabin passengers + the undemocratic and distinction-loving sex had managed to create a sham + exclusiveness. Mrs. Brimmer, as the daughter of a rich Bostonian, the + sister of a prominent lawyer, and the wife of a successful San Francisco + merchant, who was popularly supposed to be part-owner of the Excelsior, + was recognized, and alternately caressed and hated as their superior. A + majority of the male passengers, owning no actual or prospective + matrimonial subjection to those charming toad-eaters, I am afraid + continued to enjoy a mild and debasing equality among themselves, + mitigated only by the concessions of occasional gallantry. To them, Mrs. + Brimmer was a rather pretty, refined, well-dressed woman, whose languid + pallor, aristocratic spareness, and utter fastidiousness did not, however, + preclude a certain nervous intensity which occasionally lit up her weary + eyes with a dangerous phosphorescence, under their brown fringes. Equally + acceptable was Miss Chubb, her friend and traveling companion; a tall, + well-bred girl, with faint salmon-pink hair and complexion, that darkened + to a fiery brown in her shortsighted eyes. + </p> + <p> + Between these ladies and Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene existed an + enthusiastic tolerance, which, however, could never be mistaken for a + generous rivalry. Of the greater popularity of Miss Keene as the + recognized belle of the Excelsior there could be no question; nor was + there any from Mrs. Brimmer and her friend. The intellectual preeminence + of Mrs. Markham was equally, and no less ostentatiously, granted. "Mrs. + Markham is so clever; I delight to hear you converse together," Mrs. + Brimmer would say to Senor Perkins, "though I'm sure I hardly dare talk to + her myself. She might easily go into the lecture-field—perhaps she + expects to do so in California. My dear Clarissa"—to Miss Chubb—"don't + she remind you a little of Aunt Jane Winthrop's governess, whom we came so + near taking to Paris with us, but couldn't on account of her defective + French?" + </p> + <p> + When "The Excelsior Banner and South Sea Bubble" was published in lat. 15 + N. and long. 105 W., to which Mrs. Markham contributed the editorials and + essays, and Senor Perkins three columns of sentimental poetry, Mrs. + Brimmer did not withhold her praise of the fair editor. When the Excelsior + "Recrossed the Line," with a suitable tableau vivant and pageant, and Miss + Keene as California, in white and blue, welcomed from the hands of Neptune + (Senor Perkins) and Amphitrite (Mrs. Markham) her fair sister, + Massachusetts (Mrs. Brimmer), and New York (Miss Chubb), Mrs. Brimmer was + most enthusiastic of the beauty of Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + On the present morning Mr. Banks found his disappointment at not going + into Mazatlan languidly shared by Mrs. Brimmer. That lady even made a + place for him on the cushions beside her, as she pensively expressed her + belief that her husband would be still more disappointed. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Brimmer, you know, has correspondents at Mazatlan, and no doubt he + has made particular arrangements for our reception and entertainment while + there. I should not wonder if he was very indignant. And if, as I fear, + the officials of the place, knowing Mr. Brimmer's position—and my + own connections—have prepared to show us social courtesies, it may + be a graver affair. I shouldn't be surprised if our Government were + obliged to take notice of it. There is a Captain-General of port—isn't + there? I think my husband spoke of him." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, he's probably been shot long ago," broke in Mr. Crosby cheerfully. + "They put in a new man every revolution. If the wrong party's got in, + they've likely shipped your husband's correspondent too, and might be + waiting to get a reception for you with nigger soldiers and ball + cartridges. Shouldn't wonder if the skipper got wind of something of the + kind, and that's why he didn't put in. If your husband hadn't been so well + known, you see, we might have slipped in all right." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Brimmer received this speech with the languid obliviousness of + perception she usually meted out to this chartered jester. + </p> + <p> + "Do you really think so, Mr. Crosby? And would you have been afraid to + leave your cabin—or are you joking? You know I never know when you + are. It is very dreadful, either way." + </p> + <p> + But here Miss Chubb, with ready tact, interrupted any possible retort from + Mr. Crosby. + </p> + <p> + "Look," she said, pointing to some of the other passengers, who, at a + little distance, had grouped about the first mate in animated discussion. + "I wonder what those gentlemen are so interested about. Do go and see." + </p> + <p> + Before he could reply, Mr. Winslow, detaching himself from the group, + hurried towards them. + </p> + <p> + "Here's a row: Hurlstone is missing! Can't be found anywhere! They think + he's fallen overboard!" + </p> + <p> + The two frightened exclamations from Miss Chubb and Mrs. Brimmer diverted + attention from the sudden paleness of Miss Keene, who had impulsively + approached them. + </p> + <p> + "Impossible!" she said hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + "I fear it is so," said Brace, who had followed Winslow; "although," he + added in a lower tone, with an angry glance at the latter, "that brute + need not have blustered it out to frighten everybody. They're searching + the ship again, but there seems no hope. He hasn't been seen since last + night. He was supposed to be in his state-room—but as nobody missed + him—you know how odd and reserved he was—it was only when the + steward couldn't find him, and began to inquire, that everybody remembered + they hadn't seen him all day. You are frightened, Miss Keene; pray sit + down. That fellow Winslow ought to have had more sense." + </p> + <p> + "It seems so horrible that nobody knew it," said the young girl, + shuddering; "that we sat here laughing and talking, while perhaps he was—Good + heavens! what's that?" + </p> + <p> + A gruff order had been given: in the bustle that ensued the ship began to + fall off to leeward; a number of the crew had sprung to the davits of the + quarter boat. + </p> + <p> + "We're going about, and they're lowering a boat, that's all; but it's as + good as hopeless," said Brace. "The accident must have happened before + daylight, or it would have been seen by the watch. It was probably long + before we came on deck," he added gently; "so comfort yourself, Miss + Keene, you could have seen nothing." + </p> + <p> + "It seems so dreadful," murmured the young girl, "that he wasn't even + missed. Why," she said, suddenly raising her soft eyes to Brace, "YOU must + have noticed his absence; why, even I"—She stopped with a slight + confusion, that was, however, luckily diverted by the irrepressible + Winslow. + </p> + <p> + "The skipper's been routed out at last, and is giving orders. He don't + look as if his hat fitted him any too comfortably this morning, does he?" + he laughed, as a stout, grizzled man, with congested face and eyes, and a + peremptory voice husky with alcoholic irritation, suddenly appeared among + the group by the wheel. "I reckon he's cursing his luck at having to + heave-to and lose this wind." + </p> + <p> + "But for a human creature's life!" exclaimed Mrs. Markham in horror. + </p> + <p> + "That's just it. Laying-to now ain't going to save anybody's life, and he + knows it. He's doin' it for show, just for a clean record in the log, and + to satisfy you people here, who'd kick up a row if he didn't." + </p> + <p> + "Then you believe he's lost?" said Miss Keene, with glistening eyes. + </p> + <p> + "There ain't a doubt of it," returned Winslow shortly. + </p> + <p> + "I don't agree with you," said a gentle voice. + </p> + <p> + They turned quickly towards the benevolent face of Senor Perkins, who had + just joined them. + </p> + <p> + "I differ from my young friend," continued the Senor courteously, "because + the accident must have happened at about daybreak, when we were close + inshore. It would not be impossible for a good swimmer to reach the land, + or even," continued Senor Perkins, in answer to the ray of hope that + gleamed in Miss Keene's soft eyes, "for him to have been picked up by some + passing vessel. The smoke of a large steamer was sighted between us and + the land at about that time." + </p> + <p> + "A steamer!" ejaculated Banks eagerly; "that was one of the new line with + the mails. How provoking!" + </p> + <p> + He was thinking of his lost letters. Miss Keene turned, heart-sick, away. + Worse than the ghastly interruption to their easy idyllic life was this + grim revelation of selfishness. She began to doubt if even the hysterical + excitement of her sister passengers was not merely a pleasant titillation + of their bored and inactive nerves. + </p> + <p> + "I believe the Senor is right, Miss Keene," said Brace, taking her aside, + "and I'll tell you why." He stopped, looked around him, and went on in a + lower voice, "There are some circumstances about the affair which look + more like deliberation than an accident. He has left nothing behind him of + any value or that gives any clue. If it was a suicide he would have left + some letter behind for somebody—people always do, you know, at such + times—and he would have chosen the open sea. It seems more probable + that he threw himself overboard with the intention of reaching the shore." + </p> + <p> + "But why should he want to leave the ship?" echoed the young girl simply. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps he found out that we were NOT going to Mazatlan, and this was his + only chance; it must have happened just as the ship went about and stood + off from shore again." + </p> + <p> + "But I don't understand," continued Miss Keene, with a pretty knitting of + her brows, "why he should be so dreadfully anxious to get ashore now." + </p> + <p> + The young fellow looked at her with the superior smile of youthful + sagacity. + </p> + <p> + "Suppose he had particular reasons for not going to San Francisco, where + our laws could reach him! Suppose he had committed some offense! Suppose + he was afraid of being questioned or recognized!" + </p> + <p> + The young girl rose indignantly. + </p> + <p> + "This is really too shameful! Who dare talk like that?" + </p> + <p> + Brace colored quickly. + </p> + <p> + "Who? Why, everybody," he stammered, for a moment abandoning his attitude + of individual acumen; "it's the talk of the ship." + </p> + <p> + "Is it? And before they know whether he's alive or dead—perhaps even + while he is still struggling with death—all they can do is to take + his character away!" she repeated, with flashing eyes. + </p> + <p> + "And I'm even worse than they are," he returned, his temper rising with + his color. "I ought to have known I was talking to one of HIS friends, + instead of one whom I thought was MINE. I beg your pardon." + </p> + <p> + He turned away as Miss Keene, apparently not heeding his pique, crossed + the deck, and entered into conversation with Mrs. Markham. + </p> + <p> + It is to be feared that she found little consolation among the other + passengers, or even those of her own sex, whom this profound event had + united in a certain freemasonry of sympathy and interest—to the + exclusion of their former cliques. She soon learned, as the return of the + boats to the ship and the ship to her course might have clearly told her, + that there was no chance of recovering the missing passenger. She learned + that the theory advanced by Brace was the one generally held by them; but + with an added romance of detail, that excited at once their commiseration + and admiration. Mrs. Brimmer remembered to have heard him, the second or + third night out from Callao, groaning in his state-room; but having + mistakenly referred the emotion to ordinary seasickness, she had no doubt + lost an opportunity for confidential disclosure. "I am sure," she added, + "that had somebody as resolute and practical as you, dear Mrs. Markham, + approached him the next day, he would have revealed his sorrow." Miss + Chubb was quite certain that she had seen him one night, in tears, by the + quarter railing. "I saw his eyes glistening under his slouched hat as I + passed. I remember thinking, at the time, that he oughtn't to have been + left alone with such a dreadful temptation before him to slip overboard + and end his sorrow or his crime." Mrs. Markham also remembered that it was + about five o'clock—or was it six?—that morning when she + distinctly thought she had heard a splash, and she was almost impelled to + get up and look out of the bull's-eye. She should never forgive herself + for resisting that impulse, for she was positive now that she would have + seen his ghastly face in the water. Some indignation was felt that the + captain, after a cursory survey of his stateroom, had ordered it to be + locked until his fate was more positively known, and the usual seals + placed on his effects for their delivery to the authorities at San + Francisco. It was believed that some clue to his secret would be found + among his personal chattels, if only in the form of a keepsake, a locket, + or a bit of jewelry. Miss Chubb had noticed that he wore a seal ring, but + not on the engagement-finger. In some vague feminine way it was admitted + without discussion that one of their own sex was mixed up in the affair, + and, with the exception of Miss Keene, general credence was given to the + theory that Mazatlan contained his loadstar—the fatal partner and + accomplice of his crime, the siren that allured him to his watery grave. I + regret to say that the facts gathered by the gentlemen were equally + ineffective. The steward who had attended the missing man was obliged to + confess that their most protracted and confidential conversation had been + on the comparative efficiency of ship biscuits and soda crackers. Mr. + Banks, who was known to have spoken to him, could only remember that one + warm evening, in reply to a casual remark about the weather, the missing + man, burying his ears further in the turned-up collar of his pea-jacket, + had stated, "'It was cold enough to freeze the ears off a brass monkey,'—a + remark, no doubt, sir, intended to convey a reason for his hiding his + own." Only Senor Perkins retained his serene optimism unimpaired. + </p> + <p> + "Take my word for it, we shall yet hear good news of our missing friend. + Let us at least believe it until we know otherwise. Ah! my dear Mrs. + Markham, why should the Unknown always fill us with apprehension? Its + surprises are equally often agreeable." + </p> + <p> + "But we have all been so happy before this; and this seems such an + unnecessary and cruel awakening," said Miss Keene, lifting her sad eyes to + the speaker, "that I can't help thinking it's the beginning of the end. + Good heavens! what's that?" + </p> + <p> + She had started at the dark figure of one of the foreign-looking sailors, + who seemed to have suddenly risen out of the deck beside them. + </p> + <p> + "The Senor Perkins," he said, with an apologetic gesture of his hand to + his hatless head. + </p> + <p> + "You want ME, my good man?" asked Senor Perkins paternally. + </p> + <p> + "Si, Senor; the mate wishes to see the Patrono," he said in Spanish. + </p> + <p> + "I will come presently." + </p> + <p> + The sailor hesitated. Senor Perkins took a step nearer to him benignantly. + The man raised his eyes to Senor Perkins, and said,— + </p> + <p> + "Vigilancia." + </p> + <p> + "Bueno!" returned the Senor gently. "Excuse me, ladies, for a moment." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps it is some news of poor Mr. Hurlstone?" said Miss Keene, with an + instinctive girlish movement of hope. + </p> + <p> + "Who knows?" returned Senor Perkins, waving his hand as he gayly tripped + after his guide. "Let us believe in the best, dear young lady, the best!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <h3> + "VIGILANCIA." + </h3> + <p> + Without exchanging another word with his escort, Senor Perkins followed + him to the main hatch, where they descended and groped their way through + the half obscurity of the lower deck. Here they passed one or two shadows, + that, recognizing the Senor, seemed to draw aside in a half awed, half + suppressed shyness, as of caged animals in the presence of their trainer. + At the fore-hatch they again descended, passing a figure that appeared to + be keeping watch at the foot of the ladder, and almost instantly came upon + a group lit up by the glare of a bull's-eye lantern. It was composed of + the first and second mate, a vicious-looking Peruvian sailor with a + bandaged head, and, to the Senor's astonishment, the missing passenger + Hurlstone, seated on the deck, heavily ironed. + </p> + <p> + "Tell him what you know, Pedro," said the first mate to the Peruvian + sailor curtly. + </p> + <p> + "It was just daybreak, Patrono, before we put about," began the man in + Spanish, "that I thought I saw some one gliding along towards the + fore-hatch; but I lost sight of him. After we had tumbled up to go on the + other tack, I heard a noise in the fore-hold. I went down and found HIM," + pointing to Hurlstone, "hiding there. He had some provisions stowed away + beside him, and that package. I grabbed him, Patrono. He broke away and + struck me here"—he pointed to his still wet bandage—"and would + have got out overboard through the port, but the second mate heard the row + and came down just in time to stop him." + </p> + <p> + "When was this?" asked Senor Perkins. + </p> + <p> + "Guardia di Diana." + </p> + <p> + "You were chattering, you fellows." + </p> + <p> + "Quien sabe?" said the Peruvian, lifting his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + "How does he explain himself?" + </p> + <p> + "He refuses to speak." + </p> + <p> + "Take off his irons," said Senor Perkins, in English. + </p> + <p> + "But"—expostulated the first mate, with a warning gesture. + </p> + <p> + "I said—take off his irons," repeated Senor Perkins in a dry and + unfamiliar voice. + </p> + <p> + The two mates released the shackles. The prisoner raised his eyes to Senor + Perkins. He was a slightly built man of about thirty, fair-haired and + hollow-cheeked. His short upper lip was lifted over his teeth, as if from + hurried or labored breathing; but his features were regular and + determined, and his large blue eyes shone with a strange abstraction of + courage and fatuity. + </p> + <p> + "That will do," continued the Senor, in the same tone. "Now leave him with + me." + </p> + <p> + The two mates looked at each other, and hesitated; but at a glance from + Perkins, turned, and ascended the ladder again. The Peruvian alone + remained. + </p> + <p> + "Go!" said the Senor sharply. + </p> + <p> + The man cast a vindictive look at the prisoner and retreated sullenly. + </p> + <p> + "Did HE tell you," said the prisoner, looking after the sailor grimly, + "that I tried to bribe him to let me go, but that I couldn't reach his + figure? He wanted too much. He thought I had some stolen money or + valuables here," he added, with a bitter laugh, pointing to the package + that lay beside him. + </p> + <p> + "And you hadn't?" said Perkins shortly. + </p> + <p> + "No." + </p> + <p> + "I believe you. And now, my young friend," said Perkins, with a singular + return of his beaming gentleness, "since those two efficient and competent + officers and this energetic but discourteous seaman are gone, would you + mind telling me WHAT you were hiding for?" + </p> + <p> + The prisoner raised his eyes on his questioner. For the last three weeks + he had lived in the small community of which the Senor was a prominent + member, but he scarcely recognized him now. + </p> + <p> + "What if I refuse?" he said. + </p> + <p> + The Senor shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + "Those two excellent men would feel it their duty to bring the Peruvian to + the captain, and I should be called to interpret to him." + </p> + <p> + "And I should throw myself overboard the first chance I got. I would have + done so ten minutes ago, but the mate stopped me." + </p> + <p> + His eye glistened with the same fatuous determination he had shown at + first. There was no doubt he would do as he said. + </p> + <p> + "I believe you would," said the Senor benevolently; "but I see no present + necessity for that, nor for any trouble whatever, if you will kindly tell + me WHAT I am to say." + </p> + <p> + The young man's eyes fell. + </p> + <p> + "I DID try to conceal myself in the hold," he said bluntly. "I intended to + remain there hidden while the ship was at Mazatlan. I did not know until + now that the vessel had changed her course." + </p> + <p> + "And how did you believe your absence would be accounted for?" asked the + Senor blandly. + </p> + <p> + "I thought it would be supposed that I had fallen overboard before we + entered Mazatlan." + </p> + <p> + "So that anybody seeking you there would not find you, and you would be + believed to be dead?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." He raised his eyes quickly to Senor Perkins again. "I am neither a + thief nor a murderer," he said almost savagely, "but I do not choose to be + recognized by any one who knows me on this side of the grave." + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins' eyes sought his, and for an instant seemed to burn through + the singular, fatuous mist that veiled them. + </p> + <p> + "My friend," he said cheerfully, after a moment's pause, "you have just + had a providential escape. I repeat it—a most providential escape. + Indeed, if I were inclined to prophesy, I would say you were a man + reserved for some special good fortune." + </p> + <p> + The prisoner stared at him with angry amazement. + </p> + <p> + "You are a confirmed somnambulist. Excuse me," continued the Senor, with a + soft, deprecating gesture; "you are, of course, unaware of it—most + victims of that singular complaint are, or at least fail to recognize the + extent of their aberration. In your case it has only been indicated by a + profound melancholy and natural shunning of society. In a paroxysm of your + disorder, you rise in the night, fully dress yourself, and glide as + unconsciously along the deck in pursuance of some vague fancy. You pass + the honest but energetic sailor who has just left us, who thinks you are a + phantom, and fails to give the alarm; you are precipitated by a lurch of + the ship through an open hatchway: the shock renders you insensible until + you are discovered and restored." + </p> + <p> + "And who will believe this pretty story?" said the young man scornfully. + </p> + <p> + "The honest sailor who picked you up, who has related it in his own + picturesque tongue to ME, who will in turn interpret it to the captain and + the other passengers," replied Senor Perkins blandly. + </p> + <p> + "And what of the two mates who were here?" said the prisoner hesitatingly. + </p> + <p> + "They are two competent officers, who are quite content to carry out the + orders of their superiors, and who understand their duty too well to + interfere with the reports of their subordinates, on which these orders + are based. Mr. Brooks, the first officer, though fairly intelligent and a + good reader of history, is only imperfectly acquainted with the languages, + and Mr. M'Carthy's knowledge of Spanish is confined to a few objurgations + which generally preclude extended conversation." + </p> + <p> + "And who are you," said Hurlstone, more calmly, "who are willing to do + this for a stranger?" + </p> + <p> + "A friend—equally of yours, the captain's, and the other + passengers'," replied Senor Perkins pleasantly. "A man who believes you, + my dear sir, and, even if he did not, sees no reason to interrupt the + harmony that has obtained in our little community during our delightful + passage. Were any scandal to occur, were you to carry out your idea of + throwing yourself overboard, it would, to say nothing of my personal + regret, produce a discord for which there is no necessity, and from which + no personal good can be derived. Here at least your secret is secure, for + even I do not ask what it is; we meet here on an equality, based on our + own conduct and courtesy to each other, limited by no antecedent + prejudice, and restrained by no thought of the future. In a little while + we shall be separated—why should it not be as friends? Why should we + not look back upon our little world of this ship as a happy one?" + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone gazed at the speaker with a troubled air. It was once more the + quaint benevolent figure whom he had vaguely noted among the other + passengers, and as vaguely despised. He hesitated a moment, and then, half + timidly, half reservedly, extended his hand. + </p> + <p> + "I thank you," he said, "at least for not asking my secret. Perhaps, if it + was only"— + </p> + <p> + "Your own—you might tell it," interrupted the Senor, gayly. "I + understand. I see you recognize my principle. There is no necessity of + your putting yourself to that pain, or another to that risk. And now, my + young friend, time presses. I must say a word to our friends above, who + are waiting, and I shall see that you are taken privately to your + state-room while most of the other passengers are still on deck. If you + would permit yourself the weakness of allowing the steward to carry or + assist you it would be better. Let me advise you that the excitement of + the last three hours has not left you in your full strength. You must + really give ME the pleasure of spreading the glad tidings of your safety + among the passengers, who have been so terribly alarmed." + </p> + <p> + "They will undoubtedly be relieved," said Hurlstone, with ironical + bitterness. + </p> + <p> + "You wrong them," returned the Senor, with gentle reproach; "especially + the ladies." + </p> + <p> + The voice of the first mate from above here checked his further speech, + and, perhaps, prevented him, as he quickly reascended the upper deck, from + noticing the slight embarrassment of his prisoner. + </p> + <p> + The Senor's explanations to the mate were evidently explicit and brief. In + a few moments he reappeared with the steward and his assistant. + </p> + <p> + "Lean on these men," he said to Hurlstone significantly, "and do not + overestimate your strength. Thank Heaven, no bones are broken, and you are + only bruised by the fall. With a little rest, I think we can get along + without laying the captain's medicine-chest under contribution. Our kind + friend Mr. Brooks has had the lower deck cleared, so that you may gain + your state-room without alarming the passengers or fatiguing yourself." + </p> + <p> + He pressed Hurlstone's hand as the latter resigned himself to the steward, + and was half led, half supported, through the gloom of the lower deck. + Senor Perkins remained for an instant gazing after him with even more than + his usual benevolence. Suddenly his arm was touched almost rudely. He + turned, and encountered the lowering eyes of the Peruvian sailor. + </p> + <p> + "And what is to be done for me?" said the man roughly, in Spanish. + </p> + <p> + "You?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. Who's to pay for this?" he pointed to his bandaged head. + </p> + <p> + Without changing his bland expression, Senor Perkins apparently allowed + his soft black eyes to rest, as if fondly, on the angry pupils of the + Peruvian. The eyes of the latter presently sought the ground. + </p> + <p> + "My dear Yoto," said Senor Perkins softly, "I scarcely think that this + question of personal damage can be referred to the State. I will, however, + look into it. Meantime, let me advise you to control your enthusiasm. Too + much zeal in a subordinate is even more fatal than laxity. For the rest, + son, be vigilant—and peaceful. Thou hast meant well, much shall be—forgiven + thee. For the present, vamos!" + </p> + <p> + He turned on his heel, and ascended to the upper deck. Here he found the + passengers thrilling with a vague excitement. A few brief orders, a few + briefer explanations, dropped by the officers, had already whetted + curiosity to the keenest point. The Senor was instantly beset with + interrogations. Gentle, compassionate, with well-rounded periods, he + related the singular accident that had befallen Mr. Hurlstone, and his + providential escape from almost certain death. "At the most, he has now + only the exhaustion of the shock, from which a day of perfect rest will + recover him; but," he added deprecatingly, "at present he ought not to be + disturbed or excited." + </p> + <p> + The story was received by those fellow-passengers who had been strongest + in their suspicions of Hurlstone's suicide or flight, with a keen sense of + discomfiture, only mitigated by a humorous perception of the cause of the + accident. It was agreed that a man whose ludicrous infirmity had been the + cause of putting the ship out of her course, and the passengers out of + their comfortable security, could not be wronged by attributing to him + manlier and more criminal motives. A somnambulist on shipboard was clearly + a humorous object, who might, however, become a bore. "It all accounts for + his being so deuced quiet and reserved in the daytime," said Crosby + facetiously; "he couldn't keep it up the whole twenty-four hours. If he'd + only given us a little more of his company when he was awake, he wouldn't + have gallivanted round at night, and we'd have been thirty miles nearer + port." Equal amusement was created by the humorous suggestion that the + unfortunate man had never been entirely awake during the voyage, and that + he would now, probably for the first time, really make the acquaintance of + his fellow-voyagers. Listening to this badinage with bland tolerance, + Senor Perkins no doubt felt that, for the maintenance of that perfect + amity he so ardently apostrophized, it was just as well that Hurlstone was + in his state-room, and out of hearing. + </p> + <p> + He would have been more satisfied, however, had he been permitted to hear + the feminine comments on this incident. In the eyes of the lady passengers + Mr. Hurlstone was more a hero than ever; his mysterious malady invested + him with a vague and spiritual interest; his escape from the awful fate + reserved to him, in their excited fancy, gave him the eclat of having + ACTUALLY survived it; while the supposed real incident of his fall through + the hatchway lent him the additional lustre of a wounded and crippled man. + That prostrate condition of active humanity, which so irresistibly appeals + to the feminine imagination as segregating their victim from the + distractions of his own sex, and, as it were, delivering him helpless into + their hands, was at once their opportunity, and his. All the ladies + volunteered to nurse him; it was with difficulty that Mrs. Brimmer and + Mrs. Markham, reinforced with bandages, flannels, and liniments, and + supported by different theories, could be kept from the door of his + state-room. Jellies, potted meats, and delicacies from their private + stores appeared on trays at his bedside, to be courteously declined by the + Senor Perkins, in his new functions of a benevolent type of Sancho Panza + physician. To say that this pleased the gentle optimism of the Senor is + unnecessary. Even while his companion writhed under the sting of this + enforced compassion, the good man beamed philosophically upon him. + </p> + <p> + "Take care, or I shall end this cursed farce in my own way," said + Hurlstone ominously, his eyes again filming with a vague desperation. + </p> + <p> + "My dear boy," returned the Senor gently, "reflect upon the situation. + Your suffering, real or implied, produces in the hearts of these gentle + creatures a sympathy which not only exalts and sustains their higher + natures, but, I conscientiously believe, gratifies and pleases their lower + ones. Why should you deny them this opportunity of indulging their twofold + organisms, and beguiling the tedium of the voyage, merely because of some + erroneous exhibition of fact?" + </p> + <p> + Later, Senor Perkins might have added to this exposition the singularly + stimulating effect which Hurlstone's supposed peculiarity had upon the + feminine imagination. But there were some secrets which were not imparted + even to him, and it was only to each other that the ladies confided + certain details and reminiscences. For it now appeared that they had all + heard strange noises and stealthy steps at night; and Mrs. Brimmer was + quite sure that on one occasion the handle of her state-room door was + softly turned. Mrs. Markham also remembered distinctly that only a week + before, being unable to sleep, she had ventured out into the saloon in a + dressing-gown to get her diary, which she had left with a portfolio on a + chair; that she had a sudden consciousness of another presence in the + saloon, although she could distinguish nothing by the dim light of the + swinging lantern; and that, after quickly returning to her room, she was + quite positive she heard a door close. But the most surprising + reminiscence developed by the late incident was from Mrs. Brimmer's nurse, + Susan. As it, apparently, demonstrated the fact that Mr. Hurlstone not + only walked but TALKED in his sleep, it possessed a more mysterious + significance. It seemed that Susan was awakened one night by the sound of + voices, and, opening her door softly, saw a figure which she at first + supposed to be the Senor Perkins, but which she now was satisfied was poor + Mr. Hurlstone. As there was no one else to be seen, the voices must have + proceeded from that single figure; and being in a strange and unknown + tongue, were inexpressibly weird and awful. When pressed to remember what + was said, she could only distinguish one word—a woman's name—Virgil—Vigil—no: + Virginescia! + </p> + <p> + "It must have been one of those creatures at Callao, whose pictures you + can buy for ten cents," said Mrs. Brimmer. + </p> + <p> + "If it is one of them, Susan must have made a mistake in the first two + syllables of the name," said Mrs. Markham grimly. + </p> + <p> + "But surely, Miss Keene," said Miss Chubb, turning to that young lady, who + had taken only the part of a passive listener to this colloquy, and was + gazing over the railing at the sinking sun, "surely YOU can tell us + something about this poor young man. If I don't mistake, you are the only + person he ever honored with his conversation." + </p> + <p> + "And only once, I think," said the young girl, slightly coloring. "He + happened to be sitting next to me on deck, and I believe he spoke only out + of politeness. At least, he seemed very quiet and reserved, and talked on + general topics, and I thought very intelligently. I—should have + thought—I mean," she continued hesitatingly—"I thought he was + an educated gentleman." + </p> + <p> + "That isn't at all inconsistent with photographs or sleep-walking," said + Mrs. Brimmer, with one of her vague simplicities. "Uncle Quincey brought + home a whole sheaf of those women whom he said he'd met; and one of my + cousins, who was educated at Heidelberg, used to walk in his sleep, as it + were, all over Europe." + </p> + <p> + "Did you notice anything queer in his eyes, Miss Keene?" asked Miss Chubb + vivaciously. + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene had noticed that his eyes were his best feature, albeit + somewhat abstracted and melancholy; but, for some vague reason she could + not explain herself, she answered hurriedly that she had seen nothing very + particular in them. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Mrs. Markham positively, "when he's able to be out again, I + shall consider it my duty to look him up, and try to keep him sufficiently + awake in the daytime to ensure his resting better at night." + </p> + <p> + "No one can do it, dear Mrs. Markham, better than you; and no one would + think of misunderstanding your motives," said Mrs. Brimmer sweetly. "But + it's getting late, and the air seems to be ever so much colder. Captain + Bunker says it's because we are really nearing the Californian coast. It + seems so odd! Mr. Brimmer wrote to me that it was so hot in Sacramento + that you could do something with eggs in the sun—I forget what." + </p> + <p> + "Hatch them?" suggested Miss Chubb. + </p> + <p> + "I think so," returned Mrs. Brimmer, rising. "Let us go below." + </p> + <p> + The three ladies rustled away, but Miss Keene, throwing a wrap around her + shoulders, lingered by the railing. With one little hand supporting her + round chin, she leaned over the darkly heaving water. She was thinking of + her brief and only interview with that lonely man whose name was now in + everybody's mouth, but who, until to-day, had been passed over by them + with an unconcern equal to his own. And yet to her refined and delicately + feminine taste there appeared no reason why he should not have mingled + with his fellows, and have accepted the homage from them that SHE was + instinctively ready to give. He seemed to her like a gentleman—and + something more. In her limited but joyous knowledge of the world—a + knowledge gathered in the happy school-life of an orphan who but faintly + remembered and never missed a parent's care—she knew nothing of the + mysterious dominance of passion, suffering, or experience in fashioning + the outward expression of men, and saw only that Mr. Hurlstone was unlike + any other. That unlikeness was fascinating. He had said very little to her + in that very brief period. He had not talked to her with the general + gallantry which she already knew her prettiness elicited. Without knowing + why, she felt there was a subtle flattery in his tacit recognition of that + other self of which she, as yet, knew so little. She could not remember + what they had talked about—nor why. Nor was she offended that he had + never spoken to her since, nor gone beyond a grave lifting of his hat to + her when he passed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <h3> + IN THE FOG. + </h3> + <p> + By noon of the following day the coast of the Peninsula of California had + been sighted to leeward. The lower temperature of the northwest Trades had + driven Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb into their state-rooms to consult their + wardrobes in view of an impending change from the light muslins and easy + languid toilets of the Tropics. That momentous question for the moment + held all other topics in abeyance; and even Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene, + though they still kept the deck, in shawls and wraps, sighed over this + feminine evidence of the gentle passing of their summer holiday. The + gentlemen had already mounted their pea-jackets and overcoats, with the + single exception of Senor Perkins, who, in chivalrous compliment to the + elements, still bared his unfettered throat and forehead to the breeze. + The aspect of the coast, as seen from the Excelsior's deck, seemed to bear + out Mr. Banks' sweeping indictment of the day before. A few low, dome-like + hills, yellow and treeless as sand dunes, scarcely raised themselves above + the horizon. The air, too, appeared to have taken upon itself a dry + asperity; the sun shone with a hard, practical brilliancy. Miss Keene + raised her eyes to Senor Perkins with a pretty impatience that she + sometimes indulged in, as one of the privileges of accepted beauty and + petted youth. + </p> + <p> + "I don't think much of your peninsula," she said poutingly. "It looks + dreadfully flat and uninteresting. It was a great deal nicer on the other + coast, or even at sea." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps you are judging hastily, my dear young friend," said Senor + Perkins, with habitual tolerance. "I have heard that behind those hills, + and hidden from sight in some of the canyons, are perfect little Edens of + beauty and fruitfulness. They are like some ardent natures that cover + their approaches with the ashes of their burnt-up fires, but only do it + the better to keep intact their glowing, vivifying, central heat." + </p> + <p> + "How very poetical, Mr. Perkins!" said Mrs. Markham, with blunt + admiration. "You ought to put that into verse." + </p> + <p> + "I have," returned Senor Perkins modestly. "They are some reflections on—I + hardly dare call them an apostrophe to—the crater of Colima. If you + will permit me to read them to you this evening, I shall be charmed. I + hope also to take that opportunity of showing you the verses of a gifted + woman, not yet known to fame, Mrs. Euphemia M'Corkle, of Peoria, + Illinois." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Markham coughed slightly. The gifted M'Corkle was already known to + her through certain lines quoted by the Senor; and the entire cabin had + one evening fled before a larger and more ambitious manuscript of the fair + Illinoisian. Miss Keene, who dreaded the reappearance of this poetical + phantom that seemed to haunt the Senor's fancy, could not, however, forget + that she had been touched on that occasion by a kindly moisture of eye and + tremulousness of voice in the reader; and, in spite of the hopeless bathos + of the composition, she had forgiven him. Though she did not always + understand Senor Perkins, she liked him too well to allow him to become + ridiculous to others; and at the present moment she promptly interposed + with a charming assumption of coquetry. + </p> + <p> + "You forget that you promised to let ME read the manuscript first, and in + private, and that you engaged to give me my revenge at chess this evening. + But do as you like. You are all fast becoming faithless. I suppose it is + because our holiday is drawing to a close, and we shall soon forget we + ever had any, or be ashamed we ever played so long. Everybody seems to be + getting nervous and fidgety and preparing for civilization again. Mr. + Banks, for the last few days, has dressed himself regularly as if he were + going down town to his office, and writes letters in the corner of the + saloon as if it were a counting-house. Mr. Crosby and Mr. Winslow do + nothing but talk of their prospects, and I believe they are drawing up + articles of partnership together. Here is Mr. Brace frightening me by + telling me that my brother will lock me up, to keep the rich miners from + laying their bags of gold dust at my feet; and Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb + assure me that I haven't a decent gown to go ashore in." + </p> + <p> + "You forget Mr. Hurlstone," said Brace, with ill-concealed bitterness; "he + seems to have time enough on his hands, and I dare say would sympathize + with you. You women like idle men." + </p> + <p> + "If we do, it's because only the idle men have the time to amuse us," + retorted Miss Keene. "But," she added, with a laugh, "I suppose I'm + getting nervous and fidgety myself; for I find myself every now and then + watching the officers and men, and listening to the orders as if something + were going to happen again. I never felt so before; I never used to have + the least concern in what you call 'the working of the ship,' and now"—her + voice, which had been half playful, half pettish, suddenly became grave,—"and + now—look at the mate and those men forward. There certainly is + something going on, or is going to happen. What ARE they looking at?" + </p> + <p> + The mate had clambered halfway up the main ratlines, and was looking + earnestly to windward. Two or three of the crew on the forecastle were + gazing in the same direction. The group of cabin-passengers on the + quarterdeck, following their eyes, saw what appeared to be another low + shore on the opposite bow. + </p> + <p> + "Why, there's another coast there!" said Mrs. Markham. + </p> + <p> + "It's a fog-bank," said Senor Perkins gravely. He quickly crossed the + deck, exchanged a few words with the officer, and returned. Miss Keene, + who had felt a sense of relief, nevertheless questioned his face as he + again stood beside her. But he had recovered his beaming cheerfulness. + "It's nothing to alarm you," he said, answering her glance, "but it may + mean delay if we can't get out of it. You don't mind that, I know." + </p> + <p> + "No," replied the young girl, smiling. "Besides, it would be a new + experience. We've had winds and calms—we only want fog now to + complete our adventures. Unless it's going to make everybody cross," she + continued, with a mischievous glance at Brace. + </p> + <p> + "You'll find it won't improve the temper of the officers," said Crosby, + who had joined the group. "There's nothing sailors hate more than a fog. + They can go to sleep in a hurricane between the rolls of a ship, but a fog + keeps them awake. It's the one thing they can't shirk. There's the skipper + tumbled up, too! The old man looks wrathy, don't he? But it's no use now; + we're going slap into it, and the wind's failing!" + </p> + <p> + It was true. In the last few moments all that vast glistening surface of + metallic blue which stretched so far to windward appeared to be slowly + eaten away as if by some dull, corroding acid; the distant horizon line of + sea and sky was still distinct and sharply cut, but the whole water + between them had grown gray, as if some invisible shadow had passed in + mid-air across it. The actual fog bank had suddenly lost its resemblance + to the shore, had lifted as a curtain, and now seemed suspended over the + ship. Gradually it descended; the top-gallant and top-sails were lost in + this mysterious vapor, yet the horizon line still glimmered faintly. Then + another mist seemed to rise from the sea and meet it; in another instant + the deck whereon they stood shrank to the appearance of a raft adrift in a + faint gray sea. With the complete obliteration of all circumambient space, + the wind fell. Their isolation was complete. + </p> + <p> + It was notable that the first and most peculiar effect of this misty + environment was the absolute silence. The empty, invisible sails above did + not flap; the sheets and halyards hung limp; even the faint creaking of an + unseen block overhead was so startling as to draw every eye upwards. + Muffled orders from viewless figures forward were obeyed by phantoms that + moved noiselessly through the gray sea that seemed to have invaded the + deck. Even the passengers spoke in whispers, or held their breath, in + passive groups, as if fearing to break a silence so replete with awe and + anticipation. It was next noticed that the vessel was subjected to some + vague motion; the resistance of the water had ceased, the waves no longer + hissed under her bows, or nestled and lapped under her counter; a dreamy, + irregular, and listless rocking had taken the place of the regular + undulations; at times, a faint and half delicious vertigo seemed to + overcome their senses; the ship was drifting. + </p> + <p> + Captain Bunker stood near the bitts, where his brief orders were + transmitted to the man at the almost useless wheel. At his side Senor + Perkins beamed with unshaken serenity, and hopefully replied to the + captain's half surly, half anxious queries. + </p> + <p> + "By the chart we should be well east of Los Lobos island, d'ye see?" he + said impatiently. "You don't happen to remember the direction of the + current off shore when you were running up here?" + </p> + <p> + "It's five years ago," said the Senor modestly; "but I remember we kept + well to the west to weather Cape St. Eugenio. My impression is that there + was a strong northwesterly current setting north of Ballenos Bay." + </p> + <p> + "And we're in it now," said Captain Bunker shortly. "How near St. Roque + does it set?" + </p> + <p> + "Within a mile or two. I should keep away more to the west," said Senor + Perkins, "and clear"— + </p> + <p> + "I ain't asking you to run the ship," interrupted Captain Bunker sharply. + "How's her head now, Mr. Brooks?" + </p> + <p> + The seamen standing near cast a rapid glance at Senor Perkins, but not a + muscle of his bland face moved or betrayed a consciousness of the insult. + Whatever might have been the feeling towards him, at that moment the + sailors—after their fashion—admired their captain; strong, + masterful, and imperious. The danger that had cleared his eye, throat, and + brain, and left him once more the daring and skillful navigator they knew, + wiped out of their shallow minds the vicious habit that had sunk him below + their level. + </p> + <p> + It had now become perceptible to even the inexperienced eyes of the + passengers that the Excelsior was obeying some new and profound impulse. + The vague drifting had ceased, and in its place had come a mysterious but + regular movement, in which the surrounding mist seemed to participate, + until fog and vessel moved together towards some unseen but well-defined + bourne. In vain had the boats of the Excelsior, manned by her crew, + endeavored with a towing-line to check or direct the inexplicable + movement; in vain had Captain Bunker struggled, with all the skilled + weapons of seamanship, against his invincible foe; wrapped in the + impenetrable fog, the ship moved ghost-like to what seemed to be her doom. + </p> + <p> + The anxiety of the officers had not as yet communicated itself to the + passengers; those who had been most nervous in the ordinary onset of wind + and wave looked upon the fog as a phenomenon whose only disturbance might + be delay. To Miss Keene this conveyed no annoyance; rather that placid + envelopment of cloud soothed her fancy; she submitted herself to its soft + embraces, and to the mysterious onward movement of the ship, as if it were + part of a youthful dream. Once she thought of the ship of Sindbad, and + that fatal loadstone mountain, with an awe that was, however, half a + pleasure. + </p> + <p> + "You are not frightened, Miss Keene?" said a voice near her. + </p> + <p> + She started slightly. It was the voice of Mr. Hurlstone. So thick was the + fog that his face and figure appeared to come dimly out of it, like a part + of her dreaming fancy. Without replying to his question, she said quickly,— + </p> + <p> + "You are better then, Mr. Hurlstone? We—we were all so frightened + for you." + </p> + <p> + An angry shadow crossed his thin face, and he hesitated. After a pause he + recovered himself, and said,— + </p> + <p> + "I was saying you were taking all this very quietly. I don't think there's + much danger myself. And if we should go ashore here"— + </p> + <p> + "Well?" suggested Miss Keene, ignoring this first intimation of danger in + her surprise at the man's manner. + </p> + <p> + "Well, we should all be separated only a few days earlier, that's all!" + </p> + <p> + More frightened at the strange bitterness of his voice than by the sense + of physical peril, she was vaguely moving away towards the dimly outlined + figures of her companions when she was arrested by a voice forward. There + was a slight murmur among the passengers. + </p> + <p> + "What did he say?" asked Miss Keene, "What are 'Breakers ahead'?" + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone did not reply. + </p> + <p> + "Where away?" asked a second voice. + </p> + <p> + The murmur still continuing, Captain Bunker's hoarse voice pierced the + gloom,—"Silence fore and aft!" + </p> + <p> + The first voice repeated faintly,— + </p> + <p> + "On the larboard bow." + </p> + <p> + There was another silence. Again the voice repeated, as if mechanically,— + </p> + <p> + "Breakers!" + </p> + <p> + "Where away?" + </p> + <p> + "On the starboard beam." + </p> + <p> + "We are in some passage or channel," said Hurlstone quietly. + </p> + <p> + The young girl glanced round her and saw for the first time that, in one + of those inexplicable movements she had not understood, the other + passengers had been withdrawn into a limited space of the deck, as if + through some authoritative orders, while she and her companion had been + evidently overlooked. A couple of sailors, who had suddenly taken their + positions by the quarter-boats, strengthened the accidental separation. + </p> + <p> + "Is there some one taking care of you?" he asked, half hesitatingly; "Mr. + Brace—Perkins—or"— + </p> + <p> + "No," she replied quickly. "Why?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, we are very near the boat in an emergency, and you might allow me + to stay here and see you safe in it." + </p> + <p> + "But the other ladies? Mrs. Markham, and"— + </p> + <p> + "They'll take their turn after YOU," he said grimly, picking up a wrap + from the railing and throwing it over her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + "But—I don't understand!" she stammered, more embarrassed by the + situation than by any impending peril. + </p> + <p> + "There is very little danger, I think," he added impatiently. "There is + scarcely any sea; the ship has very little way on; and these breakers are + not over rocks. Listen." + </p> + <p> + She tried to listen. At first she heard nothing but the occasional low + voice of command near the wheel. Then she became conscious of a gentle, + soothing murmur through the fog to the right. She had heard such a + murmuring accompaniment to her girlish dreams at Newport on a still summer + night. There was nothing to frighten her, but it increased her + embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + "And you?" she said awkwardly, raising her soft eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, if you are all going off in the boats, by Jove, I think I'll stick to + the ship!" he returned, with a frankness that would have been rude but for + its utter abstraction. + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene was silent. The ship moved gently onward. The monotonous cry of + the leadsman in the chains was the only sound audible. The soundings were + indicating shoaler water, although the murmuring of the surf had been left + far astern. The almost imperceptible darkening of the mist on either beam + seemed to show that the Excelsior was entering some land-locked passage. + The movement of the vessel slackened, the tide was beginning to ebb. + Suddenly a wave of far-off clamor, faint but sonorous, broke across the + ship. There was an interval of breathless silence, and then it broke + again, and more distinctly. It was the sound of bells! + </p> + <p> + The thrill of awe which passed through passengers and crew at this + spiritual challenge from the vast and intangible void around them had + scarcely subsided when the captain turned to Senor Perkins with a look of + surly interrogation. The Senor brushed his hat further back on his head, + wiped his brow, and became thoughtful. + </p> + <p> + "It's too far south for Rosario," he said deprecatingly; "and the only + other mission I know of is San Carlos, and that's far inland. But that is + the Angelus, and those are mission bells, surely." + </p> + <p> + The captain turned to Mr. Brooks. The voice of invisible command again + passed along the deck, and, with a splash in the water and the rattling of + chains, the Excelsior swung slowly round on her anchor on the bosom of + what seemed a placid bay. + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene, who, in her complete absorption, had listened to the phantom + bells with an almost superstitious exaltation, had forgotten the presence + of her companion, and now turned towards him. But he was gone. The + imminent danger he had spoken of, half slightingly, he evidently + considered as past. He had taken the opportunity offered by the slight + bustle made by the lowering of the quarter-boat and the departure of the + mate on a voyage of discovery to mingle with the crowd, and regain his + state-room. With the anchoring of the vessel, the momentary restraint was + relaxed, the passengers were allowed to pervade the deck, and Mrs. Markham + and Mr. Brace simultaneously rushed to Miss Keene's side. + </p> + <p> + "We were awfully alarmed for you, my dear," said Mrs. Markham, "until we + saw you had a protector. Do tell me—what DID he say? He must have + thought the danger great to have broken the Senor's orders and come upon + deck? What did he talk about?" + </p> + <p> + With a vivid recollection in her mind of Mr. Hurlstone's contemptuous + ignoring of the other ladies, Miss Keene became slightly embarrassed. Her + confusion was not removed by the consciousness that the jealous eyes of + Brace were fixed upon her. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps he thought it was night, and walked upon deck in his sleep," + remarked Brace sarcastically. "He's probably gone back to bed." + </p> + <p> + "He offered me his protection very politely, and begged to remain to put + me in the boat in case of danger," said Miss Keene, recovering herself, + and directing her reply to Mrs. Markham. "I think that others have made me + the same kind of offer—who were wide awake," she added mischievously + to Brace. + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't be too sure that they were not foolishly dreaming too," + returned Brace, in a lower voice. + </p> + <p> + "I should think we all were asleep or dreaming here," said Mrs. Markham + briskly. "Nobody seems to know where we are, and the only man who might + guess it—Senor Perkins—has gone off in the boat with the + mate." + </p> + <p> + "We're not a mile from shore and a Catholic church," said Crosby, who had + joined them. "I just left Mrs. Brimmer, who is very High Church, you know, + quite overcome by these Angelus bells. She's been entreating the captain + to let her go ashore for vespers. It wouldn't be a bad idea, if we could + only see what sort of a place we've got to. It wouldn't do to go feeling + round the settlement in the dark—would it? Hallo! what's that? Oh, + by Jove, that'll finish Mrs. Brimmer, sure!" + </p> + <p> + "Hush!" said Miss Keene impulsively. + </p> + <p> + He stopped. The long-drawn cadence of a chant in thin clear soprano voices + swept through the fog from the invisible shore, rose high above the ship, + and then fell, dying away with immeasurable sweetness and melancholy. Even + when it had passed, a lingering melody seemed to fill the deck. Two or + three of the foreign sailors crossed themselves devoutly; the other + passengers withheld their speech, and looked at each other. Afraid to + break the charm by speech, they listened again, but in vain an infinite + repose followed that seemed to pervade everything. + </p> + <p> + It was broken, at last, by the sound of oars in their rowlocks; the boat + was returning. But it was noticed that the fog had slightly lifted from + the surface of the water, for the boat was distinctly visible two cables' + length from the ship as she approached; and it was seen that besides the + first officer and Senor Perkins there were two strangers in the boat. + Everybody rushed to the side for a nearer view of those strange + inhabitants of the unknown shore; but the boat's crew suddenly ceased + rowing, and lay on their oars until an indistinct hail and reply passed + between the boat and ship. There was a bustle forward, an unexpected + thunder from the Excelsior's eight-pounder at the bow port; Captain Bunker + and the second mate ranged themselves at the companionway, and the + passengers for the first time became aware that they were participating at + the reception of visitors of distinction, as two strange and bizarre + figures stepped upon the deck. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <h3> + TODOS SANTOS. + </h3> + <p> + It was evident that the two strangers represented some exalted military + and ecclesiastical authority. This was shown in their dress—a + long-forgotten, half mediaeval costume, that to the imaginative spectator + was perfectly in keeping with their mysterious advent, and to the more + practical as startling as a masquerade. The foremost figure wore a + broad-brimmed hat of soft felt, with tarnished gold lace, and a dark + feather tucked in its recurved flap; a short cloak of fine black cloth + thrown over one shoulder left a buff leathern jacket and breeches, + ornamented with large round silver buttons, exposed until they were met by + high boots of untanned yellow buckskin that reached halfway up the thigh. + A broad baldric of green silk hung from his shoulder across his breast, + and supported at his side a long sword with an enormous basket hilt, + through which somewhat coquettishly peeped a white lace handkerchief. Tall + and erect, in spite of the grizzled hair and iron-gray moustaches and + wrinkled face of a man of sixty, he suddenly halted on the deck with a + military precision that made the jingling chains and bits of silver on his + enormous spurs ring again. He was followed by an ecclesiastic of + apparently his own age, but smoothly shaven, clad in a black silk sotana + and sash, and wearing the old-fashioned oblong, curl-brimmed hat sacred to + "Don Basilo," of the modern opera. Behind him appeared the genial face of + Senor Perkins, shining with the benignant courtesy of a master of + ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + "If this is a fair sample of the circus ashore, I'll take two tickets," + whispered Crosby, who had recovered his audacity. + </p> + <p> + "I have the inexpressible honor," said Senor Perkins to Captain Bunker, + with a gracious wave of his hand towards the extraordinary figures, "to + present you to the illustrious Don Miguel Briones, Comandante of the + Presidio of Todos Santos, at present hidden in the fog, and the very + reverend and pious Padre Esteban, of the Mission of Todos Santos, likewise + invisible. When I state to you," he continued, with a slight lifting of + his voice, so as to include the curious passengers in his explanation, + "that, with very few exceptions, this is the usual condition of the + atmosphere at the entrance to the Mission and Presidio of Todos Santos, + and that the last exception took place thirty-five years ago, when a ship + entered the harbor, you will understand why these distinguished gentlemen + have been willing to waive the formality of your waiting upon them first, + and have taken the initiative. The illustrious Comandante has been + generous to exempt you from the usual port regulations, and to permit you + to wood and to water"— + </p> + <p> + "What port regulation is he talking of?" asked Captain Bunker testily. + </p> + <p> + "The Mexican regulations forbidding any foreign vessel to communicate with + the shore," returned Senor Perkins deprecatingly. + </p> + <p> + "Never heard of 'em. When were they given?" + </p> + <p> + The Senor turned and addressed a few words to the commander, who stood + apart in silent dignity. + </p> + <p> + "In 1792." + </p> + <p> + "In what?—Is he mad?" said Bunker. "Does he know what year this is?" + </p> + <p> + "The illustrious commander believes it to be the year of grace 1854," + answered Senor Perkins quietly. "In the case of the only two vessels who + have touched here since 1792 the order was not carried out because they + were Mexican coasters. The illustrious Comandante explains that the order + he speaks of as on record distinctly referred to the ship 'Columbia, which + belonged to the General Washington.'" + </p> + <p> + "General Washington!" echoed Bunker, angrily staring at the Senor. "What's + this stuff? Do you mean to say they don't know any history later than our + old Revolutionary War? Haven't they heard of the United States among them? + Nor California—that we took from them during the late war?" + </p> + <p> + "Nor how we licked 'em out of their boots, and that's saying a good deal," + whispered Crosby, glancing at the Comandante's feet. + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins raised a gentle, deprecating hand. + </p> + <p> + "For fifty years the Presidio and the Mission of Todos Santos have had but + this communication with the outer world," he said blandly. "Hidden by + impenetrable fogs from the ocean pathway at their door, cut off by burning + and sterile deserts from the surrounding country, they have preserved a + trust and propagated a faith in enforced but not unhappy seclusion. The + wars that have shaken mankind, the dissensions that have even disturbed + the serenity of their own nation on the mainland, have never reached them + here. Left to themselves, they have created a blameless Arcadia and an + ideal community within an extent of twenty square leagues. Why should we + disturb their innocent complacency and tranquil enjoyment by information + which cannot increase and might impair their present felicity? Why should + we dwell upon a late political and international episode which, while it + has been a benefit to us, has been a humiliation to them as a nation, and + which might not only imperil our position as guests, but interrupt our + practical relations to the wood and water, with which the country + abounds?" + </p> + <p> + He paused, and before the captain could speak, turned to the silent + Commander, addressed him in a dozen phrases of fluent and courteous + Spanish, and once more turned to Captain Bunker. + </p> + <p> + "I have told him you are touched to the heart with his courtesy, which you + recognize as coming from the fit representative of the great Mexican + nation. He reciprocates your fraternal emotion, and begs you to consider + the Presidio and all that it contains, at your disposition and the + disposition of your friends—the passengers, particularly those fair + ladies," said Senor Perkins, turning with graceful promptitude towards the + group of lady passengers, and slightly elevating himself on the tips of + his neat boots, "whose white hands he kisses, and at whose feet he lays + the devotion of a Mexican caballero and officer." + </p> + <p> + He waved his hand towards the Comandante, who, stepping forward, swept the + deck with his plumed hat before each of the ladies in solemn succession. + Recovering himself, he bowed more stiffly to the male passengers, picked + his handkerchief out of the hilt of his sword, gracefully wiped his lips, + pulled the end of his long gray moustache, and became again rigid. + </p> + <p> + "The reverend father," continued Senor Perkins, turning towards the + priest, "regrets that the rules of his order prevent his extending the + same courtesy to these ladies at the Mission. But he hopes to meet them at + the Presidio, and they will avail themselves of his aid and counsel there + and everywhere." + </p> + <p> + Father Esteban, following the speaker's words with a gracious and ready + smile, at once moved forward among the passengers, offering an antique + snuff-box to the gentlemen, or passing before the ladies with slightly + uplifted benedictory palms and a caressing paternal gesture. Mrs. Brimmer, + having essayed a French sentence, was delighted and half frightened to + receive a response from the ecclesiastic, and speedily monopolized him + until he was summoned by the Commander to the returning boat. + </p> + <p> + "A most accomplished man, my dear," said Mrs. Brimmer, as the Excelsior's + cannon again thundered after the retiring oars, "like all of his order. He + says, although Don Miguel does not speak French, that his secretary does; + and we shall have no difficulty in making ourselves understood." + </p> + <p> + "Then you really intend to go ashore?" said Miss Keene timidly. + </p> + <p> + "Decidedly," returned Mrs. Brimmer potentially. "It would be most + unpolite, not to say insulting, if we did not accept the invitation. You + have no idea of the strictness of Spanish etiquette. Besides, he may have + heard of Mr. Brimmer." + </p> + <p> + "As his last information was only up to 1792, he might have forgotten it," + said Crosby gravely. "So perhaps it would be safer to go on the general + invitation." + </p> + <p> + "As Mr. Brimmer's ancestors came over on the Mayflower, long before 1792, + it doesn't seem so very impossible, if it comes to that," said Mrs. + Brimmer, with her usual unanswerable naivete; "provided always that you + are not joking, Mr. Crosby. One never knows when you are serious." + </p> + <p> + "Mrs. Brimmer is quite right; we must all go. This is no mere formality," + said Senor Perkins, who had returned to the ladies. "Indeed, I have myself + promised the Comandante to bring YOU," he turned towards Miss Keene, "if + you will permit Mrs. Markham and myself to act as your escort. It was Don + Miguel's express request." + </p> + <p> + A slight flush of pride suffused the cheek of the young girl, but the next + moment she turned diffidently towards Mrs. Brimmer. + </p> + <p> + "We must all go together," she said; "shall we not?" + </p> + <p> + "You see your triumphs have begun already," said Brace, with a nervous + smile. "You need no longer laugh at me for predicting your fate in San + Francisco." + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene cast a hurried glance around her, in the faint hope—she + scarcely knew why—that Mr. Hurlstone had overheard the Senor's + invitation; nor could she tell why she was disappointed at not seeing him. + But he had not appeared on deck during the presence of their strange + visitors; nor was he in the boat which half an hour later conveyed her to + the shore. He must have either gone in one of the other boats, or + fulfilled his strange threat of remaining on the ship. + </p> + <p> + The boats pulled away together towards the invisible shore, piloted by + Captain Bunker, the first officer, and Senor Perkins in the foremost boat. + It had grown warmer, and the fog that stole softly over them touched their + faces with the tenderness of caressing fingers. Miss Keene, wrapped up in + the stern sheets of the boat, gave way to the dreamy influence of this + weird procession through the water, retaining only perception enough to be + conscious of the singular illusions of the mist that alternately thickened + and lightened before their bow. At times it seemed as if they were driving + full upon a vast pier or breakwater of cold gray granite, that, opening to + let the foremost boat pass, closed again before them; at times it seemed + as if they had diverged from their course, and were once more upon the + open sea, the horizon a far-off line of vanishing color; at times, faint + lights seemed to pierce the gathering darkness, or to move like + will-o'-wisps across the smooth surface, when suddenly the keel grated on + the sand. A narrow but perfectly well defined strip of palpable strand + appeared before them; they could faintly discern the moving lower limbs of + figures whose bodies were still hidden in the mist; then they were lifted + from the boats; the first few steps on dry land carried them out of the + fog that seemed to rise like a sloping roof from the water's edge, leaving + them under its canopy in the full light of actual torches held by a group + of picturesquely dressed people before the vista of a faintly lit, narrow, + ascending street. The dim twilight of the closing day lingered under this + roof of fog, which seemed to hang scarcely a hundred feet above them, and + showed a wall or rampart of brown adobe on their right that extended + nearly to the water; to the left, at the distance of a few hundred yards, + another low brown wall appeared; above it rose a fringe of foliage, and, + more distant and indistinct, two white towers, that were lost in the + nebulous gray. + </p> + <p> + One of the figures dressed in green jackets, who seemed to be in + authority, now advanced, and, after a moment's parley with Senor Perkins + while the Excelsior's passengers were being collected from the different + boats, courteously led the way along the wall of the fortification. + Presently a low opening or gateway appeared, followed by the challenge of + a green-jacketed sentry, and the sentence, "Dios y Libertad" It was + repeated in the interior of a dusky courtyard, surrounded by a low + corridor, where a dozen green-jacketed men of aboriginal type and + complexion, carrying antique flintlocks, were drawn up as a guard of + honor. + </p> + <p> + "The Comandante," said Senor Perkins, "directs me to extend his apologies + to the Senor Capitano Bunker for withholding the salute which is due alike + to his country, himself, and his fair company; but fifty years of + uninterrupted peace and fog have left his cannon inadequate to polite + emergencies, and firmly fixed the tampion of his saluting gun. But he + places the Presidio at your disposition; you will be pleased to make its + acquaintance while it is still light; and he will await you in the + guard-room." + </p> + <p> + Left to themselves, the party dispersed like dismissed school-children + through the courtyard and corridors, and in the enjoyment of their release + from a month's confinement on shipboard stretched their cramped limbs over + the ditches, walls, and parapets, to the edge of the glacis. + </p> + <p> + Everywhere a ruin that was picturesque, a decay that was refined and + gentle, a neglect that was graceful, met the eye; the sharp exterior and + reentering angles were softly rounded and obliterated by overgrowths of + semitropical creepers; the abatis was filled by a natural brake of + scrub-oak and manzanita; the clematis flung its long scaling ladders over + the escarpment, until Nature, slowly but securely investing the doomed + fortress, had lifted a victorious banner of palm from the conquered summit + of the citadel! Some strange convulsions of the earth had completed the + victory; the barbette guns of carved and antique bronze commemorating + fruitless and long-forgotten triumphs were dismounted; one turned in the + cheeks of its carriage had a trunnion raised piteously in the air like an + amputated stump; another, sinking through its rotting chassis, had buried + itself to its chase in the crumbling adobe wall. But above and beyond this + gentle chaos of defense stretched the real ramparts and escarpments of + Todos Santos—the impenetrable and unassailable fog! Corroding its + brass and iron with saline breath, rotting its wood with unending shadow, + sapping its adobe walls with perpetual moisture, and nourishing the + obliterating vegetation with its quickening blood, as if laughing to scorn + the puny embattlements of men—it still bent around the crumbling + ruins the tender grace of an invisible but all-encompassing arm. + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins, who had acted as cicerone to the party, pointed out these + various mutations with no change from his usual optimism. + </p> + <p> + "Protected by their peculiar isolation during the late war, there was no + necessity for any real fortification of the place. Nevertheless, it + affords some occupation and position for our kind friend, Don Miguel, and + so serves a beneficial purpose. This little gun," he continued, stopping + to attentively examine a small but beautifully carved bronze six-pounder, + which showed indications of better care than the others, "seems to be the + saluting-gun Don Miguel spoke of. For the last fifty years it has spoken + only the language of politeness and courtesy, and yet through want of care + the tampion, as you see, has become swollen and choked in its mouth." + </p> + <p> + "How true in a larger sense," murmured Mrs. Markham, "the habit of + courtesy alone preserves the fluency of the heart." + </p> + <p> + "I know you two are saying something very clever," said Mrs. Brimmer, + whose small French slippers and silk stockings were beginning to show + their inadequacy to a twilight ramble in the fog; "but I am so slow, and I + never catch the point. Do repeat it slowly." + </p> + <p> + "The Senor was only showing us how they managed to shut up a smooth bore + in this country," said Crosby gravely. "I wonder when we're going to have + dinner. I suppose old Don Quixote will trot out some of his Senoritas. I + want to see those choir girls that sang so stunningly a while ago." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose you mean the boys—for they're all boys in the Catholic + choirs—but then, perhaps you are joking again. Do tell me if you + are, for this is really amusing. I may laugh—mayn't I?" As the + discomfited humorist fell again to the rear amidst the laughter of the + others, Mrs. Brimmer continued naively to Senor Perkins,—"Of course, + as Don Miguel is a widower, there must be daughters or sisters-in-law who + will meet us. Why, the priest, you know—even he—must have + nieces. Really, it's a serious question—if we are to accept his + hospitality in a social way. Why don't you ask HIM?" she said, pointing to + the green-jacketed subaltern who was accompanying them. + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins looked half embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + "Repeat your question, my dear lady, and I will translate it." + </p> + <p> + "Ask him if there are any women at the Presidio." + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins drew the subaltern aside. Presently he turned to Mrs. + Brimmer. + </p> + <p> + "He says there are four: the wife of the baker, the wife of the saddler, + the daughter of the trumpeter, and the niece of the cook." + </p> + <p> + "Good heavens! we can't meet THEM," said Mrs. Brimmer. + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps I ought to have told you," he said blandly, "that the old Spanish + notions of etiquette are very strict. The wives of the officials and + higher classes do not meet strangers on a first visit, unless they are + well known." + </p> + <p> + "That isn't it," said Winslow, joining them excitedly. "I've heard the + whole story. It's a good joke. Banks has been bragging about us all, and + saying that these ladies had husbands who were great merchants, and, as + these chaps consider that all trade is vulgar, you know, they believe we + are not fit to associate with their women, don't you see? All, except one—Miss + Keene. She's considered all right. She's to be introduced to the + Commander's women, and to the sister of the Alcalde." + </p> + <p> + "She will do nothing of the kind," said Miss Keene indignantly. "If these + ladies are not to be received with me, we'll all go back to the ship + together." + </p> + <p> + She spoke with a quick and perfectly unexpected resolution and + independence, so foreign to her usual childlike half dependent character, + that her hearers were astounded. Senor Perkins gazed at her thoughtfully; + Brace, Crosby, and Winslow admiringly; her sister passengers with doubt + and apprehension. + </p> + <p> + "There must be some mistake," said Senor Perkins gently. "I will inquire." + </p> + <p> + He was absent but a few moments. When he returned, his face was beaming. + </p> + <p> + "It's a ridiculous misapprehension. Our practical friend Banks, in his + zealous attempts to impress the Comandante's secretary, who knows a little + English, with the importance of Mr. Brimmer's position as a large + commission merchant, has, I fear, conveyed only the idea that he was a + kind of pawnbroker; while Mr. Markham's trade in hides has established him + as a tanner; and Mr. Banks' own flour speculations, of which he is justly + proud, have been misinterpreted by him as the work of a successful baker!" + </p> + <p> + "And what idea did he convey about YOU?" asked Crosby audaciously; "it + might be interesting to us to know, for our own satisfaction." + </p> + <p> + "I fear they did not do me the honor to inquire," replied Senor Perkins, + with imperturbable good-humor; "there are some persons, you know, who + carry all their worldly possessions palpably about with them. I am one of + them. Call me a citizen of the world, with a strong leniency towards young + and struggling nationalities; a traveler, at home anywhere; a delighted + observer of all things, an admirer of brave men, the devoted slave of + charming women—and you have, in one word, a passenger of the good + ship Excelsior." + </p> + <p> + For the first time, Miss Keene noticed a slight irony in Senor Perkins' + superabundant fluency, and that he did not conceal his preoccupation over + the silent saluting gun he was still admiring. The approach of Don Miguel + and Padre Esteban with a small bevy of ladies, however, quickly changed + her thoughts, and detached the Senor from her side. Her first swift + feminine impression of the fair strangers was that they were plain and + dowdy, an impression fully shared by the other lady passengers. But her + second observation, that they were more gentle, fascinating, child-like, + and feminine than her own countrywomen, was purely her own. Their loose, + undulating figures, guiltless of stays; their extravagance of short, + white, heavily flounced skirt, which looked like a petticoat; their + lightly wrapped, formless, and hooded shoulders and heads, lent a + suggestion of dishabille that Mrs. Brimmer at once resented. + </p> + <p> + "They might, at least, have dressed themselves," she whispered to Mrs. + Markham. + </p> + <p> + "I really believe," returned Mrs. Markham, "they've got no bodices on!" + </p> + <p> + The introductions over, a polyglot conversation ensued in French by the + Padre and Mrs. Brimmer, and in broken English by Miss Chubb, Miss Keene, + and the other passengers with the Commander's secretary, varied by + occasional scraps of college Latin from Mr. Crosby, the whole aided by + occasional appeals to Senor Perkins. The darkness increasing, the party + reentered the courtyard, and, passing through the low-studded guard-room, + entered another corridor, which looked upon a second court, enclosed on + three sides, the fourth opening upon a broad plaza, evidently the public + resort of the little town. Encompassing this open space, a few red-tiled + roofs could be faintly seen in the gathering gloom. Chocolate and thin + spiced cakes were served in the veranda, pending the preparations for a + more formal banquet. Already Miss Keene had been singled out from her + companions for the special attentions of her hosts, male and female, to + her embarrassment and confusion. Already Dona Isabel, the sister of the + Alcalde, had drawn her aside, and, with caressing frankness, had begun to + question her in broken English,— + </p> + <p> + "But Miss Keene is no name. The Dona Keene is of nothing." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you may call me Eleanor, if you like," said Miss Keene, smiling. + </p> + <p> + "Dona Leonor—so; that is good," said Dona Isabel, clapping her hands + like a child. "But how are you?" + </p> + <p> + "I beg your pardon," said Miss Keene, greatly amused, "but I don't + understand." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, Caramba! What are you, little one?" Seeing that her guest still + looked puzzled, she continued,—"Ah! Mother of God! Why are your + friends so polite to you? Why does every one love you so?" + </p> + <p> + "Do they? Well," stammered Miss Keene, with one of her rare, dazzling + smiles, and her cheeks girlishly rosy with naive embarrassment, "I suppose + they think I am pretty." + </p> + <p> + "Pretty! Ah, yes, you are!" said Dona Isabel, gazing at her curiously. + "But it is not all that." + </p> + <p> + "What is it, then?" asked Miss Keene demurely. + </p> + <p> + "You are a—a—Dama de Grandeza!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <h3> + "HAIL AND FAREWELL." + </h3> + <p> + Supper was served in the inner room opening from the corridor lit by a few + swinging lanterns of polished horn and a dozen wax candles of sacerdotal + size and suggestion. The apartment, though spacious, was low and + crypt-like, and was not relieved by the two deep oven-like hearths that + warmed it without the play of firelight. But when the company had + assembled it was evident that the velvet jackets, gold lace, silver + buttons, and red sashes of the entertainers not only lost their tawdry and + theatrical appearance in the half decorous and thoughtful gloom, but + actually seemed more in harmony with it than the modern dresses of the + guests. It was the Excelsior party who looked strange and bizarre in these + surroundings; to the sensitive fancy of Miss Keene, Mrs. Brimmer's + Parisian toilet had an air of provincial assumption; her own pretty Zouave + jacket and black silk skirt horrified her with its apparent ostentatious + eccentricity; and Mrs. Markham and Miss Chubb seemed dowdy and overdressed + beside the satin mantillas and black lace of the Senoritas. Nor were the + gentlemen less outres: the stiff correctness of Mr. Banks, and the lighter + foppishness of Winslow and Crosby, not to mention Senor Perkins' more + pronounced unconventionality, appeared as burlesques of their own + characters in a play. The crowning contrast was reached by Captain Bunker, + who, in accordance with the habits of the mercantile marine of that period + when in port, wore a shore-going suit of black broadcloth, with a tall + hat, high shirt collar, and diamond pin. Seated next to the Commander, it + was no longer Don Miguel who looked old-fashioned, it was Captain Bunker + who appeared impossible. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, as the meal progressed, lightened by a sweet native wine + made from the Mission grape, and stimulated by champagne—a present + of Captain Bunker from the cabin lockers of the Excelsior—this + contrast, and much of the restraint that it occasioned, seemed to melt + away. The passengers became talkative; the Commander and his friends + unbent, and grew sympathetic and inquiring. The temptation to recite the + news of the last half century, and to recount the wonderful strides of + civilization in that time, was too great to be resisted by the Excelsior + party. That some of them—notwithstanding the caution of Senor + Perkins—approached dangerously near the subject of the late war + between the United States and Mexico, of which Todos Santos was supposed + to be still ignorant, or that Crosby in particular seized upon this + opportunity for humorous exaggeration, may be readily imagined. But as the + translation of the humorist's speech, as well as the indiscretions of his + companions, were left to the Senor, in Spanish, and to Mrs. Brimmer and + Miss Keene, in French, any imminent danger to the harmony of the evening + was averted. Don Ramon Ramirez, the Alcalde, a youngish man of evident + distinction, sat next to Miss Keene, and monopolized her conversation with + a certain curiosity that was both grave and childish in its frank + trustfulness. Some of his questions were so simple and incompatible with + his apparent intelligence that she unconsciously lowered her voice in + answering them, in dread of the ridicule of her companions. She could not + resist the impression, which repeatedly obtruded upon her imagination, + that the entire population of Todos Santos were a party of lost children, + forgotten by their parents, and grown to man and womanhood in utter + ignorance of the world. + </p> + <p> + The Commander had, half informally, drunk the health of Captain Bunker, + without rising from his seat, when, to Miss Keene's alarm, Captain Bunker + staggered to his feet. He had been drinking freely, as usual; but he was + bent on indulging a loquacity which his discipline on shipboard had + hitherto precluded, and which had, perhaps, strengthened his solitary + habit. His speech was voluble and incoherent, complimentary and tactless, + kindly and aggressive, courteous and dogmatic. It was left to Senor + Perkins to translate it to the eye and ear of his host without incongruity + or offense. This he did so admirably as to elicit not only the applause of + the foreigners who did not understand English, but of his own countrymen + who did not understand Spanish. + </p> + <p> + "I feel," said Senor Perkins, in graceful peroration, "that I have done + poor justice to the eloquence of this gallant sailor. My unhappy + translation cannot offer you that voice, at times trembling with generous + emotion, and again inaudible from excessive modesty in the presence of + this illustrious assembly—those limbs that waver and bend under the + undulations of the chivalrous sentiment which carries him away as if he + were still on that powerful element he daily battles with and conquers." + </p> + <p> + But when coffee and sweets were reached, the crowning triumph of Senor + Perkins' oratory was achieved. After an impassioned burst of enthusiasm + towards his hosts in their own tongue, he turned towards his own party + with bland felicity. + </p> + <p> + "And how is it with us, dear friends? We find ourselves not in the port we + were seeking; not in the goal of our ambition, the haven of our hopes; but + on the shores of the decaying past. 'Ever drifting' on one of those— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Shifting + Currents of the restless main,' +</pre> + <p> + if our fascinating friend Mrs. Brimmer will permit us to use the words of + her accomplished fellow-townsman, H. W. Longfellow, of Boston—we + find ourselves borne not to the busy hum and clatter of modern progress, + but to the soft cadences of a dying crusade, and the hush of + ecclesiastical repose. In place of the busy marts of commerce and the + towering chimneys of labor, we have the ruined embattlements of a warlike + age, and the crumbling church of an ancient Mission. Towards the close of + an eventful voyage, during which we have been guided by the skillful hand + and watchful eye of that gallant navigator Captain Bunker, we have turned + aside from our onward course of progress to look back for a moment upon + the faded footprints of those who have so long preceded us, who have lived + according to their lights, and whose record is now before us. As I have + just stated, our journey is near its end, and we may, in some sense, look + upon this occasion, with its sumptuous entertainment, and its goodly + company of gallant men and fair women, as a parting banquet. Our voyage + has been a successful one. I do not now especially speak of the daring + speculations of the distinguished husband of a beautiful lady whose + delightful society is known to us all—need I say I refer to Quincy + Brimmer, Esq., of Boston" (loud applause)—"whose successful + fulfillment of a contract with the Peruvian Government, and the landing of + munitions of war at Callao, has checked the uprising of the Quinquinambo + insurgents? I do not refer especially to our keen-sighted business friend + Mr. Banks" (applause), "who, by buying up all the flour in Callao, and + shipping it to California, has virtually starved into submission the + revolutionary party of Ariquipa—I do not refer to these admirable + illustrations of the relations of commerce and politics, for this, my + friends—this is history, and beyond my feeble praise. Let me rather + speak of the social and literary triumphs of our little community, of our + floating Arcadia—may I say Olympus? Where shall we find another + Minerva like Mrs. Markham, another Thalia like Miss Chubb, another Juno + like Mrs. Brimmer, worthy of the Jove-like Quincy Brimmer; another Queen + of Love and Beauty like—like"—continued the gallant Senor, + with an effective oratorical pause, and a profound obeisance to Miss + Keene, "like one whose mantling maiden blushes forbid me to name?" + (Prolonged applause.) "Where shall we find more worthy mortals to worship + them than our young friends, the handsome Brace, the energetic Winslow, + the humorous Crosby? When we look back upon our concerts and plays, our + minstrel entertainments, with the incomparable performances of our friend + Crosby as Brother Bones; our recitations, to which the genius of Mrs. + M'Corkle, of Peoria, Illinois, has lent her charm and her manuscript" (a + burlesque start of terror from Crosby), "I am forcibly impelled to quote + the impassioned words from that gifted woman,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'When idly Life's barque on the billows of Time, + Drifts hither and yon by eternity's sea; + On the swift feet of verse and the pinions of rhyme + My thoughts, Ulricardo, fly ever to thee!'" +</pre> + <p> + "Who's Ulricardo?" interrupted Crosby, with assumed eagerness, followed by + a "hush!" from the ladies. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps I should have anticipated our friend's humorous question," said + Senor Perkins, with unassailable good-humor. "Ulricardo, though not my own + name, is a poetical substitute for it, and a mere figure of apostrophe. + The poem is personal to myself," he continued, with a slight increase of + color in his smooth cheek which did not escape the attention of the + ladies,—"purely as an exigency of verse, and that the inspired + authoress might more easily express herself to a friend. My acquaintance + with Mrs. M'Corkle has been only epistolary. Pardon this digression, my + friends, but an allusion to the muse of poetry did not seem to me to be + inconsistent with our gathering here. Let me briefly conclude by saying + that the occasion is a happy and memorable one; I think I echo the + sentiment of all present when I add that it is one which will not be + easily forgotten by either the grateful guests, whose feelings I have + tried to express, or the chivalrous hosts, whose kindness I have already + so feebly translated." + </p> + <p> + In the applause that followed, and the clicking of glasses, Senor Perkins + slipped away. He mingled a moment with some of the other guests who had + already withdrawn to the corridor, lit a cigar, and then passed through a + narrow doorway on to the ramparts. Here he strolled to some distance, as + if in deep thought, until he reached a spot where the crumbling wall and + its fallen debris afforded an easy descent into the ditch. Following the + ditch, he turned an angle, and came upon the beach, and the low sound of + oars in the invisible offing. A whistle brought the boat to his feet, and + without a word he stepped into the stern sheets. A few strokes of the oars + showed him that the fog had lifted slightly from the water, and a green + light hanging from the side of the Excelsior could be plainly seen. Ten + minutes' more steady pulling placed him on her deck, where the second + officer stood with a number of the sailors listlessly grouped around him. + </p> + <p> + "The landing has been completed?" said Senor Perkins interrogatively. + </p> + <p> + "All except one boat-load more, which waits to take your final + instructions," said the mate. "The men have growled a little about it," he + added, in a lower tone. "They don't want to lose anything, it seems," he + continued, with a half sarcastic laugh. + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins smiled peculiarly. + </p> + <p> + "I am sorry to disappoint them. Who's that in the boat?" he asked + suddenly. + </p> + <p> + The mate followed the Senor's glance. + </p> + <p> + "It is Yoto. He says he is going ashore, and you will not forbid him." + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins approached the ship's side. + </p> + <p> + "Come here," he said to the man. + </p> + <p> + The Peruvian sailor rose, but did not make the slightest movement to obey + the command. + </p> + <p> + "You say you are going ashore?" said Perkins blandly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Patrono." + </p> + <p> + "What for?" + </p> + <p> + "To follow him—the thief, the assassin—who struck me here;" he + pointed to his head. "He has escaped again with his booty." + </p> + <p> + "You are very foolish, my Yoto; he is no thief, and has no booty. They + will put YOU in prison, not him." + </p> + <p> + "YOU say so," said the man surlily. "Perhaps they will hear me—for + other things," he added significantly. + </p> + <p> + "And for this you would abandon the cause?" + </p> + <p> + The man shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" he glanced meaningly at two of his companions, who had + approached the side; "perhaps others would. Who is sending the booty + ashore, eh?" + </p> + <p> + "Come out of that boat," said the Senor, leaning over the bulwarks with + folded arms, and his eyes firmly fixed on the man. + </p> + <p> + The man did not move. But the Senor's hand suddenly flew to the back of + his neck, smote violently downwards, and sent eighteen inches of + glittering steel hurtling through the air. The bowie-knife entered the + upturned throat of the man and buried itself halfway to the hilt. Without + a gasp or groan he staggered forward, caught wildly at the side of the + ship, and disappeared between the boat and the vessel. + </p> + <p> + "My lads," said Senor Perkins, turning with a gentle smile towards the + faces that in the light of the swinging lantern formed a ghastly circle + around him, "when I boarded this ship that had brought aid and succor to + our oppressors at Callao, I determined to take possession of it + peacefully, without imperiling the peace and property of the innocent + passengers who were intrusted to its care, and without endangering your + own lives or freedom. But I made no allowance for TRAITORS. The blood that + has been shed to-night has not been spilt in obedience to my orders, nor + to the cause that we serve; it was from DEFIANCE of it; and the real and + only culprit has just atoned for it." + </p> + <p> + He stopped, and then stepped back from the gangway, as if to leave it open + to the men. + </p> + <p> + "What I have done," he continued calmly, "I do not ask you to consider + either as an example or a warning. You are free to do what HE would have + done," he repeated, with a wave of his hand towards the open gangway and + the empty boat. "You are free to break your contract and leave the ship, + and I give you my word that I will not lift a hand to prevent it. But if + you stay with me," he said, suddenly turning upon them a face as livid as + their own, "I swear by the living God, that, if between this and the + accomplishment of my design, you as much as shirk or question any order + given by me, you shall die the death of that dog who went before you. + Choose as you please—but quickly." + </p> + <p> + The mate was the first to move. Without a word, he crossed over to the + Senor's side. The men hesitated a moment longer, until one, with a strange + foreign cry, threw himself on his knees before the Senor, ejaculating, + "Pardon! pardon!" The others followed, some impulsively catching at the + hand that had just slain their comrade, and covering it with kisses! + </p> + <p> + "Pardon, Patrono—we are yours." + </p> + <p> + "You are the State's," said Senor Perkins coldly, with every vestige of + his former urbanity gone from his colorless face. "Enough! Go back to your + duty." He watched them slink away, and then turned to the mate. "Get the + last boat-load ready, and report to me." + </p> + <p> + From that moment another power seemed to dominate the ship. The men no + longer moved listlessly, or slunk along the deck with perfunctory limbs; a + feverish haste and eagerness possessed them; the boat was quickly loaded, + and the mysterious debarkation completed in rapidity and silence. This + done, the fog once more appeared to rise from the water and softly + encompass the ship, until she seemed to be obliterated from its face. In + this vague obscurity, from time to time, the faint rattling of chains was + heard, the soft creaking of blocks, and later on, the regular rise and + fall of oars. And then the darkness fell heavier, the sounds became more + and more indistinct and were utterly lost. + </p> + <p> + Ashore, however, the lanterns still glittered brightly in the courtyard of + the Presidio; the noise of laughter and revel still came from the + supper-room, and, later, the tinkling of guitars and rhythmical clapping + hands showed that the festivities were being wound up by a characteristic + fandango. Captain Bunker succumbed early to his potations of fiery + aguardiente, and was put to bed in the room of the Commander, to whom he + had sworn eternal friendship and alliance. It was long past midnight + before the other guests were disposed of in the various quarters of the + Presidio; but to the ladies were reserved the more ostentatious + hospitalities of the Alcalde himself, the walls of whose ambitious + hacienda raised themselves across the plaza and overlooked the gardens of + the Mission. + </p> + <p> + It was from one of the deep, quaintly barred windows of the hacienda that + Miss Keene gazed thoughtfully on the night, unable to compose herself to + sleep. An antique guest-chamber had been assigned to her in deference to + her wish to be alone, for which she had declined the couch and vivacious + prattle of her new friend, Dona Isabel. The events of the day had + impressed her more deeply than they had her companions, partly from her + peculiar inexperience of the world, and partly from her singular + sensitiveness to external causes. The whole quaint story of the forgotten + and isolated settlement, which had seemed to the other passengers as a + trivial and half humorous incident, affected her imagination profoundly. + When she could escape the attentions of her entertainers, or the + frivolities of her companions, she tried to touch the far-off past on the + wings of her fancy; she tried to imagine the life of those people, + forgetting the world and forgotten by it; she endeavored to picture the + fifty years of solitude amidst these decaying ruins, over which even + ambition had crumbled and fallen. It seemed to her the true conventual + seclusion from the world without the loss of kinship or home influences; + she contrasted it with her boarding-school life in the fashionable + seminary; she wondered what she would have become had she been brought up + here; she thought of the happy ignorance of Dona Isabel, and—shuddered; + and yet she felt herself examining the odd furniture of the room with an + equally childlike and admiring curiosity. And these people looked upon HER + as a superior being! + </p> + <p> + From the deep embrasure of the window she could see the tops of the pear + and olive trees, in the misty light of an invisible moon that suffused the + old Mission garden with an ineffable and angelic radiance. To her + religious fancy it seemed to be a spiritual effusion of the church itself, + enveloping the two gray dome-shaped towers with an atmosphere and repose + of its own, until it became the incarnate mystery and passion where it + stood. + </p> + <p> + She was suddenly startled by a moving shadow beside the wall, almost + immediately below her—the figure of a man! He was stealing + cautiously towards the church, as if to gain the concealment of the + shrubbery that grew beside it, and, furtively glancing from side to side, + looked towards her window. She unconsciously drew back, forgetting at the + moment that her light was extinguished, and that it was impossible for the + stranger to see her. But she had seen HIM, and in that instant recognized + Mr. Hurlstone! + </p> + <p> + Then he HAD come ashore, and secretly, for the other passengers believed + him still on the ship! But what was he doing there?—and why had he + not appeared with the others at the entertainment? She could understand + his avoidance of them from what she knew of his reserved and unsocial + habits; but when he could so naturally have remained on shipboard, she + could not, at first, conceive why he should wish to prowl around the town + at the risk of detection. The idea suddenly occurred to her that he had + had another attack of his infirmity and was walking in his sleep, and for + an instant she thought of alarming the house, that some one might go to + his assistance. But his furtive movements had not the serene impassibility + of the somnambulist. Another thought withheld her; he had looked up at her + window! Did he know she was there? A faint stirring of shame and pleasure + sent a slight color to her cheek. But he had gained the corner of the + shrubbery and was lost in the shadow. She turned from the window. A gentle + sense of vague and half maternal pity suffused her soft eyes as she at + last sought her couch and fell into a deep slumber. + </p> + <p> + Towards daybreak a wind arose over the sleeping town and far outlying + waters. It breathed through the leaves of the Mission garden, brushed away + the clinging mists from the angles of the towers, and restored the sharp + outlines of the ruined fortifications. It swept across the unruffled sea + to where the Excelsior, cradled in the softly heaving bay, had peacefully + swung at anchor on the previous night, and lifted the snowy curtain of the + fog to seaward as far as the fringe of surf, a league away. + </p> + <p> + But the cradle of the deep was empty—the ship was gone! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <h3> + THE GENTLE CASTAWAYS. + </h3> + <p> + Miss Keene was awakened from a heavy sleep by a hurried shake of her + shoulder and an indefinite feeling of alarm. Opening her eyes, she was + momentarily dazed by the broad light of day, and the spectacle of Mrs. + Brimmer, pale and agitated, in a half-Spanish dishabille, standing at her + bedside. + </p> + <p> + "Get up and dress yourself, my dear, at once," she said hurriedly, but at + the same time attentively examining Miss Keene's clothes, that were lying + on the chair: "and thank Heaven you came here in an afternoon dress, and + not in an evening costume like mine! For something awful has happened, and + Heaven only knows whether we'll ever see a stitch of our clothes again." + </p> + <p> + "WHAT has happened?" asked Miss Keene impatiently, sitting up in bed, more + alarmed at the unusual circumstance of Mrs. Brimmer's unfinished toilet + than at her incomplete speech. + </p> + <p> + "What, indeed! Nobody knows; but it's something awful—a mutiny, or + shipwreck, or piracy. But there's your friend, the Commander, calling out + the troops; and such a set of Christy Minstrels you never saw before! + There's the Alcalde summoning the Council; there's Mr. Banks raving, and + running round for a steamboat—as if these people ever heard of such + a thing!—and Captain Bunker, what with rage and drink, gone off in a + fit of delirium tremens, and locked up in his room! And the Excelsior gone—the + Lord knows where!" + </p> + <p> + "Gone!" repeated Miss Keene, hurrying on her clothes. "Impossible! What + does Father Esteban tell you? What does Dona Isabel say?" + </p> + <p> + "That's the most horrible part of it! Do you know those wretched idiots + believe it's some political revolution among ourselves, like their own + miserable government. I believe that baby Isabel thinks that King George + and Washington have something to do with it; at any rate, they're anxious + to know to what side you belong! So; for goodness' sake! if you have to + humor them, say we're all on the same side—I mean, don't you and + Mrs. Markham go against Miss Chubb and me." + </p> + <p> + Scarcely knowing whether to laugh or cry at Mrs. Brimmer's incoherent + statement, Miss Keene hastily finished dressing as the door flew open to + admit the impulsive Dona Isabel and her sister Juanita. The two Mexican + girls threw themselves in Miss Keene's arms, and then suddenly drew back + with a movement of bashful and diffident respect. + </p> + <p> + "Do, pray, ask them, for I daren't," whispered Mrs. Brimmer, trying to + clasp a mantilla around her, "how this thing is worn, and if they haven't + got something like a decent bonnet to lend me for a day or two?" + </p> + <p> + "The Senora has not then heard that her goods, and all the goods of the + Senores and Senoras, have been discovered safely put ashore at the + Embarcadero?" + </p> + <p> + "No?" said Mrs. Brimmer eagerly. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, yes!" responded Dona Isabel. "Since the Senora is not of the + revolutionary party." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Brimmer cast a supplicatory look at Miss Keene, and hastily quitted + the room. Miss Keene would have as quickly followed her, but the young + Ramirez girls threw themselves again tragically upon her breast, and, with + a mysterious gesture of silence, whispered,— + </p> + <p> + "Fear nothing, Excellencia! We are yours—we will die for you, no + matter what Don Ramon, or the Comandante, or the Ayuntamiento, shall + decide. Trust us, little one!—pardon—Excellencia, we mean." + </p> + <p> + "What IS the matter?" said Miss Keene, now thoroughly alarmed, and + releasing herself from the twining arms about her. "For Heaven's sake let + me go! I must see somebody! Where is—where is Mrs. Markham?" + </p> + <p> + "The Markham? Is it the severe one?—as thus,"—said Dona + Isabel, striking an attitude of infantine portentousness. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Miss Keene, smiling in spite of her alarm. + </p> + <p> + "She is arrested." + </p> + <p> + "Arrested!" said Eleanor Keene, her cheeks aflame with indignation. "For + what? Who dare do this thing?" + </p> + <p> + "The Comandante. She has a missive—a despatch from the + insurrectionaries." + </p> + <p> + Without another word, and feeling that she could stand the suspense no + longer, Miss Keene forced her way past the young girls, unheeding their + cries of consternation and apology, and quickly reached the patio. A + single glance showed her that Mrs. Brimmer was gone. With eyes and cheeks + still burning, she swept past the astounded peons, through the gateway, + into the open plaza. Only one idea filled her mind—to see the + Commander, and demand the release of her friend. How she should do it, + with what arguments she should enforce her demand, never occurred to her. + She did not even think of asking the assistance of Mr. Brace, Mr. Crosby, + or any of her fellow-passengers. The consciousness of some vague crisis + that she alone could meet possessed her completely. + </p> + <p> + The plaza was swarming with a strange rabble of peons and soldiery; of + dark, lowering faces, odd-looking weapons and costumes, mules, mustangs, + and cattle—a heterogeneous mass, swayed by some fierce excitement. + That she saw none of the Excelsior party among them did not surprise her; + an instinct of some catastrophe more serious than Mrs. Brimmer's vague + imaginings frightened but exalted her. With head erect, leveled brows, and + bright, determined eyes she walked deliberately into the square. The crowd + parted and gave way before this beautiful girl, with her bared head and + its invincible crest of chestnut curls. Presently they began to follow + her, with a compressed murmur of admiration, until, before she was halfway + across the plaza, the sentries beside the gateway of the Presidio were + astonished at the vision of a fair-haired and triumphant Pallas, who + appeared to be leading the entire population of Todos Santos to victorious + attack. In vain a solitary bugle blew, in vain the rolling drum beat an + alarm, the sympathetic guard only presented arms as Miss Keene, flushed + and excited, her eyes darkly humid with gratified pride, swept past them + into the actual presence of the bewildered and indignant Comandante. + </p> + <p> + The only feminine consciousness she retained was that she was more + relieved at her deliverance from the wild cattle and unbroken horses of + her progress than from the Indians and soldiers. + </p> + <p> + "I want to see Mrs. Markham, and to know by what authority she is + arrested," said Miss Keene boldly. + </p> + <p> + "The Senor Comandante can hold no conference with you until you disperse + your party," interpreted the secretary. + </p> + <p> + She was about to hurriedly reply that she knew nothing of the crowd that + had accompanied her; but she was withheld by a newly-born instinct of + tact. + </p> + <p> + "How do I know that I shall not be arrested, like my friend?" she said + quickly. "She is as innocent as myself." + </p> + <p> + "The Comandante pledges himself, as a hidalgo, that you shall not be + harmed." + </p> + <p> + Her first impulse was to advance to the nearest intruders at the gate and + say, "Do go away, please;" but she was doubtful of its efficiency, and was + already too exalted by the situation to be satisfied with its prosaic + weakness. But her newly developed diplomacy again came to her aid. "You + may tell them so, if you choose, I cannot answer for them," she said, with + apparent dark significance. + </p> + <p> + The secretary advanced on the corridor and exchanged a few words with her + more impulsive followers. Miss Keene, goddess-like and beautiful, remained + erect behind him, and sent them a dazzling smile and ravishing wave of her + little hand. The crowd roared with an effusive and bovine delight that + half frightened her, and with a dozen "Viva la Reyna Americanas!" she was + hurried by the Comandante into the guard-room. + </p> + <p> + "You ask to know of what the Senora Markham is accused," said the + Commander, more gently. "She has received correspondence from the pirate—Perkins!" + </p> + <p> + "The pirate—Perkins?" said Miss Keene, with indignant incredulity. + </p> + <p> + "The buccaneer who wrote that letter. Read it to her, Manuel." + </p> + <p> + The secretary took his eyes from the young girl's glowing face, coughed + slightly, and then read as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "ON BOARD THE EXCELSIOR, of the Quinquinambo Independent States Navy, + August 8, 1854. + </p> + <p> + "To Captain Bunker.—Sir," . . . + </p> + <p> + "But this is not addressed to YOU!" interrupted Miss Keene indignantly. + </p> + <p> + "The Captain Bunker is a raving madman," said the Commander gravely. "Read + on!" + </p> + <p> + The color gradually faded from the young girl's cheek as the secretary + continued, in a monotonous voice:— + </p> + <p> + "I have the honor to inform you that the barque Excelsior was, on the 8th + of July, 1854, and the first year of the Quinquinambo Independence, + formally condemned by the Federal Council of Quinquinambo, for having + aided and assisted the enemy with munitions of war and supplies, against + the law of nations, and the tacit and implied good-will between the + Republic of the United States and the struggling Confederacies of South + America; and that, in pursuance thereof, and under the law of reprisals + and letters of marque, was taken possession of by me yesterday. The goods + and personal effects belonging to the passengers and yourself have been + safely landed at the Embarcadero of Todos Santos—a neutral port—by + my directions; my interpretation of the orders of the Federal Council + excepting innocent non-combatants and their official protector from + confiscation or amercement. + </p> + <p> + "I take the liberty of requesting you to hand the inclosed order on the + Treasury of the Quinquinambo Confederate States to Don Miguel Briones, in + payment of certain stores and provisions, and of a piece of ordnance known + as the saluting cannon of the Presidio of Todos Santos. Vigilancia! + </p> + <p> + "Your obedient servant, + </p> + <p> + "LEONIDAS BOLIVAR PERKINS, + </p> + <p> + "Generalissimo Commanding Land and Sea Forces, Quinquinambo Independent + States." + </p> + <p> + In her consternation at this fuller realization of the vague catastrophe, + Miss Keene still clung to the idea that had brought her there. + </p> + <p> + "But Mrs. Markham has nothing to do with all this?" + </p> + <p> + "Then why does she refuse to give up her secret correspondence with the + pirate Perkins?" returned the secretary. + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene hesitated. Had Mrs. Markham any previous knowledge of the + Senor's real character? + </p> + <p> + "Why don't you arrest the men?" she said scornfully. "There is Mr. Banks, + Mr. Crosby, Mr. Winslow, and Mr. Brace." She uttered the last name more + contemptuously, as she thought of that young gentleman's protestations and + her present unprotected isolation. + </p> + <p> + "They are already arrested and removed to San Antonio, a league hence," + returned the secretary. "It is fact enough that they have confessed that + their Government has seized the Mexican province of California, and that + they were on their way to take possession of it." + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene's heart sank. + </p> + <p> + "But you knew all this yesterday," she faltered; "and our war with Mexico + is all over years ago." + </p> + <p> + "We did not know it last night at the banquet, Senora; nor would we have + known it but for this treason and division in your own party." + </p> + <p> + A sudden light flashed upon Miss Keene's mind. She now comprehended the + advances of Dona Isabel. Extravagant and monstrous as it seemed, these + people evidently believed that a revolution had taken place in the United + States; that the two opposing parties had been represented by the + passengers of the Excelsior; and that one party had succeeded, headed by + the indomitable Perkins. If she could be able to convince them of their + blunder, would it be wise to do so? She thought of Mrs. Brimmer's + supplication to be ranged "on her side," and realized with feminine + quickness that the situation might be turned to her countrymen's + advantage. But which side had Todos Santos favored? It was left to her + woman's wit to discover this, and conceive a plan to rescue her helpless + companions. + </p> + <p> + Her suspense was quickly relieved. The Commander and his secretary + exchanged a few words. + </p> + <p> + "The Comandante will grant Dona Leonora's request," said the secretary, + "if she will answer a question." + </p> + <p> + "What is it?" responded Miss Keene, with inward trepidation. + </p> + <p> + "The Senora Markham is perhaps beloved by the Pirate Perkins?" + </p> + <p> + In spite of her danger, in spite of the uncertain fate hanging over her + party, Miss Keene could with difficulty repress a half hysterical + inclination to laugh. Even then, it escaped in a sudden twinkle of her + eye, which both the Commander and his subordinate were quick to notice, as + she replied demurely, "Perhaps." + </p> + <p> + It was enough for the Commander. A gleam of antique archness and venerable + raillery lit up his murky, tobacco-colored pupils; a spasm of gallantry + crossed the face of the secretary. + </p> + <p> + "Ah—what would you?—it is the way of the world," said the + Commander. "We comprehend. Come!" + </p> + <p> + He led the way across the corridor, and suddenly opened a small barred + door. Whatever preconceived idea Miss Keene may have had of her + unfortunate country-woman immured in a noisome cell, and guarded by a + stern jailer, was quite dissipated by the soft misty sunshine that flowed + in through the open door. The prison of Mrs. Markham was a part of the old + glacis which had been allowed to lapse into a wild garden that stretched + to the edge of the sea. There was a summer-house built on—and partly + from—a crumbling bastion, and here, under the shade of tropical + creepers, the melancholy captive was comfortably writing, with her + portable desk on her knee, and a traveling-bag at her feet. A Saratoga + trunk of obtrusive proportions stood in the centre of the peaceful + vegetation, like a newly raised altar to an unknown deity. The only + suggestion of martial surveillance was an Indian soldier, whose musket, + reposing on the ground near Mrs. Markham, he had exchanged for the rude + mattock with which he was quietly digging. + </p> + <p> + The two women, with a cry of relief, flew into each other's arms. The + Commander and his secretary discreetly retired to an angle of the wall. + </p> + <p> + "I find everything as I left it, my dear, even to my slipper-bag," said + Mrs. Markham. "They've forgotten nothing." + </p> + <p> + "But you are a captive!" said Eleanor. "What does it mean?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothing, my dear. I gave them a piece of my mind," said Mrs. Markham, + looking, however, as if that mental offering had by no means exhausted her + capital, "and I have written six pages to the Governor at Mazatlan, and a + full account to Mr. Markham." + </p> + <p> + "And they won't get them in thirty years!" said Miss Keene impetuously. + "But where is this letter from Senor Perkins. And, for Heaven's sake, tell + me if you had the least suspicion before of anything that has happened." + </p> + <p> + "Not in the least. The man is mad, my dear, and I really believe driven so + by that absurd Illinois woman's poetry. Did you ever see anything so + ridiculous—and shameful, too—as the 'Ulricardo' business? I + don't wonder he colored so." + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene winced with annoyance. Was everybody going crazy, or was there + anything more in this catastrophe that had only enfeebled the minds of her + countrywomen! For here was the severe, strong-minded Mrs. Markham actually + preoccupied, like Mrs. Brimmer, with utterly irrelevant particulars, and + apparently powerless to grasp the fact that they were abandoned on a half + hostile strand, and cut off by half a century from the rest of the world. + </p> + <p> + "As to the letter," said Mrs. Markham, quietly, "there it is. There's + nothing in it that might not have been written by a friend." + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene took the letter. It was written in a delicate, almost feminine + hand. She could not help noticing that in one or two instances corrections + had been made and blots carefully removed with an eraser. + </p> + <p> + "Midnight, on the Excelsior. + </p> + <p> + "MY FRIEND: When you receive this I shall probably be once more on the + bosom of that mysterious and mighty element whose majesty has impressed + us, whose poetry we have loved, and whose moral lessons, I trust, have not + been entirely thrown away upon us. I go to the deliverance of one of those + oppressed nations whose history I have often recited to you, and in whose + destiny you have from time to time expressed a womanly sympathy. While it + is probable, therefore, that my MOTIVES may not be misunderstood by you, + or even other dear friends of the Excelsior, it is by no means impossible + that the celerity and unexpectedness of my ACTION may not be perfectly + appreciated by the careless mind, and may seem to require some + explanation. Let me then briefly say that the idea of debarking your goods + and chattels, and parting from your delightful company at Todos Santos, + only occurred to me on our unexpected—shall I say PROVIDENTIAL?—arrival + at that spot; and the necessity of expedition forbade me either inviting + your cooperation or soliciting your confidence. Human intelligence is + variously constituted—or, to use a more homely phrase, 'many men + have many minds'—and it is not impossible that a premature + disclosure of my plans might have jeopardized that harmony which you know + it has been my desire to promote. It was my original intention to have + landed you at Mazatlan, a place really inferior in climate and natural + attractions to Todo Santos, although, perhaps, more easy of access and + egress; but the presence of an American steamer in the offing would have + invested my enterprise with a certain publicity foreign, I think, to all + our tastes. Taking advantage, therefore, of my knowledge of the peninsular + coast, and the pardonable ignorance of Captain Bunker, I endeavored, + through my faithful subordinates, to reach a less known port, and a coast + rarely frequented by reason of its prevailing fog. Here occurred one of + those dispensations of an overruling power which, dear friend, we have so + often discussed. We fell in with an unknown current, and were guided by a + mysterious hand into the bay of Todos Santos! + </p> + <p> + "You know of my belief in the infinite wisdom and benignity of events; you + have, dear friend, with certain feminine limitations, shared it with me. + Could there have been a more perfect illustration of it than the power + that led us here? On a shore, historic in interest, beautiful in climate, + hospitable in its people, utterly freed from external influences, and + absolutely without a compromising future, you are landed, my dear friend, + with your youthful companions. From the crumbling ruins of a decaying Past + you are called to construct an Arcadia of your own; the rudiments of a new + civilization are within your grasp; the cost of existence is comparatively + trifling; the various sums you have with you, which even in the chaos of + revolution I have succeeded in keeping intact, will more than suffice to + your natural wants for years to come. Were I not already devoted to the + task of freeing Quinquinambo, I should willingly share this Elysium with + you all. But, to use the glowing words of Mrs. M'Corkle, slightly altering + the refrain— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Ah, stay me not! With flying feet + O'er desert sands, I rush to greet + My fate, my love, my life, my sweet + Quinquinambo!' +</pre> + <p> + "I venture to intrust to your care two unpublished manuscripts of that + gifted woman. The dangers that may environ my present mission, the + vicissitudes of battle by sea or land, forbid my imperiling their natural + descent to posterity. You, my dear friend, will preserve them for the ages + to come, occasionally refreshing yourself, from time to time, from that + Parnassian spring. + </p> + <p> + "Adieu! my friend. I look around the familiar cabin, and miss your gentle + faces. I feel as Jason might have felt, alone on the deck of the Argo when + his companions were ashore, except that I know of no Circean influences to + mar their destiny. In examining the state-rooms to see if my orders for + the complete restoration of passengers' property had been carried out, I + allowed myself to look into yours. Lying alone, forgotten and overlooked, + I saw a peculiar jet hair-pin which I think I have observed in the coils + of your tresses. May I venture to keep this gentle instrument as a + reminder of the superior intellect it has so often crowned? Adieu, my + friend. + </p> + <p> + "Ever yours, LEONIDAS BOLIVAR PERKINS." + </p> + <p> + "Well?" said Mrs. Markham impatiently, as Miss Keene remained motionless + with the letter in her hand. + </p> + <p> + "It seems like a ridiculous nightmare! I can't understand it at all. The + man that wrote this letter may be mad—but he is neither a pirate nor + a thief—and yet"— + </p> + <p> + "He a pirate?" echoed Mrs. Markham indignantly; "He's nothing of the kind! + It's not even his FAULT!" + </p> + <p> + "Not his fault?" repeated Miss Keene; "are you mad, too?" + </p> + <p> + "No—nor a fool, my dear! Don't you see? It's all the fault of Banks + and Brimmer for compromising the vessel: of that stupid, drunken captain + for permitting it. Senor Perkins is a liberator, a patriot, who has + periled himself and his country to treat us magnanimously. Don't you see + it? It's like that Banks and that Mrs. Brimmer to call HIM a pirate! I've + a good mind to give the Commander my opinion of THEM." + </p> + <p> + "Hush!" said Miss Keene, with a sudden recollection of the Commander's + suspicions, "for Heaven's sake; you do not know what you are saying. Look! + they were talking with that strange man, and now they are coming this + way." + </p> + <p> + The Commander and his secretary approached them. They were both more than + usually grave; but the look of inquiry and suspicion with which they + regarded the two women was gone from their eyes. + </p> + <p> + "The Senor Comandante says you are free, Senoras, and begs you will only + decide whether you will remain his guests or the guests of the Alcalde. + But for the present he cannot allow you any communication with the + prisoners of San Antonio." + </p> + <p> + "There is further news?" said Miss Keene faintly, with a presentiment of + worse complications. + </p> + <p> + "There is! A body from the Excelsior has been washed on shore." + </p> + <p> + The two women turned pale. + </p> + <p> + "In the pocket of the murdered man is an accusation against one Senor + Hurlstone, who was concealed on the ship; who came not ashore openly with + the other passengers, but who escaped in secret, and is now hiding + somewhere in Todos Santos." + </p> + <p> + "And you suspect him of this infamous act?" said Eleanor, forgetting all + prudence in her indignation. "You are deceiving yourself. He is as + innocent as I am!" + </p> + <p> + The Commander and the secretary smiled sapiently, but gently. + </p> + <p> + "The Senor Comandante believes you, Dona Leonora: the Senor Hurlstone is + innocent of the piracy. He is, of a surety, the leader of the Opposition." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <h3> + IN SANCTUARY. + </h3> + <p> + When James Hurlstone reached the shelter of the shrubbery he leaned + exhaustedly against the adobe wall, and looked back upon the garden he had + just traversed. At its lower extremity a tall hedge of cactus reinforced + the crumbling wall with a cheval de frise of bristling thorns; it was + through a gap in this green barrier that he had found his way a few hours + before, as his torn clothes still testified. At one side ran the low wall + of the Alcalde's casa, a mere line of dark shadow in that strange + diaphanous mist that seemed to suffuse all objects. The gnarled and + twisted branches of pear-trees, gouty with old age, bent so low as to + impede any progress under their formal avenues; out of a tangled labyrinth + of figtrees, here and there a single plume of feathery palm swam in a + drowsy upper radiance. The shrubbery around him, of some unknown variety, + exhaled a faint perfume; he put out his hand to grasp what appeared to be + a young catalpa, and found it the trunk of an enormous passion vine, that, + creeping softly upward, had at last invaded the very belfry of the dim + tower above him; and touching it, his soul seemed to be lifted with it out + of the shadow. + </p> + <p> + The great hush and quiet that had fallen like a benediction on every + sleeping thing around him; the deep and passionless repose that seemed to + drop from the bending boughs of the venerable trees; the cool, restful, + earthy breath of the shadowed mold beneath him, touched only by a faint + jessamine-like perfume as of a dead passion, lulled the hurried beatings + of his heart and calmed the feverish tremor of his limbs. He allowed + himself to sink back against the wall, his hands tightly clasped before + him. Gradually, the set, abstracted look of his eyes faded and became + suffused, as if moistened by that celestial mist. Then he rose quickly, + drew his sleeve hurriedly across his lashes, and began slowly to creep + along the wall again. + </p> + <p> + Either the obscurity of the shrubbery became greater or he was growing + preoccupied; but in steadying himself by the wall he had, without + perceiving it, put his hand upon a rude door that, yielding to his + pressure, opened noiselessly into a dark passage. Without apparent + reflection he entered, followed the passage a few steps until it turned + abruptly; turning with it, he found himself in the body of the Mission + Church of Todos Santos. A swinging-lamp, that burned perpetually before an + effigy of the Virgin Mother, threw a faint light on the single rose-window + behind the high altar; another, suspended in a low archway, apparently lit + the open door of the passage towards the refectory. By the stronger light + of the latter Hurlstone could see the barbaric red and tarnished gold of + the rafters that formed the straight roof. The walls were striped with + equally bizarre coloring, half Moorish and half Indian. A few hangings of + dyed and painted cloths with heavy fringes were disposed on either side of + the chancel, like the flaps of a wigwam; and the aboriginal suggestion was + further repeated in a quantity of colored beads and sea-shells that decked + the communion-rails. The Stations of the Cross, along the walls, were + commemorated by paintings, evidently by a native artist—to suit the + same barbaric taste; while a larger picture of San Francisco d'Assisis, + under the choir, seemed to belong to an older and more artistic + civilization. But the sombre half-light of the two lamps mellowed and + softened the harsh contrast of these details until the whole body of the + church appeared filled with a vague harmonious shadow. The air, heavy with + the odors of past incense, seemed to be a part of that expression, as if + the solemn and sympathetic twilight became palpable in each deep, + long-drawn inspiration. + </p> + <p> + Again overcome by the feeling of repose and peacefulness, Hurlstone sank + upon a rude settle, and bent his head and folded arms over a low railing + before him. How long he sat there, allowing the subtle influence to + transfuse and possess his entire being, he did not know. The faint twitter + of birds suddenly awoke him. Looking up, he perceived that it came from + the vacant square of the tower above him, open to the night and suffused + with its mysterious radiance. In another moment the roof of the church was + swiftly crossed and recrossed with tiny and adventurous wings. The + mysterious light had taken an opaline color. Morning was breaking. + </p> + <p> + The slow rustling of a garment, accompanied by a soft but heavy tread, + sounded from the passage. He started to his feet as the priest, whom he + had seen on the deck of the Excelsior, entered the church from the + refectory. The Padre was alone. At the apparition of a stranger, torn and + disheveled, he stopped involuntarily and cast a hasty look towards the + heavy silver ornaments on the altar. Hurlstone noticed it, and smiled + bitterly. + </p> + <p> + "Don't alarm yourself. I only sought this place for shelter." + </p> + <p> + He spoke in French—the language he had heard Padre Esteban address + to Mrs. Brimmer. But the priest's quick eye had already detected his own + mistake. He lifted his hand with a sublime gesture towards the altar, and + said,— + </p> + <p> + "You are right! Where should you seek shelter but here?" + </p> + <p> + The reply was so unexpected that Hurlstone was silent. His lips quivered + slightly. + </p> + <p> + "And if it were SANCTUARY I was seeking?" he said. + </p> + <p> + "You would first tell me why you sought it," said Padre Esteban gently. + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone looked at him irresolutely for a moment and then said, with the + hopeless desperation of a man anxious to anticipate his fate,— + </p> + <p> + "I am a passenger on the ship you boarded yesterday. I came ashore with + the intention of concealing myself somewhere here until she had sailed. + When I tell you that I am not a fugitive from justice, that I have + committed no offense against the ship or her passengers, nor have I any + intention of doing so, but that I only wish concealment from their + knowledge for twenty-four hours, you will know enough to understand that + you run no risk in giving me assistance. I can tell you no more." + </p> + <p> + "I did not see you with the other passengers, either on the ship or + ashore," said the priest. "How did you come here?" + </p> + <p> + "I swam ashore before they left. I did not know they had any idea of + landing here; I expected to be the only one, and there would have been no + need for concealment then. But I am not lucky," he added, with a bitter + laugh. + </p> + <p> + The priest glanced at his garments, which bore the traces of the sea, but + remained silent. + </p> + <p> + "Do you think I am lying?" + </p> + <p> + The old priest lifted his head with a gesture. + </p> + <p> + "Not to me—but to God!" + </p> + <p> + The young man followed the gesture, and glanced around the barbaric church + with a slight look of scorn. But the profound isolation, the mystic + seclusion, and, above all, the complete obliteration of that world and + civilization he shrank from and despised, again subdued and overcame his + rebellious spirit. He lifted his eyes to the priest. + </p> + <p> + "Nor to God," he said gravely. + </p> + <p> + "Then why withhold anything from Him here?" said the priest gently. + </p> + <p> + "I am not a Catholic—I do not believe in confession," said Hurlstone + doggedly, turning aside. + </p> + <p> + But Padre Esteban laid his large brown hand on the young man's shoulder. + Touched by some occult suggestion in its soft contact, he sank again into + his seat. + </p> + <p> + "Yet you ask for the sanctuary of His house—a sanctuary bought by + that contrition whose first expression is the bared and open soul! To the + first worldly shelter you sought—the peon's hut or the Alcalde's + casa—you would have thought it necessary to bring a story. You would + not conceal from the physician whom you asked for balsam either the wound, + the symptoms, or the cause? Enough," he said kindly, as Hurlstone was + about to reply. "You shall have your request. You shall stay here. I will + be your physician, and will salve your wounds; if any poison I know not of + rankle there, you will not blame me, son, but perhaps you will assist me + to find it. I will give you a secluded cell in the dormitory until the + ship has sailed. And then"— + </p> + <p> + He dropped quietly on the settle, took the young man's hand paternally in + his own, and gazed into his eyes as if he read his soul. + </p> + <p> + And then . . . Ah, yes . . . What then? Hurlstone glanced once more around + him. He thought of the quiet night; of the great peace that had fallen + upon him since he had entered the garden, and the promise of a greater + peace that seemed to breathe with the incense from those venerable walls. + He thought of that crumbling barrier, that even in its ruin seemed to shut + out, more completely than anything he had conceived, his bitter past, and + the bitter world that recalled it. He thought of the long days to come, + when, forgetting and forgotten, he might find a new life among these + simple aliens, themselves forgotten by the world. He had thought of this + once before in the garden; it occurred to him again in this Lethe-like + oblivion of the little church, in the kindly pressure of the priest's + hand. The ornaments no longer looked uncouth and barbaric—rather + they seemed full of some new spiritual significance. He suddenly lifted + his eyes to Padre Esteban, and, half rising to his feet, said,— + </p> + <p> + "Are we alone?" + </p> + <p> + "We are; it is a half-hour yet before mass," said the priest. + </p> + <p> + "My story will not last so long," said the young man hurriedly, as if + fearing to change his mind. "Hear me, then—it is no crime nor + offense to any one; more than that, it concerns no one but myself—it + is of"— + </p> + <p> + "A woman," said the priest softly. "So! we will sit down, my son." + </p> + <p> + He lifted his hand with a soothing gesture—the movement of a + physician who has just arrived at an easy diagnosis of certain uneasy + symptoms. There was also a slight suggestion of an habitual toleration, as + if even the seclusion of Todos Santos had not been entirely free from the + invasion of the primal passion. + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone waited for an instant, but then went on rapidly. + </p> + <p> + "It is of a woman, who has cursed my life, blasted my prospects, and + ruined my youth; a woman who gained my early affection only to blight and + wither it; a woman who should be nearer to me and dearer than all else, + and yet who is further than the uttermost depths of hell from me in + sympathy or feeling; a woman that I should cleave to, but from whom I have + been flying, ready to face shame, disgrace, oblivion, even that death + which alone can part us: for that woman is—my wife." + </p> + <p> + He stopped, out of breath, with fixed eyes and a rigid mouth. Father + Esteban drew a snuff-box from his pocket, and a large handkerchief. After + blowing his nose violently, he took a pinch of snuff, wiped his lip, and + replaced the box. + </p> + <p> + "A bad habit, my son," he said apologetically, "but an old man's weakness. + Go on." + </p> + <p> + "I met her first five years ago—the wife of another man. Don't + misjudge me, it was no lawless passion; it was a friendship, I believed, + due to her intellectual qualities as much as to her womanly fascinations; + for I was a young student, lodging in the same house with her, in an + academic town. Before I ever spoke to her of love, she had confided to me + her own unhappiness—the uncongeniality of her married life, the + harshness, and even brutality, of her husband. Even a man less in love + than I was could have seen the truth of this—the contrast of the + coarse, sensual, and vulgar man with an apparently refined and intelligent + woman; but any one else except myself would have suspected that such a + union was not merely a sacrifice of the woman. I believed her. It was not + until long afterwards that I learned that her marriage had been a + condonation of her youthful errors by a complaisant bridegroom; that her + character had been saved by a union that was a mutual concession. But I + loved her madly; and when she finally got a divorce from her uncongenial + husband, I believed it less an expression of her love for me than an act + of justice. I did not know at the time that they had arranged the divorce + together, as they had arranged their marriage, by equal concessions. + </p> + <p> + "I was the only son of a widowed mother, whose instincts were from the + first opposed to my friendship with this woman, and what she prophetically + felt would be its result. Unfortunately, both she and my friends were + foolish enough to avow their belief that the divorce was obtained solely + with a view of securing me as a successor; and it was this argument more + than any other that convinced me of my duty to protect her. Enough, I + married, not only in spite of all opposition—but BECAUSE of it. + </p> + <p> + "My mother would have reconciled herself to the marriage, but my wife + never forgave the opposition, and, by some hellish instinct divining that + her power over me might be weakened by maternal influence, precipitated a + quarrel which forever separated us. With the little capital left by my + father, divided between my mother and myself, I took my wife to a western + city. Our small income speedily dwindled under the debts of her former + husband, which she had assumed to purchase her freedom. I endeavored to + utilize a good education and some accomplishments in music and the + languages by giving lessons and by contributing to the press. In this my + wife first made a show of assisting me, but I was not long in discovering + that her intelligence was superficial and shallow, and that the audacity + of expression, which I had believed to be originality of conviction, was + simply shamelessness, and a desire for notoriety. She had a facility in + writing sentimental poetry, which had been efficacious in her matrimonial + confidences, but which editors of magazines and newspapers found to be + shallow and insincere. To my astonishment, she remained unaffected by + this, as she was equally impervious to the slights and sneers that + continually met us in society. At last the inability to pay one of her + former husband's claims brought to me a threat and an anonymous letter. I + laid them before her, when a scene ensued which revealed the blindness of + my folly in all its hideous hopelessness: she accused me of complicity in + her divorce, and deception in regard to my own fortune. In a speech, whose + language was a horrible revelation of her early habits, she offered to + arrange a divorce from me as she had from her former husband. She gave as + a reason her preference for another, and her belief that the scandal of a + suit would lend her a certain advertisement and prestige. It was a + combination of Messalina and Mrs. Jarley"— + </p> + <p> + "Pardon! I remember not a Madame Jarley," said the priest. + </p> + <p> + "Of viciousness and commercial calculation," continued Hurlstone + hurriedly. "I don't remember what happened; she swore that I struck her! + Perhaps—God knows! But she failed, even before a western jury, to + convict me of cruelty. The judge that thought me half insane would not + believe me brutal, and her application for divorce was lost. + </p> + <p> + "I need not tell you that the same friends who had opposed my marriage now + came forward to implore me to allow her to break our chains. I refused. I + swear to you it was from no lingering love for her, for her presence drove + me mad; it was from no instinct of revenge or jealousy, for I should have + welcomed the man who would have taken her out of my life and memory. But I + could not bear the idea of taking her first husband's place in her hideous + comedy; I could not purchase my freedom at that price—at any price. + I was told that I could get a divorce against HER, and stand forth before + the world untrammeled and unstained. But I could not stand before MYSELF + in such an attitude. I knew that the shackles I had deliberately forged + could not be loosened except by death. I knew that the stains of her would + cling to me and become a part of my own sin, even as the sea I plunged + into yesterday to escape her, though it has dried upon me, has left its + bitter salt behind. + </p> + <p> + "When she knew my resolve, she took her revenge by dragging my name + through the successive levels to which she descended. Under the plea that + the hardly-earned sum I gave to her maintenance apart from me was not + sufficient, she utilized her undoubted beauty and more doubtful talent in + amateur entertainments—and, finally, on the stage. She was openly + accompanied by her lover, who acted as her agent, in the hope of goading + me to a divorce. Suddenly she disappeared. I thought she had forgotten me. + I obtained an honorable position in New York. One night I entered a + theater devoted to burlesque opera and the exhibition of a popular + actress, known as the Western Thalia, whose beautiful and audaciously + draped figure was the talk of the town. I recognized my wife in this star + of nudity; more than that, she recognized me. The next day, in addition to + the usual notice, the real name of the actress was given in the morning + papers, with a sympathizing account of her romantic and unfortunate + marriage. I renounced my position, and, taking advantage of an offer from + an old friend in California, resolved to join him secretly there. My + mother had died broken-hearted; I was alone in the world. But my wife + discovered my intention; and when I reached Callao, I heard that she had + followed me, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and that probably she would + anticipate me in Mazatlan, where we were to stop. The thought of suicide + haunted me during the rest of that horrible voyage; only my belief that + she would make it appear as a tacit confession of my guilt saved me from + that last act of weakness." + </p> + <p> + He stopped and shuddered. Padre Esteban again laid his hand softly upon + him. + </p> + <p> + "It was God who spared you that sacrifice of soul and body," he said + gently. + </p> + <p> + "I thought it was God that suggested to me to take the SIMULATION of that + act the means of separating myself from her forever. When we neared + Mazatlan, I conceived the idea of hiding myself in the hold of the + Excelsior until she had left that port, in the hope that it would be + believed that I had fallen overboard. I succeeded in secreting myself, but + was discovered at the same time that the unexpected change in the ship's + destination rendered concealment unnecessary. As we did not put in at + Mazatlan, nobody suspected my discovery in the hold to be anything but the + accident that I gave it out to be. I felt myself saved the confrontation + of the woman at Mazatlan; but I knew she would pursue me to San Francisco. + </p> + <p> + "The strange dispensation of Providence that brought us into this unknown + port gave me another hope of escape and oblivion. While you and the + Commander were boarding the Excelsior, I slipped from the cabin-window + into the water; I was a good swimmer, and reached the shore in safety. I + concealed myself in the ditch of the Presidio until I saw the passengers' + boats returning with them, when I sought the safer shelter of this + Mission. I made my way through a gap in the hedge and lay under your + olive-trees, hearing the voices of my companions, beyond the walls, till + past midnight. I then groped my way along the avenue of pear-trees till I + came to another wall, and a door that opened to my accidental touch. I + entered, and found myself here. You know the rest." + </p> + <p> + He had spoken with the rapid and unpent fluency of a man who cared more to + relieve himself of an oppressive burden than to impress his auditor; yet + the restriction of a foreign tongue had checked repetition or verbosity. + Without imagination he had been eloquent; without hopefulness he had been + convincing. Father Esteban rose, holding both his hands. + </p> + <p> + "My son, in the sanctuary which you have claimed there is no divorce. The + woman who has ruined your life could not be your wife. As long as her + first husband lives, she is forever his wife, bound by a tie which no + human law can sever!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <h3> + AN OPEN-AIR PRISON. + </h3> + <p> + An hour after mass Father Esteban had quietly installed Hurlstone in a + small cell-like apartment off the refectory. The household of the priest + consisted of an old Indian woman of fabulous age and miraculous propriety, + two Indian boys who served at mass, a gardener, and a muleteer. The first + three, who were immediately in attendance upon the priest, were cognizant + of a stranger's presence, but, under instructions from the reverend Padre, + were loyally and superstitiously silent; the vocations of the gardener and + muleteer made any intrusion from them impossible. A breakfast of fruit, + tortillas, chocolate, and red wine, of which Hurlstone partook sparingly + and only to please his entertainer, nevertheless seemed to restore his + strength, as it did the Padre's equanimity. For the old man had been + somewhat agitated during mass, and, except that his early morning + congregation was mainly composed of Indians, muleteers, and small venders, + his abstraction would have been noticed. With ready tact he had not + attempted, by further questioning, to break the taciturnity into which + Hurlstone had relapsed after his emotional confession and the priest's + abrupt half-absolution. Was it possible he regretted his confidence, or + was it possible that his first free and untrammeled expression of his + wrongs had left him with a haunting doubt of their real magnitude? + </p> + <p> + "Lie down here, my son," said the old ecclesiastic, pointing to a small + pallet in the corner, "and try to restore in the morning what you have + taken from the night. Manuela will bring your clothes when they are dried + and mended; meantime, shift for yourself in Pepito's serape and calzas. I + will betake me to the Comandante and the Alcalde, to learn the + dispositions of your party, when the ship will sail, and if your absence + is suspected. Peace be with you, son! Manuela, attend to the caballero, + and see you chatter not." + </p> + <p> + Without doubting the substantial truth of his guest's story, the good + Padre Esteban was not unwilling to have it corroborated by such details as + he thought he could collect among the Excelsior's passengers. His own + experience in the confessional had taught him the unreliability of human + evidence, and the vagaries of both conscientious and unconscious + suppression. That a young, good-looking, and accomplished caballero should + have been the victim of not one, but even many, erotic episodes, did not + strike the holy father as being peculiar; but that he should have been + brought by a solitary unfortunate attachment to despair and renunciation + of the world appeared to him marvelous. He was not unfamiliar with the + remorse of certain gallants for peccadillos with other men's wives; but + this Americano's self-abasement for the sins of his own wife—as he + foolishly claimed her to be—whom he hated and despised, struck + Father Esteban as a miracle open to suspicion. Was there anything else in + these somewhat commonplace details of vulgar and low intrigue than what he + had told the priest? Were all these Americano husbands as sensitive and as + gloomily self-sacrificing and expiating? It did not appear so from the + manners and customs of the others,—from those easy matrons whose + complacent husbands had abandoned them to the long companionship of + youthful cavaliers on adventurous voyages; from those audacious virgins, + who had the freedom of married women. Surely, this was not a pious and + sensitive race, passionately devoted to their domestic affections! The + young stranger must be either deceiving him—or an exception to his + countrymen! + </p> + <p> + And if he was that exception—what then? An idea which had sprung up + in Father Esteban's fancy that morning now took possession of it with the + tenacity of a growth on fertile virgin soil. The good Father had been + devoted to the conversion of the heathen with the fervor of a one-ideaed + man. But his successes had been among the Indians—a guileless, + harmless race, who too often confounded the practical benefits of + civilization with the abstract benefits of the Church, and their + instruction had been simple and coercive. There had been no necessity for + argument or controversy; the worthy priest's skill in polemical warfare + and disputation had never been brought into play; the Comandante and + Alcalde were as punctiliously orthodox as himself, and the small traders + and artisans were hopelessly docile and submissive. The march of science, + which had been stopped by the local fogs of Todos Santos some fifty years, + had not disturbed the simple Aesculapius of the province with heterodox + theories: he still purged and bled like Sangrado, and met the priest at + the deathbed of his victims with a pious satisfaction that had no trace of + skeptical contention. In fact, the gentle Mission of Todos Santos had + hitherto presented no field for the good Father's exalted ambition, nor + the display of his powers as a zealot. And here was a splendid + opportunity. + </p> + <p> + The conversion of this dark, impulsive, hysterical stranger would be a + gain to the fold, and a triumph worthy of his steel. More than that, if he + had judged correctly of this young man's mind and temperament, they seemed + to contain those elements of courage and sacrificial devotion that + indicated the missionary priesthood. With such a subaltern, what might not + he, Father Esteban, accomplish! Looking further into the future, what a + glorious successor might be left to his unfinished work on Todos Santos! + </p> + <p> + Buried in these reflections, Padre Esteban sauntered leisurely up the + garden, that gradually ascended the slight elevation on which the greater + part of the pueblo was built. Through a low gateway in the wall he passed + on to the crest of the one straggling street of Todos Santos. On either + side of him were ranged the low one-storied, deep-windowed adobe fondas + and artisans' dwellings, with low-pitched roofs of dull red pipe-like + tiles. Absorbed in his fanciful dreams, he did not at first notice that + those dwellings appeared deserted, and that even the Posada opposite him, + whose courtyard was usually filled with lounging muleteers, was empty and + abandoned. Looking down the street towards the plaza, he became presently + aware of some undefined stirring in the peaceful hamlet. There was an + unusual throng in the square, and afar on that placid surface of the bay + from which the fog had lifted, the two or three fishing-boats of Todos + Santos were vaguely pulling. But the strange ship was gone. + </p> + <p> + A feeling of intense relief and satisfaction followed. Father Esteban + pulled out his snuff-box and took a long and complacent pinch. But his + relief was quickly changed to consternation as an armed cavalcade rapidly + wheeled out of the plaza and cantered towards him, with the unmistakable + spectacle of the male passengers of the Excelsior riding two and two, and + guarded by double files of dragoons on each side. + </p> + <p> + At a sign from the priest the subaltern reined in his mustang, halted the + convoy, and saluted respectfully, to the astonishment of the prisoners. + The clerical authority of Todos Santos evidently dominated the military. + Renewed hope sprang up in the hearts of the Excelsior party. + </p> + <p> + "What have we here?" asked Padre Esteban. + </p> + <p> + "A revolution, your Reverence, among the Americanos, with robbery of the + Presidio saluting-gun; a grave affair. Your Reverence has been sent for by + the Comandante. I am taking these men to San Antonio to await the decision + of the Council." + </p> + <p> + "And the ship?" + </p> + <p> + "Gone, your Reverence. One of the parties has captured it." + </p> + <p> + "And these?" + </p> + <p> + "Are the Legitimists, your Reverence: at least they have confessed to have + warred with Mexico, and invaded California—the brigands." + </p> + <p> + The priest remained lost for a moment in blank and bitter amazement. Banks + took advantage of the pause to edge his way to the front. + </p> + <p> + "Ask him, some of you," he said, turning to Brace and Crosby, "when this d——d + farce will be over, and where we can find the head man—the boss + idiot of this foolery." + </p> + <p> + "Let him put it milder," whispered Winslow. "You got us into trouble + enough with your tongue already." + </p> + <p> + Crosby hesitated a moment. + </p> + <p> + "Quand finira ce drole representation?—et—et—qui est ce + qui est l'entrepreneur?" he said dubiously. + </p> + <p> + The priest stared. These Americans were surely cooler and less excitable + than his strange guest. A thought struck him. + </p> + <p> + "How many are still in the ship?" he asked gently. + </p> + <p> + "Nobody but Perkins and that piratical crew of niggers." + </p> + <p> + "And that infernal Hurlstone," added Winslow. + </p> + <p> + The priest pricked up his ears. + </p> + <p> + "Hurlstone?" he repeated. + </p> + <p> + "Yes—a passenger like ourselves, as we supposed. But we are + satisfied now he was in the conspiracy from the beginning," translated + Crosby painfully. + </p> + <p> + "Look at his strange disappearance—a regular put-up job," broke in + Brace, in English, without reference to the Padre's not comprehending him; + "so that he and Perkins could shut themselves up together without + suspicion." + </p> + <p> + "Never mind Hurlstone now; he's GONE, and we're HERE," said Banks angrily. + "Ask the parson, as a gentleman and a Christian, what sort of a hole we've + got into, anyhow. How far is the next settlement?" + </p> + <p> + Crosby put the question. The subaltern lit a cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "There is no next settlement. The pueblo ends at San Antonio." + </p> + <p> + "And what's beyond that?" + </p> + <p> + "The ocean." + </p> + <p> + "And what's south?" + </p> + <p> + "The desert—one cannot pass it." + </p> + <p> + "And north?" + </p> + <p> + "The desert." + </p> + <p> + "And east?" + </p> + <p> + "The desert too." + </p> + <p> + "Then how do you get away from here?" + </p> + <p> + "We do not get away." + </p> + <p> + "And how do you communicate with Mexico—with your Government?" + </p> + <p> + "When a ship comes." + </p> + <p> + "And when does a ship come?" + </p> + <p> + "Quien sabe?" + </p> + <p> + The officer threw away his cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "I say, you'll tell the Commander that all this is illegal; and that I'm + going to complain to our Government," continued Banks hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + "I go to speak to the Comandante," responded the priest gravely. + </p> + <p> + "And tell him that if he touches a hair of the ladies' heads we'll have + his own scalp," interrupted Brace impetuously. + </p> + <p> + Even Crosby's diplomatic modification of this speech did not appear + entirely successful. + </p> + <p> + "The Mexican soldier wars not with women," said the priest coldly. "Adieu, + messieurs!" + </p> + <p> + The cavalcade moved on. The Excelsior passengers at once resumed their + chorus of complaint, tirade, and aggressive suggestion, heedless of the + soldiers who rode stolidly on each side. + </p> + <p> + "To think we haven't got a single revolver among us," said Brace + despairingly. + </p> + <p> + "We might each grab a carbine from these nigger fellows," said Crosby, + eying them contemplatively. + </p> + <p> + "And if they didn't burst, and we weren't shot by the next patrol, and if + we'd calculated to be mean enough to run away from the women—where + would we escape to?" asked Banks curtly. "Hold on at least until we get an + ultimatum from that commodious ass at the Presidio! Then we'll anticipate + the fool-killer, if you like. My opinion is, they aren't in any great + hurry to try ANYTHING on us just yet." + </p> + <p> + "And I say, lie low and keep dark until they show their hand," added + Winslow, who had no relish for an indiscriminate scrimmage, and had his + own ideas of placating their captors. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, by degrees they fell into a silence, partly the effect of + the strangely enervating air. The fog had completely risen from the + landscape, and hung high in mid-air, through which an intense sun, shorn + of its fierceness, diffused a lambent warmth, and a yellowish, unctuous + light, as if it had passed through amber. The bay gleamed clearly and + distinctly; not a shadow flecked its surface to the gray impenetrable + rampart of fog that stretched like a granite wall before its entrance. On + one side of the narrow road billows of monstrous grain undulated to the + crest of the low hills, that looked like larger undulations of the soil, + furrowed by bosky canadas or shining arroyos. Banks was startled into a + burst of professional admiration. + </p> + <p> + "There's enough grain there to feed a thousand Todos Santos; and raised, + too, with tools like that," he continued, pointing to a primitive plow + that lay on the wayside, formed by a single forked root. A passing + ox-cart, whose creaking wheels were made of a solid circle of wood, + apparently sawn from an ordinary log, again plunged him into cogitation. + Here and there little areas of the rudest cultivation broke into a + luxuriousness of orange, lime, and fig trees. The joyous earth at the + slightest provocation seemed to smile and dimple with fruit and flowers. + Everywhere the rare beatitudes of Todos Santos revealed and repeated its + simple story. The fructifying influence of earth and sky; the intervention + of a vaporous veil between a fiery sun and fiery soil; the combination of + heat and moisture, purified of feverish exhalations, and made sweet and + wholesome by the saline breath of the mighty sea, had been the beneficent + legacy of their isolation, the munificent compensation of their oblivion. + </p> + <p> + A gradual and gentle ascent at the end of two hours brought the cavalcade + to a halt upon a rugged upland with semi-tropical shrubbery, and here and + there larger trees from the tierra templada in the evergreens or madrono. + A few low huts and corrals, and a rambling hacienda, were scattered along + the crest, and in the midst arose a little votive chapel, flanked by + pear-trees. Near the roadside were the crumbling edges of some + long-forgotten excavation. Crosby gazed at it curiously. Touching the arm + of the officer, he pointed to it. + </p> + <p> + "Una mina de plata," said the officer sententiously. + </p> + <p> + "A mine of some kind—silver, I bet!" said Crosby, turning to the + others. "Is it good—bueno—you know?" he continued to the + officer, with vague gesticulations. + </p> + <p> + "En tiempos pasados," returned the officer gravely. + </p> + <p> + "I wonder what that means?" said Winslow. + </p> + <p> + But before Crosby could question further, the subaltern signaled to them + to dismount. They did so, and their horses were led away to a little + declivity, whence came the sound of running water. Left to themselves, the + Americans looked around them. The cavalcade seemed to have halted near the + edge of a precipitous ridge, the evident termination of the road. But the + view that here met their eyes was unexpected and startling. + </p> + <p> + The plateau on which they stood seemed to drop suddenly away, leaving them + on the rocky shore of a monotonous and far-stretching sea of waste and + glittering sand. Not a vestige nor trace of vegetation could be seen, + except an occasional ridge of straggling pallid bushes, raised in hideous + simulation of the broken crest of a ghostly wave. On either side, as far + as the eye could reach, the hollow empty vision extended—the + interminable desert stretched and panted before them. + </p> + <p> + "It's the jumping-off place, I reckon," said Crosby, "and they've brought + us here to show us how small is our chance of getting away. But," he + added, turning towards the plateau again, "what are they doing now? 'Pon + my soul! I believe they're going off—and leaving us." + </p> + <p> + The others turned as he spoke. It was true. The dragoons were coolly + galloping off the way they came, taking with them the horses the Americans + had just ridden. + </p> + <p> + "I call that cool," said Crosby. "It looks deuced like as if we were to be + left here to graze, like cattle." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps that's their idea of a prison in this country," said Banks. + "There's certainly no chance of our breaking jail in that direction," he + added, pointing to the desert; "and we can't follow them without horses." + </p> + <p> + "And I dare say they've guarded the pass in the road lower down," said + Winslow. + </p> + <p> + "We ought to be able to hold our own here until night," said Brace, "and + then make a dash into Todos Santos, get hold of some arms, and join the + ladies." + </p> + <p> + "The women are all right," said Crosby impatiently, "and are better + treated than if we were with them. Suppose, instead of maundering over + them, we reconnoitre and see what WE can do here. I'm getting devilishly + hungry; they can't mean to starve us, and if they do, I don't intend to be + starved as long as there is anything to be had by buying or stealing. Come + along. There's sure to be fruit near that old chapel, and I saw some + chickens in the bush near those huts. First, let's see if there's any one + about. I don't see a soul." + </p> + <p> + The little plateau, indeed, seemed deserted. In vain they shouted; their + voices were lost in the echoless air. They examined one by one the few + thatched huts: they were open, contained one or two rude articles of + furniture—a bed, a bench, and table—were scrupulously clean—and + empty. They next inspected the chapel; it was tawdry and barbaric in + ornament, but the candlesticks and crucifix and the basin for holy water + were of heavily beaten silver. The same thought crossed their minds—the + abandoned mine at the roadside! + </p> + <p> + Bananas, oranges, and prickly-pears growing within the cactus-hedge of the + chapel partly mollified their thirst and hunger, and they turned their + steps towards the long, rambling, barrack-looking building, with its low + windows and red-tiled roof, which they had first noticed. Here, too, the + tenement was deserted and abandoned; but there was evidence of some + previous and more ambitious preparation: in a long dormitory off the + corridor a number of scrupulously clean beds were ranged against the + whitewashed walls, with spotless benches and tables. To the complete + astonishment and bewilderment of the party another room, fitted up as a + kitchen, with the simpler appliances of housekeeping, revealed a larder + filled with provisions and meal. A shout from Winslow, who had penetrated + the inner courtyard, however, drew them to a more remarkable spectacle. + Their luggage and effects from the cabins of the Excelsior were there, + carefully piled in the antique ox-cart that had evidently that morning + brought them from Todos Santos! + </p> + <p> + "There's no mistake," said Brace, with a relieved look, after a hurried + survey of the trunks. "They have only brought our baggage. The ladies have + evidently had the opportunity of selecting their own things." + </p> + <p> + "Crosby told you they'd be all right," said Banks; "and as for ourselves, + I don't see why we can't be pretty comfortable here, and all the better + for our being alone. I shall take an opportunity of looking around a bit. + It strikes me that there are some resources in this country that might pay + to develop." + </p> + <p> + "And I shall have a look at that played-out mine," said Crosby; "if it's + been worked as they work the land, they've left about as much in it as + they've taken out." + </p> + <p> + "That's all well enough," said Brace, drawing a dull vermilion-colored + stone from his pocket; "but here's something I picked up just now that + ain't 'played out,' nor even the value of it suspected by those fellows. + That's cinnabar—quicksilver ore—and a big per cent. of it too; + and if there's as much of it here as the indications show, you could buy + up all your SILVER mines in the country with it." + </p> + <p> + "If I were you, I'd put up a notice on a post somewhere, as they do in + California, and claim discovery," said Banks seriously. "There's no + knowing how this thing may end. We may not get away from here for some + time yet, and if the Government will sell the place cheap, it wouldn't be + a bad spec' to buy it. Form a kind of 'Excelsior Company' among ourselves, + you know, and go shares." + </p> + <p> + The four men looked earnestly at each other. Already the lost Excelsior + and her mutinous crew were forgotten; even the incidents of the morning—their + arrest, the uncertainty of their fate, and the fact that they were in the + hands of a hostile community—appeared but as trivial preliminaries + to the new life that opened before them! They suddenly became graver than + they had ever been—even in the moment of peril. + </p> + <p> + "I don't see why we shouldn't," said Brace quickly. "We started out to do + that sort of thing in California, and I reckon if we'd found such a spot + as this on the Sacramento or American River we'd have been content. We can + take turns at housekeeping, prospect a little, and enter into negotiations + with the Government. I'm for offering them a fair sum for this ridge and + all it contains at once." + </p> + <p> + "The only thing against that," said Crosby slowly, "is the probability + that it is already devoted to some other use by the Government. Ever since + we've been here I've been thinking—I don't know why—that we've + been put in a sort of quarantine. The desertion of the place, the half + hospital arrangements of this building, and the means they have taken to + isolate us from themselves, must mean something. I've read somewhere that + in these out-of-the-way spots in the tropics they have a place where they + put the fellows with malarious or contagious diseases. I don't want to + frighten you boys: but I've an idea that we're in a sort of lazaretto, and + the people outside won't trouble us often." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <h3> + TODOS SANTOS SOLVES THE MYSTERY. + </h3> + <p> + Notwithstanding his promise, and the summons of the Council, Father + Esteban, on parting with the Excelsior prisoners in the San Antonio Road, + did not proceed immediately to the presence of the Comandante. Partly + anxious to inform himself more thoroughly regarding Hurlstone's + antecedents before entering upon legislative functions that might concern + him, partly uneasy at Brace's allusion to any possible ungentleness in the + treatment of the fair Americanas, and partly apprehensive that Mrs. + Brimmer might seek him at the Mission in the present emergency, the good + Father turned his steps towards the Alcalde's house. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Brimmer, in a becoming morning wrapper, half reclining in an Indian + hammock in the corridor, supported by Miss Chubb, started at his approach. + So did the young Alcalde, sympathetically seated at her side. Padre + Esteban for an instant was himself embarrassed; Mrs. Brimmer quickly + recovered her usual bewildering naivete. + </p> + <p> + "I knew you would come; but if you hadn't, I should have mustered courage + enough to go with Miss Chubb to find you at the Mission," she said, half + coquettishly. "Not but that Don Ramon has been all kindness and + consideration, but you know one always clings to one's spiritual adviser + in such an emergency; and although there are differences of opinion + between us, I think I may speak to you as freely as I would speak to my + dear friend Dr. Potts, of Trinity Chapel. Of course you don't know HIM; + but you couldn't have helped liking him, he's so gentle, so tactful, so + refined! But do tell me the fullest particulars of this terrible calamity + that has happened so awkwardly. Tell me all! I fear that Don Ramon, out of + kindness, has not told me everything. I have been perfectly frank, I told + him everything—who I am, who Mr. Brimmer is, and given him even the + connections of my friend Miss Chubb. I can do no more; but you will surely + have no difficulty in finding some one in Todos Santos who has heard of + the Quincys and Brimmers. I've no doubt that there are books in your + library that mention them. Of course I can say nothing of the other + passengers, except that Mr. Brimmer would not have probably permitted me + to associate with any notorious persons. I confess now—I think I + told you once before, Clarissa—that I greatly doubted Captain + Bunker's ability"— + </p> + <p> + "Ah," murmured Don Ramon. + </p> + <p> + "—To make a social selection," continued Mrs. Brimmer. "He may have + been a good sailor, and boxed his compass, but he lacked a knowledge of + the world. Of the other passengers I can truly say I know nothing; I + cannot think that Mr. Crosby's sense of humor led him into bad + associations, or that he ever went beyond verbal impropriety. Certainly + nothing in Miss Keene's character has led me to believe she could so far + forget what was due to herself and to us as to address a lawless mob in + the streets as she did just now; although her friend Mrs. Markham, as I + just told Don Ramon, is an advocate of Women's Rights and Female Suffrage, + and I believe she contemplates addressing the public from the lecturer's + platform." + </p> + <p> + "It isn't possible!" interrupted Don Ramon excitedly, in mingled horror of + the masculinely rampant Mrs. Markham and admiration of the fascinatingly + feminine Mrs. Brimmer; "a lady cannot be an orator—a haranguer of + men!" + </p> + <p> + "Not in society," responded Mrs. Brimmer, with a sigh, "and I do not + remember to have met the lady before. The fact is, she does not move in + our circle—in the upper classes." + </p> + <p> + The Alcalde exchanged a glance with the Padre. + </p> + <p> + "Ah! you have classes? and she is of a distinct class, perhaps?" + </p> + <p> + "Decidedly," said Mrs. Brimmer promptly. + </p> + <p> + "Pardon me," said Padre Esteban, with gentle persuasiveness, "but you are + speaking of your fellow-passengers. Know you not, then, of one Hurlstone, + who is believed to be still in the ship Excelsior, and perhaps of the + party who seized it?" + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Hurlstone?—it is possible; but I know really nothing of him," + said Mrs. Brimmer carelessly. "I don't think Clarissa did, either—did + you, dear? Even in our enforced companionship we had to use some reserve, + and we may have drawn the line at him! He was a friend of Miss Keene's; + indeed, she was the only one who seemed to know him." + </p> + <p> + "And she is now here?" asked the Padre eagerly. + </p> + <p> + "No. She is with her friend the Senora Markham, at the Presidio. The + Comandante has given her the disposition of his house," said Don Ramon, + with a glance of grave archness at Mrs. Brimmer; "it is not known which is + the most favored, the eloquent orator or the beautiful and daring leader!" + </p> + <p> + "Mrs. Markham is a married woman," said Mrs. Brimmer severely, "and, of + course, she can do as she pleases; but it is far different with Miss + Keene. I should scarcely consider it proper to expose Miss Chubb to the + hospitality of a single man, without other women, and I cannot understand + how she could leave the companionship and protection of your lovely + sisters." + </p> + <p> + The priest here rose, and, with formal politeness, excused himself, urging + the peremptory summons of the Council. + </p> + <p> + "I scarcely expected, indeed, to have had the pleasure of seeing my + colleague here," he added with quiet suavity, turning to the Alcalde. + </p> + <p> + "I have already expressed my views to the Comandante," said the official, + with some embarrassment, "and my attendance will hardly be required." + </p> + <p> + The occasional misleading phosphorescence of Mrs. Brimmer's quiet eyes, + early alluded to in these pages, did not escape Father Esteban's quick + perception at that moment; however, he preferred to leave his companion to + follow its aberrations rather than to permit that fair ignis fatuus to + light him on his way by it. + </p> + <p> + "But my visit to you, Father Esteban," she began sweetly, "is only + postponed." + </p> + <p> + "Until I have the pleasure of anticipating it here," said the priest, with + paternal politeness bending before the two ladies; "but for the present, + au revoir!" + </p> + <p> + "It would be an easy victory to win this discreetly emotional Americana to + the Church," said Father Esteban to himself, as he crossed the plaza; + "but, if I mistake not, she would not cease to be a disturbing element + even there. However, she is not such as would give this Hurlstone any + trouble. It seems I must look elsewhere for the brains of this party, and + to find a solution of this young man's mystery; and, if I judge correctly, + it is with this beautiful young agitator of revolutions and her oratorical + duenna I must deal." + </p> + <p> + He entered the low gateway of the Presidio unchallenged, and even + traversed the courtyard without meeting a soul. The guard and sentries had + evidently withdrawn to their habitual peaceful vocations, and the former + mediaeval repose of the venerable building had returned. There was no one + in the guard-room; but as the priest turned back to the corridor, his + quick ear was suddenly startled by the unhallowed and inconsistent sounds + of a guitar. A monotonous voice also—the Comandante's evidently—was + raised in a thin, high recitative. + </p> + <p> + The Padre passed hastily through the guard-room, and opened the door of + the passage leading to the garden slope. Here an extraordinary group + presented itself to his astonished eyes. In the shadow of a palm-tree, + Mrs. Markham, seated on her Saratoga trunk as on a throne, was gazing + blandly down upon the earnest features of the Commander, who, at her feet, + guitar in hand, was evidently repeating some musical composition. His + subaltern sat near him, divided in admiration of his chief and the guest. + Miss Keene, at a little distance, aided by the secretary, was holding an + animated conversation with a short, stout, Sancho Panza-looking man, whom + the Padre recognized as the doctor of Todos Santos. + </p> + <p> + At the apparition of the reverend Father, the Commander started, the + subaltern stared, and even the secretary and the doctor looked + discomposed. + </p> + <p> + "I am decidedly de trop this morning," soliloquized the ecclesiastic; but + Miss Keene cut short his reflection by running to him frankly, with + outstretched hand. + </p> + <p> + "I am so glad that you have come," she said, with a youthful, unrestrained + earnestness that was as convincing as it was fascinating, "for you will + help me to persuade this gentleman that poor Captain Bunker is suffering + more from excitement of mind than body, and that bleeding him is more than + folly." + </p> + <p> + "The man's veins are in a burning fever and delirium from aguardiente," + said the little doctor excitedly, "and the fire must first be put out by + the lancet." + </p> + <p> + "He is only crazy with remorse for having lost his ship through his own + carelessness and the treachery of others," said Miss Keene doughtily. + </p> + <p> + "He is a maniac and will kill himself, unless his fever is subdued," + persisted the doctor. + </p> + <p> + "And you would surely kill him by your way of subduing it," said the young + girl boldly. "Better for him, a disgraced man of honor, to die by his own + hand, than to be bled like a calf into a feeble and helpless dissolution. + I would, if I were in his place—if I had to do it by tearing off the + bandages." + </p> + <p> + She made a swift, half unconscious gesture of her little hand, and + stopped, her beautiful eyes sparkling, her thin pink nostrils dilated, her + red lips parted, her round throat lifted in the air, and one small foot + advanced before her. The men glanced hurriedly at each other, and then + fixed their eyes upon her with a rapt yet frightened admiration. To their + simple minds it was Anarchy and Revolution personified, beautiful, and + victorious. + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" said the secretary to Padre Esteban, in Spanish, "it is true! she + knows not fear! She was in the room alone with the madman; he would let + none approach but her! She took a knife from him—else the medico had + suffered!" + </p> + <p> + "He recognized her, you see! Ah! they know her power," said the + Comandante, joining the group. + </p> + <p> + "You will help me, Father Esteban?" said the young girl, letting the fire + of her dark eyes soften to a look of almost childish appeal—"you + will help me to intercede for him? It is the restraint only that is + killing him—that is goading him to madness! Think of him, Father—think + of him: ruined and disgraced, dying to retrieve himself by any reckless + action, any desperate chance of recovery, and yet locked up where he can + do nothing—attempt nothing—not even lift a hand to pursue the + man who has helped to bring him to this!" + </p> + <p> + "But he CAN do nothing! The ship is gone!" remonstrated the Comandante. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, the ship is gone; but the ocean is still there," said Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + "But he has no boat." + </p> + <p> + "He will find or make one." + </p> + <p> + "And the fog conceals the channel." + </p> + <p> + "He can go where THEY have gone, or meet their fate. You do not know my + countrymen, Senor Comandante," she said proudly. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, yes—pardon! They are at San Antonio—the baker, the + buffoon, the two young men who dig. They are already baking and digging + and joking. We have it from my officer, who has just returned." + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene bit her pretty lips. + </p> + <p> + "They think it is a mistake; they cannot believe that any intentional + indignity is offered them," she said quietly. "Perhaps it is well they do + not." + </p> + <p> + "They desired me to express their condolences to the Senora," said the + Padre, with exasperating gentleness, "and were relieved to be assured by + me of your perfect security in the hands of these gentlemen." + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene raised her clear eyes to the ecclesiastic. That accomplished + diplomat of Todos Santos absolutely felt confused under the cool scrutiny + of this girl's unbiased and unsophisticated intelligence. + </p> + <p> + "Then you HAVE seen them," she said, "and you know their innocence, and + the utter absurdity of this surveillance?" + </p> + <p> + "I have not seen them ALL," said the priest softly. "There is still + another—a Senor Hurlstone—who is missing? Is he not?" + </p> + <p> + It was not in the possibility of Eleanor Keene's truthful blood to do + other than respond with a slight color to this question. She had already + concealed from every one the fact of having seen the missing man in the + Mission garden the evening before. It did not, however, prevent her the + next moment from calmly meeting the glance of the priest as she answered + gravely,— + </p> + <p> + "I believe so. But I cannot see what that has to do with the detention of + the others." + </p> + <p> + "Much, perhaps. It has been said that you alone, my child, were in the + confidence of this man." + </p> + <p> + "Who dared say that?" exclaimed Miss Keene in English, forgetting herself + in her indignation. + </p> + <p> + "If it's anything mean—it's Mrs. Brimmer, I'll bet a cooky," said + Mrs. Markham, whose linguistic deficiencies had debarred her from the + previous conversation. + </p> + <p> + "You have only," continued the priest, without noticing the interruption, + "to tell us what you know of this Hurlstone's plans,—of his + complicity with Senor Perkins, or," he added significantly, "his + opposition to them—to insure that perfect justice shall be done to + all." + </p> + <p> + Relieved that the question involved no disclosure of her only secret + regarding Hurlstone, Miss Keene was about to repeat the truth that she had + no confidential knowledge of him, or of his absurd alleged connection with + Senor Perkins, when, with an instinct of tact, she hesitated. Might she + not serve them all—even Hurlstone himself—by saying nothing, + and leaving the burden of proof to their idiotic accusers? Was she + altogether sure that Hurlstone was entirely ignorant of Senor Perkins' + plans, or might he not have refused, at the last moment, to join in the + conspiracy, and so left the ship? + </p> + <p> + "I will not press you for your answer now," said the priest gently. "But + you will not, I know, keep back anything that may throw a light on this + sad affair, and perhaps help to reinstate your friend Mr. Hurlstone in his + REAL position." + </p> + <p> + "If you ask me if I believe that Mr. Hurlstone had anything to do with + this conspiracy, I should say, unhesitatingly, that I do NOT. And more, I + believe that he would have jumped overboard rather than assent to so + infamous an act," said the young girl boldly. + </p> + <p> + "Then you think he had no other motive for leaving the ship?" said the + priest slowly. + </p> + <p> + "Decidedly not." She stopped; a curious anxious look in the Padre's + persistent eyes both annoyed and frightened her. "What other motive could + he have?" she said coldly. + </p> + <p> + Father Esteban's face lightened. + </p> + <p> + "I only ask because I think you would have known it. Thank you for the + assurance all the same, and in return I promise you I will use my best + endeavors with the Comandante for your friend the Captain Bunker. Adieu, + my daughter. Adieu, Madame Markham," he said, as, taking the arm of Don + Miguel, he turned with him and the doctor towards the guard-room. The + secretary lingered behind for a moment. + </p> + <p> + "Fear nothing," he said, in whispered English to Miss Keene. "I, Ruy + Sanchez, shall make you free of Capitano Bunker's cell," and passed on. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Mrs. Markham, when the two women were alone again. "I don't + pretend to fathom the befogged brains of Todos Santos; but as far as I can + understand their grown-up child's play, they are making believe this + unfortunate Mr. Hurlstone, who may be dead for all we know, is in revolt + against the United States Government, which is supposed to be represented + by Senor Perkins and the Excelsior—think of that!" + </p> + <p> + "But Perkins signed himself of the Quinquinambo navy!" said Miss Keene + wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + "That is firmly believed by those idiots to be one of OUR States. Remember + they know nothing of what has happened anywhere in the last fifty years. I + dare say they never heard of filibusters like Perkins, and they couldn't + comprehend him if they had. I've given up trying to enlighten them, and I + think they're grateful for it. It makes their poor dear heads ache." + </p> + <p> + "And it is turning mine! But, for Heaven's sake, tell me what part I am + supposed to act in this farce!" said Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + "You are the friend and colleague of Hurlstone, don't you see?" said Mrs. + Markham. "You are two beautiful young patriots—don't blush, my dear!—endeared + to each other and a common cause, and ready to die for your country in + opposition to Perkins, and the faint-heartedness of such neutrals as Mrs. + Brimmer, Miss Chubb, the poor Captain, and all the men whom they have + packed off to San Antonio." + </p> + <p> + "Impossible!" said Miss Keene, yet with an uneasy feeling that it not only + was possible, but that she herself had contributed something to the + delusion. "But how do they account for my friendship with YOU—you, + who are supposed to be a correspondent—an accomplice of Perkins?" + </p> + <p> + "No, no," returned Mrs. Markham, with a half serious smile, "I am not + allowed that honor. I am presumed to be only the disconsolate Dulcinea of + Perkins, abandoned by HIM, pitied by you, and converted to the true faith—at + least, that is what I make out from the broken English of that little + secretary of the Commander." + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene winced. + </p> + <p> + "That's all my fault, dear," she said, suddenly entwining her arms round + Mrs. Markham, and hiding her half embarrassed smile on the shoulder of her + strong-minded friend; "they suggested it to me, and I half assented, to + save you. Please forgive me." + </p> + <p> + "Don't think I am blaming you, my dear Eleanor," said Mrs. Markham. "For + Heaven's sake assent to the wildest and most extravagant hypothesis they + can offer, if it will leave us free to arrange our own plans for getting + away. I begin to think we were not a very harmonious party on the + Excelsior, and most of our troubles here are owing to that. We forget we + have fallen among a lot of original saints, as guileless and as + unsophisticated as our first parents, who know nothing of our customs and + antecedents. They have accepted us on what they believe to be our own + showing. From first to last we've underrated them, forgetting they are in + the majority. We can't expect to correct the ignorance of fifty years in + twenty-four hours, and I, for one, sha'n't attempt it. I'd much rather + trust to the character those people would conceive of me from their own + consciousness than to one Mrs. Brimmer or Mr. Winslow would give of me. + From this moment I've taken a firm resolve to leave my reputation and the + reputation of my friends entirely in their hands. If you are wise you will + do the same. They are inclined to worship you—don't hinder them. My + belief is, if we only take things quietly, we might find worse places to + be stranded on than Todos Santos. If Mrs. Brimmer and those men of ours, + who, I dare say, have acted as silly as the Mexicans themselves, will only + be quiet, we can have our own way here yet." + </p> + <p> + "And poor Captain Bunker?" said Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + "It seems hard to say it, but, in my opinion, he is better under lock and + key, for everybody's good, at present. He'd be a firebrand in the town if + he got away. Meantime, let us go to our room. It is about the time when + everybody is taking a siesta, and for two hours, thank Heaven! we're + certain nothing more can happen." + </p> + <p> + "I'll join you in a moment," said Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + Her quick ear had caught the sound of voices approaching. As Mrs. Markham + disappeared in the passage, the Commander and his party reappeared from + the guard-room, taking leave of Padre Esteban. The secretary, as he passed + Miss Keene, managed to add to his formal salutation the whispered words,—"When + the Angelus rings I will await you before the grating of his prison." + </p> + <p> + Padre Esteban was too preoccupied to observe this incident. As soon as he + quitted the Presidio, he hastened to the Mission with a disquieting fear + that his strange guest might have vanished. But, crossing the silent + refectory, and opening the door of the little apartment, he was relieved + to find him stretched on the pallet in a profound slumber. The + peacefulness of the venerable walls had laid a gentle finger on his weary + eyelids. + </p> + <p> + The Padre glanced round the little cell, and back again at the handsome + suffering face that seemed to have found surcease and rest in the narrow + walls, with a stirring of regret. But the next moment he awakened the + sleeper, and in the briefest, almost frigid, sentences, related the events + of the morning. + </p> + <p> + The young man rose to his feet with a bitter laugh. + </p> + <p> + "You see," he said, "God is against me! And yet a few hours ago I dared to + think that He had guided me to a haven of rest and forgetfulness! + </p> + <p> + "Have you told the truth to him and to me?" said the priest sternly, "or + have you—a mere political refugee—taken advantage of an old + man's weakness to forge a foolish lie of sentimental passion?" + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" said Hurlstone, turning upon him almost fiercely. + </p> + <p> + The priest rose, and drawing a folded paper from his bosom, opened it + before the eyes of his indignant guest. + </p> + <p> + "Remember what you told me last night in the sacred confidences of yonder + holy church, and hear what you really are from the lips of the Council of + Todos Santos." + </p> + <p> + Smoothing out the paper, he read slowly as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "Whereas, it being presented to an Emergency Council, held at the Presidio + of Todos Santos, that the foreign barque Excelsior had mutinied, + discharged her captain and passengers, and escaped from the waters of the + bay, it was, on examination, found and decreed that the said barque was a + vessel primarily owned by a foreign Power, then and there confessed and + admitted to be at war with Mexico and equipped to invade one of her + northern provinces. But that the God of Liberty and Justice awakening in + the breasts of certain patriots—to wit, the heroic Senor Diego + Hurlstone and the invincible Dona Leonor—the courage and discretion + to resist the tyranny and injustice of their oppressors, caused them to + mutiny and abandon the vessel rather than become accomplices, in the + company of certain neutral and non-combatant traders and artisans, + severally known as Brace, Banks, Winslow, and Crosby; and certain + aristocrats, known as Senoras Brimmer and Chubb. In consideration thereof, + it is decreed by the Council of Todos Santos that asylum, refuge, + hospitality, protection, amity, and alliance be offered and extended to + the patriots, Senor Diego Hurlstone, Dona Leonor, and a certain Duenna + Susana Markham, particularly attached to Dona Leonor's person; and that + war, reprisal, banishment, and death be declared against Senor Perkins, + his unknown aiders and abettors. And that for the purposes of probation, + and in the interests of clemency, provisional parole shall be extended to + the alleged neutrals—Brace, Banks, Crosby, and Winslow—within + the limits and boundaries of the lazaretto of San Antonio, until their + neutrality shall be established, and pending the further pleasure of the + Council. And it is further decreed and declared that one Capitano Bunker, + formerly of the Excelsior, but now a maniac and lunatic—being + irresponsible and visited of God, shall be exempted from the ordinances of + this decree until his reason shall be restored; and during that interval + subjected to the ordinary remedial and beneficent restraint of + civilization and humanity. By order of the Council,— + </p> + <p> + "The signatures and rubrics of— + </p> + <p> + "DON MIGUEL BRIONES, + </p> + <p> + Comandante. + </p> + <p> + "PADRE ESTEBAN, + </p> + <p> + of the Order of San Francisco d'Assisis. + </p> + <p> + "DON RAMON RAMIREZ, + </p> + <p> + Alcalde of the Pueblo of Todos Santos." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. + </h2> + <h3> + THE CAPTAIN FOLLOWS HIS SHIP. + </h3> + <p> + When Padre Esteban had finished reading the document he laid it down and + fixed his eyes on the young man. Hurlstone met his look with a glance of + impatient disdain. + </p> + <p> + "What have you to say to this?" asked the ecclesiastic, a little impressed + by his manner. + </p> + <p> + "That as far as it concerns myself it is a farrago of absurdity. If I were + the person described there, why should I have sought you with what you + call a lie of 'sentimental passion,' when I could have claimed protection + openly with my SISTER PATRIOT," he added, with a bitter laugh. + </p> + <p> + "Because you did not know THEN the sympathy of the people nor the decision + of the Council," said the priest. + </p> + <p> + "But I know it NOW, and I refuse to accept it." + </p> + <p> + "You refuse—to—to accept it?" echoed the priest. + </p> + <p> + "I do." He walked towards the door. "Before I go, let me thank you for the + few hours' rest and security that you have given to one who may be a + cursed man, yet is no impostor. But I do not blame you for doubting one + who talks like a desperate man, yet lacks the courage of desperation. + Good-by!" + </p> + <p> + "Where are you going?" + </p> + <p> + "What matters? There is a safer protection and security to be found than + even that offered by the Council of Todos Santos." + </p> + <p> + His eyes were averted, but not before the priest had seen them glaze again + with the same gloomy absorption that had horrified him in the church the + evening before. Father Esteban stepped forward and placed his soft hand on + Hurlstone's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Look at me. Don't turn your face aside, but hear me; for I believe your + story." + </p> + <p> + Without raising his eyes, the young man lifted Father Esteban's hand from + his shoulder, pressed it lightly, and put it quietly aside. + </p> + <p> + "I thank you," he said, "for keeping at least that unstained memory of me. + But it matters little now. Good-by!" + </p> + <p> + He had his hand upon the door, but the priest again withheld him. + </p> + <p> + "When I tell you I believe your story, it is only to tell you more. I + believe that God has directed your wayward, wandering feet here to His + house, that you may lay down the burden of your weak and suffering manhood + before His altar, and become once more a child of His. I stand here to + offer you, not a refuge of a day or a night, but for all time; not a + hiding-place from man or woman, but from yourself, my son—yourself, + your weak and mortal self, more fatal to you than all. I stand here to + open for you not only the door of this humble cell, but that of His yonder + blessed mansion. You shall share my life with me; you shall be one of my + disciples; you shall help me strive for other souls as I have striven for + yours; the protection of the Church, which is all-powerful, shall be + around you if you wish to be known; you shall hide yourself in its + mysteries if you wish to be forgotten. You shall be my child, my + companion, my friend; all that my age can give you shall be yours while I + live, and it shall be your place one day to take up my unfinished work + when it falls from these palsied hands forever." + </p> + <p> + "You are mistaken," said the young man coldly. "I came to you for human + aid, and thank you for what you have granted me: I have not been + presumptuous enough to ask more, nor to believe myself a fitting subject + for conversion. I am weak, but not weak enough to take advantage of the + mistaken kindness of either the temporal Council of Todos Santos or its + spiritual head." He opened the door leading into the garden. "Forget and + forgive me, Father Esteban, and let me say farewell." + </p> + <p> + "Stop!" said the ecclesiastic, raising himself to his full height and + stepping before Hurlstone. "Then if you will not hear me in the name of + your Father who lives, in the name of your father who is dead I command + you to stay! I stand here to-day in the place of that man I never knew—to + hold back his son from madness and crime. Think of me as of him whom you + loved, and grant to an old man who might have had a son as old as you the + right of throwing a father's protecting arm around you." + </p> + <p> + There was a moment's silence. + </p> + <p> + "What do you want me to do?" said Hurlstone, suddenly lifting his now + moist and glistening eyes upon the old man. + </p> + <p> + "Give me your word of honor that for twenty-four hours you will remain as + you are—pledging yourself to nothing—only promising to commit + no act, take no step, without consulting me. You will not be sought here, + nor yet need you keep yourself a prisoner in these gloomy walls—except + that, by exposing yourself to the people now, you might be compromised to + some course that you are not ready to take." + </p> + <p> + "I promise," said Hurlstone. + </p> + <p> + He turned and held out both his hands; but Father Esteban anticipated him + with a paternal gesture of uplifted and opened arms, and for an instant + the young man's forehead was bowed on the priest's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Father Esteban gently raised the young man's head. + </p> + <p> + "You will take a pasear in the garden until the Angelus rings, my son, + while the air is sweet and wholesome, and think this over. Remember that + you may accept the hospitality of the Council without sin of deception. + You were not in sympathy with either the captors of the Excelsior or their + defeated party; for you would have flown from both. You, of all your party + now in Todos Santos, are most in sympathy with us. You have no cause to + love your own people; you have abandoned them for us. Go, my son; and + meditate upon my words. I will fetch you from yonder slope in time for the + evening refection." + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone bowed his head and turned his irresolute feet towards the upper + extremity of the garden, indicated by the priest, which seemed to offer + more seclusion and security than the avenue of pear-trees. He was dazed + and benumbed. The old dogged impulses of self-destruction—revived by + the priest's reproaches, but checked by the vision of his dead and + forgotten father, which the priest's words had called up—gave way, + in turn, to his former despair. With it came a craving for peace and rest + so insidious that in some vague fear of yielding to it he quickened his + pace, as if to increase his distance from the church and its apostle. He + was almost out of breath when he reached the summit, and turned to look + back upon the Mission buildings and the straggling street of the pueblo, + which now for the first time he saw skirted the wall of the garden in its + descent towards the sea. He had not known the full extent of Todos Santos + before; when he swam ashore he had landed under a crumbling outwork of the + fort; he gazed now with curious interest over the hamlet that might have + been his home. He looked over the red-tiled roofs, and further on to the + shining bay, shut in by the impenetrable rampart of fog. He might have + found rest and oblivion here but for the intrusion of those + fellow-passengers to share his exile and make it intolerable. How he hated + and loathed them all! Yet the next moment he found himself scrutinizing + the street and plaza below him for a glimpse of his countrywomen, whom he + knew were still in the town or vainly endeavoring to locate their + habitation among the red-tiled roofs. And that frank, clear-eyed girl—Miss + Keene!—she who had seemed to vaguely pity him—she was + somewhere here too—selected by the irony of fate to be his + confederate! He could not help thinking of her beauty and kindness now, + with a vague curiosity that was half an uneasiness. It had not struck him + before, but if he were to accept the ridiculous attitude forced upon him + by Todos Santos, its absurdity, as well as its responsibility, would + become less odious by sharing it with another. Perhaps it might be to HER + advantage—and if so, would he be justified in exposing its + absurdity? He would have to see her first—and if he did, how would + he explain his real position? A returning wave of bitterness threw him + back into his old despair. + </p> + <p> + The twilight had slowly gathered over the view as he gazed—or, + rather a luminous concentration above the pueblo and bay had left the + outer circle of fog denser and darker. Emboldened by the apparent + desertion of the Embarcadero, he began to retrace his steps down the + slope, keeping close to the wall so as to avoid passing before the church + again, or a closer contact with the gardener among the vines. In this way + he reached the path he had skirted the night before, and stopped almost + under the shadow of the Alcalde's house. It was here he had rested and + hidden,—here he had tasted the first sweets of isolation and + oblivion in the dreamy garden,—here he had looked forward to peace + with the passing of the ship,—and now? The sound of voices and + laughter suddenly grated upon his ear. He had heard those voices before. + Their distinctness startled him until he became aware that he was standing + before a broken, half-rotting door that permitted a glimpse of the + courtyard of the neighboring house. He glided quickly past it without + pausing, but in that glimpse beheld Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb half + reclining in the corridor—in the attitude he had often seen them on + the deck of the ship—talking and laughing with a group of Mexican + gallants. A feeling of inconceivable loathing and aversion took possession + of him. Was it to THIS he was returning after his despairing search for + oblivion? Their empty, idle laughter seemed to ring mockingly in his ears + as he hurried on, scarce knowing whither, until he paused before the + broken cactus hedge and crumbling wall that faced the Embarcadero. A + glance over the hedge showed him that the strip of beach was deserted. He + looked up the narrow street; it was empty. A few rapid strides across it + gained him the shadow of the sea-wall of the Presidio, unchecked and + unhindered. The ebbing tide had left a foot or two of narrow shingle + between the sea and the wall. He crept along this until, a hundred yards + distant, the sea-wall reentered inland around a bastion at the entrance of + a moat half filled at high tide by the waters of the bay, but now a ditch + of shallow pools, sand, and debris. He leaned against the bastion, and + looked over the softly darkening water. + </p> + <p> + How quiet it looked, and, under that vaporous veil, how profound and + inscrutable! How easy to slip into its all-embracing arms, and sink into + its yielding bosom, leaving behind no stain, trace, or record! A surer + oblivion than the Church, which could not absolve memory, grant + forgetfulness, nor even hide the ghastly footprints of its occupants. Here + was obliteration. But was he sure of that? He thought of the body of the + murdered Peruvian, laid out at the feet of the Council by this same fickle + and uncertain sea; he thought of his own distorted face subjected to the + cold curiosity of these aliens or the contemptuous pity of his countrymen. + But that could be avoided. It was easy for him—a good swimmer—to + reach a point far enough out in the channel for the ebbing tides to carry + him past that barrier of fog into the open and obliterating ocean. And + then, at least, it might seem as if he had attempted to ESCAPE—indeed, + if he cared, he might be able to keep afloat until he was picked up by + some passing vessel, bound to a distant land! The self-delusion pleased + him, and seemed to add the clinching argument to his resolution. It was + not suicide; it was escape—certainly no more than escape—he + intended! And this miserable sophism of self-apology, the last flashes of + expiring conscience, helped to light up his pale, determined face with + satisfaction. He began coolly to divest himself of his coat. + </p> + <p> + What was that?—the sound of some dislodged stones splashing in one + of the pools further up! He glanced hurriedly round the wall of the + bastion. A figure crouching against the side of the ditch, as if + concealing itself from observation on the glacis above, was slowly + approaching the sea. Suddenly, when within a hundred yards of Hurlstone, + it turned, crossed the ditch, rapidly mounted its crumbling sides, and + disappeared over the crest. But in that hurried glimpse he had recognized + Captain Bunker! + </p> + <p> + The sudden and mysterious apparition of this man produced on Hurlstone an + effect that the most violent opposition could not have created. Without a + thought of the terrible purpose it had interrupted, and obeying some + stronger instinct that had seized him, he dashed down into the ditch and + up to the crest again after Captain Bunker. But he had completely + disappeared. A little lagoon, making in from the bay, on which a small + fishing-boat was riding, and a solitary fisherman mending his nets on the + muddy shore a few feet from it, were all that was to be seen. + </p> + <p> + He was turning back, when he saw the object of his search creeping from + some reeds, on all fours, with a stealthy, panther-like movement towards + the unconscious fisherman. Before Hurlstone could utter a cry, Bunker had + sprung upon the unfortunate man, thrown him to the earth, rapidly rolled + him over and over, enwrapping him hand and foot in his own net, and + involving him hopelessly in its meshes. Tossing the helpless victim—who + was apparently too stupefied to call out—to one side, he was rushing + towards the boat when, with a single bound, Hurlstone reached his side and + laid his hand upon his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Captain Bunker, for God's sake! what are you doing?" + </p> + <p> + Captain Bunker turned slowly and without apparent concern towards his + captor. Hurlstone fell back before the vacant, lack-lustre eyes that were + fixed upon him. + </p> + <p> + "Captain Bunker's my name," said the madman, in a whisper. "Lemuel Bunker, + of Nantucket! Hush! don't waken him," pointing to the prostrate fisherman; + "I've put him to sleep. I'm Captain Bunker—old drunken Bunker—who + stole one ship from her owners, and disgraced himself, and now is going to + steal another—ha, ha! Let me go." + </p> + <p> + "Captain Bunker," said Hurlstone, recovering himself in time to prevent + the maniac from dashing into the water. "Look at me. Don't you know me?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, yes; you're one of old Bunker's dogs kicked overboard by Perkins. + I'm one of Perkins' dogs gone mad, and locked up by Perkins! Ha, ha! But I + got out! Hush! SHE let me out. SHE thought I was going to see the boys at + San Antonio. But I'm going off to see the old barque out there in the fog. + I'm going to chuck Perkins overboard and the two mates. Let me go." + </p> + <p> + He struggled violently. Hurlstone, fearful of quitting his hold to release + the fisherman, whom Captain Bunker no longer noticed, and not daring to + increase the Captain's fury by openly calling to him, beckoned the + pinioned man to make an effort. But, paralyzed by fear, the wretched + captive remained immovable, staring at the struggling men. With the + strength of desperation Hurlstone at last forced the Captain down upon his + knees. + </p> + <p> + "Listen, Captain! We'll go together—you understand. I'll help you—but + we must get a larger boat first—you know." + </p> + <p> + "But they won't give it," said Captain Bunker mysteriously. "Didn't you + hear the Council—the owners—the underwriters say: 'He lost his + ship, he's ruined and disgraced, for rum, all for rum!' And we want rum, + you know, and it's all over there, in the Excelsior's locker!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, yes," said Hurlstone soothingly; "but there's more in the bigger + boat. Come with me. We'll let the man loose, and we'll make him show us + his bigger boat." + </p> + <p> + It was an unfortunate suggestion; for the Captain, who had listened with + an insane chuckle, and allowed himself to be taken lightly by the hand, + again caught sight of the prostrate fisherman. A yell broke from him—his + former frenzy returned. With a cry of "Treachery! all hands on deck!" he + threw off Hurlstone and rushed into the water. + </p> + <p> + "Help!" cried the young man, springing after him, "It is madness. He will + kill himself!" + </p> + <p> + The water was shallow, they were both wading, they both reached the boat + at the same time; but the Captain had scrambled into the stern-sheets, and + cast loose the painter, as Hurlstone once more threw his arms about him. + </p> + <p> + "Hear me, Captain. I'll go with you. Listen! I know the way through the + fog. You understand: I'll pilot you!" He was desperate, but no longer from + despair of himself, but of another; he was reckless, but only to save a + madman from the fate that but a moment before he had chosen for himself. + </p> + <p> + Captain Bunker seemed to soften. "Get in for'ard," he said, in a lower + voice. Hurlstone released his grasp, but still clinging to the boat, which + had now drifted into deeper water, made his way to the bow. He was + climbing over the thwarts when a horrified cry from the fisherman ashore + and a jarring laugh in his ear caused him to look up. But not in time to + save himself! The treacherous maniac had suddenly launched a blow from an + oar at the unsuspecting man as he was rising to his knees. It missed his + head, but fell upon his arm and shoulder, precipitating him violently into + the sea. + </p> + <p> + Stunned by the shock, he sank at first like lead to the bottom. When he + rose again, with his returning consciousness, he could see that Captain + Bunker had already hoisted sail, and, with the assistance of his oars, was + rapidly increasing his distance from the shore. With his returning + desperation he turned to strike out after him, but groaned as his one arm + sank powerless to his side. A few strokes showed him the madness of the + attempt; a few more convinced him that he himself could barely return to + the shore. A sudden torpor had taken possession of him—he was + sinking! + </p> + <p> + With this thought, a struggle for life began; and this man who had just + now sought death so eagerly—with no feeling of inconsistency, with + no physical fear of dissolution, with only a vague, blind, dogged + determination to live for some unknown purpose—a determination as + vague and dogged as his former ideas of self-destruction—summoned + all his energies to reach the shore. He struck out wildly, desperately; + once or twice he thought he felt his feet touch the bottom, only to find + himself powerlessly dragged back towards the sea. With a final superhuman + effort he gained at last a foothold on the muddy strand, and, half + scrambling, half crawling, sank exhaustedly beside the fisherman's net. + But the fisherman was gone! He attempted again to rise to his feet, but a + strange dizziness attacked him. The darkening landscape, with its + contracting wall of fog; the gloomy flat; the still, pale sea, as yet + unruffled by the faint land breeze that was slowly wafting the escaping + boat into the shadowy offing—all swam round him! Through the roaring + in his ears he thought he heard drumbeats, and the fanfare of a trumpet, + and voices. The next moment he had lost all consciousness. + </p> + <p> + When he came to, he was lying in the guard-room of the Presidio. Among the + group of people who surrounded him he recognized the gaunt features of the + Commander, the sympathetic eyes of Father Esteban, and the fisherman who + had disappeared. When he rose on his elbow, and attempted to lift himself + feebly, the fisherman, with a cry of gratitude, threw himself on his + knees, and kissed his helpless hand. + </p> + <p> + "He lives, he lives! your Excellencies! Saints be praised, he lives! The + hero—the brave Americano—the noble caballero who delivered me + from the madman." + </p> + <p> + "Who are you? and whence come you?" demanded the Commander of Hurlstone, + with grave austerity. + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone hesitated; the priest leaned forward with a half anxious, half + warning gesture. There was a sudden rustle in the passage; the crowd gave + way as Miss Keene, followed by Mrs. Markham, entered. The young girl's + eyes caught those of the prostrate man. With an impulsive cry she ran + towards him. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Hurlstone!" + </p> + <p> + "Hurlstone," echoed the group, pressing nearer the astonished man. + </p> + <p> + The Comandante lifted his hand gravely with a gesture of silence, and then + slowly removed his plumed hat. Every head was instantly uncovered. + </p> + <p> + "Long live our brave and noble ally, Don Diego! Long live the beautiful + Dona Leonor!" + </p> + <p> + A faint shade of sadness passed over the priest's face. He glanced from + Hurlstone to Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + "Then you have consented?" he whispered. + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone cast a rapid glance at Eleanor Keene. + </p> + <p> + "I consent!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART2" id="link2H_PART2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PART II. FREED. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <h3> + THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO. + </h3> + <p> + The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long since + given up hope of the Excelsior. During the months of September and + October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by the actual + presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his scrutiny of the + incoming ships. The gaunt arms of the semaphore at Fort Point, turned + against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the + white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful + year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them. At the close + of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, she was + forgotten. Had she been engulfed in her own element she could not have + been more completely swallowed up than in the changes of that shore she + never reached. Whatever interest or hope was still kept alive in solitary + breasts the world never knew. By the significant irony of Fate, even the + old-time semaphore that should have signaled her was abandoned and + forgotten. + </p> + <p> + The mention of her name—albeit in a quiet, unconcerned voice—in + the dress-circle of a San Francisco theatre, during the performance of a + popular female star, was therefore so peculiar that it could only have + come from the lips of some one personally interested in the lost vessel. + Yet the speaker was a youngish, feminine-looking man of about thirty, + notable for his beardlessness, in the crowded circle of bearded and + moustachioed Californians, and had been one of the most absorbed of the + enthusiastic audience. A weak smile of vacillating satisfaction and + uneasiness played on his face during the plaudits of his fellow-admirers, + as if he were alternately gratified and annoyed. It might have passed for + a discriminating and truthful criticism of the performance, which was a + classical burlesque, wherein the star displayed an unconventional + frankness of shapely limbs and unrestrained gestures and glances; but he + applauded the more dubious parts equally with the audience. He was + evidently familiar with the performance, for a look of eager expectation + greeted most of the "business." Either he had not come for the entire + evening, or he did not wish to appear as if he had, as he sat on one of + the back benches near the passage, and frequently changed his place. He + was well, even foppishly, dressed for the period, and appeared to be + familiarly known to the loungers in the passage as a man of some social + popularity. + </p> + <p> + He had just been recognized by a man of apparently equal importance and + distinction, who had quietly and unconsciously taken a seat by his side, + and the recognition appeared equally unexpected and awkward. The new-comer + was the older and more decorous-looking, with an added formality of manner + and self-assertion that did not, however, conceal a certain habitual + shrewdness of eye and lip. He wore a full beard, but the absence of a + moustache left the upper half of his handsome and rather satirical mouth + uncovered. His dress was less pronounced than his companion's, but of a + type of older and more established gentility. + </p> + <p> + "I was a little late coming from the office to-night," said the younger + man, with an embarrassed laugh, "and I thought I'd drop in here on my way + home. Pretty rough outside, ain't it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, it's raining and blowing; so I thought I wouldn't go up to the plaza + for a cab, but wait here for the first one that dropped a fare at the + door, and take it on to the hotel." + </p> + <p> + "Hold on, and I'll go with you," said the young man carelessly. "I say, + Brimmer," he added, after a pause, with a sudden assumption of larger + gayety, "there's nothing mean about Belle Montgomery, eh? She's a whole + team and the little dog under the wagon, ain't she? Deuced pretty woman!—no + make-up there, eh?" + </p> + <p> + "She certainly is a fine woman," said Brimmer gravely, borrowing his + companion's lorgnette. "By the way, Markham, do you usually keep an + opera-glass in your office in case of an emergency like this?" + </p> + <p> + "I reckon it was forgotten in my overcoat pocket," said Markham, with an + embarrassed smile. + </p> + <p> + "Left over from the last time," said Brimmer, rising from his seat. "Well, + I'm going now—I suppose I'll have to try the plaza." + </p> + <p> + "Hold on a moment. She's coming on now—there she is!" He stopped, + his anxious eyes fixed upon the stage. Brimmer turned at the same moment + in no less interested absorption. A quick hush ran through the theatre; + the men bent eagerly forward as the Queen of Olympus swept down to the + footlights, and, with a ravishing smile, seemed to envelop the whole + theatre in a gracious caress. + </p> + <p> + "You know, 'pon my word, Brimmer, she's a very superior woman," gasped + Markham excitedly, when the goddess had temporarily withdrawn. "These + fellows here," he said, indicating the audience contemptuously, "don't + know her,—think she's all that sort of thing, you know,—and + come here just to LOOK at her. But she's very accomplished—in fact, + a kind of literary woman. Writes devilish good poetry—only took up + the stage on account of domestic trouble: drunken husband that beat her—regular + affecting story, you know. These sap-headed fools don't, of course, know + THAT. No, sir; she's a remarkable woman! I say, Brimmer, look here! I"—he + hesitated, and then went on more boldly, as if he had formed a sudden + resolution. "What have you got to do to-night?" + </p> + <p> + Brimmer, who had been lost in abstraction, started slightly, and said,— + </p> + <p> + "I—oh! I've got an appointment with Keene. You know he's off by the + steamer—day after to-morrow?" + </p> + <p> + "What! He's not going off on that wild-goose chase, after all? Why, the + man's got Excelsior on the brain!" He stopped as he looked at Brimmer's + cold face, and suddenly colored. "I mean his plan—his idea's all + nonsense—you know that!" + </p> + <p> + "I certainly don't agree with him," began Brimmer gravely; "but"— + </p> + <p> + "The idea," interrupted Markham, encouraged by Brimmer's beginning, "of + his knocking around the Gulf of California, and getting up an expedition + to go inland, just because a mail-steamer saw a barque like the Excelsior + off Mazatlan last August. As if the Excelsior wouldn't have gone into + Mazatlan if it had been her! I tell you what it is, Brimmer: it's mighty + rough on you and me, and it ain't the square thing at all—after all + we've done, and the money we've spent, and the nights we've sat up over + the Excelsior—to have this young fellow Keene always putting up the + bluff of his lost sister on us! His lost sister, indeed! as if WE hadn't + any feelings." + </p> + <p> + The two men looked at each other, and each felt it incumbent to look down + and sigh deeply—not hypocritically, but perfunctorily, as over a + past grief, although anger had been the dominant expression of the + speaker. + </p> + <p> + "I was about to remark," said Brimmer practically, "that the insurance on + the Excelsior having been paid, her loss is a matter of commercial record; + and that, in a business point of view, this plan of Keene's ain't worth + looking at. As a private matter of our own feelings—purely domestic—there's + no question but that we must sympathize with him, although he refuses to + let us join in the expenses." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, as to that," said Markham hurriedly, "I told him to draw on me for a + thousand dollars last time I saw him. No, sir; it ain't that. What gets me + is this darned nagging and simpering around, and opening old sores, and + putting on sentimental style, and doing the bereaved business generally. I + reckon he'd be even horrified to see you and me here—though it was + just a chance with both of us." + </p> + <p> + "I think not," said Brimmer dryly. "He knows Miss Montgomery already. + They're going by the same steamer." + </p> + <p> + Markham looked up quickly. + </p> + <p> + "Impossible! She's going by the other line to Panama; that is"—he + hesitated—"I heard it from the agent." + </p> + <p> + "She's changed her mind, so Keene says," returned Brimmer. "She's going by + way of Nicaragua. He stops at San Juan to reconnoitre the coast up to + Mazatlan. Good-night. It's no use waiting here for a cab any longer, I'm + off." + </p> + <p> + "Hold on!" said Markham, struggling out of a sudden uneasy reflection. "I + say, Brimmer," he resumed, with an enforced smile, which he tried to make + playful, "your engagement with Keene won't keep you long. What do you say + to having a little supper with Miss Montgomery, eh?—perfectly + proper, you know—at our hotel? Just a few friends, eh?" + </p> + <p> + Brimmer's eyes and lips slightly contracted. + </p> + <p> + "I believe I am already invited," he said quietly. "Keene asked me. In + fact, that's the appointment. Strange he didn't speak of you," he added + dryly. + </p> + <p> + "I suppose it's some later arrangement," Markham replied, with feigned + carelessness. "Do you know her?" + </p> + <p> + "Slightly." + </p> + <p> + "You didn't say so!" + </p> + <p> + "You didn't ask me," said Brimmer. "She came to consult me about South + American affairs. It seems that filibuster General Leonidas, alias + Perkins, whose little game we stopped by that Peruvian contract, actually + landed in Quinquinambo and established a government. It seems she knows + him, has a great admiration for him as a Liberator, as she calls him. I + think they correspond!" + </p> + <p> + "She's a wonderful woman, by jingo, Brimmer! I'd like to hear whom she + don't know," said Markham, beaming with a patronizing vanity. "There's + you, and there's that filibuster, and old Governor Pico, that she's just + snatched bald-headed—I mean, you know, that he recognizes her worth, + don't you see? Not like this cattle you see here." + </p> + <p> + "Are you coming with me?" said Brimmer, gravely buttoning up his coat, as + if encasing himself in a panoply of impervious respectability. + </p> + <p> + "I'll join you at the hotel," said Markham hurriedly. "There's a man over + there in the parquet that I want to say a word to; don't wait for me." + </p> + <p> + With a slight inclination of the head Mr. Brimmer passed out into the + lobby, erect, self-possessed, and impeccable. One or two of his commercial + colleagues of maturer age, who were loitering leisurely by the wall, + unwilling to compromise themselves by actually sitting down, took heart of + grace at this correct apparition. Brimmer nodded to them coolly, as if on + 'Change, and made his way out of the theatre. He had scarcely taken a few + steps before a furious onset of wind and rain drove him into a doorway for + shelter. At the same moment a slouching figure, with a turned-up + coat-collar, slipped past him and disappeared in a passage at his right. + Partly hidden by his lowered umbrella, Mr. Brimmer himself escaped notice, + but he instantly recognized his late companion, Markham. As he resumed his + way up the street he glanced into the passage. Halfway down, a light + flashed upon the legend "Stage Entrance." Quincy Brimmer, with a faint + smile, passed on to his hotel. + </p> + <p> + It was striking half-past eleven when Mr. Brimmer again issued from his + room in the Oriental and passed down a long corridor. Pausing a moment + before a side hall that opened from it, he cast a rapid look up and down + the corridor, and then knocked hastily at a door. It was opened sharply by + a lady's maid, who fell back respectfully before Mr. Brimmer's all-correct + presence. + </p> + <p> + Half reclining on a sofa in the parlor of an elaborate suite of apartments + was the woman whom Mr. Brimmer had a few hours before beheld on the stage + of the theatre. Lifting her eyes languidly from a book that lay + ostentatiously on her lap, she beckoned her visitor to approach. She was a + woman still young, whose statuesque beauty had but slightly suffered from + cosmetics, late hours, and the habitual indulgence of certain hysterical + emotions that were not only inconsistent with the classical suggestions of + her figure, but had left traces not unlike the grosser excitement of + alcoholic stimulation. She looked like a tinted statue whose slight + mutations through stress of time and weather had been unwisely repaired by + freshness of color. + </p> + <p> + "I am such a creature of nerves," she said, raising a superb neck and + extending a goddess-like arm, "that I am always perfectly exhausted after + the performance. I fly, as you see, to my first love—poetry—as + soon as Rosina has changed my dress. It is not generally known—but I + don't mind telling YOU—that I often nerve myself for the effort of + acting by reading some well-remembered passage from my favorite poets, as + I stand by the wings. I quaff, as one might say, a single draught of the + Pierian spring before I go on." + </p> + <p> + The exact relations between the humorous "walk round," in which Miss + Montgomery usually made her first entrance, and the volume of Byron she + held in her hand, did not trouble Mr. Brimmer so much as the beautiful arm + with which she emphasized it. Neither did it strike him that the + distinguishing indications of a poetic exaltation were at all unlike the + effects of a grosser stimulant known as "Champagne cocktail" on the less + sensitive organization of her colleagues. Touched by her melancholy but + fascinating smile, he said gallantly that he had observed no sign of + exhaustion, or want of power in her performance that evening. + </p> + <p> + "Then you were there!" she said, fixing her eyes upon him with an + expression of mournful gratitude. "You actually left your business and the + calls of public duty to see the poor mountebank perform her nightly task." + </p> + <p> + "I was there with a friend of yours," answered Brimmer soberly, "who + actually asked me to the supper to which Mr. Keene had already invited me, + and which YOU had been kind enough to suggest to me a week ago." + </p> + <p> + "True, I had forgotten," said Miss Montgomery, with a large goddess-like + indifference that was more effective with the man before her than the most + elaborate explanation. "You don't mind them—do you?—for we are + all friends together. My position, you know," she added sadly, "prevents + my always following my own inclinations or preferences. Poor Markham, I + fear the world does not do justice to his gentle, impressible nature. I + sympathize with him deeply; we have both had our afflictions, we have both—lost. + Good heavens!" she exclaimed, with a sudden exaggerated start of horror, + "what have I done? Forgive my want of tact, dear friend; I had forgotten, + wretched being that I am, that YOU, too"— + </p> + <p> + She caught his hand in both hers, and bowed her head over it as if unable + to finish her sentence. + </p> + <p> + Brimmer, who had been utterly mystified and amazed at this picture of + Markham's disconsolate attitude to the world, and particularly to the + woman before him, was completely finished by this later tribute to his own + affliction. His usually composed features, however, easily took upon + themselves a graver cast as he kept, and pressed, the warm hands in his + own. + </p> + <p> + "Fool that I was," continued Miss Montgomery; "in thinking of poor + Markham's childlike, open grief, I forgot the deeper sorrow that the more + manly heart experiences under an exterior that seems cold and impassible. + Yes," she said, raising her languid eyes to Brimmer, "I ought to have felt + the throb of that volcano under its mask of snow. You have taught me a + lesson." + </p> + <p> + Withdrawing her hands hastily, as if the volcano had shown some signs of + activity, she leaned back on the sofa again. + </p> + <p> + "You are not yet reconciled to Mr. Keene's expedition, then?" she asked + languidly. + </p> + <p> + "I believe that everything has been already done," said Brimmer, somewhat + stiffly; "all sources of sensible inquiry have been exhausted by me. But I + envy Keene the eminently practical advantages his impractical journey + gives him," he added, arresting himself, gallantly; "he goes with you." + </p> + <p> + "Truly!" said Miss Montgomery, with the melancholy abstraction of a stage + soliloquy. "Beyond obeying the dictates of his brotherly affection, he + gains no real advantage in learning whether his sister is alive or dead. + The surety of her death would not make him freer than he is now—freer + to absolutely follow the dictates of a new affection; free to make his own + life again. It is a sister, not a wife, he seeks." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Brimmer's forehead slightly contracted. He leaned back a little more + rigidly in his chair, and fixed a critical, half supercilious look upon + her. She did not seem to notice his almost impertinent scrutiny, but sat + silent, with her eyes bent on the carpet, in gloomy abstraction. + </p> + <p> + "Can you keep a secret?" she said, as if with a sudden resolution. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Brimmer briefly, without changing his look. + </p> + <p> + "You know I am a married woman. You have heard the story of my wrongs?" + </p> + <p> + "I have heard them," said Brimmer dryly. + </p> + <p> + "Well, the husband who abused and deserted me was, I have reason to + believe, a passenger on the Excelsior." + </p> + <p> + "M'Corkle!—impossible. There was no such name on the passenger + list." + </p> + <p> + "M'Corkle!" repeated Miss Montgomery, with a dissonant tone in her voice + and a slight flash in her eyes. "What are you thinking of? There never was + a Mr. M'Corkle; it was one of my noms de plume. And where did YOU hear + it?" + </p> + <p> + "I beg your pardon, I must have got it from the press notices of your book + of poetry. I knew that Montgomery was only a stage name, and as it was + necessary that I should have another in making the business investments + you were good enough to charge me with, I used what I thought was your + real name. It can be changed, or you can sign M'Corkle." + </p> + <p> + "Let it go," said Miss Montgomery, resuming her former manner. "What + matters? I wish there was no such thing as business. Well," she resumed, + after a pause, "my husband's name is Hurlstone." + </p> + <p> + "But there was no Hurlstone on the passenger list either," said Brimmer. + "I knew them all, and their friends." + </p> + <p> + "Not in the list from the States; but if he came on board at Callao, you + wouldn't have known it. I knew that he arrived there on the Osprey a few + days before the Excelsior sailed." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Brimmer's eyes changed their expression. + </p> + <p> + "And you want to find him?" + </p> + <p> + "No," she said, with an actress's gesture. "I want to know the truth. I + want to know if I am still tied to this man, or if I am free to follow the + dictates of my own conscience,—to make my life anew,—to become—you + see I am not ashamed to say it—to become the honest wife of some + honest man." + </p> + <p> + "A divorce would suit your purpose equally," said Brimmer coldly. "It can + be easily obtained." + </p> + <p> + "A divorce! Do you know what that means to a woman in my profession? It is + a badge of shame,—a certificate of disgrace,—an advertisement + to every miserable wretch who follows me with his advances that I have no + longer the sanctity of girlhood, nor the protection of a wife." + </p> + <p> + There was tragic emotion in her voice, there were tears in her eyes. Mr. + Brimmer, gazing at her with what he firmly thought to be absolute and + incisive penetration, did not believe either. But like most practical + analysts of the half-motived sex, he was only half right. The emotion and + the tears were as real as anything else in the woman under criticism, + notwithstanding that they were not as real as they would have been in the + man who criticised. He, however, did her full justice on a point where + most men and all women misjudged her: he believed that, through instinct + and calculation, she had been materially faithful to her husband; that + this large goddess-like physique had all the impeccability of a goddess; + that the hysterical dissipation in which she indulged herself was purely + mental, and usurped and preoccupied all other emotions. In this public + exposition of her beauty there was no sense of shame, for there was no + sense of the passion it evoked. And he was right. But there he should have + stopped. Unfortunately, his masculine logic forced him to supply a reason + for her coldness in the existence of some more absorbing passion. He + believed her ambitious and calculating: she was neither. He believed she + might have made him an admirable copartner and practical helpmeet: he was + wrong. + </p> + <p> + "You know my secret now," she continued. "You know why I am anxious to + know my fate. You understand now why I sympathize with"—she stopped, + and made a half contemptuous gesture—"with these men Markham and + Keene. THEY do not know it; perhaps they prefer to listen to their own + vanity—that's the way of most men; but you do know it, and you have + no excuse for misjudging me, or undeceiving them." She stopped and looked + at the clock. "They will be here in five minutes; do you wish them to find + you already here?" + </p> + <p> + "It is as YOU wish," stammered Brimmer, completely losing his + self-possession. + </p> + <p> + "I have no wish," she said, with a sublime gesture of indifference. "If + you wait you can entertain them here, while Rosina is dressing me in the + next room. We sup in the larger room across the hall." + </p> + <p> + As she disappeared, Quincy Brimmer rose irresolutely from his seat and + checked a half uttered exclamation. Then he turned nervously to the + parlor-door. What a senseless idiot he had become! He had never for an + instant conceived the idea of making this preliminary confidential visit + known to the others; he had no wish to suggest the appearance of an + assignation with the woman, who, rightly or wrongly, was notorious; he had + nothing to gain by this voluntary assumption of a compromising attitude; + yet here he was, he—Mr. Brimmer—with the appearance of being + installed in her parlor, receiving her visitors, and dispensing her + courtesies. Only a man recklessly in love would be guilty of such an + indiscretion—even Markham's feebleness had never reached this + absurdity. In the midst of his uneasiness there was a knock at the door; + he opened it himself nervously and sharply. Markham's self-satisfied face + drew back in alarm and embarrassment at the unexpected apparition. The + sight restored Brimmer's coolness and satirical self-possession. + </p> + <p> + "I—I—didn't know you were here," stammered Markham. "I left + Keene in your room." + </p> + <p> + "Then why didn't you bring him along with you?" said Brimmer maliciously. + "Go and fetch him." + </p> + <p> + "Yes; but he said you were to meet him there," continued Markham, glancing + around the empty room with a slight expression of relief. + </p> + <p> + "My watch was twenty minutes fast, and I had given him up," said Brimmer, + with mendacious effrontery. "Miss Montgomery is dressing. You can bring + him here before she returns." + </p> + <p> + Markham flew uneasily down the corridor and quickly returned with a + handsome young fellow of five-and-twenty, whose frank face was beaming + with excitement and youthful energy. The two elder men could not help + regarding him with a mingled feeling of envy and compassion. + </p> + <p> + "Did you tell Brimmer yet?" said Keene, with animation. + </p> + <p> + "I haven't had time," hesitated Markham. "The fact is, Brimmer, I think of + going with Keene on this expedition." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed!" said Brimmer superciliously. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Markham, coloring slightly. "You see, we've got news. Tell + him, Dick." + </p> + <p> + "The Storm Cloud got in yesterday from Valparaiso and Central American + ports," said Keene, with glowing cheeks. "I boarded her, as usual, last + night, for information. The mate says there is a story of a man picked up + crazy, in an open fishing-boat, somewhere off the peninsula, and brought + into hospital at San Juan last August. He recovered enough lately to tell + his story and claim to be Captain Bunker of the Excelsior, whose crew + mutinied and ran her ashore in a fog. But the boat in which he was picked + up was a Mexican fishing-boat, and there was something revolutionary and + political about the story, so that the authorities detained him. The + consul has just been informed of the circumstances, and has taken the + matter in hand." + </p> + <p> + "It's a queer story," said Brimmer, gazing from the one to the other, "and + I will look into it also to-morrow. If it is true," he added slowly, "I + will go with you." + </p> + <p> + Richard Keene extended his hand impulsively to his two elders. + </p> + <p> + "You'll excuse me for saying it, Brimmer—and you, too, Markham—but + this is just what I've been looking forward to. Not but what I'd have + found Nell without your assistance; but you see, boys, it DID look mighty + mean in me to make more fuss about a sister than you would for your wives! + But now that it's all settled"— + </p> + <p> + "We'll go to supper," said Miss Montgomery theatrically, appearing at the + door. "Dick will give me his arm." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <h3> + THE MOURNERS AT TODOS SANTOS. + </h3> + <p> + There was a breath of spring in the soft morning air of Todos Santos—a + breath so subtle and odorous that it penetrated the veil of fog beyond the + bay, and for a moment lingered on the deck of a passing steamer like an + arresting memory. But only for an instant; the Ometepe, bound from San + Francisco to San Juan del Norte, with its four seekers of the Excelsior, + rolled and plunged on its way unconsciously. + </p> + <p> + Within the bay and over the restful pueblo still dwelt the golden haze of + its perpetual summer; the two towers of the old Mission church seemed to + dissolve softly into the mellow upper twilight, and the undulating valleys + rolled their green waves up to the wooded heights of San Antonio, that + still smiled down upon the arid, pallid desert. But although Nature had + not changed in the months that had passed since the advent of the + Excelsior, there appeared some strange mutations in the town and its + inhabitants. On the beach below the Presidio was the unfinished skeleton + of a small sea-going vessel on rude stocks; on the plaza rose the framed + walls and roofless rafters of a wooden building; near the Embarcadero was + the tall adobe chimney of some inchoate manufactory whose walls had half + risen from their foundations; but all of these objects had evidently + succumbed to the drowsy influence of the climate, and already had taken + the appearances of later and less picturesque ruins of the past. There + were singular innovations in the costumes: one or two umbrellas, used as + sunshades, were seen upon the square; a few small chip hats had taken the + place of the stiff sombreros, with an occasional tall white beaver; while + linen coat and nankeen trousers had, at times, usurped the short velvet + jacket and loose calzas of the national costume. + </p> + <p> + At San Antonio the change was still more perceptible. Beside the yawning + pit of the abandoned silver mine a straggling building arose, filled with + rude machinery, bearing the legend, painted in glowing letters, "Excelsior + Silver Mining Co., J. Crosby, Superintendent;" and in the midst of certain + excavations assailing the integrity of the cliff itself was another small + building, scarcely larger than a sentry-box, with the inscription, + "Office: Eleanor Quicksilver Smelting Works." + </p> + <p> + Basking in that yellow morning sunlight, with his back against his office, + Mr. Brace was seated on the ground, rolling a cigarette. A few feet from + him Crosby, extended on his back on the ground, was lazily puffing rings + of smoke into the still air. Both of these young gentlemen were dressed in + exaggerated Mexican costumes; the silver buttons fringing the edge of + Crosby's calza, open from the knee down to show a glimpse of the snowy + under-trouser, were richer and heavier than those usually worn; while + Brace, in addition to the crimson silk sash round his waist, wore a + crimson handkerchief around his head, under his sombrero. + </p> + <p> + "Pepe's falling off in his tobacco," said Brace. "I think I'll have to try + some other Fonda." + </p> + <p> + "How's Banks getting on with his crop?" asked Crosby. "You know he was + going to revolutionize the business, and cut out Cuba on that hillside." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, the usual luck! He couldn't get proper cultivators, and the Injins + wouldn't work regular. I must try and get hold of some of the Comandante's + stock; but I'm out of favor with the old man since Winslow and I wrecked + that fishing-boat on the rocks off yonder. He always believed we were + trying to run off, like Captain Bunker. That's why he stopped our + shipbuilding, I really believe." + </p> + <p> + "All the same, we might have had it built and ready now but for our + laziness. We might have worked on it nights without their knowing it, and + slipped off some morning in the fog." + </p> + <p> + "And we wouldn't have got one of the women to go with us! If we are + getting shiftless here—and I don't say we're not—these women + have just planted themselves and have taken root. But that ain't all: + there's the influence of that infernal sneak Hurlstone! He's set the + Comandante against us, you know; he, and the priest, the Comandante, and + Nelly Keene make up the real Council of Todos Santos. Between them they've + shoved out the poor little Alcalde, who's ready to give up everything to + dance attendance on Mrs. Brimmer. They run the whole concern, and they + give out that it's owing to them that we're given parole of the town, and + the privilege of spending our money and working these mines. Who'd have + thought that sneak Hurlstone would have played his cards so well? It makes + me regularly sick to hear him called 'Don Diego.'" + </p> + <p> + "Yet you're mightily tickled when that black-eyed sister of the Alcalde + calls you 'Don Carlos,'" said Crosby, yawning. + </p> + <p> + "Dona Isabel," said Brace, with some empressement, "is a lady of position, + and these are only her national courtesies." + </p> + <p> + "She just worships Miss Keene, and I reckon she knows by this time all + about your old attentions to her friend," said Crosby, with lazy mischief. + </p> + <p> + "My attentions to Miss Keene were simply those of an ordinary + acquaintance, and were never as strongly marked as yours to Mrs. Brimmer." + </p> + <p> + "Who has deserted ME as Miss Keene did YOU," rejoined Crosby. + </p> + <p> + Brace's quick color had risen again, and he would have made some sharp + retort, but the jingling of spurs caught his ear. They both turned + quickly, and saw Banks approaching. He was dressed as a vaquero, but with + his companions' like exaggeration of detail; yet, while his spurs were + enormous, and his sombrero unusually expansive, he still clung to his high + shirt-collars and accurately tied check cravat. + </p> + <p> + "Well?" he said, approaching them. + </p> + <p> + "Well?" said Crosby. + </p> + <p> + "Well?" repeated Brace. + </p> + <p> + After this national salutation, the three Americans regarded each other + silently. + </p> + <p> + "Knocked off cultivating to-day?" queried Crosby, lighting a fresh + cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "The peons have," said Banks; "it's another saint's day. That's the fourth + in two weeks. Leaves about two clear working days in each week, counting + for the days off, when they're getting over the effects of the others. I + tell you what, sir, the Catholic religion is not suited to a working + civilization, or else the calendar ought to be overhauled and a lot of + these saints put on the retired list. It's hard enough to have all the + Apostles on your pay-roll, so to speak, but to have a lot of fellows run + in on you as saints, and some of them not even men or women, but IDEAS, is + piling up the agony! I don't wonder they call the place 'All Saints.' The + only thing to do," continued Banks severely, "is to open communication + with the desert, and run in some of the heathen tribes outside. I've made + a proposition to the Council offering to take five hundred of them in the + raw, unregenerate state, and turn 'em over after a year to the Church. If + I could get Hurlstone to do some log-rolling with that Padre, his friend, + I might get the bill through. But I'm always put off till to-morrow. + Everything here is 'Hasta manana; hasta manana,' always. I believe when + the last trump is sounded, they'll say, 'Hasta manana.' What are YOU + doing?" he said, after a pause. + </p> + <p> + "Waiting for your ship," answered Crosby sarcastically. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you can laugh, gentlemen—but you won't have to wait long. + According to my calculations that Mexican ship is about due now. And I + ain't basing my figures on anything the Mexican Government is going to do, + or any commercial speculation. I'm reckoning on the Catholic Church." + </p> + <p> + The two men languidly looked towards him. Banks continued gravely,— + </p> + <p> + "I made the proper inquiries, and I find that the stock of rosaries, + scapularies, blessed candles, and other ecclesiastical goods, is running + low. I find that just at the nick of time a fresh supply always comes from + the Bishop of Guadalajara, with instructions from the Church. Now, + gentlemen, my opinion is that the Church, and the Church only, knows the + secret of the passage through the foggy channel, and keeps it to itself. I + look at this commercially, as a question of demand and supply. Well, sir; + the only real trader here at Todos Santos is the Church." + </p> + <p> + "Then you don't take in account the interests of Brimmer, Markham, and + Keene," said Brace. "Do you suppose they're doing nothing?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't say they're not; but you're confounding interests with INSTINCTS. + They haven't got the instinct to find this place, and all that they've + done and are doing is blind calculation. Just look at the facts. As the + filibuster who captured the Excelsior of course changed her name, her + rig-out, and her flag, and even got up a false register for her, she's as + good as lost, as far as the world knows, until she lands at Quinquinambo. + Then supposing she's found out, and the whole story is known—although + everything's against such a proposition—the news has got to go back + to San Francisco before the real search will be begun. As to any clue that + might come from Captain Bunker, that's still more remote. Allowing he + crossed the bar and got out of the channel, he wasn't at the right time + for meeting a passing steamer; and the only coasters are Mexican. If he + didn't die of delirium tremens or exposure, and was really picked up in + his senses by some other means, he would have been back with succor before + this, if only to get our evidence to prove the loss of the vessel. No, sir + sooner or later, of course, the San Francisco crowd are bound to find us + here. And if it wasn't for my crops and our mine, I wouldn't be in a hurry + for them; but our FIRST hold is the Church." + </p> + <p> + He stopped. Crosby was asleep. Brace arose lazily, lounged into his + office, and closed his desk. + </p> + <p> + "Going to shut for the day?" said Banks, yawning. + </p> + <p> + "I reckon," said Brace dubiously; "I don't know but I'd take a little + pasear into the town if I had my horse ready." + </p> + <p> + "Take mine, and I'll trapse over on foot to the Ranche with Crosby—after + a spell. You'll find him under that big madrono, if he has not already + wound himself up with his lariat by walking round it. Those Mexican horses + can't go straight even when they graze—they must feed in a circle. + He's a little fresh, so look out for him!" + </p> + <p> + "All the better. I'd like to get into town just after the siesta." + </p> + <p> + "Siesta!" echoed Banks, lying comfortably down in the shade just vacated + by Brace; "that's another of their shiftless practices. Two hours out of + every day—that's a day out of the week—spent in a hammock; and + during business hours too! It's disgraceful, sir, simply disgraceful." + </p> + <p> + He turned over and closed his eyes, as if to reflect on its enormity. + </p> + <p> + Brace had no difficulty in finding the mare, although some trouble in + mounting her. But, like his companions, having quickly adopted the habits + of the country, he had become a skillful and experienced horseman, and the + mustang, after a few springless jumps, which failed to unseat him, + submitted to his rider. The young man galloped rapidly towards Todos + Santos; but when within a few miles of the pueblo he slackened his pace. + From the smiles and greetings of wayfarers—among whom were some + pretty Indian girls and mestizas—it was evident that the handsome + young foreigner, who had paid them the compliment of extravagantly + adopting their national costume, was neither an unfamiliar nor an + unpleasing spectacle. When he reached the posada at the top of the hilly + street, he even carried his simulation of the local customs to the point + of charging the veranda at full speed, and pulling up suddenly at the + threshold, after the usual fashion of vaqueros. The impetuous apparition + brought a short stout man to the door, who, welcoming him with effusive + politeness, conducted him to an inner room that gave upon a green grass + courtyard. Seated before a rude table, sipping aguardiente, was his + countryman Winslow and two traders of the pueblo. They were evidently of + the number already indicated who had adopted the American fashions. Senor + Ruiz wore a linen "duster" in place of his embroidered jacket, and Senor + Martinez had an American beard, or "goatee," in imitation of Mr. Banks. + The air was yellow with the fumes of tobacco, through which the shrewd + eyes of Winslow gleamed murkily. + </p> + <p> + "This," he said to his countryman, in fluent if not elegant Spanish, + indicating the gentleman who had imitated Banks, "is a man of ideas, and a + power in Todos Santos. He would control all the votes in his district if + there were anything like popular suffrage here, and he understands the + American policy." + </p> + <p> + Senor Martinez here hastened to inform Mr. Brace that he had long + cherished a secret and enthusiastic admiration for that grand and + magnanimous nation of which his friend was such a noble representative; + that, indeed, he might say it was an inherited taste, for had not his + grandfather once talked with the American whaling Capitano Coffino and + partaken of a subtle spirit known as "er-r-rum" on his ship at Acapulco? + </p> + <p> + "There's nothing mean about Martinez," said Winslow to Brace + confidentially, in English. "He's up to anything, and ready from the word + 'Go.' Don't you think he's a little like Banks, you know—a sort of + Mexican edition. And there is Ruiz, he's a cattle dealer; he'd be a good + friend of Banks if Banks wasn't so infernally self-opinionated. But Ruiz + ain't a fool, either. He's picked up a little English—good American, + I mean—from me already." + </p> + <p> + Senor Ruiz here smiled affably, to show his comprehension; and added + slowly, with great gravity,— + </p> + <p> + "It is of twenty-four year I have first time the Amencano of your + beautiful country known. He have buy the hides and horns of the cattle—for + his ship—here." + </p> + <p> + "Here?" echoed Brace. "I thought no American ship—no ship at all—had + been in here for fifty years." + </p> + <p> + Ruiz shrugged his shoulders, and cast a glance at his friend Martinez, + lowered his voice and lifted his eyelashes at the same moment, and, + jerking his yellow, tobacco-stained thumb over his arm, said,— + </p> + <p> + "Ah—of a verity—on the beach—two leagues away." + </p> + <p> + "Do you hear that?" said Winslow, turning complacently to Brace and rising + to his feet. "Don't you see now what hogwash the Commander, Alcalde, and + the priest have been cramming down our throats about this place being + sealed up for fifty years. What he says is all Gospel truth. That's what I + wanted you fellows to hear, and you might have heard before, only you were + afraid of compromising yourselves by talking with the people. You get it + into your heads—and the Comandante helped you to get it there—that + Todos Santos was a sort of Sleepy Hollow, and that no one knew anything of + the political changes for the last fifty years. Well, what's the fact? Ask + Ruiz there, and Martinez, and they'll both tell you they know that Mexico + got her independence in 1826, and that the Council keep it dark that they + may perpetuate themselves. They know," he continued, lowering his voice, + "that the Commander's commission from the old Viceroy isn't worth the + paper it is stamped upon." + </p> + <p> + "But what about the Church?" asked Brace hesitatingly, remembering Banks' + theory. + </p> + <p> + "The Church—caramba! the priests were ever with the Escossas, the + aristocrats, and against the Yorkenos, the men of the Republic—the + people," interrupted Martinez vehemently; "they will not accept, they will + not proclaim the Republic to the people. They shut their eyes, so—. + They fold their hands, so—. They say, 'Sicut era principio et nunc + et semper in secula seculorum!' Look you, Senor, I am not of the Church—no, + caramba! I snap my fingers at the priests. Ah! what they give one is food + for the bull's horns, believe me—I have read 'Tompano,' the American + 'Tompano.'" + </p> + <p> + "Who's he?" asked Brace. + </p> + <p> + "He means Tom Paine! 'The Age of Reason'—you know," said Winslow, + gazing with a mixture of delight and patronizing pride at the Radicals of + Todos Santos. "Oh! he's no fool—is Martinez, nor Ruiz either! And + while you've been flirting with Dona Isabel, and Banks has been trying to + log-roll the Padre, and Crosby going in for siestas, I'VE found them out. + And there are a few more—aren't there, Ruiz?" + </p> + <p> + Ruiz darted a mysterious glance at Brace, and apparently not trusting + himself to speak, checked off his ten fingers dramatically in the air + thrice. + </p> + <p> + "As many of a surety! God and liberty!" + </p> + <p> + "But, if this is so, why haven't they DONE something?" + </p> + <p> + Senor Martinez glanced at Senor Ruiz. + </p> + <p> + "Hasta manana!" he said slowly. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, this is a case of 'Hasta manana!'" said Brace, somewhat relieved. + </p> + <p> + "They can wait," returned Winslow hurriedly. "It's too big a thing to rush + into without looking round. You know what it means? Either Todos Santos is + in rebellion against the present Government of Mexico, or she is + independent of any. Her present Government, in any event, don't represent + either the Republic of Mexico or the people of Todos Santos—don't + you see? And in that case WE'VE got as good a right here as any one." + </p> + <p> + "He speaks the truth," said Ruiz, grasping a hand of Brace and Winslow + each; "in this we are—as brothers." + </p> + <p> + "God and liberty!" ejaculated Martinez, in turn seizing the other + disengaged hands of the Americans, and completing the mystic circle. + </p> + <p> + "God and liberty!" echoed a thin chorus from their host and a few loungers + who had entered unperceived. + </p> + <p> + Brace felt uneasy. He was not wanting in the courage or daring of youth, + but it struck him that his attitude was by no means consistent with his + attentions to Dona Isabel. He managed to get Winslow aside. + </p> + <p> + "This is all very well as a 'free lunch' conspiracy; but you're forgetting + your parole," he said, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + "We gave our parole to the present Government. When it no longer exists, + there will be no parole—don't you see?" + </p> + <p> + "Then these fellows prefer waiting"— + </p> + <p> + "Until we can get OUTSIDE help, you understand. The first American ship + that comes in here—eh?" + </p> + <p> + Brace felt relieved. After all, his position in regard to the Alcalde's + sister would not be compromised; he might even be able to extend some + protection over her; and it would be a magnanimous revenge if he could + even offer it to Miss Keene. + </p> + <p> + "I see you don't swear anybody to secrecy," he said, with a laugh; "shall + I speak to Crosby, or will you?" + </p> + <p> + "Not yet; he'll only see something to laugh at. And Banks and Martinez + would quarrel at once, and go back on each other. No; my idea is to let + some outsider do for Todos Santos what Perkins did for Quinquinambo. Do + you take?" + </p> + <p> + His long, thin, dyspeptic face lit up with a certain small political + cunning and shrewdness that struck Brace with a half-respect. + </p> + <p> + "I say, Winslow; you'd have made a first-class caucus leader in San + Francisco." + </p> + <p> + Winslow smiled complacently. "There's something better to play on here + than ward politics," he replied. "There's a material here that—like + the mine and the soil—ain't half developed. I reckon I can show + Banks something that beats lobbying and log-rolling for contracts. I've + let you into this thing to show you a sample of my prospecting. Keep it to + yourself if you want it to pay. Dat's me, George! Good-by! I'll be out to + the office to-morrow!" + </p> + <p> + He turned back towards his brother politicians with an expression of + satisfied conceit that Brace for a moment envied. The latter even lingered + on the veranda, as if he would have asked Winslow another question; but, + looking at his watch, he suddenly recollected himself, and, mounting his + horse, cantered down towards the plaza. + </p> + <p> + The hour of siesta was not yet over, and the streets were still deserted—probably + the reason why the politicians of Todos Santos had chosen that hour for + their half secret meeting. At the corner of the plaza he dismounted and + led his horse to the public hitching-post—gnawn and nibbled by the + teeth of generations of mustangs—and turned into the narrow lane + flanked by the walls of the Alcalde's garden. Halfway down he stopped + before a slight breach in the upper part of the adobe barrier, and looked + cautiously around. The long, shadowed vista of the lane was unobstructed + by any moving figure as far as the yellow light of the empty square + beyond. With a quick leap he gained the top of the wall and disappeared on + the other aide. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <h3> + INTERNATIONAL COURTESIES. + </h3> + <p> + The garden over whose wall Brace had mysteriously vanished was apparently + as deserted as the lane and plaza without. But its solitude was one of + graceful shadow and restful loveliness. A tropical luxuriance, that had + perpetuated itself year after year, until it was half suffocated in its + own overgrowth and strangled with its own beauty, spread over a variegated + expanse of starry flowers, shimmering leaves, and slender inextricable + branches, pierced here and there by towering rigid cactus spikes or the + curved plumes of palms. The repose of ages lay in its hushed groves, its + drooping vines, its lifeless creepers; the dry dust of its decaying leaves + and branches mingled with the living perfumes like the spiced embalmings + of a forgotten past. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, this tranquillity, after a few moments, was singularly + disturbed. There was no breeze stirring, and yet the long fronds of a + large fan palm, that stood near the breach in the wall, began to move + gently from right to left, like the arms of some graceful semaphore, and + then as suddenly stopped. Almost at the same moment a white curtain, + listlessly hanging from a canopied balcony of the Alcalde's house, began + to exhibit a like rhythmical and regular agitation. Then everything was + motionless again; an interval of perfect peace settled upon the garden. It + was broken by the apparition of Brace under the balcony, and the + black-veiled and flowered head of Dona Isabel from the curtain above. + </p> + <p> + "Crazy boy!" + </p> + <p> + "Senorita!" + </p> + <p> + "Hush! I am coming down!" + </p> + <p> + "You? But Dona Ursula!" + </p> + <p> + "There is no more Dona Ursula!" + </p> + <p> + "Well—your duenna, whoever she is!" + </p> + <p> + "There is no duenna!" + </p> + <p> + "What?" + </p> + <p> + "Hush up your tongue, idiot boy!" (this in English.) + </p> + <p> + The little black head and the rose on top of it disappeared. Brace drew + himself up against the wall and waited. The time seemed interminable. + Impatiently looking up and down, he at last saw Dona Isabel at a distance, + quietly and unconcernedly moving among the roses, and occasionally + stooping as if to pick them. In an instant he was at her side. + </p> + <p> + "Let me help you," he said. + </p> + <p> + She opened her little brownish palm,— + </p> + <p> + "Look!" In her hand were a few leaves of some herb. "It is for you." + </p> + <p> + Brace seized and kissed the hand. + </p> + <p> + "Is it some love-test?" + </p> + <p> + "It is for what you call a julep-cocktail," she replied gravely. "He will + remain in a glass with aguardiente; you shall drink him with a straw. My + sister has said that ever where the Americans go they expect him to + arrive." + </p> + <p> + "I prefer to take him straight," said Brace, laughing, as he nibbled a + limp leaf bruised by the hand of the young girl. "He's pleasanter, and, on + the whole, more wildly intoxicating this way! But what about your duenna? + and how comes this blessed privilege of seeing you alone?" + </p> + <p> + Dona Isabel lifted her black eyes suddenly to Brace. + </p> + <p> + "You do not comprehend, then? Is it not, then, the custom of the + Americans? Is it not, then, that there is no duenna in your country?" + </p> + <p> + "There are certainly no duennas in my country. But who has changed the + custom here?" + </p> + <p> + "Is it not true that in your country any married woman shall duenna the + young senorita?" continued Dona Isabel, without replying; "that any + caballero and senorita shall see each other in the patio, and not under a + balcony?—that they may speak with the lips, and not the fan?" + </p> + <p> + "Well—yes," said Brace. + </p> + <p> + "Then my brother has arranged it as so. He have much hear the Dona Barbara + Brimmer when she make talk of these things frequently, and he is informed + and impressed much. He will truly have that you will come of the corridor, + and not the garden, for me, and that I shall have no duenna but the Dona + Barbara. This does not make you happy, you American idiot boy!" + </p> + <p> + It did not. The thought of carrying on a flirtation under the fastidious + Boston eye of Mrs. Brimmer, instead of under the discreet and mercenarily + averted orbs of Dona Ursula, did not commend itself pleasantly to Brace. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes," he returned quickly. "We will go into the corridor, in the + fashion of my country"— + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Dona Isabel dubiously. + </p> + <p> + "AFTER we have walked in the garden in the fashion of YOURS. That's only + fair, isn't it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Dona Isabel gravely; "that's what the Comandante will call + 'internation-al courtesy.'" + </p> + <p> + The young man slipped his arm around the young diplomatist's waist, and + they walked on in decorous silence under the orange-trees. + </p> + <p> + "It seems to me," said Brace presently, "that Mrs. Brimmer has a good deal + to say up your way?" + </p> + <p> + "Ah, yes; but what will you? It is my brother who has love for her." + </p> + <p> + "But," said Brace, stopping suddenly, "doesn't he know that she has a + husband living?" + </p> + <p> + Dona Isabel lifted her lashes in childlike wonder. + </p> + <p> + "Always! you idiot American boy. That is why. Ah, Mother of God! my + brother is discreet. He is not a maniac, like you, to come after a silly + muchacha like me." + </p> + <p> + The response which Brace saw fit to make to this statement elicited a + sharp tap upon the knuckles from Dona Isabel. + </p> + <p> + "Tell to me," she said suddenly, "is not that a custom of your country?" + </p> + <p> + "What? THAT?" + </p> + <p> + "No, insensate. To attend a married senora?" + </p> + <p> + "Not openly." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, that is wrong," said Dona Isabel meditatively, moving the point of + her tiny slipper on the gravel. "Then it is the young girl that shall come + in the corridor and the married lady on the balcony?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, yes." + </p> + <p> + "Good-by, ape!" + </p> + <p> + She ran swiftly down the avenue of palms to a small door at the back of + the house, turned, blew a kiss over the edge of her fan to Brace, and + disappeared. He hesitated a moment or two, then quickly rescaling the + wall, dropped into the lane outside, followed it to the gateway of the + casa, and entered the patio as Dona Isabel decorously advanced from a + darkened passage to the corridor. Although the hour of siesta had passed, + her sister, Miss Chubb, the Alcalde, and Mrs. Brimmer were still lounging + here on sofas and hammocks. + </p> + <p> + It would have been difficult for a stranger at a first glance to discover + the nationality of the ladies. Mrs. Brimmer and her friend Miss Chubb had + entirely succumbed to the extreme dishabille of the Spanish toilet—not + without a certain languid grace on the part of Mrs. Brimmer, whose easy + contour lent itself to the stayless bodice; or a certain bashful, youthful + naivete on the part of Miss Chubb, the rounded dazzling whiteness of whose + neck and shoulders half pleased and half frightened her in her low, white, + plain camisa—under the lace mantilla. + </p> + <p> + "It is SUCH a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Brace," said Mrs. Brimmer, + languidly observing the young man through the sticks of her fan; "I was + telling Don Ramon that I feared Dona Ursula had frightened you away. I + told him that your experience of American society might have caused you to + misinterpret the habitual reserve of the Castilian," she continued with + the air of being already an alien of her own country, "and I should be + only too happy to undertake the chaperoning of both these young ladies in + their social relations with our friends. And how is dear Mr. Banks? and + Mr. Crosby? whom I so seldom see now. I suppose, however, business has its + superior attractions." + </p> + <p> + But Don Ramon, with impulsive gallantry, would not—nay, COULD not—for + a moment tolerate a heresy so alarming. It was simply wildly impossible. + For why? In the presence of Dona Barbara—it exists not in the heart + of man! + </p> + <p> + "YOU cannot, of course, conceive it, Don Ramon," said Mrs. Brimmer, with + an air of gentle suffering; "but I fear it is sadly true of the American + gentlemen. They become too absorbed in their business. They forget their + duty to our sex in their selfish devotion to affairs in which we are + debarred from joining them, and yet they wonder that we prefer the society + of men who are removed by birth, tradition, and position from this + degrading kind of selfishness." + </p> + <p> + "But that was scarcely true of your own husband. HE was not only a + successful man in business, but we can see that he was equally successful + in his relations to at least one of the fastidious sex," said Brace, + maliciously glancing at Don Ramon. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Brimmer received the innuendo with invulnerable simplicity. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Brimmer is, I am happy to say, NOT a business man. He entered into + certain contracts having more or less of a political complexion, and + carrying with them the genius but not the material results of trade. That + he is not a business man—and a successful one—my position here + at the present time is a sufficient proof," she said triumphantly. "And I + must also protest," she added, with a faint sigh, "against Mr. Brimmer + being spoken of in the past tense by anybody. It is painfully premature + and ominous!" + </p> + <p> + She drew her mantilla across her shoulders with an expression of shocked + sensitiveness which completed the humiliation of Brace and the subjugation + of Don Ramon. But, unlike most of her sex, she was wise in the moment of + victory. She cast a glance over her fan at Brace, and turned languidly to + Dona Isabel. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Brace must surely want some refreshment after his long ride. Why + don't you seize this opportunity to show him the garden and let him select + for himself the herbs he requires for that dreadful American drink; Miss + Chubb and your sister will remain with me to receive the Comandante's + secretary and the Doctor when they come." + </p> + <p> + "She's more than my match," whispered Brace to Dona Isabel, as they left + the corridor together. "I give in. I don't understand her: she frightens + me." + </p> + <p> + "That is of your conscience! It is that you would understand the Dona + Leonor—your dear Miss Keene—better! Ah! silence, imbecile! + this Dona Barbara is even as thou art—a talking parrot. She will + have that the Comandante's secretary, Manuel, shall marry Mees Chubb, and + that the Doctor shall marry my sister. But she knows not that Manuel—listen + so that you shall get sick at your heart and swallow your moustachio!—that + Manuel loves the beautiful Leonor, and that Leonor loves not him, but Don + Diego; and that my sister loathes the little Doctor. And this Dona + Barbara, that makes your liver white, would be a feeder of chickens with + such barley as this! Ah! come along!" + </p> + <p> + The arrival of the Doctor and the Comandante's secretary created another + diversion, and the pairing off of the two couples indicated by Dona Isabel + for a stroll in the garden, which was now beginning to recover from the + still heat of mid-day. This left Don Ramon and Mrs. Brimmer alone in the + corridor; Mrs. Brimmer's indefinite languor, generally accepted as some + vague aristocratic condition of mind and body, not permitting her to join + them. + </p> + <p> + There was a moment of dangerous silence; the voices of the young people + were growing fainter in the distance. Mrs. Brimmer's eyes, in the shadow + of her fan, were becoming faintly phosphorescent. Don Ramon's melancholy + face, which had grown graver in the last few moments, approached nearer to + her own. + </p> + <p> + "You are unhappy, Dona Barbara. The coming of this young cavalier, your + countryman, revives your anxiety for your home. You are thinking of this + husband who comes not. Is it not so?" + </p> + <p> + "I am thinking," said Mrs. Brimmer, with a sudden revulsion of solid + Boston middle-class propriety, shown as much in the dry New England + asperity of voice that stung even through her drawling of the Castilian + speech, as in anything she said,—"I am thinking that, unless Mr. + Brimmer comes soon, I and Miss Chubb shall have to abandon the hospitality + of your house, Don Ramon. Without looking upon myself as a widow, or as + indefinitely separated from Mr. Brimmer, the few words let fall by Mr. + Brace show me what might be the feelings of my countrymen on the subject. + However charming and considerate your hospitality has been—and I do + not deny that it has been MOST grateful to ME—I feel I cannot + continue to accept it in those equivocal circumstances. I am speaking to a + gentleman who, with the instincts and chivalrous obligations of his order, + must sympathize with my own delicacy in coming to this conclusion, and who + will not take advantage of my confession that I do it with pain." + </p> + <p> + She spoke with a dry alacrity and precision so unlike her usual languor + and the suggestions of the costume, and even the fan she still kept + shading her faintly glowing eyes, that the man before her was more + troubled by her manner than her words, which he had but imperfectly + understood. + </p> + <p> + "You will leave here—this house?" he stammered. + </p> + <p> + "It is necessary," she returned. + </p> + <p> + "But you shall listen to me first!" he said hurriedly. "Hear me, Dona + Barbara—I have a secret—I will to you confess"— + </p> + <p> + "You must confess nothing," said Mrs. Brimmer, dropping her feet from the + hammock, and sitting up primly, "I mean—nothing I may not hear." + </p> + <p> + The Alcalde cast a look upon her at once blank and imploring. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, but you will hear," he said, after a pause. "There is a ship coming + here. In two weeks she will arrive. None know it but myself, the + Comandante, and the Padre. It is a secret of the Government. She will come + at night; she will depart in the morning, and no one else shall know. It + has ever been that she brings no one to Todos Santos, that she takes no + one from Todos Santos. That is the law. But I swear to you that she shall + take you, your children, and your friend to Acapulco in secret, where you + will be free. You will join your husband; you will be happy. I will + remain, and I will die." + </p> + <p> + It would have been impossible for any woman but Mrs. Brimmer to have + regarded the childlike earnestness and melancholy simplicity of this + grown-up man without a pang. Even this superior woman experienced a + sensible awkwardness as she slipped from the hammock and regained an + upright position. + </p> + <p> + "Of course," she, began, "your offer is exceedingly generous; and although + I should not, perhaps, take a step of this kind without the sanction of + Mr. Brimmer, and am not sure that he would not regard it as rash and + premature, I will talk it over with Miss Chubb, for whom I am partially + responsible. Nothing," she continued, with a sudden access of feeling, + "would induce me, for any selfish consideration, to take any step that + would imperil the future of that child, towards whom I feel as a sister." + A slight suffusion glistened under her pretty brown lashes. "If anything + should happen to her, I would never forgive myself; if I should be the + unfortunate means of severing any ties that SHE may have formed, I could + never look her in the face again. Of course, I can well understand that + our presence here must be onerous to you, and that you naturally look + forward to any sacrifice—even that of the interests of your country, + and the defiance of its laws—to relieve you from a position so + embarrassing as yours has become. I only trust, however, that the ill + effects you allude to as likely to occur to yourself after our departure + may be exaggerated by your sensitive nature. It would be an obligation + added to the many that we owe you, which Mr. Brimmer would naturally find + he could not return—and that, I can safely say, he would not hear of + for a single moment." + </p> + <p> + While speaking, she had unconsciously laid aside her fan, lifted her + mantilla from her head with both hands, and, drawing it around her + shoulders and under her lifted chin, had crossed it over her bosom with a + certain prim, automatic gesture, as if it had been the starched kerchief + of some remote Puritan ancestress. With her arms still unconsciously + crossed, she stooped rigidly, picked up her fan with three fingers, as if + it had been a prayer-book, and, with a slight inclination of her bared + head, with its accurately parted brown hair, passed slowly out of the + corridor. + </p> + <p> + Astounded, bewildered, yet conscious of some vague wound, Don Ramon + remained motionless, staring after her straight, retreating figure. Unable + to follow closely either the meaning of her words or the logic of her + reasoning, he nevertheless comprehended the sudden change in her manner, + her voice, and the frigid resurrection of a nature he had neither known + nor suspected. He looked blankly at the collapsed hammock, as if he + expected to find in its depths those sinuous graces, languid fascinations, + and the soft, half sensuous contour cast off by this vanishing figure of + propriety. + </p> + <p> + In the eight months of their enforced intimacy and platonic seclusion he + had learned to love this naive, insinuating woman, whose frank simplicity + seemed equal to his own, without thought of reserve, secrecy, or deceit. + He had gradually been led to think of the absent husband with what he + believed to be her own feelings—as of some impalpable, fleshless + ancestor from whose remote presence she derived power, wealth, and + importance, but to whom she owed only respect and certain obligations of + honor equal to his own. He had never heard her speak of her husband with + love, with sympathy, with fellowship, with regret. She had barely spoken + of him at all, and then rather as an attractive factor in her own + fascinations than a bar to a free indulgence in them. He was as little in + her way as—his children. With what grace she had adapted herself to + his—Don Ramon's—life—she who frankly confessed she had + no sympathy with her husband's! With what languid enthusiasm she had taken + up the customs of HIS country, while deploring the habits of her own! With + what goddess-like indifference she had borne this interval of waiting! And + yet this woman—who had seemed the embodiment of romance—had + received the announcement of his sacrifice—the only revelation he + allowed himself to make of his hopeless passion—with the frigidity + of a duenna! Had he wounded her in some other unknown way? Was she + mortified that he had not first declared his passion—he who had + never dared to speak to her of love before? Perhaps she even doubted it! + In his ignorance of the world he had, perhaps, committed some grave + offense! He should not have let her go! He should have questioned, + implored her—thrown himself at her feet! Was it too late yet? + </p> + <p> + He passed hurriedly into the formal little drawing-room, whose bizarre + coloring was still darkened by the closed blinds and dropped awnings that + had shut out the heat of day. She was not there. He passed the open door + of her room; it was empty. At the end of the passage a faint light stole + from a door opening into the garden that was still ajar. She must have + passed out that way. He opened it, and stepped out into the garden. + </p> + <p> + The sound of voices beside a ruined fountain a hundred yards away + indicated the vicinity of the party; but a single glance showed him that + she was not among them. So much the better—he would find her alone. + Cautiously slipping beside the wall of the house, under the shadow of a + creeper, he gained the long avenue without attracting attention. She was + not there. Had she effectively evaded contact with the others by leaving + the garden through the little gate in the wall that entered the Mission + enclosure? It was partly open, as if some one had just passed through. He + followed, took a few steps, and stopped abruptly. In the shadow of one of + the old pear-trees a man and woman were standing. An impulse of wild + jealousy seized him; he was about to leap forward, but the next moment the + measured voice of the Comandante, addressing Mrs. Markham, fell upon his + ear. He drew back with a sudden flush upon his face. The Comandante of + Todos Santos, in grave, earnest accents, was actually offering to Mrs. + Markham the same proposal that he, Don Ramon, had made to Mrs. Brimmer but + a moment ago! + </p> + <p> + "No one," said the Comandante sententiously, "will know it but myself. You + will leave the ship at Acapulco; you will rejoin your husband in good + time; you will be happy, my child; you will forget the old man who drags + out the few years of loneliness still left to him in Todos Santos." + </p> + <p> + Forgetting himself, Don Ramon leaned breathlessly forward to hear Mrs. + Markham's reply. Would she answer the Comandante as Dona Barbara had + answered HIM? Her words rose distinctly in the evening air. + </p> + <p> + "You're a gentleman, Don Miguel Briones; and the least respect I can show + a man of your kind is not to pretend that I don't understand the sacrifice + you're making. I shall always remember it as about the biggest compliment + I ever received, and the biggest risk that any man—except one—ever + ran for me. But as the man who ran that bigger risk isn't here to speak + for himself, and generally trusts his wife, Susan Markham, to speak for + him—it's all the same as if HE thanked you. There's my hand, Don + Miguel: shake it. Well—if you prefer it—kiss it then. There—don't + be a fool—but let's go back to Miss Keene." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <h3> + A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE. + </h3> + <p> + While these various passions had been kindled by her compatriots in the + peaceful ashes of Todos Santos, Eleanor Keene had moved among them + indifferently and, at times, unconsciously. The stranding of her young + life on that unknown shore had not drawn her towards her fellow-exiles, + and the circumstances which afterwards separated her from daily contact + with them completed the social estrangement. She found herself more in + sympathy with the natives, to whom she had shown no familiarity, than with + her own people, who had mixed with them more or less contemptuously. She + found the naivete of Dona Isabel more amusing than the doubtful simplicity + of that married ingenue Mrs. Brimmer, although she still met the young + girl's advances with a certain reserve. She found herself often pained by + the practical brusqueness with which Mrs. Markham put aside the + Comandante's delicate attentions, and she was moved with a strange pity + for his childlike trustfulness, which she knew was hopeless. As the months + passed, on the few occasions that she still met the Excelsior's passengers + she was surprised to find how they had faded from her memory, and to + discover in them the existence of qualities that made her wonder how she + could have ever been familiar with them. She reproached herself with this + fickleness; she wondered if she would have felt thus if they had completed + their voyage to San Francisco together; and she recalled, with a sad + smile, the enthusiastic plans they had formed during the passage to + perpetuate their fellowship by anniversaries and festivals. But she, at + last, succumbed, and finally accepted their open alienation as preferable + to the growing awkwardness of their chance encounters. + </p> + <p> + For a few weeks following the flight of Captain Bunker and her acceptance + of the hospitality and protection of the Council, she became despondent. + The courage that had sustained her, and the energy she had shown in the + first days of their abandonment, suddenly gave way, for no apparent + reason. She bitterly regretted the brother whom she scarcely remembered; + she imagined his suspense and anguish on her account, and suffered for + both; she felt the dumb pain of homesickness for a home she had never + known. Her loneliness became intolerable. Her condition at last affected + Mrs. Markham, whose own idleness had been beguiled by writing to her + husband an exhaustive account of her captivity, which had finally swelled + to a volume on Todos Santos, its resources, inhabitants, and customs. + "Good heavens!" she said, "you must do something, child, to occupy your + mind—if it is only a flirtation with that conceited Secretary." But + this terrible alternative was happily not required. The Comandante had + still retained as part of the old patriarchal government of the Mission + the Presidio school, for the primary instruction of the children of the + soldiers,—dependants of the garrison. Miss Keene, fascinated by + several little pairs of beady black eyes that had looked up trustingly to + hers from the playground on the glacis, offered to teach English to the + Comandante's flock. The offer was submitted to the spiritual head of Todos + Santos, and full permission given by Padre Esteban to the fair heretic. + Singing was added to the Instruction, and in a few months the fame of the + gracious Dona Leonor's pupils stirred to emulation even the boy choristers + of the Mission. + </p> + <p> + Her relations with James Hurlstone during this interval were at first + marked by a strange and unreasoning reserve. Whether she resented the + singular coalition forced upon them by the Council and felt the + awkwardness of their unintentional imposture when they met, she did not + know, but she generally avoided his society. This was not difficult, as he + himself had shown no desire to intrude his confidences upon her; and even + in her shyness she could not help thinking that if he had treated the + situation lightly or humorously—as she felt sure Mr. Brace or Mr. + Crosby would have done—it would have been less awkward and + unpleasant. But his gloomy reserve seemed to the high-spirited girl to + color their innocent partnership with the darkness of conspiracy. + </p> + <p> + "If your conscience troubles you, Mr. Hurlstone, in regard to the wretched + infatuation of those people," she had once said, "undeceive them, if you + can, and I will assist you. And don't let that affair of Captain Bunker + worry you either. I have already confessed to the Comandante that he + escaped through my carelessness." + </p> + <p> + "You could not have done otherwise without sacrificing the poor Secretary, + who must have helped you," Hurlstone returned quietly. + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene bit her lip and dropped the subject. At their next meeting + Hurlstone himself resumed it. + </p> + <p> + "I hope you don't allow that absurd decree of the Council to disturb you; + I imagine they're quite convinced of their folly. I know that the Padre + is; and I know that he thinks you've earned a right to the gratitude of + the Council in your gracious task at the Presidio school that is far + beyond any fancied political service." + </p> + <p> + "I really haven't thought about it at all," said Miss Keene coolly. "I + thought it was YOU who were annoyed." + </p> + <p> + "I? not at all," returned Hurlstone quickly. "I have been able to assist + the Padre in arranging the ecclesiastical archives of the church, and in + suggesting some improvement in codifying the ordinances of the last forty + years. No; I believe I'm earning my living here, and I fancy they think + so." + </p> + <p> + "Then it isn't THAT that troubles you?" said Miss Keene carelessly, but + glancing at him under the shade of her lashes. + </p> + <p> + "No," he said coldly, turning away. + </p> + <p> + Yet unsatisfactory as these brief interviews were, they revived in Miss + Keene the sympathizing curiosity and interest she had always felt for this + singular man, and which had been only held in abeyance at the beginning of + their exile; in fact, she found herself thinking of him more during the + interval when they seldom saw each other, and apparently had few interests + in common, than when they were together on the Excelsior. Gradually she + slipped into three successive phases of feeling towards him, each of them + marked with an equal degree of peril to her peace of mind. She began with + a profound interest in the mystery of his secluded habits, his strange + abstraction, and a recognition of the evident superiority of a nature + capable of such deep feeling—uninfluenced by those baser + distractions which occupied Brace, Crosby, and Winslow. This phase passed + into a settled conviction that some woman was at the root of his trouble, + and responsible for it. With an instinctive distrust of her own sex, she + was satisfied that it must be either a misplaced or unworthy attachment, + and that the unknown woman was to blame. This second phase—which + hovered between compassion and resentment—suddenly changed to the + latter—the third phase of her feelings. Miss Keene became convinced + that Mr. Hurlstone had a settled aversion to HERSELF. Why and wherefore, + she did not attempt to reason, yet she was satisfied that from the first + he disliked her. His studious reserve on the Excelsior, compared with the + attentions of the others, ought then to have convinced her of the fact; + and there was no doubt now that his present discontent could be traced to + the unfortunate circumstances that brought them together. Having given + herself up to that idea, she vacillated between a strong impulse to inform + him that she knew his real feelings and an equally strong instinct to + avoid him hereafter entirely. The result was a feeble compromise. On the + ground that Mr. Hurlstone could "scarcely be expected to admire her + inferior performances," she declined to invite him with Father Esteban to + listen to her pupils. Father Esteban took a huge pinch of snuff, examined + Miss Keene attentively, and smiled a sad smile. The next day he begged + Hurlstone to take a volume of old music to Miss Keene with his + compliments. Hurlstone did so, and for some reason exerted himself to be + agreeable. As he made no allusion to her rudeness, she presumed he did not + know of it, and speedily forgot it herself. When he suggested a return + visit to the boy choir, with whom he occasionally practiced, she blushed + and feared she had scarcely the time. But she came with Mrs. Markham, some + consciousness, and a visible color! + </p> + <p> + And then, almost without her knowing how or why, and entirely unexpected + and unheralded, came a day so strangely and unconsciously happy, so + innocently sweet and joyous, that it seemed as if all the other days of + her exile had only gone before to create it, and as if it—and it + alone—were a sufficient reason for her being there. A day full of + gentle intimations, laughing suggestions, childlike surprises and + awakenings; a day delicious for the very incompleteness of its vague + happiness. And this remarkable day was simply marked in Mrs. Markham's + diary as follows:—"Went with E. to Indian village; met Padre and J. + H. J. H. actually left shell and crawled on beach with E. E. chatty." + </p> + <p> + The day itself had been singularly quiet and gracious, even for that rare + climate of balmy days and recuperating nights. At times the slight breath + of the sea which usually stirred the morning air of Todos Santos was + suspended, and a hush of expectation seemed to arrest land and water. When + Miss Keene and Mrs. Markham left the Presidio, the tide was low, and their + way lay along the beach past the Mission walls. A walk of two or three + miles brought them to the Indian village—properly a suburban quarter + of Todos Santos—a collection of adobe huts and rudely cultivated + fields. Padre Esteban and Mr. Hurlstone were awaiting them in the + palm-thatched veranda of a more pretentious cabin, that served as a + school-room. "This is Don Diego's design," said the Padre, beaming with a + certain paternal pride on Hurlstone, "built by himself and helped by the + heathen; but look you: my gentleman is not satisfied with it, and wishes + now to bring his flock to the Mission school, and have them mingle with + the pure-blooded races on an equality. That is the revolutionary idea of + this sans culotte reformer," continued the good Father, shaking his yellow + finger with gentle archness at the young man. "Ah, we shall yet have a + revolution in Todos Santos unless you ladies take him in hand. He has + already brought the half-breeds over to his side, and those heathens + follow him like dumb cattle anywhere. There, take him away and scold him, + Dona Leonor, while I speak to the Senora Markham of the work that her good + heart and skillful fingers may do for my poor muchachos." + </p> + <p> + Eleanor Keene lifted her beautiful eyes to Hurlstone with an artless + tribute in their depths that brought the blood faintly into his cheek. She + was not thinking of the priest's admonishing words; she was thinking of + the quiet, unselfish work that this gloomy misanthrope had been doing + while his companions had been engaged in lower aims and listless + pleasures, and while she herself had been aimlessly fretting and diverting + herself. What were her few hours of applauded instruction with the pretty + Murillo-like children of the Fort compared to his silent and unrecognized + labor! Yet even at this moment an uneasy doubt crossed her mind. + </p> + <p> + "I suppose Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb interest themselves greatly in your—in + the Padre's charities?" + </p> + <p> + The first playful smile she had seen on Hurlstone's face lightened in his + eyes and lips, and was becoming. + </p> + <p> + "I am afraid my barbarians are too low and too near home for Mrs. + Brimmer's missionary zeal. She and Miss Chubb patronize the Mexican school + with cast-off dresses, old bonnets retrimmed, flannel petticoats, some old + novels and books of poetry—of which the Padre makes an auto-da-fe—and + their own patronizing presence on fete days. Providence has given them the + vague impression that leprosy and contagious skin-disease are a + peculiarity of the southern aborigine, and they have left me severely + alone." + </p> + <p> + "I wish you would prevail upon the Padre to let ME help you," said Miss + Keene, looking down. + </p> + <p> + "But you already have the Commander's chickens—which you are + bringing up as swans, by the way," said Hurlstone mischievously. "You + wouldn't surely abandon the nest again?" + </p> + <p> + "You are laughing at me," said Miss Keene, putting on a slight pout to + hide the vague pleasure that Hurlstone's gayer manner was giving her. + "But, really, I've been thinking that the Presidio children are altogether + too pretty and picturesque for me, and that I enjoy them too much to do + them any good. It's like playing with them, you know!" + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone laughed, but suddenly looking down upon her face he was struck + with its youthfulness. She had always impressed him before—through + her reserve and independence—as older, and more matured in + character. He did not know how lately she was finding her lost youth as he + asked her, quite abruptly, if she ever had any little brothers and + sisters. + </p> + <p> + The answer to this question involved the simple story of Miss Keene's + life, which she gave with naive detail. She told him of her early + childhood, and the brother who was only an indistinct memory; of her + school days, and her friendships up to the moment of her first step into + the great world that was so strangely arrested at Todos Santos. He was + touched with the almost pathetic blankness of this virgin page. Encouraged + by his attention, and perhaps feeling a sympathy she had lately been + longing for, she confessed to him the thousand little things which she had + reserved from even Mrs. Markham during her first apathetic weeks at Todos + Santos. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sure I should have been much happier if I had had any one to talk + to," she added, looking up into his face with a naivete of faint reproach; + "it's very different for men, you know. They can always distract + themselves with something. Although," she continued hesitatingly, "I've + sometimes thought YOU would have been happier if you had had somebody to + tell your troubles to—I don't mean the Padre; for, good as he is, he + is a foreigner, you know, and wouldn't look upon things as WE do—but + some one in sympathy with you." + </p> + <p> + She stopped, alarmed at the change of expression in his face. A quick + flush had crossed his cheek; for an instant he had looked suspiciously + into her questioning eyes. But the next moment the idea of his quietly + selecting this simple, unsophisticated girl as the confidant of his + miserable marriage, and the desperation that had brought him there, struck + him as being irresistibly ludicrous and he smiled. It was the first time + that the habitual morbid intensity of his thoughts on that one subject had + ever been disturbed by reaction; it was the first time that a clear ray of + reason had pierced the gloom in which he had enwrapped it. Seeing him + smile, the young girl smiled too. Then they smiled together vaguely and + sympathetically, as over some unspoken confidence. But, unknown and + unsuspected by himself, that smile had completed his emancipation and + triumph. The next moment, when he sought with a conscientious sigh to + reenter his old mood, he was half shocked to find it gone. Whatever + gradual influence—the outcome of these few months of rest and repose—may + have already been at work to dissipate his clouded fancy, he was only + vaguely conscious that the laughing breath of the young girl had blown it + away forever. + </p> + <p> + The perilous point passed, unconsciously to both of them, they fell into + freer conversation, tacitly avoiding the subject of Mr. Hurlstone's past + reserve only as being less interesting. Hurlstone did not return Miss + Keene's confidences—not because he wished to deceive her, but that + he preferred to entertain her; while she did not care to know his secret + now that it no longer affected their sympathy in other things. It was a + pleasant, innocent selfishness, that, however, led them along, step by + step, to more uncertain and difficult ground. + </p> + <p> + In their idle, happy walk they had strayed towards the beach, and had come + upon a large stone cross with its base half hidden in sand, and covered + with small tenacious, sweet-scented creepers, bearing a pale lilac blossom + that exhaled a mingled odor of sea and shore. Hurlstone pointed out the + cross as one of the earliest outposts of the Church on the edge of the + unclaimed heathen wilderness. It was hung with strings of gaudy shells and + feathers, which Hurlstone explained were votive offerings in which their + pagan superstitions still mingled with their new faith. + </p> + <p> + "I don't like to worry that good old Padre," he continued, with a light + smile, "but I'm afraid that they prefer this cross to the chapel for + certain heathenish reasons of their own. I am quite sure that they still + hold some obscure rites here under the good Father's very nose, and that, + in the guise of this emblem of our universal faith, they worship some + deity we have no knowledge of." + </p> + <p> + "It's a shame," said Miss Keene quickly. + </p> + <p> + To her surprise, Hurlstone did not appear so shocked as she, in her belief + of his religious sympathy with the Padre, had imagined. + </p> + <p> + "They're a harmless race," he said carelessly. "The place is much + frequented by the children—especially the young girls; a good many + of these offerings came from them." + </p> + <p> + The better to examine these quaint tributes, Miss Keene had thrown + herself, with an impulsive, girlish abandonment, on the mound by the + cross, and Hurlstone sat down beside her. Their eyes met in an innocent + pleasure of each other's company. She thought him very handsome in the + dark, half official Mexican dress that necessity alone had obliged him to + assume, and much more distinguished-looking than his companions in their + extravagant foppery; he thought her beauty more youthful and artless than + he had imagined it to be, and with his older and graver experiences felt a + certain protecting superiority that was pleasant and reassuring. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, seated so near each other, they were very quiet. Hurlstone + could not tell whether it was the sea or the flowers, but the dress of the + young girl seemed to exhale some subtle perfume of her own freshness that + half took away his breath. She had scraped up a handful of sand, and was + allowing it to escape through her slim fingers in a slender rain on the + ground. He was watching the operation with what he began to fear was + fatuous imbecility. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Keene?—I beg your pardon"— + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Hurlstone?—Excuse me, you were saying"— + </p> + <p> + They had both spoken at the same moment, and smiled forgivingly at each + other. Hurlstone gallantly insisted upon the precedence of her thought—the + scamp had doubted the coherency of his own. + </p> + <p> + "I used to think," she began—"you won't be angry, will you?" + </p> + <p> + "Decidedly not." + </p> + <p> + "I used to think you had an idea of becoming a priest." + </p> + <p> + "Why?" + </p> + <p> + "Because—you are sure you won't be angry—because I thought you + hated women!" + </p> + <p> + "Father Esteban is a priest," said Hurlstone, with a faint smile, "and you + know he thinks kindly of your sex." + </p> + <p> + "Yes; but perhaps HIS life was never spoiled by some wicked woman like—like + yours." + </p> + <p> + For an instant he gazed intently into her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Who told you that?" + </p> + <p> + "No one." + </p> + <p> + She was evidently speaking the absolute truth. There was no deceit or + suppression in her clear gaze; if anything, only the faintest look of + wonder at his astonishment. And he—this jealously guarded secret, + the curse of his whole wretched life, had been guessed by this simple + girl, without comment, without reserve, without horror! And there had been + no scene, no convulsion of Nature, no tragedy; he had not thrown himself + into yonder sea; she had not fled from him shrinking, but was sitting + there opposite to him in gentle smiling expectation, the golden light of + Todos Santos around them, a bit of bright ribbon shining in her dark hair, + and he, miserable, outcast, and recluse, had not even changed his + position, but was looking up without tremulousness or excitement, and + smiling, too. + </p> + <p> + He raised himself suddenly on his knee. + </p> + <p> + "And what if it were all true?" he demanded. + </p> + <p> + "I should be very sorry for you, and glad it were all over now," she said + softly. + </p> + <p> + A faint pink flush covered her cheek the next moment, as if she had + suddenly become aware of another meaning in her speech, and she turned her + head hastily towards the village. To her relief she discerned that a + number of Indian children had approached them from behind and had halted a + few paces from the cross. Their hands were full of flowers and shells as + they stood hesitatingly watching the couple. + </p> + <p> + "They are some of the school-children," said Hurlstone, in answer to her + inquiring look; "but I can't understand why they come here so openly." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, don't scold them!" said Eleanor, forgetting her previous orthodox + protest; "let us go away, and pretend we don't notice them." + </p> + <p> + But as she was about to rise to her feet the hesitation of the little + creatures ended in a sudden advance of the whole body, and before she + comprehended what they were doing they had pressed the whole of their + floral tributes in her lap. The color rose again quickly to her laughing + face as she looked at Hurlstone. + </p> + <p> + "Do you usually get up this pretty surprise for visitors?" she said + hesitatingly. + </p> + <p> + "I assure you I have nothing to do with it," he answered, with frank + amazement; "it's quite spontaneous. And look—they are even + decorating ME." + </p> + <p> + It was true; they had thrown a half dozen strings of shells on Hurlstone's + unresisting shoulders, and, unheeding the few words he laughingly + addressed them in their own dialect, they ran off a few paces, and + remained standing, as if gravely contemplating their work. Suddenly, with + a little outcry of terror, they turned, fled wildly past them, and + disappeared in the bushes. + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene and Hurlstone rose at the same moment, but the young girl, + taking a step forward, suddenly staggered, and was obliged to clasp one of + the arms of the cross to keep herself from falling. Hurlstone sprang to + her side. + </p> + <p> + "Are you ill?" he asked hurriedly. "You are quite white. What is the + matter?" + </p> + <p> + A smile crossed her colorless face. + </p> + <p> + "I am certainly very giddy; everything seems to tremble." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps it is the flowers," he said anxiously. "Their heavy perfume in + this close air affects you. Throw them away, for Heaven's sake!" + </p> + <p> + But she clutched them tighter to her heart as she leaned for a moment, + pale yet smiling, against the cross. + </p> + <p> + "No, no!" she said earnestly; "it was not that. But the children were + frightened, and their alarm terrified me. There, it is over now." + </p> + <p> + She let him help her to her seat again as he glanced hurriedly around him. + It must have been sympathy with her, for he was conscious of a slight + vertigo himself. The air was very close and still. Even the pleasant + murmur of the waves had ceased. + </p> + <p> + "How very low the tide is!" said Eleanor Keene, resting her elbow on her + knees and her round chin upon her hand. "I wonder if that could have + frightened those dear little midgets?" The tide, in fact, had left the + shore quite bare and muddy for nearly a quarter of a mile to seaward. + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone arose, with grave eyes, but a voice that was unchanged. + </p> + <p> + "Suppose we inquire? Lean on my arm, and we'll go up the hill towards the + Mission garden. Bring your flowers with you." + </p> + <p> + The color had quite returned to her cheek as she leant on his proffered + arm. Yet perhaps she was really weaker than she knew, for he felt the soft + pressure of her hand and the gentle abandonment of her figure against his + own as they moved on. But for some preoccupying thought, he might have + yielded more completely to the pleasure of that innocent contact and have + drawn her closer towards him; yet they moved steadily on, he contenting + himself from time to time with a hurried glance at the downcast fringes of + the eyes beside him. Presently he stopped, his attention disturbed by what + appeared to be the fluttering of a black-winged, red-crested bird, in the + bushes before him. The next moment he discovered it to be the rose-covered + head of Dona Isabel, who was running towards them. Eleanor withdrew her + arm from Hurlstone's. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, imbecile!" said Dona Isabel, pouncing upon Eleanor Keene like an + affectionate panther. "They have said you were on the seashore, and I fly + for you as a bird. Tell to me quick," she whispered, hastily putting her + own little brown ear against Miss Keene's mouth, "immediatamente, are you + much happy?" + </p> + <p> + "Where is Mr. Brace?" said Miss Keene, trying to effect a diversion, as + she laughed and struggled to get free from her tormentor. + </p> + <p> + "He, the idiot boy! Naturally, when he is for use, he comes not. But as a + maniac—ever! I would that I have him no more. You will to me + presently give your—brother! I have since to-day a presentimiento + that him I shall love! Ah!" + </p> + <p> + She pressed her little brown fist, still tightly clutching her fan, + against her low bodice, as if already transfixed with a secret and + absorbing passion. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you shall have Dick then," said Miss Keene, laughing; "but was it + for THAT you were seeking me?" + </p> + <p> + "Mother of God! you know not then what has happened? You are a blind—a + deaf—to but one thing all the time? Ah!" she said quickly, unfolding + her fan and modestly diving her little head behind it, "I have ashamed for + you, Miss Keene." + </p> + <p> + "But WHAT has happened?" said Hurlstone, interposing to relieve his + companion. "We fancied something"— + </p> + <p> + "Something! he says something!—ah, that something was a temblor! An + earthquake! The earth has shaken himself. Look!" + </p> + <p> + She pointed with her fan to the shore, where the sea had suddenly returned + in a turbulence of foam and billows that was breaking over the base of the + cross they had just quitted. + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene drew a quick sigh. Dona Isabel had ducked again modestly behind + her fan, but this time dragging with her other arm Miss Keene's head down + to share its discreet shadow as she whispered,— + </p> + <p> + "And—infatuated one!—you two never noticed it!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <h3> + CLOUDS AND CHANGE. + </h3> + <p> + The earthquake shock, although the first experienced by the Americans, had + been a yearly phenomenon to the people of Todos Santos, and was so slight + as to leave little impression upon either the low adobe walls of the + pueblo or the indolent population. "If it's a provision of Nature for + shaking up these Rip Van Winkle Latin races now and then, it's a dead + failure, as far as Todos Santos is concerned," Crosby had said, with a + yawn. "Brace, who's got geology on the brain ever since he struck cinnabar + ore, says he isn't sure the Injins ain't right when they believe that the + Pacific Ocean used to roll straight up to the Presidio, and there wasn't + any channel—and that reef of rocks was upheaved in their time. But + what's the use of it? it never really waked them up." "Perhaps they're + waiting for another kind of earthquake," Winslow had responded + sententiously. + </p> + <p> + In six weeks it had been forgotten, except by three people—Miss + Keene, James Hurlstone, and Padre Esteban. Since Hurlstone had parted with + Miss Keene on that memorable afternoon he had apparently lapsed into his + former reserve. Without seeming to avoid her timid advances, he met her + seldom, and then only in the presence of the Padre or Mrs. Markham. + Although uneasy at the deprivation of his society, his present shyness did + not affect her as it had done at first: she knew it was no longer + indifference; she even fancied she understood it from what had been her + own feelings. If he no longer raised his eyes to hers as frankly as he had + that day, she felt a more delicate pleasure in the consciousness of his + lowered eyelids when they met, and the instinct that told her when his + melancholy glance followed her unobserved. The sex of these lovers—if + we may call them so who had never exchanged a word of love—seemed to + be changed. It was Miss Keene who now sought him with a respectful and + frank admiration; it was Hurlstone who now tried to avoid it with a + feminine dread of reciprocal display. Once she had even adverted to the + episode of the cross. They were standing under the arch of the refectory + door, waiting for Padre Esteban, and looking towards the sea. + </p> + <p> + "Do you think we were ever in any real danger, down there, on the shore—that + day?" she said timidly. + </p> + <p> + "No; not from the sea," he replied, looking at her with a half defiant + resolution. + </p> + <p> + "From what then?" she asked, with a naivete that was yet a little + conscious. + </p> + <p> + "Do you remember the children giving you their offerings that day?" he + asked abruptly. + </p> + <p> + "I do," she replied, with smiling eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Well, it appears that it is the custom for the betrothed couples to come + to the cross to exchange their vows. They mistook us for lovers." + </p> + <p> + All the instinctive delicacy of Miss Keene's womanhood resented the rude + infelicity of this speech and the flippant manner of its utterance. She + did not blush, but lifted her clear eyes calmly to his. + </p> + <p> + "It was an unfortunate mistake," she said coldly, "the more so as they + were your pupils. Ah! here is Father Esteban," she added, with a marked + tone of relief, as she crossed over to the priest's side. + </p> + <p> + When Father Esteban returned to the refectory that evening, Hurlstone was + absent. When it grew later, becoming uneasy, the good Father sought him in + the garden. At the end of the avenue of pear-trees there was a break in + the sea-wall, and here, with his face to the sea, Hurlstone was leaning + gloomily. Father Esteban's tread was noiseless, and he had laid his soft + hand on the young man's shoulder before Hurlstone was aware of his + presence. He started slightly, his gloomy eyes fell before the priest's. + </p> + <p> + "My son," said the old man gravely, "this must go on no longer." + </p> + <p> + "I don't understand you," Hurlstone replied coldly. + </p> + <p> + "Do not try to deceive yourself, nor me. Above all, do not try to deceive + HER. Either you are or are not in love with this countrywoman of yours. If + you are not, my respect for her and my friendship for you prompts me to + save you both from a foolish intimacy that may ripen into a misplaced + affection; if you are already in love with her"— + </p> + <p> + "I have never spoken a word of love to her!" interrupted Hurlstone + quickly. "I have even tried to avoid her since"— + </p> + <p> + "Since you found that you loved her! Ah, foolish boy! and you think that + because the lips speak not, the passions of the heart are stilled! Do you + think your silence in her presence is not a protestation that she, even + she, child as she is, can read, with the cunning of her sex?" + </p> + <p> + "Well—if I am in love with her, what then?" said Hurlstone doggedly. + "It is no crime to love a pure and simple girl. Am I not free? You + yourself, in yonder church, told me"— + </p> + <p> + "Silence, Diego," said the priest sternly. "Silence, before you utter the + thought that shall disgrace you to speak and me to hear!" + </p> + <p> + "Forgive me, Father Esteban," said the young man hurriedly, grasping both + hands of the priest. "Forgive me—I am mad—distracted—but + I swear to you I only meant"— + </p> + <p> + "Hush!" interrupted the priest more gently. "So; that will do." He + stopped, drew out his snuff-box, rapped the lid, and took a pinch of snuff + slowly. "We will not recur to that point. Then you have told her the story + of your life?" + </p> + <p> + "No; but I will, She shall know all—everything—before I utter + a word of love to her." + </p> + <p> + "Ah! bueno! muy bueno!" said the Padre, wiping his nose ostentatiously. + "Ah! let me see! Then, when we have shown her that we cannot possibly + marry her, we will begin to make love to her! Eh, eh! that is the American + fashion. Ah, pardon!" he continued, in response to a gesture of + protestation from Hurlstone; "I am wrong. It is when we have told her that + we cannot marry her as a Protestant, that we will make love as a Catholic. + Is that it?" + </p> + <p> + "Hear me," said Hurlstone passionately. "You have saved me from madness + and, perhaps, death. Your care—your kindness—your teachings + have given me life again. Don't blame me, Father Esteban, if, in casting + off my old self, you have given me hopes of a new and fresher life—of"— + </p> + <p> + "A newer and fresher love, you would say," said the Padre, with a sad + smile. "Be it so. You will at least do justice to the old priest, when you + remember that he never pressed you to take vows that would have prevented + this forever." + </p> + <p> + "I know it," said Hurlstone, taking the old man's hand. "And you will + remember, too, that I was happy and contented before this came upon me. + Tell me what I shall do. Be my guide—my friend, Father Esteban. Put + me where I was a few months ago—before I learned to love her." + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean it, Diego?" said the old man, grasping his hand tightly, and + fixing his eyes upon him. + </p> + <p> + "I do." + </p> + <p> + "Then listen to me, for it is my turn to speak. When, eight months ago, + you sought the shelter of that blessed roof, it was for refuge from a + woman that had cursed your life. It was given you. You would leave it now + to commit an act that would bring another woman, as mad as yourself, + clamoring at its doors for protection from YOU. For what you are proposing + to this innocent girl is what you accepted from the older and wickeder + woman. You have been cursed because a woman divided for you what was + before God an indivisible right; and you, Diego, would now redivide that + with another, whom you dare to say you LOVE! You would use the opportunity + of her helplessness and loneliness here to convince her; you would tempt + her with sympathy, for she is unhappy; with companionship, for she has no + longer the world to choose from—with everything that should make her + sacred from your pursuit." + </p> + <p> + "Enough," said Hurlstone hoarsely; "say no more. Only I implore you tell + me what to do now to save her. I will—if you tell me to do it—leave + her forever." + </p> + <p> + "Why should YOU go?" said the priest quietly. "HER absence will be + sufficient." + </p> + <p> + "HER absence?" echoed Hurlstone. + </p> + <p> + "Hers alone. The conditions that brought YOU here are unchanged. You are + still in need of an asylum from the world and the wife you have + repudiated. Why should you abandon it? For the girl, there is no cause why + she should remain—beyond yourself. She has a brother whom she loves—who + wants her—who has the right to claim her at any time. She will go to + him." + </p> + <p> + "But how?" + </p> + <p> + "That has been my secret, and will be my sacrifice to you, Diego, my son. + I have foreseen all this; I have expected it from the day that girl sent + you her woman's message, that was half a challenge, from her school—I + have known it from the day you walked together on the sea-shore. I was + blind before that—for I am weak in my way, too, and I had dreamed of + other things. God has willed it otherwise." He paused, and returning the + pressure of Hurlstone's hand, went on. "My secret and my sacrifice for you + is this. For the last two hundred years the Church has had a secret and + trusty messenger from the See at Guadalajara—in a ship that touches + here for a few hours only every three years. Her arrival and departure is + known only to myself and my brothers of the Council. By this wisdom and + the provision of God, the integrity of the Holy Church and the conversion + of the heathen have been maintained without interruption and interference. + You know now, my son, why your comrades were placed under surveillance; + why it was necessary that the people should believe in a political + conspiracy among yourselves, rather than the facts as they existed, which + might have bred a dangerous curiosity among them. I have given you our + secret, Diego—that is but a part of my sacrifice. When that ship + arrives, and she is expected daily, I will secretly place Miss Keene and + her friend on board, with explanatory letters to the Archbishop, and she + will be assisted to rejoin her brother. It will be against the wishes of + the Council; but my will," continued the old man, with a gesture of + imperiousness, "is the will of the Church, and the law that overrides + all." + </p> + <p> + He had stopped, with a strange fire in his eyes. It still continued to + burn as he went on rapidly,— + </p> + <p> + "You will understand the sacrifice I am making in telling you this, when + you know that I could have done all that I propose without your leave or + hindrance. Yes, Diego; I had but to stretch out my hand thus, and that + foolish fire-brand of a heretic muchacha would have vanished from Todos + Santos forever. I could have left you in your fool's paradise, and one + morning you would have found her gone. I should have condoled with you, + and consoled you, and you would have forgotten her as you did the other. I + should not have hesitated; it is the right of the Church through all time + to break through those carnal ties without heed of the suffering flesh, + and I ought to have done so. This, and this alone, would have been worthy + of Las Casas and Junipero Serra! But I am weak and old—I am no + longer fit for His work. Far better that the ship which takes her away + should bring back my successor and one more worthy Todos Santos than I." + </p> + <p> + He stopped, his eyes dimmed, he buried his face in his hands. + </p> + <p> + "You have done right, Father Esteban," said Hurlstone, gently putting his + arm round the priest's shoulders, "and I swear to you your secret is as + safe as if you had never revealed it to me. Perhaps," he added, with a + sigh, "I should have been happier if I had not known it—if she had + passed out of my life as mysteriously as she had entered it; but you will + try to accept my sacrifice as some return for yours. I shall see her no + more." + </p> + <p> + "But will you swear it?" said the priest eagerly. "Will you swear that you + will not even seek her to say farewell; for in that moment the wretched + girl may shake your resolution?" + </p> + <p> + "I shall not see her," repeated the young man slowly. + </p> + <p> + "But if she asks an interview," persisted the priest, "on the pretense of + having your advice?" + </p> + <p> + "She will not," returned Hurlstone, with a half bitter recollection of + their last parting. "You do not know her pride." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps," said the priest musingly. "But I have YOUR word, Diego. And now + let us return to the Mission, for there is much to prepare, and you shall + assist me." + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Hurlstone was only half right in his estimate of Miss Keene's + feelings, although the result was the same. The first shock to her + delicacy in his abrupt speech had been succeeded by a renewal of her + uneasiness concerning his past life or history. While she would, in her + unselfish attachment for him, have undoubtingly accepted any explanation + he might have chosen to give her, his continued reserve and avoidance of + her left full scope to her imaginings. Rejecting any hypothesis of his + history except that of some unfortunate love episode, she began to think + that perhaps he still loved this nameless woman. Had anything occurred to + renew his affection? It was impossible, in their isolated condition, that + he would hear from her. But perhaps the priest might have been a confidant + of his past, and had recalled the old affection in rivalry of her? Or had + she herself been unfortunate through any idle word to reopen the wound? + Had there been any suggestion?—she checked herself suddenly at a + thought that benumbed and chilled her!—perhaps that happy hour at + the cross might have reminded him of some episode with another? That was + the real significance of his rude speech. With this first taste of the + poison of jealousy upon her virgin lips, she seized the cup and drank it + eagerly. Ah, well—he should keep his blissful recollections of the + past undisturbed by her. Perhaps he might even see—though SHE had no + past—that her present life might be as disturbing to him! She + recalled, with a foolish pleasure, his solitary faint sneer at the + devotion of the Commander's Secretary. Why shouldn't she, hereafter, + encourage that devotion as well as that sneer from this complacently + beloved Mr. Hurlstone? Why should he be so assured of her past? The fair + and gentle reader who may be shocked at this revelation of Eleanor Keene's + character will remember that she has not been recorded as an angel in + these pages—but as a very human, honest, inexperienced girl, for the + first time struggling with the most diplomatic, Machiavellian, and + hypocritical of all the passions. + </p> + <p> + In pursuance of this new resolution, she determined to accept an + invitation from Mrs. Markham to accompany her and the Commander to a + reception at the Alcalde's house—the happy Secretary being of the + party. Mrs. Markham, who was under promise to the Comandante not to reveal + his plan for the escape of herself and Miss Keene until the arrival of the + expected transport, had paid little attention to the late vagaries of her + friend, and had contented herself by once saying, with a marked emphasis, + that the more free they kept themselves from any entanglements with other + people, the more prepared they would be for A CHANGE. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps it's just as well not to be too free, even with those Jesuits + over at the Mission. Your brother, you know, might not like it." + </p> + <p> + "THOSE JESUITS!" repeated Miss Keene indignantly. "Father Esteban, to + begin with, is a Franciscan, and Mr. Hurlstone is as orthodox as you or + I." + </p> + <p> + "Don't be too sure of that, my dear," returned Mrs. Markham sententiously. + "Heaven only knows what disguises they assume. Why, Hurlstone and the + priest are already as thick as two peas; and you can't make me believe + they didn't know of each other before we came here. He was the first one + ashore, you remember, before the mutiny; and where did he turn up?—at + the Mission, of course! And have you forgotten that sleepwalking affair—all + Jesuitical! Why, poor dear Markham used to say we were surrounded by + ramifications of that society—everywhere. The very waiter at your + hotel table might belong to the Order." + </p> + <p> + The hour of the siesta was just past, and the corridor and gardens of the + Alcalde's house were grouped with friends and acquaintances as the party + from the Presidio entered. Mrs. Brimmer, who had apparently effected a + temporary compromise with her late instincts of propriety, was still doing + the honors of the Alcalde's house, and had once more assumed the Mexican + dishabille, even to the slight exposure of her small feet, stockingless, + in white satin slippers. The presence of the Comandante and his Secretary + guaranteed the two ladies of their party a reception at least faultless in + form and respect, whatever may have been the secret feelings of the + hostess and her friends. The Alcalde received Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene + with unruffled courtesy, and conducted them to the place of honor beside + him. + </p> + <p> + As Eleanor Keene, slightly flushed and beautiful in her unwonted nervous + excitement, took her seat, a flutter went around the corridor, and, with + the single exception of Dona Isabel, an almost imperceptible drawing + together of the other ladies, in offensive alliance. Miss Keene had never + abandoned her own style of dress; and that afternoon her delicate and + closely-fitting white muslin, gathered in at the waist with a broad blue + belt of ribbon, seemed to accentuate somewhat unflatteringly the tropical + neglige of Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb. Brace, who was in attendance, with + Crosby, on the two Ramirez girls, could not help being uneasily conscious + of this, in addition to the awkwardness of meeting Miss Keene after the + transfer of his affections elsewhere. Nor was his embarrassment relieved + by Crosby's confidences to him, in a half audible whisper,— + </p> + <p> + "I say, old man, after all, the regular straight-out American style lays + over all their foreign flops and fandoodles. I wonder what old Brimmer + would say to his wife's full-dress nightgown—eh?" + </p> + <p> + But at this moment the long-drawn, slightly stridulous utterances of Mrs. + Brimmer rose through the other greetings like a lazy east wind. + </p> + <p> + "I shall never forgive the Commander for making the Presidio so attractive + to you, dear Miss Keene, that you cannot really find time to see your own + countrymen. Though, of course, you're not to blame for not coming to see + two frights as we must look—not having been educated to be able to + do up our dresses in that faultless style—and perhaps not having the + entire control over an establishment like you; yet, I suppose that, even + if the Alcalde did give us carte blanche of the laundry HERE, we couldn't + do it, unaided even by Mrs. Markham. Yes, dear; you must let me compliment + you on your skill, and the way you make things last. As for me and Miss + Chubb, we've only found our things fit to be given away to the poor of the + Mission. But I suppose even that charity would look as shabby to you as + our clothes, in comparison with the really good missionary work you and + Mr. Hurlstone—or is it Mr. Brace?—I always confound your + admirers, my dear—are doing now. At least, so says that good Father + Esteban." + </p> + <p> + But with the exception of the Alcalde and Miss Chubb, Mrs. Brimmer's words + fell on unheeding ears, and Miss Keene did not prejudice the triumph of + her own superior attractions by seeming to notice Mrs. Brimmer's innuendo. + She answered briefly, and entered into lively conversation with Crosby and + the Secretary, holding the hand of Dona Isabel in her own, as if to assure + her that she was guiltless of any design against her former admirer. This + was quite unnecessary, as the gentle Isabel, after bidding Brace, with a + rap on the knuckles, to "go and play," contented herself with curling up + like a kitten beside Miss Keene, and left that gentleman to wander + somewhat aimlessly in the patio. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, Miss Keene, whose eyes and ears were nervously alert, and + who had indulged a faint hope of meeting Padre Esteban and hearing news of + Hurlstone, glanced from time to time towards the entrance of the patio. A + singular presentiment that some outcome of this present visit would + determine her relations with Hurlstone had already possessed her. + Consequently she was conscious, before it had attracted the attention of + the others, of some vague stirring in the plaza beyond. Suddenly the + clatter of hoofs was heard before the gateway. There was a moment's pause + of dismounting, a gruff order given in Spanish, and the next moment three + strangers entered the patio. + </p> + <p> + They were dressed in red shirts, their white trousers tucked in high + boots, and wore slouched hats. They were so travel-stained, dusty, and + unshaven, that their features were barely distinguishable. One, who + appeared to be the spokesman of the party, cast a perfunctory glance + around the corridor, and, in fluent Spanish, began with the mechanical air + of a man repeating some formula,— + </p> + <p> + "We are the bearers of a despatch to the Comandante of Todos Santos from + the Governor of Mazatlan. The officer and the escort who came with us are + outside the gate. We have been told that the Comandante is in this house. + The case is urgent, or we would not intrude"— + </p> + <p> + He was stopped by the voice of Mrs. Markham from the corridor. "Well, I + don't understand Spanish much—I may be a fool, or crazy, or perhaps + both—but if that isn't James Markham's VOICE, I'll bet a cooky!" + </p> + <p> + The three strangers turned quickly toward the corridor. The next moment + the youngest of their party advanced eagerly towards Miss Keene, who had + arisen with a half frightened joy, and with the cry of "Why, it's Nell!" + ran towards her. The third man came slowly forward as Mrs. Brimmer slipped + hastily from the hammock and stood erect. + </p> + <p> + "In the name of goodness, Barbara," said Mr. Brimmer, closing upon her, in + a slow, portentous whisper, "where ARE your stockings?" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <h3> + A MORE IMPORTANT ARRIVAL. + </h3> + <p> + The Commander was the first to recover his presence of mind. Taking the + despatch from the hands of the unlooked-for husband of the woman he loved, + he opened it with an immovable face and habitual precision. Then, turning + with a military salute to the strangers, he bade them join him in half an + hour at the Presidio; and, bowing gravely to the assembled company, + stepped from the corridor. But Mrs. Markham was before him, stopped him + with a gesture, and turned to her husband. + </p> + <p> + "James Markham—where's your hand?" + </p> + <p> + Markham, embarrassed but subjugated, disengaged it timidly from his wife's + waist. + </p> + <p> + "Give it to that gentleman—for a gentleman he is, from the crown of + his head to the soles of his boots! There! Shake his hand! You don't get + such a chance every day. You can thank him again, later." + </p> + <p> + As the two men's hands parted, after this perfunctory grasp, and the + Commander passed on, she turned again to her husband. + </p> + <p> + "Now, James, I am ready to hear all about it. Perhaps you'll tell me where + you HAVE been?" + </p> + <p> + There was a moment of embarrassing silence. The Doctor and Secretary had + discreetly withdrawn; the Alcalde, after a brief introduction to Mr. + Brimmer, and an incomprehensible glance from the wife, had retired with a + colorless face. Dona Isabel had lingered last to blow a kiss across her + fan to Eleanor Keene that half mischievously included her brother. The + Americans were alone. + </p> + <p> + Thus appealed to, Mr. Markham hastily began his story. But, as he + progressed, a slight incoherency was noticeable: he occasionally + contradicted himself, and was obliged to be sustained, supplemented, and, + at times, corrected, by Keene and Brimmer. Substantially, it appeared that + they had come from San Francisco to Mazatlan, and, through the influence + of Mr. Brimmer on the Mexican authorities, their party, with an escort of + dragoons, had been transported across the gulf and landed on the opposite + shore, where they had made a forced march across the desert to Todos + Santos. Literally interpreted, however, by the nervous Markham, it would + seem that they had conceived this expedition long ago, and yet had + difficulties because they only thought of it the day before the steamer + sailed; that they had embarked for the isthmus of Nicaragua, and yet had + stopped at Mazatlan; that their information was complete in San Francisco, + and only picked up at Mazatlan; that "friends"—sometimes + contradictorily known as "he" and "she"—had overpowering influence + with the Mexican Government, and alone had helped them, and yet that they + were utterly dependent upon the efforts of Senor Perkins, who had + compromised matters with the Mexican Government and everybody. + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean to say, James Markham, that you've seen Perkins, and it was + he who told you we were here?" + </p> + <p> + "No—not HIM exactly." + </p> + <p> + "Let me explain," said Mr. Brimmer hastily. "It appears," he corrected his + haste with practical businesslike precision, "that the filibuster Perkins, + after debarking you here, and taking the Excelsior to Quinquinambo, + actually established the Quinquinambo Government, and got Mexico and the + other confederacies to recognize its independence. Quinquinambo behaved + very handsomely, and not only allowed the Mexican Government indemnity for + breaking the neutrality of Todos Santos by the seizure, but even + compromised with our own Government their claim to confiscate the + Excelsior for treaty violation, and paid half the value of the vessel, + besides giving information to Mexico and Washington of your whereabouts. + We consequently represent a joint commission from both countries to settle + the matter and arrange for your return." + </p> + <p> + "But what I want to know is this: Is it to Senor Perkins that we ought to + be thankful for seeing you here at all?" asked Mrs. Markham impatiently. + </p> + <p> + "No, no—not that, exactly," stammered Markham. "Oh, come now, + Susannah"— + </p> + <p> + "No," said Richard Keene earnestly; "by Jove! some thanks ought to go to + Belle Montgomery"—He checked himself in sudden consternation. + </p> + <p> + There was a chilly silence. Even Miss Keene looked anxiously at her + brother, as the voice of Mrs. Brimmer for the first time broke the + silence. + </p> + <p> + "May we be permitted to know who is this person to whom we owe so great an + obligation?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly," said Brimmer, "She was—as I have already intimated—a + friend; possibly, you know," he added, turning lightly to his companions, + as if to corroborate an impression that had just struck him, "perhaps a—a—a + sweetheart of the Senor Perkins." + </p> + <p> + "And how was she so interested in us, pray?" said Mrs. Markham. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you see, she had an idea that a former husband was on board of the + Excelsior." + </p> + <p> + He stopped suddenly, remembering from the astonished faces of Keene and + Markham that the secret was not known to them, while they, impressed with + the belief that the story was a sudden invention of Brimmer's, with + difficulty preserved their composure. But the women were quick to notice + their confusion, and promptly disbelieved Brimmer's explanation. + </p> + <p> + "Well, as there's no Mister Montgomery here, she's probably mistaken," + said Mrs. Markham, with decision, "though it strikes ME that she's very + likely had the same delusion on board of some other ship. Come along, + James; perhaps after you've had a bath and some clean clothes, you may + come out a little more like the man I once knew. I don't know how Mrs. + Brimmer feels, but I feel more as if I required to be introduced to you—than + your friend's friend, Mrs. Montgomery. At any rate, try and look and + behave a little more decent when you go over to the Presidio." + </p> + <p> + With these words she dragged him away. Mr. Brimmer, after a futile attempt + to appear at his ease, promptly effected the usual marital diversion of + carrying the war into the enemy's camp. + </p> + <p> + "For heaven's sake, Barbara," he said, with ostentatious indignation, "go + and dress yourself properly. Had you neither money nor credit to purchase + clothes? I declare I didn't know you at first; and when I did, I was + shocked; before Mrs. Markham, too!" + </p> + <p> + "Mrs. Markham, I fear, has quite enough to occupy her now," said Mrs. + Brimmer shortly, as she turned away, with hysterically moist eyes, leaving + her husband to follow her. + </p> + <p> + Oblivious of this comedy, Richard Keene and Eleanor had already wandered + back, hand in hand, to their days of childhood. But even in the joy that + filled the young girl's heart in the presence of her only kinsman, there + was a strange reservation. The meeting that she had looked forward to with + eager longing had brought all she expected; more than that, it seemed to + have been providentially anticipated at the moment of her greatest need, + and yet it was incomplete. She was ashamed that after the first + recognition, a wild desire to run to Hurlstone and tell HIM her happiness + was her only thought. She was shocked that the bright joyous face of this + handsome lovable boy could not shut out the melancholy austere features of + Hurlstone, which seemed to rise reproachfully between them. When, for the + third and fourth time, they had recounted their past history, exchanged + their confidences and feelings, Dick, passing his arm around his sister's + waist, looked down smilingly in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "And so, after all, little Nell, everybody has been good to you, and you + have been happy!" + </p> + <p> + "Everybody has been kind to me, Dick, far kinder than I deserved. Even if + I had really been the great lady that little Dona Isabel thought I was, or + the important person the Commander believed me to be, I couldn't have been + treated more kindly. I have met with nothing but respect and attention. I + have been very happy, Dick, very happy." + </p> + <p> + And with a little cry she threw herself on her brother's neck and burst + into a childlike flood of inconsistent tears. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the news of the arrival of the relief-party had penetrated even + the peaceful cloisters of the Mission, and Father Esteban had been + summoned in haste to the Council. He returned with an eager face to + Hurlstone, who had been anxiously awaiting him. When the Padre had + imparted the full particulars of the event to his companion, he added + gravely,— + </p> + <p> + "You see, my son, how Providence, which has protected you since you first + claimed the Church's sanctuary, has again interfered to spare me the + sacrifice of using the power of the Church in purely mundane passions. I + weekly accept the rebuke of His better-ordained ways, and you, Diego, may + comfort yourself that this girl is restored directly to her brother's + care, without any deviousness of plan or human responsibility. You do not + speak, my son!" continued the priest anxiously; "can it be possible that, + in the face of this gracious approval of Providence to your resolution, + you are regretting it?" + </p> + <p> + The young man replied, with a half reproachful gesture: + </p> + <p> + "Do you, then, think me still so weak? No, Father Esteban; I have steeled + myself against my selfishness for her sake. I could have resigned her to + the escape you had planned, believing her happier for it, and ignorant of + the real condition of the man she had learnt to—to—pity. But," + he added, turning suddenly and almost rudely upon the priest, "do you know + the meaning of this irruption of the outer world to ME? Do you reflect + that these men probably know my miserable story?—that, as one of the + passengers of the Excelsior, they will be obliged to seek me and to + restore me," he added, with a bitter laugh, "to MY home, MY kindred—to + the world I loathe?" + </p> + <p> + "But you need not follow them. Remain here." + </p> + <p> + "Here!—with the door thrown open to any talebearer OR PERHAPS TO MY + WIFE HERSELF? Never! Hear me, Father," he went on hurriedly: "these men + have come from San Francisco—have been to Mazatlan. Can you believe + that it is possible that they have never heard of this woman's search for + me? No! The quest of hate is as strong as the quest of love, and more + merciless to the hunted." + </p> + <p> + "But if that were so, foolish boy, she would have accompanied them." + </p> + <p> + "You are wrong! It would have been enough for her to have sent my exposure + by them—to have driven me from this refuge." + </p> + <p> + "This is but futile fancy, Diego," said Father Esteban, with a simulated + assurance he was far from feeling. "Nothing has yet been said—nothing + may be said. Wait, my child." + </p> + <p> + "Wait!" he echoed bitterly. "Ay, wait until the poor girl shall hear—perhaps + from her brother's lips—the story of my marriage as bandied about by + others; wait for her to know that the man who would have made her love him + was another's, and unworthy of her respect? No! it is I who must leave + this place, and at once." + </p> + <p> + "YOU?" echoed the Padre. "How?" + </p> + <p> + "By the same means you would have used for her departure. I must take her + place in that ship you are expecting. You will give ME letters to your + friends. Perhaps, when this is over, I may return—if I still live." + </p> + <p> + Padre Esteban became thoughtful. + </p> + <p> + "You will not refuse me?" said the young man, taking the Padre's hand. "It + is for the best, believe me. I will remain secret here until then. You + will invent some excuse—illness, or what you like—to keep them + from penetrating here. Above all, to spare me from the misery of ever + reading my secret in her face." + </p> + <p> + Father Esteban remained still absorbed in thought. + </p> + <p> + "You will take a letter from me to the Archbishop, and put yourself under + his care?" he asked at last, after a long pause. "You will promise me + that?" + </p> + <p> + "I do!" + </p> + <p> + "Then we shall see what can be done. They talk, those Americanos," + continued the priest, "of making their way up the coast to Punta St. Jago, + where the ship they have already sent for to take them away can approach + the shore; and the Comandante has orders to furnish them escort and + transport to that point. It is a foolish indiscretion of the Government, + and I warrant without the sanction of the Church. Already there is + curiosity, discontent, and wild talk among the people. Ah! thou sayest + truly, my son," said the old man, gloomily; "the doors of Todos Santos are + open. The Comandante will speed these heretics quickly on their way; but + the doors by which they came and whence they go will never close again. + But God's will be done! And if the open doors bring thee back, my son, I + shall not question His will!" + </p> + <p> + It would seem, however, as if Hurlstone's fears had been groundless. For + in the excitement of the succeeding days, and the mingling of the party + from San Antonio with the new-comers, the recluse had been forgotten. So + habitual, had been his isolation from the others, that, except for the + words of praise and gratitude hesitatingly dropped by Miss Keene to her + brother, his name was not mentioned, and it might have been possible for + the relieving party to have left him behind—unnoticed. Mr. Brimmer, + for domestic reasons, was quite willing to allow the episode of Miss + Montgomery's connection with their expedition to drop for the present. Her + name was only recalled once by Miss Keene. When Dick had professed a + sudden and violent admiration for the coquettish Dona Isabel, Eleanor had + looked up in her brother's face with a half troubled air. + </p> + <p> + "Who was this queer Montgomery woman, Dick?" she said. + </p> + <p> + Dick laughed—a frank, reassuring, heart-free laugh. + </p> + <p> + "Perfectly stunning, Nell. Such a figure in tights! You ought to have seen + her dance—my!" + </p> + <p> + "Hush! I dare say she was horrid!" + </p> + <p> + "Not at all! She wasn't such a bad fellow, if you left out her poetry and + gush, which I didn't go in for much,—though the other fellows"—he + stopped, from a sudden sense of loyalty to Brimmer and Markham. "No; you + see, Nell, she was regularly ridiculously struck after that man Perkins,—whom + she'd never seen,—a kind of schoolgirl worship for a pirate. You + know how you women go in for those fellows with a mystery about 'em." + </p> + <p> + "No, I don't!" said Miss Keene sharply, with a slight rise of color; "and + I don't see what that's got to do with you and her." + </p> + <p> + "Everything! She was in correspondence with Perkins, and knows about the + Excelsior affair, and wants to help him get out of it with clean hands, + don't you see! That's why she made up to us. There, Nell; she ain't your + style, of course; but you owe a heap to her for giving us points as to + where you were. But that's all over now; she left us at Mazatlan, and went + on to Nicaragua to meet Perkins somewhere there—for the fellow has + always got some Central American revolution on hand, it appears. Until + they garrote or shoot him some day, he'll go on in the liberating business + forever." + </p> + <p> + "Then there wasn't any Mr. Montgomery, of course?" said Eleanor. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Mr. Montgomery," said Dick, hesitating. "Well, you see, Nell, I think + that, knowing how correct and all that sort of thing Brimmer is, she sort + of invented the husband to make her interest look more proper." + </p> + <p> + "It's shameful!" said Miss Keene indignantly. + </p> + <p> + "Come, Nell; one would think you had a personal dislike to her. Let her + go; she won't trouble you—nor, I reckon, ANYBODY, much longer." + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean, Dick?" + </p> + <p> + "I mean she has regularly exhausted and burnt herself out with her + hysterics and excitements, and the drugs she's taken to subdue them—to + say nothing of the Panama fever she got last spring. If she don't go + regularly crazy at last she'll have another attack of fever, hanging round + the isthmus waiting for Perkins." + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, undisturbed by excitement or intrusion of the outer world, the + days had passed quietly at the Mission. But one evening, at twilight, a + swift-footed, lightly-clad Indian glided into the sacristy as if he had + slipped from the outlying fog, and almost immediately as quietly glided + away again and disappeared. The next moment Father Esteban's gaunt and + agitated face appeared at Hurlstone's door. + </p> + <p> + "My son, God has been merciful, and cut short your probation. The signal + of the ship has just been made. Her boat will be waiting on the beach two + leagues from here an hour hence. Are you ready? and are you still + resolved?" + </p> + <p> + "I am," said Hurlstone, rising. "I have been prepared since you first + assented." + </p> + <p> + The old man's lips quivered slightly, and the great brown hand laid upon + the table trembled for an instant; with a strong effort he recovered + himself, and said hurriedly,— + </p> + <p> + "Concho's mule is saddled and ready for you at the foot of the garden. You + will follow the beach a league beyond the Indians' cross. In the boat will + await you the trusty messenger of the Church. You will say to him, + 'Guadalajara,' and give him these letters. One is to the captain. You will + require no other introduction." He laid the papers on the table, and, + turning to Hurlstone, lifted his tremulous hands in the air. "And now, my + son, may the grace of God"— + </p> + <p> + He faltered and stopped, his uplifted arms falling helplessly on + Hurlstone's shoulders. For an instant the young man supported him in his + arms, then placed him gently in the chair he had just quitted, and for the + first time in their intimacy dropped upon his knee before him. The old + man, with a faint smile, placed his hand upon his companion's head. A + breathless pause followed; Father Esteban's lips moved silently. Suddenly + the young man rose, pressed his lips hurriedly to the Father's hand, and + passed out into the night. + </p> + <p> + The moon was already suffusing the dropping veil of fog above him with + that nebulous, mysterious radiance he had noticed the first night he had + approached the Mission. When he reached the cross he dismounted, and + gathering a few of the sweet-scented blossoms that crept around its base, + placed them in his breast. Then, remounting, he continued his way until he + came to the spot designated by Concho as a fitting place to leave his + tethered mule. This done, he proceeded on foot about a mile further along + the hard, wet sand, his eyes fixed on the narrow strip of water and shore + before him that was yet uninvaded by the fog on either side. + </p> + <p> + The misty, nebulous light, the strange silence, broken only by the + occasional low hurried whisper of some spent wave that sent its film of + spume across his path, or filled his footprints behind him, possessed him + with vague presentiments and imaginings. At times he fancied he heard + voices at his side; at times indistinct figures loomed through the mist + before him. At last what seemed to be his own shadow faintly impinged upon + the mist at one side impressed him so strongly that he stopped; the + apparition stopped too. Continuing a few hundred paces further, he stopped + again; but this time the ghostly figure passed on, and convinced him that + it was no shadow, but some one actually following him. With an angry + challenge he advanced towards it. It quickly retreated inland, and was + lost. Irritated and suspicious he turned back towards the water, and was + amazed to see before him, not twenty yards away, the object of his quest—a + boat, with two men in it, kept in position by the occasional lazy dip of + an oar. In the pursuit of his mysterious shadow he had evidently + overlooked it. As his own figure emerged from the fog, the boat pulled + towards him. The priest's password was upon his lips, when he perceived + that the TWO men were common foreign sailors; the messenger of the Church + was evidently not there. Could it have been he who had haunted him? He + paused irresolutely. "Is there none other coming?" he asked. The two men + looked at each other. One said, "Quien sabe!" and shrugged his shoulders. + Hurlstone without further hesitation leaped aboard. + </p> + <p> + The same dull wall of vapor—at times thickening to an almost + impenetrable barrier, and again half suffocating him in its soft embrace—which + he had breasted on the night he swam ashore, carried back his thoughts to + that time, now so remote and unreal. And when, after a few moments' silent + rowing, the boat approached a black hulk that seemed to have started + forward out of the gloom to meet them, his vague recollection began to + take a more definite form. As he climbed up the companion-ladder and + boarded the vessel, an inexplicable memory came over him. A petty officer + on the gangway advanced silently and ushered him, half dazed and + bewildered, into the cabin. He glanced hurriedly around: the door of a + state-room opened, and disclosed the indomitable and affable Senor + Perkins! A slight expression of surprise, however, crossed the features of + the Liberator of Quinquinambo as he advanced with outstretched hand. + </p> + <p> + "This is really a surprise, my dear fellow! I had no idea that YOU were in + this affair. But I am delighted to welcome you once more to the + Excelsior!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <h3> + THE RETURN OF THE EXCELSIOR. + </h3> + <p> + Amazed and disconcerted, Hurlstone, nevertheless, retained his presence of + mind. + </p> + <p> + "There must be some mistake," he said coolly; "I am certainly not the + person you seem to be expecting." + </p> + <p> + "Were you not sent here by Winslow?" demanded Perkins. + </p> + <p> + "No. The person you are looking for is probably one I saw on the shore. He + no doubt became alarmed at my approach, and has allowed me quite + unwittingly to take his place in the boat." + </p> + <p> + Perkins examined Hurlstone keenly for a moment, stepped to the door, gave + a brief order, and returned. + </p> + <p> + "Then, if you did not intend the honor of this visit for me," he resumed, + with a smile, "may I ask, my dear fellow, whom you expected to meet, and + on what ship? There are not so many at Todos Santos, if my memory serves + me right, as to create confusion." + </p> + <p> + "I must decline to answer that question," said Hurlstone curtly. + </p> + <p> + The Senor smiled, with an accession of his old gentleness. + </p> + <p> + "My dear young friend," he said, "have you forgotten that on a far more + important occasion to YOU, I showed no desire to pry into your secret?" + Hurlstone made a movement of deprecation. "Nor have I any such desire now. + But for the sake of our coming to an understanding as friends, let me + answer the question for you. You are here, my dear fellow, as a messenger + from the Mission of Todos Santos to the Ecclesiastical Commission from + Guadalajara, whose ship touches here every three years. It is now due. You + have mistaken this vessel for theirs." + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone remained silent. + </p> + <p> + "It is no secret," continued Senor Perkins blandly; "nor shall I pretend + to conceal MY purpose here, which is on the invitation of certain + distressed patriots of Todos Santos, to assist them in their deliverance + from the effete tyranny of the Church and its Government. I have been + fortunate enough to anticipate the arrival of your vessel, as you were + fortunate enough to anticipate the arrival of my messenger. I am doubly + fortunate, as it gives me the pleasure of your company this evening, and + necessitates no further trouble than the return of the boat for the other + gentleman—which has already gone. Doubtless you may know him." + </p> + <p> + "I must warn you again, Senor Perkins," said Hurlstone sternly, "that I + have no connection with any political party; nor have I any sympathy with + your purpose against the constituted authorities." + </p> + <p> + "I am willing to believe that you have no political affinities at all, my + dear Mr. Hurlstone," returned Perkins, with unruffled composure, "and, + consequently, we will not argue as to what is the constituted authority of + Todos Santos. Perhaps to-morrow it may be on board THIS SHIP, and I may + still have the pleasure of making you at home here!" + </p> + <p> + "Until then," said Hurlstone dryly, "at least you will allow me to repair + my error by returning to the shore." + </p> + <p> + "For the moment I hardly think it would be wise," replied Perkins gently. + "Allowing that you escaped the vigilance of my friends on the shore, whose + suspicions you have aroused, and who might do you some injury, you would + feel it your duty to inform those who sent you of the presence of my ship, + and thus precipitate a collision between my friends and yours, which would + be promotive of ill-feeling, and perhaps bloodshed. You know my peaceful + disposition, Mr. Hurlstone; you can hardly expect me to countenance an act + of folly that would be in violation of it." + </p> + <p> + "In other words, having decoyed me here on board your ship, you intend to + detain me," said Hurlstone insultingly. + </p> + <p> + "'Decoy,'" said Perkins, in gentle deprecation, "'decoy' is hardly the + word I expected from a gentleman who has been so unfortunate as to take, + unsolicited and of his own free will, another person's place in a boat. + But," he continued, assuming an easy argumentative attitude, "let us look + at it from your view-point. Let us imagine that YOUR ship had anticipated + mine, and that MY messenger had unwittingly gone on board of HER. What do + you think they would have done to him?" + </p> + <p> + "They would have hung him at the yard-arm, as he deserved," said Hurlstone + unflinchingly. + </p> + <p> + "You are wrong," said Perkins gently. "They would have given him the + alternative of betraying his trust, and confessing everything—which + he would probably have accepted. Pardon me!—this is no insinuation + against you," he interrupted,—"but I regret to say that my + experience with the effete Latin races of this continent has not inspired + me with confidence in their loyalty to trust. Let me give you an + instance," he continued, smiling: "the ship you are expecting is supposed + to be an inviolable secret of the Church, but it is known to me—to + my friends ashore—and even to you, my poor friend, a heretic! More + than that, I am told that the Comandante, the Padre, and Alcalde are + actually arranging to deport some of the American women by this vessel, + which has been hitherto sacred to the emissaries of the Church alone. But + you probably know this—it is doubtless part of your errand. I only + mention it to convince you that I have certainly no need either to know + your secrets, to hang you from the yard-arm if you refused to give them + up, or to hold you as hostage for my messenger, who, as I have shown you, + can take care of himself. I shall not ask you for that secret despatch you + undoubtedly carry next your heart, because I don't want it. You are at + liberty to keep it until you can deliver it, or drop it out of that + port-hole into the sea—as you choose. But I hear the boat + returning," continued Perkins, rising gently from his seat as the sound of + oars came faintly alongside, "and no doubt with Winslow's messenger. I am + sorry you won't let me bring you together. I dare say he knows all about + you, and it really need not alter your opinions." + </p> + <p> + "One moment," said Hurlstone, stunned, yet incredulous of Perkins's + revelations. "You said that both the Comandante and Alcalde had arranged + to send away certain ladies—are you not mistaken?" + </p> + <p> + "I think not," said Perkins quietly, looking over a pile of papers on the + table before him. "Yes, here it is," he continued, reading from a + memorandum: "'Don Ramon Ramirez arranged with Pepe for the secret carrying + off of Dona Barbara Brimmer.' Why, that was six weeks ago, and here we + have the Comandante suborning one Marcia, a dragoon, to abduct Mrs. + Markham—by Jove, my old friend!—and Dona Leonor—our + beauty, was she not? Yes, here it is: in black and white. Read it, if you + like,—and pardon me for one moment, while I receive this unlucky + messenger." + </p> + <p> + Left to himself, Hurlstone barely glanced at the memorandum, which seemed + to be the rough minutes of some society. He believed Perkins; but was it + possible that the Padre could be ignorant of the designs of his + fellow-councilors? And if he were not—if he had long before been in + complicity with them for the removal of Eleanor, might he not also have + duped him, Hurlstone, and sent him on this mission as a mere blind; and—more + infamously—perhaps even thus decoyed him on board the wrong ship? No—it + was impossible! His honest blood quickly flew to his cheek at that + momentary disloyal suspicion. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the Senor's bland revelations filled him with vague + uneasiness. SHE was safe with her brother now; but what if he and the + other Americans were engaged in this ridiculous conspiracy, this pot-house + rebellion that Father Esteban had spoken of, and which he had always + treated with such contempt? It seemed strange that Perkins had said + nothing of the arrival of the relieving party from the Gulf, and its + probable effect on the malcontents. Did he know it? or was the news now + being brought by this messenger whom he, Hurlstone, had supplanted? If so, + when and how had Perkins received the intelligence that brought him to + Todos Santos? The young man could scarcely repress a bitter smile as he + remembered the accepted idea of Todos Santos' inviolability—that + inaccessible port that had within six weeks secretly summoned Perkins to + its assistance! And it was there he believed himself secure! What security + had he at all? Might not this strange, unimpassioned, omniscient man + already know HIS secret as he had known the others'? + </p> + <p> + The interview of Perkins with the messenger in the next cabin was a long + one, and apparently a stormy one on the part of the newcomer. Hurlstone + could hear his excited foreign voice, shrill with the small vehemence of a + shallow character; but there was no change in the slow, measured tones of + the Senor. He listlessly began to turn over the papers on the table. + Presently he paused. He had taken up a sheet of paper on which Senor + Perkins had evidently been essaying some composition in verse. It seemed + to have been of a lugubrious character. The titular line at the top of the + page, "Dirge," had been crossed out for the substituted "In Memoriam." He + read carelessly: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O Muse unmet—but not unwept— + I seek thy sacred haunt in vain. + Too late, alas! the tryst is kept— + We may not meet again! + + "I sought thee 'midst the orange bloom, + To find that thou hadst grasped the palm + Of martyr, and the silent tomb + Had hid thee in its calm. + + "By fever racked, thou languishest + On Nicaragua's"— +</pre> + <p> + Hurlstone threw the paper aside. Although he had not forgotten the Senor's + reputation for sentimental extravagance, and on another occasion might + have laughed at it, there was something so monstrous in this hysterical, + morbid composition of the man who was even then contemplating bloodshed + and crime, that he was disgusted. Like most sentimental egotists, + Hurlstone was exceedingly intolerant of that quality in others, and he + turned for relief to his own thoughts of Eleanor Keene and his own + unfortunate passion. HE could not have written poetry at such a moment! + </p> + <p> + But the cabin-door opened, and Senor Perkins appeared. Whatever might have + been the excited condition of his unknown visitor, the Senor's round, + clean-shaven face was smiling and undisturbed by emotion. As his eye fell + on the page of manuscript Hurlstone had just cast down, a slight shadow + crossed his beneficent expanse of forehead, and deepened in his soft dark + eyes; but the next moment it was chased away by his quick recurring smile. + Even thus transient and superficial was his feeling, thought Hurlstone. + </p> + <p> + "I have some news for you," said Perkins affably, "which may alter your + decision about returning. My friends ashore," he continued, "judging from + the ingenuous specimen which has just visited me, are more remarkable for + their temporary zeal and spasmodic devotion than for prudent reserve or + lasting discretion. They have submitted a list to me of those whom they + consider dangerous to Mexican liberty, and whom they are desirous of + hanging. I regret to say that the list is illogical, and the request + inopportune. Our friend Mr. Banks is put down as an ally of the Government + and an objectionable business rival of that eminent patriot and well-known + drover, Senor Martinez, who just called upon me. Mr. Crosby's humor is + considered subversive of a proper respect for all patriotism; but I cannot + understand why they have added YOUR name as especially 'dangerous.'" + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone made a gesture of contempt. + </p> + <p> + "I suppose they pay me the respect of considering me a friend of the old + priest. So be it! I hope they will let the responsibility fall on me + alone." + </p> + <p> + "The Padre is already proscribed as one of the Council," said Senor + Perkins quietly. + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean to say," said Hurlstone impetuously, "that you will permit a + hair of that innocent old man's head to be harmed by those wretches?" + </p> + <p> + "You are generous but hasty, my friend," said Senor Perkins, in gentle + deprecation. "Allow me to put your question in another way. Ask me if I + intend to perpetuate the Catholic Church in Todos Santos by adding another + martyr to its roll, and I will tell you—No! I need not say that I am + equally opposed to any proceedings against Banks, Crosby, and yourself, + for diplomatic reasons, apart from the kindly memories of our old + associations on this ship. I have therefore been obliged to return to the + excellent Martinez his little list, with the remark that I should hold HIM + personally responsible if any of you are molested. There is, however, no + danger. Messrs. Banks and Crosby are with the other Americans, whom we + have guaranteed to protect, at the Mission, in the care of your friend the + Padre. You are surprised! Equally so was the Padre. Had you delayed your + departure an hour you would have met them, and I should have been debarred + the pleasure of your company. + </p> + <p> + "By to-morrow," continued Perkins, placing the tips of his fingers + together reflectively, "the Government of Todos Santos will have changed + hands, and without bloodshed. You look incredulous! My dear young friend, + it has been a part of my professional pride to show the world that these + revolutions can be accomplished as peacefully as our own changes of + administration. But for a few infelicitous accidents, this would have been + the case of the late liberation of Quinquinambo. The only risk run is to + myself—the leader, and that is as it should be. But all this + personal explanation is, doubtless, uninteresting to you, my young friend. + I meant only to say that, if you prefer not to remain here, you can + accompany me when I leave the ship at nine o'clock with a small + reconnoitring party, and I will give you safe escort back to your friends + at the Mission." + </p> + <p> + This amicable proposition produced a sudden revulsion of feeling in + Hurlstone. To return to those people from whom he was fleeing, in what was + scarcely yet a serious emergency, was not to be thought of! Yet, where + could he go? How could he be near enough to assist HER without again + openly casting his lot among them? And would they not consider his return + an act of cowardice? He could not restrain a gesture of irritation as he + rose impatiently to his feet. + </p> + <p> + "You are agitated, my dear fellow. It is not unworthy of your youth; but, + believe me, it is unnecessary," said Perkins, in his most soothing manner. + "Sit down. You have an hour yet to make your decision. If you prefer to + remain, you will accompany the ship to Todos Santos and join me." + </p> + <p> + "I don't comprehend you," interrupted Hurlstone suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + "I forgot," said Perkins, with a bland smile, "that you are unaware of our + plan of campaign. After communicating with the insurgents, I land here + with a small force to assist them. I do this to anticipate any action and + prevent the interference of the Mexican coaster, now due, which always + touches here through ignorance of the channel leading to the Bay of Todos + Santos and the Presidio. I then send the Excelsior, that does know the + channel, to Todos Santos, to appear before the Presidio, take the enemy in + flank, and cooperate with us. The arrival of the Excelsior there is the + last move of this little game, if I may so call it: it is 'checkmate to + the King,' the clerical Government of Todos Santos." + </p> + <p> + A little impressed, in spite of himself, with the calm forethought and + masterful security of the Senor, Hurlstone thanked him with a greater show + of respect than he had hitherto evinced. The Senor looked gratified, but + unfortunately placed that respect the next moment in peril. + </p> + <p> + "You were possibly glancing over these verses," he said, with a hesitating + and almost awkward diffidence, indicating the manuscript Hurlstone had + just thrown aside. "It is merely the first rough draft of a little tribute + I had begun to a charming friend. I sometimes," he interpolated, with an + apologetic smile, "trifle with the Muse. Perhaps I ought not to use the + word 'trifle' in connection with a composition of a threnodial and + dirge-like character," he continued deprecatingly. "Certainly not in the + presence of a gentleman as accomplished and educated as yourself, to whom + recreation of this kind is undoubtedly familiar. My occupations have been, + unfortunately, of a nature not favorable to the indulgence of verse. As a + college man yourself, my dear sir, you will probably forgive the + lucubrations of an old graduate of William and Mary's, who has forgotten + his 'ars poetica.' The verses you have possibly glanced at are crude, I am + aware, and perhaps show the difficulty of expressing at once the dictates + of the heart and the brain. They refer to a dear friend now at peace. You + have perhaps, in happier and more careless hours, heard me speak of Mrs. + Euphemia M'Corkle, of Illinois?" + </p> + <p> + Hurlstone remembered indistinctly to have heard, even in his reserved + exclusiveness on the Excelsior, the current badinage of the passengers + concerning Senor Perkins' extravagant adulation of this unknown poetess. + As a part of the staple monotonous humor of the voyage, it had only + disgusted him. With a feeling that he was unconsciously sharing the + burlesque relief of the passengers, he said, with a polite attempt at + interest, + </p> + <p> + "Then the lady is—no more?" + </p> + <p> + "If that term can be applied to one whose work is immortal," corrected + Senor Perkins gently. "All that was finite of this gifted woman was lately + forwarded by Adams's Express Company from San Juan, to receive sepulture + among her kindred at Keokuk, Iowa." + </p> + <p> + "Did she say she was from that place?" asked Hurlstone, with half + automatic interest. + </p> + <p> + "The Consul says she gave that request to the priest." + </p> + <p> + "Then you were not with her when she died?" said Hurlstone absently. + </p> + <p> + "I was NEVER with her, neither then nor before," returned Senor Perkins + gravely. Seeing Hurlstone's momentary surprise, he went on, "The late Mrs. + M'Corkle and I never met—we were personally unknown to each other. + You may have observed the epithet 'unmet' in the first line of the first + stanza; you will then understand that the privation of actual contact with + this magnetic soul would naturally impart more difficulty into elegiac + expression." + </p> + <p> + "Then you never really saw the lady you admire?" said Hurlstone vacantly. + </p> + <p> + "Never. The story is a romantic one," said Perkins, with a smile that was + half complacent and yet half embarrassed. "May I tell it to you? Thanks. + Some three years ago I contributed some verses to the columns of a Western + paper edited by a friend of mine. The subject chosen was my favorite one, + 'The Liberation of Mankind,' in which I may possibly have expressed myself + with some poetic fervor on a theme so dear to my heart. I may remark + without vanity, that it received high encomiums—perhaps at some more + opportune moment you may be induced to cast your eyes over a copy I still + retain—but no praise touched me as deeply as a tribute in verse in + another journal from a gifted unknown, who signed herself 'Euphemia.' The + subject of the poem, which was dedicated to myself, was on the liberation + of women—from—er—I may say certain domestic shackles; + treated perhaps vaguely, but with grace and vigor. I replied a week later + in a larger poem, recording more fully my theories and aspirations + regarding a struggling Central American confederacy, addressed to + 'Euphemia.' She rejoined with equal elaboration and detail, referring to a + more definite form of tyranny in the relations of marriage, and alluding + with some feeling to uncongenial experiences of her own. An instinct of + natural delicacy, veiled under the hyperbole of 'want of space,' prevented + my editorial friend from encouraging the repetition of this charming + interchange of thought and feeling. But I procured the fair stranger's + address; we began a correspondence, at once imaginative and sympathetic in + expression, if not always poetical in form. I was called to South America + by the Macedonian cry of 'Quinquinambo!' I still corresponded with her. + When I returned to Quinquinambo I received letters from her, dated from + San Francisco. I feel that my words could only fail, my dear Hurlstone, to + convey to you the strength and support I derived from those impassioned + breathings of aid and sympathy at that time. Enough for me to confess that + it was mainly due to the deep womanly interest that SHE took in the + fortunes of the passengers of the Excelsior that I gave the Mexican + authorities early notice of their whereabouts. But, pardon me,"—he + stopped hesitatingly, with a slight flush, as he noticed the utterly + inattentive face and attitude of Hurlstone,—"I am boring you. I am + forgetting that this is only important to myself," he added, with a sigh. + "I only intended to ask your advice in regard to the disposition of + certain manuscripts and effects of hers, which are unconnected with our + acquaintance. I thought, perhaps, I might entrust them to your delicacy + and consideration. They are here, if you choose to look them over; and + here is also what I believe to be a daguerreotype of the lady herself, but + in which I fail to recognize her soul and genius." + </p> + <p> + He laid a bundle of letters and a morocco case on the table with a + carelessness that was intended to hide a slight shade of disappointment in + his face—and rose. + </p> + <p> + "I beg your pardon," said Hurlstone, in confused and remorseful apology; + "but I frankly confess that my thoughts WERE preoccupied. Pray forgive me. + If you will leave these papers with me, I promise to devote myself to them + another time." + </p> + <p> + "As you please," said the Senor, with a slight return of his old + affability. "But don't bore yourself now. Let us go on deck." + </p> + <p> + He passed out of the cabin as Hurlstone glanced, half mechanically, at the + package before him. Suddenly his cheek reddened; he stopped, looked + hurriedly at the retreating form of Perkins, and picked up a manuscript + from the packet. It was in his wife's handwriting. A sudden idea flashed + across his mind, and seemed to illuminate the obscure monotony of the + story he had just heard. He turned hurriedly to the morocco case, and + opened it with trembling fingers. It was a daguerreotype, faded and + silvered; but the features were those of his wife! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <h3> + HOSTAGE. + </h3> + <p> + The revolution of Todos Santos had to all appearances been effected as + peacefully as the gentle Liberator of Quinquinambo could have wished. Two + pronunciamientos, rudely printed and posted in the Plaza, and saluted by + the fickle garrison of one hundred men, who had, however, immediately + reappointed their old commander as Generalissimo under the new regime, + seemed to leave nothing to be desired. A surging mob of vacant and + wondering peons, bearing a singular resemblance to the wild cattle and + horses which intermingled with them in blind and unceasing movement across + the Plaza and up the hilly street, and seemingly as incapable of + self-government, were alternately dispersed and stampeded or allowed to + gather again as occasion required. Some of these heterogeneous bands were + afterwards found—the revolution accomplished—gazing stupidly + on the sea, or ruminating in bovine wantonness on the glacis before the + Presidio. + </p> + <p> + Eleanor Keene, who with her countrywomen had been hurried to the refuge of + the Mission, was more disturbed and excited at the prospect of meeting + Hurlstone again than by any terror of the insurrection. But Hurlstone was + not there, and Father Esteban received her with a coldness she could not + attribute entirely to her countrymen's supposed sympathy with the + insurgents. When Richard Keene, who would not leave his sister until he + had seen her safe under the Mission walls, ventured at her suggestion to + ask after the American recluse, Father Esteban replied dryly that, being a + Christian gentleman, Hurlstone was the only one who had the boldness to + seek out the American filibuster Perkins, on his own ship, and remonstrate + with him for his unholy crusade. For the old priest had already become + aware of Hurlstone's blunder, and he hated Eleanor as the primary cause of + the trouble. But for her, Diego would be still with him in this emergency. + </p> + <p> + "Never mind, Nell," said Dick, noticing the disappointed eyes of his + sister as they parted, "you'll all be safe here until we return. Between + you and me, Banks, Brimmer, and I think that Brace and Winslow have gone + too far in this matter, and we're going to stop it, unless the whole thing + is over now, as they say." + </p> + <p> + "Don't believe that," said Crosby. "It's like their infernal earthquakes; + there's always a second shock, and a tidal wave to follow. I pity Brace, + Winslow, and Perkins if they get caught in it." + </p> + <p> + There seemed to be some reason for his skepticism, for later the calm of + the Mission Garden was broken upon by the monotonous tread of banded men + on the shell-strewn walks, and the door of the refectory opened to the + figure of Senor Perkins. A green silk sash across his breast, a gold-laced + belt, supporting a light dress-sword and a pair of pistols, buckled around + the jaunty waist of his ordinary black frock-coat, were his scant martial + suggestions. But his hat, albeit exchanged for a soft felt one, still + reposed on the back of his benevolent head, and seemed to accent more than + ever the contrast between his peaceful shoulders and the military + smartness of his lower figure. He bowed with easy politeness to the + assembled fugitives; but before he could address them, Father Esteban had + risen to his feet,— + </p> + <p> + "I thought that this house, at least, was free from the desecrating + footsteps of lawlessness and impiety," said the priest sternly. "How dare + YOU enter here?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothing but the desire to lend my assistance to the claims of beauty, + innocence, helplessness, and—if you will allow me to add," with a + low bow to the priest—"sanctity, caused this intrusion. For I regret + to say that, through the ill-advised counsels of some of my + fellow-patriots, the Indian tribes attached to this Mission are in revolt, + and threaten even this sacred building." + </p> + <p> + "It is false!" said Father Esteban indignantly. "Even under the accursed + manipulation of your emissaries, the miserable heathen would not dare to + raise a parricidal hand against the Church that fostered him!" + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins smiled gently, but sadly. + </p> + <p> + "Your belief, reverend sir, does you infinite credit. But, to save time, + let me give way to a gentleman who, I believe, possesses your confidence. + He will confirm my statement." + </p> + <p> + He drew aside, and allowed Hurlstone, who had been standing unperceived + behind, to step forward. The Padre uttered an exclamation of pleasure. + Miss Keene colored quickly. Hurlstone cast a long and lingering glance at + her, which seemed to the embarrassed girl full of a new, strange meaning, + and then advanced quickly with outstretched hands towards Father Esteban. + </p> + <p> + "He speaks truly," he said, hurriedly, "and in the interests of humanity + alone. The Indians have been tampered with treacherously, against his + knowledge and consent. He only seeks now to prevent the consequences of + this folly by placing you and these ladies out of reach of harm aboard of + the Excelsior." + </p> + <p> + "A very proper and excellent idea," broke in Mrs. Brimmer, with genteel + precision. "You see these people evidently recognize the fact of Mr. + Brimmer's previous ownership of the Excelsior, and the respect that is due + to him. I, for one, shall accept the offer, and insist upon Miss Chubb + accompanying me." + </p> + <p> + "I shall be charmed to extend the hospitality of the Excelsior to you on + any pretext," said the Senor gallantly, "and, indeed, should insist upon + personally accompanying you and my dear friends Mrs. Markham and Miss + Keene; but, alas! I am required elsewhere. I leave," he continued, turning + towards Hurlstone, who was already absorbed in a whispered consultation + with Padre Esteban—"I leave a sufficient escort with you to protect + your party to the boats which have brought us here. You will take them to + the Excelsior, and join me with the ship off Todos Santos in the morning. + Adieu, my friends! Good-night, and farewell!" + </p> + <p> + The priest made a vehement movement of protestation, but he was checked by + Hurlstone, as, with a low bow, Senor Perkins passed out into the darkness. + The next moment his voice was heard raised in command, and the measured + tramp of his men gradually receded and was lost in the distance. + </p> + <p> + "Does he think," said the priest indignantly, "that I, Padre Esteban, + would desert my sacred trust, and leave His Holy Temple a prey to + sacrilegious trespass? Never, while I live, Diego! Call him back and tell + him so!" + </p> + <p> + "Rather listen to me, Father Esteban," said the young man earnestly. "I + have a plan by which this may be avoided. From my knowledge of these + Indians, I am convinced that they have been basely tricked and cajoled by + some one. I believe that they are still amenable to reason and argument, + and I am so certain that I am ready to go down among them and make the + attempt. The old Chief and part of his band are still encamped on the + shore; we could hear them as we passed in the boats. I will go and meet + them. If I succeed in bringing them to reason I will return; if I find + them intractable, I will at least divert their attention from the Mission + long enough for you to embark these ladies with their escort, which you + will do at the end of two hours if I do not return." + </p> + <p> + "In two hours?" broke in Mrs. Brimmer, in sharp protest. "I positively + object. I certainly understood that Senor Perkins' invitation, which, + under the circumstances, I shall consider equal to a command from Mr. + Brimmer, was to be accepted at once and without delay; and I certainly + shall not leave Miss Chubb exposed to imminent danger for two hours to + meet the caprice of an entire stranger to Mr. Brimmer." + </p> + <p> + "I am willing to stay with Father Esteban, if he will let me," said + Eleanor Keene quietly, "for I have faith in Mr. Hurlstone's influence and + courage, and believe he will be successful." + </p> + <p> + The young man thanked her with another demonstrative look that brought the + warm blood to her cheek. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Mrs. Markham promptly; "I suppose if Nell stays I must see + the thing through and stay with her—even if I haven't orders from + Jimmy." + </p> + <p> + "There is no necessity that either Mr. or Mrs. Brimmer should be disobeyed + in their wishes," said Hurlstone grimly. "Luckily there are two boats; + Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb can take one of them with half the escort, and + proceed at once to the Excelsior. I will ride with them as far as the + boat. And now," he continued, turning to the old priest, with sparkling + eyes, "I have only to ask your blessing, and the good wishes of these + ladies, to go forth on my mission of peace. If I am successful," he added, + with a light laugh, "confess that a layman and a heretic may do some + service for the Church." As the old man laid his half detaining, half + benedictory hands upon his shoulders, the young man seized the opportunity + to whisper in his ear, "Remember your promise to tell her ALL I have told + you," and, with an other glance at Miss Keene, he marshalled Mrs. Brimmer + and Miss Chubb before him, and hurried them to the boat. + </p> + <p> + Miss Keene looked after him with a vague felicity in the change that + seemed to have come on him, a change that she could as little account for + as her own happiness. Was it the excitement of danger that had overcome + his reserve, and set free his compressed will and energy? She longed for + her brother to see him thus—alert, strong, and chivalrous. In her + girlish faith, she had no fear for his safety; he would conquer, he would + succeed; he would come back to them victorious! Looking up from her happy + abstraction, at the side of Mrs. Markham, who had calmly gone to sleep in + an arm-chair, she saw Father Esteban's eyes fixed upon her. With a warning + gesture of the hand towards Mrs. Markham, he rose, and, going to the door + of the sacristy, beckoned to her. The young girl noiselessly crossed the + room and followed him into the sanctuary. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour later, and while Mrs. Markham was still asleep, Father + Esteban appeared at the door of the sacristy ostentatiously taking snuff, + and using a large red handkerchief to wipe his more than usually humid + eyes. Eleanor Keene, with her chin resting on her hand, remained sitting + as he had left her, with her abstracted eyes fixed vacantly on the lamp + before the statue of the Virgin and the half-lit gloom of the nave. + </p> + <p> + Padre Esteban had told her ALL! She now knew Hurlstone's history even as + he had hesitatingly imparted it to the old priest in this very church—perhaps + upon the very seat where she sat. She knew the peace that he had sought + for and found within these walls, broken only by his passion for her! She + knew his struggles against the hopelessness of this new-born love, even + the desperate remedy that had been adopted against herself, and the later + voluntary exile of her lover. She knew the providential culmination of his + trouble in the news brought unconsciously by Perkins, which, but a few + hours ago, he had verified by the letters, records, and even the + certificate of death that had thus strangely been placed in his hands! She + knew all this so clearly now, that, with the instinct of a sympathetic + nature, she even fancied she had heard it before. She knew that all the + obstacles to an exchange of their affection had been removed; that her + lover only waited his opportunity to hear from her own lips the answer + that was even now struggling at her heart. And yet she hesitated and drew + back, half frightened in the presence of her great happiness. How she + longed, and yet dreaded, to meet him! What if anything should have + happened to him?—what if he should be the victim of some treachery?—what + if he did not come?—what if?—"Good heavens! what was that?" + </p> + <p> + She was near the door of the sacristy, gazing into the dim and shadowy + church. Either she was going mad, or else the grotesque Indian hangings of + the walls were certainly moving towards her. She rose in speechless + terror, as what she had taken for an uncouthly swathed and draped barbaric + pillar suddenly glided to the window. Crouching against the wall, she + crept breathlessly towards the entrance to the garden. Casting a hurried + glance above her, she saw the open belfry that was illuminated by the + misty radiance of the moon, darkly shadowed by hideously gibbering faces + that peered at her through the broken tracery. With a cry of horror she + threw open the garden-door; but the next moment was swallowed up in the + tumultuous tide of wild and half naked Indians who surged against the + walls of the church, and felt herself lifted from her feet, with + inarticulate cries, and borne along the garden. Even in her mortal terror, + she could recognize that the cries were not those of rage, but of vacant + satisfaction; that although she was lifted on lithe shoulders, the grasp + of her limbs was gentle, and the few dark faces she could see around her + were glistening in childlike curiosity. Presently she felt herself placed + upon the back of a mule, that seemed to be swayed hither and thither in + the shifting mass, and the next moment the misty, tossing cortege moved + forward with a new and more definite purpose. She called aloud for Father + Esteban and Mrs. Markham; her voice appeared to flow back upon her from + the luminous wall of fog that closed around her. Then the inarticulate, + irregular outcries took upon themselves a measured rhythm, the movement of + the mass formed itself upon the monotonous chant, the intervals grew + shorter, the mule broke into a trot, and then the whole vast multitude + fell into a weird, rhythmical, jogging quick step at her side. + </p> + <p> + Whatever was the intent of this invasion of the Mission and her own + strange abduction, she was relieved by noticing that they were going in + the same direction as that taken by Hurlstone an hour before. Either he + was cognizant of their movements, and, being powerless to prevent their + attack on the church, had stipulated they were to bring her to him in + safety, or else he was calculating to intercept them on the way. The fog + prevented her from forming any estimation of the numbers that surrounded + her, or if the Padre and Mrs. Markham were possibly preceding her as + captives in the vanguard. She felt the breath of the sea, and knew they + were traveling along the shore; the monotonous chant and jogging motion + gradually dulled her active terror to an apathetic resignation, in which + occasionally her senses seemed to swoon and swim in the dreamy radiance + through which they passed; at times it seemed a dream or nightmare with + which she was hopelessly struggling; at times she was taking part in an + unhallowed pageant, or some heathen sacrificial procession of which she + was the destined victim. + </p> + <p> + She had no consciousness of how long the hideous journey lasted. Her + benumbed senses were suddenly awakened by a shock; the chant had ceased, + the moving mass in which she was imbedded rolled forward once more as if + by its own elasticity, and then receded again with a jar that almost + unseated her. Then the inarticulate murmur was overborne by a voice. It + was HIS! She turned blindly towards it; but before she could utter the cry + that rose to her lips, she was again lifted from the saddle, carried + forward, and gently placed upon what seemed to be a moss-grown bank. + Opening her half swimming eyes she recognized the Indian cross. The crowd + seemed to recede before her. Her eyes closed again as a strong arm passed + around her waist. + </p> + <p> + "Speak to me, Miss Keene—Eleanor—my darling!" said Hurlstone's + voice. "O my God! they have killed her!" + </p> + <p> + With an effort she moved her head and tried to smile. Their eyes, and then + their lips met; she fainted. + </p> + <p> + When she struggled to her senses again, she was lying in the stern-sheets + of the Excelsior's boat, supported on Mrs. Markham's shoulder. For an + instant the floating veil of fog around her, and the rhythmical movement + of the boat, seemed a part of her mysterious ride, and she raised her head + with a faint cry for Hurlstone. + </p> + <p> + "It's all right, my dear," said Mrs. Markham, soothingly; "he's ashore + with the Padre, and everything else is all right too. But it's rather + ridiculous to think that those idiotic Indians believed the only way they + could show Mr. Hurlstone that they meant us no harm was to drag us all up + to THEIR Mission, as they call that half heathen cross of theirs—for + safety against—who do you think, dear?—the dreadful AMERICANS! + And imagine all the while the Padre and I were just behind you, bringing + up the rear of the procession—only they wouldn't let us join you + because they wanted to show you special honor as"—she sank her voice + to a whisper in Eleanor's ear—"as the future Mrs. Hurlstone! It + appears they must have noticed something about you two, the last time you + were there, my dear. And—to think—YOU never told me anything + about it!" + </p> + <p> + When they reached the Excelsior, they found that Mrs. Brimmer, having + already settled herself in the best cabin, was inclined to extend the + hospitalities of the ship with the air of a hostess. But the arrival of + Hurlstone at midnight with some delegated authority from Senor Perkins, + and the unexpected getting under way of the ship, disturbed her + complacency. + </p> + <p> + "We are going through the channel into the bay of Todos Santos," was the + brief reply vouchsafed her by Hurlstone. + </p> + <p> + "But why can't we remain here and wait for Mr. Brimmer?" she asked + indignantly. + </p> + <p> + "Because," responded Hurlstone grimly, "the Excelsior is expected off the + Presidio to-morrow morning to aid the insurgents." + </p> + <p> + "You don't mean to say that Miss Chubb and myself are to be put in the + attitude of arraying ourselves against the constituted authorities—and, + perhaps, Mr. Brimmer himself?" asked Mrs. Brimmer, in genuine alarm. + </p> + <p> + "It looks so," said Hurlstone, a little maliciously; "but, no doubt, your + husband and the Senor will arrange it amicably." + </p> + <p> + To Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene he explained more satisfactorily that the + unexpected disaffection of the Indians had obliged Perkins to so far + change his plans as to disembark his entire force from the Excelsior, and + leave her with only the complement of men necessary to navigate her + through the channel of Todos Santos, where she would peacefully await his + orders, or receive his men in case of defeat. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, as the night was nearly spent, Mrs. Markham and Eleanor + preferred to await the coming day on deck, and watch the progress of the + Excelsior through the mysterious channel. In a few moments the barque + began to feel the combined influence of the tide and the slight morning + breeze, and, after rounding an invisible point, she presently rose and + fell on the larger ocean swell. The pilot, whom Hurlstone recognized as + the former third mate of the Excelsior, appeared to understand the passage + perfectly; and even Hurlstone and the ladies, who had through eight + months' experience become accustomed to the luminous obscurity of Todos + Santos, could detect the faint looming of the headland at the entrance. + The same soothing silence, even the same lulling of the unseen surf, which + broke in gentle undulations over the bar, and seemed to lift the barque in + rocking buoyancy over the slight obstruction, came back to them as on the + day of their fateful advent. The low orders of the pilot, the cry of the + leadsman in the chains, were but a part of the restful past. + </p> + <p> + Under the combined influence of the hour and the climate, the conversation + fell into monosyllables, and Mrs. Markham dozed. The lovers sat silently + together, but the memory of a kiss was between them. It spanned the gulf + of the past with an airy bridge, over which their secret thoughts and + fancies passed and repassed with a delicious security; henceforth they + could not flee from that memory, even if they wished; they read it in each + other's lightest glance; they felt it in the passing touch of each other's + hands; it lingered, with vague tenderness, on the most trivial interchange + of thought. Yet they spoke a little of the future. Eleanor believed that + her brother would not object to their union; he had spoken of entering + into business at Todos Santos, and perhaps when peace and security were + restored they might live together. Hurlstone did not tell her that a brief + examination of his wife's papers had shown him that the property he had + set aside for her maintenance, and from which she had regularly drawn an + income, had increased in value, and left him a rich man. He only pressed + her hand, and whispered that her wishes should be his. They had become + tenderly silent again, as the Excelsior, now fairly in the bay, appeared + to be slowly drifting, with listless sails and idle helm, in languid + search of an anchorage. Suddenly they were startled by a cry from the + lookout. + </p> + <p> + "Sail ho!" + </p> + <p> + There was an incredulous start on the deck. The mate sprang into the + fore-rigging with an oath of protestation. But at the same moment the tall + masts and spars of a vessel suddenly rose like a phantom out of the fog at + their side. The half disciplined foreign crew uttered a cry of rage and + trepidation, and huddled like sheep in the waist, with distracted + gestures; even the two men at the wheel forsook their post to run in dazed + terror to the taffrail. Before the mate could restore order to this chaos, + the Excelsior had drifted, with a scarcely perceptible concussion, against + the counter of the strange vessel. In an instant a dozen figures appeared + on its bulwarks, and dropped unimpeded upon the Excelsior's deck. As the + foremost one approached the mate, the latter shrank back in consternation. + </p> + <p> + "Captain Bunker!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said the figure, advancing with a mocking laugh; "Captain Bunker it + is. Captain Bunker, formerly of this American barque Excelsior, and now of + the Mexican ship La Trinidad. Captain Bunker ez larnt every foot of that + passage in an open boat last August, and didn't forget it yesterday in a + big ship! Captain Bunker ez has just landed a company of dragoons to + relieve the Presidio. What d'ye say to that, Mr. M'Carthy—eh?" + </p> + <p> + "I say," answered M'Carthy, raising his voice with a desperate effort to + recover his calmness, "I say that Perkins landed with double that number + of men yesterday around that point, and that he'll be aboard here in half + an hour to make you answer for this insult to his ship and his + Government." + </p> + <p> + "His Government!" echoed Bunker, with a hoarser laugh; "hear him!—HIS + Government! His Government died at four o'clock this morning, when his own + ringleaders gave him up to the authorities. Ha! Why, this yer revolution + is played out, old man; and Generalissimo Leonidas Perkins is locked up in + the Presidio." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <h3> + LIBERATED. + </h3> + <p> + The revolution was, indeed, ended. The unexpected arrival of a relieving + garrison in the bay of Todos Santos had completed what the dissensions in + the insurgents' councils had begun; the discontents, led by Brace and + Winslow, had united with the Government against Perkins and his aliens; + but a compromise had been effected by the treacherous giving up of the + Liberator himself in return for an amnesty granted to his followers. The + part that Bunker had played in bringing about this moral catastrophe was, + however, purely adventitious. When he had recovered his health, and + subsequent events had corroborated the truth of his story, the Mexican + Government, who had compromised with Quinquinambo, was obliged to + recognize his claims by offering him command of the missionary ship, and + permission to rediscover the channel, the secret of which had been lost + for half a century to the Government. He had arrived at the crucial moment + when Perkins' command were scattered along the seashore, and the dragoons + had invested Todos Santos without opposition. + </p> + <p> + Such was the story substantially told to Hurlstone and confirmed on his + debarkation with the ladies at Todos Santos, the Excelsior being now in + the hands of the authorities. Hurlstone did not hesitate to express to + Padre Esteban his disgust at the treachery which had made a scapegoat of + Senor Perkins. But to his surprise the cautious priest only shrugged his + shoulders as he took a complacent pinch of snuff. + </p> + <p> + "Have a care, Diego! You are of necessity grateful to this man for the + news he has brought—nay, more, for possibly being the instrument + elected by Providence to precipitate the denouement of that miserable + woman's life—but let it not close your eyes to his infamous + political career. I admit that he was opposed to the revolt of the heathen + against us, but it was his emissaries and his doctrines that poisoned with + heresy the fountains from which they drank. Enough! Be grateful! but do + not expect ME to intercede for Baal and Ashtaroth!" + </p> + <p> + "Intercede!" echoed Hurlstone, alarmed at the sudden sacerdotal hardness + that had overspread the old priest's face. "Surely the Council will not be + severe with the man who was betrayed into their power by others equally + guilty?" + </p> + <p> + Padre Esteban avoided Hurlstone's eyes as he answered with affected + coolness,—"Quien sabe? There will be expulsados, no doubt. The + Excelsior, which is confiscated, will be sent to Mexico with them." + </p> + <p> + "I must see Senor Perkins," said Hurlstone suddenly. + </p> + <p> + The priest hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "When?" he asked cautiously. + </p> + <p> + "At once." + </p> + <p> + "Good." He wrote a hurried line on a piece of paper, folded it, sealed it, + and gave it to Hurlstone. "You will hand that to the Comandante. He will + give you access to the prisoner." + </p> + <p> + In less than half an hour Hurlstone presented himself before the + Commander. The events of the last twenty-four hours had evidently affected + Don Miguel, for although he received Hurlstone courteously, there was a + singular reflection of the priest's harshness in his face as he glanced + over the missive. He took out his watch. + </p> + <p> + "I give you ten minutes with the prisoner, Don Diego. More, I cannot." + </p> + <p> + A little awed by the manner of the Commander, Hurlstone bowed and followed + him across the courtyard. It was filled with soldiers, and near the + gateway a double file of dragoons, with loaded carbines, were standing at + ease. Two sentries were ranged on each side of an open door which gave + upon the courtyard. The Commander paused before it, and with a gesture + invited him to enter. It was a large square apartment, lighted only by the + open door and a grated enclosure above it. Seated in his shirtsleeves, + before a rude table, Senor Perkins was quietly writing. The shadow of + Hurlstone's figure falling across his paper caused him to look up. + </p> + <p> + Whatever anxiety Hurlstone had begun to feel, it was quickly dissipated by + the hearty, affable, and even happy greeting of the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + "Ah! what! my young friend Hurlstone! Again an unexpected pleasure," he + said, extending his white hands. "And again you find me wooing the Muse, + in, I fear, hesitating numbers." He pointed to the sheet of paper before + him, which showed some attempts at versification. "But I confess to a + singular fascination in the exercise of poetic composition, in instants of + leisure like this—a fascination which, as a man of imagination + yourself, you can appreciate." + </p> + <p> + "And I am sorry to find you here, Senor Perkins," began Hurlstone frankly; + "but I believe it will not be for long." + </p> + <p> + "My opinion," said the Senor, with a glance of gentle contemplation at the + distant Comandante, "as far as I may express it, coincides with your own." + </p> + <p> + "I have come," continued Hurlstone earnestly, "to offer you my services. I + am ready," he raised his voice, with a view of being overheard, "to bear + testimony that you had no complicity in the baser part of the late + conspiracy,—the revolt of the savages, and that you did your best to + counteract the evil, although in doing so you have sacrificed yourself. I + shall claim the right to speak from my own knowledge of the Indians and + from their admission to me that they were led away by the vague + representations of Martinez, Brace, and Winslow." + </p> + <p> + "Pardon—pardon me," said Senor Perkins deprecatingly, "you are + mistaken. My general instructions, no doubt, justified these young + gentlemen in taking, I shall not say extreme, but injudicious measures." + He glanced meaningly in the direction of the Commander, as if to warn + Hurlstone from continuing, and said gently, "But let us talk of something + else. I thank you for your gracious intentions, but you remember that we + agreed only yesterday that you knew nothing of politics, and did not + concern yourself with them. I do not know but you are wise. Politics and + the science of self-government, although dealing with general principles, + are apt to be defined by the individual limitations of the enthusiast. + What is good for HIMSELF he too often deems is applicable to the general + public, instead of wisely understanding that what is good for THEM must be + good for himself. But," said the Senor lightly, "we are again + transgressing. We were to choose another topic. Let it be yourself, Mr. + Hurlstone. You are looking well, sir; indeed, I may say I never saw you + looking so well! Let me congratulate you. Health is the right of youth. + May you keep both!" + </p> + <p> + He shook Hurlstone's hand again with singular fervor. + </p> + <p> + There was a slight bustle and commotion at the door of the guard-room, and + the Commander's attention was called in that direction. Hurlstone profited + by the opportunity to say in a hurried whisper: + </p> + <p> + "Tell me what I can do for you;" and he hesitated to voice his renewed + uneasiness—"tell me if—if—if your case is—urgent!" + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins lifted his shoulders and smiled with grateful benevolence. + </p> + <p> + "You have already promised me to deliver those papers and manuscripts of + my deceased friend, and to endeavor to find her relations. I do not think + it is urgent, however." + </p> + <p> + "I do not mean that," said Hurlstone eagerly. "I"—but Perkins + stopped him with a sign that the Commander was returning. + </p> + <p> + Don Miguel approached them with disturbed and anxious looks. + </p> + <p> + "I have yielded to the persuasions of two ladies, Dona Leonor and the + Senora Markham, to ask you to see them for a moment," he said to Senor + Perkins. "Shall it be so? I have told them the hour is nearly spent." + </p> + <p> + "You have told them—NOTHING MORE?" asked the Senor, in a whisper + unheard by Hurlstone. + </p> + <p> + "No." + </p> + <p> + "Let them come, then." + </p> + <p> + The Commander made a gesture to the sentries at the guard-room, who drew + back to allow Mrs. Markham and Eleanor to pass. A little child, one of + Eleanor's old Presidio pupils, who, recognizing her, had followed her into + the guard-room, now emerged with her, and momentarily disconcerted at the + presence of the Commander, ran, with the unerring instinct of childhood, + to the Senor for protection. The filibuster smiled, and lifting the child + with a paternal gesture to his shoulder by one hand, he extended the other + to the ladies. + </p> + <p> + "The Commander," said Mrs. Markham briskly, "says it's against the rules; + that visiting time is up; and you've already got a friend with you, and + all that sort of thing; but I told him that I was bound to see you, if + only to say that if there's any meanness going on, Susannah and James + Markham ain't in it! No! But we're going to see you put right and square + in the matter; and if we can't do it here, we'll do it, if we have to + follow you to Mexico!—that's all!" + </p> + <p> + "And I," said Eleanor, grasping the Senor's hand, and half blushing as she + glanced at Hurlstone, "see that I have already a friend here who will help + me to put in action all the sympathy I feel." + </p> + <p> + Senor Perkins drew himself up, and cast a faint look of pride towards the + Commander. + </p> + <p> + "To HEAR such assurances from beautiful and eloquent lips like those + before me," he said, with his old oratorical wave of the hand, but a + passing shadow across his mild eyes, "is more than sufficient. In my + experience of life I have been favored, at various emergencies, by the + sympathy and outspoken counsel of your noble sex; the last time by Mrs. + Euphemia M'Corkle, of Peoria, Illinois, a lady of whom you have heard me + speak—alas! now lately deceased. A few lines at present lying on + yonder table—a tribute to her genius—will be forwarded to you, + dear Mrs. Markham. But let us change the theme. You are looking well—and + you, too, Miss Keene. From the roses that bloom on your cheeks—nourished + by the humid air of Todos Santos—I am gratified in thinking you have + forgiven me your enforced detention here." + </p> + <p> + At a gesture from the Commander he ceased, stepped back, bowed gravely, + and the ladies recognized that their brief audience had terminated. As + they passed through the gateway, looking back they saw Perkins still + standing with the child on his shoulder and smiling affably upon them. + Then the two massive doors of the gateway swung to with a crash, the bolts + were shot, and the courtyard was impenetrable. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + A few moments later, the three friends had passed the outermost angle of + the fortifications, and were descending towards the beach. By the time + they had reached the sands they had fallen into a vague silence. + </p> + <p> + A noise like the cracking and fall of some slight scaffolding behind them + arrested their attention. Hurlstone turned quickly. A light smoke, + drifting from the courtyard, was mingling with the fog. A faint cry of + "Dios y Libertad!" rose with it. + </p> + <p> + With a hurried excuse to his companions, Hurlstone ran rapidly back, and + reached the gate as it slowly rolled upon its hinges to a file of men that + issued from the courtyard. The first object that met his eyes was the hat + of Senor Perkins lying on the ground near the wall, with a terrible + suggestion in its helpless and pathetic vacuity. A few paces further lay + its late owner, with twenty Mexican bullets in his breast, his benevolent + forehead bared meekly to the sky, as if even then mutely appealing to the + higher judgment. He was dead! The soul of the Liberator of Quinquinambo, + and of various other peoples more or less distressed and more or less + ungrateful, was itself liberated! + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + With the death of Senor Perkins ended the Crusade of the Excelsior. Under + charge of Captain Bunker the vessel was sent to Mazatlan by the + authorities, bearing the banished and proscribed Americans, Banks, Brace, + Winslow, and Crosby; and, by permission of the Council, also their + friends, Markham and Brimmer, and the ladies, Mrs. Brimmer, Chubb, and + Markham. Hurlstone and Miss Keene alone were invited to remain, but, on + later representations, the Council graciously included Richard Keene in + the invitation, with the concession of the right to work the mines and + control the ranches he and Hurlstone had purchased from their proscribed + countrymen. The complacency of the Council of Todos Santos may be + accounted for when it is understood that on the day the firm of Hurlstone + & Keene was really begun under the title of Mr. and Mrs. Hurlstone, + Richard had prevailed upon the Alcalde to allow him to add the piquant + Dona Isabel also to the firm under the title of Mrs. Keene. Although the + port of Todos Santos was henceforth open to all commerce, the firm of + Hurlstone & Keene long retained the monopoly of trade, and was a + recognized power of intelligent civilization and honest progress on the + Pacific coast. And none contributed more to that result than the clever + and beautiful hostess of Excelsior Lodge, the charming country home of + James Hurlstone, Esq., senior partner of the firm. Under the truly + catholic shelter of its veranda Padre Esteban and the heretic stranger + mingled harmoniously, and the dissensions of local and central Government + were forgotten. + </p> + <p> + "I said that you were a dama de grandeza, you remember," said the youthful + Mrs. Keene to Mrs. Hurlstone, "and, you see, you are!" + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Crusade of the Excelsior, by Bret Harte + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR *** + +***** This file should be named 2471-h.htm or 2471-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/7/2471/ + +Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Crusade of the Excelsior + +Author: Bret Harte + +Release Date: May 16, 2006 [EBook #2471] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Lainson + + + + + +THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR + +by Bret Harte + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +PART I.-- IN BONDS. + + +CHAPTER I.-- A CRUSADER AND A SIGN + + +CHAPTER II.-- ANOTHER PORTENT + + +CHAPTER III-- "VIGILANCIA" + + +CHAPTER IV.-- IN THE FOG + + +CHAPTER V.-- TODOS SANTOS + + +CHAPTER VI.-- "HAIL AND FAREWELL" + + +CHAPTER VII.-- THE GENTLE CASTAWAYS + + +CHAPTER VIII.--IN SANCTUARY + + +CHAPTER IX.-- AN OPEN-AIR PRISON + + +CHAPTER X.-- TODOS SANTOS SOLVES THE MYSTERY + + +CHAPTER XI.-- THE CAPTAIN FOLLOWS HIS SHIP + + + +PART II.-- FREED. + + +CHAPTER I.-- THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO + + +CHAPTER II.-- THE MOURNERS AT TODOS SANTOS + + +CHAPTER III.-- INTERNATIONAL COURTESIES + + +CHAPTER IV.-- A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE + + +CHAPTER V.-- CLOUDS AND CHANGE + + +CHAPTER VI.-- A MORE IMPORTANT ARRIVAL + + +CHAPTER VII.-- THE RETURN OF THE EXCELSIOR + + +CHAPTER VIII.--HOSTAGE + + +CHAPTER IX.-- LIBERATED + + + + +THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR + + + + +PART I. IN BONDS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +A CRUSADER AND A SIGN. + + +It was the 4th of August, 1854, off Cape Corrientes. Morning was +breaking over a heavy sea, and the closely-reefed topsails of a barque +that ran before it bearing down upon the faint outline of the Mexican +coast. Already the white peak of Colima showed, ghost-like, in the east; +already the long sweep of the Pacific was gathering strength and volume +as it swept uninterruptedly into the opening Gulf of California. + +As the cold light increased, it could be seen that the vessel showed +evidence of a long voyage and stress of weather. She had lost one of +her spars, and her starboard davits rolled emptily. Nevertheless, her +rigging was taut and ship-shape, and her decks scrupulously clean. +Indeed, in that uncertain light, the only moving figure besides the +two motionless shadows at the wheel was engaged in scrubbing the +quarter-deck--which, with its grated settees and stacked camp-chairs, +seemed to indicate the presence of cabin passengers. For the barque +Excelsior, from New York to San Francisco, had discharged the bulk of +her cargo at Callao, and had extended her liberal cabin accommodation to +swell the feverish Californian immigration, still in its height. + +Suddenly there was a slight commotion on deck. An order, issued from +some invisible depth of the cabin, was so unexpected that it had to be +repeated sternly and peremptorily. A bustle forward ensued, two or three +other shadows sprang up by the bulwarks, then the two men bent over the +wheel, the Excelsior slowly swung round on her heel, and, with a parting +salutation to the coast, bore away to the northwest and the open sea +again. + +"What's up now?" growled one of the men at the wheel to his companion, +as they slowly eased up on the helm. + +"'Tain't the skipper's, for he's drunk as a biled owl, and ain't stirred +out of his bunk since eight bells," said the other. "It's the first +mate's orders; but, I reckon, it's the Senor's idea." + +"Then we ain't goin' on to Mazatlan?" + +"Not this trip, I reckon," said the third mate, joining them. + +"Why?" + +The third mate turned and pointed to leeward. The line of coast had +already sunk enough to permit the faint silhouette of a trail of smoke +to define the horizon line of sky. + +"Steamer goin' in, eh?" + +"Yes. D'ye see--it might be too hot, in there!" + +"Then the jig's up?" + +"No. Suthin's to be done--north of St. Lucas. Hush!" + +He made a gesture of silence, although the conversation, since he had +joined them, had been carried on in a continuous whisper. A figure, +evidently a passenger, had appeared on deck. One or two of the +foreign-looking crew who had drawn near the group, with a certain undue +and irregular familiarity, now slunk away again. + +The passenger was a shrewd, exact, rectangular-looking man, who had +evidently never entirely succumbed to the freedom of the sea either in +his appearance or habits. He had not even his sea legs yet; and as the +barque, with the full swell of the Pacific now on her weather bow, was +plunging uncomfortably, he was fain to cling to the stanchions. This did +not, however, prevent him from noticing the change in her position, and +captiously resenting it. + +"Look here--you; I say! What have we turned round for? We're going away +from the land! Ain't we going on to Mazatlan?" + +The two men at the wheel looked silently forward, with that exasperating +unconcern of any landsman's interest peculiar to marine officials. The +passenger turned impatiently to the third mate. + +"But this ain't right, you know. It was understood that we were going +into Mazatlan. I've got business there." + +"My orders, sir," said the mate curtly, turning away. + +The practical passenger had been observant enough of sea-going rules to +recognize that this reason was final, and that it was equally futile to +demand an interview with the captain when that gentleman was not visibly +on duty. He turned angrily to the cabin again. + +"You look disturbed, my dear Banks. I trust you haven't slept badly," +said a very gentle voice from the quarter-rail near him; "or, perhaps, +the ship's going about has upset you. It's a little rougher on this +tack." + +"That's just it," returned Banks sharply. "We HAVE gone about, and +we're not going into Mazatlan at all. It's scandalous! I'll speak to +the captain--I'll complain to the consignees--I've got business at +Mazatlan--I expect letters--I"-- + +"Business, my dear fellow?" continued the voice, in gentle protest. +"You'll have time for business when you get to San Francisco. And as for +letters--they'll follow you there soon enough. Come over here, my boy, +and say hail and farewell to the Mexican coast--to the land of Montezuma +and Pizarro. Come here and see the mountain range from which Balboa +feasted his eyes on the broad Pacific. Come!" + +The speaker, though apparently more at his ease at sea, was in dress and +appearance fully as unnautical as Banks. As he leaned over the railing, +his white, close-fitting trousers and small patent-leather boots gave +him a jaunty, half-military air, which continued up to the second button +of his black frock-coat, and then so utterly changed its character +that it was doubtful if a greater contrast could be conceived than that +offered by the widely spread lapels of his coat, his low turned-down +collar, loosely knotted silk handkerchief, and the round, smooth-shaven, +gentle, pacific face above them. His straight long black hair, shining +as if from recent immersion, was tucked carefully behind his ears, and +hung in a heavy, even, semicircular fringe around the back of his neck +where his tall hat usually rested, as if to leave his forehead meekly +exposed to celestial criticism. When he had joined the ship at Callao, +his fellow-passengers, rashly trusting to the momentary suggestion of +his legs on the gang-plank, had pronounced him military; meeting him +later at dinner, they had regarded the mild Methodistic contour of his +breast and shoulders above the table, and entertained the wild idea +of asking him to evoke a blessing. To complete the confusion of +his appearance, he was called "Senor" Perkins, for no other reason, +apparently, than his occasional, but masterful, use of the Spanish +vernacular. + +Steadying himself by one of the quarter stanchions, he waved his right +hand oratorically towards the sinking coast. + +"Look at it, sir. One of the finest countries that ever came from the +hand of the Creator; a land overflowing with milk and honey; containing, +sir, in that one mountain range, the products of the three zones--and +yet the abode of the oppressed and down-trodden; the land of faction, +superstition, tyranny, and political revolution." + +"That's all very well," said Banks irritably, "but Mazatlan is a +well-known commercial port, and has English and American correspondents. +There's a branch of that Boston firm--Potter, Potts & Potter--there. The +new line of steamers is going to stop there regularly." + +Senor Perkins' soft black eyes fell for an instant, as if accidentally, +on the third mate, but the next moment he laughed, and, throwing back +his head, inhaled, with evident relish, a long breath of the sharp, salt +air. + +"Ah!" he said enthusiastically, "THAT'S better than all the business you +can pick up along a malarious coast. Open your mouth and try to take in +the free breath of the glorious North Pacific. Ah! isn't it glorious?" + +"Where's the captain?" said Banks, with despairing irritation. "I want +to see him." + +"The captain," said Senor Perkins, with a bland, forgiving smile and a +slight lowering of his voice, "is, I fear, suffering from an accident +of hospitality, and keeps his state-room. The captain is a good fellow," +continued Perkins, with gentle enthusiasm; "a good sailor and careful +navigator, and exceedingly attentive to his passengers. I shall +certainly propose getting up some testimonial for him." + +"But if he's shut up in his state-room, who's giving the orders?" began +Banks angrily. + +Senor Perkins put up a small, well-kept hand deprecatingly. + +"Really, my dear boy, I suppose the captain cannot be omnipresent. Some +discretion must be left to the other officers. They probably know his +ideas and what is to be done better than we do. You business men trouble +yourselves too much about these things. You should take them more +philosophically. For my part I always confide myself trustingly to these +people. I enter a ship or railroad car with perfect faith. I say to +myself, 'This captain, or this conductor, is a responsible man, selected +with a view to my safety and comfort; he understands how to procure that +safety and that comfort better than I do. He worries himself; he +spends hours and nights of vigil to look after me and carry me to my +destination. Why should I worry myself, who can only assist him by +passive obedience? Why'--" But here he was interrupted by a headlong +plunge of the Excelsior, a feminine shriek that was half a laugh, the +rapid patter of small feet and sweep of flying skirts down the slanting +deck, and the sudden and violent contact of a pretty figure. + +The next moment he had forgotten his philosophy, and his companion his +business. Both flew to the assistance of the fair intruder, who, albeit +the least injured of the trio, clung breathlessly to the bulwarks. + +"Miss Keene!" ejaculated both gentlemen. + +"Oh dear! I beg your pardon," said the young lady, reddening, with a +naive mingling of hilarity and embarrassment. "But it seemed so stuffy +in the cabin, and it seemed so easy to get out on deck and pull myself +up by the railings; and just as I got up here, I suddenly seemed to be +sliding down the roof of a house." + +"And now that you're here, your courage should be rewarded," said the +Senor, gallantly assisting her to a settee, which he lashed securely. +"You are perfectly safe now," he added, holding the end of the rope in +his hand to allow a slight sliding movement of the seat as the vessel +rolled. "And here is a glorious spectacle for you. Look! the sun is just +rising." + +The young girl glanced over the vast expanse before her with sparkling +eyes and a suddenly awakened fancy that checked her embarrassed smile, +and fixed her pretty, parted lips with wonder. The level rays of the +rising sun striking the white crests of the lifted waves had suffused +the whole ocean with a pinkish opal color: the darker parts of each wave +seemed broken into facets instead of curves, and glittered sharply. The +sea seemed to have lost its fluidity, and become vitreous; so much so, +that it was difficult to believe that the waves which splintered +across the Excelsior's bow did not fall upon her deck with the ring of +shattered glass. + +"Sindbad's Valley of Diamonds!" said the young girl, in an awed whisper. + +"It's a cross sea in the Gulf of California, so the mate says," said +Banks practically; "but I don't see why we" . . . + +"The Gulf of California?" repeated the young girl, while a slight shade +of disappointment passed over her bright face; "are we then so near"-- + +"Not the California you mean, my dear young lady," broke in Senor +Perkins, "but the old peninsula of California, which is still a part of +Mexico. It terminates in Cape St. Lucas, a hundred miles from here, but +it's still a far cry to San Francisco, which is in Upper California. But +I fancy you don't seem as anxious as our friend Mr. Banks to get to your +journey's end," he added, with paternal blandness. + +The look of relief which had passed over Miss Keene's truthful face gave +way to one of slight embarrassment. + +"It hasn't seemed long," she said hastily; and then added, as if to turn +the conversation, "What is this peninsula? I remember it on our map at +school." + +"It's not of much account," interrupted Banks positively. "There ain't a +place on it you ever heard of. It's a kind of wilderness." + +"I differ from you," said Senor Perkins gravely. "There are, I have +been told, some old Mexican settlements along the coast, and there is no +reason why the country shouldn't be fruitful. But you may have a chance +to judge for yourself," he continued beamingly. "Since we are not going +into Mazatlan, we may drop in at some of those places for water. It's +all on our way, and we shall save the three days we would have lost +had we touched Mazatlan. That," he added, answering an impatient +interrogation in Banks' eye, "at least, is the captain's idea, I +reckon." He laughed, and went on still gayly,--"But what's the use of +anticipating? Why should we spoil any little surprise that our gallant +captain may have in store for us? I've been trying to convert this +business man to my easy philosophy, Miss Keene, but he is incorrigible; +he is actually lamenting his lost chance of hearing the latest news at +Mazatlan, and getting the latest market quotations, instead of offering +a thanksgiving for another uninterrupted day of freedom in this glorious +air." + +With a half humorous extravagance he unloosed his already loose +necktie, turned his Byron collar still lower, and squared his shoulders +ostentatiously to the sea breeze. Accustomed as his two companions were +to his habitually extravagant speech, it did not at that moment seem +inconsistent with the intoxicating morning air and the exhilaration of +sky and wave. A breath of awakening and resurrection moved over the face +of the waters; recreation and new-born life sparkled everywhere; the +past night seemed forever buried in the vast and exundating sea. The +reefs had been shaken out, and every sail set to catch the steadier +breeze of the day; and as the quickening sun shone upon the dazzling +canvas that seemed to envelop them, they felt as if wrapped in the +purity of a baptismal robe. + +Nevertheless, Miss Keene's eyes occasionally wandered from the charming +prospect towards the companion-ladder. Presently she became ominously +and ostentatiously interested in the view again, and at the same moment +a young man's head and shoulders appeared above the companionway. With +a bound he was on the slanting deck, moving with the agility and +adaptability of youth, and approached the group. He was quite surprised +to find Miss Keene there so early, and Miss Keene was equally surprised +at his appearance, notwithstanding the phenomenon had occurred with +singular regularity for the last three weeks. The two spectators of this +gentle comedy received it as they had often received it before, with a +mixture of apparent astonishment and patronizing unconsciousness, and, +after a decent interval, moved away together, leaving the young people +alone. + +The hesitancy and awkwardness which usually followed the first moments +of their charming isolation were this morning more than usually +prolonged. + +"It seems we are not going into Mazatlan, after all," said Miss Keene at +last, without lifting her conscious eyes from the sea. + +"No," returned the young fellow quickly. "I heard all about it down +below, and we had quite an indignation meeting over it. I believe Mrs. +Markham wanted to head a deputation to wait upon the captain in his +berth. It seems that the first officer, or whosoever is running the +ship, has concluded we've lost too much time already, and we're going to +strike a bee-line for Cape St. Lucas, and give Mazatlan the go-by. We'll +save four days by it. I suppose it don't make any difference to you, +Miss Keene, does it?" + +"I? Oh, no!" said the girl hastily. + +"I'M rather sorry," he said hesitatingly. + +"Indeed. Are you tired of the ship?" she asked saucily. + +"No," he replied bluntly; "but it would have given us four more days +together--four more days before we separated." + +He stopped, with a heightened color. There was a moment of silence, and +the voices of Senor Perkins and Mr. Banks in political discussion on the +other side of the deck came faintly. Miss Keene laughed. + +"We are a long way from San Francisco yet, and you may think +differently." + +"Never!" he said, impulsively. + +He had drawn closer to her, as if to emphasize his speech. She cast +a quick glance across the deck towards the two disputants, and drew +herself gently away. + +"Do you know," she said suddenly, with a charming smile which robbed +the act of its sting, "I sometimes wonder if I am REALLY going to San +Francisco. I don't know how it is; but, somehow, I never can SEE myself +there." + +"I wish you did, for I'M going there," he replied boldly. + +Without appearing to notice the significance of his speech, she +continued gravely: + +"I have been so strongly impressed with this feeling at times that it +makes me quite superstitious. When we had that terrible storm after we +left Callao, I thought it meant that--that we were all going down, and +we should never be heard of again." + +"As long as we all went together," he said, "I don't know that it would +be the worst thing that could happen. I remember that storm, Miss Keene. +And I remember"--He stopped timidly. + +"What?" she replied, raising her smiling eyes for the first time to his +earnest face. + +"I remember sitting up all night near your state-room, with a cork +jacket and lots of things I'd fixed up for you, and thinking I'd die +before I trusted you alone in the boat to those rascally Lascars of the +crew." + +"But how would you have prevented it?" asked Miss Keene, with a +compassionate and half-maternal amusement. + +"I don't know exactly," he said, coloring; "but I'd have lashed you to +some spar, or made a raft, and got you ashore on some island." + +"And poor Mrs. Markham and Mrs. Brimmer--you'd have left them to the +boats and the Lascars, I suppose?" smiled Miss Keene. + +"Oh, somebody would have looked after Mrs. Markham; and Mrs. Brimmer +wouldn't have gone with anybody that wasn't well connected. But what's +the use of talking?" he added ruefully. "Nothing has happened, and +nothing is going to happen. You will see yourself in San Francisco, even +if you don't see ME there. You're going to a rich brother, Miss Keene, +who has friends of his own, and who won't care to know a poor fellow +whom you tolerated on the passage, but who don't move in Mrs. Brimmer's +set, and whom Mr. Banks wouldn't indorse commercially." + +"Ah, you don't know my brother, Mr. Brace." + +"Nor do you, very well, Miss Keene. You were saying, only last night, +you hardly remembered him." + +The young girl sighed. + +"I was very young when he went West," she said explanatorily; "but I +dare say I shall recall him. What I meant is, that he will be very glad +to know that I have been so happy here, and he will like all those who +have made me so." + +"Then you have been happy?" + +"Yes; very." She had withdrawn her eyes, and was looking vaguely towards +the companion-way. "Everybody has been so kind to me." + +"And you are grateful to all?" + +"Yes." + +"Equally?" + +The ship gave a sudden forward plunge. Miss Keene involuntarily clutched +the air with her little hand, that had been resting on the settee +between them, and the young man caught it in his own. + +"Equally?" he repeated, with an assumed playfulness that half veiled his +anxiety. "Equally--from the beaming Senor Perkins, who smiles on all, to +the gloomy Mr. Hurlstone, who smiles on no one?" + +She quickly withdrew her hand, and rose. "I smell the breakfast," she +said laughingly. "Don't be horrified, Mr. Brace, but I'm very hungry." +She laid the hand she had withdrawn lightly on his arm. "Now help me +down to the cabin." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +ANOTHER PORTENT. + + +The saloon of the Excelsior was spacious for the size of the vessel, and +was furnished in a style superior to most passenger-ships of that epoch. +The sun was shining through the sliding windows upon the fresh and +neatly arranged breakfast-table, but the presence of the ominous +"storm-racks," and partitions for glass and china, and the absence of +the more delicate passengers, still testified to the potency of the Gulf +of California. Even those present wore an air of fatigued discontent, +and the conversation had that jerky interjectional quality which +belonged to people with a common grievance, but a different individual +experience. Mr. Winslow had been unable to shave. Mrs. Markham, +incautiously and surreptitiously opening a port-hole in her state-room +for a whiff of fresh air while dressing, had been shocked by the +intrusion of the Pacific Ocean, and was obliged to summon assistance +and change her dress. Jack Crosby, who had attired himself for tropical +shore-going in white ducks and patent leathers, shivered in the keen +northwest Trades, and bewailed the cheap cigars he had expected to buy +at Mazatlan. The entrance of Miss Keene, who seemed to bring with her +the freshness and purity of the dazzling outer air, stirred the younger +men into some gallant attention, embarrassed, however, by a sense of +self-reproach. + +Senor Perkins alone retained his normal serenity. Already seated at +the table between the two fair-headed children of Mrs. Brimmer, he +was benevolently performing parental duties in her absence, and gently +supervising and preparing their victuals even while he carried on an +ethnological and political discussion with Mrs. Markham. + +"Ah, my dear lady," continued the Senor, as he spread a hot biscuit with +butter and currant jelly for the youngest Miss Brimmer, "I am afraid +that, with the fastidiousness of your sex, you allow your refined +instincts against a race who only mix with ours in a menial capacity to +prejudice your views of their ability for enlightened self-government. +That may be true of the aborigines of the Old World--like our friends +the Lascars among the crew"-- + +"They're so snaky, dark, and deceitful-looking," interrupted Mrs. +Markham. + +"I might differ from you there, and say that the higher blonde types +like the Anglo-Saxon--to say nothing of the wily Greeks--were the +deceitful races: it might be difficult for any of us to say what a sly +and deceitful man should be like"-- + +"Oor not detheitful--oor a dood man," interpolated the youngest Miss +Brimmer, fondly regarding the biscuit. + +"Thank you, Missie," beamed the Senor; "but to return: our Lascar +friends, Mrs. Markham, belong to an earlier Asiatic type of civilization +already decayed or relapsed to barbarism, while the aborigines of the +New World now existing have never known it--or, like the Aztecs, have +perished with it. The modern North American aborigine has not yet got +beyond the tribal condition; mingled with Caucasian blood as he is in +Mexico and Central America, he is perfectly capable of self-government." + +"Then why has he never obtained it?" asked Mrs. Markham. + +"He has always been oppressed and kept down by colonists of the Latin +races; he has been little better than a slave to his oppressor for the +last two centuries," said Senor Perkins, with a slight darkening of his +soft eyes. + +"Injins is pizen," whispered Mr. Winslow to Miss Keene. + +"Who would be free, you know, the poet says, ought themselves to light +out from the shoulder, and all that sort of thing," suggested Crosby, +with cheerful vagueness. + +"True; but a little assistance and encouragement from mankind generally +would help them," continued the Senor. "Ah! my dear Mrs. Markham, +if they could even count on the intelligent sympathy of women like +yourself, their independence would be assured. And think what a proud +privilege to have contributed to such a result, to have assisted at the +birth of the ideal American Republic, for such it would be--a Republic +of one blood, one faith, one history." + +"What on earth, or sea, ever set the old man off again?" inquired +Crosby, in an aggrieved whisper. "It's two weeks since he's given us any +Central American independent flapdoodle--long enough for those nigger +injins to have had half a dozen revolutions. You know that the vessels +that put into San Juan have saluted one flag in the morning, and have +been fired at under another in the afternoon." + +"Hush!" said Miss Keene. "He's so kind! Look at him now, taking off the +pinafores of those children and tidying them. He is kinder to them than +their nurse, and more judicious than their mother. And half his talk +with Mrs. Markham now is only to please her, because she thinks she +knows politics. He's always trying to do good to somebody." + +"That's so," exclaimed Brace, eager to share Miss Keene's sentiments; +"and he's so good to those outlandish niggers in the crew. I don't see +how the captain could get on with the crew without him; he's the only +one who can talk their gibberish and keep them quiet. I've seen him +myself quietly drop down among them when they were wrangling. In my +opinion," continued the young fellow, lowering his voice somewhat +ostentatiously, "you'll find out when we get to port that he's stopped +the beginning of many a mutiny among them." + +"I reckon they'd make short work of a man like him," said Winslow, whose +superciliousness was by no means lessened by the community of sentiment +between Miss Keene and Brace. "I reckon, his political reforms, and his +poetical high-falutin' wouldn't go as far in the forecastle among live +men as it does in the cabin with a lot of women. You'll more likely +find that he's been some sort of steward on a steamer, and he's +working his passage with us. That's where he gets that smooth, +equally-attentive-to-anybody sort of style. The way he skirmished around +Mrs. Brimmer and Mrs. Markham with a basin the other day when it was so +rough convinced ME. It was a little too professional to suit my style." + +"I suppose that was the reason why you went below so suddenly," rejoined +Brace, whose too sensitive blood was beginning to burn in his cheeks and +eyes. + +"It's a shame to stay below this morning," said Miss Keene, +instinctively recognizing the cause of the discord and its remedy. "I'm +going on deck again--if I can manage to get there." + +The three gentlemen sprang to accompany her; and, in their efforts to +keep their physical balance and hers equally, the social equilibrium was +restored. + +By noon, however, the heavy cross-sea had abated, and the Excelsior bore +west. When she once more rose and fell regularly on the long rhythmical +swell of the Pacific, most of the passengers regained the deck. Even +Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb ventured from their staterooms, and were +conveyed to and installed in some state on a temporary divan of cushions +and shawls on the lee side. For even in this small republic of equal +cabin passengers the undemocratic and distinction-loving sex had managed +to create a sham exclusiveness. Mrs. Brimmer, as the daughter of a +rich Bostonian, the sister of a prominent lawyer, and the wife of a +successful San Francisco merchant, who was popularly supposed to be +part-owner of the Excelsior, was recognized, and alternately caressed +and hated as their superior. A majority of the male passengers, owning +no actual or prospective matrimonial subjection to those charming +toad-eaters, I am afraid continued to enjoy a mild and debasing equality +among themselves, mitigated only by the concessions of occasional +gallantry. To them, Mrs. Brimmer was a rather pretty, refined, +well-dressed woman, whose languid pallor, aristocratic spareness, +and utter fastidiousness did not, however, preclude a certain nervous +intensity which occasionally lit up her weary eyes with a dangerous +phosphorescence, under their brown fringes. Equally acceptable was Miss +Chubb, her friend and traveling companion; a tall, well-bred girl, with +faint salmon-pink hair and complexion, that darkened to a fiery brown in +her shortsighted eyes. + +Between these ladies and Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene existed an +enthusiastic tolerance, which, however, could never be mistaken for +a generous rivalry. Of the greater popularity of Miss Keene as the +recognized belle of the Excelsior there could be no question; nor was +there any from Mrs. Brimmer and her friend. The intellectual preeminence +of Mrs. Markham was equally, and no less ostentatiously, granted. "Mrs. +Markham is so clever; I delight to hear you converse together," Mrs. +Brimmer would say to Senor Perkins, "though I'm sure I hardly dare talk +to her myself. She might easily go into the lecture-field--perhaps she +expects to do so in California. My dear Clarissa"--to Miss Chubb--"don't +she remind you a little of Aunt Jane Winthrop's governess, whom we +came so near taking to Paris with us, but couldn't on account of her +defective French?" + +When "The Excelsior Banner and South Sea Bubble" was published in lat. +15 N. and long. 105 W., to which Mrs. Markham contributed the editorials +and essays, and Senor Perkins three columns of sentimental poetry, +Mrs. Brimmer did not withhold her praise of the fair editor. When the +Excelsior "Recrossed the Line," with a suitable tableau vivant and +pageant, and Miss Keene as California, in white and blue, welcomed from +the hands of Neptune (Senor Perkins) and Amphitrite (Mrs. Markham) her +fair sister, Massachusetts (Mrs. Brimmer), and New York (Miss Chubb), +Mrs. Brimmer was most enthusiastic of the beauty of Miss Keene. + +On the present morning Mr. Banks found his disappointment at not going +into Mazatlan languidly shared by Mrs. Brimmer. That lady even made a +place for him on the cushions beside her, as she pensively expressed her +belief that her husband would be still more disappointed. + +"Mr. Brimmer, you know, has correspondents at Mazatlan, and no doubt +he has made particular arrangements for our reception and entertainment +while there. I should not wonder if he was very indignant. And if, as I +fear, the officials of the place, knowing Mr. Brimmer's position--and my +own connections--have prepared to show us social courtesies, it may be +a graver affair. I shouldn't be surprised if our Government were obliged +to take notice of it. There is a Captain-General of port--isn't there? I +think my husband spoke of him." + +"Oh, he's probably been shot long ago," broke in Mr. Crosby cheerfully. +"They put in a new man every revolution. If the wrong party's got in, +they've likely shipped your husband's correspondent too, and might +be waiting to get a reception for you with nigger soldiers and ball +cartridges. Shouldn't wonder if the skipper got wind of something of the +kind, and that's why he didn't put in. If your husband hadn't been so +well known, you see, we might have slipped in all right." + +Mrs. Brimmer received this speech with the languid obliviousness of +perception she usually meted out to this chartered jester. + +"Do you really think so, Mr. Crosby? And would you have been afraid to +leave your cabin--or are you joking? You know I never know when you are. +It is very dreadful, either way." + +But here Miss Chubb, with ready tact, interrupted any possible retort +from Mr. Crosby. + +"Look," she said, pointing to some of the other passengers, who, at +a little distance, had grouped about the first mate in animated +discussion. "I wonder what those gentlemen are so interested about. Do +go and see." + +Before he could reply, Mr. Winslow, detaching himself from the group, +hurried towards them. + +"Here's a row: Hurlstone is missing! Can't be found anywhere! They think +he's fallen overboard!" + +The two frightened exclamations from Miss Chubb and Mrs. Brimmer +diverted attention from the sudden paleness of Miss Keene, who had +impulsively approached them. + +"Impossible!" she said hurriedly. + +"I fear it is so," said Brace, who had followed Winslow; "although," he +added in a lower tone, with an angry glance at the latter, "that brute +need not have blustered it out to frighten everybody. They're searching +the ship again, but there seems no hope. He hasn't been seen since last +night. He was supposed to be in his state-room--but as nobody missed +him--you know how odd and reserved he was--it was only when the steward +couldn't find him, and began to inquire, that everybody remembered they +hadn't seen him all day. You are frightened, Miss Keene; pray sit down. +That fellow Winslow ought to have had more sense." + +"It seems so horrible that nobody knew it," said the young girl, +shuddering; "that we sat here laughing and talking, while perhaps he +was--Good heavens! what's that?" + +A gruff order had been given: in the bustle that ensued the ship began +to fall off to leeward; a number of the crew had sprung to the davits of +the quarter boat. + +"We're going about, and they're lowering a boat, that's all; but it's as +good as hopeless," said Brace. "The accident must have happened before +daylight, or it would have been seen by the watch. It was probably long +before we came on deck," he added gently; "so comfort yourself, Miss +Keene, you could have seen nothing." + +"It seems so dreadful," murmured the young girl, "that he wasn't even +missed. Why," she said, suddenly raising her soft eyes to Brace, "YOU +must have noticed his absence; why, even I"--She stopped with a slight +confusion, that was, however, luckily diverted by the irrepressible +Winslow. + +"The skipper's been routed out at last, and is giving orders. He don't +look as if his hat fitted him any too comfortably this morning, does +he?" he laughed, as a stout, grizzled man, with congested face and +eyes, and a peremptory voice husky with alcoholic irritation, suddenly +appeared among the group by the wheel. "I reckon he's cursing his luck +at having to heave-to and lose this wind." + +"But for a human creature's life!" exclaimed Mrs. Markham in horror. + +"That's just it. Laying-to now ain't going to save anybody's life, and +he knows it. He's doin' it for show, just for a clean record in the log, +and to satisfy you people here, who'd kick up a row if he didn't." + +"Then you believe he's lost?" said Miss Keene, with glistening eyes. + +"There ain't a doubt of it," returned Winslow shortly. + +"I don't agree with you," said a gentle voice. + +They turned quickly towards the benevolent face of Senor Perkins, who +had just joined them. + +"I differ from my young friend," continued the Senor courteously, +"because the accident must have happened at about daybreak, when we were +close inshore. It would not be impossible for a good swimmer to reach +the land, or even," continued Senor Perkins, in answer to the ray of +hope that gleamed in Miss Keene's soft eyes, "for him to have been +picked up by some passing vessel. The smoke of a large steamer was +sighted between us and the land at about that time." + +"A steamer!" ejaculated Banks eagerly; "that was one of the new line +with the mails. How provoking!" + +He was thinking of his lost letters. Miss Keene turned, heart-sick, +away. Worse than the ghastly interruption to their easy idyllic life +was this grim revelation of selfishness. She began to doubt if even the +hysterical excitement of her sister passengers was not merely a pleasant +titillation of their bored and inactive nerves. + +"I believe the Senor is right, Miss Keene," said Brace, taking her +aside, "and I'll tell you why." He stopped, looked around him, and went +on in a lower voice, "There are some circumstances about the affair +which look more like deliberation than an accident. He has left nothing +behind him of any value or that gives any clue. If it was a suicide he +would have left some letter behind for somebody--people always do, you +know, at such times--and he would have chosen the open sea. It seems +more probable that he threw himself overboard with the intention of +reaching the shore." + +"But why should he want to leave the ship?" echoed the young girl +simply. + +"Perhaps he found out that we were NOT going to Mazatlan, and this was +his only chance; it must have happened just as the ship went about and +stood off from shore again." + +"But I don't understand," continued Miss Keene, with a pretty knitting +of her brows, "why he should be so dreadfully anxious to get ashore +now." + +The young fellow looked at her with the superior smile of youthful +sagacity. + +"Suppose he had particular reasons for not going to San Francisco, where +our laws could reach him! Suppose he had committed some offense! Suppose +he was afraid of being questioned or recognized!" + +The young girl rose indignantly. + +"This is really too shameful! Who dare talk like that?" + +Brace colored quickly. + +"Who? Why, everybody," he stammered, for a moment abandoning his +attitude of individual acumen; "it's the talk of the ship." + +"Is it? And before they know whether he's alive or dead--perhaps even +while he is still struggling with death--all they can do is to take his +character away!" she repeated, with flashing eyes. + +"And I'm even worse than they are," he returned, his temper rising with +his color. "I ought to have known I was talking to one of HIS friends, +instead of one whom I thought was MINE. I beg your pardon." + +He turned away as Miss Keene, apparently not heeding his pique, crossed +the deck, and entered into conversation with Mrs. Markham. + +It is to be feared that she found little consolation among the other +passengers, or even those of her own sex, whom this profound event +had united in a certain freemasonry of sympathy and interest--to the +exclusion of their former cliques. She soon learned, as the return of +the boats to the ship and the ship to her course might have clearly told +her, that there was no chance of recovering the missing passenger. She +learned that the theory advanced by Brace was the one generally held by +them; but with an added romance of detail, that excited at once their +commiseration and admiration. Mrs. Brimmer remembered to have heard him, +the second or third night out from Callao, groaning in his state-room; +but having mistakenly referred the emotion to ordinary seasickness, +she had no doubt lost an opportunity for confidential disclosure. "I am +sure," she added, "that had somebody as resolute and practical as you, +dear Mrs. Markham, approached him the next day, he would have revealed +his sorrow." Miss Chubb was quite certain that she had seen him one +night, in tears, by the quarter railing. "I saw his eyes glistening +under his slouched hat as I passed. I remember thinking, at the time, +that he oughtn't to have been left alone with such a dreadful temptation +before him to slip overboard and end his sorrow or his crime." Mrs. +Markham also remembered that it was about five o'clock--or was it +six?--that morning when she distinctly thought she had heard a splash, +and she was almost impelled to get up and look out of the bull's-eye. +She should never forgive herself for resisting that impulse, for she +was positive now that she would have seen his ghastly face in the water. +Some indignation was felt that the captain, after a cursory survey +of his stateroom, had ordered it to be locked until his fate was more +positively known, and the usual seals placed on his effects for their +delivery to the authorities at San Francisco. It was believed that some +clue to his secret would be found among his personal chattels, if only +in the form of a keepsake, a locket, or a bit of jewelry. Miss Chubb had +noticed that he wore a seal ring, but not on the engagement-finger. In +some vague feminine way it was admitted without discussion that one of +their own sex was mixed up in the affair, and, with the exception of +Miss Keene, general credence was given to the theory that Mazatlan +contained his loadstar--the fatal partner and accomplice of his crime, +the siren that allured him to his watery grave. I regret to say that the +facts gathered by the gentlemen were equally ineffective. The steward +who had attended the missing man was obliged to confess that their most +protracted and confidential conversation had been on the comparative +efficiency of ship biscuits and soda crackers. Mr. Banks, who was known +to have spoken to him, could only remember that one warm evening, in +reply to a casual remark about the weather, the missing man, burying his +ears further in the turned-up collar of his pea-jacket, had stated, "'It +was cold enough to freeze the ears off a brass monkey,'--a remark, no +doubt, sir, intended to convey a reason for his hiding his own." Only +Senor Perkins retained his serene optimism unimpaired. + +"Take my word for it, we shall yet hear good news of our missing friend. +Let us at least believe it until we know otherwise. Ah! my dear Mrs. +Markham, why should the Unknown always fill us with apprehension? Its +surprises are equally often agreeable." + +"But we have all been so happy before this; and this seems such an +unnecessary and cruel awakening," said Miss Keene, lifting her sad eyes +to the speaker, "that I can't help thinking it's the beginning of the +end. Good heavens! what's that?" + +She had started at the dark figure of one of the foreign-looking +sailors, who seemed to have suddenly risen out of the deck beside them. + +"The Senor Perkins," he said, with an apologetic gesture of his hand to +his hatless head. + +"You want ME, my good man?" asked Senor Perkins paternally. + +"Si, Senor; the mate wishes to see the Patrono," he said in Spanish. + +"I will come presently." + +The sailor hesitated. Senor Perkins took a step nearer to him +benignantly. The man raised his eyes to Senor Perkins, and said,-- + +"Vigilancia." + +"Bueno!" returned the Senor gently. "Excuse me, ladies, for a moment." + +"Perhaps it is some news of poor Mr. Hurlstone?" said Miss Keene, with +an instinctive girlish movement of hope. + +"Who knows?" returned Senor Perkins, waving his hand as he gayly tripped +after his guide. "Let us believe in the best, dear young lady, the +best!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +"VIGILANCIA." + + +Without exchanging another word with his escort, Senor Perkins followed +him to the main hatch, where they descended and groped their way through +the half obscurity of the lower deck. Here they passed one or two +shadows, that, recognizing the Senor, seemed to draw aside in a half +awed, half suppressed shyness, as of caged animals in the presence of +their trainer. At the fore-hatch they again descended, passing a figure +that appeared to be keeping watch at the foot of the ladder, and almost +instantly came upon a group lit up by the glare of a bull's-eye lantern. +It was composed of the first and second mate, a vicious-looking Peruvian +sailor with a bandaged head, and, to the Senor's astonishment, the +missing passenger Hurlstone, seated on the deck, heavily ironed. + +"Tell him what you know, Pedro," said the first mate to the Peruvian +sailor curtly. + +"It was just daybreak, Patrono, before we put about," began the man +in Spanish, "that I thought I saw some one gliding along towards the +fore-hatch; but I lost sight of him. After we had tumbled up to go on +the other tack, I heard a noise in the fore-hold. I went down and found +HIM," pointing to Hurlstone, "hiding there. He had some provisions +stowed away beside him, and that package. I grabbed him, Patrono. +He broke away and struck me here"--he pointed to his still wet +bandage--"and would have got out overboard through the port, but the +second mate heard the row and came down just in time to stop him." + +"When was this?" asked Senor Perkins. + +"Guardia di Diana." + +"You were chattering, you fellows." + +"Quien sabe?" said the Peruvian, lifting his shoulders. + +"How does he explain himself?" + +"He refuses to speak." + +"Take off his irons," said Senor Perkins, in English. + +"But"--expostulated the first mate, with a warning gesture. + +"I said--take off his irons," repeated Senor Perkins in a dry and +unfamiliar voice. + +The two mates released the shackles. The prisoner raised his eyes to +Senor Perkins. He was a slightly built man of about thirty, fair-haired +and hollow-cheeked. His short upper lip was lifted over his teeth, as +if from hurried or labored breathing; but his features were regular and +determined, and his large blue eyes shone with a strange abstraction of +courage and fatuity. + +"That will do," continued the Senor, in the same tone. "Now leave him +with me." + +The two mates looked at each other, and hesitated; but at a glance +from Perkins, turned, and ascended the ladder again. The Peruvian alone +remained. + +"Go!" said the Senor sharply. + +The man cast a vindictive look at the prisoner and retreated sullenly. + +"Did HE tell you," said the prisoner, looking after the sailor grimly, +"that I tried to bribe him to let me go, but that I couldn't reach +his figure? He wanted too much. He thought I had some stolen money or +valuables here," he added, with a bitter laugh, pointing to the package +that lay beside him. + +"And you hadn't?" said Perkins shortly. + +"No." + +"I believe you. And now, my young friend," said Perkins, with a singular +return of his beaming gentleness, "since those two efficient and +competent officers and this energetic but discourteous seaman are gone, +would you mind telling me WHAT you were hiding for?" + +The prisoner raised his eyes on his questioner. For the last three weeks +he had lived in the small community of which the Senor was a prominent +member, but he scarcely recognized him now. + +"What if I refuse?" he said. + +The Senor shrugged his shoulders. + +"Those two excellent men would feel it their duty to bring the Peruvian +to the captain, and I should be called to interpret to him." + +"And I should throw myself overboard the first chance I got. I would +have done so ten minutes ago, but the mate stopped me." + +His eye glistened with the same fatuous determination he had shown at +first. There was no doubt he would do as he said. + +"I believe you would," said the Senor benevolently; "but I see no +present necessity for that, nor for any trouble whatever, if you will +kindly tell me WHAT I am to say." + +The young man's eyes fell. + +"I DID try to conceal myself in the hold," he said bluntly. "I intended +to remain there hidden while the ship was at Mazatlan. I did not know +until now that the vessel had changed her course." + +"And how did you believe your absence would be accounted for?" asked the +Senor blandly. + +"I thought it would be supposed that I had fallen overboard before we +entered Mazatlan." + +"So that anybody seeking you there would not find you, and you would be +believed to be dead?" + +"Yes." He raised his eyes quickly to Senor Perkins again. "I am neither +a thief nor a murderer," he said almost savagely, "but I do not choose +to be recognized by any one who knows me on this side of the grave." + +Senor Perkins' eyes sought his, and for an instant seemed to burn +through the singular, fatuous mist that veiled them. + +"My friend," he said cheerfully, after a moment's pause, "you have just +had a providential escape. I repeat it--a most providential escape. +Indeed, if I were inclined to prophesy, I would say you were a man +reserved for some special good fortune." + +The prisoner stared at him with angry amazement. + +"You are a confirmed somnambulist. Excuse me," continued the Senor, with +a soft, deprecating gesture; "you are, of course, unaware of it--most +victims of that singular complaint are, or at least fail to recognize +the extent of their aberration. In your case it has only been indicated +by a profound melancholy and natural shunning of society. In a paroxysm +of your disorder, you rise in the night, fully dress yourself, and glide +as unconsciously along the deck in pursuance of some vague fancy. You +pass the honest but energetic sailor who has just left us, who thinks +you are a phantom, and fails to give the alarm; you are precipitated +by a lurch of the ship through an open hatchway: the shock renders you +insensible until you are discovered and restored." + +"And who will believe this pretty story?" said the young man scornfully. + +"The honest sailor who picked you up, who has related it in his own +picturesque tongue to ME, who will in turn interpret it to the captain +and the other passengers," replied Senor Perkins blandly. + +"And what of the two mates who were here?" said the prisoner +hesitatingly. + +"They are two competent officers, who are quite content to carry out +the orders of their superiors, and who understand their duty too well to +interfere with the reports of their subordinates, on which these orders +are based. Mr. Brooks, the first officer, though fairly intelligent +and a good reader of history, is only imperfectly acquainted with the +languages, and Mr. M'Carthy's knowledge of Spanish is confined to a few +objurgations which generally preclude extended conversation." + +"And who are you," said Hurlstone, more calmly, "who are willing to do +this for a stranger?" + +"A friend--equally of yours, the captain's, and the other passengers'," +replied Senor Perkins pleasantly. "A man who believes you, my dear sir, +and, even if he did not, sees no reason to interrupt the harmony that +has obtained in our little community during our delightful passage. +Were any scandal to occur, were you to carry out your idea of throwing +yourself overboard, it would, to say nothing of my personal regret, +produce a discord for which there is no necessity, and from which no +personal good can be derived. Here at least your secret is secure, for +even I do not ask what it is; we meet here on an equality, based on +our own conduct and courtesy to each other, limited by no antecedent +prejudice, and restrained by no thought of the future. In a little while +we shall be separated--why should it not be as friends? Why should we +not look back upon our little world of this ship as a happy one?" + +Hurlstone gazed at the speaker with a troubled air. It was once more +the quaint benevolent figure whom he had vaguely noted among the other +passengers, and as vaguely despised. He hesitated a moment, and then, +half timidly, half reservedly, extended his hand. + +"I thank you," he said, "at least for not asking my secret. Perhaps, if +it was only"-- + +"Your own--you might tell it," interrupted the Senor, gayly. "I +understand. I see you recognize my principle. There is no necessity of +your putting yourself to that pain, or another to that risk. And now, my +young friend, time presses. I must say a word to our friends above, +who are waiting, and I shall see that you are taken privately to your +state-room while most of the other passengers are still on deck. If you +would permit yourself the weakness of allowing the steward to carry or +assist you it would be better. Let me advise you that the excitement of +the last three hours has not left you in your full strength. You must +really give ME the pleasure of spreading the glad tidings of your safety +among the passengers, who have been so terribly alarmed." + +"They will undoubtedly be relieved," said Hurlstone, with ironical +bitterness. + +"You wrong them," returned the Senor, with gentle reproach; "especially +the ladies." + +The voice of the first mate from above here checked his further speech, +and, perhaps, prevented him, as he quickly reascended the upper deck, +from noticing the slight embarrassment of his prisoner. + +The Senor's explanations to the mate were evidently explicit and brief. +In a few moments he reappeared with the steward and his assistant. + +"Lean on these men," he said to Hurlstone significantly, "and do not +overestimate your strength. Thank Heaven, no bones are broken, and you +are only bruised by the fall. With a little rest, I think we can get +along without laying the captain's medicine-chest under contribution. +Our kind friend Mr. Brooks has had the lower deck cleared, so that you +may gain your state-room without alarming the passengers or fatiguing +yourself." + +He pressed Hurlstone's hand as the latter resigned himself to the +steward, and was half led, half supported, through the gloom of the +lower deck. Senor Perkins remained for an instant gazing after him +with even more than his usual benevolence. Suddenly his arm was touched +almost rudely. He turned, and encountered the lowering eyes of the +Peruvian sailor. + +"And what is to be done for me?" said the man roughly, in Spanish. + +"You?" + +"Yes. Who's to pay for this?" he pointed to his bandaged head. + +Without changing his bland expression, Senor Perkins apparently allowed +his soft black eyes to rest, as if fondly, on the angry pupils of the +Peruvian. The eyes of the latter presently sought the ground. + +"My dear Yoto," said Senor Perkins softly, "I scarcely think that +this question of personal damage can be referred to the State. I will, +however, look into it. Meantime, let me advise you to control your +enthusiasm. Too much zeal in a subordinate is even more fatal than +laxity. For the rest, son, be vigilant--and peaceful. Thou hast meant +well, much shall be--forgiven thee. For the present, vamos!" + +He turned on his heel, and ascended to the upper deck. Here he found the +passengers thrilling with a vague excitement. A few brief orders, a +few briefer explanations, dropped by the officers, had already whetted +curiosity to the keenest point. The Senor was instantly beset with +interrogations. Gentle, compassionate, with well-rounded periods, he +related the singular accident that had befallen Mr. Hurlstone, and his +providential escape from almost certain death. "At the most, he has now +only the exhaustion of the shock, from which a day of perfect rest will +recover him; but," he added deprecatingly, "at present he ought not to +be disturbed or excited." + +The story was received by those fellow-passengers who had been strongest +in their suspicions of Hurlstone's suicide or flight, with a keen sense +of discomfiture, only mitigated by a humorous perception of the cause +of the accident. It was agreed that a man whose ludicrous infirmity had +been the cause of putting the ship out of her course, and the passengers +out of their comfortable security, could not be wronged by attributing +to him manlier and more criminal motives. A somnambulist on shipboard +was clearly a humorous object, who might, however, become a bore. "It +all accounts for his being so deuced quiet and reserved in the daytime," +said Crosby facetiously; "he couldn't keep it up the whole twenty-four +hours. If he'd only given us a little more of his company when he was +awake, he wouldn't have gallivanted round at night, and we'd have been +thirty miles nearer port." Equal amusement was created by the humorous +suggestion that the unfortunate man had never been entirely awake during +the voyage, and that he would now, probably for the first time, really +make the acquaintance of his fellow-voyagers. Listening to this +badinage with bland tolerance, Senor Perkins no doubt felt that, for the +maintenance of that perfect amity he so ardently apostrophized, it was +just as well that Hurlstone was in his state-room, and out of hearing. + +He would have been more satisfied, however, had he been permitted to +hear the feminine comments on this incident. In the eyes of the lady +passengers Mr. Hurlstone was more a hero than ever; his mysterious +malady invested him with a vague and spiritual interest; his escape from +the awful fate reserved to him, in their excited fancy, gave him the +eclat of having ACTUALLY survived it; while the supposed real incident +of his fall through the hatchway lent him the additional lustre of a +wounded and crippled man. That prostrate condition of active humanity, +which so irresistibly appeals to the feminine imagination as segregating +their victim from the distractions of his own sex, and, as it were, +delivering him helpless into their hands, was at once their opportunity, +and his. All the ladies volunteered to nurse him; it was with difficulty +that Mrs. Brimmer and Mrs. Markham, reinforced with bandages, flannels, +and liniments, and supported by different theories, could be kept from +the door of his state-room. Jellies, potted meats, and delicacies from +their private stores appeared on trays at his bedside, to be courteously +declined by the Senor Perkins, in his new functions of a benevolent type +of Sancho Panza physician. To say that this pleased the gentle optimism +of the Senor is unnecessary. Even while his companion writhed under the +sting of this enforced compassion, the good man beamed philosophically +upon him. + +"Take care, or I shall end this cursed farce in my own way," said +Hurlstone ominously, his eyes again filming with a vague desperation. + +"My dear boy," returned the Senor gently, "reflect upon the situation. +Your suffering, real or implied, produces in the hearts of these gentle +creatures a sympathy which not only exalts and sustains their higher +natures, but, I conscientiously believe, gratifies and pleases their +lower ones. Why should you deny them this opportunity of indulging +their twofold organisms, and beguiling the tedium of the voyage, merely +because of some erroneous exhibition of fact?" + +Later, Senor Perkins might have added to this exposition the singularly +stimulating effect which Hurlstone's supposed peculiarity had upon +the feminine imagination. But there were some secrets which were not +imparted even to him, and it was only to each other that the ladies +confided certain details and reminiscences. For it now appeared that +they had all heard strange noises and stealthy steps at night; and Mrs. +Brimmer was quite sure that on one occasion the handle of her state-room +door was softly turned. Mrs. Markham also remembered distinctly that +only a week before, being unable to sleep, she had ventured out into the +saloon in a dressing-gown to get her diary, which she had left with a +portfolio on a chair; that she had a sudden consciousness of another +presence in the saloon, although she could distinguish nothing by the +dim light of the swinging lantern; and that, after quickly returning to +her room, she was quite positive she heard a door close. But the most +surprising reminiscence developed by the late incident was from Mrs. +Brimmer's nurse, Susan. As it, apparently, demonstrated the fact that +Mr. Hurlstone not only walked but TALKED in his sleep, it possessed +a more mysterious significance. It seemed that Susan was awakened one +night by the sound of voices, and, opening her door softly, saw a figure +which she at first supposed to be the Senor Perkins, but which she now +was satisfied was poor Mr. Hurlstone. As there was no one else to be +seen, the voices must have proceeded from that single figure; and being +in a strange and unknown tongue, were inexpressibly weird and awful. +When pressed to remember what was said, she could only distinguish one +word--a woman's name--Virgil--Vigil--no: Virginescia! + +"It must have been one of those creatures at Callao, whose pictures you +can buy for ten cents," said Mrs. Brimmer. + +"If it is one of them, Susan must have made a mistake in the first two +syllables of the name," said Mrs. Markham grimly. + +"But surely, Miss Keene," said Miss Chubb, turning to that young lady, +who had taken only the part of a passive listener to this colloquy, and +was gazing over the railing at the sinking sun, "surely YOU can tell +us something about this poor young man. If I don't mistake, you are the +only person he ever honored with his conversation." + +"And only once, I think," said the young girl, slightly coloring. "He +happened to be sitting next to me on deck, and I believe he spoke only +out of politeness. At least, he seemed very quiet and reserved, and +talked on general topics, and I thought very intelligently. I--should +have thought--I mean," she continued hesitatingly--"I thought he was an +educated gentleman." + +"That isn't at all inconsistent with photographs or sleep-walking," said +Mrs. Brimmer, with one of her vague simplicities. "Uncle Quincey brought +home a whole sheaf of those women whom he said he'd met; and one of my +cousins, who was educated at Heidelberg, used to walk in his sleep, as +it were, all over Europe." + +"Did you notice anything queer in his eyes, Miss Keene?" asked Miss +Chubb vivaciously. + +Miss Keene had noticed that his eyes were his best feature, albeit +somewhat abstracted and melancholy; but, for some vague reason she could +not explain herself, she answered hurriedly that she had seen nothing +very particular in them. + +"Well," said Mrs. Markham positively, "when he's able to be out again, +I shall consider it my duty to look him up, and try to keep him +sufficiently awake in the daytime to ensure his resting better at +night." + +"No one can do it, dear Mrs. Markham, better than you; and no one would +think of misunderstanding your motives," said Mrs. Brimmer sweetly. "But +it's getting late, and the air seems to be ever so much colder. Captain +Bunker says it's because we are really nearing the Californian coast. It +seems so odd! Mr. Brimmer wrote to me that it was so hot in Sacramento +that you could do something with eggs in the sun--I forget what." + +"Hatch them?" suggested Miss Chubb. + +"I think so," returned Mrs. Brimmer, rising. "Let us go below." + +The three ladies rustled away, but Miss Keene, throwing a wrap around +her shoulders, lingered by the railing. With one little hand supporting +her round chin, she leaned over the darkly heaving water. She was +thinking of her brief and only interview with that lonely man whose name +was now in everybody's mouth, but who, until to-day, had been passed +over by them with an unconcern equal to his own. And yet to her refined +and delicately feminine taste there appeared no reason why he should not +have mingled with his fellows, and have accepted the homage from them +that SHE was instinctively ready to give. He seemed to her like a +gentleman--and something more. In her limited but joyous knowledge of +the world--a knowledge gathered in the happy school-life of an orphan +who but faintly remembered and never missed a parent's care--she knew +nothing of the mysterious dominance of passion, suffering, or experience +in fashioning the outward expression of men, and saw only that Mr. +Hurlstone was unlike any other. That unlikeness was fascinating. He had +said very little to her in that very brief period. He had not talked +to her with the general gallantry which she already knew her prettiness +elicited. Without knowing why, she felt there was a subtle flattery in +his tacit recognition of that other self of which she, as yet, knew so +little. She could not remember what they had talked about--nor why. Nor +was she offended that he had never spoken to her since, nor gone beyond +a grave lifting of his hat to her when he passed. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN THE FOG. + + +By noon of the following day the coast of the Peninsula of California +had been sighted to leeward. The lower temperature of the northwest +Trades had driven Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb into their state-rooms to +consult their wardrobes in view of an impending change from the light +muslins and easy languid toilets of the Tropics. That momentous question +for the moment held all other topics in abeyance; and even Mrs. Markham +and Miss Keene, though they still kept the deck, in shawls and wraps, +sighed over this feminine evidence of the gentle passing of their +summer holiday. The gentlemen had already mounted their pea-jackets +and overcoats, with the single exception of Senor Perkins, who, in +chivalrous compliment to the elements, still bared his unfettered throat +and forehead to the breeze. The aspect of the coast, as seen from the +Excelsior's deck, seemed to bear out Mr. Banks' sweeping indictment of +the day before. A few low, dome-like hills, yellow and treeless as +sand dunes, scarcely raised themselves above the horizon. The air, too, +appeared to have taken upon itself a dry asperity; the sun shone with a +hard, practical brilliancy. Miss Keene raised her eyes to Senor Perkins +with a pretty impatience that she sometimes indulged in, as one of the +privileges of accepted beauty and petted youth. + +"I don't think much of your peninsula," she said poutingly. "It looks +dreadfully flat and uninteresting. It was a great deal nicer on the +other coast, or even at sea." + +"Perhaps you are judging hastily, my dear young friend," said Senor +Perkins, with habitual tolerance. "I have heard that behind those hills, +and hidden from sight in some of the canyons, are perfect little Edens +of beauty and fruitfulness. They are like some ardent natures that cover +their approaches with the ashes of their burnt-up fires, but only do it +the better to keep intact their glowing, vivifying, central heat." + +"How very poetical, Mr. Perkins!" said Mrs. Markham, with blunt +admiration. "You ought to put that into verse." + +"I have," returned Senor Perkins modestly. "They are some reflections +on--I hardly dare call them an apostrophe to--the crater of Colima. If +you will permit me to read them to you this evening, I shall be charmed. +I hope also to take that opportunity of showing you the verses of a +gifted woman, not yet known to fame, Mrs. Euphemia M'Corkle, of Peoria, +Illinois." + +Mrs. Markham coughed slightly. The gifted M'Corkle was already known to +her through certain lines quoted by the Senor; and the entire cabin had +one evening fled before a larger and more ambitious manuscript of the +fair Illinoisian. Miss Keene, who dreaded the reappearance of this +poetical phantom that seemed to haunt the Senor's fancy, could not, +however, forget that she had been touched on that occasion by a kindly +moisture of eye and tremulousness of voice in the reader; and, in spite +of the hopeless bathos of the composition, she had forgiven him. Though +she did not always understand Senor Perkins, she liked him too well to +allow him to become ridiculous to others; and at the present moment she +promptly interposed with a charming assumption of coquetry. + +"You forget that you promised to let ME read the manuscript first, and +in private, and that you engaged to give me my revenge at chess this +evening. But do as you like. You are all fast becoming faithless. I +suppose it is because our holiday is drawing to a close, and we shall +soon forget we ever had any, or be ashamed we ever played so long. +Everybody seems to be getting nervous and fidgety and preparing for +civilization again. Mr. Banks, for the last few days, has dressed +himself regularly as if he were going down town to his office, +and writes letters in the corner of the saloon as if it were a +counting-house. Mr. Crosby and Mr. Winslow do nothing but talk of their +prospects, and I believe they are drawing up articles of partnership +together. Here is Mr. Brace frightening me by telling me that my brother +will lock me up, to keep the rich miners from laying their bags of +gold dust at my feet; and Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb assure me that I +haven't a decent gown to go ashore in." + +"You forget Mr. Hurlstone," said Brace, with ill-concealed bitterness; +"he seems to have time enough on his hands, and I dare say would +sympathize with you. You women like idle men." + +"If we do, it's because only the idle men have the time to amuse us," +retorted Miss Keene. "But," she added, with a laugh, "I suppose I'm +getting nervous and fidgety myself; for I find myself every now and +then watching the officers and men, and listening to the orders as if +something were going to happen again. I never felt so before; I never +used to have the least concern in what you call 'the working of the +ship,' and now"--her voice, which had been half playful, half pettish, +suddenly became grave,--"and now--look at the mate and those men +forward. There certainly is something going on, or is going to happen. +What ARE they looking at?" + +The mate had clambered halfway up the main ratlines, and was looking +earnestly to windward. Two or three of the crew on the forecastle were +gazing in the same direction. The group of cabin-passengers on the +quarterdeck, following their eyes, saw what appeared to be another low +shore on the opposite bow. + +"Why, there's another coast there!" said Mrs. Markham. + +"It's a fog-bank," said Senor Perkins gravely. He quickly crossed the +deck, exchanged a few words with the officer, and returned. Miss Keene, +who had felt a sense of relief, nevertheless questioned his face as he +again stood beside her. But he had recovered his beaming cheerfulness. +"It's nothing to alarm you," he said, answering her glance, "but it may +mean delay if we can't get out of it. You don't mind that, I know." + +"No," replied the young girl, smiling. "Besides, it would be a new +experience. We've had winds and calms--we only want fog now to complete +our adventures. Unless it's going to make everybody cross," she +continued, with a mischievous glance at Brace. + +"You'll find it won't improve the temper of the officers," said Crosby, +who had joined the group. "There's nothing sailors hate more than a fog. +They can go to sleep in a hurricane between the rolls of a ship, but a +fog keeps them awake. It's the one thing they can't shirk. There's the +skipper tumbled up, too! The old man looks wrathy, don't he? But it's no +use now; we're going slap into it, and the wind's failing!" + +It was true. In the last few moments all that vast glistening surface of +metallic blue which stretched so far to windward appeared to be slowly +eaten away as if by some dull, corroding acid; the distant horizon line +of sea and sky was still distinct and sharply cut, but the whole water +between them had grown gray, as if some invisible shadow had passed in +mid-air across it. The actual fog bank had suddenly lost its resemblance +to the shore, had lifted as a curtain, and now seemed suspended over the +ship. Gradually it descended; the top-gallant and top-sails were lost +in this mysterious vapor, yet the horizon line still glimmered faintly. +Then another mist seemed to rise from the sea and meet it; in another +instant the deck whereon they stood shrank to the appearance of a +raft adrift in a faint gray sea. With the complete obliteration of all +circumambient space, the wind fell. Their isolation was complete. + +It was notable that the first and most peculiar effect of this misty +environment was the absolute silence. The empty, invisible sails above +did not flap; the sheets and halyards hung limp; even the faint creaking +of an unseen block overhead was so startling as to draw every eye +upwards. Muffled orders from viewless figures forward were obeyed by +phantoms that moved noiselessly through the gray sea that seemed to have +invaded the deck. Even the passengers spoke in whispers, or held their +breath, in passive groups, as if fearing to break a silence so replete +with awe and anticipation. It was next noticed that the vessel was +subjected to some vague motion; the resistance of the water had ceased, +the waves no longer hissed under her bows, or nestled and lapped under +her counter; a dreamy, irregular, and listless rocking had taken the +place of the regular undulations; at times, a faint and half delicious +vertigo seemed to overcome their senses; the ship was drifting. + +Captain Bunker stood near the bitts, where his brief orders were +transmitted to the man at the almost useless wheel. At his side Senor +Perkins beamed with unshaken serenity, and hopefully replied to the +captain's half surly, half anxious queries. + +"By the chart we should be well east of Los Lobos island, d'ye see?" +he said impatiently. "You don't happen to remember the direction of the +current off shore when you were running up here?" + +"It's five years ago," said the Senor modestly; "but I remember we kept +well to the west to weather Cape St. Eugenio. My impression is that +there was a strong northwesterly current setting north of Ballenos Bay." + +"And we're in it now," said Captain Bunker shortly. "How near St. Roque +does it set?" + +"Within a mile or two. I should keep away more to the west," said Senor +Perkins, "and clear"-- + +"I ain't asking you to run the ship," interrupted Captain Bunker +sharply. "How's her head now, Mr. Brooks?" + +The seamen standing near cast a rapid glance at Senor Perkins, but not +a muscle of his bland face moved or betrayed a consciousness of the +insult. Whatever might have been the feeling towards him, at that +moment the sailors--after their fashion--admired their captain; strong, +masterful, and imperious. The danger that had cleared his eye, throat, +and brain, and left him once more the daring and skillful navigator they +knew, wiped out of their shallow minds the vicious habit that had sunk +him below their level. + +It had now become perceptible to even the inexperienced eyes of the +passengers that the Excelsior was obeying some new and profound impulse. +The vague drifting had ceased, and in its place had come a mysterious +but regular movement, in which the surrounding mist seemed to +participate, until fog and vessel moved together towards some unseen but +well-defined bourne. In vain had the boats of the Excelsior, manned +by her crew, endeavored with a towing-line to check or direct the +inexplicable movement; in vain had Captain Bunker struggled, with all +the skilled weapons of seamanship, against his invincible foe; wrapped +in the impenetrable fog, the ship moved ghost-like to what seemed to be +her doom. + +The anxiety of the officers had not as yet communicated itself to the +passengers; those who had been most nervous in the ordinary onset of +wind and wave looked upon the fog as a phenomenon whose only disturbance +might be delay. To Miss Keene this conveyed no annoyance; rather that +placid envelopment of cloud soothed her fancy; she submitted herself to +its soft embraces, and to the mysterious onward movement of the ship, +as if it were part of a youthful dream. Once she thought of the ship +of Sindbad, and that fatal loadstone mountain, with an awe that was, +however, half a pleasure. + +"You are not frightened, Miss Keene?" said a voice near her. + +She started slightly. It was the voice of Mr. Hurlstone. So thick was +the fog that his face and figure appeared to come dimly out of it, like +a part of her dreaming fancy. Without replying to his question, she said +quickly,-- + +"You are better then, Mr. Hurlstone? We--we were all so frightened for +you." + +An angry shadow crossed his thin face, and he hesitated. After a pause +he recovered himself, and said,-- + +"I was saying you were taking all this very quietly. I don't think +there's much danger myself. And if we should go ashore here"-- + +"Well?" suggested Miss Keene, ignoring this first intimation of danger +in her surprise at the man's manner. + +"Well, we should all be separated only a few days earlier, that's all!" + +More frightened at the strange bitterness of his voice than by the +sense of physical peril, she was vaguely moving away towards the dimly +outlined figures of her companions when she was arrested by a voice +forward. There was a slight murmur among the passengers. + +"What did he say?" asked Miss Keene, "What are 'Breakers ahead'?" + +Hurlstone did not reply. + +"Where away?" asked a second voice. + +The murmur still continuing, Captain Bunker's hoarse voice pierced the +gloom,--"Silence fore and aft!" + +The first voice repeated faintly,-- + +"On the larboard bow." + +There was another silence. Again the voice repeated, as if +mechanically,-- + +"Breakers!" + +"Where away?" + +"On the starboard beam." + +"We are in some passage or channel," said Hurlstone quietly. + +The young girl glanced round her and saw for the first time that, in +one of those inexplicable movements she had not understood, the other +passengers had been withdrawn into a limited space of the deck, as if +through some authoritative orders, while she and her companion had been +evidently overlooked. A couple of sailors, who had suddenly taken their +positions by the quarter-boats, strengthened the accidental separation. + +"Is there some one taking care of you?" he asked, half hesitatingly; +"Mr. Brace--Perkins--or"-- + +"No," she replied quickly. "Why?" + +"Well, we are very near the boat in an emergency, and you might allow me +to stay here and see you safe in it." + +"But the other ladies? Mrs. Markham, and"-- + +"They'll take their turn after YOU," he said grimly, picking up a wrap +from the railing and throwing it over her shoulders. + +"But--I don't understand!" she stammered, more embarrassed by the +situation than by any impending peril. + +"There is very little danger, I think," he added impatiently. "There is +scarcely any sea; the ship has very little way on; and these breakers +are not over rocks. Listen." + +She tried to listen. At first she heard nothing but the occasional low +voice of command near the wheel. Then she became conscious of a gentle, +soothing murmur through the fog to the right. She had heard such a +murmuring accompaniment to her girlish dreams at Newport on a still +summer night. There was nothing to frighten her, but it increased her +embarrassment. + +"And you?" she said awkwardly, raising her soft eyes. + +"Oh, if you are all going off in the boats, by Jove, I think I'll stick +to the ship!" he returned, with a frankness that would have been rude +but for its utter abstraction. + +Miss Keene was silent. The ship moved gently onward. The monotonous cry +of the leadsman in the chains was the only sound audible. The soundings +were indicating shoaler water, although the murmuring of the surf had +been left far astern. The almost imperceptible darkening of the mist +on either beam seemed to show that the Excelsior was entering some +land-locked passage. The movement of the vessel slackened, the tide was +beginning to ebb. Suddenly a wave of far-off clamor, faint but sonorous, +broke across the ship. There was an interval of breathless silence, and +then it broke again, and more distinctly. It was the sound of bells! + +The thrill of awe which passed through passengers and crew at this +spiritual challenge from the vast and intangible void around them had +scarcely subsided when the captain turned to Senor Perkins with a look +of surly interrogation. The Senor brushed his hat further back on his +head, wiped his brow, and became thoughtful. + +"It's too far south for Rosario," he said deprecatingly; "and the only +other mission I know of is San Carlos, and that's far inland. But that +is the Angelus, and those are mission bells, surely." + +The captain turned to Mr. Brooks. The voice of invisible command again +passed along the deck, and, with a splash in the water and the rattling +of chains, the Excelsior swung slowly round on her anchor on the bosom +of what seemed a placid bay. + +Miss Keene, who, in her complete absorption, had listened to the +phantom bells with an almost superstitious exaltation, had forgotten the +presence of her companion, and now turned towards him. But he was gone. +The imminent danger he had spoken of, half slightingly, he evidently +considered as past. He had taken the opportunity offered by the slight +bustle made by the lowering of the quarter-boat and the departure of the +mate on a voyage of discovery to mingle with the crowd, and regain his +state-room. With the anchoring of the vessel, the momentary restraint +was relaxed, the passengers were allowed to pervade the deck, and Mrs. +Markham and Mr. Brace simultaneously rushed to Miss Keene's side. + +"We were awfully alarmed for you, my dear," said Mrs. Markham, "until +we saw you had a protector. Do tell me--what DID he say? He must have +thought the danger great to have broken the Senor's orders and come upon +deck? What did he talk about?" + +With a vivid recollection in her mind of Mr. Hurlstone's contemptuous +ignoring of the other ladies, Miss Keene became slightly embarrassed. +Her confusion was not removed by the consciousness that the jealous eyes +of Brace were fixed upon her. + +"Perhaps he thought it was night, and walked upon deck in his sleep," +remarked Brace sarcastically. "He's probably gone back to bed." + +"He offered me his protection very politely, and begged to remain to put +me in the boat in case of danger," said Miss Keene, recovering herself, +and directing her reply to Mrs. Markham. "I think that others have made +me the same kind of offer--who were wide awake," she added mischievously +to Brace. + +"I wouldn't be too sure that they were not foolishly dreaming too," +returned Brace, in a lower voice. + +"I should think we all were asleep or dreaming here," said Mrs. Markham +briskly. "Nobody seems to know where we are, and the only man who might +guess it--Senor Perkins--has gone off in the boat with the mate." + +"We're not a mile from shore and a Catholic church," said Crosby, who +had joined them. "I just left Mrs. Brimmer, who is very High Church, you +know, quite overcome by these Angelus bells. She's been entreating the +captain to let her go ashore for vespers. It wouldn't be a bad idea, if +we could only see what sort of a place we've got to. It wouldn't do to +go feeling round the settlement in the dark--would it? Hallo! what's +that? Oh, by Jove, that'll finish Mrs. Brimmer, sure!" + +"Hush!" said Miss Keene impulsively. + +He stopped. The long-drawn cadence of a chant in thin clear soprano +voices swept through the fog from the invisible shore, rose high above +the ship, and then fell, dying away with immeasurable sweetness and +melancholy. Even when it had passed, a lingering melody seemed to +fill the deck. Two or three of the foreign sailors crossed themselves +devoutly; the other passengers withheld their speech, and looked at each +other. Afraid to break the charm by speech, they listened again, but in +vain an infinite repose followed that seemed to pervade everything. + +It was broken, at last, by the sound of oars in their rowlocks; the boat +was returning. But it was noticed that the fog had slightly lifted +from the surface of the water, for the boat was distinctly visible two +cables' length from the ship as she approached; and it was seen that +besides the first officer and Senor Perkins there were two strangers +in the boat. Everybody rushed to the side for a nearer view of those +strange inhabitants of the unknown shore; but the boat's crew suddenly +ceased rowing, and lay on their oars until an indistinct hail and +reply passed between the boat and ship. There was a bustle forward, an +unexpected thunder from the Excelsior's eight-pounder at the bow +port; Captain Bunker and the second mate ranged themselves at the +companionway, and the passengers for the first time became aware that +they were participating at the reception of visitors of distinction, as +two strange and bizarre figures stepped upon the deck. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +TODOS SANTOS. + + +It was evident that the two strangers represented some exalted +military and ecclesiastical authority. This was shown in their dress--a +long-forgotten, half mediaeval costume, that to the imaginative +spectator was perfectly in keeping with their mysterious advent, and +to the more practical as startling as a masquerade. The foremost figure +wore a broad-brimmed hat of soft felt, with tarnished gold lace, and a +dark feather tucked in its recurved flap; a short cloak of fine black +cloth thrown over one shoulder left a buff leathern jacket and breeches, +ornamented with large round silver buttons, exposed until they were met +by high boots of untanned yellow buckskin that reached halfway up the +thigh. A broad baldric of green silk hung from his shoulder across his +breast, and supported at his side a long sword with an enormous +basket hilt, through which somewhat coquettishly peeped a white +lace handkerchief. Tall and erect, in spite of the grizzled hair and +iron-gray moustaches and wrinkled face of a man of sixty, he suddenly +halted on the deck with a military precision that made the jingling +chains and bits of silver on his enormous spurs ring again. He was +followed by an ecclesiastic of apparently his own age, but smoothly +shaven, clad in a black silk sotana and sash, and wearing the +old-fashioned oblong, curl-brimmed hat sacred to "Don Basilo," of the +modern opera. Behind him appeared the genial face of Senor Perkins, +shining with the benignant courtesy of a master of ceremonies. + +"If this is a fair sample of the circus ashore, I'll take two tickets," +whispered Crosby, who had recovered his audacity. + +"I have the inexpressible honor," said Senor Perkins to Captain Bunker, +with a gracious wave of his hand towards the extraordinary figures, "to +present you to the illustrious Don Miguel Briones, Comandante of the +Presidio of Todos Santos, at present hidden in the fog, and the very +reverend and pious Padre Esteban, of the Mission of Todos Santos, +likewise invisible. When I state to you," he continued, with a slight +lifting of his voice, so as to include the curious passengers in +his explanation, "that, with very few exceptions, this is the usual +condition of the atmosphere at the entrance to the Mission and Presidio +of Todos Santos, and that the last exception took place thirty-five +years ago, when a ship entered the harbor, you will understand why these +distinguished gentlemen have been willing to waive the formality of your +waiting upon them first, and have taken the initiative. The illustrious +Comandante has been generous to exempt you from the usual port +regulations, and to permit you to wood and to water"-- + +"What port regulation is he talking of?" asked Captain Bunker testily. + +"The Mexican regulations forbidding any foreign vessel to communicate +with the shore," returned Senor Perkins deprecatingly. + +"Never heard of 'em. When were they given?" + +The Senor turned and addressed a few words to the commander, who stood +apart in silent dignity. + +"In 1792." + +"In what?--Is he mad?" said Bunker. "Does he know what year this is?" + +"The illustrious commander believes it to be the year of grace 1854," +answered Senor Perkins quietly. "In the case of the only two vessels who +have touched here since 1792 the order was not carried out because they +were Mexican coasters. The illustrious Comandante explains that +the order he speaks of as on record distinctly referred to the ship +'Columbia, which belonged to the General Washington.'" + +"General Washington!" echoed Bunker, angrily staring at the Senor. +"What's this stuff? Do you mean to say they don't know any history later +than our old Revolutionary War? Haven't they heard of the United States +among them? Nor California--that we took from them during the late war?" + +"Nor how we licked 'em out of their boots, and that's saying a good +deal," whispered Crosby, glancing at the Comandante's feet. + +Senor Perkins raised a gentle, deprecating hand. + +"For fifty years the Presidio and the Mission of Todos Santos have had +but this communication with the outer world," he said blandly. "Hidden +by impenetrable fogs from the ocean pathway at their door, cut off by +burning and sterile deserts from the surrounding country, they have +preserved a trust and propagated a faith in enforced but not unhappy +seclusion. The wars that have shaken mankind, the dissensions that have +even disturbed the serenity of their own nation on the mainland, +have never reached them here. Left to themselves, they have created +a blameless Arcadia and an ideal community within an extent of twenty +square leagues. Why should we disturb their innocent complacency and +tranquil enjoyment by information which cannot increase and might impair +their present felicity? Why should we dwell upon a late political and +international episode which, while it has been a benefit to us, has been +a humiliation to them as a nation, and which might not only imperil our +position as guests, but interrupt our practical relations to the wood +and water, with which the country abounds?" + +He paused, and before the captain could speak, turned to the silent +Commander, addressed him in a dozen phrases of fluent and courteous +Spanish, and once more turned to Captain Bunker. + +"I have told him you are touched to the heart with his courtesy, which +you recognize as coming from the fit representative of the great Mexican +nation. He reciprocates your fraternal emotion, and begs you to consider +the Presidio and all that it contains, at your disposition and the +disposition of your friends--the passengers, particularly those fair +ladies," said Senor Perkins, turning with graceful promptitude towards +the group of lady passengers, and slightly elevating himself on the tips +of his neat boots, "whose white hands he kisses, and at whose feet he +lays the devotion of a Mexican caballero and officer." + +He waved his hand towards the Comandante, who, stepping forward, +swept the deck with his plumed hat before each of the ladies in solemn +succession. Recovering himself, he bowed more stiffly to the male +passengers, picked his handkerchief out of the hilt of his sword, +gracefully wiped his lips, pulled the end of his long gray moustache, +and became again rigid. + +"The reverend father," continued Senor Perkins, turning towards the +priest, "regrets that the rules of his order prevent his extending the +same courtesy to these ladies at the Mission. But he hopes to meet them +at the Presidio, and they will avail themselves of his aid and counsel +there and everywhere." + +Father Esteban, following the speaker's words with a gracious and ready +smile, at once moved forward among the passengers, offering an antique +snuff-box to the gentlemen, or passing before the ladies with slightly +uplifted benedictory palms and a caressing paternal gesture. Mrs. +Brimmer, having essayed a French sentence, was delighted and half +frightened to receive a response from the ecclesiastic, and speedily +monopolized him until he was summoned by the Commander to the returning +boat. + +"A most accomplished man, my dear," said Mrs. Brimmer, as the +Excelsior's cannon again thundered after the retiring oars, "like all of +his order. He says, although Don Miguel does not speak French, that +his secretary does; and we shall have no difficulty in making ourselves +understood." + +"Then you really intend to go ashore?" said Miss Keene timidly. + +"Decidedly," returned Mrs. Brimmer potentially. "It would be most +unpolite, not to say insulting, if we did not accept the invitation. +You have no idea of the strictness of Spanish etiquette. Besides, he may +have heard of Mr. Brimmer." + +"As his last information was only up to 1792, he might have forgotten +it," said Crosby gravely. "So perhaps it would be safer to go on the +general invitation." + +"As Mr. Brimmer's ancestors came over on the Mayflower, long before +1792, it doesn't seem so very impossible, if it comes to that," said +Mrs. Brimmer, with her usual unanswerable naivete; "provided always that +you are not joking, Mr. Crosby. One never knows when you are serious." + +"Mrs. Brimmer is quite right; we must all go. This is no mere +formality," said Senor Perkins, who had returned to the ladies. "Indeed, +I have myself promised the Comandante to bring YOU," he turned towards +Miss Keene, "if you will permit Mrs. Markham and myself to act as your +escort. It was Don Miguel's express request." + +A slight flush of pride suffused the cheek of the young girl, but the +next moment she turned diffidently towards Mrs. Brimmer. + +"We must all go together," she said; "shall we not?" + +"You see your triumphs have begun already," said Brace, with a nervous +smile. "You need no longer laugh at me for predicting your fate in San +Francisco." + +Miss Keene cast a hurried glance around her, in the faint hope--she +scarcely knew why--that Mr. Hurlstone had overheard the Senor's +invitation; nor could she tell why she was disappointed at not seeing +him. But he had not appeared on deck during the presence of their +strange visitors; nor was he in the boat which half an hour later +conveyed her to the shore. He must have either gone in one of the other +boats, or fulfilled his strange threat of remaining on the ship. + +The boats pulled away together towards the invisible shore, piloted by +Captain Bunker, the first officer, and Senor Perkins in the foremost +boat. It had grown warmer, and the fog that stole softly over them +touched their faces with the tenderness of caressing fingers. Miss +Keene, wrapped up in the stern sheets of the boat, gave way to the +dreamy influence of this weird procession through the water, retaining +only perception enough to be conscious of the singular illusions of the +mist that alternately thickened and lightened before their bow. At times +it seemed as if they were driving full upon a vast pier or breakwater of +cold gray granite, that, opening to let the foremost boat pass, closed +again before them; at times it seemed as if they had diverged from their +course, and were once more upon the open sea, the horizon a far-off +line of vanishing color; at times, faint lights seemed to pierce the +gathering darkness, or to move like will-o'-wisps across the smooth +surface, when suddenly the keel grated on the sand. A narrow but +perfectly well defined strip of palpable strand appeared before them; +they could faintly discern the moving lower limbs of figures whose +bodies were still hidden in the mist; then they were lifted from the +boats; the first few steps on dry land carried them out of the fog that +seemed to rise like a sloping roof from the water's edge, leaving them +under its canopy in the full light of actual torches held by a group of +picturesquely dressed people before the vista of a faintly lit, narrow, +ascending street. The dim twilight of the closing day lingered under +this roof of fog, which seemed to hang scarcely a hundred feet above +them, and showed a wall or rampart of brown adobe on their right that +extended nearly to the water; to the left, at the distance of a few +hundred yards, another low brown wall appeared; above it rose a fringe +of foliage, and, more distant and indistinct, two white towers, that +were lost in the nebulous gray. + +One of the figures dressed in green jackets, who seemed to be in +authority, now advanced, and, after a moment's parley with Senor Perkins +while the Excelsior's passengers were being collected from the different +boats, courteously led the way along the wall of the fortification. +Presently a low opening or gateway appeared, followed by the challenge +of a green-jacketed sentry, and the sentence, "Dios y Libertad" It +was repeated in the interior of a dusky courtyard, surrounded by a +low corridor, where a dozen green-jacketed men of aboriginal type and +complexion, carrying antique flintlocks, were drawn up as a guard of +honor. + +"The Comandante," said Senor Perkins, "directs me to extend his +apologies to the Senor Capitano Bunker for withholding the salute which +is due alike to his country, himself, and his fair company; but fifty +years of uninterrupted peace and fog have left his cannon inadequate to +polite emergencies, and firmly fixed the tampion of his saluting gun. +But he places the Presidio at your disposition; you will be pleased to +make its acquaintance while it is still light; and he will await you in +the guard-room." + +Left to themselves, the party dispersed like dismissed school-children +through the courtyard and corridors, and in the enjoyment of their +release from a month's confinement on shipboard stretched their cramped +limbs over the ditches, walls, and parapets, to the edge of the glacis. + +Everywhere a ruin that was picturesque, a decay that was refined and +gentle, a neglect that was graceful, met the eye; the sharp exterior and +reentering angles were softly rounded and obliterated by overgrowths +of semitropical creepers; the abatis was filled by a natural brake of +scrub-oak and manzanita; the clematis flung its long scaling ladders +over the escarpment, until Nature, slowly but securely investing +the doomed fortress, had lifted a victorious banner of palm from the +conquered summit of the citadel! Some strange convulsions of the earth +had completed the victory; the barbette guns of carved and antique +bronze commemorating fruitless and long-forgotten triumphs were +dismounted; one turned in the cheeks of its carriage had a trunnion +raised piteously in the air like an amputated stump; another, sinking +through its rotting chassis, had buried itself to its chase in the +crumbling adobe wall. But above and beyond this gentle chaos of defense +stretched the real ramparts and escarpments of Todos Santos--the +impenetrable and unassailable fog! Corroding its brass and iron with +saline breath, rotting its wood with unending shadow, sapping its +adobe walls with perpetual moisture, and nourishing the obliterating +vegetation with its quickening blood, as if laughing to scorn the puny +embattlements of men--it still bent around the crumbling ruins the +tender grace of an invisible but all-encompassing arm. + +Senor Perkins, who had acted as cicerone to the party, pointed out these +various mutations with no change from his usual optimism. + +"Protected by their peculiar isolation during the late war, there was +no necessity for any real fortification of the place. Nevertheless, it +affords some occupation and position for our kind friend, Don Miguel, +and so serves a beneficial purpose. This little gun," he continued, +stopping to attentively examine a small but beautifully carved bronze +six-pounder, which showed indications of better care than the others, +"seems to be the saluting-gun Don Miguel spoke of. For the last fifty +years it has spoken only the language of politeness and courtesy, and +yet through want of care the tampion, as you see, has become swollen and +choked in its mouth." + +"How true in a larger sense," murmured Mrs. Markham, "the habit of +courtesy alone preserves the fluency of the heart." + +"I know you two are saying something very clever," said Mrs. Brimmer, +whose small French slippers and silk stockings were beginning to show +their inadequacy to a twilight ramble in the fog; "but I am so slow, and +I never catch the point. Do repeat it slowly." + +"The Senor was only showing us how they managed to shut up a smooth bore +in this country," said Crosby gravely. "I wonder when we're going +to have dinner. I suppose old Don Quixote will trot out some of his +Senoritas. I want to see those choir girls that sang so stunningly a +while ago." + +"I suppose you mean the boys--for they're all boys in the Catholic +choirs--but then, perhaps you are joking again. Do tell me if you are, +for this is really amusing. I may laugh--mayn't I?" As the discomfited +humorist fell again to the rear amidst the laughter of the others, Mrs. +Brimmer continued naively to Senor Perkins,--"Of course, as Don Miguel +is a widower, there must be daughters or sisters-in-law who will meet +us. Why, the priest, you know--even he--must have nieces. Really, it's +a serious question--if we are to accept his hospitality in a social +way. Why don't you ask HIM?" she said, pointing to the green-jacketed +subaltern who was accompanying them. + +Senor Perkins looked half embarrassed. + +"Repeat your question, my dear lady, and I will translate it." + +"Ask him if there are any women at the Presidio." + +Senor Perkins drew the subaltern aside. Presently he turned to Mrs. +Brimmer. + +"He says there are four: the wife of the baker, the wife of the saddler, +the daughter of the trumpeter, and the niece of the cook." + +"Good heavens! we can't meet THEM," said Mrs. Brimmer. + +Senor Perkins hesitated. + +"Perhaps I ought to have told you," he said blandly, "that the old +Spanish notions of etiquette are very strict. The wives of the officials +and higher classes do not meet strangers on a first visit, unless they +are well known." + +"That isn't it," said Winslow, joining them excitedly. "I've heard the +whole story. It's a good joke. Banks has been bragging about us all, and +saying that these ladies had husbands who were great merchants, and, as +these chaps consider that all trade is vulgar, you know, they believe +we are not fit to associate with their women, don't you see? All, except +one--Miss Keene. She's considered all right. She's to be introduced to +the Commander's women, and to the sister of the Alcalde." + +"She will do nothing of the kind," said Miss Keene indignantly. "If +these ladies are not to be received with me, we'll all go back to the +ship together." + +She spoke with a quick and perfectly unexpected resolution and +independence, so foreign to her usual childlike half dependent +character, that her hearers were astounded. Senor Perkins gazed at +her thoughtfully; Brace, Crosby, and Winslow admiringly; her sister +passengers with doubt and apprehension. + +"There must be some mistake," said Senor Perkins gently. "I will +inquire." + +He was absent but a few moments. When he returned, his face was beaming. + +"It's a ridiculous misapprehension. Our practical friend Banks, in his +zealous attempts to impress the Comandante's secretary, who knows a +little English, with the importance of Mr. Brimmer's position as a large +commission merchant, has, I fear, conveyed only the idea that he was a +kind of pawnbroker; while Mr. Markham's trade in hides has established +him as a tanner; and Mr. Banks' own flour speculations, of which he +is justly proud, have been misinterpreted by him as the work of a +successful baker!" + +"And what idea did he convey about YOU?" asked Crosby audaciously; "it +might be interesting to us to know, for our own satisfaction." + +"I fear they did not do me the honor to inquire," replied Senor Perkins, +with imperturbable good-humor; "there are some persons, you know, who +carry all their worldly possessions palpably about with them. I am one +of them. Call me a citizen of the world, with a strong leniency towards +young and struggling nationalities; a traveler, at home anywhere; a +delighted observer of all things, an admirer of brave men, the devoted +slave of charming women--and you have, in one word, a passenger of the +good ship Excelsior." + +For the first time, Miss Keene noticed a slight irony in Senor Perkins' +superabundant fluency, and that he did not conceal his preoccupation +over the silent saluting gun he was still admiring. The approach of Don +Miguel and Padre Esteban with a small bevy of ladies, however, quickly +changed her thoughts, and detached the Senor from her side. Her first +swift feminine impression of the fair strangers was that they were plain +and dowdy, an impression fully shared by the other lady passengers. +But her second observation, that they were more gentle, fascinating, +child-like, and feminine than her own countrywomen, was purely her own. +Their loose, undulating figures, guiltless of stays; their extravagance +of short, white, heavily flounced skirt, which looked like a petticoat; +their lightly wrapped, formless, and hooded shoulders and heads, lent a +suggestion of dishabille that Mrs. Brimmer at once resented. + +"They might, at least, have dressed themselves," she whispered to Mrs. +Markham. + +"I really believe," returned Mrs. Markham, "they've got no bodices on!" + +The introductions over, a polyglot conversation ensued in French by the +Padre and Mrs. Brimmer, and in broken English by Miss Chubb, Miss Keene, +and the other passengers with the Commander's secretary, varied by +occasional scraps of college Latin from Mr. Crosby, the whole aided by +occasional appeals to Senor Perkins. The darkness increasing, the +party reentered the courtyard, and, passing through the low-studded +guard-room, entered another corridor, which looked upon a second +court, enclosed on three sides, the fourth opening upon a broad plaza, +evidently the public resort of the little town. Encompassing this open +space, a few red-tiled roofs could be faintly seen in the gathering +gloom. Chocolate and thin spiced cakes were served in the veranda, +pending the preparations for a more formal banquet. Already Miss Keene +had been singled out from her companions for the special attentions of +her hosts, male and female, to her embarrassment and confusion. Already +Dona Isabel, the sister of the Alcalde, had drawn her aside, and, with +caressing frankness, had begun to question her in broken English,-- + +"But Miss Keene is no name. The Dona Keene is of nothing." + +"Well, you may call me Eleanor, if you like," said Miss Keene, smiling. + +"Dona Leonor--so; that is good," said Dona Isabel, clapping her hands +like a child. "But how are you?" + +"I beg your pardon," said Miss Keene, greatly amused, "but I don't +understand." + +"Ah, Caramba! What are you, little one?" Seeing that her guest still +looked puzzled, she continued,--"Ah! Mother of God! Why are your friends +so polite to you? Why does every one love you so?" + +"Do they? Well," stammered Miss Keene, with one of her rare, dazzling +smiles, and her cheeks girlishly rosy with naive embarrassment, "I +suppose they think I am pretty." + +"Pretty! Ah, yes, you are!" said Dona Isabel, gazing at her curiously. +"But it is not all that." + +"What is it, then?" asked Miss Keene demurely. + +"You are a--a--Dama de Grandeza!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +"HAIL AND FAREWELL." + + +Supper was served in the inner room opening from the corridor lit by +a few swinging lanterns of polished horn and a dozen wax candles of +sacerdotal size and suggestion. The apartment, though spacious, was low +and crypt-like, and was not relieved by the two deep oven-like hearths +that warmed it without the play of firelight. But when the company had +assembled it was evident that the velvet jackets, gold lace, silver +buttons, and red sashes of the entertainers not only lost their tawdry +and theatrical appearance in the half decorous and thoughtful gloom, but +actually seemed more in harmony with it than the modern dresses of the +guests. It was the Excelsior party who looked strange and bizarre in +these surroundings; to the sensitive fancy of Miss Keene, Mrs. Brimmer's +Parisian toilet had an air of provincial assumption; her own pretty +Zouave jacket and black silk skirt horrified her with its apparent +ostentatious eccentricity; and Mrs. Markham and Miss Chubb seemed +dowdy and overdressed beside the satin mantillas and black lace of the +Senoritas. Nor were the gentlemen less outres: the stiff correctness +of Mr. Banks, and the lighter foppishness of Winslow and Crosby, not to +mention Senor Perkins' more pronounced unconventionality, appeared as +burlesques of their own characters in a play. The crowning contrast was +reached by Captain Bunker, who, in accordance with the habits of the +mercantile marine of that period when in port, wore a shore-going suit +of black broadcloth, with a tall hat, high shirt collar, and diamond +pin. Seated next to the Commander, it was no longer Don Miguel who +looked old-fashioned, it was Captain Bunker who appeared impossible. + +Nevertheless, as the meal progressed, lightened by a sweet native wine +made from the Mission grape, and stimulated by champagne--a present of +Captain Bunker from the cabin lockers of the Excelsior--this contrast, +and much of the restraint that it occasioned, seemed to melt away. The +passengers became talkative; the Commander and his friends unbent, and +grew sympathetic and inquiring. The temptation to recite the news of the +last half century, and to recount the wonderful strides of civilization +in that time, was too great to be resisted by the Excelsior party. That +some of them--notwithstanding the caution of Senor Perkins--approached +dangerously near the subject of the late war between the United States +and Mexico, of which Todos Santos was supposed to be still ignorant, +or that Crosby in particular seized upon this opportunity for humorous +exaggeration, may be readily imagined. But as the translation of the +humorist's speech, as well as the indiscretions of his companions, were +left to the Senor, in Spanish, and to Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Keene, in +French, any imminent danger to the harmony of the evening was averted. +Don Ramon Ramirez, the Alcalde, a youngish man of evident distinction, +sat next to Miss Keene, and monopolized her conversation with a certain +curiosity that was both grave and childish in its frank trustfulness. +Some of his questions were so simple and incompatible with his apparent +intelligence that she unconsciously lowered her voice in answering them, +in dread of the ridicule of her companions. She could not resist the +impression, which repeatedly obtruded upon her imagination, that +the entire population of Todos Santos were a party of lost children, +forgotten by their parents, and grown to man and womanhood in utter +ignorance of the world. + +The Commander had, half informally, drunk the health of Captain Bunker, +without rising from his seat, when, to Miss Keene's alarm, Captain +Bunker staggered to his feet. He had been drinking freely, as usual; but +he was bent on indulging a loquacity which his discipline on shipboard +had hitherto precluded, and which had, perhaps, strengthened his +solitary habit. His speech was voluble and incoherent, complimentary and +tactless, kindly and aggressive, courteous and dogmatic. It was left +to Senor Perkins to translate it to the eye and ear of his host without +incongruity or offense. This he did so admirably as to elicit not only +the applause of the foreigners who did not understand English, but of +his own countrymen who did not understand Spanish. + +"I feel," said Senor Perkins, in graceful peroration, "that I have +done poor justice to the eloquence of this gallant sailor. My unhappy +translation cannot offer you that voice, at times trembling with +generous emotion, and again inaudible from excessive modesty in the +presence of this illustrious assembly--those limbs that waver and bend +under the undulations of the chivalrous sentiment which carries him away +as if he were still on that powerful element he daily battles with and +conquers." + +But when coffee and sweets were reached, the crowning triumph of Senor +Perkins' oratory was achieved. After an impassioned burst of enthusiasm +towards his hosts in their own tongue, he turned towards his own party +with bland felicity. + +"And how is it with us, dear friends? We find ourselves not in the +port we were seeking; not in the goal of our ambition, the haven of our +hopes; but on the shores of the decaying past. 'Ever drifting' on one of +those-- + + 'Shifting + Currents of the restless main,' + +if our fascinating friend Mrs. Brimmer will permit us to use the words +of her accomplished fellow-townsman, H. W. Longfellow, of Boston--we +find ourselves borne not to the busy hum and clatter of modern +progress, but to the soft cadences of a dying crusade, and the hush of +ecclesiastical repose. In place of the busy marts of commerce and +the towering chimneys of labor, we have the ruined embattlements of a +warlike age, and the crumbling church of an ancient Mission. Towards +the close of an eventful voyage, during which we have been guided by the +skillful hand and watchful eye of that gallant navigator Captain Bunker, +we have turned aside from our onward course of progress to look back for +a moment upon the faded footprints of those who have so long preceded +us, who have lived according to their lights, and whose record is now +before us. As I have just stated, our journey is near its end, and +we may, in some sense, look upon this occasion, with its sumptuous +entertainment, and its goodly company of gallant men and fair women, as +a parting banquet. Our voyage has been a successful one. I do not now +especially speak of the daring speculations of the distinguished husband +of a beautiful lady whose delightful society is known to us all--need I +say I refer to Quincy Brimmer, Esq., of Boston" (loud applause)--"whose +successful fulfillment of a contract with the Peruvian Government, and +the landing of munitions of war at Callao, has checked the uprising +of the Quinquinambo insurgents? I do not refer especially to our +keen-sighted business friend Mr. Banks" (applause), "who, by buying up +all the flour in Callao, and shipping it to California, has virtually +starved into submission the revolutionary party of Ariquipa--I do not +refer to these admirable illustrations of the relations of commerce and +politics, for this, my friends--this is history, and beyond my feeble +praise. Let me rather speak of the social and literary triumphs of our +little community, of our floating Arcadia--may I say Olympus? Where +shall we find another Minerva like Mrs. Markham, another Thalia like +Miss Chubb, another Juno like Mrs. Brimmer, worthy of the Jove-like +Quincy Brimmer; another Queen of Love and Beauty like--like"--continued +the gallant Senor, with an effective oratorical pause, and a profound +obeisance to Miss Keene, "like one whose mantling maiden blushes forbid +me to name?" (Prolonged applause.) "Where shall we find more worthy +mortals to worship them than our young friends, the handsome Brace, +the energetic Winslow, the humorous Crosby? When we look back upon our +concerts and plays, our minstrel entertainments, with the incomparable +performances of our friend Crosby as Brother Bones; our recitations, +to which the genius of Mrs. M'Corkle, of Peoria, Illinois, has lent her +charm and her manuscript" (a burlesque start of terror from Crosby), +"I am forcibly impelled to quote the impassioned words from that gifted +woman,-- + + 'When idly Life's barque on the billows of Time, + Drifts hither and yon by eternity's sea; + On the swift feet of verse and the pinions of rhyme + My thoughts, Ulricardo, fly ever to thee!'" + +"Who's Ulricardo?" interrupted Crosby, with assumed eagerness, followed +by a "hush!" from the ladies. + +"Perhaps I should have anticipated our friend's humorous question," said +Senor Perkins, with unassailable good-humor. "Ulricardo, though not +my own name, is a poetical substitute for it, and a mere figure of +apostrophe. The poem is personal to myself," he continued, with a slight +increase of color in his smooth cheek which did not escape the attention +of the ladies,--"purely as an exigency of verse, and that the inspired +authoress might more easily express herself to a friend. My acquaintance +with Mrs. M'Corkle has been only epistolary. Pardon this digression, my +friends, but an allusion to the muse of poetry did not seem to me to be +inconsistent with our gathering here. Let me briefly conclude by saying +that the occasion is a happy and memorable one; I think I echo the +sentiment of all present when I add that it is one which will not be +easily forgotten by either the grateful guests, whose feelings I have +tried to express, or the chivalrous hosts, whose kindness I have already +so feebly translated." + +In the applause that followed, and the clicking of glasses, Senor +Perkins slipped away. He mingled a moment with some of the other guests +who had already withdrawn to the corridor, lit a cigar, and then passed +through a narrow doorway on to the ramparts. Here he strolled to some +distance, as if in deep thought, until he reached a spot where the +crumbling wall and its fallen debris afforded an easy descent into the +ditch. Following the ditch, he turned an angle, and came upon the beach, +and the low sound of oars in the invisible offing. A whistle brought the +boat to his feet, and without a word he stepped into the stern sheets. A +few strokes of the oars showed him that the fog had lifted slightly +from the water, and a green light hanging from the side of the Excelsior +could be plainly seen. Ten minutes' more steady pulling placed him on +her deck, where the second officer stood with a number of the sailors +listlessly grouped around him. + +"The landing has been completed?" said Senor Perkins interrogatively. + +"All except one boat-load more, which waits to take your final +instructions," said the mate. "The men have growled a little about it," +he added, in a lower tone. "They don't want to lose anything, it seems," +he continued, with a half sarcastic laugh. + +Senor Perkins smiled peculiarly. + +"I am sorry to disappoint them. Who's that in the boat?" he asked +suddenly. + +The mate followed the Senor's glance. + +"It is Yoto. He says he is going ashore, and you will not forbid him." + +Senor Perkins approached the ship's side. + +"Come here," he said to the man. + +The Peruvian sailor rose, but did not make the slightest movement to +obey the command. + +"You say you are going ashore?" said Perkins blandly. + +"Yes, Patrono." + +"What for?" + +"To follow him--the thief, the assassin--who struck me here;" he pointed +to his head. "He has escaped again with his booty." + +"You are very foolish, my Yoto; he is no thief, and has no booty. They +will put YOU in prison, not him." + +"YOU say so," said the man surlily. "Perhaps they will hear me--for +other things," he added significantly. + +"And for this you would abandon the cause?" + +The man shrugged his shoulders. + +"Why not?" he glanced meaningly at two of his companions, who had +approached the side; "perhaps others would. Who is sending the booty +ashore, eh?" + +"Come out of that boat," said the Senor, leaning over the bulwarks with +folded arms, and his eyes firmly fixed on the man. + +The man did not move. But the Senor's hand suddenly flew to the back +of his neck, smote violently downwards, and sent eighteen inches of +glittering steel hurtling through the air. The bowie-knife entered +the upturned throat of the man and buried itself halfway to the hilt. +Without a gasp or groan he staggered forward, caught wildly at the side +of the ship, and disappeared between the boat and the vessel. + +"My lads," said Senor Perkins, turning with a gentle smile towards the +faces that in the light of the swinging lantern formed a ghastly circle +around him, "when I boarded this ship that had brought aid and succor +to our oppressors at Callao, I determined to take possession of it +peacefully, without imperiling the peace and property of the innocent +passengers who were intrusted to its care, and without endangering your +own lives or freedom. But I made no allowance for TRAITORS. The blood +that has been shed to-night has not been spilt in obedience to my +orders, nor to the cause that we serve; it was from DEFIANCE of it; and +the real and only culprit has just atoned for it." + +He stopped, and then stepped back from the gangway, as if to leave it +open to the men. + +"What I have done," he continued calmly, "I do not ask you to consider +either as an example or a warning. You are free to do what HE would have +done," he repeated, with a wave of his hand towards the open gangway and +the empty boat. "You are free to break your contract and leave the ship, +and I give you my word that I will not lift a hand to prevent it. But if +you stay with me," he said, suddenly turning upon them a face as livid +as their own, "I swear by the living God, that, if between this and the +accomplishment of my design, you as much as shirk or question any order +given by me, you shall die the death of that dog who went before you. +Choose as you please--but quickly." + +The mate was the first to move. Without a word, he crossed over to +the Senor's side. The men hesitated a moment longer, until one, with +a strange foreign cry, threw himself on his knees before the Senor, +ejaculating, "Pardon! pardon!" The others followed, some impulsively +catching at the hand that had just slain their comrade, and covering it +with kisses! + +"Pardon, Patrono--we are yours." + +"You are the State's," said Senor Perkins coldly, with every vestige of +his former urbanity gone from his colorless face. "Enough! Go back to +your duty." He watched them slink away, and then turned to the mate. +"Get the last boat-load ready, and report to me." + +From that moment another power seemed to dominate the ship. The men no +longer moved listlessly, or slunk along the deck with perfunctory limbs; +a feverish haste and eagerness possessed them; the boat was quickly +loaded, and the mysterious debarkation completed in rapidity and +silence. This done, the fog once more appeared to rise from the water +and softly encompass the ship, until she seemed to be obliterated from +its face. In this vague obscurity, from time to time, the faint rattling +of chains was heard, the soft creaking of blocks, and later on, the +regular rise and fall of oars. And then the darkness fell heavier, the +sounds became more and more indistinct and were utterly lost. + +Ashore, however, the lanterns still glittered brightly in the courtyard +of the Presidio; the noise of laughter and revel still came from the +supper-room, and, later, the tinkling of guitars and rhythmical +clapping hands showed that the festivities were being wound up by a +characteristic fandango. Captain Bunker succumbed early to his potations +of fiery aguardiente, and was put to bed in the room of the Commander, +to whom he had sworn eternal friendship and alliance. It was long +past midnight before the other guests were disposed of in the various +quarters of the Presidio; but to the ladies were reserved the more +ostentatious hospitalities of the Alcalde himself, the walls of whose +ambitious hacienda raised themselves across the plaza and overlooked the +gardens of the Mission. + +It was from one of the deep, quaintly barred windows of the hacienda +that Miss Keene gazed thoughtfully on the night, unable to compose +herself to sleep. An antique guest-chamber had been assigned to her in +deference to her wish to be alone, for which she had declined the couch +and vivacious prattle of her new friend, Dona Isabel. The events of the +day had impressed her more deeply than they had her companions, partly +from her peculiar inexperience of the world, and partly from her +singular sensitiveness to external causes. The whole quaint story of +the forgotten and isolated settlement, which had seemed to the other +passengers as a trivial and half humorous incident, affected her +imagination profoundly. When she could escape the attentions of her +entertainers, or the frivolities of her companions, she tried to touch +the far-off past on the wings of her fancy; she tried to imagine the +life of those people, forgetting the world and forgotten by it; she +endeavored to picture the fifty years of solitude amidst these decaying +ruins, over which even ambition had crumbled and fallen. It seemed to +her the true conventual seclusion from the world without the loss of +kinship or home influences; she contrasted it with her boarding-school +life in the fashionable seminary; she wondered what she would have +become had she been brought up here; she thought of the happy ignorance +of Dona Isabel, and--shuddered; and yet she felt herself examining +the odd furniture of the room with an equally childlike and admiring +curiosity. And these people looked upon HER as a superior being! + +From the deep embrasure of the window she could see the tops of the pear +and olive trees, in the misty light of an invisible moon that suffused +the old Mission garden with an ineffable and angelic radiance. To her +religious fancy it seemed to be a spiritual effusion of the church +itself, enveloping the two gray dome-shaped towers with an atmosphere +and repose of its own, until it became the incarnate mystery and passion +where it stood. + +She was suddenly startled by a moving shadow beside the wall, almost +immediately below her--the figure of a man! He was stealing cautiously +towards the church, as if to gain the concealment of the shrubbery +that grew beside it, and, furtively glancing from side to side, looked +towards her window. She unconsciously drew back, forgetting at the +moment that her light was extinguished, and that it was impossible +for the stranger to see her. But she had seen HIM, and in that instant +recognized Mr. Hurlstone! + +Then he HAD come ashore, and secretly, for the other passengers believed +him still on the ship! But what was he doing there?--and why had he not +appeared with the others at the entertainment? She could understand +his avoidance of them from what she knew of his reserved and unsocial +habits; but when he could so naturally have remained on shipboard, she +could not, at first, conceive why he should wish to prowl around the +town at the risk of detection. The idea suddenly occurred to her that +he had had another attack of his infirmity and was walking in his sleep, +and for an instant she thought of alarming the house, that some one +might go to his assistance. But his furtive movements had not the serene +impassibility of the somnambulist. Another thought withheld her; he had +looked up at her window! Did he know she was there? A faint stirring of +shame and pleasure sent a slight color to her cheek. But he had gained +the corner of the shrubbery and was lost in the shadow. She turned from +the window. A gentle sense of vague and half maternal pity suffused her +soft eyes as she at last sought her couch and fell into a deep slumber. + +Towards daybreak a wind arose over the sleeping town and far outlying +waters. It breathed through the leaves of the Mission garden, brushed +away the clinging mists from the angles of the towers, and restored +the sharp outlines of the ruined fortifications. It swept across the +unruffled sea to where the Excelsior, cradled in the softly heaving bay, +had peacefully swung at anchor on the previous night, and lifted the +snowy curtain of the fog to seaward as far as the fringe of surf, a +league away. + +But the cradle of the deep was empty--the ship was gone! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE GENTLE CASTAWAYS. + + +Miss Keene was awakened from a heavy sleep by a hurried shake of her +shoulder and an indefinite feeling of alarm. Opening her eyes, she was +momentarily dazed by the broad light of day, and the spectacle of Mrs. +Brimmer, pale and agitated, in a half-Spanish dishabille, standing at +her bedside. + +"Get up and dress yourself, my dear, at once," she said hurriedly, but +at the same time attentively examining Miss Keene's clothes, that were +lying on the chair: "and thank Heaven you came here in an afternoon +dress, and not in an evening costume like mine! For something awful has +happened, and Heaven only knows whether we'll ever see a stitch of our +clothes again." + +"WHAT has happened?" asked Miss Keene impatiently, sitting up in bed, +more alarmed at the unusual circumstance of Mrs. Brimmer's unfinished +toilet than at her incomplete speech. + +"What, indeed! Nobody knows; but it's something awful--a mutiny, or +shipwreck, or piracy. But there's your friend, the Commander, calling +out the troops; and such a set of Christy Minstrels you never saw +before! There's the Alcalde summoning the Council; there's Mr. Banks +raving, and running round for a steamboat--as if these people ever heard +of such a thing!--and Captain Bunker, what with rage and drink, gone +off in a fit of delirium tremens, and locked up in his room! And the +Excelsior gone--the Lord knows where!" + +"Gone!" repeated Miss Keene, hurrying on her clothes. "Impossible! What +does Father Esteban tell you? What does Dona Isabel say?" + +"That's the most horrible part of it! Do you know those wretched idiots +believe it's some political revolution among ourselves, like their own +miserable government. I believe that baby Isabel thinks that King +George and Washington have something to do with it; at any rate, they're +anxious to know to what side you belong! So; for goodness' sake! if you +have to humor them, say we're all on the same side--I mean, don't you +and Mrs. Markham go against Miss Chubb and me." + +Scarcely knowing whether to laugh or cry at Mrs. Brimmer's incoherent +statement, Miss Keene hastily finished dressing as the door flew open to +admit the impulsive Dona Isabel and her sister Juanita. The two Mexican +girls threw themselves in Miss Keene's arms, and then suddenly drew back +with a movement of bashful and diffident respect. + +"Do, pray, ask them, for I daren't," whispered Mrs. Brimmer, trying +to clasp a mantilla around her, "how this thing is worn, and if they +haven't got something like a decent bonnet to lend me for a day or two?" + +"The Senora has not then heard that her goods, and all the goods of +the Senores and Senoras, have been discovered safely put ashore at the +Embarcadero?" + +"No?" said Mrs. Brimmer eagerly. + +"Ah, yes!" responded Dona Isabel. "Since the Senora is not of the +revolutionary party." + +Mrs. Brimmer cast a supplicatory look at Miss Keene, and hastily quitted +the room. Miss Keene would have as quickly followed her, but the young +Ramirez girls threw themselves again tragically upon her breast, and, +with a mysterious gesture of silence, whispered,-- + +"Fear nothing, Excellencia! We are yours--we will die for you, no matter +what Don Ramon, or the Comandante, or the Ayuntamiento, shall decide. +Trust us, little one!--pardon--Excellencia, we mean." + +"What IS the matter?" said Miss Keene, now thoroughly alarmed, and +releasing herself from the twining arms about her. "For Heaven's sake +let me go! I must see somebody! Where is--where is Mrs. Markham?" + +"The Markham? Is it the severe one?--as thus,"--said Dona Isabel, +striking an attitude of infantine portentousness. + +"Yes," said Miss Keene, smiling in spite of her alarm. + +"She is arrested." + +"Arrested!" said Eleanor Keene, her cheeks aflame with indignation. "For +what? Who dare do this thing?" + +"The Comandante. She has a missive--a despatch from the +insurrectionaries." + +Without another word, and feeling that she could stand the suspense no +longer, Miss Keene forced her way past the young girls, unheeding their +cries of consternation and apology, and quickly reached the patio. +A single glance showed her that Mrs. Brimmer was gone. With eyes and +cheeks still burning, she swept past the astounded peons, through the +gateway, into the open plaza. Only one idea filled her mind--to see the +Commander, and demand the release of her friend. How she should do it, +with what arguments she should enforce her demand, never occurred to +her. She did not even think of asking the assistance of Mr. Brace, Mr. +Crosby, or any of her fellow-passengers. The consciousness of some vague +crisis that she alone could meet possessed her completely. + +The plaza was swarming with a strange rabble of peons and soldiery; of +dark, lowering faces, odd-looking weapons and costumes, mules, mustangs, +and cattle--a heterogeneous mass, swayed by some fierce excitement. That +she saw none of the Excelsior party among them did not surprise her; +an instinct of some catastrophe more serious than Mrs. Brimmer's vague +imaginings frightened but exalted her. With head erect, leveled brows, +and bright, determined eyes she walked deliberately into the square. +The crowd parted and gave way before this beautiful girl, with her bared +head and its invincible crest of chestnut curls. Presently they began +to follow her, with a compressed murmur of admiration, until, before +she was halfway across the plaza, the sentries beside the gateway of the +Presidio were astonished at the vision of a fair-haired and triumphant +Pallas, who appeared to be leading the entire population of Todos Santos +to victorious attack. In vain a solitary bugle blew, in vain the rolling +drum beat an alarm, the sympathetic guard only presented arms as Miss +Keene, flushed and excited, her eyes darkly humid with gratified pride, +swept past them into the actual presence of the bewildered and indignant +Comandante. + +The only feminine consciousness she retained was that she was more +relieved at her deliverance from the wild cattle and unbroken horses of +her progress than from the Indians and soldiers. + +"I want to see Mrs. Markham, and to know by what authority she is +arrested," said Miss Keene boldly. + +"The Senor Comandante can hold no conference with you until you disperse +your party," interpreted the secretary. + +She was about to hurriedly reply that she knew nothing of the crowd that +had accompanied her; but she was withheld by a newly-born instinct of +tact. + +"How do I know that I shall not be arrested, like my friend?" she said +quickly. "She is as innocent as myself." + +"The Comandante pledges himself, as a hidalgo, that you shall not be +harmed." + +Her first impulse was to advance to the nearest intruders at the gate +and say, "Do go away, please;" but she was doubtful of its efficiency, +and was already too exalted by the situation to be satisfied with its +prosaic weakness. But her newly developed diplomacy again came to her +aid. "You may tell them so, if you choose, I cannot answer for them," +she said, with apparent dark significance. + +The secretary advanced on the corridor and exchanged a few words with +her more impulsive followers. Miss Keene, goddess-like and beautiful, +remained erect behind him, and sent them a dazzling smile and ravishing +wave of her little hand. The crowd roared with an effusive and bovine +delight that half frightened her, and with a dozen "Viva la Reyna +Americanas!" she was hurried by the Comandante into the guard-room. + +"You ask to know of what the Senora Markham is accused," said the +Commander, more gently. "She has received correspondence from the +pirate--Perkins!" + +"The pirate--Perkins?" said Miss Keene, with indignant incredulity. + +"The buccaneer who wrote that letter. Read it to her, Manuel." + +The secretary took his eyes from the young girl's glowing face, coughed +slightly, and then read as follows:-- + + +"ON BOARD THE EXCELSIOR, of the Quinquinambo Independent States Navy, +August 8, 1854. + +"To Captain Bunker.--Sir," . . . + +"But this is not addressed to YOU!" interrupted Miss Keene indignantly. + +"The Captain Bunker is a raving madman," said the Commander gravely. +"Read on!" + +The color gradually faded from the young girl's cheek as the secretary +continued, in a monotonous voice:-- + +"I have the honor to inform you that the barque Excelsior was, on the +8th of July, 1854, and the first year of the Quinquinambo Independence, +formally condemned by the Federal Council of Quinquinambo, for having +aided and assisted the enemy with munitions of war and supplies, against +the law of nations, and the tacit and implied good-will between the +Republic of the United States and the struggling Confederacies of South +America; and that, in pursuance thereof, and under the law of reprisals +and letters of marque, was taken possession of by me yesterday. The +goods and personal effects belonging to the passengers and yourself +have been safely landed at the Embarcadero of Todos Santos--a neutral +port--by my directions; my interpretation of the orders of the Federal +Council excepting innocent non-combatants and their official protector +from confiscation or amercement. + +"I take the liberty of requesting you to hand the inclosed order on the +Treasury of the Quinquinambo Confederate States to Don Miguel Briones, +in payment of certain stores and provisions, and of a piece of +ordnance known as the saluting cannon of the Presidio of Todos Santos. +Vigilancia! + +"Your obedient servant, + +"LEONIDAS BOLIVAR PERKINS, + +"Generalissimo Commanding Land and Sea Forces, Quinquinambo Independent +States." + + +In her consternation at this fuller realization of the vague +catastrophe, Miss Keene still clung to the idea that had brought her +there. + +"But Mrs. Markham has nothing to do with all this?" + +"Then why does she refuse to give up her secret correspondence with the +pirate Perkins?" returned the secretary. + +Miss Keene hesitated. Had Mrs. Markham any previous knowledge of the +Senor's real character? + +"Why don't you arrest the men?" she said scornfully. "There is Mr. +Banks, Mr. Crosby, Mr. Winslow, and Mr. Brace." She uttered the last +name more contemptuously, as she thought of that young gentleman's +protestations and her present unprotected isolation. + +"They are already arrested and removed to San Antonio, a league hence," +returned the secretary. "It is fact enough that they have confessed that +their Government has seized the Mexican province of California, and that +they were on their way to take possession of it." + +Miss Keene's heart sank. + +"But you knew all this yesterday," she faltered; "and our war with +Mexico is all over years ago." + +"We did not know it last night at the banquet, Senora; nor would we have +known it but for this treason and division in your own party." + +A sudden light flashed upon Miss Keene's mind. She now comprehended the +advances of Dona Isabel. Extravagant and monstrous as it seemed, these +people evidently believed that a revolution had taken place in the +United States; that the two opposing parties had been represented by the +passengers of the Excelsior; and that one party had succeeded, headed by +the indomitable Perkins. If she could be able to convince them of +their blunder, would it be wise to do so? She thought of Mrs. Brimmer's +supplication to be ranged "on her side," and realized with feminine +quickness that the situation might be turned to her countrymen's +advantage. But which side had Todos Santos favored? It was left to her +woman's wit to discover this, and conceive a plan to rescue her helpless +companions. + +Her suspense was quickly relieved. The Commander and his secretary +exchanged a few words. + +"The Comandante will grant Dona Leonora's request," said the secretary, +"if she will answer a question." + +"What is it?" responded Miss Keene, with inward trepidation. + +"The Senora Markham is perhaps beloved by the Pirate Perkins?" + +In spite of her danger, in spite of the uncertain fate hanging over +her party, Miss Keene could with difficulty repress a half hysterical +inclination to laugh. Even then, it escaped in a sudden twinkle of her +eye, which both the Commander and his subordinate were quick to notice, +as she replied demurely, "Perhaps." + +It was enough for the Commander. A gleam of antique archness and +venerable raillery lit up his murky, tobacco-colored pupils; a spasm of +gallantry crossed the face of the secretary. + +"Ah--what would you?--it is the way of the world," said the Commander. +"We comprehend. Come!" + +He led the way across the corridor, and suddenly opened a small +barred door. Whatever preconceived idea Miss Keene may have had of her +unfortunate country-woman immured in a noisome cell, and guarded by +a stern jailer, was quite dissipated by the soft misty sunshine that +flowed in through the open door. The prison of Mrs. Markham was a part +of the old glacis which had been allowed to lapse into a wild garden +that stretched to the edge of the sea. There was a summer-house built +on--and partly from--a crumbling bastion, and here, under the shade of +tropical creepers, the melancholy captive was comfortably writing, +with her portable desk on her knee, and a traveling-bag at her feet. +A Saratoga trunk of obtrusive proportions stood in the centre of the +peaceful vegetation, like a newly raised altar to an unknown deity. The +only suggestion of martial surveillance was an Indian soldier, whose +musket, reposing on the ground near Mrs. Markham, he had exchanged for +the rude mattock with which he was quietly digging. + +The two women, with a cry of relief, flew into each other's arms. The +Commander and his secretary discreetly retired to an angle of the wall. + +"I find everything as I left it, my dear, even to my slipper-bag," said +Mrs. Markham. "They've forgotten nothing." + +"But you are a captive!" said Eleanor. "What does it mean?" + +"Nothing, my dear. I gave them a piece of my mind," said Mrs. Markham, +looking, however, as if that mental offering had by no means exhausted +her capital, "and I have written six pages to the Governor at Mazatlan, +and a full account to Mr. Markham." + +"And they won't get them in thirty years!" said Miss Keene impetuously. +"But where is this letter from Senor Perkins. And, for Heaven's sake, +tell me if you had the least suspicion before of anything that has +happened." + +"Not in the least. The man is mad, my dear, and I really believe driven +so by that absurd Illinois woman's poetry. Did you ever see anything +so ridiculous--and shameful, too--as the 'Ulricardo' business? I don't +wonder he colored so." + +Miss Keene winced with annoyance. Was everybody going crazy, or was +there anything more in this catastrophe that had only enfeebled the +minds of her countrywomen! For here was the severe, strong-minded Mrs. +Markham actually preoccupied, like Mrs. Brimmer, with utterly irrelevant +particulars, and apparently powerless to grasp the fact that they were +abandoned on a half hostile strand, and cut off by half a century from +the rest of the world. + +"As to the letter," said Mrs. Markham, quietly, "there it is. There's +nothing in it that might not have been written by a friend." + +Miss Keene took the letter. It was written in a delicate, almost +feminine hand. She could not help noticing that in one or two instances +corrections had been made and blots carefully removed with an eraser. + + +"Midnight, on the Excelsior. + +"MY FRIEND: When you receive this I shall probably be once more on the +bosom of that mysterious and mighty element whose majesty has impressed +us, whose poetry we have loved, and whose moral lessons, I trust, have +not been entirely thrown away upon us. I go to the deliverance of one of +those oppressed nations whose history I have often recited to you, +and in whose destiny you have from time to time expressed a womanly +sympathy. While it is probable, therefore, that my MOTIVES may not be +misunderstood by you, or even other dear friends of the Excelsior, it is +by no means impossible that the celerity and unexpectedness of my ACTION +may not be perfectly appreciated by the careless mind, and may seem +to require some explanation. Let me then briefly say that the idea of +debarking your goods and chattels, and parting from your delightful +company at Todos Santos, only occurred to me on our unexpected--shall I +say PROVIDENTIAL?--arrival at that spot; and the necessity of expedition +forbade me either inviting your cooperation or soliciting your +confidence. Human intelligence is variously constituted--or, to use a +more homely phrase, 'many men have many minds'--and it is not impossible +that a premature disclosure of my plans might have jeopardized that +harmony which you know it has been my desire to promote. It was my +original intention to have landed you at Mazatlan, a place really +inferior in climate and natural attractions to Todo Santos, although, +perhaps, more easy of access and egress; but the presence of an American +steamer in the offing would have invested my enterprise with a certain +publicity foreign, I think, to all our tastes. Taking advantage, +therefore, of my knowledge of the peninsular coast, and the pardonable +ignorance of Captain Bunker, I endeavored, through my faithful +subordinates, to reach a less known port, and a coast rarely +frequented by reason of its prevailing fog. Here occurred one of those +dispensations of an overruling power which, dear friend, we have so +often discussed. We fell in with an unknown current, and were guided by +a mysterious hand into the bay of Todos Santos! + +"You know of my belief in the infinite wisdom and benignity of events; +you have, dear friend, with certain feminine limitations, shared it with +me. Could there have been a more perfect illustration of it than the +power that led us here? On a shore, historic in interest, beautiful +in climate, hospitable in its people, utterly freed from external +influences, and absolutely without a compromising future, you are +landed, my dear friend, with your youthful companions. From the +crumbling ruins of a decaying Past you are called to construct an +Arcadia of your own; the rudiments of a new civilization are within your +grasp; the cost of existence is comparatively trifling; the various +sums you have with you, which even in the chaos of revolution I have +succeeded in keeping intact, will more than suffice to your natural +wants for years to come. Were I not already devoted to the task of +freeing Quinquinambo, I should willingly share this Elysium with you +all. But, to use the glowing words of Mrs. M'Corkle, slightly altering +the refrain-- + + 'Ah, stay me not! With flying feet + O'er desert sands, I rush to greet + My fate, my love, my life, my sweet + Quinquinambo!' + +"I venture to intrust to your care two unpublished manuscripts of that +gifted woman. The dangers that may environ my present mission, the +vicissitudes of battle by sea or land, forbid my imperiling their +natural descent to posterity. You, my dear friend, will preserve them +for the ages to come, occasionally refreshing yourself, from time to +time, from that Parnassian spring. + +"Adieu! my friend. I look around the familiar cabin, and miss your +gentle faces. I feel as Jason might have felt, alone on the deck of the +Argo when his companions were ashore, except that I know of no Circean +influences to mar their destiny. In examining the state-rooms to see if +my orders for the complete restoration of passengers' property had been +carried out, I allowed myself to look into yours. Lying alone, forgotten +and overlooked, I saw a peculiar jet hair-pin which I think I have +observed in the coils of your tresses. May I venture to keep this gentle +instrument as a reminder of the superior intellect it has so often +crowned? Adieu, my friend. + +"Ever yours, LEONIDAS BOLIVAR PERKINS." + + +"Well?" said Mrs. Markham impatiently, as Miss Keene remained motionless +with the letter in her hand. + +"It seems like a ridiculous nightmare! I can't understand it at all. The +man that wrote this letter may be mad--but he is neither a pirate nor a +thief--and yet"-- + +"He a pirate?" echoed Mrs. Markham indignantly; "He's nothing of the +kind! It's not even his FAULT!" + +"Not his fault?" repeated Miss Keene; "are you mad, too?" + +"No--nor a fool, my dear! Don't you see? It's all the fault of Banks and +Brimmer for compromising the vessel: of that stupid, drunken captain for +permitting it. Senor Perkins is a liberator, a patriot, who has periled +himself and his country to treat us magnanimously. Don't you see it? +It's like that Banks and that Mrs. Brimmer to call HIM a pirate! I've a +good mind to give the Commander my opinion of THEM." + +"Hush!" said Miss Keene, with a sudden recollection of the Commander's +suspicions, "for Heaven's sake; you do not know what you are saying. +Look! they were talking with that strange man, and now they are coming +this way." + +The Commander and his secretary approached them. They were both more +than usually grave; but the look of inquiry and suspicion with which +they regarded the two women was gone from their eyes. + +"The Senor Comandante says you are free, Senoras, and begs you will only +decide whether you will remain his guests or the guests of the Alcalde. +But for the present he cannot allow you any communication with the +prisoners of San Antonio." + +"There is further news?" said Miss Keene faintly, with a presentiment of +worse complications. + +"There is! A body from the Excelsior has been washed on shore." + +The two women turned pale. + +"In the pocket of the murdered man is an accusation against one Senor +Hurlstone, who was concealed on the ship; who came not ashore openly +with the other passengers, but who escaped in secret, and is now hiding +somewhere in Todos Santos." + +"And you suspect him of this infamous act?" said Eleanor, forgetting +all prudence in her indignation. "You are deceiving yourself. He is as +innocent as I am!" + +The Commander and the secretary smiled sapiently, but gently. + +"The Senor Comandante believes you, Dona Leonora: the Senor Hurlstone +is innocent of the piracy. He is, of a surety, the leader of the +Opposition." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +IN SANCTUARY. + + +When James Hurlstone reached the shelter of the shrubbery he leaned +exhaustedly against the adobe wall, and looked back upon the garden +he had just traversed. At its lower extremity a tall hedge of cactus +reinforced the crumbling wall with a cheval de frise of bristling +thorns; it was through a gap in this green barrier that he had found his +way a few hours before, as his torn clothes still testified. At one side +ran the low wall of the Alcalde's casa, a mere line of dark shadow in +that strange diaphanous mist that seemed to suffuse all objects. The +gnarled and twisted branches of pear-trees, gouty with old age, bent +so low as to impede any progress under their formal avenues; out of a +tangled labyrinth of figtrees, here and there a single plume of feathery +palm swam in a drowsy upper radiance. The shrubbery around him, of some +unknown variety, exhaled a faint perfume; he put out his hand to grasp +what appeared to be a young catalpa, and found it the trunk of an +enormous passion vine, that, creeping softly upward, had at last invaded +the very belfry of the dim tower above him; and touching it, his soul +seemed to be lifted with it out of the shadow. + +The great hush and quiet that had fallen like a benediction on every +sleeping thing around him; the deep and passionless repose that seemed +to drop from the bending boughs of the venerable trees; the cool, +restful, earthy breath of the shadowed mold beneath him, touched only by +a faint jessamine-like perfume as of a dead passion, lulled the hurried +beatings of his heart and calmed the feverish tremor of his limbs. He +allowed himself to sink back against the wall, his hands tightly clasped +before him. Gradually, the set, abstracted look of his eyes faded and +became suffused, as if moistened by that celestial mist. Then he rose +quickly, drew his sleeve hurriedly across his lashes, and began slowly +to creep along the wall again. + +Either the obscurity of the shrubbery became greater or he was growing +preoccupied; but in steadying himself by the wall he had, without +perceiving it, put his hand upon a rude door that, yielding to his +pressure, opened noiselessly into a dark passage. Without apparent +reflection he entered, followed the passage a few steps until it turned +abruptly; turning with it, he found himself in the body of the Mission +Church of Todos Santos. A swinging-lamp, that burned perpetually before +an effigy of the Virgin Mother, threw a faint light on the single +rose-window behind the high altar; another, suspended in a low archway, +apparently lit the open door of the passage towards the refectory. By +the stronger light of the latter Hurlstone could see the barbaric red +and tarnished gold of the rafters that formed the straight roof. The +walls were striped with equally bizarre coloring, half Moorish and half +Indian. A few hangings of dyed and painted cloths with heavy fringes +were disposed on either side of the chancel, like the flaps of a wigwam; +and the aboriginal suggestion was further repeated in a quantity of +colored beads and sea-shells that decked the communion-rails. The +Stations of the Cross, along the walls, were commemorated by paintings, +evidently by a native artist--to suit the same barbaric taste; while a +larger picture of San Francisco d'Assisis, under the choir, seemed +to belong to an older and more artistic civilization. But the sombre +half-light of the two lamps mellowed and softened the harsh contrast of +these details until the whole body of the church appeared filled with a +vague harmonious shadow. The air, heavy with the odors of past incense, +seemed to be a part of that expression, as if the solemn and sympathetic +twilight became palpable in each deep, long-drawn inspiration. + +Again overcome by the feeling of repose and peacefulness, Hurlstone sank +upon a rude settle, and bent his head and folded arms over a low railing +before him. How long he sat there, allowing the subtle influence to +transfuse and possess his entire being, he did not know. The faint +twitter of birds suddenly awoke him. Looking up, he perceived that it +came from the vacant square of the tower above him, open to the night +and suffused with its mysterious radiance. In another moment the roof of +the church was swiftly crossed and recrossed with tiny and adventurous +wings. The mysterious light had taken an opaline color. Morning was +breaking. + +The slow rustling of a garment, accompanied by a soft but heavy tread, +sounded from the passage. He started to his feet as the priest, whom +he had seen on the deck of the Excelsior, entered the church from the +refectory. The Padre was alone. At the apparition of a stranger, torn +and disheveled, he stopped involuntarily and cast a hasty look towards +the heavy silver ornaments on the altar. Hurlstone noticed it, and +smiled bitterly. + +"Don't alarm yourself. I only sought this place for shelter." + +He spoke in French--the language he had heard Padre Esteban address to +Mrs. Brimmer. But the priest's quick eye had already detected his own +mistake. He lifted his hand with a sublime gesture towards the altar, +and said,-- + +"You are right! Where should you seek shelter but here?" + +The reply was so unexpected that Hurlstone was silent. His lips quivered +slightly. + +"And if it were SANCTUARY I was seeking?" he said. + +"You would first tell me why you sought it," said Padre Esteban gently. + +Hurlstone looked at him irresolutely for a moment and then said, with +the hopeless desperation of a man anxious to anticipate his fate,-- + +"I am a passenger on the ship you boarded yesterday. I came ashore with +the intention of concealing myself somewhere here until she had sailed. +When I tell you that I am not a fugitive from justice, that I have +committed no offense against the ship or her passengers, nor have I +any intention of doing so, but that I only wish concealment from their +knowledge for twenty-four hours, you will know enough to understand that +you run no risk in giving me assistance. I can tell you no more." + +"I did not see you with the other passengers, either on the ship or +ashore," said the priest. "How did you come here?" + +"I swam ashore before they left. I did not know they had any idea of +landing here; I expected to be the only one, and there would have been +no need for concealment then. But I am not lucky," he added, with a +bitter laugh. + +The priest glanced at his garments, which bore the traces of the sea, +but remained silent. + +"Do you think I am lying?" + +The old priest lifted his head with a gesture. + +"Not to me--but to God!" + +The young man followed the gesture, and glanced around the barbaric +church with a slight look of scorn. But the profound isolation, the +mystic seclusion, and, above all, the complete obliteration of that +world and civilization he shrank from and despised, again subdued and +overcame his rebellious spirit. He lifted his eyes to the priest. + +"Nor to God," he said gravely. + +"Then why withhold anything from Him here?" said the priest gently. + +"I am not a Catholic--I do not believe in confession," said Hurlstone +doggedly, turning aside. + +But Padre Esteban laid his large brown hand on the young man's shoulder. +Touched by some occult suggestion in its soft contact, he sank again +into his seat. + +"Yet you ask for the sanctuary of His house--a sanctuary bought by that +contrition whose first expression is the bared and open soul! To the +first worldly shelter you sought--the peon's hut or the Alcalde's +casa--you would have thought it necessary to bring a story. You would +not conceal from the physician whom you asked for balsam either the +wound, the symptoms, or the cause? Enough," he said kindly, as Hurlstone +was about to reply. "You shall have your request. You shall stay here. I +will be your physician, and will salve your wounds; if any poison I know +not of rankle there, you will not blame me, son, but perhaps you will +assist me to find it. I will give you a secluded cell in the dormitory +until the ship has sailed. And then"-- + +He dropped quietly on the settle, took the young man's hand paternally +in his own, and gazed into his eyes as if he read his soul. + +And then . . . Ah, yes . . . What then? Hurlstone glanced once more +around him. He thought of the quiet night; of the great peace that had +fallen upon him since he had entered the garden, and the promise of +a greater peace that seemed to breathe with the incense from those +venerable walls. He thought of that crumbling barrier, that even in its +ruin seemed to shut out, more completely than anything he had conceived, +his bitter past, and the bitter world that recalled it. He thought of +the long days to come, when, forgetting and forgotten, he might find a +new life among these simple aliens, themselves forgotten by the world. +He had thought of this once before in the garden; it occurred to him +again in this Lethe-like oblivion of the little church, in the kindly +pressure of the priest's hand. The ornaments no longer looked +uncouth and barbaric--rather they seemed full of some new spiritual +significance. He suddenly lifted his eyes to Padre Esteban, and, half +rising to his feet, said,-- + +"Are we alone?" + +"We are; it is a half-hour yet before mass," said the priest. + +"My story will not last so long," said the young man hurriedly, as if +fearing to change his mind. "Hear me, then--it is no crime nor offense +to any one; more than that, it concerns no one but myself--it is of"-- + +"A woman," said the priest softly. "So! we will sit down, my son." + +He lifted his hand with a soothing gesture--the movement of a physician +who has just arrived at an easy diagnosis of certain uneasy symptoms. +There was also a slight suggestion of an habitual toleration, as if +even the seclusion of Todos Santos had not been entirely free from the +invasion of the primal passion. + +Hurlstone waited for an instant, but then went on rapidly. + +"It is of a woman, who has cursed my life, blasted my prospects, and +ruined my youth; a woman who gained my early affection only to blight +and wither it; a woman who should be nearer to me and dearer than all +else, and yet who is further than the uttermost depths of hell from me +in sympathy or feeling; a woman that I should cleave to, but from whom +I have been flying, ready to face shame, disgrace, oblivion, even that +death which alone can part us: for that woman is--my wife." + +He stopped, out of breath, with fixed eyes and a rigid mouth. Father +Esteban drew a snuff-box from his pocket, and a large handkerchief. +After blowing his nose violently, he took a pinch of snuff, wiped his +lip, and replaced the box. + +"A bad habit, my son," he said apologetically, "but an old man's +weakness. Go on." + +"I met her first five years ago--the wife of another man. Don't misjudge +me, it was no lawless passion; it was a friendship, I believed, due to +her intellectual qualities as much as to her womanly fascinations; for I +was a young student, lodging in the same house with her, in an academic +town. Before I ever spoke to her of love, she had confided to me her own +unhappiness--the uncongeniality of her married life, the harshness, and +even brutality, of her husband. Even a man less in love than I was could +have seen the truth of this--the contrast of the coarse, sensual, and +vulgar man with an apparently refined and intelligent woman; but any one +else except myself would have suspected that such a union was not +merely a sacrifice of the woman. I believed her. It was not until long +afterwards that I learned that her marriage had been a condonation of +her youthful errors by a complaisant bridegroom; that her character +had been saved by a union that was a mutual concession. But I loved her +madly; and when she finally got a divorce from her uncongenial husband, +I believed it less an expression of her love for me than an act of +justice. I did not know at the time that they had arranged the divorce +together, as they had arranged their marriage, by equal concessions. + +"I was the only son of a widowed mother, whose instincts were from +the first opposed to my friendship with this woman, and what she +prophetically felt would be its result. Unfortunately, both she and my +friends were foolish enough to avow their belief that the divorce was +obtained solely with a view of securing me as a successor; and it +was this argument more than any other that convinced me of my duty to +protect her. Enough, I married, not only in spite of all opposition--but +BECAUSE of it. + +"My mother would have reconciled herself to the marriage, but my wife +never forgave the opposition, and, by some hellish instinct divining +that her power over me might be weakened by maternal influence, +precipitated a quarrel which forever separated us. With the little +capital left by my father, divided between my mother and myself, I took +my wife to a western city. Our small income speedily dwindled under +the debts of her former husband, which she had assumed to purchase +her freedom. I endeavored to utilize a good education and some +accomplishments in music and the languages by giving lessons and +by contributing to the press. In this my wife first made a show of +assisting me, but I was not long in discovering that her intelligence +was superficial and shallow, and that the audacity of expression, +which I had believed to be originality of conviction, was simply +shamelessness, and a desire for notoriety. She had a facility in writing +sentimental poetry, which had been efficacious in her matrimonial +confidences, but which editors of magazines and newspapers found to be +shallow and insincere. To my astonishment, she remained unaffected +by this, as she was equally impervious to the slights and sneers that +continually met us in society. At last the inability to pay one of her +former husband's claims brought to me a threat and an anonymous letter. +I laid them before her, when a scene ensued which revealed the +blindness of my folly in all its hideous hopelessness: she accused me of +complicity in her divorce, and deception in regard to my own fortune. In +a speech, whose language was a horrible revelation of her early habits, +she offered to arrange a divorce from me as she had from her former +husband. She gave as a reason her preference for another, and her belief +that the scandal of a suit would lend her a certain advertisement and +prestige. It was a combination of Messalina and Mrs. Jarley"-- + +"Pardon! I remember not a Madame Jarley," said the priest. + +"Of viciousness and commercial calculation," continued Hurlstone +hurriedly. "I don't remember what happened; she swore that I struck +her! Perhaps--God knows! But she failed, even before a western jury, to +convict me of cruelty. The judge that thought me half insane would not +believe me brutal, and her application for divorce was lost. + +"I need not tell you that the same friends who had opposed my marriage +now came forward to implore me to allow her to break our chains. I +refused. I swear to you it was from no lingering love for her, for her +presence drove me mad; it was from no instinct of revenge or jealousy, +for I should have welcomed the man who would have taken her out of +my life and memory. But I could not bear the idea of taking her first +husband's place in her hideous comedy; I could not purchase my freedom +at that price--at any price. I was told that I could get a divorce +against HER, and stand forth before the world untrammeled and unstained. +But I could not stand before MYSELF in such an attitude. I knew that +the shackles I had deliberately forged could not be loosened except by +death. I knew that the stains of her would cling to me and become a part +of my own sin, even as the sea I plunged into yesterday to escape her, +though it has dried upon me, has left its bitter salt behind. + +"When she knew my resolve, she took her revenge by dragging my name +through the successive levels to which she descended. Under the plea +that the hardly-earned sum I gave to her maintenance apart from me was +not sufficient, she utilized her undoubted beauty and more doubtful +talent in amateur entertainments--and, finally, on the stage. She was +openly accompanied by her lover, who acted as her agent, in the hope +of goading me to a divorce. Suddenly she disappeared. I thought she had +forgotten me. I obtained an honorable position in New York. One night +I entered a theater devoted to burlesque opera and the exhibition of +a popular actress, known as the Western Thalia, whose beautiful and +audaciously draped figure was the talk of the town. I recognized my wife +in this star of nudity; more than that, she recognized me. The next day, +in addition to the usual notice, the real name of the actress was given +in the morning papers, with a sympathizing account of her romantic and +unfortunate marriage. I renounced my position, and, taking advantage of +an offer from an old friend in California, resolved to join him secretly +there. My mother had died broken-hearted; I was alone in the world. But +my wife discovered my intention; and when I reached Callao, I heard that +she had followed me, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and that probably +she would anticipate me in Mazatlan, where we were to stop. The thought +of suicide haunted me during the rest of that horrible voyage; only my +belief that she would make it appear as a tacit confession of my guilt +saved me from that last act of weakness." + +He stopped and shuddered. Padre Esteban again laid his hand softly upon +him. + +"It was God who spared you that sacrifice of soul and body," he said +gently. + +"I thought it was God that suggested to me to take the SIMULATION of +that act the means of separating myself from her forever. When we neared +Mazatlan, I conceived the idea of hiding myself in the hold of the +Excelsior until she had left that port, in the hope that it would be +believed that I had fallen overboard. I succeeded in secreting myself, +but was discovered at the same time that the unexpected change in the +ship's destination rendered concealment unnecessary. As we did not put +in at Mazatlan, nobody suspected my discovery in the hold to be anything +but the accident that I gave it out to be. I felt myself saved the +confrontation of the woman at Mazatlan; but I knew she would pursue me +to San Francisco. + +"The strange dispensation of Providence that brought us into this +unknown port gave me another hope of escape and oblivion. While you +and the Commander were boarding the Excelsior, I slipped from the +cabin-window into the water; I was a good swimmer, and reached the shore +in safety. I concealed myself in the ditch of the Presidio until I +saw the passengers' boats returning with them, when I sought the safer +shelter of this Mission. I made my way through a gap in the hedge and +lay under your olive-trees, hearing the voices of my companions, beyond +the walls, till past midnight. I then groped my way along the avenue +of pear-trees till I came to another wall, and a door that opened to my +accidental touch. I entered, and found myself here. You know the rest." + +He had spoken with the rapid and unpent fluency of a man who cared more +to relieve himself of an oppressive burden than to impress his auditor; +yet the restriction of a foreign tongue had checked repetition or +verbosity. Without imagination he had been eloquent; without hopefulness +he had been convincing. Father Esteban rose, holding both his hands. + +"My son, in the sanctuary which you have claimed there is no divorce. +The woman who has ruined your life could not be your wife. As long as +her first husband lives, she is forever his wife, bound by a tie which +no human law can sever!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +AN OPEN-AIR PRISON. + + +An hour after mass Father Esteban had quietly installed Hurlstone in a +small cell-like apartment off the refectory. The household of the +priest consisted of an old Indian woman of fabulous age and miraculous +propriety, two Indian boys who served at mass, a gardener, and a +muleteer. The first three, who were immediately in attendance upon the +priest, were cognizant of a stranger's presence, but, under instructions +from the reverend Padre, were loyally and superstitiously silent; the +vocations of the gardener and muleteer made any intrusion from them +impossible. A breakfast of fruit, tortillas, chocolate, and red wine, +of which Hurlstone partook sparingly and only to please his entertainer, +nevertheless seemed to restore his strength, as it did the Padre's +equanimity. For the old man had been somewhat agitated during mass, +and, except that his early morning congregation was mainly composed of +Indians, muleteers, and small venders, his abstraction would have been +noticed. With ready tact he had not attempted, by further questioning, +to break the taciturnity into which Hurlstone had relapsed after his +emotional confession and the priest's abrupt half-absolution. Was it +possible he regretted his confidence, or was it possible that his +first free and untrammeled expression of his wrongs had left him with a +haunting doubt of their real magnitude? + +"Lie down here, my son," said the old ecclesiastic, pointing to a small +pallet in the corner, "and try to restore in the morning what you have +taken from the night. Manuela will bring your clothes when they are +dried and mended; meantime, shift for yourself in Pepito's serape and +calzas. I will betake me to the Comandante and the Alcalde, to learn the +dispositions of your party, when the ship will sail, and if your absence +is suspected. Peace be with you, son! Manuela, attend to the caballero, +and see you chatter not." + +Without doubting the substantial truth of his guest's story, the good +Padre Esteban was not unwilling to have it corroborated by such details +as he thought he could collect among the Excelsior's passengers. His own +experience in the confessional had taught him the unreliability of +human evidence, and the vagaries of both conscientious and unconscious +suppression. That a young, good-looking, and accomplished caballero +should have been the victim of not one, but even many, erotic episodes, +did not strike the holy father as being peculiar; but that he should +have been brought by a solitary unfortunate attachment to despair +and renunciation of the world appeared to him marvelous. He was not +unfamiliar with the remorse of certain gallants for peccadillos with +other men's wives; but this Americano's self-abasement for the sins +of his own wife--as he foolishly claimed her to be--whom he hated and +despised, struck Father Esteban as a miracle open to suspicion. Was +there anything else in these somewhat commonplace details of vulgar and +low intrigue than what he had told the priest? Were all these Americano +husbands as sensitive and as gloomily self-sacrificing and expiating? +It did not appear so from the manners and customs of the others,--from +those easy matrons whose complacent husbands had abandoned them to the +long companionship of youthful cavaliers on adventurous voyages; from +those audacious virgins, who had the freedom of married women. Surely, +this was not a pious and sensitive race, passionately devoted to their +domestic affections! The young stranger must be either deceiving him--or +an exception to his countrymen! + +And if he was that exception--what then? An idea which had sprung up in +Father Esteban's fancy that morning now took possession of it with the +tenacity of a growth on fertile virgin soil. The good Father had been +devoted to the conversion of the heathen with the fervor of a one-ideaed +man. But his successes had been among the Indians--a guileless, harmless +race, who too often confounded the practical benefits of civilization +with the abstract benefits of the Church, and their instruction had +been simple and coercive. There had been no necessity for argument +or controversy; the worthy priest's skill in polemical warfare and +disputation had never been brought into play; the Comandante and Alcalde +were as punctiliously orthodox as himself, and the small traders and +artisans were hopelessly docile and submissive. The march of science, +which had been stopped by the local fogs of Todos Santos some fifty +years, had not disturbed the simple Aesculapius of the province with +heterodox theories: he still purged and bled like Sangrado, and met the +priest at the deathbed of his victims with a pious satisfaction that had +no trace of skeptical contention. In fact, the gentle Mission of Todos +Santos had hitherto presented no field for the good Father's exalted +ambition, nor the display of his powers as a zealot. And here was a +splendid opportunity. + +The conversion of this dark, impulsive, hysterical stranger would be a +gain to the fold, and a triumph worthy of his steel. More than that, if +he had judged correctly of this young man's mind and temperament, they +seemed to contain those elements of courage and sacrificial devotion +that indicated the missionary priesthood. With such a subaltern, what +might not he, Father Esteban, accomplish! Looking further into the +future, what a glorious successor might be left to his unfinished work +on Todos Santos! + +Buried in these reflections, Padre Esteban sauntered leisurely up +the garden, that gradually ascended the slight elevation on which the +greater part of the pueblo was built. Through a low gateway in the wall +he passed on to the crest of the one straggling street of Todos Santos. +On either side of him were ranged the low one-storied, deep-windowed +adobe fondas and artisans' dwellings, with low-pitched roofs of dull red +pipe-like tiles. Absorbed in his fanciful dreams, he did not at first +notice that those dwellings appeared deserted, and that even the +Posada opposite him, whose courtyard was usually filled with lounging +muleteers, was empty and abandoned. Looking down the street towards +the plaza, he became presently aware of some undefined stirring in the +peaceful hamlet. There was an unusual throng in the square, and afar on +that placid surface of the bay from which the fog had lifted, the two +or three fishing-boats of Todos Santos were vaguely pulling. But the +strange ship was gone. + +A feeling of intense relief and satisfaction followed. Father Esteban +pulled out his snuff-box and took a long and complacent pinch. But +his relief was quickly changed to consternation as an armed cavalcade +rapidly wheeled out of the plaza and cantered towards him, with the +unmistakable spectacle of the male passengers of the Excelsior riding +two and two, and guarded by double files of dragoons on each side. + +At a sign from the priest the subaltern reined in his mustang, halted +the convoy, and saluted respectfully, to the astonishment of the +prisoners. The clerical authority of Todos Santos evidently dominated +the military. Renewed hope sprang up in the hearts of the Excelsior +party. + +"What have we here?" asked Padre Esteban. + +"A revolution, your Reverence, among the Americanos, with robbery of the +Presidio saluting-gun; a grave affair. Your Reverence has been sent for +by the Comandante. I am taking these men to San Antonio to await the +decision of the Council." + +"And the ship?" + +"Gone, your Reverence. One of the parties has captured it." + +"And these?" + +"Are the Legitimists, your Reverence: at least they have confessed to +have warred with Mexico, and invaded California--the brigands." + +The priest remained lost for a moment in blank and bitter amazement. +Banks took advantage of the pause to edge his way to the front. + +"Ask him, some of you," he said, turning to Brace and Crosby, "when this +d----d farce will be over, and where we can find the head man--the boss +idiot of this foolery." + +"Let him put it milder," whispered Winslow. "You got us into trouble +enough with your tongue already." + +Crosby hesitated a moment. + +"Quand finira ce drole representation?--et--et--qui est ce qui est +l'entrepreneur?" he said dubiously. + +The priest stared. These Americans were surely cooler and less excitable +than his strange guest. A thought struck him. + +"How many are still in the ship?" he asked gently. + +"Nobody but Perkins and that piratical crew of niggers." + +"And that infernal Hurlstone," added Winslow. + +The priest pricked up his ears. + +"Hurlstone?" he repeated. + +"Yes--a passenger like ourselves, as we supposed. But we are satisfied +now he was in the conspiracy from the beginning," translated Crosby +painfully. + +"Look at his strange disappearance--a regular put-up job," broke in +Brace, in English, without reference to the Padre's not comprehending +him; "so that he and Perkins could shut themselves up together without +suspicion." + +"Never mind Hurlstone now; he's GONE, and we're HERE," said Banks +angrily. "Ask the parson, as a gentleman and a Christian, what sort of a +hole we've got into, anyhow. How far is the next settlement?" + +Crosby put the question. The subaltern lit a cigarette. + +"There is no next settlement. The pueblo ends at San Antonio." + +"And what's beyond that?" + +"The ocean." + +"And what's south?" + +"The desert--one cannot pass it." + +"And north?" + +"The desert." + +"And east?" + +"The desert too." + +"Then how do you get away from here?" + +"We do not get away." + +"And how do you communicate with Mexico--with your Government?" + +"When a ship comes." + +"And when does a ship come?" + +"Quien sabe?" + +The officer threw away his cigarette. + +"I say, you'll tell the Commander that all this is illegal; and that I'm +going to complain to our Government," continued Banks hurriedly. + +"I go to speak to the Comandante," responded the priest gravely. + +"And tell him that if he touches a hair of the ladies' heads we'll have +his own scalp," interrupted Brace impetuously. + +Even Crosby's diplomatic modification of this speech did not appear +entirely successful. + +"The Mexican soldier wars not with women," said the priest coldly. +"Adieu, messieurs!" + +The cavalcade moved on. The Excelsior passengers at once resumed their +chorus of complaint, tirade, and aggressive suggestion, heedless of the +soldiers who rode stolidly on each side. + +"To think we haven't got a single revolver among us," said Brace +despairingly. + +"We might each grab a carbine from these nigger fellows," said Crosby, +eying them contemplatively. + +"And if they didn't burst, and we weren't shot by the next patrol, and +if we'd calculated to be mean enough to run away from the women--where +would we escape to?" asked Banks curtly. "Hold on at least until we +get an ultimatum from that commodious ass at the Presidio! Then we'll +anticipate the fool-killer, if you like. My opinion is, they aren't in +any great hurry to try ANYTHING on us just yet." + +"And I say, lie low and keep dark until they show their hand," added +Winslow, who had no relish for an indiscriminate scrimmage, and had his +own ideas of placating their captors. + +Nevertheless, by degrees they fell into a silence, partly the effect +of the strangely enervating air. The fog had completely risen from the +landscape, and hung high in mid-air, through which an intense sun, shorn +of its fierceness, diffused a lambent warmth, and a yellowish, unctuous +light, as if it had passed through amber. The bay gleamed clearly and +distinctly; not a shadow flecked its surface to the gray impenetrable +rampart of fog that stretched like a granite wall before its entrance. +On one side of the narrow road billows of monstrous grain undulated to +the crest of the low hills, that looked like larger undulations of the +soil, furrowed by bosky canadas or shining arroyos. Banks was startled +into a burst of professional admiration. + +"There's enough grain there to feed a thousand Todos Santos; and raised, +too, with tools like that," he continued, pointing to a primitive plow +that lay on the wayside, formed by a single forked root. A passing +ox-cart, whose creaking wheels were made of a solid circle of wood, +apparently sawn from an ordinary log, again plunged him into cogitation. +Here and there little areas of the rudest cultivation broke into a +luxuriousness of orange, lime, and fig trees. The joyous earth at the +slightest provocation seemed to smile and dimple with fruit and flowers. +Everywhere the rare beatitudes of Todos Santos revealed and repeated +its simple story. The fructifying influence of earth and sky; the +intervention of a vaporous veil between a fiery sun and fiery soil; the +combination of heat and moisture, purified of feverish exhalations, and +made sweet and wholesome by the saline breath of the mighty sea, +had been the beneficent legacy of their isolation, the munificent +compensation of their oblivion. + +A gradual and gentle ascent at the end of two hours brought the +cavalcade to a halt upon a rugged upland with semi-tropical shrubbery, +and here and there larger trees from the tierra templada in the +evergreens or madrono. A few low huts and corrals, and a rambling +hacienda, were scattered along the crest, and in the midst arose a +little votive chapel, flanked by pear-trees. Near the roadside were the +crumbling edges of some long-forgotten excavation. Crosby gazed at it +curiously. Touching the arm of the officer, he pointed to it. + +"Una mina de plata," said the officer sententiously. + +"A mine of some kind--silver, I bet!" said Crosby, turning to the +others. "Is it good--bueno--you know?" he continued to the officer, with +vague gesticulations. + +"En tiempos pasados," returned the officer gravely. + +"I wonder what that means?" said Winslow. + +But before Crosby could question further, the subaltern signaled to them +to dismount. They did so, and their horses were led away to a little +declivity, whence came the sound of running water. Left to themselves, +the Americans looked around them. The cavalcade seemed to have halted +near the edge of a precipitous ridge, the evident termination of +the road. But the view that here met their eyes was unexpected and +startling. + +The plateau on which they stood seemed to drop suddenly away, leaving +them on the rocky shore of a monotonous and far-stretching sea of waste +and glittering sand. Not a vestige nor trace of vegetation could be +seen, except an occasional ridge of straggling pallid bushes, raised +in hideous simulation of the broken crest of a ghostly wave. On +either side, as far as the eye could reach, the hollow empty vision +extended--the interminable desert stretched and panted before them. + +"It's the jumping-off place, I reckon," said Crosby, "and they've +brought us here to show us how small is our chance of getting away. +But," he added, turning towards the plateau again, "what are they doing +now? 'Pon my soul! I believe they're going off--and leaving us." + +The others turned as he spoke. It was true. The dragoons were coolly +galloping off the way they came, taking with them the horses the +Americans had just ridden. + +"I call that cool," said Crosby. "It looks deuced like as if we were to +be left here to graze, like cattle." + +"Perhaps that's their idea of a prison in this country," said Banks. +"There's certainly no chance of our breaking jail in that direction," +he added, pointing to the desert; "and we can't follow them without +horses." + +"And I dare say they've guarded the pass in the road lower down," said +Winslow. + +"We ought to be able to hold our own here until night," said Brace, "and +then make a dash into Todos Santos, get hold of some arms, and join the +ladies." + +"The women are all right," said Crosby impatiently, "and are better +treated than if we were with them. Suppose, instead of maundering over +them, we reconnoitre and see what WE can do here. I'm getting devilishly +hungry; they can't mean to starve us, and if they do, I don't intend to +be starved as long as there is anything to be had by buying or stealing. +Come along. There's sure to be fruit near that old chapel, and I saw +some chickens in the bush near those huts. First, let's see if there's +any one about. I don't see a soul." + +The little plateau, indeed, seemed deserted. In vain they shouted; their +voices were lost in the echoless air. They examined one by one the few +thatched huts: they were open, contained one or two rude articles of +furniture--a bed, a bench, and table--were scrupulously clean--and +empty. They next inspected the chapel; it was tawdry and barbaric in +ornament, but the candlesticks and crucifix and the basin for holy water +were of heavily beaten silver. The same thought crossed their minds--the +abandoned mine at the roadside! + +Bananas, oranges, and prickly-pears growing within the cactus-hedge of +the chapel partly mollified their thirst and hunger, and they turned +their steps towards the long, rambling, barrack-looking building, with +its low windows and red-tiled roof, which they had first noticed. Here, +too, the tenement was deserted and abandoned; but there was evidence of +some previous and more ambitious preparation: in a long dormitory off +the corridor a number of scrupulously clean beds were ranged against +the whitewashed walls, with spotless benches and tables. To the complete +astonishment and bewilderment of the party another room, fitted up as a +kitchen, with the simpler appliances of housekeeping, revealed a +larder filled with provisions and meal. A shout from Winslow, who had +penetrated the inner courtyard, however, drew them to a more remarkable +spectacle. Their luggage and effects from the cabins of the Excelsior +were there, carefully piled in the antique ox-cart that had evidently +that morning brought them from Todos Santos! + +"There's no mistake," said Brace, with a relieved look, after a hurried +survey of the trunks. "They have only brought our baggage. The ladies +have evidently had the opportunity of selecting their own things." + +"Crosby told you they'd be all right," said Banks; "and as for +ourselves, I don't see why we can't be pretty comfortable here, and all +the better for our being alone. I shall take an opportunity of looking +around a bit. It strikes me that there are some resources in this +country that might pay to develop." + +"And I shall have a look at that played-out mine," said Crosby; "if it's +been worked as they work the land, they've left about as much in it as +they've taken out." + +"That's all well enough," said Brace, drawing a dull vermilion-colored +stone from his pocket; "but here's something I picked up just now that +ain't 'played out,' nor even the value of it suspected by those fellows. +That's cinnabar--quicksilver ore--and a big per cent. of it too; and if +there's as much of it here as the indications show, you could buy up all +your SILVER mines in the country with it." + +"If I were you, I'd put up a notice on a post somewhere, as they do +in California, and claim discovery," said Banks seriously. "There's no +knowing how this thing may end. We may not get away from here for some +time yet, and if the Government will sell the place cheap, it wouldn't +be a bad spec' to buy it. Form a kind of 'Excelsior Company' among +ourselves, you know, and go shares." + +The four men looked earnestly at each other. Already the lost Excelsior +and her mutinous crew were forgotten; even the incidents of the +morning--their arrest, the uncertainty of their fate, and the fact that +they were in the hands of a hostile community--appeared but as trivial +preliminaries to the new life that opened before them! They suddenly +became graver than they had ever been--even in the moment of peril. + +"I don't see why we shouldn't," said Brace quickly. "We started out to +do that sort of thing in California, and I reckon if we'd found such a +spot as this on the Sacramento or American River we'd have been content. +We can take turns at housekeeping, prospect a little, and enter into +negotiations with the Government. I'm for offering them a fair sum for +this ridge and all it contains at once." + +"The only thing against that," said Crosby slowly, "is the probability +that it is already devoted to some other use by the Government. Ever +since we've been here I've been thinking--I don't know why--that we've +been put in a sort of quarantine. The desertion of the place, the half +hospital arrangements of this building, and the means they have taken +to isolate us from themselves, must mean something. I've read somewhere +that in these out-of-the-way spots in the tropics they have a place +where they put the fellows with malarious or contagious diseases. I +don't want to frighten you boys: but I've an idea that we're in a sort +of lazaretto, and the people outside won't trouble us often." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +TODOS SANTOS SOLVES THE MYSTERY. + + +Notwithstanding his promise, and the summons of the Council, Father +Esteban, on parting with the Excelsior prisoners in the San Antonio +Road, did not proceed immediately to the presence of the Comandante. +Partly anxious to inform himself more thoroughly regarding Hurlstone's +antecedents before entering upon legislative functions that might +concern him, partly uneasy at Brace's allusion to any possible +ungentleness in the treatment of the fair Americanas, and partly +apprehensive that Mrs. Brimmer might seek him at the Mission in +the present emergency, the good Father turned his steps towards the +Alcalde's house. + +Mrs. Brimmer, in a becoming morning wrapper, half reclining in an +Indian hammock in the corridor, supported by Miss Chubb, started at his +approach. So did the young Alcalde, sympathetically seated at her side. +Padre Esteban for an instant was himself embarrassed; Mrs. Brimmer +quickly recovered her usual bewildering naivete. + +"I knew you would come; but if you hadn't, I should have mustered +courage enough to go with Miss Chubb to find you at the Mission," she +said, half coquettishly. "Not but that Don Ramon has been all kindness +and consideration, but you know one always clings to one's spiritual +adviser in such an emergency; and although there are differences of +opinion between us, I think I may speak to you as freely as I would +speak to my dear friend Dr. Potts, of Trinity Chapel. Of course you +don't know HIM; but you couldn't have helped liking him, he's so gentle, +so tactful, so refined! But do tell me the fullest particulars of this +terrible calamity that has happened so awkwardly. Tell me all! I fear +that Don Ramon, out of kindness, has not told me everything. I have been +perfectly frank, I told him everything--who I am, who Mr. Brimmer is, +and given him even the connections of my friend Miss Chubb. I can do +no more; but you will surely have no difficulty in finding some one in +Todos Santos who has heard of the Quincys and Brimmers. I've no doubt +that there are books in your library that mention them. Of course I can +say nothing of the other passengers, except that Mr. Brimmer would not +have probably permitted me to associate with any notorious persons. I +confess now--I think I told you once before, Clarissa--that I greatly +doubted Captain Bunker's ability"-- + +"Ah," murmured Don Ramon. + +"--To make a social selection," continued Mrs. Brimmer. "He may have +been a good sailor, and boxed his compass, but he lacked a knowledge +of the world. Of the other passengers I can truly say I know nothing; +I cannot think that Mr. Crosby's sense of humor led him into bad +associations, or that he ever went beyond verbal impropriety. Certainly +nothing in Miss Keene's character has led me to believe she could so far +forget what was due to herself and to us as to address a lawless mob in +the streets as she did just now; although her friend Mrs. Markham, as +I just told Don Ramon, is an advocate of Women's Rights and Female +Suffrage, and I believe she contemplates addressing the public from the +lecturer's platform." + +"It isn't possible!" interrupted Don Ramon excitedly, in mingled +horror of the masculinely rampant Mrs. Markham and admiration of the +fascinatingly feminine Mrs. Brimmer; "a lady cannot be an orator--a +haranguer of men!" + +"Not in society," responded Mrs. Brimmer, with a sigh, "and I do not +remember to have met the lady before. The fact is, she does not move in +our circle--in the upper classes." + +The Alcalde exchanged a glance with the Padre. + +"Ah! you have classes? and she is of a distinct class, perhaps?" + +"Decidedly," said Mrs. Brimmer promptly. + +"Pardon me," said Padre Esteban, with gentle persuasiveness, "but you +are speaking of your fellow-passengers. Know you not, then, of one +Hurlstone, who is believed to be still in the ship Excelsior, and +perhaps of the party who seized it?" + +"Mr. Hurlstone?--it is possible; but I know really nothing of him," said +Mrs. Brimmer carelessly. "I don't think Clarissa did, either--did you, +dear? Even in our enforced companionship we had to use some reserve, +and we may have drawn the line at him! He was a friend of Miss Keene's; +indeed, she was the only one who seemed to know him." + +"And she is now here?" asked the Padre eagerly. + +"No. She is with her friend the Senora Markham, at the Presidio. The +Comandante has given her the disposition of his house," said Don Ramon, +with a glance of grave archness at Mrs. Brimmer; "it is not known which +is the most favored, the eloquent orator or the beautiful and daring +leader!" + +"Mrs. Markham is a married woman," said Mrs. Brimmer severely, "and, +of course, she can do as she pleases; but it is far different with Miss +Keene. I should scarcely consider it proper to expose Miss Chubb to +the hospitality of a single man, without other women, and I cannot +understand how she could leave the companionship and protection of your +lovely sisters." + +The priest here rose, and, with formal politeness, excused himself, +urging the peremptory summons of the Council. + +"I scarcely expected, indeed, to have had the pleasure of seeing my +colleague here," he added with quiet suavity, turning to the Alcalde. + +"I have already expressed my views to the Comandante," said the +official, with some embarrassment, "and my attendance will hardly be +required." + +The occasional misleading phosphorescence of Mrs. Brimmer's quiet eyes, +early alluded to in these pages, did not escape Father Esteban's quick +perception at that moment; however, he preferred to leave his companion +to follow its aberrations rather than to permit that fair ignis fatuus +to light him on his way by it. + +"But my visit to you, Father Esteban," she began sweetly, "is only +postponed." + +"Until I have the pleasure of anticipating it here," said the priest, +with paternal politeness bending before the two ladies; "but for the +present, au revoir!" + +"It would be an easy victory to win this discreetly emotional Americana +to the Church," said Father Esteban to himself, as he crossed the plaza; +"but, if I mistake not, she would not cease to be a disturbing element +even there. However, she is not such as would give this Hurlstone any +trouble. It seems I must look elsewhere for the brains of this party, +and to find a solution of this young man's mystery; and, if I judge +correctly, it is with this beautiful young agitator of revolutions and +her oratorical duenna I must deal." + +He entered the low gateway of the Presidio unchallenged, and even +traversed the courtyard without meeting a soul. The guard and sentries +had evidently withdrawn to their habitual peaceful vocations, and the +former mediaeval repose of the venerable building had returned. There +was no one in the guard-room; but as the priest turned back to the +corridor, his quick ear was suddenly startled by the unhallowed +and inconsistent sounds of a guitar. A monotonous voice also--the +Comandante's evidently--was raised in a thin, high recitative. + +The Padre passed hastily through the guard-room, and opened the door +of the passage leading to the garden slope. Here an extraordinary group +presented itself to his astonished eyes. In the shadow of a palm-tree, +Mrs. Markham, seated on her Saratoga trunk as on a throne, was gazing +blandly down upon the earnest features of the Commander, who, at her +feet, guitar in hand, was evidently repeating some musical composition. +His subaltern sat near him, divided in admiration of his chief and the +guest. Miss Keene, at a little distance, aided by the secretary, +was holding an animated conversation with a short, stout, Sancho +Panza-looking man, whom the Padre recognized as the doctor of Todos +Santos. + +At the apparition of the reverend Father, the Commander started, +the subaltern stared, and even the secretary and the doctor looked +discomposed. + +"I am decidedly de trop this morning," soliloquized the ecclesiastic; +but Miss Keene cut short his reflection by running to him frankly, with +outstretched hand. + +"I am so glad that you have come," she said, with a youthful, +unrestrained earnestness that was as convincing as it was fascinating, +"for you will help me to persuade this gentleman that poor Captain +Bunker is suffering more from excitement of mind than body, and that +bleeding him is more than folly." + +"The man's veins are in a burning fever and delirium from aguardiente," +said the little doctor excitedly, "and the fire must first be put out by +the lancet." + +"He is only crazy with remorse for having lost his ship through his own +carelessness and the treachery of others," said Miss Keene doughtily. + +"He is a maniac and will kill himself, unless his fever is subdued," +persisted the doctor. + +"And you would surely kill him by your way of subduing it," said the +young girl boldly. "Better for him, a disgraced man of honor, to die +by his own hand, than to be bled like a calf into a feeble and helpless +dissolution. I would, if I were in his place--if I had to do it by +tearing off the bandages." + +She made a swift, half unconscious gesture of her little hand, and +stopped, her beautiful eyes sparkling, her thin pink nostrils dilated, +her red lips parted, her round throat lifted in the air, and one small +foot advanced before her. The men glanced hurriedly at each other, and +then fixed their eyes upon her with a rapt yet frightened admiration. To +their simple minds it was Anarchy and Revolution personified, beautiful, +and victorious. + +"Ah!" said the secretary to Padre Esteban, in Spanish, "it is true! she +knows not fear! She was in the room alone with the madman; he would let +none approach but her! She took a knife from him--else the medico had +suffered!" + +"He recognized her, you see! Ah! they know her power," said the +Comandante, joining the group. + +"You will help me, Father Esteban?" said the young girl, letting the +fire of her dark eyes soften to a look of almost childish appeal--"you +will help me to intercede for him? It is the restraint only that is +killing him--that is goading him to madness! Think of him, Father--think +of him: ruined and disgraced, dying to retrieve himself by any reckless +action, any desperate chance of recovery, and yet locked up where he can +do nothing--attempt nothing--not even lift a hand to pursue the man who +has helped to bring him to this!" + +"But he CAN do nothing! The ship is gone!" remonstrated the Comandante. + +"Yes, the ship is gone; but the ocean is still there," said Miss Keene. + +"But he has no boat." + +"He will find or make one." + +"And the fog conceals the channel." + +"He can go where THEY have gone, or meet their fate. You do not know my +countrymen, Senor Comandante," she said proudly. + +"Ah, yes--pardon! They are at San Antonio--the baker, the buffoon, the +two young men who dig. They are already baking and digging and joking. +We have it from my officer, who has just returned." + +Miss Keene bit her pretty lips. + +"They think it is a mistake; they cannot believe that any intentional +indignity is offered them," she said quietly. "Perhaps it is well they +do not." + +"They desired me to express their condolences to the Senora," said the +Padre, with exasperating gentleness, "and were relieved to be assured by +me of your perfect security in the hands of these gentlemen." + +Miss Keene raised her clear eyes to the ecclesiastic. That accomplished +diplomat of Todos Santos absolutely felt confused under the cool +scrutiny of this girl's unbiased and unsophisticated intelligence. + +"Then you HAVE seen them," she said, "and you know their innocence, and +the utter absurdity of this surveillance?" + +"I have not seen them ALL," said the priest softly. "There is still +another--a Senor Hurlstone--who is missing? Is he not?" + +It was not in the possibility of Eleanor Keene's truthful blood to do +other than respond with a slight color to this question. She had already +concealed from every one the fact of having seen the missing man in the +Mission garden the evening before. It did not, however, prevent her the +next moment from calmly meeting the glance of the priest as she answered +gravely,-- + +"I believe so. But I cannot see what that has to do with the detention +of the others." + +"Much, perhaps. It has been said that you alone, my child, were in the +confidence of this man." + +"Who dared say that?" exclaimed Miss Keene in English, forgetting +herself in her indignation. + +"If it's anything mean--it's Mrs. Brimmer, I'll bet a cooky," said +Mrs. Markham, whose linguistic deficiencies had debarred her from the +previous conversation. + +"You have only," continued the priest, without noticing the +interruption, "to tell us what you know of this Hurlstone's plans,--of +his complicity with Senor Perkins, or," he added significantly, "his +opposition to them--to insure that perfect justice shall be done to +all." + +Relieved that the question involved no disclosure of her only secret +regarding Hurlstone, Miss Keene was about to repeat the truth that +she had no confidential knowledge of him, or of his absurd alleged +connection with Senor Perkins, when, with an instinct of tact, she +hesitated. Might she not serve them all--even Hurlstone himself--by +saying nothing, and leaving the burden of proof to their idiotic +accusers? Was she altogether sure that Hurlstone was entirely ignorant +of Senor Perkins' plans, or might he not have refused, at the last +moment, to join in the conspiracy, and so left the ship? + +"I will not press you for your answer now," said the priest gently. "But +you will not, I know, keep back anything that may throw a light on this +sad affair, and perhaps help to reinstate your friend Mr. Hurlstone in +his REAL position." + +"If you ask me if I believe that Mr. Hurlstone had anything to do with +this conspiracy, I should say, unhesitatingly, that I do NOT. And more, +I believe that he would have jumped overboard rather than assent to so +infamous an act," said the young girl boldly. + +"Then you think he had no other motive for leaving the ship?" said the +priest slowly. + +"Decidedly not." She stopped; a curious anxious look in the Padre's +persistent eyes both annoyed and frightened her. "What other motive +could he have?" she said coldly. + +Father Esteban's face lightened. + +"I only ask because I think you would have known it. Thank you for the +assurance all the same, and in return I promise you I will use my best +endeavors with the Comandante for your friend the Captain Bunker. Adieu, +my daughter. Adieu, Madame Markham," he said, as, taking the arm of Don +Miguel, he turned with him and the doctor towards the guard-room. The +secretary lingered behind for a moment. + +"Fear nothing," he said, in whispered English to Miss Keene. "I, Ruy +Sanchez, shall make you free of Capitano Bunker's cell," and passed on. + +"Well," said Mrs. Markham, when the two women were alone again. "I don't +pretend to fathom the befogged brains of Todos Santos; but as far as I +can understand their grown-up child's play, they are making believe this +unfortunate Mr. Hurlstone, who may be dead for all we know, is in +revolt against the United States Government, which is supposed to be +represented by Senor Perkins and the Excelsior--think of that!" + +"But Perkins signed himself of the Quinquinambo navy!" said Miss Keene +wonderingly. + +"That is firmly believed by those idiots to be one of OUR States. +Remember they know nothing of what has happened anywhere in the last +fifty years. I dare say they never heard of filibusters like Perkins, +and they couldn't comprehend him if they had. I've given up trying to +enlighten them, and I think they're grateful for it. It makes their poor +dear heads ache." + +"And it is turning mine! But, for Heaven's sake, tell me what part I am +supposed to act in this farce!" said Miss Keene. + +"You are the friend and colleague of Hurlstone, don't you see?" said +Mrs. Markham. "You are two beautiful young patriots--don't blush, my +dear!--endeared to each other and a common cause, and ready to die for +your country in opposition to Perkins, and the faint-heartedness of such +neutrals as Mrs. Brimmer, Miss Chubb, the poor Captain, and all the men +whom they have packed off to San Antonio." + +"Impossible!" said Miss Keene, yet with an uneasy feeling that it not +only was possible, but that she herself had contributed something to the +delusion. "But how do they account for my friendship with YOU--you, who +are supposed to be a correspondent--an accomplice of Perkins?" + +"No, no," returned Mrs. Markham, with a half serious smile, "I am not +allowed that honor. I am presumed to be only the disconsolate Dulcinea +of Perkins, abandoned by HIM, pitied by you, and converted to the true +faith--at least, that is what I make out from the broken English of that +little secretary of the Commander." + +Miss Keene winced. + +"That's all my fault, dear," she said, suddenly entwining her arms round +Mrs. Markham, and hiding her half embarrassed smile on the shoulder of +her strong-minded friend; "they suggested it to me, and I half assented, +to save you. Please forgive me." + +"Don't think I am blaming you, my dear Eleanor," said Mrs. Markham. "For +Heaven's sake assent to the wildest and most extravagant hypothesis they +can offer, if it will leave us free to arrange our own plans for getting +away. I begin to think we were not a very harmonious party on the +Excelsior, and most of our troubles here are owing to that. We forget +we have fallen among a lot of original saints, as guileless and as +unsophisticated as our first parents, who know nothing of our customs +and antecedents. They have accepted us on what they believe to be our +own showing. From first to last we've underrated them, forgetting they +are in the majority. We can't expect to correct the ignorance of fifty +years in twenty-four hours, and I, for one, sha'n't attempt it. I'd much +rather trust to the character those people would conceive of me from +their own consciousness than to one Mrs. Brimmer or Mr. Winslow would +give of me. From this moment I've taken a firm resolve to leave my +reputation and the reputation of my friends entirely in their hands. +If you are wise you will do the same. They are inclined to worship +you--don't hinder them. My belief is, if we only take things quietly, +we might find worse places to be stranded on than Todos Santos. If Mrs. +Brimmer and those men of ours, who, I dare say, have acted as silly as +the Mexicans themselves, will only be quiet, we can have our own way +here yet." + +"And poor Captain Bunker?" said Miss Keene. + +"It seems hard to say it, but, in my opinion, he is better under lock +and key, for everybody's good, at present. He'd be a firebrand in the +town if he got away. Meantime, let us go to our room. It is about the +time when everybody is taking a siesta, and for two hours, thank Heaven! +we're certain nothing more can happen." + +"I'll join you in a moment," said Miss Keene. + +Her quick ear had caught the sound of voices approaching. As Mrs. +Markham disappeared in the passage, the Commander and his party +reappeared from the guard-room, taking leave of Padre Esteban. The +secretary, as he passed Miss Keene, managed to add to his formal +salutation the whispered words,--"When the Angelus rings I will await +you before the grating of his prison." + +Padre Esteban was too preoccupied to observe this incident. As soon as +he quitted the Presidio, he hastened to the Mission with a disquieting +fear that his strange guest might have vanished. But, crossing the +silent refectory, and opening the door of the little apartment, he was +relieved to find him stretched on the pallet in a profound slumber. +The peacefulness of the venerable walls had laid a gentle finger on his +weary eyelids. + +The Padre glanced round the little cell, and back again at the handsome +suffering face that seemed to have found surcease and rest in the narrow +walls, with a stirring of regret. But the next moment he awakened the +sleeper, and in the briefest, almost frigid, sentences, related the +events of the morning. + +The young man rose to his feet with a bitter laugh. + +"You see," he said, "God is against me! And yet a few hours ago I dared +to think that He had guided me to a haven of rest and forgetfulness! + +"Have you told the truth to him and to me?" said the priest sternly, +"or have you--a mere political refugee--taken advantage of an old man's +weakness to forge a foolish lie of sentimental passion?" + +"What do you mean?" said Hurlstone, turning upon him almost fiercely. + +The priest rose, and drawing a folded paper from his bosom, opened it +before the eyes of his indignant guest. + +"Remember what you told me last night in the sacred confidences of +yonder holy church, and hear what you really are from the lips of the +Council of Todos Santos." + +Smoothing out the paper, he read slowly as follows:-- + + +"Whereas, it being presented to an Emergency Council, held at the +Presidio of Todos Santos, that the foreign barque Excelsior had +mutinied, discharged her captain and passengers, and escaped from the +waters of the bay, it was, on examination, found and decreed that the +said barque was a vessel primarily owned by a foreign Power, then and +there confessed and admitted to be at war with Mexico and equipped to +invade one of her northern provinces. But that the God of Liberty and +Justice awakening in the breasts of certain patriots--to wit, the heroic +Senor Diego Hurlstone and the invincible Dona Leonor--the courage and +discretion to resist the tyranny and injustice of their oppressors, +caused them to mutiny and abandon the vessel rather than become +accomplices, in the company of certain neutral and non-combatant traders +and artisans, severally known as Brace, Banks, Winslow, and Crosby; +and certain aristocrats, known as Senoras Brimmer and Chubb. In +consideration thereof, it is decreed by the Council of Todos Santos that +asylum, refuge, hospitality, protection, amity, and alliance be offered +and extended to the patriots, Senor Diego Hurlstone, Dona Leonor, and +a certain Duenna Susana Markham, particularly attached to Dona Leonor's +person; and that war, reprisal, banishment, and death be declared +against Senor Perkins, his unknown aiders and abettors. And that for +the purposes of probation, and in the interests of clemency, provisional +parole shall be extended to the alleged neutrals--Brace, Banks, Crosby, +and Winslow--within the limits and boundaries of the lazaretto of San +Antonio, until their neutrality shall be established, and pending the +further pleasure of the Council. And it is further decreed and declared +that one Capitano Bunker, formerly of the Excelsior, but now a maniac +and lunatic--being irresponsible and visited of God, shall be exempted +from the ordinances of this decree until his reason shall be restored; +and during that interval subjected to the ordinary remedial and +beneficent restraint of civilization and humanity. By order of the +Council,-- + +"The signatures and rubrics of-- + +"DON MIGUEL BRIONES, + +Comandante. + +"PADRE ESTEBAN, + +of the Order of San Francisco d'Assisis. + +"DON RAMON RAMIREZ, + +Alcalde of the Pueblo of Todos Santos." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE CAPTAIN FOLLOWS HIS SHIP. + + +When Padre Esteban had finished reading the document he laid it down and +fixed his eyes on the young man. Hurlstone met his look with a glance of +impatient disdain. + +"What have you to say to this?" asked the ecclesiastic, a little +impressed by his manner. + +"That as far as it concerns myself it is a farrago of absurdity. If I +were the person described there, why should I have sought you with +what you call a lie of 'sentimental passion,' when I could have claimed +protection openly with my SISTER PATRIOT," he added, with a bitter +laugh. + +"Because you did not know THEN the sympathy of the people nor the +decision of the Council," said the priest. + +"But I know it NOW, and I refuse to accept it." + +"You refuse--to--to accept it?" echoed the priest. + +"I do." He walked towards the door. "Before I go, let me thank you for +the few hours' rest and security that you have given to one who may be a +cursed man, yet is no impostor. But I do not blame you for doubting one +who talks like a desperate man, yet lacks the courage of desperation. +Good-by!" + +"Where are you going?" + +"What matters? There is a safer protection and security to be found than +even that offered by the Council of Todos Santos." + +His eyes were averted, but not before the priest had seen them glaze +again with the same gloomy absorption that had horrified him in the +church the evening before. Father Esteban stepped forward and placed his +soft hand on Hurlstone's shoulder. + +"Look at me. Don't turn your face aside, but hear me; for I believe your +story." + +Without raising his eyes, the young man lifted Father Esteban's hand +from his shoulder, pressed it lightly, and put it quietly aside. + +"I thank you," he said, "for keeping at least that unstained memory of +me. But it matters little now. Good-by!" + +He had his hand upon the door, but the priest again withheld him. + +"When I tell you I believe your story, it is only to tell you more. I +believe that God has directed your wayward, wandering feet here to +His house, that you may lay down the burden of your weak and suffering +manhood before His altar, and become once more a child of His. I stand +here to offer you, not a refuge of a day or a night, but for all +time; not a hiding-place from man or woman, but from yourself, my +son--yourself, your weak and mortal self, more fatal to you than all. +I stand here to open for you not only the door of this humble cell, but +that of His yonder blessed mansion. You shall share my life with me; you +shall be one of my disciples; you shall help me strive for other souls +as I have striven for yours; the protection of the Church, which is +all-powerful, shall be around you if you wish to be known; you shall +hide yourself in its mysteries if you wish to be forgotten. You shall be +my child, my companion, my friend; all that my age can give you shall +be yours while I live, and it shall be your place one day to take up my +unfinished work when it falls from these palsied hands forever." + +"You are mistaken," said the young man coldly. "I came to you for +human aid, and thank you for what you have granted me: I have not been +presumptuous enough to ask more, nor to believe myself a fitting subject +for conversion. I am weak, but not weak enough to take advantage of the +mistaken kindness of either the temporal Council of Todos Santos or its +spiritual head." He opened the door leading into the garden. "Forget and +forgive me, Father Esteban, and let me say farewell." + +"Stop!" said the ecclesiastic, raising himself to his full height and +stepping before Hurlstone. "Then if you will not hear me in the name of +your Father who lives, in the name of your father who is dead I command +you to stay! I stand here to-day in the place of that man I never +knew--to hold back his son from madness and crime. Think of me as of him +whom you loved, and grant to an old man who might have had a son as old +as you the right of throwing a father's protecting arm around you." + +There was a moment's silence. + +"What do you want me to do?" said Hurlstone, suddenly lifting his now +moist and glistening eyes upon the old man. + +"Give me your word of honor that for twenty-four hours you will remain +as you are--pledging yourself to nothing--only promising to commit no +act, take no step, without consulting me. You will not be sought here, +nor yet need you keep yourself a prisoner in these gloomy walls--except +that, by exposing yourself to the people now, you might be compromised +to some course that you are not ready to take." + +"I promise," said Hurlstone. + +He turned and held out both his hands; but Father Esteban anticipated +him with a paternal gesture of uplifted and opened arms, and for an +instant the young man's forehead was bowed on the priest's shoulder. + +Father Esteban gently raised the young man's head. + +"You will take a pasear in the garden until the Angelus rings, my son, +while the air is sweet and wholesome, and think this over. Remember that +you may accept the hospitality of the Council without sin of deception. +You were not in sympathy with either the captors of the Excelsior or +their defeated party; for you would have flown from both. You, of all +your party now in Todos Santos, are most in sympathy with us. You have +no cause to love your own people; you have abandoned them for us. Go, my +son; and meditate upon my words. I will fetch you from yonder slope in +time for the evening refection." + +Hurlstone bowed his head and turned his irresolute feet towards the +upper extremity of the garden, indicated by the priest, which seemed to +offer more seclusion and security than the avenue of pear-trees. He was +dazed and benumbed. The old dogged impulses of self-destruction--revived +by the priest's reproaches, but checked by the vision of his dead and +forgotten father, which the priest's words had called up--gave way, in +turn, to his former despair. With it came a craving for peace and rest +so insidious that in some vague fear of yielding to it he quickened his +pace, as if to increase his distance from the church and its apostle. He +was almost out of breath when he reached the summit, and turned to look +back upon the Mission buildings and the straggling street of the pueblo, +which now for the first time he saw skirted the wall of the garden in +its descent towards the sea. He had not known the full extent of Todos +Santos before; when he swam ashore he had landed under a crumbling +outwork of the fort; he gazed now with curious interest over the hamlet +that might have been his home. He looked over the red-tiled roofs, and +further on to the shining bay, shut in by the impenetrable rampart of +fog. He might have found rest and oblivion here but for the intrusion of +those fellow-passengers to share his exile and make it intolerable. +How he hated and loathed them all! Yet the next moment he found himself +scrutinizing the street and plaza below him for a glimpse of his +countrywomen, whom he knew were still in the town or vainly endeavoring +to locate their habitation among the red-tiled roofs. And that frank, +clear-eyed girl--Miss Keene!--she who had seemed to vaguely pity +him--she was somewhere here too--selected by the irony of fate to be his +confederate! He could not help thinking of her beauty and kindness now, +with a vague curiosity that was half an uneasiness. It had not struck +him before, but if he were to accept the ridiculous attitude forced upon +him by Todos Santos, its absurdity, as well as its responsibility, would +become less odious by sharing it with another. Perhaps it might be +to HER advantage--and if so, would he be justified in exposing its +absurdity? He would have to see her first--and if he did, how would he +explain his real position? A returning wave of bitterness threw him back +into his old despair. + +The twilight had slowly gathered over the view as he gazed--or, rather +a luminous concentration above the pueblo and bay had left the outer +circle of fog denser and darker. Emboldened by the apparent desertion of +the Embarcadero, he began to retrace his steps down the slope, keeping +close to the wall so as to avoid passing before the church again, or a +closer contact with the gardener among the vines. In this way he reached +the path he had skirted the night before, and stopped almost under +the shadow of the Alcalde's house. It was here he had rested and +hidden,--here he had tasted the first sweets of isolation and oblivion +in the dreamy garden,--here he had looked forward to peace with the +passing of the ship,--and now? The sound of voices and laughter +suddenly grated upon his ear. He had heard those voices before. Their +distinctness startled him until he became aware that he was standing +before a broken, half-rotting door that permitted a glimpse of the +courtyard of the neighboring house. He glided quickly past it without +pausing, but in that glimpse beheld Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb half +reclining in the corridor--in the attitude he had often seen them on the +deck of the ship--talking and laughing with a group of Mexican gallants. +A feeling of inconceivable loathing and aversion took possession of +him. Was it to THIS he was returning after his despairing search for +oblivion? Their empty, idle laughter seemed to ring mockingly in his +ears as he hurried on, scarce knowing whither, until he paused before +the broken cactus hedge and crumbling wall that faced the Embarcadero. +A glance over the hedge showed him that the strip of beach was deserted. +He looked up the narrow street; it was empty. A few rapid strides across +it gained him the shadow of the sea-wall of the Presidio, unchecked and +unhindered. The ebbing tide had left a foot or two of narrow shingle +between the sea and the wall. He crept along this until, a hundred yards +distant, the sea-wall reentered inland around a bastion at the entrance +of a moat half filled at high tide by the waters of the bay, but now a +ditch of shallow pools, sand, and debris. He leaned against the bastion, +and looked over the softly darkening water. + +How quiet it looked, and, under that vaporous veil, how profound and +inscrutable! How easy to slip into its all-embracing arms, and sink into +its yielding bosom, leaving behind no stain, trace, or record! A +surer oblivion than the Church, which could not absolve memory, grant +forgetfulness, nor even hide the ghastly footprints of its occupants. +Here was obliteration. But was he sure of that? He thought of the body +of the murdered Peruvian, laid out at the feet of the Council by this +same fickle and uncertain sea; he thought of his own distorted face +subjected to the cold curiosity of these aliens or the contemptuous pity +of his countrymen. But that could be avoided. It was easy for him--a +good swimmer--to reach a point far enough out in the channel for the +ebbing tides to carry him past that barrier of fog into the open and +obliterating ocean. And then, at least, it might seem as if he had +attempted to ESCAPE--indeed, if he cared, he might be able to keep +afloat until he was picked up by some passing vessel, bound to a distant +land! The self-delusion pleased him, and seemed to add the clinching +argument to his resolution. It was not suicide; it was escape--certainly +no more than escape--he intended! And this miserable sophism of +self-apology, the last flashes of expiring conscience, helped to light +up his pale, determined face with satisfaction. He began coolly to +divest himself of his coat. + +What was that?--the sound of some dislodged stones splashing in one +of the pools further up! He glanced hurriedly round the wall of the +bastion. A figure crouching against the side of the ditch, as if +concealing itself from observation on the glacis above, was slowly +approaching the sea. Suddenly, when within a hundred yards of Hurlstone, +it turned, crossed the ditch, rapidly mounted its crumbling sides, +and disappeared over the crest. But in that hurried glimpse he had +recognized Captain Bunker! + +The sudden and mysterious apparition of this man produced on Hurlstone +an effect that the most violent opposition could not have created. +Without a thought of the terrible purpose it had interrupted, and +obeying some stronger instinct that had seized him, he dashed down into +the ditch and up to the crest again after Captain Bunker. But he had +completely disappeared. A little lagoon, making in from the bay, on +which a small fishing-boat was riding, and a solitary fisherman mending +his nets on the muddy shore a few feet from it, were all that was to be +seen. + +He was turning back, when he saw the object of his search creeping from +some reeds, on all fours, with a stealthy, panther-like movement towards +the unconscious fisherman. Before Hurlstone could utter a cry, Bunker +had sprung upon the unfortunate man, thrown him to the earth, rapidly +rolled him over and over, enwrapping him hand and foot in his own +net, and involving him hopelessly in its meshes. Tossing the helpless +victim--who was apparently too stupefied to call out--to one side, +he was rushing towards the boat when, with a single bound, Hurlstone +reached his side and laid his hand upon his shoulder. + +"Captain Bunker, for God's sake! what are you doing?" + +Captain Bunker turned slowly and without apparent concern towards his +captor. Hurlstone fell back before the vacant, lack-lustre eyes that +were fixed upon him. + +"Captain Bunker's my name," said the madman, in a whisper. "Lemuel +Bunker, of Nantucket! Hush! don't waken him," pointing to the prostrate +fisherman; "I've put him to sleep. I'm Captain Bunker--old drunken +Bunker--who stole one ship from her owners, and disgraced himself, and +now is going to steal another--ha, ha! Let me go." + +"Captain Bunker," said Hurlstone, recovering himself in time to prevent +the maniac from dashing into the water. "Look at me. Don't you know me?" + +"Yes, yes; you're one of old Bunker's dogs kicked overboard by Perkins. +I'm one of Perkins' dogs gone mad, and locked up by Perkins! Ha, ha! But +I got out! Hush! SHE let me out. SHE thought I was going to see the boys +at San Antonio. But I'm going off to see the old barque out there in the +fog. I'm going to chuck Perkins overboard and the two mates. Let me go." + +He struggled violently. Hurlstone, fearful of quitting his hold to +release the fisherman, whom Captain Bunker no longer noticed, and not +daring to increase the Captain's fury by openly calling to him, beckoned +the pinioned man to make an effort. But, paralyzed by fear, the wretched +captive remained immovable, staring at the struggling men. With the +strength of desperation Hurlstone at last forced the Captain down upon +his knees. + +"Listen, Captain! We'll go together--you understand. I'll help you--but +we must get a larger boat first--you know." + +"But they won't give it," said Captain Bunker mysteriously. "Didn't you +hear the Council--the owners--the underwriters say: 'He lost his ship, +he's ruined and disgraced, for rum, all for rum!' And we want rum, you +know, and it's all over there, in the Excelsior's locker!" + +"Yes, yes," said Hurlstone soothingly; "but there's more in the bigger +boat. Come with me. We'll let the man loose, and we'll make him show us +his bigger boat." + +It was an unfortunate suggestion; for the Captain, who had listened with +an insane chuckle, and allowed himself to be taken lightly by the +hand, again caught sight of the prostrate fisherman. A yell broke from +him--his former frenzy returned. With a cry of "Treachery! all hands on +deck!" he threw off Hurlstone and rushed into the water. + +"Help!" cried the young man, springing after him, "It is madness. He +will kill himself!" + +The water was shallow, they were both wading, they both reached the boat +at the same time; but the Captain had scrambled into the stern-sheets, +and cast loose the painter, as Hurlstone once more threw his arms about +him. + +"Hear me, Captain. I'll go with you. Listen! I know the way through the +fog. You understand: I'll pilot you!" He was desperate, but no longer +from despair of himself, but of another; he was reckless, but only to +save a madman from the fate that but a moment before he had chosen for +himself. + +Captain Bunker seemed to soften. "Get in for'ard," he said, in a lower +voice. Hurlstone released his grasp, but still clinging to the boat, +which had now drifted into deeper water, made his way to the bow. He was +climbing over the thwarts when a horrified cry from the fisherman ashore +and a jarring laugh in his ear caused him to look up. But not in time to +save himself! The treacherous maniac had suddenly launched a blow from +an oar at the unsuspecting man as he was rising to his knees. It +missed his head, but fell upon his arm and shoulder, precipitating him +violently into the sea. + +Stunned by the shock, he sank at first like lead to the bottom. When he +rose again, with his returning consciousness, he could see that Captain +Bunker had already hoisted sail, and, with the assistance of his oars, +was rapidly increasing his distance from the shore. With his returning +desperation he turned to strike out after him, but groaned as his one +arm sank powerless to his side. A few strokes showed him the madness +of the attempt; a few more convinced him that he himself could barely +return to the shore. A sudden torpor had taken possession of him--he was +sinking! + +With this thought, a struggle for life began; and this man who had just +now sought death so eagerly--with no feeling of inconsistency, with +no physical fear of dissolution, with only a vague, blind, dogged +determination to live for some unknown purpose--a determination as vague +and dogged as his former ideas of self-destruction--summoned all his +energies to reach the shore. He struck out wildly, desperately; once or +twice he thought he felt his feet touch the bottom, only to find himself +powerlessly dragged back towards the sea. With a final superhuman effort +he gained at last a foothold on the muddy strand, and, half scrambling, +half crawling, sank exhaustedly beside the fisherman's net. But the +fisherman was gone! He attempted again to rise to his feet, but a +strange dizziness attacked him. The darkening landscape, with its +contracting wall of fog; the gloomy flat; the still, pale sea, as yet +unruffled by the faint land breeze that was slowly wafting the escaping +boat into the shadowy offing--all swam round him! Through the roaring +in his ears he thought he heard drumbeats, and the fanfare of a trumpet, +and voices. The next moment he had lost all consciousness. + +When he came to, he was lying in the guard-room of the Presidio. Among +the group of people who surrounded him he recognized the gaunt features +of the Commander, the sympathetic eyes of Father Esteban, and the +fisherman who had disappeared. When he rose on his elbow, and attempted +to lift himself feebly, the fisherman, with a cry of gratitude, threw +himself on his knees, and kissed his helpless hand. + +"He lives, he lives! your Excellencies! Saints be praised, he lives! The +hero--the brave Americano--the noble caballero who delivered me from the +madman." + +"Who are you? and whence come you?" demanded the Commander of Hurlstone, +with grave austerity. + +Hurlstone hesitated; the priest leaned forward with a half anxious, half +warning gesture. There was a sudden rustle in the passage; the crowd +gave way as Miss Keene, followed by Mrs. Markham, entered. The young +girl's eyes caught those of the prostrate man. With an impulsive cry she +ran towards him. + +"Mr. Hurlstone!" + +"Hurlstone," echoed the group, pressing nearer the astonished man. + +The Comandante lifted his hand gravely with a gesture of silence, and +then slowly removed his plumed hat. Every head was instantly uncovered. + +"Long live our brave and noble ally, Don Diego! Long live the beautiful +Dona Leonor!" + +A faint shade of sadness passed over the priest's face. He glanced from +Hurlstone to Miss Keene. + +"Then you have consented?" he whispered. + +Hurlstone cast a rapid glance at Eleanor Keene. + +"I consent!" + + + + +PART II. FREED. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO. + + +The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long +since given up hope of the Excelsior. During the months of September +and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and often by +the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and hope in his +scrutiny of the incoming ships. The gaunt arms of the semaphore at +Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had regularly recorded the +smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet which sought the portal of the +bay during that eventful year of immigration; but the Excelsior was not +amongst them. At the close of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the +end of January, 1855, she was forgotten. Had she been engulfed in her +own element she could not have been more completely swallowed up than in +the changes of that shore she never reached. Whatever interest or hope +was still kept alive in solitary breasts the world never knew. By the +significant irony of Fate, even the old-time semaphore that should have +signaled her was abandoned and forgotten. + +The mention of her name--albeit in a quiet, unconcerned voice--in the +dress-circle of a San Francisco theatre, during the performance of a +popular female star, was therefore so peculiar that it could only have +come from the lips of some one personally interested in the lost vessel. +Yet the speaker was a youngish, feminine-looking man of about thirty, +notable for his beardlessness, in the crowded circle of bearded and +moustachioed Californians, and had been one of the most absorbed of +the enthusiastic audience. A weak smile of vacillating satisfaction +and uneasiness played on his face during the plaudits of his +fellow-admirers, as if he were alternately gratified and annoyed. It +might have passed for a discriminating and truthful criticism of the +performance, which was a classical burlesque, wherein the star displayed +an unconventional frankness of shapely limbs and unrestrained gestures +and glances; but he applauded the more dubious parts equally with the +audience. He was evidently familiar with the performance, for a look of +eager expectation greeted most of the "business." Either he had not come +for the entire evening, or he did not wish to appear as if he had, as he +sat on one of the back benches near the passage, and frequently changed +his place. He was well, even foppishly, dressed for the period, and +appeared to be familiarly known to the loungers in the passage as a man +of some social popularity. + +He had just been recognized by a man of apparently equal importance and +distinction, who had quietly and unconsciously taken a seat by his +side, and the recognition appeared equally unexpected and awkward. +The new-comer was the older and more decorous-looking, with an added +formality of manner and self-assertion that did not, however, conceal +a certain habitual shrewdness of eye and lip. He wore a full beard, +but the absence of a moustache left the upper half of his handsome and +rather satirical mouth uncovered. His dress was less pronounced than his +companion's, but of a type of older and more established gentility. + +"I was a little late coming from the office to-night," said the younger +man, with an embarrassed laugh, "and I thought I'd drop in here on my +way home. Pretty rough outside, ain't it?" + +"Yes, it's raining and blowing; so I thought I wouldn't go up to the +plaza for a cab, but wait here for the first one that dropped a fare at +the door, and take it on to the hotel." + +"Hold on, and I'll go with you," said the young man carelessly. "I say, +Brimmer," he added, after a pause, with a sudden assumption of larger +gayety, "there's nothing mean about Belle Montgomery, eh? She's a +whole team and the little dog under the wagon, ain't she? Deuced pretty +woman!--no make-up there, eh?" + +"She certainly is a fine woman," said Brimmer gravely, borrowing his +companion's lorgnette. "By the way, Markham, do you usually keep an +opera-glass in your office in case of an emergency like this?" + +"I reckon it was forgotten in my overcoat pocket," said Markham, with an +embarrassed smile. + +"Left over from the last time," said Brimmer, rising from his seat. +"Well, I'm going now--I suppose I'll have to try the plaza." + +"Hold on a moment. She's coming on now--there she is!" He stopped, his +anxious eyes fixed upon the stage. Brimmer turned at the same moment in +no less interested absorption. A quick hush ran through the theatre; +the men bent eagerly forward as the Queen of Olympus swept down to the +footlights, and, with a ravishing smile, seemed to envelop the whole +theatre in a gracious caress. + +"You know, 'pon my word, Brimmer, she's a very superior woman," gasped +Markham excitedly, when the goddess had temporarily withdrawn. "These +fellows here," he said, indicating the audience contemptuously, "don't +know her,--think she's all that sort of thing, you know,--and come here +just to LOOK at her. But she's very accomplished--in fact, a kind of +literary woman. Writes devilish good poetry--only took up the stage +on account of domestic trouble: drunken husband that beat her--regular +affecting story, you know. These sap-headed fools don't, of course, +know THAT. No, sir; she's a remarkable woman! I say, Brimmer, look here! +I"--he hesitated, and then went on more boldly, as if he had formed a +sudden resolution. "What have you got to do to-night?" + +Brimmer, who had been lost in abstraction, started slightly, and said,-- + +"I--oh! I've got an appointment with Keene. You know he's off by the +steamer--day after to-morrow?" + +"What! He's not going off on that wild-goose chase, after all? Why, the +man's got Excelsior on the brain!" He stopped as he looked at Brimmer's +cold face, and suddenly colored. "I mean his plan--his idea's all +nonsense--you know that!" + +"I certainly don't agree with him," began Brimmer gravely; "but"-- + +"The idea," interrupted Markham, encouraged by Brimmer's beginning, "of +his knocking around the Gulf of California, and getting up an expedition +to go inland, just because a mail-steamer saw a barque like the +Excelsior off Mazatlan last August. As if the Excelsior wouldn't have +gone into Mazatlan if it had been her! I tell you what it is, Brimmer: +it's mighty rough on you and me, and it ain't the square thing at +all--after all we've done, and the money we've spent, and the nights +we've sat up over the Excelsior--to have this young fellow Keene always +putting up the bluff of his lost sister on us! His lost sister, indeed! +as if WE hadn't any feelings." + +The two men looked at each other, and each felt it incumbent to look +down and sigh deeply--not hypocritically, but perfunctorily, as over +a past grief, although anger had been the dominant expression of the +speaker. + +"I was about to remark," said Brimmer practically, "that the insurance +on the Excelsior having been paid, her loss is a matter of commercial +record; and that, in a business point of view, this plan of Keene's +ain't worth looking at. As a private matter of our own feelings--purely +domestic--there's no question but that we must sympathize with him, +although he refuses to let us join in the expenses." + +"Oh, as to that," said Markham hurriedly, "I told him to draw on me for +a thousand dollars last time I saw him. No, sir; it ain't that. What +gets me is this darned nagging and simpering around, and opening old +sores, and putting on sentimental style, and doing the bereaved +business generally. I reckon he'd be even horrified to see you and me +here--though it was just a chance with both of us." + +"I think not," said Brimmer dryly. "He knows Miss Montgomery already. +They're going by the same steamer." + +Markham looked up quickly. + +"Impossible! She's going by the other line to Panama; that is"--he +hesitated--"I heard it from the agent." + +"She's changed her mind, so Keene says," returned Brimmer. "She's going +by way of Nicaragua. He stops at San Juan to reconnoitre the coast up to +Mazatlan. Good-night. It's no use waiting here for a cab any longer, I'm +off." + +"Hold on!" said Markham, struggling out of a sudden uneasy reflection. +"I say, Brimmer," he resumed, with an enforced smile, which he tried to +make playful, "your engagement with Keene won't keep you long. What do +you say to having a little supper with Miss Montgomery, eh?--perfectly +proper, you know--at our hotel? Just a few friends, eh?" + +Brimmer's eyes and lips slightly contracted. + +"I believe I am already invited," he said quietly. "Keene asked me. In +fact, that's the appointment. Strange he didn't speak of you," he added +dryly. + +"I suppose it's some later arrangement," Markham replied, with feigned +carelessness. "Do you know her?" + +"Slightly." + +"You didn't say so!" + +"You didn't ask me," said Brimmer. "She came to consult me about South +American affairs. It seems that filibuster General Leonidas, alias +Perkins, whose little game we stopped by that Peruvian contract, +actually landed in Quinquinambo and established a government. It seems +she knows him, has a great admiration for him as a Liberator, as she +calls him. I think they correspond!" + +"She's a wonderful woman, by jingo, Brimmer! I'd like to hear whom she +don't know," said Markham, beaming with a patronizing vanity. "There's +you, and there's that filibuster, and old Governor Pico, that she's just +snatched bald-headed--I mean, you know, that he recognizes her worth, +don't you see? Not like this cattle you see here." + +"Are you coming with me?" said Brimmer, gravely buttoning up his coat, +as if encasing himself in a panoply of impervious respectability. + +"I'll join you at the hotel," said Markham hurriedly. "There's a man +over there in the parquet that I want to say a word to; don't wait for +me." + +With a slight inclination of the head Mr. Brimmer passed out into +the lobby, erect, self-possessed, and impeccable. One or two of his +commercial colleagues of maturer age, who were loitering leisurely by +the wall, unwilling to compromise themselves by actually sitting down, +took heart of grace at this correct apparition. Brimmer nodded to them +coolly, as if on 'Change, and made his way out of the theatre. He had +scarcely taken a few steps before a furious onset of wind and rain drove +him into a doorway for shelter. At the same moment a slouching figure, +with a turned-up coat-collar, slipped past him and disappeared in a +passage at his right. Partly hidden by his lowered umbrella, Mr. Brimmer +himself escaped notice, but he instantly recognized his late companion, +Markham. As he resumed his way up the street he glanced into the +passage. Halfway down, a light flashed upon the legend "Stage Entrance." +Quincy Brimmer, with a faint smile, passed on to his hotel. + +It was striking half-past eleven when Mr. Brimmer again issued from his +room in the Oriental and passed down a long corridor. Pausing a moment +before a side hall that opened from it, he cast a rapid look up and down +the corridor, and then knocked hastily at a door. It was opened sharply +by a lady's maid, who fell back respectfully before Mr. Brimmer's +all-correct presence. + +Half reclining on a sofa in the parlor of an elaborate suite of +apartments was the woman whom Mr. Brimmer had a few hours before beheld +on the stage of the theatre. Lifting her eyes languidly from a book that +lay ostentatiously on her lap, she beckoned her visitor to approach. +She was a woman still young, whose statuesque beauty had but slightly +suffered from cosmetics, late hours, and the habitual indulgence of +certain hysterical emotions that were not only inconsistent with the +classical suggestions of her figure, but had left traces not unlike the +grosser excitement of alcoholic stimulation. She looked like a tinted +statue whose slight mutations through stress of time and weather had +been unwisely repaired by freshness of color. + +"I am such a creature of nerves," she said, raising a superb neck and +extending a goddess-like arm, "that I am always perfectly exhausted +after the performance. I fly, as you see, to my first love--poetry--as +soon as Rosina has changed my dress. It is not generally known--but +I don't mind telling YOU--that I often nerve myself for the effort of +acting by reading some well-remembered passage from my favorite poets, +as I stand by the wings. I quaff, as one might say, a single draught of +the Pierian spring before I go on." + +The exact relations between the humorous "walk round," in which Miss +Montgomery usually made her first entrance, and the volume of Byron she +held in her hand, did not trouble Mr. Brimmer so much as the beautiful +arm with which she emphasized it. Neither did it strike him that the +distinguishing indications of a poetic exaltation were at all unlike the +effects of a grosser stimulant known as "Champagne cocktail" on the less +sensitive organization of her colleagues. Touched by her melancholy but +fascinating smile, he said gallantly that he had observed no sign of +exhaustion, or want of power in her performance that evening. + +"Then you were there!" she said, fixing her eyes upon him with an +expression of mournful gratitude. "You actually left your business and +the calls of public duty to see the poor mountebank perform her nightly +task." + +"I was there with a friend of yours," answered Brimmer soberly, "who +actually asked me to the supper to which Mr. Keene had already invited +me, and which YOU had been kind enough to suggest to me a week ago." + +"True, I had forgotten," said Miss Montgomery, with a large goddess-like +indifference that was more effective with the man before her than the +most elaborate explanation. "You don't mind them--do you?--for we are +all friends together. My position, you know," she added sadly, "prevents +my always following my own inclinations or preferences. Poor Markham, I +fear the world does not do justice to his gentle, impressible nature. +I sympathize with him deeply; we have both had our afflictions, we have +both--lost. Good heavens!" she exclaimed, with a sudden exaggerated +start of horror, "what have I done? Forgive my want of tact, dear +friend; I had forgotten, wretched being that I am, that YOU, too"-- + +She caught his hand in both hers, and bowed her head over it as if +unable to finish her sentence. + +Brimmer, who had been utterly mystified and amazed at this picture of +Markham's disconsolate attitude to the world, and particularly to the +woman before him, was completely finished by this later tribute to his +own affliction. His usually composed features, however, easily took upon +themselves a graver cast as he kept, and pressed, the warm hands in his +own. + +"Fool that I was," continued Miss Montgomery; "in thinking of poor +Markham's childlike, open grief, I forgot the deeper sorrow that the +more manly heart experiences under an exterior that seems cold and +impassible. Yes," she said, raising her languid eyes to Brimmer, "I +ought to have felt the throb of that volcano under its mask of snow. You +have taught me a lesson." + +Withdrawing her hands hastily, as if the volcano had shown some signs of +activity, she leaned back on the sofa again. + +"You are not yet reconciled to Mr. Keene's expedition, then?" she asked +languidly. + +"I believe that everything has been already done," said Brimmer, +somewhat stiffly; "all sources of sensible inquiry have been exhausted +by me. But I envy Keene the eminently practical advantages his +impractical journey gives him," he added, arresting himself, gallantly; +"he goes with you." + +"Truly!" said Miss Montgomery, with the melancholy abstraction of +a stage soliloquy. "Beyond obeying the dictates of his brotherly +affection, he gains no real advantage in learning whether his sister is +alive or dead. The surety of her death would not make him freer than he +is now--freer to absolutely follow the dictates of a new affection; free +to make his own life again. It is a sister, not a wife, he seeks." + +Mr. Brimmer's forehead slightly contracted. He leaned back a little more +rigidly in his chair, and fixed a critical, half supercilious look upon +her. She did not seem to notice his almost impertinent scrutiny, but sat +silent, with her eyes bent on the carpet, in gloomy abstraction. + +"Can you keep a secret?" she said, as if with a sudden resolution. + +"Yes," said Brimmer briefly, without changing his look. + +"You know I am a married woman. You have heard the story of my wrongs?" + +"I have heard them," said Brimmer dryly. + +"Well, the husband who abused and deserted me was, I have reason to +believe, a passenger on the Excelsior." + +"M'Corkle!--impossible. There was no such name on the passenger list." + +"M'Corkle!" repeated Miss Montgomery, with a dissonant tone in her voice +and a slight flash in her eyes. "What are you thinking of? There never +was a Mr. M'Corkle; it was one of my noms de plume. And where did YOU +hear it?" + +"I beg your pardon, I must have got it from the press notices of your +book of poetry. I knew that Montgomery was only a stage name, and as +it was necessary that I should have another in making the business +investments you were good enough to charge me with, I used what +I thought was your real name. It can be changed, or you can sign +M'Corkle." + +"Let it go," said Miss Montgomery, resuming her former manner. "What +matters? I wish there was no such thing as business. Well," she resumed, +after a pause, "my husband's name is Hurlstone." + +"But there was no Hurlstone on the passenger list either," said Brimmer. +"I knew them all, and their friends." + +"Not in the list from the States; but if he came on board at Callao, you +wouldn't have known it. I knew that he arrived there on the Osprey a few +days before the Excelsior sailed." + +Mr. Brimmer's eyes changed their expression. + +"And you want to find him?" + +"No," she said, with an actress's gesture. "I want to know the truth. I +want to know if I am still tied to this man, or if I am free to +follow the dictates of my own conscience,--to make my life anew,--to +become--you see I am not ashamed to say it--to become the honest wife of +some honest man." + +"A divorce would suit your purpose equally," said Brimmer coldly. "It +can be easily obtained." + +"A divorce! Do you know what that means to a woman in my profession? It +is a badge of shame,--a certificate of disgrace,--an advertisement to +every miserable wretch who follows me with his advances that I have no +longer the sanctity of girlhood, nor the protection of a wife." + +There was tragic emotion in her voice, there were tears in her eyes. Mr. +Brimmer, gazing at her with what he firmly thought to be absolute and +incisive penetration, did not believe either. But like most practical +analysts of the half-motived sex, he was only half right. The emotion +and the tears were as real as anything else in the woman under +criticism, notwithstanding that they were not as real as they would have +been in the man who criticised. He, however, did her full justice on +a point where most men and all women misjudged her: he believed that, +through instinct and calculation, she had been materially faithful +to her husband; that this large goddess-like physique had all the +impeccability of a goddess; that the hysterical dissipation in which +she indulged herself was purely mental, and usurped and preoccupied all +other emotions. In this public exposition of her beauty there was no +sense of shame, for there was no sense of the passion it evoked. And +he was right. But there he should have stopped. Unfortunately, his +masculine logic forced him to supply a reason for her coldness in the +existence of some more absorbing passion. He believed her ambitious and +calculating: she was neither. He believed she might have made him an +admirable copartner and practical helpmeet: he was wrong. + +"You know my secret now," she continued. "You know why I am anxious to +know my fate. You understand now why I sympathize with"--she stopped, +and made a half contemptuous gesture--"with these men Markham and +Keene. THEY do not know it; perhaps they prefer to listen to their own +vanity--that's the way of most men; but you do know it, and you have no +excuse for misjudging me, or undeceiving them." She stopped and looked +at the clock. "They will be here in five minutes; do you wish them to +find you already here?" + +"It is as YOU wish," stammered Brimmer, completely losing his +self-possession. + +"I have no wish," she said, with a sublime gesture of indifference. "If +you wait you can entertain them here, while Rosina is dressing me in the +next room. We sup in the larger room across the hall." + +As she disappeared, Quincy Brimmer rose irresolutely from his seat and +checked a half uttered exclamation. Then he turned nervously to the +parlor-door. What a senseless idiot he had become! He had never for an +instant conceived the idea of making this preliminary confidential visit +known to the others; he had no wish to suggest the appearance of an +assignation with the woman, who, rightly or wrongly, was notorious; +he had nothing to gain by this voluntary assumption of a compromising +attitude; yet here he was, he--Mr. Brimmer--with the appearance of being +installed in her parlor, receiving her visitors, and dispensing her +courtesies. Only a man recklessly in love would be guilty of such +an indiscretion--even Markham's feebleness had never reached this +absurdity. In the midst of his uneasiness there was a knock at the door; +he opened it himself nervously and sharply. Markham's self-satisfied +face drew back in alarm and embarrassment at the unexpected apparition. +The sight restored Brimmer's coolness and satirical self-possession. + +"I--I--didn't know you were here," stammered Markham. "I left Keene in +your room." + +"Then why didn't you bring him along with you?" said Brimmer +maliciously. "Go and fetch him." + +"Yes; but he said you were to meet him there," continued Markham, +glancing around the empty room with a slight expression of relief. + +"My watch was twenty minutes fast, and I had given him up," said +Brimmer, with mendacious effrontery. "Miss Montgomery is dressing. You +can bring him here before she returns." + +Markham flew uneasily down the corridor and quickly returned with a +handsome young fellow of five-and-twenty, whose frank face was beaming +with excitement and youthful energy. The two elder men could not help +regarding him with a mingled feeling of envy and compassion. + +"Did you tell Brimmer yet?" said Keene, with animation. + +"I haven't had time," hesitated Markham. "The fact is, Brimmer, I think +of going with Keene on this expedition." + +"Indeed!" said Brimmer superciliously. + +"Yes," said Markham, coloring slightly. "You see, we've got news. Tell +him, Dick." + +"The Storm Cloud got in yesterday from Valparaiso and Central American +ports," said Keene, with glowing cheeks. "I boarded her, as usual, last +night, for information. The mate says there is a story of a man picked +up crazy, in an open fishing-boat, somewhere off the peninsula, and +brought into hospital at San Juan last August. He recovered enough +lately to tell his story and claim to be Captain Bunker of the +Excelsior, whose crew mutinied and ran her ashore in a fog. But the +boat in which he was picked up was a Mexican fishing-boat, and there +was something revolutionary and political about the story, so that +the authorities detained him. The consul has just been informed of the +circumstances, and has taken the matter in hand." + +"It's a queer story," said Brimmer, gazing from the one to the other, +"and I will look into it also to-morrow. If it is true," he added +slowly, "I will go with you." + +Richard Keene extended his hand impulsively to his two elders. + +"You'll excuse me for saying it, Brimmer--and you, too, Markham--but +this is just what I've been looking forward to. Not but what I'd have +found Nell without your assistance; but you see, boys, it DID look +mighty mean in me to make more fuss about a sister than you would for +your wives! But now that it's all settled"-- + +"We'll go to supper," said Miss Montgomery theatrically, appearing at +the door. "Dick will give me his arm." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE MOURNERS AT TODOS SANTOS. + + +There was a breath of spring in the soft morning air of Todos Santos--a +breath so subtle and odorous that it penetrated the veil of fog beyond +the bay, and for a moment lingered on the deck of a passing steamer like +an arresting memory. But only for an instant; the Ometepe, bound from +San Francisco to San Juan del Norte, with its four seekers of the +Excelsior, rolled and plunged on its way unconsciously. + +Within the bay and over the restful pueblo still dwelt the golden haze +of its perpetual summer; the two towers of the old Mission church seemed +to dissolve softly into the mellow upper twilight, and the undulating +valleys rolled their green waves up to the wooded heights of San +Antonio, that still smiled down upon the arid, pallid desert. But +although Nature had not changed in the months that had passed since the +advent of the Excelsior, there appeared some strange mutations in +the town and its inhabitants. On the beach below the Presidio was the +unfinished skeleton of a small sea-going vessel on rude stocks; on the +plaza rose the framed walls and roofless rafters of a wooden building; +near the Embarcadero was the tall adobe chimney of some inchoate +manufactory whose walls had half risen from their foundations; but all +of these objects had evidently succumbed to the drowsy influence of +the climate, and already had taken the appearances of later and less +picturesque ruins of the past. There were singular innovations in the +costumes: one or two umbrellas, used as sunshades, were seen upon +the square; a few small chip hats had taken the place of the stiff +sombreros, with an occasional tall white beaver; while linen coat and +nankeen trousers had, at times, usurped the short velvet jacket and +loose calzas of the national costume. + +At San Antonio the change was still more perceptible. Beside the yawning +pit of the abandoned silver mine a straggling building arose, filled +with rude machinery, bearing the legend, painted in glowing letters, +"Excelsior Silver Mining Co., J. Crosby, Superintendent;" and in the +midst of certain excavations assailing the integrity of the cliff itself +was another small building, scarcely larger than a sentry-box, with the +inscription, "Office: Eleanor Quicksilver Smelting Works." + +Basking in that yellow morning sunlight, with his back against his +office, Mr. Brace was seated on the ground, rolling a cigarette. A few +feet from him Crosby, extended on his back on the ground, was lazily +puffing rings of smoke into the still air. Both of these young gentlemen +were dressed in exaggerated Mexican costumes; the silver buttons +fringing the edge of Crosby's calza, open from the knee down to show a +glimpse of the snowy under-trouser, were richer and heavier than those +usually worn; while Brace, in addition to the crimson silk sash round +his waist, wore a crimson handkerchief around his head, under his +sombrero. + +"Pepe's falling off in his tobacco," said Brace. "I think I'll have to +try some other Fonda." + +"How's Banks getting on with his crop?" asked Crosby. "You know he was +going to revolutionize the business, and cut out Cuba on that hillside." + +"Oh, the usual luck! He couldn't get proper cultivators, and the +Injins wouldn't work regular. I must try and get hold of some of the +Comandante's stock; but I'm out of favor with the old man since Winslow +and I wrecked that fishing-boat on the rocks off yonder. He always +believed we were trying to run off, like Captain Bunker. That's why he +stopped our shipbuilding, I really believe." + +"All the same, we might have had it built and ready now but for our +laziness. We might have worked on it nights without their knowing it, +and slipped off some morning in the fog." + +"And we wouldn't have got one of the women to go with us! If we are +getting shiftless here--and I don't say we're not--these women have just +planted themselves and have taken root. But that ain't all: there's +the influence of that infernal sneak Hurlstone! He's set the Comandante +against us, you know; he, and the priest, the Comandante, and Nelly +Keene make up the real Council of Todos Santos. Between them they've +shoved out the poor little Alcalde, who's ready to give up everything to +dance attendance on Mrs. Brimmer. They run the whole concern, and they +give out that it's owing to them that we're given parole of the town, +and the privilege of spending our money and working these mines. Who'd +have thought that sneak Hurlstone would have played his cards so well? +It makes me regularly sick to hear him called 'Don Diego.'" + +"Yet you're mightily tickled when that black-eyed sister of the Alcalde +calls you 'Don Carlos,'" said Crosby, yawning. + +"Dona Isabel," said Brace, with some empressement, "is a lady of +position, and these are only her national courtesies." + +"She just worships Miss Keene, and I reckon she knows by this time +all about your old attentions to her friend," said Crosby, with lazy +mischief. + +"My attentions to Miss Keene were simply those of an ordinary +acquaintance, and were never as strongly marked as yours to Mrs. +Brimmer." + +"Who has deserted ME as Miss Keene did YOU," rejoined Crosby. + +Brace's quick color had risen again, and he would have made some sharp +retort, but the jingling of spurs caught his ear. They both turned +quickly, and saw Banks approaching. He was dressed as a vaquero, but +with his companions' like exaggeration of detail; yet, while his spurs +were enormous, and his sombrero unusually expansive, he still clung to +his high shirt-collars and accurately tied check cravat. + +"Well?" he said, approaching them. + +"Well?" said Crosby. + +"Well?" repeated Brace. + +After this national salutation, the three Americans regarded each other +silently. + +"Knocked off cultivating to-day?" queried Crosby, lighting a fresh +cigarette. + +"The peons have," said Banks; "it's another saint's day. That's the +fourth in two weeks. Leaves about two clear working days in each week, +counting for the days off, when they're getting over the effects of the +others. I tell you what, sir, the Catholic religion is not suited to a +working civilization, or else the calendar ought to be overhauled and +a lot of these saints put on the retired list. It's hard enough to have +all the Apostles on your pay-roll, so to speak, but to have a lot of +fellows run in on you as saints, and some of them not even men or women, +but IDEAS, is piling up the agony! I don't wonder they call the place +'All Saints.' The only thing to do," continued Banks severely, "is +to open communication with the desert, and run in some of the heathen +tribes outside. I've made a proposition to the Council offering to take +five hundred of them in the raw, unregenerate state, and turn 'em +over after a year to the Church. If I could get Hurlstone to do some +log-rolling with that Padre, his friend, I might get the bill through. +But I'm always put off till to-morrow. Everything here is 'Hasta manana; +hasta manana,' always. I believe when the last trump is sounded, they'll +say, 'Hasta manana.' What are YOU doing?" he said, after a pause. + +"Waiting for your ship," answered Crosby sarcastically. + +"Well, you can laugh, gentlemen--but you won't have to wait long. +According to my calculations that Mexican ship is about due now. And I +ain't basing my figures on anything the Mexican Government is going +to do, or any commercial speculation. I'm reckoning on the Catholic +Church." + +The two men languidly looked towards him. Banks continued gravely,-- + +"I made the proper inquiries, and I find that the stock of rosaries, +scapularies, blessed candles, and other ecclesiastical goods, is running +low. I find that just at the nick of time a fresh supply always comes +from the Bishop of Guadalajara, with instructions from the Church. Now, +gentlemen, my opinion is that the Church, and the Church only, knows the +secret of the passage through the foggy channel, and keeps it to itself. +I look at this commercially, as a question of demand and supply. Well, +sir; the only real trader here at Todos Santos is the Church." + +"Then you don't take in account the interests of Brimmer, Markham, and +Keene," said Brace. "Do you suppose they're doing nothing?" + +"I don't say they're not; but you're confounding interests with +INSTINCTS. They haven't got the instinct to find this place, and all +that they've done and are doing is blind calculation. Just look at the +facts. As the filibuster who captured the Excelsior of course changed +her name, her rig-out, and her flag, and even got up a false register +for her, she's as good as lost, as far as the world knows, until she +lands at Quinquinambo. Then supposing she's found out, and the whole +story is known--although everything's against such a proposition--the +news has got to go back to San Francisco before the real search will be +begun. As to any clue that might come from Captain Bunker, that's still +more remote. Allowing he crossed the bar and got out of the channel, +he wasn't at the right time for meeting a passing steamer; and the only +coasters are Mexican. If he didn't die of delirium tremens or exposure, +and was really picked up in his senses by some other means, he would +have been back with succor before this, if only to get our evidence to +prove the loss of the vessel. No, sir sooner or later, of course, the +San Francisco crowd are bound to find us here. And if it wasn't for my +crops and our mine, I wouldn't be in a hurry for them; but our FIRST +hold is the Church." + +He stopped. Crosby was asleep. Brace arose lazily, lounged into his +office, and closed his desk. + +"Going to shut for the day?" said Banks, yawning. + +"I reckon," said Brace dubiously; "I don't know but I'd take a little +pasear into the town if I had my horse ready." + +"Take mine, and I'll trapse over on foot to the Ranche with +Crosby--after a spell. You'll find him under that big madrono, if he has +not already wound himself up with his lariat by walking round it. Those +Mexican horses can't go straight even when they graze--they must feed in +a circle. He's a little fresh, so look out for him!" + +"All the better. I'd like to get into town just after the siesta." + +"Siesta!" echoed Banks, lying comfortably down in the shade just vacated +by Brace; "that's another of their shiftless practices. Two hours out of +every day--that's a day out of the week--spent in a hammock; and during +business hours too! It's disgraceful, sir, simply disgraceful." + +He turned over and closed his eyes, as if to reflect on its enormity. + +Brace had no difficulty in finding the mare, although some trouble +in mounting her. But, like his companions, having quickly adopted +the habits of the country, he had become a skillful and experienced +horseman, and the mustang, after a few springless jumps, which failed +to unseat him, submitted to his rider. The young man galloped rapidly +towards Todos Santos; but when within a few miles of the pueblo he +slackened his pace. From the smiles and greetings of wayfarers--among +whom were some pretty Indian girls and mestizas--it was evident that +the handsome young foreigner, who had paid them the compliment of +extravagantly adopting their national costume, was neither an unfamiliar +nor an unpleasing spectacle. When he reached the posada at the top of +the hilly street, he even carried his simulation of the local customs to +the point of charging the veranda at full speed, and pulling up suddenly +at the threshold, after the usual fashion of vaqueros. The impetuous +apparition brought a short stout man to the door, who, welcoming him +with effusive politeness, conducted him to an inner room that gave +upon a green grass courtyard. Seated before a rude table, sipping +aguardiente, was his countryman Winslow and two traders of the pueblo. +They were evidently of the number already indicated who had adopted +the American fashions. Senor Ruiz wore a linen "duster" in place of +his embroidered jacket, and Senor Martinez had an American beard, or +"goatee," in imitation of Mr. Banks. The air was yellow with the fumes +of tobacco, through which the shrewd eyes of Winslow gleamed murkily. + +"This," he said to his countryman, in fluent if not elegant Spanish, +indicating the gentleman who had imitated Banks, "is a man of ideas, and +a power in Todos Santos. He would control all the votes in his district +if there were anything like popular suffrage here, and he understands +the American policy." + +Senor Martinez here hastened to inform Mr. Brace that he had long +cherished a secret and enthusiastic admiration for that grand and +magnanimous nation of which his friend was such a noble representative; +that, indeed, he might say it was an inherited taste, for had not his +grandfather once talked with the American whaling Capitano Coffino and +partaken of a subtle spirit known as "er-r-rum" on his ship at Acapulco? + +"There's nothing mean about Martinez," said Winslow to Brace +confidentially, in English. "He's up to anything, and ready from the +word 'Go.' Don't you think he's a little like Banks, you know--a sort of +Mexican edition. And there is Ruiz, he's a cattle dealer; he'd be a good +friend of Banks if Banks wasn't so infernally self-opinionated. But Ruiz +ain't a fool, either. He's picked up a little English--good American, I +mean--from me already." + +Senor Ruiz here smiled affably, to show his comprehension; and added +slowly, with great gravity,-- + +"It is of twenty-four year I have first time the Amencano of your +beautiful country known. He have buy the hides and horns of the +cattle--for his ship--here." + +"Here?" echoed Brace. "I thought no American ship--no ship at all--had +been in here for fifty years." + +Ruiz shrugged his shoulders, and cast a glance at his friend Martinez, +lowered his voice and lifted his eyelashes at the same moment, and, +jerking his yellow, tobacco-stained thumb over his arm, said,-- + +"Ah--of a verity--on the beach--two leagues away." + +"Do you hear that?" said Winslow, turning complacently to Brace and +rising to his feet. "Don't you see now what hogwash the Commander, +Alcalde, and the priest have been cramming down our throats about this +place being sealed up for fifty years. What he says is all Gospel truth. +That's what I wanted you fellows to hear, and you might have heard +before, only you were afraid of compromising yourselves by talking with +the people. You get it into your heads--and the Comandante helped you to +get it there--that Todos Santos was a sort of Sleepy Hollow, and that +no one knew anything of the political changes for the last fifty years. +Well, what's the fact? Ask Ruiz there, and Martinez, and they'll both +tell you they know that Mexico got her independence in 1826, and that +the Council keep it dark that they may perpetuate themselves. They +know," he continued, lowering his voice, "that the Commander's +commission from the old Viceroy isn't worth the paper it is stamped +upon." + +"But what about the Church?" asked Brace hesitatingly, remembering +Banks' theory. + +"The Church--caramba! the priests were ever with the Escossas, the +aristocrats, and against the Yorkenos, the men of the Republic--the +people," interrupted Martinez vehemently; "they will not accept, they +will not proclaim the Republic to the people. They shut their eyes, +so--. They fold their hands, so--. They say, 'Sicut era principio et +nunc et semper in secula seculorum!' Look you, Senor, I am not of the +Church--no, caramba! I snap my fingers at the priests. Ah! what +they give one is food for the bull's horns, believe me--I have read +'Tompano,' the American 'Tompano.'" + +"Who's he?" asked Brace. + +"He means Tom Paine! 'The Age of Reason'--you know," said Winslow, +gazing with a mixture of delight and patronizing pride at the Radicals +of Todos Santos. "Oh! he's no fool--is Martinez, nor Ruiz either! And +while you've been flirting with Dona Isabel, and Banks has been trying +to log-roll the Padre, and Crosby going in for siestas, I'VE found them +out. And there are a few more--aren't there, Ruiz?" + +Ruiz darted a mysterious glance at Brace, and apparently not trusting +himself to speak, checked off his ten fingers dramatically in the air +thrice. + +"As many of a surety! God and liberty!" + +"But, if this is so, why haven't they DONE something?" + +Senor Martinez glanced at Senor Ruiz. + +"Hasta manana!" he said slowly. + +"Oh, this is a case of 'Hasta manana!'" said Brace, somewhat relieved. + +"They can wait," returned Winslow hurriedly. "It's too big a thing to +rush into without looking round. You know what it means? Either Todos +Santos is in rebellion against the present Government of Mexico, or +she is independent of any. Her present Government, in any event, +don't represent either the Republic of Mexico or the people of Todos +Santos--don't you see? And in that case WE'VE got as good a right here +as any one." + +"He speaks the truth," said Ruiz, grasping a hand of Brace and Winslow +each; "in this we are--as brothers." + +"God and liberty!" ejaculated Martinez, in turn seizing the other +disengaged hands of the Americans, and completing the mystic circle. + +"God and liberty!" echoed a thin chorus from their host and a few +loungers who had entered unperceived. + +Brace felt uneasy. He was not wanting in the courage or daring of youth, +but it struck him that his attitude was by no means consistent with his +attentions to Dona Isabel. He managed to get Winslow aside. + +"This is all very well as a 'free lunch' conspiracy; but you're +forgetting your parole," he said, in a low voice. + +"We gave our parole to the present Government. When it no longer exists, +there will be no parole--don't you see?" + +"Then these fellows prefer waiting"-- + +"Until we can get OUTSIDE help, you understand. The first American ship +that comes in here--eh?" + +Brace felt relieved. After all, his position in regard to the Alcalde's +sister would not be compromised; he might even be able to extend some +protection over her; and it would be a magnanimous revenge if he could +even offer it to Miss Keene. + +"I see you don't swear anybody to secrecy," he said, with a laugh; +"shall I speak to Crosby, or will you?" + +"Not yet; he'll only see something to laugh at. And Banks and Martinez +would quarrel at once, and go back on each other. No; my idea is to let +some outsider do for Todos Santos what Perkins did for Quinquinambo. Do +you take?" + +His long, thin, dyspeptic face lit up with a certain small political +cunning and shrewdness that struck Brace with a half-respect. + +"I say, Winslow; you'd have made a first-class caucus leader in San +Francisco." + +Winslow smiled complacently. "There's something better to play on here +than ward politics," he replied. "There's a material here that--like +the mine and the soil--ain't half developed. I reckon I can show Banks +something that beats lobbying and log-rolling for contracts. I've let +you into this thing to show you a sample of my prospecting. Keep it to +yourself if you want it to pay. Dat's me, George! Good-by! I'll be out +to the office to-morrow!" + +He turned back towards his brother politicians with an expression +of satisfied conceit that Brace for a moment envied. The latter even +lingered on the veranda, as if he would have asked Winslow another +question; but, looking at his watch, he suddenly recollected himself, +and, mounting his horse, cantered down towards the plaza. + +The hour of siesta was not yet over, and the streets were still +deserted--probably the reason why the politicians of Todos Santos had +chosen that hour for their half secret meeting. At the corner of the +plaza he dismounted and led his horse to the public hitching-post--gnawn +and nibbled by the teeth of generations of mustangs--and turned into the +narrow lane flanked by the walls of the Alcalde's garden. Halfway +down he stopped before a slight breach in the upper part of the adobe +barrier, and looked cautiously around. The long, shadowed vista of the +lane was unobstructed by any moving figure as far as the yellow light of +the empty square beyond. With a quick leap he gained the top of the wall +and disappeared on the other aide. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +INTERNATIONAL COURTESIES. + + +The garden over whose wall Brace had mysteriously vanished was +apparently as deserted as the lane and plaza without. But its +solitude was one of graceful shadow and restful loveliness. A tropical +luxuriance, that had perpetuated itself year after year, until it was +half suffocated in its own overgrowth and strangled with its own beauty, +spread over a variegated expanse of starry flowers, shimmering leaves, +and slender inextricable branches, pierced here and there by towering +rigid cactus spikes or the curved plumes of palms. The repose of ages +lay in its hushed groves, its drooping vines, its lifeless creepers; +the dry dust of its decaying leaves and branches mingled with the living +perfumes like the spiced embalmings of a forgotten past. + +Nevertheless, this tranquillity, after a few moments, was singularly +disturbed. There was no breeze stirring, and yet the long fronds of a +large fan palm, that stood near the breach in the wall, began to move +gently from right to left, like the arms of some graceful semaphore, +and then as suddenly stopped. Almost at the same moment a white curtain, +listlessly hanging from a canopied balcony of the Alcalde's house, began +to exhibit a like rhythmical and regular agitation. Then everything was +motionless again; an interval of perfect peace settled upon the garden. +It was broken by the apparition of Brace under the balcony, and the +black-veiled and flowered head of Dona Isabel from the curtain above. + +"Crazy boy!" + +"Senorita!" + +"Hush! I am coming down!" + +"You? But Dona Ursula!" + +"There is no more Dona Ursula!" + +"Well--your duenna, whoever she is!" + +"There is no duenna!" + +"What?" + +"Hush up your tongue, idiot boy!" (this in English.) + +The little black head and the rose on top of it disappeared. Brace drew +himself up against the wall and waited. The time seemed interminable. +Impatiently looking up and down, he at last saw Dona Isabel at a +distance, quietly and unconcernedly moving among the roses, and +occasionally stooping as if to pick them. In an instant he was at her +side. + +"Let me help you," he said. + +She opened her little brownish palm,-- + +"Look!" In her hand were a few leaves of some herb. "It is for you." + +Brace seized and kissed the hand. + +"Is it some love-test?" + +"It is for what you call a julep-cocktail," she replied gravely. "He +will remain in a glass with aguardiente; you shall drink him with a +straw. My sister has said that ever where the Americans go they expect +him to arrive." + +"I prefer to take him straight," said Brace, laughing, as he nibbled a +limp leaf bruised by the hand of the young girl. "He's pleasanter, and, +on the whole, more wildly intoxicating this way! But what about your +duenna? and how comes this blessed privilege of seeing you alone?" + +Dona Isabel lifted her black eyes suddenly to Brace. + +"You do not comprehend, then? Is it not, then, the custom of the +Americans? Is it not, then, that there is no duenna in your country?" + +"There are certainly no duennas in my country. But who has changed the +custom here?" + +"Is it not true that in your country any married woman shall duenna +the young senorita?" continued Dona Isabel, without replying; "that any +caballero and senorita shall see each other in the patio, and not under +a balcony?--that they may speak with the lips, and not the fan?" + +"Well--yes," said Brace. + +"Then my brother has arranged it as so. He have much hear the Dona +Barbara Brimmer when she make talk of these things frequently, and he +is informed and impressed much. He will truly have that you will come +of the corridor, and not the garden, for me, and that I shall have no +duenna but the Dona Barbara. This does not make you happy, you American +idiot boy!" + +It did not. The thought of carrying on a flirtation under the +fastidious Boston eye of Mrs. Brimmer, instead of under the discreet +and mercenarily averted orbs of Dona Ursula, did not commend itself +pleasantly to Brace. + +"Oh, yes," he returned quickly. "We will go into the corridor, in the +fashion of my country"-- + +"Yes," said Dona Isabel dubiously. + +"AFTER we have walked in the garden in the fashion of YOURS. That's only +fair, isn't it?" + +"Yes," said Dona Isabel gravely; "that's what the Comandante will call +'internation-al courtesy.'" + +The young man slipped his arm around the young diplomatist's waist, and +they walked on in decorous silence under the orange-trees. + +"It seems to me," said Brace presently, "that Mrs. Brimmer has a good +deal to say up your way?" + +"Ah, yes; but what will you? It is my brother who has love for her." + +"But," said Brace, stopping suddenly, "doesn't he know that she has a +husband living?" + +Dona Isabel lifted her lashes in childlike wonder. + +"Always! you idiot American boy. That is why. Ah, Mother of God! my +brother is discreet. He is not a maniac, like you, to come after a silly +muchacha like me." + +The response which Brace saw fit to make to this statement elicited a +sharp tap upon the knuckles from Dona Isabel. + +"Tell to me," she said suddenly, "is not that a custom of your country?" + +"What? THAT?" + +"No, insensate. To attend a married senora?" + +"Not openly." + +"Ah, that is wrong," said Dona Isabel meditatively, moving the point of +her tiny slipper on the gravel. "Then it is the young girl that shall +come in the corridor and the married lady on the balcony?" + +"Well, yes." + +"Good-by, ape!" + +She ran swiftly down the avenue of palms to a small door at the back of +the house, turned, blew a kiss over the edge of her fan to Brace, and +disappeared. He hesitated a moment or two, then quickly rescaling the +wall, dropped into the lane outside, followed it to the gateway of the +casa, and entered the patio as Dona Isabel decorously advanced from +a darkened passage to the corridor. Although the hour of siesta had +passed, her sister, Miss Chubb, the Alcalde, and Mrs. Brimmer were still +lounging here on sofas and hammocks. + +It would have been difficult for a stranger at a first glance to +discover the nationality of the ladies. Mrs. Brimmer and her friend Miss +Chubb had entirely succumbed to the extreme dishabille of the Spanish +toilet--not without a certain languid grace on the part of Mrs. Brimmer, +whose easy contour lent itself to the stayless bodice; or a certain +bashful, youthful naivete on the part of Miss Chubb, the rounded +dazzling whiteness of whose neck and shoulders half pleased and half +frightened her in her low, white, plain camisa--under the lace mantilla. + +"It is SUCH a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Brace," said Mrs. Brimmer, +languidly observing the young man through the sticks of her fan; "I was +telling Don Ramon that I feared Dona Ursula had frightened you away. I +told him that your experience of American society might have caused you +to misinterpret the habitual reserve of the Castilian," she continued +with the air of being already an alien of her own country, "and I should +be only too happy to undertake the chaperoning of both these young +ladies in their social relations with our friends. And how is dear Mr. +Banks? and Mr. Crosby? whom I so seldom see now. I suppose, however, +business has its superior attractions." + +But Don Ramon, with impulsive gallantry, would not--nay, COULD not--for +a moment tolerate a heresy so alarming. It was simply wildly impossible. +For why? In the presence of Dona Barbara--it exists not in the heart of +man! + +"YOU cannot, of course, conceive it, Don Ramon," said Mrs. Brimmer, with +an air of gentle suffering; "but I fear it is sadly true of the American +gentlemen. They become too absorbed in their business. They forget their +duty to our sex in their selfish devotion to affairs in which we are +debarred from joining them, and yet they wonder that we prefer the +society of men who are removed by birth, tradition, and position from +this degrading kind of selfishness." + +"But that was scarcely true of your own husband. HE was not only +a successful man in business, but we can see that he was equally +successful in his relations to at least one of the fastidious sex," said +Brace, maliciously glancing at Don Ramon. + +Mrs. Brimmer received the innuendo with invulnerable simplicity. + +"Mr. Brimmer is, I am happy to say, NOT a business man. He entered into +certain contracts having more or less of a political complexion, and +carrying with them the genius but not the material results of trade. +That he is not a business man--and a successful one--my position here at +the present time is a sufficient proof," she said triumphantly. "And I +must also protest," she added, with a faint sigh, "against Mr. Brimmer +being spoken of in the past tense by anybody. It is painfully premature +and ominous!" + +She drew her mantilla across her shoulders with an expression of +shocked sensitiveness which completed the humiliation of Brace and the +subjugation of Don Ramon. But, unlike most of her sex, she was wise +in the moment of victory. She cast a glance over her fan at Brace, and +turned languidly to Dona Isabel. + +"Mr. Brace must surely want some refreshment after his long ride. Why +don't you seize this opportunity to show him the garden and let him +select for himself the herbs he requires for that dreadful American +drink; Miss Chubb and your sister will remain with me to receive the +Comandante's secretary and the Doctor when they come." + +"She's more than my match," whispered Brace to Dona Isabel, as they left +the corridor together. "I give in. I don't understand her: she frightens +me." + +"That is of your conscience! It is that you would understand the Dona +Leonor--your dear Miss Keene--better! Ah! silence, imbecile! this Dona +Barbara is even as thou art--a talking parrot. She will have that the +Comandante's secretary, Manuel, shall marry Mees Chubb, and that the +Doctor shall marry my sister. But she knows not that Manuel--listen so +that you shall get sick at your heart and swallow your moustachio!--that +Manuel loves the beautiful Leonor, and that Leonor loves not him, but +Don Diego; and that my sister loathes the little Doctor. And this Dona +Barbara, that makes your liver white, would be a feeder of chickens with +such barley as this! Ah! come along!" + +The arrival of the Doctor and the Comandante's secretary created another +diversion, and the pairing off of the two couples indicated by Dona +Isabel for a stroll in the garden, which was now beginning to recover +from the still heat of mid-day. This left Don Ramon and Mrs. Brimmer +alone in the corridor; Mrs. Brimmer's indefinite languor, generally +accepted as some vague aristocratic condition of mind and body, not +permitting her to join them. + +There was a moment of dangerous silence; the voices of the young people +were growing fainter in the distance. Mrs. Brimmer's eyes, in the shadow +of her fan, were becoming faintly phosphorescent. Don Ramon's melancholy +face, which had grown graver in the last few moments, approached nearer +to her own. + +"You are unhappy, Dona Barbara. The coming of this young cavalier, your +countryman, revives your anxiety for your home. You are thinking of this +husband who comes not. Is it not so?" + +"I am thinking," said Mrs. Brimmer, with a sudden revulsion of solid +Boston middle-class propriety, shown as much in the dry New England +asperity of voice that stung even through her drawling of the Castilian +speech, as in anything she said,--"I am thinking that, unless Mr. +Brimmer comes soon, I and Miss Chubb shall have to abandon the +hospitality of your house, Don Ramon. Without looking upon myself as a +widow, or as indefinitely separated from Mr. Brimmer, the few words let +fall by Mr. Brace show me what might be the feelings of my countrymen +on the subject. However charming and considerate your hospitality has +been--and I do not deny that it has been MOST grateful to ME--I feel +I cannot continue to accept it in those equivocal circumstances. I +am speaking to a gentleman who, with the instincts and chivalrous +obligations of his order, must sympathize with my own delicacy in coming +to this conclusion, and who will not take advantage of my confession +that I do it with pain." + +She spoke with a dry alacrity and precision so unlike her usual languor +and the suggestions of the costume, and even the fan she still kept +shading her faintly glowing eyes, that the man before her was more +troubled by her manner than her words, which he had but imperfectly +understood. + +"You will leave here--this house?" he stammered. + +"It is necessary," she returned. + +"But you shall listen to me first!" he said hurriedly. "Hear me, Dona +Barbara--I have a secret--I will to you confess"-- + +"You must confess nothing," said Mrs. Brimmer, dropping her feet from +the hammock, and sitting up primly, "I mean--nothing I may not hear." + +The Alcalde cast a look upon her at once blank and imploring. + +"Ah, but you will hear," he said, after a pause. "There is a ship +coming here. In two weeks she will arrive. None know it but myself, the +Comandante, and the Padre. It is a secret of the Government. She will +come at night; she will depart in the morning, and no one else shall +know. It has ever been that she brings no one to Todos Santos, that she +takes no one from Todos Santos. That is the law. But I swear to you +that she shall take you, your children, and your friend to Acapulco in +secret, where you will be free. You will join your husband; you will be +happy. I will remain, and I will die." + +It would have been impossible for any woman but Mrs. Brimmer to have +regarded the childlike earnestness and melancholy simplicity of this +grown-up man without a pang. Even this superior woman experienced a +sensible awkwardness as she slipped from the hammock and regained an +upright position. + +"Of course," she, began, "your offer is exceedingly generous; and +although I should not, perhaps, take a step of this kind without the +sanction of Mr. Brimmer, and am not sure that he would not regard it as +rash and premature, I will talk it over with Miss Chubb, for whom I am +partially responsible. Nothing," she continued, with a sudden access of +feeling, "would induce me, for any selfish consideration, to take any +step that would imperil the future of that child, towards whom I feel as +a sister." A slight suffusion glistened under her pretty brown lashes. +"If anything should happen to her, I would never forgive myself; if I +should be the unfortunate means of severing any ties that SHE may have +formed, I could never look her in the face again. Of course, I can well +understand that our presence here must be onerous to you, and that you +naturally look forward to any sacrifice--even that of the interests +of your country, and the defiance of its laws--to relieve you from a +position so embarrassing as yours has become. I only trust, however, +that the ill effects you allude to as likely to occur to yourself after +our departure may be exaggerated by your sensitive nature. It would be +an obligation added to the many that we owe you, which Mr. Brimmer would +naturally find he could not return--and that, I can safely say, he would +not hear of for a single moment." + +While speaking, she had unconsciously laid aside her fan, lifted her +mantilla from her head with both hands, and, drawing it around her +shoulders and under her lifted chin, had crossed it over her bosom +with a certain prim, automatic gesture, as if it had been the starched +kerchief of some remote Puritan ancestress. With her arms still +unconsciously crossed, she stooped rigidly, picked up her fan with three +fingers, as if it had been a prayer-book, and, with a slight inclination +of her bared head, with its accurately parted brown hair, passed slowly +out of the corridor. + +Astounded, bewildered, yet conscious of some vague wound, Don Ramon +remained motionless, staring after her straight, retreating figure. +Unable to follow closely either the meaning of her words or the logic +of her reasoning, he nevertheless comprehended the sudden change in +her manner, her voice, and the frigid resurrection of a nature he had +neither known nor suspected. He looked blankly at the collapsed hammock, +as if he expected to find in its depths those sinuous graces, languid +fascinations, and the soft, half sensuous contour cast off by this +vanishing figure of propriety. + +In the eight months of their enforced intimacy and platonic seclusion +he had learned to love this naive, insinuating woman, whose frank +simplicity seemed equal to his own, without thought of reserve, secrecy, +or deceit. He had gradually been led to think of the absent husband +with what he believed to be her own feelings--as of some impalpable, +fleshless ancestor from whose remote presence she derived power, +wealth, and importance, but to whom she owed only respect and certain +obligations of honor equal to his own. He had never heard her speak of +her husband with love, with sympathy, with fellowship, with regret. She +had barely spoken of him at all, and then rather as an attractive factor +in her own fascinations than a bar to a free indulgence in them. He was +as little in her way as--his children. With what grace she had adapted +herself to his--Don Ramon's--life--she who frankly confessed she had no +sympathy with her husband's! With what languid enthusiasm she had taken +up the customs of HIS country, while deploring the habits of her own! +With what goddess-like indifference she had borne this interval +of waiting! And yet this woman--who had seemed the embodiment of +romance--had received the announcement of his sacrifice--the only +revelation he allowed himself to make of his hopeless passion--with the +frigidity of a duenna! Had he wounded her in some other unknown way? +Was she mortified that he had not first declared his passion--he who had +never dared to speak to her of love before? Perhaps she even doubted +it! In his ignorance of the world he had, perhaps, committed some grave +offense! He should not have let her go! He should have questioned, +implored her--thrown himself at her feet! Was it too late yet? + +He passed hurriedly into the formal little drawing-room, whose bizarre +coloring was still darkened by the closed blinds and dropped awnings +that had shut out the heat of day. She was not there. He passed the open +door of her room; it was empty. At the end of the passage a faint light +stole from a door opening into the garden that was still ajar. She must +have passed out that way. He opened it, and stepped out into the garden. + +The sound of voices beside a ruined fountain a hundred yards away +indicated the vicinity of the party; but a single glance showed him that +she was not among them. So much the better--he would find her alone. +Cautiously slipping beside the wall of the house, under the shadow of a +creeper, he gained the long avenue without attracting attention. She was +not there. Had she effectively evaded contact with the others by leaving +the garden through the little gate in the wall that entered the Mission +enclosure? It was partly open, as if some one had just passed through. +He followed, took a few steps, and stopped abruptly. In the shadow of +one of the old pear-trees a man and woman were standing. An impulse of +wild jealousy seized him; he was about to leap forward, but the next +moment the measured voice of the Comandante, addressing Mrs. Markham, +fell upon his ear. He drew back with a sudden flush upon his face. The +Comandante of Todos Santos, in grave, earnest accents, was actually +offering to Mrs. Markham the same proposal that he, Don Ramon, had made +to Mrs. Brimmer but a moment ago! + +"No one," said the Comandante sententiously, "will know it but myself. +You will leave the ship at Acapulco; you will rejoin your husband in +good time; you will be happy, my child; you will forget the old man +who drags out the few years of loneliness still left to him in Todos +Santos." + +Forgetting himself, Don Ramon leaned breathlessly forward to hear Mrs. +Markham's reply. Would she answer the Comandante as Dona Barbara had +answered HIM? Her words rose distinctly in the evening air. + +"You're a gentleman, Don Miguel Briones; and the least respect I can +show a man of your kind is not to pretend that I don't understand the +sacrifice you're making. I shall always remember it as about the biggest +compliment I ever received, and the biggest risk that any man--except +one--ever ran for me. But as the man who ran that bigger risk isn't here +to speak for himself, and generally trusts his wife, Susan Markham, to +speak for him--it's all the same as if HE thanked you. There's my hand, +Don Miguel: shake it. Well--if you prefer it--kiss it then. There--don't +be a fool--but let's go back to Miss Keene." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE. + + +While these various passions had been kindled by her compatriots in +the peaceful ashes of Todos Santos, Eleanor Keene had moved among them +indifferently and, at times, unconsciously. The stranding of her young +life on that unknown shore had not drawn her towards her fellow-exiles, +and the circumstances which afterwards separated her from daily contact +with them completed the social estrangement. She found herself more in +sympathy with the natives, to whom she had shown no familiarity, +than with her own people, who had mixed with them more or less +contemptuously. She found the naivete of Dona Isabel more amusing than +the doubtful simplicity of that married ingenue Mrs. Brimmer, although +she still met the young girl's advances with a certain reserve. She +found herself often pained by the practical brusqueness with which Mrs. +Markham put aside the Comandante's delicate attentions, and she was +moved with a strange pity for his childlike trustfulness, which she knew +was hopeless. As the months passed, on the few occasions that she still +met the Excelsior's passengers she was surprised to find how they +had faded from her memory, and to discover in them the existence of +qualities that made her wonder how she could have ever been familiar +with them. She reproached herself with this fickleness; she wondered +if she would have felt thus if they had completed their voyage to San +Francisco together; and she recalled, with a sad smile, the enthusiastic +plans they had formed during the passage to perpetuate their fellowship +by anniversaries and festivals. But she, at last, succumbed, and finally +accepted their open alienation as preferable to the growing awkwardness +of their chance encounters. + +For a few weeks following the flight of Captain Bunker and her +acceptance of the hospitality and protection of the Council, she became +despondent. The courage that had sustained her, and the energy she had +shown in the first days of their abandonment, suddenly gave way, for no +apparent reason. She bitterly regretted the brother whom she scarcely +remembered; she imagined his suspense and anguish on her account, and +suffered for both; she felt the dumb pain of homesickness for a home +she had never known. Her loneliness became intolerable. Her condition +at last affected Mrs. Markham, whose own idleness had been beguiled by +writing to her husband an exhaustive account of her captivity, which had +finally swelled to a volume on Todos Santos, its resources, inhabitants, +and customs. "Good heavens!" she said, "you must do something, child, +to occupy your mind--if it is only a flirtation with that conceited +Secretary." But this terrible alternative was happily not required. The +Comandante had still retained as part of the old patriarchal government +of the Mission the Presidio school, for the primary instruction of +the children of the soldiers,--dependants of the garrison. Miss Keene, +fascinated by several little pairs of beady black eyes that had looked +up trustingly to hers from the playground on the glacis, offered to +teach English to the Comandante's flock. The offer was submitted to +the spiritual head of Todos Santos, and full permission given by Padre +Esteban to the fair heretic. Singing was added to the Instruction, and +in a few months the fame of the gracious Dona Leonor's pupils stirred to +emulation even the boy choristers of the Mission. + +Her relations with James Hurlstone during this interval were at first +marked by a strange and unreasoning reserve. Whether she resented +the singular coalition forced upon them by the Council and felt the +awkwardness of their unintentional imposture when they met, she did not +know, but she generally avoided his society. This was not difficult, as +he himself had shown no desire to intrude his confidences upon her; and +even in her shyness she could not help thinking that if he had treated +the situation lightly or humorously--as she felt sure Mr. Brace or Mr. +Crosby would have done--it would have been less awkward and unpleasant. +But his gloomy reserve seemed to the high-spirited girl to color their +innocent partnership with the darkness of conspiracy. + +"If your conscience troubles you, Mr. Hurlstone, in regard to the +wretched infatuation of those people," she had once said, "undeceive +them, if you can, and I will assist you. And don't let that affair +of Captain Bunker worry you either. I have already confessed to the +Comandante that he escaped through my carelessness." + +"You could not have done otherwise without sacrificing the poor +Secretary, who must have helped you," Hurlstone returned quietly. + +Miss Keene bit her lip and dropped the subject. At their next meeting +Hurlstone himself resumed it. + +"I hope you don't allow that absurd decree of the Council to disturb +you; I imagine they're quite convinced of their folly. I know that +the Padre is; and I know that he thinks you've earned a right to the +gratitude of the Council in your gracious task at the Presidio school +that is far beyond any fancied political service." + +"I really haven't thought about it at all," said Miss Keene coolly. "I +thought it was YOU who were annoyed." + +"I? not at all," returned Hurlstone quickly. "I have been able to assist +the Padre in arranging the ecclesiastical archives of the church, and +in suggesting some improvement in codifying the ordinances of the last +forty years. No; I believe I'm earning my living here, and I fancy they +think so." + +"Then it isn't THAT that troubles you?" said Miss Keene carelessly, but +glancing at him under the shade of her lashes. + +"No," he said coldly, turning away. + +Yet unsatisfactory as these brief interviews were, they revived in Miss +Keene the sympathizing curiosity and interest she had always felt for +this singular man, and which had been only held in abeyance at the +beginning of their exile; in fact, she found herself thinking of him +more during the interval when they seldom saw each other, and apparently +had few interests in common, than when they were together on the +Excelsior. Gradually she slipped into three successive phases of feeling +towards him, each of them marked with an equal degree of peril to her +peace of mind. She began with a profound interest in the mystery of +his secluded habits, his strange abstraction, and a recognition of +the evident superiority of a nature capable of such deep +feeling--uninfluenced by those baser distractions which occupied Brace, +Crosby, and Winslow. This phase passed into a settled conviction that +some woman was at the root of his trouble, and responsible for it. With +an instinctive distrust of her own sex, she was satisfied that it must +be either a misplaced or unworthy attachment, and that the unknown woman +was to blame. This second phase--which hovered between compassion and +resentment--suddenly changed to the latter--the third phase of her +feelings. Miss Keene became convinced that Mr. Hurlstone had a settled +aversion to HERSELF. Why and wherefore, she did not attempt to reason, +yet she was satisfied that from the first he disliked her. His studious +reserve on the Excelsior, compared with the attentions of the others, +ought then to have convinced her of the fact; and there was no doubt +now that his present discontent could be traced to the unfortunate +circumstances that brought them together. Having given herself up to +that idea, she vacillated between a strong impulse to inform him that +she knew his real feelings and an equally strong instinct to avoid him +hereafter entirely. The result was a feeble compromise. On the ground +that Mr. Hurlstone could "scarcely be expected to admire her inferior +performances," she declined to invite him with Father Esteban to listen +to her pupils. Father Esteban took a huge pinch of snuff, examined +Miss Keene attentively, and smiled a sad smile. The next day he +begged Hurlstone to take a volume of old music to Miss Keene with his +compliments. Hurlstone did so, and for some reason exerted himself to be +agreeable. As he made no allusion to her rudeness, she presumed he did +not know of it, and speedily forgot it herself. When he suggested a +return visit to the boy choir, with whom he occasionally practiced, she +blushed and feared she had scarcely the time. But she came with Mrs. +Markham, some consciousness, and a visible color! + +And then, almost without her knowing how or why, and entirely unexpected +and unheralded, came a day so strangely and unconsciously happy, so +innocently sweet and joyous, that it seemed as if all the other days +of her exile had only gone before to create it, and as if it--and it +alone--were a sufficient reason for her being there. A day full of +gentle intimations, laughing suggestions, childlike surprises and +awakenings; a day delicious for the very incompleteness of its vague +happiness. And this remarkable day was simply marked in Mrs. Markham's +diary as follows:--"Went with E. to Indian village; met Padre and J. H. +J. H. actually left shell and crawled on beach with E. E. chatty." + +The day itself had been singularly quiet and gracious, even for that +rare climate of balmy days and recuperating nights. At times the slight +breath of the sea which usually stirred the morning air of Todos Santos +was suspended, and a hush of expectation seemed to arrest land and +water. When Miss Keene and Mrs. Markham left the Presidio, the tide was +low, and their way lay along the beach past the Mission walls. A walk +of two or three miles brought them to the Indian village--properly a +suburban quarter of Todos Santos--a collection of adobe huts and rudely +cultivated fields. Padre Esteban and Mr. Hurlstone were awaiting them in +the palm-thatched veranda of a more pretentious cabin, that served as a +school-room. "This is Don Diego's design," said the Padre, beaming with +a certain paternal pride on Hurlstone, "built by himself and helped by +the heathen; but look you: my gentleman is not satisfied with it, and +wishes now to bring his flock to the Mission school, and have them +mingle with the pure-blooded races on an equality. That is the +revolutionary idea of this sans culotte reformer," continued the good +Father, shaking his yellow finger with gentle archness at the young man. +"Ah, we shall yet have a revolution in Todos Santos unless you ladies +take him in hand. He has already brought the half-breeds over to his +side, and those heathens follow him like dumb cattle anywhere. There, +take him away and scold him, Dona Leonor, while I speak to the Senora +Markham of the work that her good heart and skillful fingers may do for +my poor muchachos." + +Eleanor Keene lifted her beautiful eyes to Hurlstone with an artless +tribute in their depths that brought the blood faintly into his cheek. +She was not thinking of the priest's admonishing words; she was thinking +of the quiet, unselfish work that this gloomy misanthrope had been +doing while his companions had been engaged in lower aims and listless +pleasures, and while she herself had been aimlessly fretting and +diverting herself. What were her few hours of applauded instruction with +the pretty Murillo-like children of the Fort compared to his silent and +unrecognized labor! Yet even at this moment an uneasy doubt crossed her +mind. + +"I suppose Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb interest themselves greatly in +your--in the Padre's charities?" + +The first playful smile she had seen on Hurlstone's face lightened in +his eyes and lips, and was becoming. + +"I am afraid my barbarians are too low and too near home for Mrs. +Brimmer's missionary zeal. She and Miss Chubb patronize the Mexican +school with cast-off dresses, old bonnets retrimmed, flannel petticoats, +some old novels and books of poetry--of which the Padre makes an +auto-da-fe--and their own patronizing presence on fete days. Providence +has given them the vague impression that leprosy and contagious +skin-disease are a peculiarity of the southern aborigine, and they have +left me severely alone." + +"I wish you would prevail upon the Padre to let ME help you," said Miss +Keene, looking down. + +"But you already have the Commander's chickens--which you are bringing +up as swans, by the way," said Hurlstone mischievously. "You wouldn't +surely abandon the nest again?" + +"You are laughing at me," said Miss Keene, putting on a slight pout to +hide the vague pleasure that Hurlstone's gayer manner was giving +her. "But, really, I've been thinking that the Presidio children are +altogether too pretty and picturesque for me, and that I enjoy them too +much to do them any good. It's like playing with them, you know!" + +Hurlstone laughed, but suddenly looking down upon her face he was struck +with its youthfulness. She had always impressed him before--through her +reserve and independence--as older, and more matured in character. He +did not know how lately she was finding her lost youth as he asked her, +quite abruptly, if she ever had any little brothers and sisters. + +The answer to this question involved the simple story of Miss Keene's +life, which she gave with naive detail. She told him of her early +childhood, and the brother who was only an indistinct memory; of her +school days, and her friendships up to the moment of her first step into +the great world that was so strangely arrested at Todos Santos. He +was touched with the almost pathetic blankness of this virgin page. +Encouraged by his attention, and perhaps feeling a sympathy she had +lately been longing for, she confessed to him the thousand little things +which she had reserved from even Mrs. Markham during her first apathetic +weeks at Todos Santos. + +"I'm sure I should have been much happier if I had had any one to +talk to," she added, looking up into his face with a naivete of faint +reproach; "it's very different for men, you know. They can always +distract themselves with something. Although," she continued +hesitatingly, "I've sometimes thought YOU would have been happier if you +had had somebody to tell your troubles to--I don't mean the Padre; +for, good as he is, he is a foreigner, you know, and wouldn't look upon +things as WE do--but some one in sympathy with you." + +She stopped, alarmed at the change of expression in his face. A quick +flush had crossed his cheek; for an instant he had looked suspiciously +into her questioning eyes. But the next moment the idea of his quietly +selecting this simple, unsophisticated girl as the confidant of his +miserable marriage, and the desperation that had brought him there, +struck him as being irresistibly ludicrous and he smiled. It was the +first time that the habitual morbid intensity of his thoughts on that +one subject had ever been disturbed by reaction; it was the first +time that a clear ray of reason had pierced the gloom in which he had +enwrapped it. Seeing him smile, the young girl smiled too. Then they +smiled together vaguely and sympathetically, as over some unspoken +confidence. But, unknown and unsuspected by himself, that smile had +completed his emancipation and triumph. The next moment, when he sought +with a conscientious sigh to reenter his old mood, he was half shocked +to find it gone. Whatever gradual influence--the outcome of these few +months of rest and repose--may have already been at work to dissipate +his clouded fancy, he was only vaguely conscious that the laughing +breath of the young girl had blown it away forever. + +The perilous point passed, unconsciously to both of them, they fell into +freer conversation, tacitly avoiding the subject of Mr. Hurlstone's past +reserve only as being less interesting. Hurlstone did not return Miss +Keene's confidences--not because he wished to deceive her, but that he +preferred to entertain her; while she did not care to know his secret +now that it no longer affected their sympathy in other things. It was a +pleasant, innocent selfishness, that, however, led them along, step by +step, to more uncertain and difficult ground. + +In their idle, happy walk they had strayed towards the beach, and had +come upon a large stone cross with its base half hidden in sand, and +covered with small tenacious, sweet-scented creepers, bearing a pale +lilac blossom that exhaled a mingled odor of sea and shore. Hurlstone +pointed out the cross as one of the earliest outposts of the Church on +the edge of the unclaimed heathen wilderness. It was hung with strings +of gaudy shells and feathers, which Hurlstone explained were votive +offerings in which their pagan superstitions still mingled with their +new faith. + +"I don't like to worry that good old Padre," he continued, with a light +smile, "but I'm afraid that they prefer this cross to the chapel for +certain heathenish reasons of their own. I am quite sure that they still +hold some obscure rites here under the good Father's very nose, and +that, in the guise of this emblem of our universal faith, they worship +some deity we have no knowledge of." + +"It's a shame," said Miss Keene quickly. + +To her surprise, Hurlstone did not appear so shocked as she, in her +belief of his religious sympathy with the Padre, had imagined. + +"They're a harmless race," he said carelessly. "The place is much +frequented by the children--especially the young girls; a good many of +these offerings came from them." + +The better to examine these quaint tributes, Miss Keene had thrown +herself, with an impulsive, girlish abandonment, on the mound by the +cross, and Hurlstone sat down beside her. Their eyes met in an innocent +pleasure of each other's company. She thought him very handsome in the +dark, half official Mexican dress that necessity alone had obliged him +to assume, and much more distinguished-looking than his companions +in their extravagant foppery; he thought her beauty more youthful and +artless than he had imagined it to be, and with his older and graver +experiences felt a certain protecting superiority that was pleasant and +reassuring. + +Nevertheless, seated so near each other, they were very quiet. Hurlstone +could not tell whether it was the sea or the flowers, but the dress of +the young girl seemed to exhale some subtle perfume of her own freshness +that half took away his breath. She had scraped up a handful of sand, +and was allowing it to escape through her slim fingers in a slender rain +on the ground. He was watching the operation with what he began to fear +was fatuous imbecility. + +"Miss Keene?--I beg your pardon"-- + +"Mr. Hurlstone?--Excuse me, you were saying"-- + +They had both spoken at the same moment, and smiled forgivingly at +each other. Hurlstone gallantly insisted upon the precedence of her +thought--the scamp had doubted the coherency of his own. + +"I used to think," she began--"you won't be angry, will you?" + +"Decidedly not." + +"I used to think you had an idea of becoming a priest." + +"Why?" + +"Because--you are sure you won't be angry--because I thought you hated +women!" + +"Father Esteban is a priest," said Hurlstone, with a faint smile, "and +you know he thinks kindly of your sex." + +"Yes; but perhaps HIS life was never spoiled by some wicked woman +like--like yours." + +For an instant he gazed intently into her eyes. + +"Who told you that?" + +"No one." + +She was evidently speaking the absolute truth. There was no deceit or +suppression in her clear gaze; if anything, only the faintest look of +wonder at his astonishment. And he--this jealously guarded secret, the +curse of his whole wretched life, had been guessed by this simple girl, +without comment, without reserve, without horror! And there had been no +scene, no convulsion of Nature, no tragedy; he had not thrown himself +into yonder sea; she had not fled from him shrinking, but was sitting +there opposite to him in gentle smiling expectation, the golden light +of Todos Santos around them, a bit of bright ribbon shining in her dark +hair, and he, miserable, outcast, and recluse, had not even changed his +position, but was looking up without tremulousness or excitement, and +smiling, too. + +He raised himself suddenly on his knee. + +"And what if it were all true?" he demanded. + +"I should be very sorry for you, and glad it were all over now," she +said softly. + +A faint pink flush covered her cheek the next moment, as if she had +suddenly become aware of another meaning in her speech, and she turned +her head hastily towards the village. To her relief she discerned that a +number of Indian children had approached them from behind and had halted +a few paces from the cross. Their hands were full of flowers and shells +as they stood hesitatingly watching the couple. + +"They are some of the school-children," said Hurlstone, in answer to her +inquiring look; "but I can't understand why they come here so openly." + +"Oh, don't scold them!" said Eleanor, forgetting her previous orthodox +protest; "let us go away, and pretend we don't notice them." + +But as she was about to rise to her feet the hesitation of the little +creatures ended in a sudden advance of the whole body, and before she +comprehended what they were doing they had pressed the whole of their +floral tributes in her lap. The color rose again quickly to her laughing +face as she looked at Hurlstone. + +"Do you usually get up this pretty surprise for visitors?" she said +hesitatingly. + +"I assure you I have nothing to do with it," he answered, with frank +amazement; "it's quite spontaneous. And look--they are even decorating +ME." + +It was true; they had thrown a half dozen strings of shells on +Hurlstone's unresisting shoulders, and, unheeding the few words he +laughingly addressed them in their own dialect, they ran off a few +paces, and remained standing, as if gravely contemplating their work. +Suddenly, with a little outcry of terror, they turned, fled wildly past +them, and disappeared in the bushes. + +Miss Keene and Hurlstone rose at the same moment, but the young girl, +taking a step forward, suddenly staggered, and was obliged to clasp one +of the arms of the cross to keep herself from falling. Hurlstone sprang +to her side. + +"Are you ill?" he asked hurriedly. "You are quite white. What is the +matter?" + +A smile crossed her colorless face. + +"I am certainly very giddy; everything seems to tremble." + +"Perhaps it is the flowers," he said anxiously. "Their heavy perfume in +this close air affects you. Throw them away, for Heaven's sake!" + +But she clutched them tighter to her heart as she leaned for a moment, +pale yet smiling, against the cross. + +"No, no!" she said earnestly; "it was not that. But the children were +frightened, and their alarm terrified me. There, it is over now." + +She let him help her to her seat again as he glanced hurriedly around +him. It must have been sympathy with her, for he was conscious of a +slight vertigo himself. The air was very close and still. Even the +pleasant murmur of the waves had ceased. + +"How very low the tide is!" said Eleanor Keene, resting her elbow on +her knees and her round chin upon her hand. "I wonder if that could have +frightened those dear little midgets?" The tide, in fact, had left the +shore quite bare and muddy for nearly a quarter of a mile to seaward. + +Hurlstone arose, with grave eyes, but a voice that was unchanged. + +"Suppose we inquire? Lean on my arm, and we'll go up the hill towards +the Mission garden. Bring your flowers with you." + +The color had quite returned to her cheek as she leant on his proffered +arm. Yet perhaps she was really weaker than she knew, for he felt the +soft pressure of her hand and the gentle abandonment of her figure +against his own as they moved on. But for some preoccupying thought, +he might have yielded more completely to the pleasure of that innocent +contact and have drawn her closer towards him; yet they moved steadily +on, he contenting himself from time to time with a hurried glance at +the downcast fringes of the eyes beside him. Presently he stopped, +his attention disturbed by what appeared to be the fluttering of a +black-winged, red-crested bird, in the bushes before him. The next +moment he discovered it to be the rose-covered head of Dona Isabel, who +was running towards them. Eleanor withdrew her arm from Hurlstone's. + +"Ah, imbecile!" said Dona Isabel, pouncing upon Eleanor Keene like an +affectionate panther. "They have said you were on the seashore, and I +fly for you as a bird. Tell to me quick," she whispered, hastily putting +her own little brown ear against Miss Keene's mouth, "immediatamente, +are you much happy?" + +"Where is Mr. Brace?" said Miss Keene, trying to effect a diversion, as +she laughed and struggled to get free from her tormentor. + +"He, the idiot boy! Naturally, when he is for use, he comes not. But +as a maniac--ever! I would that I have him no more. You will to me +presently give your--brother! I have since to-day a presentimiento that +him I shall love! Ah!" + +She pressed her little brown fist, still tightly clutching her fan, +against her low bodice, as if already transfixed with a secret and +absorbing passion. + +"Well, you shall have Dick then," said Miss Keene, laughing; "but was it +for THAT you were seeking me?" + +"Mother of God! you know not then what has happened? You are a blind--a +deaf--to but one thing all the time? Ah!" she said quickly, unfolding +her fan and modestly diving her little head behind it, "I have ashamed +for you, Miss Keene." + +"But WHAT has happened?" said Hurlstone, interposing to relieve his +companion. "We fancied something"-- + +"Something! he says something!--ah, that something was a temblor! An +earthquake! The earth has shaken himself. Look!" + +She pointed with her fan to the shore, where the sea had suddenly +returned in a turbulence of foam and billows that was breaking over the +base of the cross they had just quitted. + +Miss Keene drew a quick sigh. Dona Isabel had ducked again modestly +behind her fan, but this time dragging with her other arm Miss Keene's +head down to share its discreet shadow as she whispered,-- + +"And--infatuated one!--you two never noticed it!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +CLOUDS AND CHANGE. + + +The earthquake shock, although the first experienced by the Americans, +had been a yearly phenomenon to the people of Todos Santos, and was so +slight as to leave little impression upon either the low adobe walls of +the pueblo or the indolent population. "If it's a provision of Nature +for shaking up these Rip Van Winkle Latin races now and then, it's a +dead failure, as far as Todos Santos is concerned," Crosby had said, +with a yawn. "Brace, who's got geology on the brain ever since he +struck cinnabar ore, says he isn't sure the Injins ain't right when they +believe that the Pacific Ocean used to roll straight up to the Presidio, +and there wasn't any channel--and that reef of rocks was upheaved in +their time. But what's the use of it? it never really waked them up." +"Perhaps they're waiting for another kind of earthquake," Winslow had +responded sententiously. + +In six weeks it had been forgotten, except by three people--Miss Keene, +James Hurlstone, and Padre Esteban. Since Hurlstone had parted with +Miss Keene on that memorable afternoon he had apparently lapsed into his +former reserve. Without seeming to avoid her timid advances, he met +her seldom, and then only in the presence of the Padre or Mrs. Markham. +Although uneasy at the deprivation of his society, his present shyness +did not affect her as it had done at first: she knew it was no longer +indifference; she even fancied she understood it from what had been her +own feelings. If he no longer raised his eyes to hers as frankly as he +had that day, she felt a more delicate pleasure in the consciousness of +his lowered eyelids when they met, and the instinct that told her +when his melancholy glance followed her unobserved. The sex of these +lovers--if we may call them so who had never exchanged a word of +love--seemed to be changed. It was Miss Keene who now sought him with a +respectful and frank admiration; it was Hurlstone who now tried to +avoid it with a feminine dread of reciprocal display. Once she had even +adverted to the episode of the cross. They were standing under the arch +of the refectory door, waiting for Padre Esteban, and looking towards +the sea. + +"Do you think we were ever in any real danger, down there, on the +shore--that day?" she said timidly. + +"No; not from the sea," he replied, looking at her with a half defiant +resolution. + +"From what then?" she asked, with a naivete that was yet a little +conscious. + +"Do you remember the children giving you their offerings that day?" he +asked abruptly. + +"I do," she replied, with smiling eyes. + +"Well, it appears that it is the custom for the betrothed couples to +come to the cross to exchange their vows. They mistook us for lovers." + +All the instinctive delicacy of Miss Keene's womanhood resented the rude +infelicity of this speech and the flippant manner of its utterance. She +did not blush, but lifted her clear eyes calmly to his. + +"It was an unfortunate mistake," she said coldly, "the more so as they +were your pupils. Ah! here is Father Esteban," she added, with a marked +tone of relief, as she crossed over to the priest's side. + +When Father Esteban returned to the refectory that evening, Hurlstone +was absent. When it grew later, becoming uneasy, the good Father sought +him in the garden. At the end of the avenue of pear-trees there was a +break in the sea-wall, and here, with his face to the sea, Hurlstone was +leaning gloomily. Father Esteban's tread was noiseless, and he had laid +his soft hand on the young man's shoulder before Hurlstone was aware +of his presence. He started slightly, his gloomy eyes fell before the +priest's. + +"My son," said the old man gravely, "this must go on no longer." + +"I don't understand you," Hurlstone replied coldly. + +"Do not try to deceive yourself, nor me. Above all, do not try to +deceive HER. Either you are or are not in love with this countrywoman +of yours. If you are not, my respect for her and my friendship for you +prompts me to save you both from a foolish intimacy that may ripen into +a misplaced affection; if you are already in love with her"-- + +"I have never spoken a word of love to her!" interrupted Hurlstone +quickly. "I have even tried to avoid her since"-- + +"Since you found that you loved her! Ah, foolish boy! and you think that +because the lips speak not, the passions of the heart are stilled! Do +you think your silence in her presence is not a protestation that she, +even she, child as she is, can read, with the cunning of her sex?" + +"Well--if I am in love with her, what then?" said Hurlstone doggedly. +"It is no crime to love a pure and simple girl. Am I not free? You +yourself, in yonder church, told me"-- + +"Silence, Diego," said the priest sternly. "Silence, before you utter +the thought that shall disgrace you to speak and me to hear!" + +"Forgive me, Father Esteban," said the young man hurriedly, grasping +both hands of the priest. "Forgive me--I am mad--distracted--but I swear +to you I only meant"-- + +"Hush!" interrupted the priest more gently. "So; that will do." He +stopped, drew out his snuff-box, rapped the lid, and took a pinch of +snuff slowly. "We will not recur to that point. Then you have told her +the story of your life?" + +"No; but I will, She shall know all--everything--before I utter a word +of love to her." + +"Ah! bueno! muy bueno!" said the Padre, wiping his nose ostentatiously. +"Ah! let me see! Then, when we have shown her that we cannot possibly +marry her, we will begin to make love to her! Eh, eh! that is the +American fashion. Ah, pardon!" he continued, in response to a gesture +of protestation from Hurlstone; "I am wrong. It is when we have told her +that we cannot marry her as a Protestant, that we will make love as a +Catholic. Is that it?" + +"Hear me," said Hurlstone passionately. "You have saved me from madness +and, perhaps, death. Your care--your kindness--your teachings have given +me life again. Don't blame me, Father Esteban, if, in casting off my old +self, you have given me hopes of a new and fresher life--of"-- + +"A newer and fresher love, you would say," said the Padre, with a sad +smile. "Be it so. You will at least do justice to the old priest, when +you remember that he never pressed you to take vows that would have +prevented this forever." + +"I know it," said Hurlstone, taking the old man's hand. "And you will +remember, too, that I was happy and contented before this came upon me. +Tell me what I shall do. Be my guide--my friend, Father Esteban. Put me +where I was a few months ago--before I learned to love her." + +"Do you mean it, Diego?" said the old man, grasping his hand tightly, +and fixing his eyes upon him. + +"I do." + +"Then listen to me, for it is my turn to speak. When, eight months ago, +you sought the shelter of that blessed roof, it was for refuge from a +woman that had cursed your life. It was given you. You would leave it +now to commit an act that would bring another woman, as mad as yourself, +clamoring at its doors for protection from YOU. For what you are +proposing to this innocent girl is what you accepted from the older and +wickeder woman. You have been cursed because a woman divided for you +what was before God an indivisible right; and you, Diego, would now +redivide that with another, whom you dare to say you LOVE! You would use +the opportunity of her helplessness and loneliness here to convince +her; you would tempt her with sympathy, for she is unhappy; with +companionship, for she has no longer the world to choose from--with +everything that should make her sacred from your pursuit." + +"Enough," said Hurlstone hoarsely; "say no more. Only I implore you tell +me what to do now to save her. I will--if you tell me to do it--leave +her forever." + +"Why should YOU go?" said the priest quietly. "HER absence will be +sufficient." + +"HER absence?" echoed Hurlstone. + +"Hers alone. The conditions that brought YOU here are unchanged. You +are still in need of an asylum from the world and the wife you have +repudiated. Why should you abandon it? For the girl, there is no cause +why she should remain--beyond yourself. She has a brother whom she +loves--who wants her--who has the right to claim her at any time. She +will go to him." + +"But how?" + +"That has been my secret, and will be my sacrifice to you, Diego, my +son. I have foreseen all this; I have expected it from the day that +girl sent you her woman's message, that was half a challenge, from +her school--I have known it from the day you walked together on the +sea-shore. I was blind before that--for I am weak in my way, too, and +I had dreamed of other things. God has willed it otherwise." He paused, +and returning the pressure of Hurlstone's hand, went on. "My secret and +my sacrifice for you is this. For the last two hundred years the Church +has had a secret and trusty messenger from the See at Guadalajara--in +a ship that touches here for a few hours only every three years. Her +arrival and departure is known only to myself and my brothers of the +Council. By this wisdom and the provision of God, the integrity of +the Holy Church and the conversion of the heathen have been maintained +without interruption and interference. You know now, my son, why your +comrades were placed under surveillance; why it was necessary that the +people should believe in a political conspiracy among yourselves, +rather than the facts as they existed, which might have bred a dangerous +curiosity among them. I have given you our secret, Diego--that is but a +part of my sacrifice. When that ship arrives, and she is expected +daily, I will secretly place Miss Keene and her friend on board, with +explanatory letters to the Archbishop, and she will be assisted to +rejoin her brother. It will be against the wishes of the Council; but my +will," continued the old man, with a gesture of imperiousness, "is the +will of the Church, and the law that overrides all." + +He had stopped, with a strange fire in his eyes. It still continued to +burn as he went on rapidly,-- + +"You will understand the sacrifice I am making in telling you this, when +you know that I could have done all that I propose without your leave or +hindrance. Yes, Diego; I had but to stretch out my hand thus, and that +foolish fire-brand of a heretic muchacha would have vanished from Todos +Santos forever. I could have left you in your fool's paradise, and one +morning you would have found her gone. I should have condoled with you, +and consoled you, and you would have forgotten her as you did the other. +I should not have hesitated; it is the right of the Church through all +time to break through those carnal ties without heed of the suffering +flesh, and I ought to have done so. This, and this alone, would have +been worthy of Las Casas and Junipero Serra! But I am weak and old--I +am no longer fit for His work. Far better that the ship which takes her +away should bring back my successor and one more worthy Todos Santos +than I." + +He stopped, his eyes dimmed, he buried his face in his hands. + +"You have done right, Father Esteban," said Hurlstone, gently putting +his arm round the priest's shoulders, "and I swear to you your secret is +as safe as if you had never revealed it to me. Perhaps," he added, with +a sigh, "I should have been happier if I had not known it--if she had +passed out of my life as mysteriously as she had entered it; but you +will try to accept my sacrifice as some return for yours. I shall see +her no more." + +"But will you swear it?" said the priest eagerly. "Will you swear that +you will not even seek her to say farewell; for in that moment the +wretched girl may shake your resolution?" + +"I shall not see her," repeated the young man slowly. + +"But if she asks an interview," persisted the priest, "on the pretense +of having your advice?" + +"She will not," returned Hurlstone, with a half bitter recollection of +their last parting. "You do not know her pride." + +"Perhaps," said the priest musingly. "But I have YOUR word, Diego. And +now let us return to the Mission, for there is much to prepare, and you +shall assist me." + +Meantime, Hurlstone was only half right in his estimate of Miss Keene's +feelings, although the result was the same. The first shock to her +delicacy in his abrupt speech had been succeeded by a renewal of her +uneasiness concerning his past life or history. While she would, in her +unselfish attachment for him, have undoubtingly accepted any explanation +he might have chosen to give her, his continued reserve and avoidance of +her left full scope to her imaginings. Rejecting any hypothesis of his +history except that of some unfortunate love episode, she began to think +that perhaps he still loved this nameless woman. Had anything occurred +to renew his affection? It was impossible, in their isolated condition, +that he would hear from her. But perhaps the priest might have been a +confidant of his past, and had recalled the old affection in rivalry of +her? Or had she herself been unfortunate through any idle word to reopen +the wound? Had there been any suggestion?--she checked herself suddenly +at a thought that benumbed and chilled her!--perhaps that happy hour at +the cross might have reminded him of some episode with another? That was +the real significance of his rude speech. With this first taste of the +poison of jealousy upon her virgin lips, she seized the cup and drank it +eagerly. Ah, well--he should keep his blissful recollections of the +past undisturbed by her. Perhaps he might even see--though SHE had no +past--that her present life might be as disturbing to him! She recalled, +with a foolish pleasure, his solitary faint sneer at the devotion of +the Commander's Secretary. Why shouldn't she, hereafter, encourage +that devotion as well as that sneer from this complacently beloved Mr. +Hurlstone? Why should he be so assured of her past? The fair and +gentle reader who may be shocked at this revelation of Eleanor Keene's +character will remember that she has not been recorded as an angel in +these pages--but as a very human, honest, inexperienced girl, for the +first time struggling with the most diplomatic, Machiavellian, and +hypocritical of all the passions. + +In pursuance of this new resolution, she determined to accept an +invitation from Mrs. Markham to accompany her and the Commander to +a reception at the Alcalde's house--the happy Secretary being of the +party. Mrs. Markham, who was under promise to the Comandante not to +reveal his plan for the escape of herself and Miss Keene until the +arrival of the expected transport, had paid little attention to the late +vagaries of her friend, and had contented herself by once saying, with +a marked emphasis, that the more free they kept themselves from any +entanglements with other people, the more prepared they would be for A +CHANGE. + +"Perhaps it's just as well not to be too free, even with those Jesuits +over at the Mission. Your brother, you know, might not like it." + +"THOSE JESUITS!" repeated Miss Keene indignantly. "Father Esteban, to +begin with, is a Franciscan, and Mr. Hurlstone is as orthodox as you or +I." + +"Don't be too sure of that, my dear," returned Mrs. Markham +sententiously. "Heaven only knows what disguises they assume. Why, +Hurlstone and the priest are already as thick as two peas; and you can't +make me believe they didn't know of each other before we came here. He +was the first one ashore, you remember, before the mutiny; and where +did he turn up?--at the Mission, of course! And have you forgotten that +sleepwalking affair--all Jesuitical! Why, poor dear Markham used to say +we were surrounded by ramifications of that society--everywhere. The +very waiter at your hotel table might belong to the Order." + +The hour of the siesta was just past, and the corridor and gardens of +the Alcalde's house were grouped with friends and acquaintances as +the party from the Presidio entered. Mrs. Brimmer, who had apparently +effected a temporary compromise with her late instincts of propriety, +was still doing the honors of the Alcalde's house, and had once more +assumed the Mexican dishabille, even to the slight exposure of her +small feet, stockingless, in white satin slippers. The presence of the +Comandante and his Secretary guaranteed the two ladies of their party a +reception at least faultless in form and respect, whatever may have been +the secret feelings of the hostess and her friends. The Alcalde received +Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene with unruffled courtesy, and conducted them +to the place of honor beside him. + +As Eleanor Keene, slightly flushed and beautiful in her unwonted nervous +excitement, took her seat, a flutter went around the corridor, and, with +the single exception of Dona Isabel, an almost imperceptible drawing +together of the other ladies, in offensive alliance. Miss Keene had +never abandoned her own style of dress; and that afternoon her delicate +and closely-fitting white muslin, gathered in at the waist with a broad +blue belt of ribbon, seemed to accentuate somewhat unflatteringly the +tropical neglige of Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb. Brace, who was in +attendance, with Crosby, on the two Ramirez girls, could not help being +uneasily conscious of this, in addition to the awkwardness of meeting +Miss Keene after the transfer of his affections elsewhere. Nor was his +embarrassment relieved by Crosby's confidences to him, in a half audible +whisper,-- + +"I say, old man, after all, the regular straight-out American style lays +over all their foreign flops and fandoodles. I wonder what old Brimmer +would say to his wife's full-dress nightgown--eh?" + +But at this moment the long-drawn, slightly stridulous utterances of +Mrs. Brimmer rose through the other greetings like a lazy east wind. + +"I shall never forgive the Commander for making the Presidio so +attractive to you, dear Miss Keene, that you cannot really find time to +see your own countrymen. Though, of course, you're not to blame for not +coming to see two frights as we must look--not having been educated to +be able to do up our dresses in that faultless style--and perhaps not +having the entire control over an establishment like you; yet, I suppose +that, even if the Alcalde did give us carte blanche of the laundry HERE, +we couldn't do it, unaided even by Mrs. Markham. Yes, dear; you must let +me compliment you on your skill, and the way you make things last. As +for me and Miss Chubb, we've only found our things fit to be given away +to the poor of the Mission. But I suppose even that charity would look +as shabby to you as our clothes, in comparison with the really good +missionary work you and Mr. Hurlstone--or is it Mr. Brace?--I always +confound your admirers, my dear--are doing now. At least, so says that +good Father Esteban." + +But with the exception of the Alcalde and Miss Chubb, Mrs. Brimmer's +words fell on unheeding ears, and Miss Keene did not prejudice the +triumph of her own superior attractions by seeming to notice Mrs. +Brimmer's innuendo. She answered briefly, and entered into lively +conversation with Crosby and the Secretary, holding the hand of Dona +Isabel in her own, as if to assure her that she was guiltless of any +design against her former admirer. This was quite unnecessary, as the +gentle Isabel, after bidding Brace, with a rap on the knuckles, to "go +and play," contented herself with curling up like a kitten beside Miss +Keene, and left that gentleman to wander somewhat aimlessly in the +patio. + +Nevertheless, Miss Keene, whose eyes and ears were nervously alert, and +who had indulged a faint hope of meeting Padre Esteban and hearing news +of Hurlstone, glanced from time to time towards the entrance of the +patio. A singular presentiment that some outcome of this present visit +would determine her relations with Hurlstone had already possessed her. +Consequently she was conscious, before it had attracted the attention +of the others, of some vague stirring in the plaza beyond. Suddenly +the clatter of hoofs was heard before the gateway. There was a moment's +pause of dismounting, a gruff order given in Spanish, and the next +moment three strangers entered the patio. + +They were dressed in red shirts, their white trousers tucked in high +boots, and wore slouched hats. They were so travel-stained, dusty, and +unshaven, that their features were barely distinguishable. One, who +appeared to be the spokesman of the party, cast a perfunctory glance +around the corridor, and, in fluent Spanish, began with the mechanical +air of a man repeating some formula,-- + +"We are the bearers of a despatch to the Comandante of Todos Santos from +the Governor of Mazatlan. The officer and the escort who came with us +are outside the gate. We have been told that the Comandante is in this +house. The case is urgent, or we would not intrude"-- + +He was stopped by the voice of Mrs. Markham from the corridor. "Well, +I don't understand Spanish much--I may be a fool, or crazy, or perhaps +both--but if that isn't James Markham's VOICE, I'll bet a cooky!" + +The three strangers turned quickly toward the corridor. The next moment +the youngest of their party advanced eagerly towards Miss Keene, who had +arisen with a half frightened joy, and with the cry of "Why, it's Nell!" +ran towards her. The third man came slowly forward as Mrs. Brimmer +slipped hastily from the hammock and stood erect. + +"In the name of goodness, Barbara," said Mr. Brimmer, closing upon her, +in a slow, portentous whisper, "where ARE your stockings?" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A MORE IMPORTANT ARRIVAL. + + +The Commander was the first to recover his presence of mind. Taking +the despatch from the hands of the unlooked-for husband of the woman he +loved, he opened it with an immovable face and habitual precision. Then, +turning with a military salute to the strangers, he bade them join him +in half an hour at the Presidio; and, bowing gravely to the assembled +company, stepped from the corridor. But Mrs. Markham was before him, +stopped him with a gesture, and turned to her husband. + +"James Markham--where's your hand?" + +Markham, embarrassed but subjugated, disengaged it timidly from his +wife's waist. + +"Give it to that gentleman--for a gentleman he is, from the crown of +his head to the soles of his boots! There! Shake his hand! You don't get +such a chance every day. You can thank him again, later." + +As the two men's hands parted, after this perfunctory grasp, and the +Commander passed on, she turned again to her husband. + +"Now, James, I am ready to hear all about it. Perhaps you'll tell me +where you HAVE been?" + +There was a moment of embarrassing silence. The Doctor and Secretary +had discreetly withdrawn; the Alcalde, after a brief introduction to Mr. +Brimmer, and an incomprehensible glance from the wife, had retired with +a colorless face. Dona Isabel had lingered last to blow a kiss across +her fan to Eleanor Keene that half mischievously included her brother. +The Americans were alone. + +Thus appealed to, Mr. Markham hastily began his story. But, as he +progressed, a slight incoherency was noticeable: he occasionally +contradicted himself, and was obliged to be sustained, supplemented, +and, at times, corrected, by Keene and Brimmer. Substantially, it +appeared that they had come from San Francisco to Mazatlan, and, through +the influence of Mr. Brimmer on the Mexican authorities, their party, +with an escort of dragoons, had been transported across the gulf and +landed on the opposite shore, where they had made a forced march across +the desert to Todos Santos. Literally interpreted, however, by the +nervous Markham, it would seem that they had conceived this expedition +long ago, and yet had difficulties because they only thought of it the +day before the steamer sailed; that they had embarked for the isthmus of +Nicaragua, and yet had stopped at Mazatlan; that their information +was complete in San Francisco, and only picked up at Mazatlan; that +"friends"--sometimes contradictorily known as "he" and "she"--had +overpowering influence with the Mexican Government, and alone had helped +them, and yet that they were utterly dependent upon the efforts of Senor +Perkins, who had compromised matters with the Mexican Government and +everybody. + +"Do you mean to say, James Markham, that you've seen Perkins, and it was +he who told you we were here?" + +"No--not HIM exactly." + +"Let me explain," said Mr. Brimmer hastily. "It appears," he corrected +his haste with practical businesslike precision, "that the filibuster +Perkins, after debarking you here, and taking the Excelsior to +Quinquinambo, actually established the Quinquinambo Government, and +got Mexico and the other confederacies to recognize its independence. +Quinquinambo behaved very handsomely, and not only allowed the Mexican +Government indemnity for breaking the neutrality of Todos Santos by the +seizure, but even compromised with our own Government their claim to +confiscate the Excelsior for treaty violation, and paid half the value +of the vessel, besides giving information to Mexico and Washington of +your whereabouts. We consequently represent a joint commission from both +countries to settle the matter and arrange for your return." + +"But what I want to know is this: Is it to Senor Perkins that we +ought to be thankful for seeing you here at all?" asked Mrs. Markham +impatiently. + +"No, no--not that, exactly," stammered Markham. "Oh, come now, +Susannah"-- + +"No," said Richard Keene earnestly; "by Jove! some thanks ought to go to +Belle Montgomery"--He checked himself in sudden consternation. + +There was a chilly silence. Even Miss Keene looked anxiously at her +brother, as the voice of Mrs. Brimmer for the first time broke the +silence. + +"May we be permitted to know who is this person to whom we owe so great +an obligation?" + +"Certainly," said Brimmer, "She was--as I have already intimated--a +friend; possibly, you know," he added, turning lightly to his +companions, as if to corroborate an impression that had just struck him, +"perhaps a--a--a sweetheart of the Senor Perkins." + +"And how was she so interested in us, pray?" said Mrs. Markham. + +"Well, you see, she had an idea that a former husband was on board of +the Excelsior." + +He stopped suddenly, remembering from the astonished faces of Keene and +Markham that the secret was not known to them, while they, impressed +with the belief that the story was a sudden invention of Brimmer's, with +difficulty preserved their composure. But the women were quick to notice +their confusion, and promptly disbelieved Brimmer's explanation. + +"Well, as there's no Mister Montgomery here, she's probably mistaken," +said Mrs. Markham, with decision, "though it strikes ME that she's very +likely had the same delusion on board of some other ship. Come along, +James; perhaps after you've had a bath and some clean clothes, you may +come out a little more like the man I once knew. I don't know how Mrs. +Brimmer feels, but I feel more as if I required to be introduced to +you--than your friend's friend, Mrs. Montgomery. At any rate, try and +look and behave a little more decent when you go over to the Presidio." + +With these words she dragged him away. Mr. Brimmer, after a futile +attempt to appear at his ease, promptly effected the usual marital +diversion of carrying the war into the enemy's camp. + +"For heaven's sake, Barbara," he said, with ostentatious indignation, +"go and dress yourself properly. Had you neither money nor credit to +purchase clothes? I declare I didn't know you at first; and when I did, +I was shocked; before Mrs. Markham, too!" + +"Mrs. Markham, I fear, has quite enough to occupy her now," said Mrs. +Brimmer shortly, as she turned away, with hysterically moist eyes, +leaving her husband to follow her. + +Oblivious of this comedy, Richard Keene and Eleanor had already wandered +back, hand in hand, to their days of childhood. But even in the joy that +filled the young girl's heart in the presence of her only kinsman, there +was a strange reservation. The meeting that she had looked forward to +with eager longing had brought all she expected; more than that, it +seemed to have been providentially anticipated at the moment of her +greatest need, and yet it was incomplete. She was ashamed that after the +first recognition, a wild desire to run to Hurlstone and tell HIM her +happiness was her only thought. She was shocked that the bright joyous +face of this handsome lovable boy could not shut out the melancholy +austere features of Hurlstone, which seemed to rise reproachfully +between them. When, for the third and fourth time, they had recounted +their past history, exchanged their confidences and feelings, Dick, +passing his arm around his sister's waist, looked down smilingly in her +eyes. + +"And so, after all, little Nell, everybody has been good to you, and you +have been happy!" + +"Everybody has been kind to me, Dick, far kinder than I deserved. Even +if I had really been the great lady that little Dona Isabel thought I +was, or the important person the Commander believed me to be, I couldn't +have been treated more kindly. I have met with nothing but respect and +attention. I have been very happy, Dick, very happy." + +And with a little cry she threw herself on her brother's neck and burst +into a childlike flood of inconsistent tears. + +Meantime the news of the arrival of the relief-party had penetrated +even the peaceful cloisters of the Mission, and Father Esteban had been +summoned in haste to the Council. He returned with an eager face to +Hurlstone, who had been anxiously awaiting him. When the Padre had +imparted the full particulars of the event to his companion, he added +gravely,-- + +"You see, my son, how Providence, which has protected you since you +first claimed the Church's sanctuary, has again interfered to spare +me the sacrifice of using the power of the Church in purely mundane +passions. I weekly accept the rebuke of His better-ordained ways, and +you, Diego, may comfort yourself that this girl is restored directly +to her brother's care, without any deviousness of plan or human +responsibility. You do not speak, my son!" continued the priest +anxiously; "can it be possible that, in the face of this gracious +approval of Providence to your resolution, you are regretting it?" + +The young man replied, with a half reproachful gesture: + +"Do you, then, think me still so weak? No, Father Esteban; I have +steeled myself against my selfishness for her sake. I could have +resigned her to the escape you had planned, believing her happier +for it, and ignorant of the real condition of the man she had learnt +to--to--pity. But," he added, turning suddenly and almost rudely upon +the priest, "do you know the meaning of this irruption of the outer +world to ME? Do you reflect that these men probably know my miserable +story?--that, as one of the passengers of the Excelsior, they will be +obliged to seek me and to restore me," he added, with a bitter laugh, +"to MY home, MY kindred--to the world I loathe?" + +"But you need not follow them. Remain here." + +"Here!--with the door thrown open to any talebearer OR PERHAPS TO MY +WIFE HERSELF? Never! Hear me, Father," he went on hurriedly: "these men +have come from San Francisco--have been to Mazatlan. Can you believe +that it is possible that they have never heard of this woman's search +for me? No! The quest of hate is as strong as the quest of love, and +more merciless to the hunted." + +"But if that were so, foolish boy, she would have accompanied them." + +"You are wrong! It would have been enough for her to have sent my +exposure by them--to have driven me from this refuge." + +"This is but futile fancy, Diego," said Father Esteban, with a simulated +assurance he was far from feeling. "Nothing has yet been said--nothing +may be said. Wait, my child." + +"Wait!" he echoed bitterly. "Ay, wait until the poor girl shall +hear--perhaps from her brother's lips--the story of my marriage as +bandied about by others; wait for her to know that the man who would +have made her love him was another's, and unworthy of her respect? No! +it is I who must leave this place, and at once." + +"YOU?" echoed the Padre. "How?" + +"By the same means you would have used for her departure. I must take +her place in that ship you are expecting. You will give ME letters +to your friends. Perhaps, when this is over, I may return--if I still +live." + +Padre Esteban became thoughtful. + +"You will not refuse me?" said the young man, taking the Padre's hand. +"It is for the best, believe me. I will remain secret here until then. +You will invent some excuse--illness, or what you like--to keep them +from penetrating here. Above all, to spare me from the misery of ever +reading my secret in her face." + +Father Esteban remained still absorbed in thought. + +"You will take a letter from me to the Archbishop, and put yourself +under his care?" he asked at last, after a long pause. "You will promise +me that?" + +"I do!" + +"Then we shall see what can be done. They talk, those Americanos," +continued the priest, "of making their way up the coast to Punta St. +Jago, where the ship they have already sent for to take them away can +approach the shore; and the Comandante has orders to furnish them +escort and transport to that point. It is a foolish indiscretion of the +Government, and I warrant without the sanction of the Church. Already +there is curiosity, discontent, and wild talk among the people. Ah! thou +sayest truly, my son," said the old man, gloomily; "the doors of Todos +Santos are open. The Comandante will speed these heretics quickly on +their way; but the doors by which they came and whence they go will +never close again. But God's will be done! And if the open doors bring +thee back, my son, I shall not question His will!" + +It would seem, however, as if Hurlstone's fears had been groundless. For +in the excitement of the succeeding days, and the mingling of the party +from San Antonio with the new-comers, the recluse had been forgotten. So +habitual, had been his isolation from the others, that, except for the +words of praise and gratitude hesitatingly dropped by Miss Keene to her +brother, his name was not mentioned, and it might have been possible for +the relieving party to have left him behind--unnoticed. Mr. Brimmer, +for domestic reasons, was quite willing to allow the episode of Miss +Montgomery's connection with their expedition to drop for the present. +Her name was only recalled once by Miss Keene. When Dick had professed +a sudden and violent admiration for the coquettish Dona Isabel, Eleanor +had looked up in her brother's face with a half troubled air. + +"Who was this queer Montgomery woman, Dick?" she said. + +Dick laughed--a frank, reassuring, heart-free laugh. + +"Perfectly stunning, Nell. Such a figure in tights! You ought to have +seen her dance--my!" + +"Hush! I dare say she was horrid!" + +"Not at all! She wasn't such a bad fellow, if you left out her poetry +and gush, which I didn't go in for much,--though the other fellows"--he +stopped, from a sudden sense of loyalty to Brimmer and Markham. "No; +you see, Nell, she was regularly ridiculously struck after that man +Perkins,--whom she'd never seen,--a kind of schoolgirl worship for a +pirate. You know how you women go in for those fellows with a mystery +about 'em." + +"No, I don't!" said Miss Keene sharply, with a slight rise of color; +"and I don't see what that's got to do with you and her." + +"Everything! She was in correspondence with Perkins, and knows about the +Excelsior affair, and wants to help him get out of it with clean hands, +don't you see! That's why she made up to us. There, Nell; she ain't your +style, of course; but you owe a heap to her for giving us points as to +where you were. But that's all over now; she left us at Mazatlan, and +went on to Nicaragua to meet Perkins somewhere there--for the fellow has +always got some Central American revolution on hand, it appears. Until +they garrote or shoot him some day, he'll go on in the liberating +business forever." + +"Then there wasn't any Mr. Montgomery, of course?" said Eleanor. + +"Oh, Mr. Montgomery," said Dick, hesitating. "Well, you see, Nell, I +think that, knowing how correct and all that sort of thing Brimmer is, +she sort of invented the husband to make her interest look more proper." + +"It's shameful!" said Miss Keene indignantly. + +"Come, Nell; one would think you had a personal dislike to her. Let her +go; she won't trouble you--nor, I reckon, ANYBODY, much longer." + +"What do you mean, Dick?" + +"I mean she has regularly exhausted and burnt herself out with her +hysterics and excitements, and the drugs she's taken to subdue them--to +say nothing of the Panama fever she got last spring. If she don't go +regularly crazy at last she'll have another attack of fever, hanging +round the isthmus waiting for Perkins." + +Meanwhile, undisturbed by excitement or intrusion of the outer world, +the days had passed quietly at the Mission. But one evening, at +twilight, a swift-footed, lightly-clad Indian glided into the sacristy +as if he had slipped from the outlying fog, and almost immediately +as quietly glided away again and disappeared. The next moment Father +Esteban's gaunt and agitated face appeared at Hurlstone's door. + +"My son, God has been merciful, and cut short your probation. The signal +of the ship has just been made. Her boat will be waiting on the beach +two leagues from here an hour hence. Are you ready? and are you still +resolved?" + +"I am," said Hurlstone, rising. "I have been prepared since you first +assented." + +The old man's lips quivered slightly, and the great brown hand laid upon +the table trembled for an instant; with a strong effort he recovered +himself, and said hurriedly,-- + +"Concho's mule is saddled and ready for you at the foot of the garden. +You will follow the beach a league beyond the Indians' cross. In the +boat will await you the trusty messenger of the Church. You will say to +him, 'Guadalajara,' and give him these letters. One is to the captain. +You will require no other introduction." He laid the papers on the +table, and, turning to Hurlstone, lifted his tremulous hands in the air. +"And now, my son, may the grace of God"-- + +He faltered and stopped, his uplifted arms falling helplessly on +Hurlstone's shoulders. For an instant the young man supported him in his +arms, then placed him gently in the chair he had just quitted, and for +the first time in their intimacy dropped upon his knee before him. The +old man, with a faint smile, placed his hand upon his companion's head. +A breathless pause followed; Father Esteban's lips moved silently. +Suddenly the young man rose, pressed his lips hurriedly to the Father's +hand, and passed out into the night. + +The moon was already suffusing the dropping veil of fog above him with +that nebulous, mysterious radiance he had noticed the first night he +had approached the Mission. When he reached the cross he dismounted, +and gathering a few of the sweet-scented blossoms that crept around its +base, placed them in his breast. Then, remounting, he continued his way +until he came to the spot designated by Concho as a fitting place to +leave his tethered mule. This done, he proceeded on foot about a mile +further along the hard, wet sand, his eyes fixed on the narrow strip of +water and shore before him that was yet uninvaded by the fog on either +side. + +The misty, nebulous light, the strange silence, broken only by the +occasional low hurried whisper of some spent wave that sent its film of +spume across his path, or filled his footprints behind him, possessed +him with vague presentiments and imaginings. At times he fancied he +heard voices at his side; at times indistinct figures loomed through +the mist before him. At last what seemed to be his own shadow faintly +impinged upon the mist at one side impressed him so strongly that he +stopped; the apparition stopped too. Continuing a few hundred paces +further, he stopped again; but this time the ghostly figure passed on, +and convinced him that it was no shadow, but some one actually following +him. With an angry challenge he advanced towards it. It quickly +retreated inland, and was lost. Irritated and suspicious he turned back +towards the water, and was amazed to see before him, not twenty yards +away, the object of his quest--a boat, with two men in it, kept in +position by the occasional lazy dip of an oar. In the pursuit of his +mysterious shadow he had evidently overlooked it. As his own figure +emerged from the fog, the boat pulled towards him. The priest's password +was upon his lips, when he perceived that the TWO men were common +foreign sailors; the messenger of the Church was evidently not there. +Could it have been he who had haunted him? He paused irresolutely. "Is +there none other coming?" he asked. The two men looked at each other. +One said, "Quien sabe!" and shrugged his shoulders. Hurlstone without +further hesitation leaped aboard. + +The same dull wall of vapor--at times thickening to an almost +impenetrable barrier, and again half suffocating him in its soft +embrace--which he had breasted on the night he swam ashore, carried back +his thoughts to that time, now so remote and unreal. And when, after a +few moments' silent rowing, the boat approached a black hulk that +seemed to have started forward out of the gloom to meet them, his vague +recollection began to take a more definite form. As he climbed up the +companion-ladder and boarded the vessel, an inexplicable memory came +over him. A petty officer on the gangway advanced silently and ushered +him, half dazed and bewildered, into the cabin. He glanced hurriedly +around: the door of a state-room opened, and disclosed the indomitable +and affable Senor Perkins! A slight expression of surprise, however, +crossed the features of the Liberator of Quinquinambo as he advanced +with outstretched hand. + +"This is really a surprise, my dear fellow! I had no idea that YOU +were in this affair. But I am delighted to welcome you once more to the +Excelsior!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE RETURN OF THE EXCELSIOR. + + +Amazed and disconcerted, Hurlstone, nevertheless, retained his presence +of mind. + +"There must be some mistake," he said coolly; "I am certainly not the +person you seem to be expecting." + +"Were you not sent here by Winslow?" demanded Perkins. + +"No. The person you are looking for is probably one I saw on the shore. +He no doubt became alarmed at my approach, and has allowed me quite +unwittingly to take his place in the boat." + +Perkins examined Hurlstone keenly for a moment, stepped to the door, +gave a brief order, and returned. + +"Then, if you did not intend the honor of this visit for me," he +resumed, with a smile, "may I ask, my dear fellow, whom you expected +to meet, and on what ship? There are not so many at Todos Santos, if my +memory serves me right, as to create confusion." + +"I must decline to answer that question," said Hurlstone curtly. + +The Senor smiled, with an accession of his old gentleness. + +"My dear young friend," he said, "have you forgotten that on a far more +important occasion to YOU, I showed no desire to pry into your secret?" +Hurlstone made a movement of deprecation. "Nor have I any such desire +now. But for the sake of our coming to an understanding as friends, +let me answer the question for you. You are here, my dear fellow, as +a messenger from the Mission of Todos Santos to the Ecclesiastical +Commission from Guadalajara, whose ship touches here every three years. +It is now due. You have mistaken this vessel for theirs." + +Hurlstone remained silent. + +"It is no secret," continued Senor Perkins blandly; "nor shall I pretend +to conceal MY purpose here, which is on the invitation of certain +distressed patriots of Todos Santos, to assist them in their deliverance +from the effete tyranny of the Church and its Government. I have been +fortunate enough to anticipate the arrival of your vessel, as you were +fortunate enough to anticipate the arrival of my messenger. I am doubly +fortunate, as it gives me the pleasure of your company this evening, +and necessitates no further trouble than the return of the boat for the +other gentleman--which has already gone. Doubtless you may know him." + +"I must warn you again, Senor Perkins," said Hurlstone sternly, "that +I have no connection with any political party; nor have I any sympathy +with your purpose against the constituted authorities." + +"I am willing to believe that you have no political affinities at all, +my dear Mr. Hurlstone," returned Perkins, with unruffled composure, +"and, consequently, we will not argue as to what is the constituted +authority of Todos Santos. Perhaps to-morrow it may be on board THIS +SHIP, and I may still have the pleasure of making you at home here!" + +"Until then," said Hurlstone dryly, "at least you will allow me to +repair my error by returning to the shore." + +"For the moment I hardly think it would be wise," replied Perkins +gently. "Allowing that you escaped the vigilance of my friends on the +shore, whose suspicions you have aroused, and who might do you some +injury, you would feel it your duty to inform those who sent you of the +presence of my ship, and thus precipitate a collision between my +friends and yours, which would be promotive of ill-feeling, and perhaps +bloodshed. You know my peaceful disposition, Mr. Hurlstone; you can +hardly expect me to countenance an act of folly that would be in +violation of it." + +"In other words, having decoyed me here on board your ship, you intend +to detain me," said Hurlstone insultingly. + +"'Decoy,'" said Perkins, in gentle deprecation, "'decoy' is hardly the +word I expected from a gentleman who has been so unfortunate as to take, +unsolicited and of his own free will, another person's place in a boat. +But," he continued, assuming an easy argumentative attitude, "let us +look at it from your view-point. Let us imagine that YOUR ship had +anticipated mine, and that MY messenger had unwittingly gone on board of +HER. What do you think they would have done to him?" + +"They would have hung him at the yard-arm, as he deserved," said +Hurlstone unflinchingly. + +"You are wrong," said Perkins gently. "They would have given him the +alternative of betraying his trust, and confessing everything--which he +would probably have accepted. Pardon me!--this is no insinuation against +you," he interrupted,--"but I regret to say that my experience with the +effete Latin races of this continent has not inspired me with confidence +in their loyalty to trust. Let me give you an instance," he continued, +smiling: "the ship you are expecting is supposed to be an inviolable +secret of the Church, but it is known to me--to my friends ashore--and +even to you, my poor friend, a heretic! More than that, I am told that +the Comandante, the Padre, and Alcalde are actually arranging to deport +some of the American women by this vessel, which has been hitherto +sacred to the emissaries of the Church alone. But you probably know +this--it is doubtless part of your errand. I only mention it to convince +you that I have certainly no need either to know your secrets, to hang +you from the yard-arm if you refused to give them up, or to hold you +as hostage for my messenger, who, as I have shown you, can take care of +himself. I shall not ask you for that secret despatch you undoubtedly +carry next your heart, because I don't want it. You are at liberty to +keep it until you can deliver it, or drop it out of that port-hole +into the sea--as you choose. But I hear the boat returning," continued +Perkins, rising gently from his seat as the sound of oars came faintly +alongside, "and no doubt with Winslow's messenger. I am sorry you won't +let me bring you together. I dare say he knows all about you, and it +really need not alter your opinions." + +"One moment," said Hurlstone, stunned, yet incredulous of Perkins's +revelations. "You said that both the Comandante and Alcalde had arranged +to send away certain ladies--are you not mistaken?" + +"I think not," said Perkins quietly, looking over a pile of papers on +the table before him. "Yes, here it is," he continued, reading from +a memorandum: "'Don Ramon Ramirez arranged with Pepe for the secret +carrying off of Dona Barbara Brimmer.' Why, that was six weeks ago, and +here we have the Comandante suborning one Marcia, a dragoon, to abduct +Mrs. Markham--by Jove, my old friend!--and Dona Leonor--our beauty, was +she not? Yes, here it is: in black and white. Read it, if you like,--and +pardon me for one moment, while I receive this unlucky messenger." + +Left to himself, Hurlstone barely glanced at the memorandum, which +seemed to be the rough minutes of some society. He believed Perkins; but +was it possible that the Padre could be ignorant of the designs of his +fellow-councilors? And if he were not--if he had long before been in +complicity with them for the removal of Eleanor, might he not also have +duped him, Hurlstone, and sent him on this mission as a mere blind; +and--more infamously--perhaps even thus decoyed him on board the wrong +ship? No--it was impossible! His honest blood quickly flew to his cheek +at that momentary disloyal suspicion. + +Nevertheless, the Senor's bland revelations filled him with vague +uneasiness. SHE was safe with her brother now; but what if he and +the other Americans were engaged in this ridiculous conspiracy, this +pot-house rebellion that Father Esteban had spoken of, and which he had +always treated with such contempt? It seemed strange that Perkins had +said nothing of the arrival of the relieving party from the Gulf, and +its probable effect on the malcontents. Did he know it? or was the news +now being brought by this messenger whom he, Hurlstone, had supplanted? +If so, when and how had Perkins received the intelligence that brought +him to Todos Santos? The young man could scarcely repress a bitter smile +as he remembered the accepted idea of Todos Santos' inviolability--that +inaccessible port that had within six weeks secretly summoned Perkins +to its assistance! And it was there he believed himself secure! +What security had he at all? Might not this strange, unimpassioned, +omniscient man already know HIS secret as he had known the others'? + +The interview of Perkins with the messenger in the next cabin was a long +one, and apparently a stormy one on the part of the newcomer. Hurlstone +could hear his excited foreign voice, shrill with the small vehemence of +a shallow character; but there was no change in the slow, measured tones +of the Senor. He listlessly began to turn over the papers on the table. +Presently he paused. He had taken up a sheet of paper on which Senor +Perkins had evidently been essaying some composition in verse. It seemed +to have been of a lugubrious character. The titular line at the top +of the page, "Dirge," had been crossed out for the substituted "In +Memoriam." He read carelessly: + + "O Muse unmet--but not unwept-- + I seek thy sacred haunt in vain. + Too late, alas! the tryst is kept-- + We may not meet again! + + "I sought thee 'midst the orange bloom, + To find that thou hadst grasped the palm + Of martyr, and the silent tomb + Had hid thee in its calm. + + "By fever racked, thou languishest + On Nicaragua's"-- + +Hurlstone threw the paper aside. Although he had not forgotten the +Senor's reputation for sentimental extravagance, and on another occasion +might have laughed at it, there was something so monstrous in +this hysterical, morbid composition of the man who was even then +contemplating bloodshed and crime, that he was disgusted. Like most +sentimental egotists, Hurlstone was exceedingly intolerant of that +quality in others, and he turned for relief to his own thoughts of +Eleanor Keene and his own unfortunate passion. HE could not have written +poetry at such a moment! + +But the cabin-door opened, and Senor Perkins appeared. Whatever might +have been the excited condition of his unknown visitor, the Senor's +round, clean-shaven face was smiling and undisturbed by emotion. As +his eye fell on the page of manuscript Hurlstone had just cast down, a +slight shadow crossed his beneficent expanse of forehead, and deepened +in his soft dark eyes; but the next moment it was chased away by his +quick recurring smile. Even thus transient and superficial was his +feeling, thought Hurlstone. + +"I have some news for you," said Perkins affably, "which may alter your +decision about returning. My friends ashore," he continued, "judging +from the ingenuous specimen which has just visited me, are more +remarkable for their temporary zeal and spasmodic devotion than for +prudent reserve or lasting discretion. They have submitted a list to me +of those whom they consider dangerous to Mexican liberty, and whom they +are desirous of hanging. I regret to say that the list is illogical, and +the request inopportune. Our friend Mr. Banks is put down as an ally +of the Government and an objectionable business rival of that eminent +patriot and well-known drover, Senor Martinez, who just called upon me. +Mr. Crosby's humor is considered subversive of a proper respect for all +patriotism; but I cannot understand why they have added YOUR name as +especially 'dangerous.'" + +Hurlstone made a gesture of contempt. + +"I suppose they pay me the respect of considering me a friend of the +old priest. So be it! I hope they will let the responsibility fall on me +alone." + +"The Padre is already proscribed as one of the Council," said Senor +Perkins quietly. + +"Do you mean to say," said Hurlstone impetuously, "that you will permit +a hair of that innocent old man's head to be harmed by those wretches?" + +"You are generous but hasty, my friend," said Senor Perkins, in gentle +deprecation. "Allow me to put your question in another way. Ask me if +I intend to perpetuate the Catholic Church in Todos Santos by adding +another martyr to its roll, and I will tell you--No! I need not say +that I am equally opposed to any proceedings against Banks, Crosby, and +yourself, for diplomatic reasons, apart from the kindly memories of our +old associations on this ship. I have therefore been obliged to return +to the excellent Martinez his little list, with the remark that I should +hold HIM personally responsible if any of you are molested. There +is, however, no danger. Messrs. Banks and Crosby are with the other +Americans, whom we have guaranteed to protect, at the Mission, in the +care of your friend the Padre. You are surprised! Equally so was the +Padre. Had you delayed your departure an hour you would have met them, +and I should have been debarred the pleasure of your company. + +"By to-morrow," continued Perkins, placing the tips of his fingers +together reflectively, "the Government of Todos Santos will have changed +hands, and without bloodshed. You look incredulous! My dear young +friend, it has been a part of my professional pride to show the world +that these revolutions can be accomplished as peacefully as our own +changes of administration. But for a few infelicitous accidents, this +would have been the case of the late liberation of Quinquinambo. The +only risk run is to myself--the leader, and that is as it should be. But +all this personal explanation is, doubtless, uninteresting to you, my +young friend. I meant only to say that, if you prefer not to remain +here, you can accompany me when I leave the ship at nine o'clock with a +small reconnoitring party, and I will give you safe escort back to your +friends at the Mission." + +This amicable proposition produced a sudden revulsion of feeling in +Hurlstone. To return to those people from whom he was fleeing, in what +was scarcely yet a serious emergency, was not to be thought of! Yet, +where could he go? How could he be near enough to assist HER without +again openly casting his lot among them? And would they not consider +his return an act of cowardice? He could not restrain a gesture of +irritation as he rose impatiently to his feet. + +"You are agitated, my dear fellow. It is not unworthy of your youth; +but, believe me, it is unnecessary," said Perkins, in his most soothing +manner. "Sit down. You have an hour yet to make your decision. If you +prefer to remain, you will accompany the ship to Todos Santos and join +me." + +"I don't comprehend you," interrupted Hurlstone suspiciously. + +"I forgot," said Perkins, with a bland smile, "that you are unaware of +our plan of campaign. After communicating with the insurgents, I land +here with a small force to assist them. I do this to anticipate any +action and prevent the interference of the Mexican coaster, now due, +which always touches here through ignorance of the channel leading to +the Bay of Todos Santos and the Presidio. I then send the Excelsior, +that does know the channel, to Todos Santos, to appear before the +Presidio, take the enemy in flank, and cooperate with us. The arrival +of the Excelsior there is the last move of this little game, if I may so +call it: it is 'checkmate to the King,' the clerical Government of Todos +Santos." + +A little impressed, in spite of himself, with the calm forethought and +masterful security of the Senor, Hurlstone thanked him with a greater +show of respect than he had hitherto evinced. The Senor looked +gratified, but unfortunately placed that respect the next moment in +peril. + +"You were possibly glancing over these verses," he said, with a +hesitating and almost awkward diffidence, indicating the manuscript +Hurlstone had just thrown aside. "It is merely the first rough draft +of a little tribute I had begun to a charming friend. I sometimes," he +interpolated, with an apologetic smile, "trifle with the Muse. Perhaps I +ought not to use the word 'trifle' in connection with a composition of +a threnodial and dirge-like character," he continued deprecatingly. +"Certainly not in the presence of a gentleman as accomplished and +educated as yourself, to whom recreation of this kind is undoubtedly +familiar. My occupations have been, unfortunately, of a nature not +favorable to the indulgence of verse. As a college man yourself, my dear +sir, you will probably forgive the lucubrations of an old graduate of +William and Mary's, who has forgotten his 'ars poetica.' The verses you +have possibly glanced at are crude, I am aware, and perhaps show the +difficulty of expressing at once the dictates of the heart and the +brain. They refer to a dear friend now at peace. You have perhaps, +in happier and more careless hours, heard me speak of Mrs. Euphemia +M'Corkle, of Illinois?" + +Hurlstone remembered indistinctly to have heard, even in his reserved +exclusiveness on the Excelsior, the current badinage of the passengers +concerning Senor Perkins' extravagant adulation of this unknown poetess. +As a part of the staple monotonous humor of the voyage, it had only +disgusted him. With a feeling that he was unconsciously sharing the +burlesque relief of the passengers, he said, with a polite attempt at +interest, + +"Then the lady is--no more?" + +"If that term can be applied to one whose work is immortal," corrected +Senor Perkins gently. "All that was finite of this gifted woman was +lately forwarded by Adams's Express Company from San Juan, to receive +sepulture among her kindred at Keokuk, Iowa." + +"Did she say she was from that place?" asked Hurlstone, with half +automatic interest. + +"The Consul says she gave that request to the priest." + +"Then you were not with her when she died?" said Hurlstone absently. + +"I was NEVER with her, neither then nor before," returned Senor Perkins +gravely. Seeing Hurlstone's momentary surprise, he went on, "The late +Mrs. M'Corkle and I never met--we were personally unknown to each other. +You may have observed the epithet 'unmet' in the first line of the first +stanza; you will then understand that the privation of actual contact +with this magnetic soul would naturally impart more difficulty into +elegiac expression." + +"Then you never really saw the lady you admire?" said Hurlstone +vacantly. + +"Never. The story is a romantic one," said Perkins, with a smile that +was half complacent and yet half embarrassed. "May I tell it to you? +Thanks. Some three years ago I contributed some verses to the columns +of a Western paper edited by a friend of mine. The subject chosen was my +favorite one, 'The Liberation of Mankind,' in which I may possibly have +expressed myself with some poetic fervor on a theme so dear to my heart. +I may remark without vanity, that it received high encomiums--perhaps at +some more opportune moment you may be induced to cast your eyes over a +copy I still retain--but no praise touched me as deeply as a tribute +in verse in another journal from a gifted unknown, who signed herself +'Euphemia.' The subject of the poem, which was dedicated to myself, +was on the liberation of women--from--er--I may say certain domestic +shackles; treated perhaps vaguely, but with grace and vigor. I replied +a week later in a larger poem, recording more fully my theories and +aspirations regarding a struggling Central American confederacy, +addressed to 'Euphemia.' She rejoined with equal elaboration and +detail, referring to a more definite form of tyranny in the relations of +marriage, and alluding with some feeling to uncongenial experiences of +her own. An instinct of natural delicacy, veiled under the hyperbole +of 'want of space,' prevented my editorial friend from encouraging the +repetition of this charming interchange of thought and feeling. But I +procured the fair stranger's address; we began a correspondence, at once +imaginative and sympathetic in expression, if not always poetical +in form. I was called to South America by the Macedonian cry of +'Quinquinambo!' I still corresponded with her. When I returned to +Quinquinambo I received letters from her, dated from San Francisco. I +feel that my words could only fail, my dear Hurlstone, to convey to you +the strength and support I derived from those impassioned breathings +of aid and sympathy at that time. Enough for me to confess that it was +mainly due to the deep womanly interest that SHE took in the fortunes +of the passengers of the Excelsior that I gave the Mexican authorities +early notice of their whereabouts. But, pardon me,"--he stopped +hesitatingly, with a slight flush, as he noticed the utterly inattentive +face and attitude of Hurlstone,--"I am boring you. I am forgetting +that this is only important to myself," he added, with a sigh. "I only +intended to ask your advice in regard to the disposition of certain +manuscripts and effects of hers, which are unconnected with our +acquaintance. I thought, perhaps, I might entrust them to your delicacy +and consideration. They are here, if you choose to look them over; and +here is also what I believe to be a daguerreotype of the lady herself, +but in which I fail to recognize her soul and genius." + +He laid a bundle of letters and a morocco case on the table with a +carelessness that was intended to hide a slight shade of disappointment +in his face--and rose. + +"I beg your pardon," said Hurlstone, in confused and remorseful apology; +"but I frankly confess that my thoughts WERE preoccupied. Pray forgive +me. If you will leave these papers with me, I promise to devote myself +to them another time." + +"As you please," said the Senor, with a slight return of his old +affability. "But don't bore yourself now. Let us go on deck." + +He passed out of the cabin as Hurlstone glanced, half mechanically, at +the package before him. Suddenly his cheek reddened; he stopped, looked +hurriedly at the retreating form of Perkins, and picked up a manuscript +from the packet. It was in his wife's handwriting. A sudden idea flashed +across his mind, and seemed to illuminate the obscure monotony of the +story he had just heard. He turned hurriedly to the morocco case, and +opened it with trembling fingers. It was a daguerreotype, faded and +silvered; but the features were those of his wife! + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +HOSTAGE. + + +The revolution of Todos Santos had to all appearances been effected as +peacefully as the gentle Liberator of Quinquinambo could have wished. +Two pronunciamientos, rudely printed and posted in the Plaza, and +saluted by the fickle garrison of one hundred men, who had, however, +immediately reappointed their old commander as Generalissimo under the +new regime, seemed to leave nothing to be desired. A surging mob of +vacant and wondering peons, bearing a singular resemblance to the wild +cattle and horses which intermingled with them in blind and unceasing +movement across the Plaza and up the hilly street, and seemingly as +incapable of self-government, were alternately dispersed and stampeded +or allowed to gather again as occasion required. Some of these +heterogeneous bands were afterwards found--the revolution +accomplished--gazing stupidly on the sea, or ruminating in bovine +wantonness on the glacis before the Presidio. + +Eleanor Keene, who with her countrywomen had been hurried to the refuge +of the Mission, was more disturbed and excited at the prospect of +meeting Hurlstone again than by any terror of the insurrection. But +Hurlstone was not there, and Father Esteban received her with a coldness +she could not attribute entirely to her countrymen's supposed sympathy +with the insurgents. When Richard Keene, who would not leave his sister +until he had seen her safe under the Mission walls, ventured at her +suggestion to ask after the American recluse, Father Esteban replied +dryly that, being a Christian gentleman, Hurlstone was the only one who +had the boldness to seek out the American filibuster Perkins, on his +own ship, and remonstrate with him for his unholy crusade. For the old +priest had already become aware of Hurlstone's blunder, and he hated +Eleanor as the primary cause of the trouble. But for her, Diego would be +still with him in this emergency. + +"Never mind, Nell," said Dick, noticing the disappointed eyes of his +sister as they parted, "you'll all be safe here until we return. Between +you and me, Banks, Brimmer, and I think that Brace and Winslow have gone +too far in this matter, and we're going to stop it, unless the whole +thing is over now, as they say." + +"Don't believe that," said Crosby. "It's like their infernal +earthquakes; there's always a second shock, and a tidal wave to follow. +I pity Brace, Winslow, and Perkins if they get caught in it." + +There seemed to be some reason for his skepticism, for later the calm of +the Mission Garden was broken upon by the monotonous tread of banded men +on the shell-strewn walks, and the door of the refectory opened to +the figure of Senor Perkins. A green silk sash across his breast, a +gold-laced belt, supporting a light dress-sword and a pair of pistols, +buckled around the jaunty waist of his ordinary black frock-coat, were +his scant martial suggestions. But his hat, albeit exchanged for a soft +felt one, still reposed on the back of his benevolent head, and seemed +to accent more than ever the contrast between his peaceful shoulders +and the military smartness of his lower figure. He bowed with easy +politeness to the assembled fugitives; but before he could address them, +Father Esteban had risen to his feet,-- + +"I thought that this house, at least, was free from the desecrating +footsteps of lawlessness and impiety," said the priest sternly. "How +dare YOU enter here?" + +"Nothing but the desire to lend my assistance to the claims of beauty, +innocence, helplessness, and--if you will allow me to add," with a low +bow to the priest--"sanctity, caused this intrusion. For I regret to say +that, through the ill-advised counsels of some of my fellow-patriots, +the Indian tribes attached to this Mission are in revolt, and threaten +even this sacred building." + +"It is false!" said Father Esteban indignantly. "Even under the accursed +manipulation of your emissaries, the miserable heathen would not dare to +raise a parricidal hand against the Church that fostered him!" + +Senor Perkins smiled gently, but sadly. + +"Your belief, reverend sir, does you infinite credit. But, to save +time, let me give way to a gentleman who, I believe, possesses your +confidence. He will confirm my statement." + +He drew aside, and allowed Hurlstone, who had been standing unperceived +behind, to step forward. The Padre uttered an exclamation of pleasure. +Miss Keene colored quickly. Hurlstone cast a long and lingering glance +at her, which seemed to the embarrassed girl full of a new, strange +meaning, and then advanced quickly with outstretched hands towards +Father Esteban. + +"He speaks truly," he said, hurriedly, "and in the interests of humanity +alone. The Indians have been tampered with treacherously, against his +knowledge and consent. He only seeks now to prevent the consequences of +this folly by placing you and these ladies out of reach of harm aboard +of the Excelsior." + +"A very proper and excellent idea," broke in Mrs. Brimmer, with genteel +precision. "You see these people evidently recognize the fact of Mr. +Brimmer's previous ownership of the Excelsior, and the respect that is +due to him. I, for one, shall accept the offer, and insist upon Miss +Chubb accompanying me." + +"I shall be charmed to extend the hospitality of the Excelsior to you on +any pretext," said the Senor gallantly, "and, indeed, should insist upon +personally accompanying you and my dear friends Mrs. Markham and Miss +Keene; but, alas! I am required elsewhere. I leave," he continued, +turning towards Hurlstone, who was already absorbed in a whispered +consultation with Padre Esteban--"I leave a sufficient escort with you +to protect your party to the boats which have brought us here. You will +take them to the Excelsior, and join me with the ship off Todos Santos +in the morning. Adieu, my friends! Good-night, and farewell!" + +The priest made a vehement movement of protestation, but he was checked +by Hurlstone, as, with a low bow, Senor Perkins passed out into the +darkness. The next moment his voice was heard raised in command, and +the measured tramp of his men gradually receded and was lost in the +distance. + +"Does he think," said the priest indignantly, "that I, Padre Esteban, +would desert my sacred trust, and leave His Holy Temple a prey to +sacrilegious trespass? Never, while I live, Diego! Call him back and +tell him so!" + +"Rather listen to me, Father Esteban," said the young man earnestly. +"I have a plan by which this may be avoided. From my knowledge of these +Indians, I am convinced that they have been basely tricked and cajoled +by some one. I believe that they are still amenable to reason and +argument, and I am so certain that I am ready to go down among them and +make the attempt. The old Chief and part of his band are still encamped +on the shore; we could hear them as we passed in the boats. I will go +and meet them. If I succeed in bringing them to reason I will return; if +I find them intractable, I will at least divert their attention from the +Mission long enough for you to embark these ladies with their escort, +which you will do at the end of two hours if I do not return." + +"In two hours?" broke in Mrs. Brimmer, in sharp protest. "I positively +object. I certainly understood that Senor Perkins' invitation, which, +under the circumstances, I shall consider equal to a command from Mr. +Brimmer, was to be accepted at once and without delay; and I certainly +shall not leave Miss Chubb exposed to imminent danger for two hours to +meet the caprice of an entire stranger to Mr. Brimmer." + +"I am willing to stay with Father Esteban, if he will let me," said +Eleanor Keene quietly, "for I have faith in Mr. Hurlstone's influence +and courage, and believe he will be successful." + +The young man thanked her with another demonstrative look that brought +the warm blood to her cheek. + +"Well," said Mrs. Markham promptly; "I suppose if Nell stays I must +see the thing through and stay with her--even if I haven't orders from +Jimmy." + +"There is no necessity that either Mr. or Mrs. Brimmer should be +disobeyed in their wishes," said Hurlstone grimly. "Luckily there are +two boats; Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb can take one of them with half +the escort, and proceed at once to the Excelsior. I will ride with them +as far as the boat. And now," he continued, turning to the old priest, +with sparkling eyes, "I have only to ask your blessing, and the good +wishes of these ladies, to go forth on my mission of peace. If I am +successful," he added, with a light laugh, "confess that a layman and +a heretic may do some service for the Church." As the old man laid his +half detaining, half benedictory hands upon his shoulders, the young man +seized the opportunity to whisper in his ear, "Remember your promise to +tell her ALL I have told you," and, with an other glance at Miss Keene, +he marshalled Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb before him, and hurried them +to the boat. + +Miss Keene looked after him with a vague felicity in the change that +seemed to have come on him, a change that she could as little account +for as her own happiness. Was it the excitement of danger that had +overcome his reserve, and set free his compressed will and energy? She +longed for her brother to see him thus--alert, strong, and chivalrous. +In her girlish faith, she had no fear for his safety; he would conquer, +he would succeed; he would come back to them victorious! Looking up from +her happy abstraction, at the side of Mrs. Markham, who had calmly gone +to sleep in an arm-chair, she saw Father Esteban's eyes fixed upon her. +With a warning gesture of the hand towards Mrs. Markham, he rose, and, +going to the door of the sacristy, beckoned to her. The young girl +noiselessly crossed the room and followed him into the sanctuary. + +Half an hour later, and while Mrs. Markham was still asleep, Father +Esteban appeared at the door of the sacristy ostentatiously taking +snuff, and using a large red handkerchief to wipe his more than usually +humid eyes. Eleanor Keene, with her chin resting on her hand, remained +sitting as he had left her, with her abstracted eyes fixed vacantly on +the lamp before the statue of the Virgin and the half-lit gloom of the +nave. + +Padre Esteban had told her ALL! She now knew Hurlstone's history even +as he had hesitatingly imparted it to the old priest in this very +church--perhaps upon the very seat where she sat. She knew the peace +that he had sought for and found within these walls, broken only by his +passion for her! She knew his struggles against the hopelessness of this +new-born love, even the desperate remedy that had been adopted against +herself, and the later voluntary exile of her lover. She knew +the providential culmination of his trouble in the news brought +unconsciously by Perkins, which, but a few hours ago, he had verified +by the letters, records, and even the certificate of death that had thus +strangely been placed in his hands! She knew all this so clearly now, +that, with the instinct of a sympathetic nature, she even fancied she +had heard it before. She knew that all the obstacles to an exchange +of their affection had been removed; that her lover only waited his +opportunity to hear from her own lips the answer that was even now +struggling at her heart. And yet she hesitated and drew back, half +frightened in the presence of her great happiness. How she longed, +and yet dreaded, to meet him! What if anything should have happened to +him?--what if he should be the victim of some treachery?--what if he did +not come?--what if?--"Good heavens! what was that?" + +She was near the door of the sacristy, gazing into the dim and shadowy +church. Either she was going mad, or else the grotesque Indian hangings +of the walls were certainly moving towards her. She rose in speechless +terror, as what she had taken for an uncouthly swathed and draped +barbaric pillar suddenly glided to the window. Crouching against the +wall, she crept breathlessly towards the entrance to the garden. Casting +a hurried glance above her, she saw the open belfry that was illuminated +by the misty radiance of the moon, darkly shadowed by hideously +gibbering faces that peered at her through the broken tracery. With a +cry of horror she threw open the garden-door; but the next moment was +swallowed up in the tumultuous tide of wild and half naked Indians who +surged against the walls of the church, and felt herself lifted from her +feet, with inarticulate cries, and borne along the garden. Even in her +mortal terror, she could recognize that the cries were not those of +rage, but of vacant satisfaction; that although she was lifted on lithe +shoulders, the grasp of her limbs was gentle, and the few dark faces she +could see around her were glistening in childlike curiosity. Presently +she felt herself placed upon the back of a mule, that seemed to be +swayed hither and thither in the shifting mass, and the next moment +the misty, tossing cortege moved forward with a new and more definite +purpose. She called aloud for Father Esteban and Mrs. Markham; her voice +appeared to flow back upon her from the luminous wall of fog that +closed around her. Then the inarticulate, irregular outcries took upon +themselves a measured rhythm, the movement of the mass formed itself +upon the monotonous chant, the intervals grew shorter, the mule broke +into a trot, and then the whole vast multitude fell into a weird, +rhythmical, jogging quick step at her side. + +Whatever was the intent of this invasion of the Mission and her own +strange abduction, she was relieved by noticing that they were going in +the same direction as that taken by Hurlstone an hour before. Either he +was cognizant of their movements, and, being powerless to prevent their +attack on the church, had stipulated they were to bring her to him in +safety, or else he was calculating to intercept them on the way. The fog +prevented her from forming any estimation of the numbers that surrounded +her, or if the Padre and Mrs. Markham were possibly preceding her as +captives in the vanguard. She felt the breath of the sea, and knew they +were traveling along the shore; the monotonous chant and jogging motion +gradually dulled her active terror to an apathetic resignation, in which +occasionally her senses seemed to swoon and swim in the dreamy radiance +through which they passed; at times it seemed a dream or nightmare with +which she was hopelessly struggling; at times she was taking part in an +unhallowed pageant, or some heathen sacrificial procession of which she +was the destined victim. + +She had no consciousness of how long the hideous journey lasted. Her +benumbed senses were suddenly awakened by a shock; the chant had ceased, +the moving mass in which she was imbedded rolled forward once more as +if by its own elasticity, and then receded again with a jar that almost +unseated her. Then the inarticulate murmur was overborne by a voice. It +was HIS! She turned blindly towards it; but before she could utter the +cry that rose to her lips, she was again lifted from the saddle, carried +forward, and gently placed upon what seemed to be a moss-grown bank. +Opening her half swimming eyes she recognized the Indian cross. The +crowd seemed to recede before her. Her eyes closed again as a strong arm +passed around her waist. + +"Speak to me, Miss Keene--Eleanor--my darling!" said Hurlstone's voice. +"O my God! they have killed her!" + +With an effort she moved her head and tried to smile. Their eyes, and +then their lips met; she fainted. + +When she struggled to her senses again, she was lying in the +stern-sheets of the Excelsior's boat, supported on Mrs. Markham's +shoulder. For an instant the floating veil of fog around her, and the +rhythmical movement of the boat, seemed a part of her mysterious ride, +and she raised her head with a faint cry for Hurlstone. + +"It's all right, my dear," said Mrs. Markham, soothingly; "he's ashore +with the Padre, and everything else is all right too. But it's rather +ridiculous to think that those idiotic Indians believed the only way +they could show Mr. Hurlstone that they meant us no harm was to drag +us all up to THEIR Mission, as they call that half heathen cross of +theirs--for safety against--who do you think, dear?--the dreadful +AMERICANS! And imagine all the while the Padre and I were just behind +you, bringing up the rear of the procession--only they wouldn't let us +join you because they wanted to show you special honor as"--she sank her +voice to a whisper in Eleanor's ear--"as the future Mrs. Hurlstone! It +appears they must have noticed something about you two, the last time +you were there, my dear. And--to think--YOU never told me anything about +it!" + +When they reached the Excelsior, they found that Mrs. Brimmer, having +already settled herself in the best cabin, was inclined to extend the +hospitalities of the ship with the air of a hostess. But the arrival of +Hurlstone at midnight with some delegated authority from Senor Perkins, +and the unexpected getting under way of the ship, disturbed her +complacency. + +"We are going through the channel into the bay of Todos Santos," was the +brief reply vouchsafed her by Hurlstone. + +"But why can't we remain here and wait for Mr. Brimmer?" she asked +indignantly. + +"Because," responded Hurlstone grimly, "the Excelsior is expected off +the Presidio to-morrow morning to aid the insurgents." + +"You don't mean to say that Miss Chubb and myself are to be put in the +attitude of arraying ourselves against the constituted authorities--and, +perhaps, Mr. Brimmer himself?" asked Mrs. Brimmer, in genuine alarm. + +"It looks so," said Hurlstone, a little maliciously; "but, no doubt, +your husband and the Senor will arrange it amicably." + +To Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene he explained more satisfactorily that +the unexpected disaffection of the Indians had obliged Perkins to so far +change his plans as to disembark his entire force from the Excelsior, +and leave her with only the complement of men necessary to navigate her +through the channel of Todos Santos, where she would peacefully await +his orders, or receive his men in case of defeat. + +Nevertheless, as the night was nearly spent, Mrs. Markham and Eleanor +preferred to await the coming day on deck, and watch the progress of the +Excelsior through the mysterious channel. In a few moments the barque +began to feel the combined influence of the tide and the slight morning +breeze, and, after rounding an invisible point, she presently rose and +fell on the larger ocean swell. The pilot, whom Hurlstone recognized +as the former third mate of the Excelsior, appeared to understand the +passage perfectly; and even Hurlstone and the ladies, who had through +eight months' experience become accustomed to the luminous obscurity +of Todos Santos, could detect the faint looming of the headland at the +entrance. The same soothing silence, even the same lulling of the unseen +surf, which broke in gentle undulations over the bar, and seemed to lift +the barque in rocking buoyancy over the slight obstruction, came back to +them as on the day of their fateful advent. The low orders of the pilot, +the cry of the leadsman in the chains, were but a part of the restful +past. + +Under the combined influence of the hour and the climate, the +conversation fell into monosyllables, and Mrs. Markham dozed. The lovers +sat silently together, but the memory of a kiss was between them. It +spanned the gulf of the past with an airy bridge, over which their +secret thoughts and fancies passed and repassed with a delicious +security; henceforth they could not flee from that memory, even if they +wished; they read it in each other's lightest glance; they felt it +in the passing touch of each other's hands; it lingered, with vague +tenderness, on the most trivial interchange of thought. Yet they spoke a +little of the future. Eleanor believed that her brother would not object +to their union; he had spoken of entering into business at Todos Santos, +and perhaps when peace and security were restored they might live +together. Hurlstone did not tell her that a brief examination of his +wife's papers had shown him that the property he had set aside for +her maintenance, and from which she had regularly drawn an income, had +increased in value, and left him a rich man. He only pressed her hand, +and whispered that her wishes should be his. They had become tenderly +silent again, as the Excelsior, now fairly in the bay, appeared to be +slowly drifting, with listless sails and idle helm, in languid search of +an anchorage. Suddenly they were startled by a cry from the lookout. + +"Sail ho!" + +There was an incredulous start on the deck. The mate sprang into the +fore-rigging with an oath of protestation. But at the same moment the +tall masts and spars of a vessel suddenly rose like a phantom out of the +fog at their side. The half disciplined foreign crew uttered a cry +of rage and trepidation, and huddled like sheep in the waist, with +distracted gestures; even the two men at the wheel forsook their post to +run in dazed terror to the taffrail. Before the mate could restore order +to this chaos, the Excelsior had drifted, with a scarcely perceptible +concussion, against the counter of the strange vessel. In an instant a +dozen figures appeared on its bulwarks, and dropped unimpeded upon the +Excelsior's deck. As the foremost one approached the mate, the latter +shrank back in consternation. + +"Captain Bunker!" + +"Yes," said the figure, advancing with a mocking laugh; "Captain Bunker +it is. Captain Bunker, formerly of this American barque Excelsior, and +now of the Mexican ship La Trinidad. Captain Bunker ez larnt every +foot of that passage in an open boat last August, and didn't forget it +yesterday in a big ship! Captain Bunker ez has just landed a company +of dragoons to relieve the Presidio. What d'ye say to that, Mr. +M'Carthy--eh?" + +"I say," answered M'Carthy, raising his voice with a desperate effort to +recover his calmness, "I say that Perkins landed with double that number +of men yesterday around that point, and that he'll be aboard here in +half an hour to make you answer for this insult to his ship and his +Government." + +"His Government!" echoed Bunker, with a hoarser laugh; "hear him!--HIS +Government! His Government died at four o'clock this morning, when +his own ringleaders gave him up to the authorities. Ha! Why, this yer +revolution is played out, old man; and Generalissimo Leonidas Perkins is +locked up in the Presidio." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +LIBERATED. + + +The revolution was, indeed, ended. The unexpected arrival of a relieving +garrison in the bay of Todos Santos had completed what the dissensions +in the insurgents' councils had begun; the discontents, led by Brace and +Winslow, had united with the Government against Perkins and his aliens; +but a compromise had been effected by the treacherous giving up of the +Liberator himself in return for an amnesty granted to his followers. +The part that Bunker had played in bringing about this moral catastrophe +was, however, purely adventitious. When he had recovered his health, and +subsequent events had corroborated the truth of his story, the Mexican +Government, who had compromised with Quinquinambo, was obliged to +recognize his claims by offering him command of the missionary ship, and +permission to rediscover the channel, the secret of which had been lost +for half a century to the Government. He had arrived at the crucial +moment when Perkins' command were scattered along the seashore, and the +dragoons had invested Todos Santos without opposition. + +Such was the story substantially told to Hurlstone and confirmed on his +debarkation with the ladies at Todos Santos, the Excelsior being now in +the hands of the authorities. Hurlstone did not hesitate to express to +Padre Esteban his disgust at the treachery which had made a scapegoat of +Senor Perkins. But to his surprise the cautious priest only shrugged his +shoulders as he took a complacent pinch of snuff. + +"Have a care, Diego! You are of necessity grateful to this man for +the news he has brought--nay, more, for possibly being the instrument +elected by Providence to precipitate the denouement of that miserable +woman's life--but let it not close your eyes to his infamous political +career. I admit that he was opposed to the revolt of the heathen against +us, but it was his emissaries and his doctrines that poisoned with +heresy the fountains from which they drank. Enough! Be grateful! but do +not expect ME to intercede for Baal and Ashtaroth!" + +"Intercede!" echoed Hurlstone, alarmed at the sudden sacerdotal hardness +that had overspread the old priest's face. "Surely the Council will +not be severe with the man who was betrayed into their power by others +equally guilty?" + +Padre Esteban avoided Hurlstone's eyes as he answered with affected +coolness,--"Quien sabe? There will be expulsados, no doubt. The +Excelsior, which is confiscated, will be sent to Mexico with them." + +"I must see Senor Perkins," said Hurlstone suddenly. + +The priest hesitated. + +"When?" he asked cautiously. + +"At once." + +"Good." He wrote a hurried line on a piece of paper, folded it, sealed +it, and gave it to Hurlstone. "You will hand that to the Comandante. He +will give you access to the prisoner." + +In less than half an hour Hurlstone presented himself before the +Commander. The events of the last twenty-four hours had evidently +affected Don Miguel, for although he received Hurlstone courteously, +there was a singular reflection of the priest's harshness in his face as +he glanced over the missive. He took out his watch. + +"I give you ten minutes with the prisoner, Don Diego. More, I cannot." + +A little awed by the manner of the Commander, Hurlstone bowed and +followed him across the courtyard. It was filled with soldiers, and +near the gateway a double file of dragoons, with loaded carbines, were +standing at ease. Two sentries were ranged on each side of an open door +which gave upon the courtyard. The Commander paused before it, and with +a gesture invited him to enter. It was a large square apartment, lighted +only by the open door and a grated enclosure above it. Seated in his +shirtsleeves, before a rude table, Senor Perkins was quietly writing. +The shadow of Hurlstone's figure falling across his paper caused him to +look up. + +Whatever anxiety Hurlstone had begun to feel, it was quickly dissipated +by the hearty, affable, and even happy greeting of the prisoner. + +"Ah! what! my young friend Hurlstone! Again an unexpected pleasure," he +said, extending his white hands. "And again you find me wooing the Muse, +in, I fear, hesitating numbers." He pointed to the sheet of paper before +him, which showed some attempts at versification. "But I confess to a +singular fascination in the exercise of poetic composition, in instants +of leisure like this--a fascination which, as a man of imagination +yourself, you can appreciate." + +"And I am sorry to find you here, Senor Perkins," began Hurlstone +frankly; "but I believe it will not be for long." + +"My opinion," said the Senor, with a glance of gentle contemplation at +the distant Comandante, "as far as I may express it, coincides with your +own." + +"I have come," continued Hurlstone earnestly, "to offer you my services. +I am ready," he raised his voice, with a view of being overheard, "to +bear testimony that you had no complicity in the baser part of the late +conspiracy,--the revolt of the savages, and that you did your best to +counteract the evil, although in doing so you have sacrificed yourself. +I shall claim the right to speak from my own knowledge of the Indians +and from their admission to me that they were led away by the vague +representations of Martinez, Brace, and Winslow." + +"Pardon--pardon me," said Senor Perkins deprecatingly, "you are +mistaken. My general instructions, no doubt, justified these young +gentlemen in taking, I shall not say extreme, but injudicious measures." +He glanced meaningly in the direction of the Commander, as if to +warn Hurlstone from continuing, and said gently, "But let us talk +of something else. I thank you for your gracious intentions, but +you remember that we agreed only yesterday that you knew nothing of +politics, and did not concern yourself with them. I do not know but you +are wise. Politics and the science of self-government, although dealing +with general principles, are apt to be defined by the individual +limitations of the enthusiast. What is good for HIMSELF he too +often deems is applicable to the general public, instead of wisely +understanding that what is good for THEM must be good for himself. But," +said the Senor lightly, "we are again transgressing. We were to choose +another topic. Let it be yourself, Mr. Hurlstone. You are looking +well, sir; indeed, I may say I never saw you looking so well! Let me +congratulate you. Health is the right of youth. May you keep both!" + +He shook Hurlstone's hand again with singular fervor. + +There was a slight bustle and commotion at the door of the guard-room, +and the Commander's attention was called in that direction. Hurlstone +profited by the opportunity to say in a hurried whisper: + +"Tell me what I can do for you;" and he hesitated to voice his renewed +uneasiness--"tell me if--if--if your case is--urgent!" + +Senor Perkins lifted his shoulders and smiled with grateful benevolence. + +"You have already promised me to deliver those papers and manuscripts +of my deceased friend, and to endeavor to find her relations. I do not +think it is urgent, however." + +"I do not mean that," said Hurlstone eagerly. "I"--but Perkins stopped +him with a sign that the Commander was returning. + +Don Miguel approached them with disturbed and anxious looks. + +"I have yielded to the persuasions of two ladies, Dona Leonor and the +Senora Markham, to ask you to see them for a moment," he said to Senor +Perkins. "Shall it be so? I have told them the hour is nearly spent." + +"You have told them--NOTHING MORE?" asked the Senor, in a whisper +unheard by Hurlstone. + +"No." + +"Let them come, then." + +The Commander made a gesture to the sentries at the guard-room, who drew +back to allow Mrs. Markham and Eleanor to pass. A little child, one of +Eleanor's old Presidio pupils, who, recognizing her, had followed her +into the guard-room, now emerged with her, and momentarily disconcerted +at the presence of the Commander, ran, with the unerring instinct of +childhood, to the Senor for protection. The filibuster smiled, and +lifting the child with a paternal gesture to his shoulder by one hand, +he extended the other to the ladies. + +"The Commander," said Mrs. Markham briskly, "says it's against the +rules; that visiting time is up; and you've already got a friend with +you, and all that sort of thing; but I told him that I was bound to see +you, if only to say that if there's any meanness going on, Susannah and +James Markham ain't in it! No! But we're going to see you put right and +square in the matter; and if we can't do it here, we'll do it, if we +have to follow you to Mexico!--that's all!" + +"And I," said Eleanor, grasping the Senor's hand, and half blushing as +she glanced at Hurlstone, "see that I have already a friend here who +will help me to put in action all the sympathy I feel." + +Senor Perkins drew himself up, and cast a faint look of pride towards +the Commander. + +"To HEAR such assurances from beautiful and eloquent lips like those +before me," he said, with his old oratorical wave of the hand, but a +passing shadow across his mild eyes, "is more than sufficient. In my +experience of life I have been favored, at various emergencies, by the +sympathy and outspoken counsel of your noble sex; the last time by Mrs. +Euphemia M'Corkle, of Peoria, Illinois, a lady of whom you have heard me +speak--alas! now lately deceased. A few lines at present lying on yonder +table--a tribute to her genius--will be forwarded to you, dear Mrs. +Markham. But let us change the theme. You are looking well--and you, +too, Miss Keene. From the roses that bloom on your cheeks--nourished +by the humid air of Todos Santos--I am gratified in thinking you have +forgiven me your enforced detention here." + +At a gesture from the Commander he ceased, stepped back, bowed gravely, +and the ladies recognized that their brief audience had terminated. As +they passed through the gateway, looking back they saw Perkins still +standing with the child on his shoulder and smiling affably upon them. +Then the two massive doors of the gateway swung to with a crash, the +bolts were shot, and the courtyard was impenetrable. + +* * * * * + +A few moments later, the three friends had passed the outermost angle of +the fortifications, and were descending towards the beach. By the time +they had reached the sands they had fallen into a vague silence. + +A noise like the cracking and fall of some slight scaffolding behind +them arrested their attention. Hurlstone turned quickly. A light smoke, +drifting from the courtyard, was mingling with the fog. A faint cry of +"Dios y Libertad!" rose with it. + +With a hurried excuse to his companions, Hurlstone ran rapidly back, and +reached the gate as it slowly rolled upon its hinges to a file of men +that issued from the courtyard. The first object that met his eyes +was the hat of Senor Perkins lying on the ground near the wall, with a +terrible suggestion in its helpless and pathetic vacuity. A few paces +further lay its late owner, with twenty Mexican bullets in his breast, +his benevolent forehead bared meekly to the sky, as if even then mutely +appealing to the higher judgment. He was dead! The soul of the Liberator +of Quinquinambo, and of various other peoples more or less distressed +and more or less ungrateful, was itself liberated! + +* * * * * + +With the death of Senor Perkins ended the Crusade of the Excelsior. +Under charge of Captain Bunker the vessel was sent to Mazatlan by the +authorities, bearing the banished and proscribed Americans, Banks, +Brace, Winslow, and Crosby; and, by permission of the Council, also +their friends, Markham and Brimmer, and the ladies, Mrs. Brimmer, Chubb, +and Markham. Hurlstone and Miss Keene alone were invited to remain, but, +on later representations, the Council graciously included Richard Keene +in the invitation, with the concession of the right to work the mines +and control the ranches he and Hurlstone had purchased from their +proscribed countrymen. The complacency of the Council of Todos Santos +may be accounted for when it is understood that on the day the firm +of Hurlstone & Keene was really begun under the title of Mr. and Mrs. +Hurlstone, Richard had prevailed upon the Alcalde to allow him to add +the piquant Dona Isabel also to the firm under the title of Mrs. Keene. +Although the port of Todos Santos was henceforth open to all commerce, +the firm of Hurlstone & Keene long retained the monopoly of trade, and +was a recognized power of intelligent civilization and honest progress +on the Pacific coast. And none contributed more to that result than the +clever and beautiful hostess of Excelsior Lodge, the charming country +home of James Hurlstone, Esq., senior partner of the firm. Under the +truly catholic shelter of its veranda Padre Esteban and the heretic +stranger mingled harmoniously, and the dissensions of local and central +Government were forgotten. + +"I said that you were a dama de grandeza, you remember," said the +youthful Mrs. Keene to Mrs. Hurlstone, "and, you see, you are!" + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Crusade of the Excelsior, by Bret Harte + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR *** + +***** This file should be named 2471.txt or 2471.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/7/2471/ + +Produced by Donald Lainson + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +This etext was prepared by Donald Lainson, charlie@idirect.com. + + + + + +THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR + +by Bret Harte + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +PART I.--IN BONDS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +A CRUSADER AND A SIGN + + +CHAPTER II. + +ANOTHER PORTENT + + +CHAPTER III. + +"VIGILANCIA" + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN THE FOG + + +CHAPTER V. + +TODOS SANTOS + + +CHAPTER VI. + +"HAIL AND FAREWELL" + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE GENTLE CASTAWAYS + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +IN SANCTUARY + + +CHAPTER IX. + +AN OPEN-AIR PRISON + + +CHAPTER X. + +TODOS SANTOS SOLVES THE MYSTERY + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE CAPTAIN FOLLOWS HIS SHIP + + + +PART II.--FREED. + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE MOURNERS AT TODOS SANTOS + + +CHAPTER III. + +INTERNATIONAL COURTESIES + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE + + +CHAPTER V. + +CLOUDS AND CHANGE + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A MORE IMPORTANT ARRIVAL + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE RETURN OF THE EXCELSIOR + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +HOSTAGE + + +CHAPTER IX. + +LIBERATED + + + +THE CRUSADE OF THE EXCELSIOR + +PART I. IN BONDS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +A CRUSADER AND A SIGN. + + +It was the 4th of August, 1854, off Cape Corrientes. Morning was +breaking over a heavy sea, and the closely-reefed topsails of a +barque that ran before it bearing down upon the faint outline of +the Mexican coast. Already the white peak of Colima showed, ghost- +like, in the east; already the long sweep of the Pacific was +gathering strength and volume as it swept uninterruptedly into the +opening Gulf of California. + +As the cold light increased, it could be seen that the vessel +showed evidence of a long voyage and stress of weather. She had +lost one of her spars, and her starboard davits rolled emptily. +Nevertheless, her rigging was taut and ship-shape, and her decks +scrupulously clean. Indeed, in that uncertain light, the only +moving figure besides the two motionless shadows at the wheel was +engaged in scrubbing the quarter-deck--which, with its grated +settees and stacked camp-chairs, seemed to indicate the presence of +cabin passengers. For the barque Excelsior, from New York to San +Francisco, had discharged the bulk of her cargo at Callao, and had +extended her liberal cabin accommodation to swell the feverish +Californian immigration, still in its height. + +Suddenly there was a slight commotion on deck. An order, issued +from some invisible depth of the cabin, was so unexpected that it +had to be repeated sternly and peremptorily. A bustle forward +ensued, two or three other shadows sprang up by the bulwarks, then +the two men bent over the wheel, the Excelsior slowly swung round +on her heel, and, with a parting salutation to the coast, bore away +to the northwest and the open sea again. + +"What's up now?" growled one of the men at the wheel to his +companion, as they slowly eased up on the helm. + +"'Tain't the skipper's, for he's drunk as a biled owl, and ain't +stirred out of his bunk since eight bells," said the other. "It's +the first mate's orders; but, I reckon, it's the Senor's idea." + +"Then we ain't goin' on to Mazatlan?" + +"Not this trip, I reckon," said the third mate, joining them. + +"Why?" + +The third mate turned and pointed to leeward. The line of coast +had already sunk enough to permit the faint silhouette of a trail +of smoke to define the horizon line of sky. + +"Steamer goin' in, eh?" + +"Yes. D'ye see--it might be too hot, in there!" + +"Then the jig's up?" + +"No. Suthin's to be done--north of St. Lucas. Hush!" + +He made a gesture of silence, although the conversation, since he +had joined them, had been carried on in a continuous whisper. A +figure, evidently a passenger, had appeared on deck. One or two of +the foreign-looking crew who had drawn near the group, with a +certain undue and irregular familiarity, now slunk away again. + +The passenger was a shrewd, exact, rectangular-looking man, who had +evidently never entirely succumbed to the freedom of the sea either +in his appearance or habits. He had not even his sea legs yet; and +as the barque, with the full swell of the Pacific now on her +weather bow, was plunging uncomfortably, he was fain to cling to +the stanchions. This did not, however, prevent him from noticing +the change in her position, and captiously resenting it. + +"Look here--you; I say! What have we turned round for? We're +going away from the land! Ain't we going on to Mazatlan?" + +The two men at the wheel looked silently forward, with that +exasperating unconcern of any landsman's interest peculiar to +marine officials. The passenger turned impatiently to the third +mate. + +"But this ain't right, you know. It was understood that we were +going into Mazatlan. I've got business there." + +"My orders, sir," said the mate curtly, turning away. + +The practical passenger had been observant enough of sea-going +rules to recognize that this reason was final, and that it was +equally futile to demand an interview with the captain when that +gentleman was not visibly on duty. He turned angrily to the cabin +again. + +"You look disturbed, my dear Banks. I trust you haven't slept +badly," said a very gentle voice from the quarter-rail near him; +"or, perhaps, the ship's going about has upset you. It's a little +rougher on this tack." + +"That's just it," returned Banks sharply. "We HAVE gone about, and +we're not going into Mazatlan at all. It's scandalous! I'll speak +to the captain--I'll complain to the consignees--I've got business +at Mazatlan--I expect letters--I"-- + +"Business, my dear fellow?" continued the voice, in gentle protest. +"You'll have time for business when you get to San Francisco. And +as for letters--they'll follow you there soon enough. Come over +here, my boy, and say hail and farewell to the Mexican coast--to +the land of Montezuma and Pizarro. Come here and see the mountain +range from which Balboa feasted his eyes on the broad Pacific. +Come!" + +The speaker, though apparently more at his ease at sea, was in +dress and appearance fully as unnautical as Banks. As he leaned +over the railing, his white, close-fitting trousers and small +patent-leather boots gave him a jaunty, half-military air, which +continued up to the second button of his black frock-coat, and then +so utterly changed its character that it was doubtful if a greater +contrast could be conceived than that offered by the widely spread +lapels of his coat, his low turned-down collar, loosely knotted +silk handkerchief, and the round, smooth-shaven, gentle, pacific +face above them. His straight long black hair, shining as if from +recent immersion, was tucked carefully behind his ears, and hung in +a heavy, even, semicircular fringe around the back of his neck +where his tall hat usually rested, as if to leave his forehead +meekly exposed to celestial criticism. When he had joined the ship +at Callao, his fellow-passengers, rashly trusting to the momentary +suggestion of his legs on the gang-plank, had pronounced him +military; meeting him later at dinner, they had regarded the mild +Methodistic contour of his breast and shoulders above the table, +and entertained the wild idea of asking him to evoke a blessing. +To complete the confusion of his appearance, he was called "Senor" +Perkins, for no other reason, apparently, than his occasional, but +masterful, use of the Spanish vernacular. + +Steadying himself by one of the quarter stanchions, he waved his +right hand oratorically towards the sinking coast. + +"Look at it, sir. One of the finest countries that ever came from +the hand of the Creator; a land overflowing with milk and honey; +containing, sir, in that one mountain range, the products of the +three zones--and yet the abode of the oppressed and down-trodden; +the land of faction, superstition, tyranny, and political +revolution." + +"That's all very well," said Banks irritably, "but Mazatlan is a +well-known commercial port, and has English and American +correspondents. There's a branch of that Boston firm--Potter, +Potts & Potter--there. The new line of steamers is going to stop +there regularly." + +Senor Perkins' soft black eyes fell for an instant, as if +accidentally, on the third mate, but the next moment he laughed, +and, throwing back his head, inhaled, with evident relish, a long +breath of the sharp, salt air. + +"Ah!" he said enthusiastically, "THAT'S better than all the +business you can pick up along a malarious coast. Open your mouth +and try to take in the free breath of the glorious North Pacific. +Ah! isn't it glorious?" + +"Where's the captain?" said Banks, with despairing irritation. "I +want to see him." + +"The captain," said Senor Perkins, with a bland, forgiving smile +and a slight lowering of his voice, "is, I fear, suffering from an +accident of hospitality, and keeps his state-room. The captain is +a good fellow," continued Perkins, with gentle enthusiasm; "a good +sailor and careful navigator, and exceedingly attentive to his +passengers. I shall certainly propose getting up some testimonial +for him." + +"But if he's shut up in his state-room, who's giving the orders?" +began Banks angrily. + +Senor Perkins put up a small, well-kept hand deprecatingly. + +"Really, my dear boy, I suppose the captain cannot be omnipresent. +Some discretion must be left to the other officers. They probably +know his ideas and what is to be done better than we do. You +business men trouble yourselves too much about these things. You +should take them more philosophically. For my part I always +confide myself trustingly to these people. I enter a ship or +railroad car with perfect faith. I say to myself, 'This captain, +or this conductor, is a responsible man, selected with a view to my +safety and comfort; he understands how to procure that safety and +that comfort better than I do. He worries himself; he spends hours +and nights of vigil to look after me and carry me to my +destination. Why should I worry myself, who can only assist him by +passive obedience? Why'--" But here he was interrupted by a +headlong plunge of the Excelsior, a feminine shriek that was half a +laugh, the rapid patter of small feet and sweep of flying skirts +down the slanting deck, and the sudden and violent contact of a +pretty figure. + +The next moment he had forgotten his philosophy, and his companion +his business. Both flew to the assistance of the fair intruder, +who, albeit the least injured of the trio, clung breathlessly to +the bulwarks. + +"Miss Keene!" ejaculated both gentlemen. + +"Oh dear! I beg your pardon," said the young lady, reddening, with +a naive mingling of hilarity and embarrassment. "But it seemed so +stuffy in the cabin, and it seemed so easy to get out on deck and +pull myself up by the railings; and just as I got up here, I +suddenly seemed to be sliding down the roof of a house." + +"And now that you're here, your courage should be rewarded," said +the Senor, gallantly assisting her to a settee, which he lashed +securely. "You are perfectly safe now," he added, holding the end +of the rope in his hand to allow a slight sliding movement of the +seat as the vessel rolled. "And here is a glorious spectacle for +you. Look! the sun is just rising." + +The young girl glanced over the vast expanse before her with +sparkling eyes and a suddenly awakened fancy that checked her +embarrassed smile, and fixed her pretty, parted lips with wonder. +The level rays of the rising sun striking the white crests of the +lifted waves had suffused the whole ocean with a pinkish opal +color: the darker parts of each wave seemed broken into facets +instead of curves, and glittered sharply. The sea seemed to have +lost its fluidity, and become vitreous; so much so, that it was +difficult to believe that the waves which splintered across the +Excelsior's bow did not fall upon her deck with the ring of +shattered glass. + +"Sindbad's Valley of Diamonds!" said the young girl, in an awed +whisper. + +"It's a cross sea in the Gulf of California, so the mate says," +said Banks practically; "but I don't see why we" . . . + +"The Gulf of California?" repeated the young girl, while a slight +shade of disappointment passed over her bright face; "are we then +so near"-- + +"Not the California you mean, my dear young lady," broke in Senor +Perkins, "but the old peninsula of California, which is still a +part of Mexico. It terminates in Cape St. Lucas, a hundred miles +from here, but it's still a far cry to San Francisco, which is in +Upper California. But I fancy you don't seem as anxious as our +friend Mr. Banks to get to your journey's end," he added, with +paternal blandness. + +The look of relief which had passed over Miss Keene's truthful face +gave way to one of slight embarrassment. + +"It hasn't seemed long," she said hastily; and then added, as if to +turn the conversation, "What is this peninsula? I remember it on +our map at school." + +"It's not of much account," interrupted Banks positively. "There +ain't a place on it you ever heard of. It's a kind of wilderness." + +"I differ from you," said Senor Perkins gravely. "There are, I +have been told, some old Mexican settlements along the coast, and +there is no reason why the country shouldn't be fruitful. But you +may have a chance to judge for yourself," he continued beamingly. +Since we are not going into Mazatlan, we may drop in at some of +those places for water. It's all on our way, and we shall save the +three days we would have lost had we touched Mazatlan. That," he +added, answering an impatient interrogation in Banks' eye, "at +least, is the captain's idea, I reckon." He laughed, and went on +still gayly,--"But what's the use of anticipating? Why should we +spoil any little surprise that our gallant captain may have in +store for us? I've been trying to convert this business man to my +easy philosophy, Miss Keene, but he is incorrigible; he is actually +lamenting his lost chance of hearing the latest news at Mazatlan, +and getting the latest market quotations, instead of offering a +thanksgiving for another uninterrupted day of freedom in this +glorious air." + +With a half humorous extravagance he unloosed his already loose +necktie, turned his Byron collar still lower, and squared his +shoulders ostentatiously to the sea breeze. Accustomed as his two +companions were to his habitually extravagant speech, it did not at +that moment seem inconsistent with the intoxicating morning air and +the exhilaration of sky and wave. A breath of awakening and +resurrection moved over the face of the waters; recreation and new- +born life sparkled everywhere; the past night seemed forever buried +in the vast and exundating sea. The reefs had been shaken out, and +every sail set to catch the steadier breeze of the day; and as the +quickening sun shone upon the dazzling canvas that seemed to +envelop them, they felt as if wrapped in the purity of a baptismal +robe. + +Nevertheless, Miss Keene's eyes occasionally wandered from the +charming prospect towards the companion-ladder. Presently she +became ominously and ostentatiously interested in the view again, +and at the same moment a young man's head and shoulders appeared +above the companionway. With a bound he was on the slanting deck, +moving with the agility and adaptability of youth, and approached +the group. He was quite surprised to find Miss Keene there so +early, and Miss Keene was equally surprised at his appearance, +notwithstanding the phenomenon had occurred with singular +regularity for the last three weeks. The two spectators of this +gentle comedy received it as they had often received it before, +with a mixture of apparent astonishment and patronizing +unconsciousness, and, after a decent interval, moved away together, +leaving the young people alone. + +The hesitancy and awkwardness which usually followed the first +moments of their charming isolation were this morning more than +usually prolonged. + +"It seems we are not going into Mazatlan, after all," said Miss +Keene at last, without lifting her conscious eyes from the sea. + +"No," returned the young fellow quickly. "I heard all about it +down below, and we had quite an indignation meeting over it. I +believe Mrs. Markham wanted to head a deputation to wait upon the +captain in his berth. It seems that the first officer, or +whosoever is running the ship, has concluded we've lost too much +time already, and we're going to strike a bee-line for Cape St. +Lucas, and give Mazatlan the go-by. We'll save four days by it. I +suppose it don't make any difference to you, Miss Keene, does it?" + +"I? Oh, no!" said the girl hastily. + +"I'M rather sorry," he said hesitatingly. + +"Indeed. Are you tired of the ship?" she asked saucily. + +"No," he replied bluntly; "but it would have given us four more +days together--four more days before we separated." + +He stopped, with a heightened color. There was a moment of +silence, and the voices of Senor Perkins and Mr. Banks in political +discussion on the other side of the deck came faintly. Miss Keene +laughed. + +"We are a long way from San Francisco yet, and you may think +differently." + +"Never!" he said, impulsively. + +He had drawn closer to her, as if to emphasize his speech. She +cast a quick glance across the deck towards the two disputants, and +drew herself gently away. + +"Do you know," she said suddenly, with a charming smile which +robbed the act of its sting, "I sometimes wonder if I am REALLY +going to San Francisco. I don't know how it is; but, somehow, I +never can SEE myself there." + +"I wish you did, for I'M going there," he replied boldly. + +Without appearing to notice the significance of his speech, she +continued gravely: + +"I have been so strongly impressed with this feeling at times that +it makes me quite superstitious. When we had that terrible storm +after we left Callao, I thought it meant that--that we were all +going down, and we should never be heard of again." + +"As long as we all went together," he said, "I don't know that it +would be the worst thing that could happen. I remember that storm, +Miss Keene. And I remember"--He stopped timidly. + +"What?" she replied, raising her smiling eyes for the first time to +his earnest face. + +"I remember sitting up all night near your state-room, with a cork +jacket and lots of things I'd fixed up for you, and thinking I'd +die before I trusted you alone in the boat to those rascally +Lascars of the crew." + +"But how would you have prevented it?" asked Miss Keene, with a +compassionate and half-maternal amusement. + +"I don't know exactly," he said, coloring; "but I'd have lashed you +to some spar, or made a raft, and got you ashore on some island." + +"And poor Mrs. Markham and Mrs. Brimmer--you'd have left them to +the boats and the Lascars, I suppose?" smiled Miss Keene. + +"Oh, somebody would have looked after Mrs. Markham; and Mrs. +Brimmer wouldn't have gone with anybody that wasn't well connected. +But what's the use of talking?" he added ruefully. "Nothing has +happened, and nothing is going to happen. You will see yourself in +San Francisco, even if you don't see ME there. You're going to a +rich brother, Miss Keene, who has friends of his own, and who won't +care to know a poor fellow whom you tolerated on the passage, but +who don't move in Mrs. Brimmer's set, and whom Mr. Banks wouldn't +indorse commercially." + +"Ah, you don't know my brother, Mr. Brace." + +"Nor do you, very well, Miss Keene. You were saying, only last +night, you hardly remembered him." + +The young girl sighed. + +"I was very young when he went West," she said explanatorily; "but +I dare say I shall recall him. What I meant is, that he will be +very glad to know that I have been so happy here, and he will like +all those who have made me so." + +"Then you have been happy?" + +"Yes; very." She had withdrawn her eyes, and was looking vaguely +towards the companion-way. "Everybody has been so kind to me." + +"And you are grateful to all?" + +"Yes." + +"Equally?" + +The ship gave a sudden forward plunge. Miss Keene involuntarily +clutched the air with her little hand, that had been resting on the +settee between them, and the young man caught it in his own. + +"Equally?" he repeated, with an assumed playfulness that half +veiled his anxiety. "Equally--from the beaming Senor Perkins, who +smiles on all, to the gloomy Mr. Hurlstone, who smiles on no one?" + +She quickly withdrew her hand, and rose. "I smell the breakfast," +she said laughingly. "Don't be horrified, Mr. Brace, but I'm very +hungry." She laid the hand she had withdrawn lightly on his arm. +"Now help me down to the cabin." + + +CHAPTER II. + +ANOTHER PORTENT. + + +The saloon of the Excelsior was spacious for the size of the +vessel, and was furnished in a style superior to most passenger- +ships of that epoch. The sun was shining through the sliding +windows upon the fresh and neatly arranged breakfast-table, but the +presence of the ominous "storm-racks," and partitions for glass and +china, and the absence of the more delicate passengers, still +testified to the potency of the Gulf of California. Even those +present wore an air of fatigued discontent, and the conversation +had that jerky interjectional quality which belonged to people with +a common grievance, but a different individual experience. Mr. +Winslow had been unable to shave. Mrs. Markham, incautiously and +surreptitiously opening a port-hole in her state-room for a whiff +of fresh air while dressing, had been shocked by the intrusion of +the Pacific Ocean, and was obliged to summon assistance and change +her dress. Jack Crosby, who had attired himself for tropical +shore-going in white ducks and patent leathers, shivered in the +keen northwest Trades, and bewailed the cheap cigars he had +expected to buy at Mazatlan. The entrance of Miss Keene, who +seemed to bring with her the freshness and purity of the dazzling +outer air, stirred the younger men into some gallant attention, +embarrassed, however, by a sense of self-reproach. + +Senor Perkins alone retained his normal serenity. Already seated +at the table between the two fair-headed children of Mrs. Brimmer, +he was benevolently performing parental duties in her absence, and +gently supervising and preparing their victuals even while he +carried on an ethnological and political discussion with Mrs. +Markham. + +"Ah, my dear lady," continued the Senor, as he spread a hot biscuit +with butter and currant jelly for the youngest Miss Brimmer, "I am +afraid that, with the fastidiousness of your sex, you allow your +refined instincts against a race who only mix with ours in a menial +capacity to prejudice your views of their ability for enlightened +self-government. That may be true of the aborigines of the Old +World--like our friends the Lascars among the crew"-- + +"They're so snaky, dark, and deceitful-looking," interrupted Mrs. +Markham. + +"I might differ from you there, and say that the higher blonde +types like the Anglo-Saxon--to say nothing of the wily Greeks--were +the deceitful races: it might be difficult for any of us to say +what a sly and deceitful man should be like"-- + +"Oor not detheitful--oor a dood man," interpolated the youngest +Miss Brimmer, fondly regarding the biscuit. + +"Thank you, Missie," beamed the Senor; "but to return: our Lascar +friends, Mrs. Markham, belong to an earlier Asiatic type of +civilization already decayed or relapsed to barbarism, while the +aborigines of the New World now existing have never known it--or, +like the Aztecs, have perished with it. The modern North American +aborigine has not yet got beyond the tribal condition; mingled with +Caucasian blood as he is in Mexico and Central America, he is +perfectly capable of self-government." + +"Then why has he never obtained it?" asked Mrs. Markham. + +"He has always been oppressed and kept down by colonists of the +Latin races; he has been little better than a slave to his +oppressor for the last two centuries," said Senor Perkins, with a +slight darkening of his soft eyes. + +"Injins is pizen," whispered Mr. Winslow to Miss Keene. + +"Who would be free, you know, the poet says, ought themselves to +light out from the shoulder, and all that sort of thing," suggested +Crosby, with cheerful vagueness. + +"True; but a little assistance and encouragement from mankind +generally would help them," continued the Senor. "Ah! my dear Mrs. +Markham, if they could even count on the intelligent sympathy of +women like yourself, their independence would be assured. And +think what a proud privilege to have contributed to such a result, +to have assisted at the birth of the ideal American Republic, for +such it would be--a Republic of one blood, one faith, one history." + +"What on earth, or sea, ever set the old man off again?" inquired +Crosby, in an aggrieved whisper. "It's two weeks since he's given +us any Central American independent flapdoodle--long enough for +those nigger injins to have had half a dozen revolutions. You know +that the vessels that put into San Juan have saluted one flag in +the morning, and have been fired at under another in the +afternoon." + +"Hush!" said Miss Keene. "He's so kind! Look at him now, taking +off the pinafores of those children and tidying them. He is kinder +to them than their nurse, and more judicious than their mother. +And half his talk with Mrs. Markham now is only to please her, +because she thinks she knows politics. He's always trying to do +good to somebody." + +"That's so," exclaimed Brace, eager to share Miss Keene's +sentiments; "and he's so good to those outlandish niggers in the +crew. I don't see how the captain could get on with the crew +without him; he's the only one who can talk their gibberish and +keep them quiet. I've seen him myself quietly drop down among them +when they were wrangling. In my opinion," continued the young +fellow, lowering his voice somewhat ostentatiously, "you'll find +out when we get to port that he's stopped the beginning of many a +mutiny among them." + +"I reckon they'd make short work of a man like him," said Winslow, +whose superciliousness was by no means lessened by the community of +sentiment between Miss Keene and Brace. "I reckon, his political +reforms, and his poetical high-falutin' wouldn't go as far in the +forecastle among live men as it does in the cabin with a lot of +women. You'll more likely find that he's been some sort of steward +on a steamer, and he's working his passage with us. That's where +he gets that smooth, equally-attentive-to-anybody sort of style. +The way he skirmished around Mrs. Brimmer and Mrs. Markham with a +basin the other day when it was so rough convinced ME. It was a +little too professional to suit my style." + +"I suppose that was the reason why you went below so suddenly," +rejoined Brace, whose too sensitive blood was beginning to burn in +his cheeks and eyes. + +"It's a shame to stay below this morning," said Miss Keene, +instinctively recognizing the cause of the discord and its remedy. +"I'm going on deck again--if I can manage to get there." + +The three gentlemen sprang to accompany her; and, in their efforts +to keep their physical balance and hers equally, the social +equilibrium was restored. + +By noon, however, the heavy cross-sea had abated, and the Excelsior +bore west. When she once more rose and fell regularly on the long +rhythmical swell of the Pacific, most of the passengers regained +the deck. Even Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb ventured from their +staterooms, and were conveyed to and installed in some state on a +temporary divan of cushions and shawls on the lee side. For even +in this small republic of equal cabin passengers the undemocratic +and distinction-loving sex had managed to create a sham +exclusiveness. Mrs. Brimmer, as the daughter of a rich Bostonian, +the sister of a prominent lawyer, and the wife of a successful San +Francisco merchant, who was popularly supposed to be part-owner of +the Excelsior, was recognized, and alternately caressed and hated +as their superior. A majority of the male passengers, owning no +actual or prospective matrimonial subjection to those charming +toad-eaters, I am afraid continued to enjoy a mild and debasing +equality among themselves, mitigated only by the concessions of +occasional gallantry. To them, Mrs. Brimmer was a rather pretty, +refined, well-dressed woman, whose languid pallor, aristocratic +spareness, and utter fastidiousness did not, however, preclude a +certain nervous intensity which occasionally lit up her weary eyes +with a dangerous phosphorescence, under their brown fringes. +Equally acceptable was Miss Chubb, her friend and traveling +companion; a tall, well-bred girl, with faint salmon-pink hair and +complexion, that darkened to a fiery brown in her shortsighted +eyes. + +Between these ladies and Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene existed an +enthusiastic tolerance, which, however, could never be mistaken for +a generous rivalry. Of the greater popularity of Miss Keene as the +recognized belle of the Excelsior there could be no question; nor +was there any from Mrs. Brimmer and her friend. The intellectual +preeminence of Mrs. Markham was equally, and no less ostentatiously, +granted. "Mrs. Markham is so clever; I delight to hear you converse +together," Mrs. Brimmer would say to Senor Perkins, "though I'm sure +I hardly dare talk to her myself. She might easily go into the +lecture-field--perhaps she expects to do so in California. My dear +Clarissa"--to Miss Chubb--"don't she remind you a little of Aunt +Jane Winthrop's governess, whom we came so near taking to Paris with +us, but couldn't on account of her defective French?" + +When "The Excelsior Banner and South Sea Bubble" was published in +lat. 15 N. and long. 105 W., to which Mrs. Markham contributed the +editorials and essays, and Senor Perkins three columns of +sentimental poetry, Mrs. Brimmer did not withhold her praise of the +fair editor. When the Excelsior "Recrossed the Line," with a +suitable tableau vivant and pageant, and Miss Keene as California, +in white and blue, welcomed from the hands of Neptune (Senor +Perkins) and Amphitrite (Mrs. Markham) her fair sister, +Massachusetts (Mrs. Brimmer), and New York (Miss Chubb), Mrs. +Brimmer was most enthusiastic of the beauty of Miss Keene. + +On the present morning Mr. Banks found his disappointment at not +going into Mazatlan languidly shared by Mrs. Brimmer. That lady +even made a place for him on the cushions beside her, as she +pensively expressed her belief that her husband would be still more +disappointed. + +"Mr. Brimmer, you know, has correspondents at Mazatlan, and no +doubt he has made particular arrangements for our reception and +entertainment while there. I should not wonder if he was very +indignant. And if, as I fear, the officials of the place, knowing +Mr. Brimmer's position--and my own connections--have prepared to +show us social courtesies, it may be a graver affair. I shouldn't +be surprised if our Government were obliged to take notice of it. +There is a Captain-General of port--isn't there? I think my +husband spoke of him." + +"Oh, he's probably been shot long ago," broke in Mr. Crosby +cheerfully. "They put in a new man every revolution. If the wrong +party's got in, they've likely shipped your husband's correspondent +too, and might be waiting to get a reception for you with nigger +soldiers and ball cartridges. Shouldn't wonder if the skipper got +wind of something of the kind, and that's why he didn't put in. If +your husband hadn't been so well known, you see, we might have +slipped in all right." + +Mrs. Brimmer received this speech with the languid obliviousness of +perception she usually meted out to this chartered jester. + +"Do you really think so, Mr. Crosby? And would you have been +afraid to leave your cabin--or are you joking? You know I never +know when you are. It is very dreadful, either way." + +But here Miss Chubb, with ready tact, interrupted any possible +retort from Mr. Crosby. + +"Look," she said, pointing to some of the other passengers, who, at +a little distance, had grouped about the first mate in animated +discussion. "I wonder what those gentlemen are so interested +about. Do go and see." + +Before he could reply, Mr. Winslow, detaching himself from the +group, hurried towards them. + +"Here's a row: Hurlstone is missing! Can't be found anywhere! +They think he's fallen overboard!" + +The two frightened exclamations from Miss Chubb and Mrs. Brimmer +diverted attention from the sudden paleness of Miss Keene, who had +impulsively approached them. + +"Impossible!" she said hurriedly. + +"I fear it is so," said Brace, who had followed Winslow; "although," +he added in a lower tone, with an angry glance at the latter, "that +brute need not have blustered it out to frighten everybody. They're +searching the ship again, but there seems no hope. He hasn't been +seen since last night. He was supposed to be in his state-room--but +as nobody missed him--you know how odd and reserved he was--it was +only when the steward couldn't find him, and began to inquire, that +everybody remembered they hadn't seen him all day. You are +frightened, Miss Keene; pray sit down. That fellow Winslow ought to +have had more sense." + +"It seems so horrible that nobody knew it," said the young girl, +shuddering; "that we sat here laughing and talking, while perhaps +he was-- Good heavens! what's that?" + +A gruff order had been given: in the bustle that ensued the ship +began to fall off to leeward; a number of the crew had sprung to +the davits of the quarter boat. + +"We're going about, and they're lowering a boat, that's all; but +it's as good as hopeless," said Brace. "The accident must have +happened before daylight, or it would have been seen by the watch. +It was probably long before we came on deck," he added gently; "so +comfort yourself, Miss Keene, you could have seen nothing." + +"It seems so dreadful," murmured the young girl, "that he wasn't +even missed. Why," she said, suddenly raising her soft eyes to +Brace, "YOU must have noticed his absence; why, even I"-- She +stopped with a slight confusion, that was, however, luckily +diverted by the irrepressible Winslow. + +"The skipper's been routed out at last, and is giving orders. He +don't look as if his hat fitted him any too comfortably this +morning, does he?" he laughed, as a stout, grizzled man, with +congested face and eyes, and a peremptory voice husky with +alcoholic irritation, suddenly appeared among the group by the +wheel. "I reckon he's cursing his luck at having to heave-to and +lose this wind." + +"But for a human creature's life!" exclaimed Mrs. Markham in +horror. + +"That's just it. Laying-to now ain't going to save anybody's life, +and he knows it. He's doin' it for show, just for a clean record +in the log, and to satisfy you people here, who'd kick up a row if +he didn't." + +"Then you believe he's lost?" said Miss Keene, with glistening +eyes. + +"There ain't a doubt of it," returned Winslow shortly. + +"I don't agree with you," said a gentle voice. + +They turned quickly towards the benevolent face of Senor Perkins, +who had just joined them. + +"I differ from my young friend," continued the Senor courteously, +"because the accident must have happened at about daybreak, when we +were close inshore. It would not be impossible for a good swimmer +to reach the land, or even," continued Senor Perkins, in answer to +the ray of hope that gleamed in Miss Keene's soft eyes, "for him to +have been picked up by some passing vessel. The smoke of a large +steamer was sighted between us and the land at about that time." + +"A steamer!" ejaculated Banks eagerly; "that was one of the new +line with the mails. How provoking!" + +He was thinking of his lost letters. Miss Keene turned, heart- +sick, away. Worse than the ghastly interruption to their easy +idyllic life was this grim revelation of selfishness. She began to +doubt if even the hysterical excitement of her sister passengers +was not merely a pleasant titillation of their bored and inactive +nerves. + +"I believe the Senor is right, Miss Keene," said Brace, taking her +aside, "and I'll tell you why." He stopped, looked around him, and +went on in a lower voice, "There are some circumstances about the +affair which look more like deliberation than an accident. He has +left nothing behind him of any value or that gives any clue. If it +was a suicide he would have left some letter behind for somebody-- +people always do, you know, at such times--and he would have chosen +the open sea. It seems more probable that he threw himself +overboard with the intention of reaching the shore." + +"But why should he want to leave the ship?" echoed the young girl +simply. + +"Perhaps he found out that we were NOT going to Mazatlan, and this +was his only chance; it must have happened just as the ship went +about and stood off from shore again." + +"But I don't understand," continued Miss Keene, with a pretty +knitting of her brows, "why he should be so dreadfully anxious to +get ashore now." + +The young fellow looked at her with the superior smile of youthful +sagacity. + +"Suppose he had particular reasons for not going to San Francisco, +where our laws could reach him! Suppose he had committed some +offense! Suppose he was afraid of being questioned or recognized!" + +The young girl rose indignantly. + +"This is really too shameful! Who dare talk like that?" + +Brace colored quickly. + +"Who? Why, everybody," he stammered, for a moment abandoning his +attitude of individual acumen; "it's the talk of the ship." + +"Is it? And before they know whether he's alive or dead--perhaps +even while he is still struggling with death--all they can do is to +take his character away!" she repeated, with flashing eyes. + +"And I'm even worse than they are," he returned, his temper rising +with his color. "I ought to have known I was talking to one of HIS +friends, instead of one whom I thought was MINE. I beg your +pardon." + +He turned away as Miss Keene, apparently not heeding his pique, +crossed the deck, and entered into conversation with Mrs. Markham. + +It is to be feared that she found little consolation among the +other passengers, or even those of her own sex, whom this profound +event had united in a certain freemasonry of sympathy and interest-- +to the exclusion of their former cliques. She soon learned, as +the return of the boats to the ship and the ship to her course +might have clearly told her, that there was no chance of recovering +the missing passenger. She learned that the theory advanced by +Brace was the one generally held by them; but with an added romance +of detail, that excited at once their commiseration and admiration. +Mrs. Brimmer remembered to have heard him, the second or third +night out from Callao, groaning in his state-room; but having +mistakenly referred the emotion to ordinary seasickness, she had no +doubt lost an opportunity for confidential disclosure. "I am +sure," she added, "that had somebody as resolute and practical as +you, dear Mrs. Markham, approached him the next day, he would have +revealed his sorrow." Miss Chubb was quite certain that she had +seen him one night, in tears, by the quarter railing. "I saw his +eyes glistening under his slouched hat as I passed. I remember +thinking, at the time, that he oughtn't to have been left alone +with such a dreadful temptation before him to slip overboard and +end his sorrow or his crime." Mrs. Markham also remembered that it +was about five o'clock--or was it six?--that morning when she +distinctly thought she had heard a splash, and she was almost +impelled to get up and look out of the bull's-eye. She should +never forgive herself for resisting that impulse, for she was +positive now that she would have seen his ghastly face in the +water. Some indignation was felt that the captain, after a cursory +survey of his stateroom, had ordered it to be locked until his fate +was more positively known, and the usual seals placed on his +effects for their delivery to the authorities at San Francisco. It +was believed that some clue to his secret would be found among his +personal chattels, if only in the form of a keepsake, a locket, or +a bit of jewelry. Miss Chubb had noticed that he wore a seal ring, +but not on the engagement-finger. In some vague feminine way it +was admitted without discussion that one of their own sex was mixed +up in the affair, and, with the exception of Miss Keene, general +credence was given to the theory that Mazatlan contained his +loadstar--the fatal partner and accomplice of his crime, the siren +that allured him to his watery grave. I regret to say that the +facts gathered by the gentlemen were equally ineffective. The +steward who had attended the missing man was obliged to confess +that their most protracted and confidential conversation had been +on the comparative efficiency of ship biscuits and soda crackers. +Mr. Banks, who was known to have spoken to him, could only remember +that one warm evening, in reply to a casual remark about the +weather, the missing man, burying his ears further in the turned-up +collar of his pea-jacket, had stated, "'It was cold enough to +freeze the ears off a brass monkey,'--a remark, no doubt, sir, +intended to convey a reason for his hiding his own." Only Senor +Perkins retained his serene optimism unimpaired. + +"Take my word for it, we shall yet hear good news of our missing +friend. Let us at least believe it until we know otherwise. Ah! +my dear Mrs. Markham, why should the Unknown always fill us with +apprehension? Its surprises are equally often agreeable." + +"But we have all been so happy before this; and this seems such an +unnecessary and cruel awakening," said Miss Keene, lifting her sad +eyes to the speaker, "that I can't help thinking it's the beginning +of the end. Good heavens! what's that?" + +She had started at the dark figure of one of the foreign-looking +sailors, who seemed to have suddenly risen out of the deck beside +them. + +"The Senor Perkins," he said, with an apologetic gesture of his +hand to his hatless head. + +"You want ME, my good man?" asked Senor Perkins paternally. + +"Si, Senor; the mate wishes to see the Patrono," he said in +Spanish. + +"I will come presently." + +The sailor hesitated. Senor Perkins took a step nearer to him +benignantly. The man raised his eyes to Senor Perkins, and said,-- + +"Vigilancia." + +"Bueno!" returned the Senor gently. "Excuse me, ladies, for a +moment." + +"Perhaps it is some news of poor Mr. Hurlstone?" said Miss Keene, +with an instinctive girlish movement of hope. + +"Who knows?" returned Senor Perkins, waving his hand as he gayly +tripped after his guide. "Let us believe in the best, dear young +lady, the best!" + + +CHAPTER III. + +"VIGILANCIA." + + +Without exchanging another word with his escort, Senor Perkins +followed him to the main hatch, where they descended and groped +their way through the half obscurity of the lower deck. Here they +passed one or two shadows, that, recognizing the Senor, seemed to +draw aside in a half awed, half suppressed shyness, as of caged +animals in the presence of their trainer. At the fore-hatch they +again descended, passing a figure that appeared to be keeping watch +at the foot of the ladder, and almost instantly came upon a group +lit up by the glare of a bull's-eye lantern. It was composed of +the first and second mate, a vicious-looking Peruvian sailor with a +bandaged head, and, to the Senor's astonishment, the missing +passenger Hurlstone, seated on the deck, heavily ironed. + +"Tell him what you know, Pedro," said the first mate to the +Peruvian sailor curtly. + +"It was just daybreak, Patrono, before we put about," began the man +in Spanish, "that I thought I saw some one gliding along towards +the fore-hatch; but I lost sight of him. After we had tumbled up +to go on the other tack, I heard a noise in the fore-hold. I went +down and found HIM," pointing to Hurlstone, "hiding there. He had +some provisions stowed away beside him, and that package. I +grabbed him, Patrono. He broke away and struck me here"--he +pointed to his still wet bandage--"and would have got out overboard +through the port, but the second mate heard the row and came down +just in time to stop him." + +"When was this?" asked Senor Perkins. + +"Guardia di Diana." + +"You were chattering, you fellows." + +"Quien sabe?" said the Peruvian, lifting his shoulders. + +"How does he explain himself?" + +"He refuses to speak." + +"Take off his irons," said Senor Perkins, in English. + +"But"--expostulated the first mate, with a warning gesture. + +"I said--take off his irons," repeated Senor Perkins in a dry and +unfamiliar voice. + +The two mates released the shackles. The prisoner raised his eyes +to Senor Perkins. He was a slightly built man of about thirty, +fair-haired and hollow-cheeked. His short upper lip was lifted +over his teeth, as if from hurried or labored breathing; but his +features were regular and determined, and his large blue eyes shone +with a strange abstraction of courage and fatuity. + +"That will do," continued the Senor, in the same tone. "Now leave +him with me." + +The two mates looked at each other, and hesitated; but at a glance +from Perkins, turned, and ascended the ladder again. The Peruvian +alone remained. + +"Go!" said the Senor sharply. + +The man cast a vindictive look at the prisoner and retreated +sullenly. + +"Did HE tell you," said the prisoner, looking after the sailor +grimly, "that I tried to bribe him to let me go, but that I +couldn't reach his figure? He wanted too much. He thought I had +some stolen money or valuables here," he added, with a bitter +laugh, pointing to the package that lay beside him. + +"And you hadn't?" said Perkins shortly. + +"No." + +"I believe you. And now, my young friend," said Perkins, with a +singular return of his beaming gentleness, "since those two +efficient and competent officers and this energetic but +discourteous seaman are gone, would you mind telling me WHAT you +were hiding for?" + +The prisoner raised his eyes on his questioner. For the last three +weeks he had lived in the small community of which the Senor was a +prominent member, but he scarcely recognized him now. + +"What if I refuse?" he said. + +The Senor shrugged his shoulders. + +"Those two excellent men would feel it their duty to bring the +Peruvian to the captain, and I should be called to interpret to +him." + +"And I should throw myself overboard the first chance I got. I +would have done so ten minutes ago, but the mate stopped me." + +His eye glistened with the same fatuous determination he had shown +at first. There was no doubt he would do as he said. + +"I believe you would," said the Senor benevolently; "but I see no +present necessity for that, nor for any trouble whatever, if you +will kindly tell me WHAT I am to say." + +The young man's eyes fell. + +"I DID try to conceal myself in the hold," he said bluntly. "I +intended to remain there hidden while the ship was at Mazatlan. I +did not know until now that the vessel had changed her course." + +"And how did you believe your absence would be accounted for?" +asked the Senor blandly. + +"I thought it would be supposed that I had fallen overboard before +we entered Mazatlan." + +"So that anybody seeking you there would not find you, and you +would be believed to be dead?" + +"Yes." He raised his eyes quickly to Senor Perkins again. "I am +neither a thief nor a murderer," he said almost savagely, "but I do +not choose to be recognized by any one who knows me on this side of +the grave." + +Senor Perkins' eyes sought his, and for an instant seemed to burn +through the singular, fatuous mist that veiled them. + +"My friend," he said cheerfully, after a moment's pause, "you have +just had a providential escape. I repeat it--a most providential +escape. Indeed, if I were inclined to prophesy, I would say you +were a man reserved for some special good fortune." + +The prisoner stared at him with angry amazement. + +"You are a confirmed somnambulist. Excuse me," continued the +Senor, with a soft, deprecating gesture; "you are, of course, +unaware of it--most victims of that singular complaint are, or at +least fail to recognize the extent of their aberration. In your +case it has only been indicated by a profound melancholy and +natural shunning of society. In a paroxysm of your disorder, you +rise in the night, fully dress yourself, and glide as unconsciously +along the deck in pursuance of some vague fancy. You pass the +honest but energetic sailor who has just left us, who thinks you +are a phantom, and fails to give the alarm; you are precipitated by +a lurch of the ship through an open hatchway: the shock renders you +insensible until you are discovered and restored." + +"And who will believe this pretty story?" said the young man +scornfully. + +"The honest sailor who picked you up, who has related it in his own +picturesque tongue to ME, who will in turn interpret it to the +captain and the other passengers," replied Senor Perkins blandly. + +"And what of the two mates who were here?" said the prisoner +hesitatingly. + +"They are two competent officers, who are quite content to carry +out the orders of their superiors, and who understand their duty +too well to interfere with the reports of their subordinates, on +which these orders are based. Mr. Brooks, the first officer, +though fairly intelligent and a good reader of history, is only +imperfectly acquainted with the languages, and Mr. M'Carthy's +knowledge of Spanish is confined to a few objurgations which +generally preclude extended conversation." + +"And who are you," said Hurlstone, more calmly, "who are willing to +do this for a stranger?" + +"A friend--equally of yours, the captain's, and the other +passengers'," replied Senor Perkins pleasantly. "A man who +believes you, my dear sir, and, even if he did not, sees no reason +to interrupt the harmony that has obtained in our little community +during our delightful passage. Were any scandal to occur, were you +to carry out your idea of throwing yourself overboard, it would, to +say nothing of my personal regret, produce a discord for which +there is no necessity, and from which no personal good can be +derived. Here at least your secret is secure, for even I do not +ask what it is; we meet here on an equality, based on our own +conduct and courtesy to each other, limited by no antecedent +prejudice, and restrained by no thought of the future. In a little +while we shall be separated--why should it not be as friends? Why +should we not look back upon our little world of this ship as a +happy one?" + +Hurlstone gazed at the speaker with a troubled air. It was once +more the quaint benevolent figure whom he had vaguely noted among +the other passengers, and as vaguely despised. He hesitated a +moment, and then, half timidly, half reservedly, extended his hand. + +"I thank you," he said, "at least for not asking my secret. +Perhaps, if it was only"-- + +"Your own--you might tell it," interrupted the Senor, gayly. "I +understand. I see you recognize my principle. There is no +necessity of your putting yourself to that pain, or another to that +risk. And now, my young friend, time presses. I must say a word +to our friends above, who are waiting, and I shall see that you are +taken privately to your state-room while most of the other +passengers are still on deck. If you would permit yourself the +weakness of allowing the steward to carry or assist you it would be +better. Let me advise you that the excitement of the last three +hours has not left you in your full strength. You must really give +ME the pleasure of spreading the glad tidings of your safety among +the passengers, who have been so terribly alarmed." + +"They will undoubtedly be relieved," said Hurlstone, with ironical +bitterness. + +"You wrong them," returned the Senor, with gentle reproach; +"especially the ladies." + +The voice of the first mate from above here checked his further +speech, and, perhaps, prevented him, as he quickly reascended the +upper deck, from noticing the slight embarrassment of his prisoner. + +The Senor's explanations to the mate were evidently explicit and +brief. In a few moments he reappeared with the steward and his +assistant. + +"Lean on these men," he said to Hurlstone significantly, "and do +not overestimate your strength. Thank Heaven, no bones are broken, +and you are only bruised by the fall. With a little rest, I think +we can get along without laying the captain's medicine-chest under +contribution. Our kind friend Mr. Brooks has had the lower deck +cleared, so that you may gain your state-room without alarming the +passengers or fatiguing yourself." + +He pressed Hurlstone's hand as the latter resigned himself to the +steward, and was half led, half supported, through the gloom of the +lower deck. Senor Perkins remained for an instant gazing after him +with even more than his usual benevolence. Suddenly his arm was +touched almost rudely. He turned, and encountered the lowering +eyes of the Peruvian sailor. + +"And what is to be done for me?" said the man roughly, in Spanish. + +"You?" + +"Yes. Who's to pay for this?" he pointed to his bandaged head. + +Without changing his bland expression, Senor Perkins apparently +allowed his soft black eyes to rest, as if fondly, on the angry +pupils of the Peruvian. The eyes of the latter presently sought +the ground. + +"My dear Yoto," said Senor Perkins softly, "I scarcely think that +this question of personal damage can be referred to the State. I +will, however, look into it. Meantime, let me advise you to +control your enthusiasm. Too much zeal in a subordinate is even +more fatal than laxity. For the rest, son, be vigilant--and +peaceful. Thou hast meant well, much shall be--forgiven thee. For +the present, vamos!" + +He turned on his heel, and ascended to the upper deck. Here he +found the passengers thrilling with a vague excitement. A few +brief orders, a few briefer explanations, dropped by the officers, +had already whetted curiosity to the keenest point. The Senor was +instantly beset with interrogations. Gentle, compassionate, with +well-rounded periods, he related the singular accident that had +befallen Mr. Hurlstone, and his providential escape from almost +certain death. "At the most, he has now only the exhaustion of the +shock, from which a day of perfect rest will recover him; but," he +added deprecatingly, "at present he ought not to be disturbed or +excited." + +The story was received by those fellow-passengers who had been +strongest in their suspicions of Hurlstone's suicide or flight, +with a keen sense of discomfiture, only mitigated by a humorous +perception of the cause of the accident. It was agreed that a man +whose ludicrous infirmity had been the cause of putting the ship +out of her course, and the passengers out of their comfortable +security, could not be wronged by attributing to him manlier and +more criminal motives. A somnambulist on shipboard was clearly a +humorous object, who might, however, become a bore. "It all +accounts for his being so deuced quiet and reserved in the +daytime," said Crosby facetiously; "he couldn't keep it up the +whole twenty-four hours. If he'd only given us a little more of +his company when he was awake, he wouldn't have gallivanted round +at night, and we'd have been thirty miles nearer port." Equal +amusement was created by the humorous suggestion that the +unfortunate man had never been entirely awake during the voyage, +and that he would now, probably for the first time, really make the +acquaintance of his fellow-voyagers. Listening to this badinage +with bland tolerance, Senor Perkins no doubt felt that, for the +maintenance of that perfect amity he so ardently apostrophized, it +was just as well that Hurlstone was in his state-room, and out of +hearing. + +He would have been more satisfied, however, had he been permitted +to hear the feminine comments on this incident. In the eyes of the +lady passengers Mr. Hurlstone was more a hero than ever; his +mysterious malady invested him with a vague and spiritual interest; +his escape from the awful fate reserved to him, in their excited +fancy, gave him the eclat of having ACTUALLY survived it; while the +supposed real incident of his fall through the hatchway lent him +the additional lustre of a wounded and crippled man. That +prostrate condition of active humanity, which so irresistibly +appeals to the feminine imagination as segregating their victim +from the distractions of his own sex, and, as it were, delivering +him helpless into their hands, was at once their opportunity, and +his. All the ladies volunteered to nurse him; it was with +difficulty that Mrs. Brimmer and Mrs. Markham, reinforced with +bandages, flannels, and liniments, and supported by different +theories, could be kept from the door of his state-room. Jellies, +potted meats, and delicacies from their private stores appeared on +trays at his bedside, to be courteously declined by the Senor +Perkins, in his new functions of a benevolent type of Sancho Panza +physician. To say that this pleased the gentle optimism of the +Senor is unnecessary. Even while his companion writhed under the +sting of this enforced compassion, the good man beamed philosophically +upon him. + +"Take care, or I shall end this cursed farce in my own way," said +Hurlstone ominously, his eyes again filming with a vague +desperation. + +"My dear boy," returned the Senor gently, "reflect upon the +situation. Your suffering, real or implied, produces in the hearts +of these gentle creatures a sympathy which not only exalts and +sustains their higher natures, but, I conscientiously believe, +gratifies and pleases their lower ones. Why should you deny them +this opportunity of indulging their twofold organisms, and +beguiling the tedium of the voyage, merely because of some +erroneous exhibition of fact?" + +Later, Senor Perkins might have added to this exposition the +singularly stimulating effect which Hurlstone's supposed peculiarity +had upon the feminine imagination. But there were some secrets +which were not imparted even to him, and it was only to each other +that the ladies confided certain details and reminiscences. For it +now appeared that they had all heard strange noises and stealthy +steps at night; and Mrs. Brimmer was quite sure that on one occasion +the handle of her state-room door was softly turned. Mrs. Markham +also remembered distinctly that only a week before, being unable to +sleep, she had ventured out into the saloon in a dressing-gown to +get her diary, which she had left with a portfolio on a chair; that +she had a sudden consciousness of another presence in the saloon, +although she could distinguish nothing by the dim light of the +swinging lantern; and that, after quickly returning to her room, she +was quite positive she heard a door close. But the most surprising +reminiscence developed by the late incident was from Mrs. Brimmer's +nurse, Susan. As it, apparently, demonstrated the fact that Mr. +Hurlstone not only walked but TALKED in his sleep, it possessed a +more mysterious significance. It seemed that Susan was awakened one +night by the sound of voices, and, opening her door softly, saw a +figure which she at first supposed to be the Senor Perkins, but +which she now was satisfied was poor Mr. Hurlstone. As there was no +one else to be seen, the voices must have proceeded from that single +figure; and being in a strange and unknown tongue, were +inexpressibly weird and awful. When pressed to remember what was +said, she could only distinguish one word--a woman's name--Virgil-- +Vigil--no: Virginescia! + +"It must have been one of those creatures at Callao, whose pictures +you can buy for ten cents," said Mrs. Brimmer. + +"If it is one of them, Susan must have made a mistake in the first +two syllables of the name," said Mrs. Markham grimly. + +"But surely, Miss Keene," said Miss Chubb, turning to that young +lady, who had taken only the part of a passive listener to this +colloquy, and was gazing over the railing at the sinking sun, +"surely YOU can tell us something about this poor young man. If I +don't mistake, you are the only person he ever honored with his +conversation." + +"And only once, I think," said the young girl, slightly coloring. +"He happened to be sitting next to me on deck, and I believe he +spoke only out of politeness. At least, he seemed very quiet and +reserved, and talked on general topics, and I thought very +intelligently. I--should have thought--I mean," she continued +hesitatingly--"I thought he was an educated gentleman." + +"That isn't at all inconsistent with photographs or sleep-walking," +said Mrs. Brimmer, with one of her vague simplicities. "Uncle +Quincey brought home a whole sheaf of those women whom he said he'd +met; and one of my cousins, who was educated at Heidelberg, used to +walk in his sleep, as it were, all over Europe." + +"Did you notice anything queer in his eyes, Miss Keene?" asked Miss +Chubb vivaciously. + +Miss Keene had noticed that his eyes were his best feature, albeit +somewhat abstracted and melancholy; but, for some vague reason she +could not explain herself, she answered hurriedly that she had seen +nothing very particular in them. + +"Well," said Mrs. Markham positively, "when he's able to be out +again, I shall consider it my duty to look him up, and try to keep +him sufficiently awake in the daytime to ensure his resting better +at night." + +"No one can do it, dear Mrs. Markham, better than you; and no one +would think of misunderstanding your motives," said Mrs. Brimmer +sweetly. "But it's getting late, and the air seems to be ever so +much colder. Captain Bunker says it's because we are really +nearing the Californian coast. It seems so odd! Mr. Brimmer wrote +to me that it was so hot in Sacramento that you could do something +with eggs in the sun--I forget what." + +"Hatch them?" suggested Miss Chubb. + +"I think so," returned Mrs. Brimmer, rising. "Let us go below." + +The three ladies rustled away, but Miss Keene, throwing a wrap +around her shoulders, lingered by the railing. With one little +hand supporting her round chin, she leaned over the darkly heaving +water. She was thinking of her brief and only interview with that +lonely man whose name was now in everybody's mouth, but who, until +to-day, had been passed over by them with an unconcern equal to his +own. And yet to her refined and delicately feminine taste there +appeared no reason why he should not have mingled with his fellows, +and have accepted the homage from them that SHE was instinctively +ready to give. He seemed to her like a gentleman--and something +more. In her limited but joyous knowledge of the world--a +knowledge gathered in the happy school-life of an orphan who but +faintly remembered and never missed a parent's care--she knew +nothing of the mysterious dominance of passion, suffering, or +experience in fashioning the outward expression of men, and saw +only that Mr. Hurlstone was unlike any other. That unlikeness was +fascinating. He had said very little to her in that very brief +period. He had not talked to her with the general gallantry which +she already knew her prettiness elicited. Without knowing why, she +felt there was a subtle flattery in his tacit recognition of that +other self of which she, as yet, knew so little. She could not +remember what they had talked about--nor why. Nor was she offended +that he had never spoken to her since, nor gone beyond a grave +lifting of his hat to her when he passed. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN THE FOG. + + +By noon of the following day the coast of the Peninsula of +California had been sighted to leeward. The lower temperature of +the northwest Trades had driven Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb into +their state-rooms to consult their wardrobes in view of an +impending change from the light muslins and easy languid toilets of +the Tropics. That momentous question for the moment held all other +topics in abeyance; and even Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene, though +they still kept the deck, in shawls and wraps, sighed over this +feminine evidence of the gentle passing of their summer holiday. +The gentlemen had already mounted their pea-jackets and overcoats, +with the single exception of Senor Perkins, who, in chivalrous +compliment to the elements, still bared his unfettered throat and +forehead to the breeze. The aspect of the coast, as seen from the +Excelsior's deck, seemed to bear out Mr. Banks' sweeping indictment +of the day before. A few low, dome-like hills, yellow and treeless +as sand dunes, scarcely raised themselves above the horizon. The +air, too, appeared to have taken upon itself a dry asperity; the +sun shone with a hard, practical brilliancy. Miss Keene raised her +eyes to Senor Perkins with a pretty impatience that she sometimes +indulged in, as one of the privileges of accepted beauty and petted +youth. + +"I don't think much of your peninsula," she said poutingly. "It +looks dreadfully flat and uninteresting. It was a great deal nicer +on the other coast, or even at sea." + +"Perhaps you are judging hastily, my dear young friend," said Senor +Perkins, with habitual tolerance. "I have heard that behind those +hills, and hidden from sight in some of the canyons, are perfect +little Edens of beauty and fruitfulness. They are like some ardent +natures that cover their approaches with the ashes of their burnt- +up fires, but only do it the better to keep intact their glowing, +vivifying, central heat." + +"How very poetical, Mr. Perkins!" said Mrs. Markham, with blunt +admiration. "You ought to put that into verse." + +"I have," returned Senor Perkins modestly. "They are some +reflections on--I hardly dare call them an apostrophe to--the +crater of Colima. If you will permit me to read them to you this +evening, I shall be charmed. I hope also to take that opportunity +of showing you the verses of a gifted woman, not yet known to fame, +Mrs. Euphemia M'Corkle, of Peoria, Illinois." + +Mrs. Markham coughed slightly. The gifted M'Corkle was already +known to her through certain lines quoted by the Senor; and the +entire cabin had one evening fled before a larger and more +ambitious manuscript of the fair Illinoisian. Miss Keene, who +dreaded the reappearance of this poetical phantom that seemed to +haunt the Senor's fancy, could not, however, forget that she had +been touched on that occasion by a kindly moisture of eye and +tremulousness of voice in the reader; and, in spite of the hopeless +bathos of the composition, she had forgiven him. Though she did +not always understand Senor Perkins, she liked him too well to +allow him to become ridiculous to others; and at the present moment +she promptly interposed with a charming assumption of coquetry. + +"You forget that you promised to let ME read the manuscript first, +and in private, and that you engaged to give me my revenge at chess +this evening. But do as you like. You are all fast becoming +faithless. I suppose it is because our holiday is drawing to a +close, and we shall soon forget we ever had any, or be ashamed we +ever played so long. Everybody seems to be getting nervous and +fidgety and preparing for civilization again. Mr. Banks, for the +last few days, has dressed himself regularly as if he were going +down town to his office, and writes letters in the corner of the +saloon as if it were a counting-house. Mr. Crosby and Mr. Winslow +do nothing but talk of their prospects, and I believe they are +drawing up articles of partnership together. Here is Mr. Brace +frightening me by telling me that my brother will lock me up, to +keep the rich miners from laying their bags of gold dust at my +feet; and Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb assure me that I haven't a +decent gown to go ashore in." + +"You forget Mr. Hurlstone," said Brace, with ill-concealed +bitterness; "he seems to have time enough on his hands, and I dare +say would sympathize with you. You women like idle men." + +"If we do, it's because only the idle men have the time to amuse +us," retorted Miss Keene. "But," she added, with a laugh, "I +suppose I'm getting nervous and fidgety myself; for I find myself +every now and then watching the officers and men, and listening to +the orders as if something were going to happen again. I never +felt so before; I never used to have the least concern in what you +call 'the working of the ship,' and now"--her voice, which had been +half playful, half pettish, suddenly became grave,--"and now--look +at the mate and those men forward. There certainly is something +going on, or is going to happen. What ARE they looking at?" + +The mate had clambered halfway up the main ratlines, and was +looking earnestly to windward. Two or three of the crew on the +forecastle were gazing in the same direction. The group of cabin- +passengers on the quarterdeck, following their eyes, saw what +appeared to be another low shore on the opposite bow. + +"Why, there's another coast there!" said Mrs. Markham. + +"It's a fog-bank," said Senor Perkins gravely. He quickly crossed +the deck, exchanged a few words with the officer, and returned. +Miss Keene, who had felt a sense of relief, nevertheless questioned +his face as he again stood beside her. But he had recovered his +beaming cheerfulness. "It's nothing to alarm you," he said, +answering her glance, "but it may mean delay if we can't get out of +it. You don't mind that, I know." + +"No," replied the young girl, smiling. "Besides, it would be a new +experience. We've had winds and calms--we only want fog now to +complete our adventures. Unless it's going to make everybody +cross," she continued, with a mischievous glance at Brace. + +"You'll find it won't improve the temper of the officers," said +Crosby, who had joined the group. "There's nothing sailors hate +more than a fog. They can go to sleep in a hurricane between the +rolls of a ship, but a fog keeps them awake. It's the one thing +they can't shirk. There's the skipper tumbled up, too! The old +man looks wrathy, don't he? But it's no use now; we're going slap +into it, and the wind's failing!" + +It was true. In the last few moments all that vast glistening +surface of metallic blue which stretched so far to windward +appeared to be slowly eaten away as if by some dull, corroding +acid; the distant horizon line of sea and sky was still distinct +and sharply cut, but the whole water between them had grown gray, +as if some invisible shadow had passed in mid-air across it. The +actual fog bank had suddenly lost its resemblance to the shore, had +lifted as a curtain, and now seemed suspended over the ship. +Gradually it descended; the top-gallant and top-sails were lost in +this mysterious vapor, yet the horizon line still glimmered +faintly. Then another mist seemed to rise from the sea and meet +it; in another instant the deck whereon they stood shrank to the +appearance of a raft adrift in a faint gray sea. With the complete +obliteration of all circumambient space, the wind fell. Their +isolation was complete. + +It was notable that the first and most peculiar effect of this +misty environment was the absolute silence. The empty, invisible +sails above did not flap; the sheets and halyards hung limp; even +the faint creaking of an unseen block overhead was so startling as +to draw every eye upwards. Muffled orders from viewless figures +forward were obeyed by phantoms that moved noiselessly through the +gray sea that seemed to have invaded the deck. Even the passengers +spoke in whispers, or held their breath, in passive groups, as if +fearing to break a silence so replete with awe and anticipation. +It was next noticed that the vessel was subjected to some vague +motion; the resistance of the water had ceased, the waves no longer +hissed under her bows, or nestled and lapped under her counter; a +dreamy, irregular, and listless rocking had taken the place of the +regular undulations; at times, a faint and half delicious vertigo +seemed to overcome their senses; the ship was drifting. + +Captain Bunker stood near the bitts, where his brief orders were +transmitted to the man at the almost useless wheel. At his side +Senor Perkins beamed with unshaken serenity, and hopefully replied +to the captain's half surly, half anxious queries. + +"By the chart we should be well east of Los Lobos island, d'ye +see?" he said impatiently. "You don't happen to remember the +direction of the current off shore when you were running up here?" + +"It's five years ago," said the Senor modestly; "but I remember we +kept well to the west to weather Cape St. Eugenio. My impression +is that there was a strong northwesterly current setting north of +Ballenos Bay." + +"And we're in it now," said Captain Bunker shortly. "How near St. +Roque does it set?" + +"Within a mile or two. I should keep away more to the west," said +Senor Perkins, "and clear"-- + +"I ain't asking you to run the ship," interrupted Captain Bunker +sharply. "How's her head now, Mr. Brooks?" + +The seamen standing near cast a rapid glance at Senor Perkins, but +not a muscle of his bland face moved or betrayed a consciousness of +the insult. Whatever might have been the feeling towards him, at +that moment the sailors--after their fashion--admired their +captain; strong, masterful, and imperious. The danger that had +cleared his eye, throat, and brain, and left him once more the +daring and skillful navigator they knew, wiped out of their shallow +minds the vicious habit that had sunk him below their level. + +It had now become perceptible to even the inexperienced eyes of the +passengers that the Excelsior was obeying some new and profound +impulse. The vague drifting had ceased, and in its place had come +a mysterious but regular movement, in which the surrounding mist +seemed to participate, until fog and vessel moved together towards +some unseen but well-defined bourne. In vain had the boats of the +Excelsior, manned by her crew, endeavored with a towing-line to +check or direct the inexplicable movement; in vain had Captain +Bunker struggled, with all the skilled weapons of seamanship, +against his invincible foe; wrapped in the impenetrable fog, the +ship moved ghost-like to what seemed to be her doom. + +The anxiety of the officers had not as yet communicated itself to +the passengers; those who had been most nervous in the ordinary +onset of wind and wave looked upon the fog as a phenomenon whose +only disturbance might be delay. To Miss Keene this conveyed no +annoyance; rather that placid envelopment of cloud soothed her +fancy; she submitted herself to its soft embraces, and to the +mysterious onward movement of the ship, as if it were part of a +youthful dream. Once she thought of the ship of Sindbad, and that +fatal loadstone mountain, with an awe that was, however, half a +pleasure. + +"You are not frightened, Miss Keene?" said a voice near her. + +She started slightly. It was the voice of Mr. Hurlstone. So thick +was the fog that his face and figure appeared to come dimly out of +it, like a part of her dreaming fancy. Without replying to his +question, she said quickly,-- + +"You are better then, Mr. Hurlstone? We--we were all so frightened +for you." + +An angry shadow crossed his thin face, and he hesitated. After a +pause he recovered himself, and said,-- + +"I was saying you were taking all this very quietly. I don't think +there's much danger myself. And if we should go ashore here"-- + +"Well?" suggested Miss Keene, ignoring this first intimation of +danger in her surprise at the man's manner. + +"Well, we should all be separated only a few days earlier, that's +all!" + +More frightened at the strange bitterness of his voice than by the +sense of physical peril, she was vaguely moving away towards the +dimly outlined figures of her companions when she was arrested by a +voice forward. There was a slight murmur among the passengers. + +"What did he say?" asked Miss Keene, "What are 'Breakers ahead'?" + +Hurlstone did not reply. + +"Where away?" asked a second voice. + +The murmur still continuing, Captain Bunker's hoarse voice pierced +the gloom,--"Silence fore and aft!" + +The first voice repeated faintly,-- + +"On the larboard bow." + +There was another silence. Again the voice repeated, as if +mechanically,-- + +"Breakers!" + +"Where away?" + +"On the starboard beam." + +"We are in some passage or channel," said Hurlstone quietly. + +The young girl glanced round her and saw for the first time that, +in one of those inexplicable movements she had not understood, the +other passengers had been withdrawn into a limited space of the +deck, as if through some authoritative orders, while she and her +companion had been evidently overlooked. A couple of sailors, who +had suddenly taken their positions by the quarter-boats, strengthened +the accidental separation. + +"Is there some one taking care of you?" he asked, half hesitatingly; +"Mr. Brace--Perkins--or"-- + +"No," she replied quickly. "Why?" + +"Well, we are very near the boat in an emergency, and you might +allow me to stay here and see you safe in it." + +"But the other ladies? Mrs. Markham, and"-- + +"They'll take their turn after YOU," he said grimly, picking up a +wrap from the railing and throwing it over her shoulders. + +"But--I don't understand!" she stammered, more embarrassed by the +situation than by any impending peril. + +"There is very little danger, I think," he added impatiently. +"There is scarcely any sea; the ship has very little way on; and +these breakers are not over rocks. Listen." + +She tried to listen. At first she heard nothing but the occasional +low voice of command near the wheel. Then she became conscious of +a gentle, soothing murmur through the fog to the right. She had +heard such a murmuring accompaniment to her girlish dreams at +Newport on a still summer night. There was nothing to frighten +her, but it increased her embarrassment. + +"And you?" she said awkwardly, raising her soft eyes. + +"Oh, if you are all going off in the boats, by Jove, I think I'll +stick to the ship!" he returned, with a frankness that would have +been rude but for its utter abstraction. + +Miss Keene was silent. The ship moved gently onward. The +monotonous cry of the leadsman in the chains was the only sound +audible. The soundings were indicating shoaler water, although the +murmuring of the surf had been left far astern. The almost +imperceptible darkening of the mist on either beam seemed to show +that the Excelsior was entering some land-locked passage. The +movement of the vessel slackened, the tide was beginning to ebb. +Suddenly a wave of far-off clamor, faint but sonorous, broke across +the ship. There was an interval of breathless silence, and then it +broke again, and more distinctly. It was the sound of bells! + +The thrill of awe which passed through passengers and crew at this +spiritual challenge from the vast and intangible void around them +had scarcely subsided when the captain turned to Senor Perkins with +a look of surly interrogation. The Senor brushed his hat further +back on his head, wiped his brow, and became thoughtful. + +"It's too far south for Rosario," he said deprecatingly; "and the +only other mission I know of is San Carlos, and that's far inland. +But that is the Angelus, and those are mission bells, surely." + +The captain turned to Mr. Brooks. The voice of invisible command +again passed along the deck, and, with a splash in the water and +the rattling of chains, the Excelsior swung slowly round on her +anchor on the bosom of what seemed a placid bay. + +Miss Keene, who, in her complete absorption, had listened to the +phantom bells with an almost superstitious exaltation, had +forgotten the presence of her companion, and now turned towards +him. But he was gone. The imminent danger he had spoken of, half +slightingly, he evidently considered as past. He had taken the +opportunity offered by the slight bustle made by the lowering of +the quarter-boat and the departure of the mate on a voyage of +discovery to mingle with the crowd, and regain his state-room. +With the anchoring of the vessel, the momentary restraint was +relaxed, the passengers were allowed to pervade the deck, and Mrs. +Markham and Mr. Brace simultaneously rushed to Miss Keene's side. + +"We were awfully alarmed for you, my dear," said Mrs. Markham, +"until we saw you had a protector. Do tell me--what DID he say? +He must have thought the danger great to have broken the Senor's +orders and come upon deck? What did he talk about?" + +With a vivid recollection in her mind of Mr. Hurlstone's +contemptuous ignoring of the other ladies, Miss Keene became +slightly embarrassed. Her confusion was not removed by the +consciousness that the jealous eyes of Brace were fixed upon her. + +"Perhaps he thought it was night, and walked upon deck in his +sleep," remarked Brace sarcastically. "He's probably gone back to +bed." + +"He offered me his protection very politely, and begged to remain +to put me in the boat in case of danger," said Miss Keene, +recovering herself, and directing her reply to Mrs. Markham. "I +think that others have made me the same kind of offer--who were +wide awake," she added mischievously to Brace. + +"I wouldn't be too sure that they were not foolishly dreaming too," +returned Brace, in a lower voice. + +"I should think we all were asleep or dreaming here," said Mrs. +Markham briskly. "Nobody seems to know where we are, and the only +man who might guess it--Senor Perkins--has gone off in the boat +with the mate." + +"We're not a mile from shore and a Catholic church," said Crosby, +who had joined them. "I just left Mrs. Brimmer, who is very High +Church, you know, quite overcome by these Angelus bells. She's +been entreating the captain to let her go ashore for vespers. It +wouldn't be a bad idea, if we could only see what sort of a place +we've got to. It wouldn't do to go feeling round the settlement in +the dark--would it? Hallo! what's that? Oh, by Jove, that'll +finish Mrs. Brimmer, sure!" + +"Hush!" said Miss Keene impulsively. + +He stopped. The long-drawn cadence of a chant in thin clear +soprano voices swept through the fog from the invisible shore, rose +high above the ship, and then fell, dying away with immeasurable +sweetness and melancholy. Even when it had passed, a lingering +melody seemed to fill the deck. Two or three of the foreign +sailors crossed themselves devoutly; the other passengers withheld +their speech, and looked at each other. Afraid to break the charm +by speech, they listened again, but in vain an infinite repose +followed that seemed to pervade everything. + +It was broken, at last, by the sound of oars in their rowlocks; the +boat was returning. But it was noticed that the fog had slightly +lifted from the surface of the water, for the boat was distinctly +visible two cables' length from the ship as she approached; and it +was seen that besides the first officer and Senor Perkins there +were two strangers in the boat. Everybody rushed to the side for a +nearer view of those strange inhabitants of the unknown shore; but +the boat's crew suddenly ceased rowing, and lay on their oars until +an indistinct hail and reply passed between the boat and ship. +There was a bustle forward, an unexpected thunder from the +Excelsior's eight-pounder at the bow port; Captain Bunker and the +second mate ranged themselves at the companionway, and the +passengers for the first time became aware that they were +participating at the reception of visitors of distinction, as two +strange and bizarre figures stepped upon the deck. + + +CHAPTER V. + +TODOS SANTOS. + + +It was evident that the two strangers represented some exalted +military and ecclesiastical authority. This was shown in their +dress--a long-forgotten, half mediaeval costume, that to the +imaginative spectator was perfectly in keeping with their +mysterious advent, and to the more practical as startling as a +masquerade. The foremost figure wore a broad-brimmed hat of soft +felt, with tarnished gold lace, and a dark feather tucked in its +recurved flap; a short cloak of fine black cloth thrown over one +shoulder left a buff leathern jacket and breeches, ornamented with +large round silver buttons, exposed until they were met by high +boots of untanned yellow buckskin that reached halfway up the +thigh. A broad baldric of green silk hung from his shoulder across +his breast, and supported at his side a long sword with an enormous +basket hilt, through which somewhat coquettishly peeped a white +lace handkerchief. Tall and erect, in spite of the grizzled hair +and iron-gray moustaches and wrinkled face of a man of sixty, he +suddenly halted on the deck with a military precision that made the +jingling chains and bits of silver on his enormous spurs ring +again. He was followed by an ecclesiastic of apparently his own +age, but smoothly shaven, clad in a black silk sotana and sash, and +wearing the old-fashioned oblong, curl-brimmed hat sacred to "Don +Basilo," of the modern opera. Behind him appeared the genial face +of Senor Perkins, shining with the benignant courtesy of a master +of ceremonies. + +"If this is a fair sample of the circus ashore, I'll take two +tickets," whispered Crosby, who had recovered his audacity. + +"I have the inexpressible honor," said Senor Perkins to Captain +Bunker, with a gracious wave of his hand towards the extraordinary +figures, "to present you to the illustrious Don Miguel Briones, +Comandante of the Presidio of Todos Santos, at present hidden in +the fog, and the very reverend and pious Padre Esteban, of the +Mission of Todos Santos, likewise invisible. When I state to you," +he continued, with a slight lifting of his voice, so as to include +the curious passengers in his explanation, "that, with very few +exceptions, this is the usual condition of the atmosphere at the +entrance to the Mission and Presidio of Todos Santos, and that the +last exception took place thirty-five years ago, when a ship +entered the harbor, you will understand why these distinguished +gentlemen have been willing to waive the formality of your waiting +upon them first, and have taken the initiative. The illustrious +Comandante has been generous to exempt you from the usual port +regulations, and to permit you to wood and to water"-- + +"What port regulation is he talking of?" asked Captain Bunker +testily. + +"The Mexican regulations forbidding any foreign vessel to +communicate with the shore," returned Senor Perkins deprecatingly. + +"Never heard of 'em. When were they given?" + +The Senor turned and addressed a few words to the commander, who +stood apart in silent dignity. + +"In 1792." + +"In what?--Is he mad?" said Bunker. "Does he know what year this +is?" + +"The illustrious commander believes it to be the year of grace +1854," answered Senor Perkins quietly. "In the case of the only +two vessels who have touched here since 1792 the order was not +carried out because they were Mexican coasters. The illustrious +Comandante explains that the order he speaks of as on record +distinctly referred to the ship 'Columbia, which belonged to the +General Washington.'" + +"General Washington!" echoed Bunker, angrily staring at the Senor. +"What's this stuff? Do you mean to say they don't know any history +later than our old Revolutionary War? Haven't they heard of the +United States among them? Nor California--that we took from them +during the late war?" + +"Nor how we licked 'em out of their boots, and that's saying a good +deal," whispered Crosby, glancing at the Comandante's feet. + +Senor Perkins raised a gentle, deprecating hand. + +"For fifty years the Presidio and the Mission of Todos Santos have +had but this communication with the outer world," he said blandly. +"Hidden by impenetrable fogs from the ocean pathway at their door, +cut off by burning and sterile deserts from the surrounding +country, they have preserved a trust and propagated a faith in +enforced but not unhappy seclusion. The wars that have shaken +mankind, the dissensions that have even disturbed the serenity of +their own nation on the mainland, have never reached them here. +Left to themselves, they have created a blameless Arcadia and an +ideal community within an extent of twenty square leagues. Why +should we disturb their innocent complacency and tranquil enjoyment +by information which cannot increase and might impair their present +felicity? Why should we dwell upon a late political and +international episode which, while it has been a benefit to us, has +been a humiliation to them as a nation, and which might not only +imperil our position as guests, but interrupt our practical +relations to the wood and water, with which the country abounds?" + +He paused, and before the captain could speak, turned to the silent +Commander, addressed him in a dozen phrases of fluent and courteous +Spanish, and once more turned to Captain Bunker. + +"I have told him you are touched to the heart with his courtesy, +which you recognize as coming from the fit representative of the +great Mexican nation. He reciprocates your fraternal emotion, and +begs you to consider the Presidio and all that it contains, at your +disposition and the disposition of your friends--the passengers, +particularly those fair ladies," said Senor Perkins, turning with +graceful promptitude towards the group of lady passengers, and +slightly elevating himself on the tips of his neat boots, "whose +white hands he kisses, and at whose feet he lays the devotion of a +Mexican caballero and officer." + +He waved his hand towards the Comandante, who, stepping forward, +swept the deck with his plumed hat before each of the ladies in +solemn succession. Recovering himself, he bowed more stiffly to +the male passengers, picked his handkerchief out of the hilt of his +sword, gracefully wiped his lips, pulled the end of his long gray +moustache, and became again rigid. + +"The reverend father," continued Senor Perkins, turning towards the +priest, "regrets that the rules of his order prevent his extending +the same courtesy to these ladies at the Mission. But he hopes to +meet them at the Presidio, and they will avail themselves of his +aid and counsel there and everywhere." + +Father Esteban, following the speaker's words with a gracious and +ready smile, at once moved forward among the passengers, offering +an antique snuff-box to the gentlemen, or passing before the ladies +with slightly uplifted benedictory palms and a caressing paternal +gesture. Mrs. Brimmer, having essayed a French sentence, was +delighted and half frightened to receive a response from the +ecclesiastic, and speedily monopolized him until he was summoned by +the Commander to the returning boat. + +"A most accomplished man, my dear," said Mrs. Brimmer, as the +Excelsior's cannon again thundered after the retiring oars, "like +all of his order. He says, although Don Miguel does not speak +French, that his secretary does; and we shall have no difficulty in +making ourselves understood." + +"Then you really intend to go ashore?" said Miss Keene timidly. + +"Decidedly," returned Mrs. Brimmer potentially. "It would be most +unpolite, not to say insulting, if we did not accept the +invitation. You have no idea of the strictness of Spanish +etiquette. Besides, he may have heard of Mr. Brimmer." + +"As his last information was only up to 1792, he might have +forgotten it," said Crosby gravely. "So perhaps it would be safer +to go on the general invitation." + +"As Mr. Brimmer's ancestors came over on the Mayflower, long before +1792, it doesn't seem so very impossible, if it comes to that," +said Mrs. Brimmer, with her usual unanswerable naivete; "provided +always that you are not joking, Mr. Crosby. One never knows when +you are serious." + +"Mrs. Brimmer is quite right; we must all go. This is no mere +formality," said Senor Perkins, who had returned to the ladies. +"Indeed, I have myself promised the Comandante to bring YOU," he +turned towards Miss Keene, "if you will permit Mrs. Markham and +myself to act as your escort. It was Don Miguel's express +request." + +A slight flush of pride suffused the cheek of the young girl, but +the next moment she turned diffidently towards Mrs. Brimmer. + +"We must all go together," she said; "shall we not?" + +"You see your triumphs have begun already," said Brace, with a +nervous smile. "You need no longer laugh at me for predicting your +fate in San Francisco." + +Miss Keene cast a hurried glance around her, in the faint hope--she +scarcely knew why--that Mr. Hurlstone had overheard the Senor's +invitation; nor could she tell why she was disappointed at not +seeing him. But he had not appeared on deck during the presence of +their strange visitors; nor was he in the boat which half an hour +later conveyed her to the shore. He must have either gone in one +of the other boats, or fulfilled his strange threat of remaining on +the ship. + +The boats pulled away together towards the invisible shore, piloted +by Captain Bunker, the first officer, and Senor Perkins in the +foremost boat. It had grown warmer, and the fog that stole softly +over them touched their faces with the tenderness of caressing +fingers. Miss Keene, wrapped up in the stern sheets of the boat, +gave way to the dreamy influence of this weird procession through +the water, retaining only perception enough to be conscious of the +singular illusions of the mist that alternately thickened and +lightened before their bow. At times it seemed as if they were +driving full upon a vast pier or breakwater of cold gray granite, +that, opening to let the foremost boat pass, closed again before +them; at times it seemed as if they had diverged from their course, +and were once more upon the open sea, the horizon a far-off line of +vanishing color; at times, faint lights seemed to pierce the +gathering darkness, or to move like will-o'-wisps across the smooth +surface, when suddenly the keel grated on the sand. A narrow but +perfectly well defined strip of palpable strand appeared before +them; they could faintly discern the moving lower limbs of figures +whose bodies were still hidden in the mist; then they were lifted +from the boats; the first few steps on dry land carried them out of +the fog that seemed to rise like a sloping roof from the water's +edge, leaving them under its canopy in the full light of actual +torches held by a group of picturesquely dressed people before the +vista of a faintly lit, narrow, ascending street. The dim twilight +of the closing day lingered under this roof of fog, which seemed to +hang scarcely a hundred feet above them, and showed a wall or +rampart of brown adobe on their right that extended nearly to the +water; to the left, at the distance of a few hundred yards, another +low brown wall appeared; above it rose a fringe of foliage, and, +more distant and indistinct, two white towers, that were lost in +the nebulous gray. + +One of the figures dressed in green jackets, who seemed to be in +authority, now advanced, and, after a moment's parley with Senor +Perkins while the Excelsior's passengers were being collected from +the different boats, courteously led the way along the wall of the +fortification. Presently a low opening or gateway appeared, +followed by the challenge of a green-jacketed sentry, and the +sentence, "Dios y Libertad" It was repeated in the interior of a +dusky courtyard, surrounded by a low corridor, where a dozen green- +jacketed men of aboriginal type and complexion, carrying antique +flintlocks, were drawn up as a guard of honor. + +"The Comandante," said Senor Perkins, "directs me to extend his +apologies to the Senor Capitano Bunker for withholding the salute +which is due alike to his country, himself, and his fair company; +but fifty years of uninterrupted peace and fog have left his cannon +inadequate to polite emergencies, and firmly fixed the tampion of +his saluting gun. But he places the Presidio at your disposition; +you will be pleased to make its acquaintance while it is still +light; and he will await you in the guard-room." + +Left to themselves, the party dispersed like dismissed school- +children through the courtyard and corridors, and in the enjoyment +of their release from a month's confinement on shipboard stretched +their cramped limbs over the ditches, walls, and parapets, to the +edge of the glacis. + +Everywhere a ruin that was picturesque, a decay that was refined +and gentle, a neglect that was graceful, met the eye; the sharp +exterior and reentering angles were softly rounded and obliterated +by overgrowths of semitropical creepers; the abatis was filled by a +natural brake of scrub-oak and manzanita; the clematis flung its +long scaling ladders over the escarpment, until Nature, slowly but +securely investing the doomed fortress, had lifted a victorious +banner of palm from the conquered summit of the citadel! Some +strange convulsions of the earth had completed the victory; the +barbette guns of carved and antique bronze commemorating fruitless +and long-forgotten triumphs were dismounted; one turned in the +cheeks of its carriage had a trunnion raised piteously in the air +like an amputated stump; another, sinking through its rotting +chassis, had buried itself to its chase in the crumbling adobe +wall. But above and beyond this gentle chaos of defense stretched +the real ramparts and escarpments of Todos Santos--the impenetrable +and unassailable fog! Corroding its brass and iron with saline +breath, rotting its wood with unending shadow, sapping its adobe +walls with perpetual moisture, and nourishing the obliterating +vegetation with its quickening blood, as if laughing to scorn the +puny embattlements of men--it still bent around the crumbling ruins +the tender grace of an invisible but all-encompassing arm. + +Senor Perkins, who had acted as cicerone to the party, pointed out +these various mutations with no change from his usual optimism. + +"Protected by their peculiar isolation during the late war, there +was no necessity for any real fortification of the place. +Nevertheless, it affords some occupation and position for our kind +friend, Don Miguel, and so serves a beneficial purpose. This +little gun," he continued, stopping to attentively examine a small +but beautifully carved bronze six-pounder, which showed indications +of better care than the others, "seems to be the saluting-gun Don +Miguel spoke of. For the last fifty years it has spoken only the +language of politeness and courtesy, and yet through want of care +the tampion, as you see, has become swollen and choked in its +mouth." + +"How true in a larger sense," murmured Mrs. Markham, "the habit of +courtesy alone preserves the fluency of the heart." + +"I know you two are saying something very clever," said Mrs. +Brimmer, whose small French slippers and silk stockings were +beginning to show their inadequacy to a twilight ramble in the fog; +"but I am so slow, and I never catch the point. Do repeat it +slowly." + +"The Senor was only showing us how they managed to shut up a smooth +bore in this country," said Crosby gravely. "I wonder when we're +going to have dinner. I suppose old Don Quixote will trot out some +of his Senoritas. I want to see those choir girls that sang so +stunningly a while ago." + +"I suppose you mean the boys--for they're all boys in the Catholic +choirs--but then, perhaps you are joking again. Do tell me if you +are, for this is really amusing. I may laugh--mayn't I?" As the +discomfited humorist fell again to the rear amidst the laughter of +the others, Mrs. Brimmer continued naively to Senor Perkins,--"Of +course, as Don Miguel is a widower, there must be daughters or +sisters-in-law who will meet us. Why, the priest, you know--even +he--must have nieces. Really, it's a serious question--if we are +to accept his hospitality in a social way. Why don't you ask HIM?" +she said, pointing to the green-jacketed subaltern who was +accompanying them. + +Senor Perkins looked half embarrassed. + +"Repeat your question, my dear lady, and I will translate it." + +"Ask him if there are any women at the Presidio." + +Senor Perkins drew the subaltern aside. Presently he turned to +Mrs. Brimmer. + +"He says there are four: the wife of the baker, the wife of the +saddler, the daughter of the trumpeter, and the niece of the cook." + +"Good heavens! we can't meet THEM," said Mrs. Brimmer. + +Senor Perkins hesitated. + +"Perhaps I ought to have told you," he said blandly, "that the old +Spanish notions of etiquette are very strict. The wives of the +officials and higher classes do not meet strangers on a first +visit, unless they are well known." + +"That isn't it," said Winslow, joining them excitedly. "I've heard +the whole story. It's a good joke. Banks has been bragging about +us all, and saying that these ladies had husbands who were great +merchants, and, as these chaps consider that all trade is vulgar, +you know, they believe we are not fit to associate with their +women, don't you see? All, except one--Miss Keene. She's +considered all right. She's to be introduced to the Commander's +women, and to the sister of the Alcalde." + +"She will do nothing of the kind," said Miss Keene indignantly. +"If these ladies are not to be received with me, we'll all go back +to the ship together." + +She spoke with a quick and perfectly unexpected resolution and +independence, so foreign to her usual childlike half dependent +character, that her hearers were astounded. Senor Perkins gazed at +her thoughtfully; Brace, Crosby, and Winslow admiringly; her sister +passengers with doubt and apprehension. + +"There must he some mistake," said Senor Perkins gently. "I will +inquire." + +He was absent but a few moments. When he returned, his face was +beaming. + +"It's a ridiculous misapprehension. Our practical friend Banks, in +his zealous attempts to impress the Comandante's secretary, who +knows a little English, with the importance of Mr. Brimmer's +position as a large commission merchant, has, I fear, conveyed only +the idea that he was a kind of pawnbroker; while Mr. Markham's +trade in hides has established him as a tanner; and Mr. Banks' own +flour speculations, of which he is justly proud, have been +misinterpreted by him as the work of a successful baker!" + +"And what idea did he convey about YOU?" asked Crosby audaciously; +"it might be interesting to us to know, for our own satisfaction." + +"I fear they did not do me the honor to inquire," replied Senor +Perkins, with imperturbable good-humor; "there are some persons, +you know, who carry all their worldly possessions palpably about +with them. I am one of them. Call me a citizen of the world, with +a strong leniency towards young and struggling nationalities; a +traveler, at home anywhere; a delighted observer of all things, an +admirer of brave men, the devoted slave of charming women--and you +have, in one word, a passenger of the good ship Excelsior." + +For the first time, Miss Keene noticed a slight irony in Senor +Perkins' superabundant fluency, and that he did not conceal his +preoccupation over the silent saluting gun he was still admiring. +The approach of Don Miguel and Padre Esteban with a small bevy of +ladies, however, quickly changed her thoughts, and detached the +Senor from her side. Her first swift feminine impression of the +fair strangers was that they were plain and dowdy, an impression +fully shared by the other lady passengers. But her second +observation, that they were more gentle, fascinating, child-like, +and feminine than her own countrywomen, was purely her own. Their +loose, undulating figures, guiltless of stays; their extravagance +of short, white, heavily flounced skirt, which looked like a +petticoat; their lightly wrapped, formless, and hooded shoulders +and heads, lent a suggestion of dishabille that Mrs. Brimmer at +once resented. + +"They might, at least, have dressed themselves," she whispered to +Mrs. Markham. + +"I really believe," returned Mrs. Markham, "they've got no bodices +on!" + +The introductions over, a polyglot conversation ensued in French by +the Padre and Mrs. Brimmer, and in broken English by Miss Chubb, +Miss Keene, and the other passengers with the Commander's +secretary, varied by occasional scraps of college Latin from Mr. +Crosby, the whole aided by occasional appeals to Senor Perkins. +The darkness increasing, the party reentered the courtyard, and, +passing through the low-studded guard-room, entered another +corridor, which looked upon a second court, enclosed on three +sides, the fourth opening upon a broad plaza, evidently the public +resort of the little town. Encompassing this open space, a few +red-tiled roofs could be faintly seen in the gathering gloom. +Chocolate and thin spiced cakes were served in the veranda, pending +the preparations for a more formal banquet. Already Miss Keene had +been singled out from her companions for the special attentions of +her hosts, male and female, to her embarrassment and confusion. +Already Dona Isabel, the sister of the Alcalde, had drawn her +aside, and, with caressing frankness, had begun to question her in +broken English,-- + +"But Miss Keene is no name. The Dona Keene is of nothing." + +"Well, you may call me Eleanor, if you like," said Miss Keene, +smiling. + +"Dona Leonor--so; that is good," said Dona Isabel, clapping her +hands like a child. "But how are you?" + +"I beg your pardon," said Miss Keene, greatly amused, "but I don't +understand." + +"Ah, Caramba! What are you, little one?" Seeing that her guest +still looked puzzled, she continued,--"Ah! Mother of God! Why are +your friends so polite to you? Why does every one love you so?" + +"Do they? Well," stammered Miss Keene, with one of her rare, +dazzling smiles, and her cheeks girlishly rosy with naive +embarrassment, "I suppose they think I am pretty." + +"Pretty! Ah, yes, you are!" said Dona Isabel, gazing at her +curiously. "But it is not all that." + +"What is it, then?" asked Miss Keene demurely. + +"You are a--a--Dama de Grandeza!" + + +CHAPTER VI. + +"HAIL AND FAREWELL." + + +Supper was served in the inner room opening from the corridor lit +by a few swinging lanterns of polished horn and a dozen wax candles +of sacerdotal size and suggestion. The apartment, though spacious, +was low and crypt-like, and was not relieved by the two deep oven- +like hearths that warmed it without the play of firelight. But +when the company had assembled it was evident that the velvet +jackets, gold lace, silver buttons, and red sashes of the +entertainers not only lost their tawdry and theatrical appearance +in the half decorous and thoughtful gloom, but actually seemed more +in harmony with it than the modern dresses of the guests. It was +the Excelsior party who looked strange and bizarre in these +surroundings; to the sensitive fancy of Miss Keene, Mrs. Brimmer's +Parisian toilet had an air of provincial assumption; her own pretty +Zouave jacket and black silk skirt horrified her with its apparent +ostentatious eccentricity; and Mrs. Markham and Miss Chubb seemed +dowdy and overdressed beside the satin mantillas and black lace of +the Senoritas. Nor were the gentlemen less outres: the stiff +correctness of Mr. Banks, and the lighter foppishness of Winslow +and Crosby, not to mention Senor Perkins' more pronounced +unconventionality, appeared as burlesques of their own characters +in a play. The crowning contrast was reached by Captain Bunker, +who, in accordance with the habits of the mercantile marine of that +period when in port, wore a shore-going suit of black broadcloth, +with a tall hat, high shirt collar, and diamond pin. Seated next +to the Commander, it was no longer Don Miguel who looked old- +fashioned, it was Captain Bunker who appeared impossible. + +Nevertheless, as the meal progressed, lightened by a sweet native +wine made from the Mission grape, and stimulated by champagne--a +present of Captain Bunker from the cabin lockers of the Excelsior-- +this contrast, and much of the restraint that it occasioned, seemed +to melt away. The passengers became talkative; the Commander and +his friends unbent, and grew sympathetic and inquiring. The +temptation to recite the news of the last half century, and to +recount the wonderful strides of civilization in that time, was too +great to be resisted by the Excelsior party. That some of them-- +notwithstanding the caution of Senor Perkins--approached +dangerously near the subject of the late war between the United +States and Mexico, of which Todos Santos was supposed to be still +ignorant, or that Crosby in particular seized upon this opportunity +for humorous exaggeration, may be readily imagined. But as the +translation of the humorist's speech, as well as the indiscretions +of his companions, were left to the Senor, in Spanish, and to Mrs. +Brimmer and Miss Keene, in French, any imminent danger to the +harmony of the evening was averted. Don Ramon Ramirez, the +Alcalde, a youngish man of evident distinction, sat next to Miss +Keene, and monopolized her conversation with a certain curiosity +that was both grave and childish in its frank trustfulness. Some +of his questions were so simple and incompatible with his apparent +intelligence that she unconsciously lowered her voice in answering +them, in dread of the ridicule of her companions. She could not +resist the impression, which repeatedly obtruded upon her +imagination, that the entire population of Todos Santos were a +party of lost children, forgotten by their parents, and grown to +man and womanhood in utter ignorance of the world. + +The Commander had, half informally, drunk the health of Captain +Bunker, without rising from his seat, when, to Miss Keene's alarm, +Captain Bunker staggered to his feet. He had been drinking freely, +as usual; but he was bent on indulging a loquacity which his +discipline on shipboard had hitherto precluded, and which had, +perhaps, strengthened his solitary habit. His speech was voluble +and incoherent, complimentary and tactless, kindly and aggressive, +courteous and dogmatic. It was left to Senor Perkins to translate +it to the eye and ear of his host without incongruity or offense. +This he did so admirably as to elicit not only the applause of the +foreigners who did not understand English, but of his own +countrymen who did not understand Spanish. + +"I feel," said Senor Perkins, in graceful peroration, "that I have +done poor justice to the eloquence of this gallant sailor. My +unhappy translation cannot offer you that voice, at times trembling +with generous emotion, and again inaudible from excessive modesty +in the presence of this illustrious assembly--those limbs that +waver and bend under the undulations of the chivalrous sentiment +which carries him away as if he were still on that powerful element +he daily battles with and conquers." + +But when coffee and sweets were reached, the crowning triumph of +Senor Perkins' oratory was achieved. After an impassioned burst of +enthusiasm towards his hosts in their own tongue, he turned towards +his own party with bland felicity. + +"And how is it with us, dear friends? We find ourselves not in the +port we were seeking; not in the goal of our ambition, the haven of +our hopes; but on the shores of the decaying past. 'Ever drifting' +on one of those-- + + + 'Shifting + Currents of the restless main,' + + +if our fascinating friend Mrs. Brimmer will permit us to use the +words of her accomplished fellow-townsman, H. W. Longfellow, of +Boston--we find ourselves borne not to the busy hum and clatter of +modern progress, but to the soft cadences of a dying crusade, and +the hush of ecclesiastical repose. In place of the busy marts of +commerce and the towering chimneys of labor, we have the ruined +embattlements of a warlike age, and the crumbling church of an +ancient Mission. Towards the close of an eventful voyage, during +which we have been guided by the skillful hand and watchful eye of +that gallant navigator Captain Bunker, we have turned aside from +our onward course of progress to look back for a moment upon the +faded footprints of those who have so long preceded us, who have +lived according to their lights, and whose record is now before us. +As I have just stated, our journey is near its end, and we may, in +some sense, look upon this occasion, with its sumptuous +entertainment, and its goodly company of gallant men and fair +women, as a parting banquet. Our voyage has been a successful one. +I do not now especially speak of the daring speculations of the +distinguished husband of a beautiful lady whose delightful society +is known to us all--need I say I refer to Quincy Brimmer, Esq., of +Boston" (loud applause)--"whose successful fulfillment of a +contract with the Peruvian Government, and the landing of munitions +of war at Callao, has checked the uprising of the Quinquinambo +insurgents? I do not refer especially to our keen-sighted business +friend Mr. Banks" (applause), "who, by buying up all the flour in +Callao, and shipping it to California, has virtually starved into +submission the revolutionary party of Ariquipa--I do not refer to +these admirable illustrations of the relations of commerce and +politics, for this, my friends--this is history, and beyond my +feeble praise. Let me rather speak of the social and literary +triumphs of our little community, of our floating Arcadia--may I +say Olympus? Where shall we find another Minerva like Mrs. +Markham, another Thalia like Miss Chubb, another Juno like Mrs. +Brimmer, worthy of the Jove-like Quincy Brimmer; another Queen of +Love and Beauty like--like"--continued the gallant Senor, with an +effective oratorical pause, and a profound obeisance to Miss Keene, +"like one whose mantling maiden blushes forbid me to name?" +(Prolonged applause.) "Where shall we find more worthy mortals to +worship them than our young friends, the handsome Brace, the +energetic Winslow, the humorous Crosby? When we look back upon our +concerts and plays, our minstrel entertainments, with the +incomparable performances of our friend Crosby as Brother Bones; +our recitations, to which the genius of Mrs. M'Corkle, of Peoria, +Illinois, has lent her charm and her manuscript" (a burlesque start +of terror from Crosby), "I am forcibly impelled to quote the +impassioned words from that gifted woman,-- + + + 'When idly Life's barque on the billows of Time, + Drifts hither and yon by eternity's sea; + On the swift feet of verse and the pinions of rhyme + My thoughts, Ulricardo, fly ever to thee!'" + + +"Who's Ulricardo?" interrupted Crosby, with assumed eagerness, +followed by a "hush!" from the ladies. + +"Perhaps I should have anticipated our friend's humorous question," +said Senor Perkins, with unassailable good-humor. "Ulricardo, +though not my own name, is a poetical substitute for it, and a mere +figure of apostrophe. The poem is personal to myself," he +continued, with a slight increase of color in his smooth cheek +which did not escape the attention of the ladies,--"purely as an +exigency of verse, and that the inspired authoress might more +easily express herself to a friend. My acquaintance with Mrs. +M'Corkle has been only epistolary. Pardon this digression, my +friends, but an allusion to the muse of poetry did not seem to me +to be inconsistent with our gathering here. Let me briefly +conclude by saying that the occasion is a happy and memorable one; +I think I echo the sentiment of all present when I add that it is +one which will not be easily forgotten by either the grateful +guests, whose feelings I have tried to express, or the chivalrous +hosts, whose kindness I have already so feebly translated." + +In the applause that followed, and the clicking of glasses, Senor +Perkins slipped away. He mingled a moment with some of the other +guests who had already withdrawn to the corridor, lit a cigar, and +then passed through a narrow doorway on to the ramparts. Here he +strolled to some distance, as if in deep thought, until he reached +a spot where the crumbling wall and its fallen debris afforded an +easy descent into the ditch. Following the ditch, he turned an +angle, and came upon the beach, and the low sound of oars in the +invisible offing. A whistle brought the boat to his feet, and +without a word he stepped into the stern sheets. A few strokes of +the oars showed him that the fog had lifted slightly from the +water, and a green light hanging from the side of the Excelsior +could be plainly seen. Ten minutes' more steady pulling placed him +on her deck, where the second officer stood with a number of the +sailors listlessly grouped around him. + +"The landing has been completed?" said Senor Perkins interrogatively. + +"All except one boat-load more, which waits to take your final +instructions," said the mate. "The men have growled a little about +it," he added, in a lower tone. "They don't want to lose anything, +it seems," he continued, with a half sarcastic laugh. + +Senor Perkins smiled peculiarly. + +"I am sorry to disappoint them. Who's that in the boat?" he asked +suddenly. + +The mate followed the Senor's glance. + +"It is Yoto. He says he is going ashore, and you will not forbid +him." + +Senor Perkins approached the ship's side. + +"Come here," he said to the man. + +The Peruvian sailor rose, but did not make the slightest movement +to obey the command. + +"You say you are going ashore?" said Perkins blandly. + +"Yes, Patrono." + +"What for?" + +"To follow him--the thief, the assassin--who struck me here;" he +pointed to his head. "He has escaped again with his booty." + +"You are very foolish, my Yoto; he is no thief, and has no booty. +They will put YOU in prison, not him." + +"YOU say so," said the man surlily. "Perhaps they will hear me-- +for other things," he added significantly. + +"And for this you would abandon the cause?" + +The man shrugged his shoulders. + +"Why not?" he glanced meaningly at two of his companions, who had +approached the side; "perhaps others would. Who is sending the +booty ashore, eh?" + +"Come out of that boat," said the Senor, leaning over the bulwarks +with folded arms, and his eyes firmly fixed on the man. + +The man did not move. But the Senor's hand suddenly flew to the +back of his neck, smote violently downwards, and sent eighteen +inches of glittering steel hurtling through the air. The bowie- +knife entered the upturned throat of the man and buried itself +halfway to the hilt. Without a gasp or groan he staggered forward, +caught wildly at the side of the ship, and disappeared between the +boat and the vessel. + +"My lads," said Senor Perkins, turning with a gentle smile towards +the faces that in the light of the swinging lantern formed a +ghastly circle around him, "when I boarded this ship that had +brought aid and succor to our oppressors at Callao, I determined to +take possession of it peacefully, without imperiling the peace and +property of the innocent passengers who were intrusted to its care, +and without endangering your own lives or freedom. But I made no +allowance for TRAITORS. The blood that has been shed to-night has +not been spilt in obedience to my orders, nor to the cause that we +serve; it was from DEFIANCE of it; and the real and only culprit +has just atoned for it." + +He stopped, and then stepped back from the gangway, as if to leave +it open to the men. + +"What I have done," he continued calmly, "I do not ask you to +consider either as an example or a warning. You are free to do +what HE would have done," he repeated, with a wave of his hand +towards the open gangway and the empty boat. "You are free to +break your contract and leave the ship, and I give you my word that +I will not lift a hand to prevent it. But if you stay with me," he +said, suddenly turning upon them a face as livid as their own, "I +swear by the living God, that, if between this and the +accomplishment of my design, you as much as shirk or question any +order given by me, you shall die the death of that dog who went +before you. Choose as you please--but quickly." + +The mate was the first to move. Without a word, he crossed over to +the Senor's side. The men hesitated a moment longer, until one, +with a strange foreign cry, threw himself on his knees before the +Senor, ejaculating, "Pardon! pardon!" The others followed, some +impulsively catching at the hand that had just slain their comrade, +and covering it with kisses! + +"Pardon, Patrono--we are yours." + +"You are the State's," said Senor Perkins coldly, with every +vestige of his former urbanity gone from his colorless face. +"Enough! Go back to your duty." He watched them slink away, and +then turned to the mate. "Get the last boat-load ready, and report +to me." + +From that moment another power seemed to dominate the ship. The +men no longer moved listlessly, or slunk along the deck with +perfunctory limbs; a feverish haste and eagerness possessed them; +the boat was quickly loaded, and the mysterious debarkation +completed in rapidity and silence. This done, the fog once more +appeared to rise from the water and softly encompass the ship, +until she seemed to be obliterated from its face. In this vague +obscurity, from time to time, the faint rattling of chains was +heard, the soft creaking of blocks, and later on, the regular rise +and fall of oars. And then the darkness fell heavier, the sounds +became more and more indistinct and were utterly lost. + +Ashore, however, the lanterns still glittered brightly in the +courtyard of the Presidio; the noise of laughter and revel still +came from the supper-room, and, later, the tinkling of guitars and +rhythmical clapping hands showed that the festivities were being +wound up by a characteristic fandango. Captain Bunker succumbed +early to his potations of fiery aguardiente, and was put to bed in +the room of the Commander, to whom he had sworn eternal friendship +and alliance. It was long past midnight before the other guests +were disposed of in the various quarters of the Presidio; but to +the ladies were reserved the more ostentatious hospitalities of the +Alcalde himself, the walls of whose ambitious hacienda raised +themselves across the plaza and overlooked the gardens of the +Mission. + +It was from one of the deep, quaintly barred windows of the +hacienda that Miss Keene gazed thoughtfully on the night, unable to +compose herself to sleep. An antique guest-chamber had been +assigned to her in deference to her wish to be alone, for which she +had declined the couch and vivacious prattle of her new friend, +Dona Isabel. The events of the day had impressed her more deeply +than they had her companions, partly from her peculiar inexperience +of the world, and partly from her singular sensitiveness to +external causes. The whole quaint story of the forgotten and +isolated settlement, which had seemed to the other passengers as a +trivial and half humorous incident, affected her imagination +profoundly. When she could escape the attentions of her +entertainers, or the frivolities of her companions, she tried to +touch the far-off past on the wings of her fancy; she tried to +imagine the life of those people, forgetting the world and +forgotten by it; she endeavored to picture the fifty years of +solitude amidst these decaying ruins, over which even ambition had +crumbled and fallen. It seemed to her the true conventual +seclusion from the world without the loss of kinship or home +influences; she contrasted it with her boarding-school life in the +fashionable seminary; she wondered what she would have become had +she been brought up here; she thought of the happy ignorance of +Dona Isabel, and--shuddered; and yet she felt herself examining the +odd furniture of the room with an equally childlike and admiring +curiosity. And these people looked upon HER as a superior being! + +From the deep embrasure of the window she could see the tops of the +pear and olive trees, in the misty light of an invisible moon that +suffused the old Mission garden with an ineffable and angelic +radiance. To her religious fancy it seemed to be a spiritual +effusion of the church itself, enveloping the two gray dome-shaped +towers with an atmosphere and repose of its own, until it became +the incarnate mystery and passion where it stood. + +She was suddenly startled by a moving shadow beside the wall, +almost immediately below her--the figure of a man! He was stealing +cautiously towards the church, as if to gain the concealment of the +shrubbery that grew beside it, and, furtively glancing from side to +side, looked towards her window. She unconsciously drew back, +forgetting at the moment that her light was extinguished, and that +it was impossible for the stranger to see her. But she had seen +HIM, and in that instant recognized Mr. Hurlstone! + +Then he HAD come ashore, and secretly, for the other passengers +believed him still on the ship! But what was he doing there?--and +why had he not appeared with the others at the entertainment? She +could understand his avoidance of them from what she knew of his +reserved and unsocial habits; but when he could so naturally have +remained on shipboard, she could not, at first, conceive why he +should wish to prowl around the town at the risk of detection. The +idea suddenly occurred to her that he had had another attack of his +infirmity and was walking in his sleep, and for an instant she +thought of alarming the house, that some one might go to his +assistance. But his furtive movements had not the serene +impassibility of the somnambulist. Another thought withheld her; +he had looked up at her window! Did he know she was there? A +faint stirring of shame and pleasure sent a slight color to her +cheek. But he had gained the corner of the shrubbery and was lost +in the shadow. She turned from the window. A gentle sense of +vague and half maternal pity suffused her soft eyes as she at last +sought her couch and fell into a deep slumber. + +Towards daybreak a wind arose over the sleeping town and far +outlying waters. It breathed through the leaves of the Mission +garden, brushed away the clinging mists from the angles of the +towers, and restored the sharp outlines of the ruined +fortifications. It swept across the unruffled sea to where the +Excelsior, cradled in the softly heaving bay, had peacefully swung +at anchor on the previous night, and lifted the snowy curtain of +the fog to seaward as far as the fringe of surf, a league away. + +But the cradle of the deep was empty--the ship was gone! + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE GENTLE CASTAWAYS. + + +Miss Keene was awakened from a heavy sleep by a hurried shake of +her shoulder and an indefinite feeling of alarm. Opening her eyes, +she was momentarily dazed by the broad light of day, and the +spectacle of Mrs. Brimmer, pale and agitated, in a half-Spanish +dishabille, standing at her bedside. + +"Get up and dress yourself, my dear, at once," she said hurriedly, +but at the same time attentively examining Miss Keene's clothes, +that were lying on the chair: "and thank Heaven you came here in an +afternoon dress, and not in an evening costume like mine! For +something awful has happened, and Heaven only knows whether we'll +ever see a stitch of our clothes again." + +"WHAT has happened?" asked Miss Keene impatiently, sitting up in +bed, more alarmed at the unusual circumstance of Mrs. Brimmer's +unfinished toilet than at her incomplete speech. + +"What, indeed! Nobody knows; but it's something awful--a mutiny, +or shipwreck, or piracy. But there's your friend, the Commander, +calling out the troops; and such a set of Christy Minstrels you +never saw before! There's the Alcalde summoning the Council; +there's Mr. Banks raving, and running round for a steamboat--as if +these people ever heard of such a thing!--and Captain Bunker, what +with rage and drink, gone off in a fit of delirium tremens, and +locked up in his room! And the Excelsior gone--the Lord knows +where!" + +"Gone!" repeated Miss Keene, hurrying on her clothes. "Impossible! +What does Father Esteban tell you? What does Dona Isabel say?" + +"That's the most horrible part of it! Do you know those wretched +idiots believe it's some political revolution among ourselves, like +their own miserable government. I believe that baby Isabel thinks +that King George and Washington have something to do with it; at +any rate, they're anxious to know to what side you belong! So; for +goodness' sake! if you have to humor them, say we're all on the +same side--I mean, don't you and Mrs. Markham go against Miss Chubb +and me." + +Scarcely knowing whether to laugh or cry at Mrs. Brimmer's +incoherent statement, Miss Keene hastily finished dressing as the +door flew open to admit the impulsive Dona Isabel and her sister +Juanita. The two Mexican girls threw themselves in Miss Keene's +arms, and then suddenly drew back with a movement of bashful and +diffident respect. + +"Do, pray, ask them, for I daren't," whispered Mrs. Brimmer, trying +to clasp a mantilla around her, "how this thing is worn, and if +they haven't got something like a decent bonnet to lend me for a +day or two?" + +"The Senora has not then heard that her goods, and all the goods of +the Senores and Senoras, have been discovered safely put ashore at +the Embarcadero?" + +"No?" said Mrs. Brimmer eagerly. + +"Ah, yes!" responded Dona Isabel. "Since the Senora is not of the +revolutionary party." + +Mrs. Brimmer cast a supplicatory look at Miss Keene, and hastily +quitted the room. Miss Keene would have as quickly followed her, +but the young Ramirez girls threw themselves again tragically upon +her breast, and, with a mysterious gesture of silence, whispered,-- + +"Fear nothing, Excellencia! We are yours--we will die for you, no +matter what Don Ramon, or the Comandante, or the Ayuntamiento, +shall decide. Trust us, little one!--pardon--Excellencia, we +mean." + +"What IS the matter?" said Miss Keene, now thoroughly alarmed, and +releasing herself from the twining arms about her. "For Heaven's +sake let me go! I must see somebody! Where is--where is Mrs. +Markham?" + +"The Markham? Is it the severe one?--as thus,"--said Dona Isabel, +striking an attitude of infantine portentousness. + +"Yes," said Miss Keene, smiling in spite of her alarm. + +"She is arrested." + +"Arrested!" said Eleanor Keene, her cheeks aflame with indignation. +"For what? Who dare do this thing?" + +"The Comandante. She has a missive--a despatch from the +insurrectionaries." + +Without another word, and feeling that she could stand the suspense +no longer, Miss Keene forced her way past the young girls, +unheeding their cries of consternation and apology, and quickly +reached the patio. A single glance showed her that Mrs. Brimmer +was gone. With eyes and cheeks still burning, she swept past the +astounded peons, through the gateway, into the open plaza. Only +one idea filled her mind--to see the Commander, and demand the +release of her friend. How she should do it, with what arguments +she should enforce her demand, never occurred to her. She did not +even think of asking the assistance of Mr. Brace, Mr. Crosby, or +any of her fellow-passengers. The consciousness of some vague +crisis that she alone could meet possessed her completely. + +The plaza was swarming with a strange rabble of peons and soldiery; +of dark, lowering faces, odd-looking weapons and costumes, mules, +mustangs, and cattle--a heterogeneous mass, swayed by some fierce +excitement. That she saw none of the Excelsior party among them +did not surprise her; an instinct of some catastrophe more serious +than Mrs. Brimmer's vague imaginings frightened but exalted her. +With head erect, leveled brows, and bright, determined eyes she +walked deliberately into the square. The crowd parted and gave way +before this beautiful girl, with her bared head and its invincible +crest of chestnut curls. Presently they began to follow her, with +a compressed murmur of admiration, until, before she was halfway +across the plaza, the sentries beside the gateway of the Presidio +were astonished at the vision of a fair-haired and triumphant +Pallas, who appeared to be leading the entire population of Todos +Santos to victorious attack. In vain a solitary bugle blew, in +vain the rolling drum beat an alarm, the sympathetic guard only +presented arms as Miss Keene, flushed and excited, her eyes darkly +humid with gratified pride, swept past them into the actual +presence of the bewildered and indignant Comandante. + +The only feminine consciousness she retained was that she was more +relieved at her deliverance from the wild cattle and unbroken +horses of her progress than from the Indians and soldiers. + +"I want to see Mrs. Markham, and to know by what authority she is +arrested," said Miss Keene boldly. + +"The Senor Comandante can hold no conference with you until you +disperse your party," interpreted the secretary. + +She was about to hurriedly reply that she knew nothing of the crowd +that had accompanied her; but she was withheld by a newly-born +instinct of tact. + +"How do I know that I shall not be arrested, like my friend?" she +said quickly. "She is as innocent as myself." + +"The Comandante pledges himself, as a hidalgo, that you shall not +be harmed." + +Her first impulse was to advance to the nearest intruders at the +gate and say, "Do go away, please;" but she was doubtful of its +efficiency, and was already too exalted by the situation to be +satisfied with its prosaic weakness. But her newly developed +diplomacy again came to her aid. "You may tell them so, if you +choose, I cannot answer for them," she said, with apparent dark +significance. + +The secretary advanced on the corridor and exchanged a few words +with her more impulsive followers. Miss Keene, goddess-like and +beautiful, remained erect behind him, and sent them a dazzling +smile and ravishing wave of her little hand. The crowd roared with +an effusive and bovine delight that half frightened her, and with a +dozen "Viva la Reyna Americanas!" she was hurried by the Comandante +into the guard-room. + +"You ask to know of what the Senora Markham is accused," said the +Commander, more gently. "She has received correspondence from the +pirate--Perkins!" + +"The pirate--Perkins?" said Miss Keene, with indignant incredulity. + +"The buccaneer who wrote that letter. Read it to her, Manuel." + +The secretary took his eyes from the young girl's glowing face, +coughed slightly, and then read as follows:-- + + +"ON BOARD THE EXCELSIOR, of the Quinquinambo +Independent States Navy, August 8, 1854. + +"To Captain Bunker.--Sir," . . . + +"But this is not addressed to YOU!" interrupted Miss Keene +indignantly. + +"The Captain Bunker is a raving madman," said the Commander +gravely. "Read on!" + +The color gradually faded from the young girl's cheek as the +secretary continued, in a monotonous voice:-- + +"I have the honor to inform you that the barque Excelsior was, on +the 8th of July, 1854, and the first year of the Quinquinambo +Independence, formally condemned by the Federal Council of +Quinquinambo, for having aided and assisted the enemy with +munitions of war and supplies, against the law of nations, and the +tacit and implied good-will between the Republic of the United +States and the struggling Confederacies of South America; and that, +in pursuance thereof, and under the law of reprisals and letters of +marque, was taken possession of by me yesterday. The goods and +personal effects belonging to the passengers and yourself have been +safely landed at the Embarcadero of Todos Santos--a neutral port-- +by my directions; my interpretation of the orders of the Federal +Council excepting innocent non-combatants and their official +protector from confiscation or amercement. + +"I take the liberty of requesting you to hand the inclosed order on +the Treasury of the Quinquinambo Confederate States to Don Miguel +Briones, in payment of certain stores and provisions, and of a +piece of ordnance known as the saluting cannon of the Presidio of +Todos Santos. Vigilancia! + +"Your obedient servant, + +"LEONIDAS BOLIVAR PERKINS, + +"Generalissimo Commanding Land and Sea Forces, +Quinquinambo Independent States." + + +In her consternation at this fuller realization of the vague +catastrophe, Miss Keene still clung to the idea that had brought +her there. + +"But Mrs. Markham has nothing to do with all this?" + +"Then why does she refuse to give up her secret correspondence with +the pirate Perkins?" returned the secretary. + +Miss Keene hesitated. Had Mrs. Markham any previous knowledge of +the Senor's real character? + +"Why don't you arrest the men?" she said scornfully. "There is Mr. +Banks, Mr. Crosby, Mr. Winslow, and Mr. Brace." She uttered the +last name more contemptuously, as she thought of that young +gentleman's protestations and her present unprotected isolation. + +"They are already arrested and removed to San Antonio, a league +hence," returned the secretary. "It is fact enough that they have +confessed that their Government has seized the Mexican province of +California, and that they were on their way to take possession of +it." + +Miss Keene's heart sank. + +"But you knew all this yesterday," she faltered; "and our war with +Mexico is all over years ago." + +"We did not know it last night at the banquet, Senora; nor would we +have known it but for this treason and division in your own party." + +A sudden light flashed upon Miss Keene's mind. She now +comprehended the advances of Dona Isabel. Extravagant and +monstrous as it seemed, these people evidently believed that a +revolution had taken place in the United States; that the two +opposing parties had been represented by the passengers of the +Excelsior; and that one party had succeeded, headed by the +indomitable Perkins. If she could be able to convince them of +their blunder, would it be wise to do so? She thought of Mrs. +Brimmer's supplication to be ranged "on her side," and realized +with feminine quickness that the situation might be turned to her +countrymen's advantage. But which side had Todos Santos favored? +It was left to her woman's wit to discover this, and conceive a +plan to rescue her helpless companions. + +Her suspense was quickly relieved. The Commander and his secretary +exchanged a few words. + +"The Comandante will grant Dona Leonora's request," said the +secretary, "if she will answer a question." + +"What is it?" responded Miss Keene, with inward trepidation. + +"The Senora Markham is perhaps beloved by the Pirate Perkins?" + +In spite of her danger, in spite of the uncertain fate hanging over +her party, Miss Keene could with difficulty repress a half +hysterical inclination to laugh. Even then, it escaped in a sudden +twinkle of her eye, which both the Commander and his subordinate +were quick to notice, as she replied demurely, "Perhaps." + +It was enough for the Commander. A gleam of antique archness and +venerable raillery lit up his murky, tobacco-colored pupils; a +spasm of gallantry crossed the face of the secretary. + +"Ah--what would you?--it is the way of the world," said the +Commander. "We comprehend. Come!" + +He led the way across the corridor, and suddenly opened a small +barred door. Whatever preconceived idea Miss Keene may have had of +her unfortunate country-woman immured in a noisome cell, and +guarded by a stern jailer, was quite dissipated by the soft misty +sunshine that flowed in through the open door. The prison of Mrs. +Markham was a part of the old glacis which had been allowed to +lapse into a wild garden that stretched to the edge of the sea. +There was a summer-house built on--and partly from--a crumbling +bastion, and here, under the shade of tropical creepers, the +melancholy captive was comfortably writing, with her portable desk +on her knee, and a traveling-bag at her feet. A Saratoga trunk of +obtrusive proportions stood in the centre of the peaceful +vegetation, like a newly raised altar to an unknown deity. The +only suggestion of martial surveillance was an Indian soldier, +whose musket, reposing on the ground near Mrs. Markham, he had +exchanged for the rude mattock with which he was quietly digging. + +The two women, with a cry of relief, flew into each other's arms. +The Commander and his secretary discreetly retired to an angle of +the wall. + +"I find everything as I left it, my dear, even to my slipper-bag," +said Mrs. Markham. "They've forgotten nothing." + +"But you are a captive!" said Eleanor. "What does it mean?" + +"Nothing, my dear. I gave them a piece of my mind," said Mrs. +Markham, looking, however, as if that mental offering had by no +means exhausted her capital, "and I have written six pages to the +Governor at Mazatlan, and a full account to Mr. Markham." + +"And they won't get them in thirty years!" said Miss Keene +impetuously. "But where is this letter from Senor Perkins. And, +for Heaven's sake, tell me if you had the least suspicion before of +anything that has happened." + +"Not in the least. The man is mad, my dear, and I really believe +driven so by that absurd Illinois woman's poetry. Did you ever see +anything so ridiculous--and shameful, too--as the 'Ulricardo' +business? I don't wonder he colored so." + +Miss Keene winced with annoyance. Was everybody going crazy, or +was there anything more in this catastrophe that had only enfeebled +the minds of her countrywomen! For here was the severe, strong- +minded Mrs. Markham actually preoccupied, like Mrs. Brimmer, with +utterly irrelevant particulars, and apparently powerless to grasp +the fact that they were abandoned on a half hostile strand, and cut +off by half a century from the rest of the world. + +"As to the letter," said Mrs. Markham, quietly, "there it is. +There's nothing in it that might not have been written by a +friend." + +Miss Keene took the letter. It was written in a delicate, almost +feminine hand. She could not help noticing that in one or two +instances corrections had been made and blots carefully removed +with an eraser. + + +"Midnight, on the Excelsior. + +"MY FRIEND: When you receive this I shall probably be once more on +the bosom of that mysterious and mighty element whose majesty has +impressed us, whose poetry we have loved, and whose moral lessons, +I trust, have not been entirely thrown away upon us. I go to the +deliverance of one of those oppressed nations whose history I have +often recited to you, and in whose destiny you have from time to +time expressed a womanly sympathy. While it is probable, +therefore, that my MOTIVES may not be misunderstood by you, or even +other dear friends of the Excelsior, it is by no means impossible +that the celerity and unexpectedness of my ACTION may not be +perfectly appreciated by the careless mind, and may seem to require +some explanation. Let me then briefly say that the idea of +debarking your goods and chattels, and parting from your delightful +company at Todos Santos, only occurred to me on our unexpected-- +shall I say PROVIDENTIAL?--arrival at that spot; and the necessity +of expedition forbade me either inviting your cooperation or +soliciting your confidence. Human intelligence is variously +constituted--or, to use a more homely phrase, 'many men have many +minds'--and it is not impossible that a premature disclosure of my +plans might have jeopardized that harmony which you know it has +been my desire to promote. It was my original intention to have +landed you at Mazatlan, a place really inferior in climate and +natural attractions to Todo Santos, although, perhaps, more easy of +access and egress; but the presence of an American steamer in the +offing would have invested my enterprise with a certain publicity +foreign, I think, to all our tastes. Taking advantage, therefore, +of my knowledge of the peninsular coast, and the pardonable +ignorance of Captain Bunker, I endeavored, through my faithful +subordinates, to reach a less known port, and a coast rarely +frequented by reason of its prevailing fog. Here occurred one of +those dispensations of an overruling power which, dear friend, we +have so often discussed. We fell in with an unknown current, and +were guided by a mysterious hand into the bay of Todos Santos! + +"You know of my belief in the infinite wisdom and benignity of +events; you have, dear friend, with certain feminine limitations, +shared it with me. Could there have been a more perfect +illustration of it than the power that led us here? On a shore, +historic in interest, beautiful in climate, hospitable in its +people, utterly freed from external influences, and absolutely +without a compromising future, you are landed, my dear friend, with +your youthful companions. From the crumbling ruins of a decaying +Past you are called to construct an Arcadia of your own; the +rudiments of a new civilization are within your grasp; the cost of +existence is comparatively trifling; the various sums you have with +you, which even in the chaos of revolution I have succeeded in +keeping intact, will more than suffice to your natural wants for +years to come. Were I not already devoted to the task of freeing +Quinquinambo, I should willingly share this Elysium with you all. +But, to use the glowing words of Mrs. M'Corkle, slightly altering +the refrain-- + + + 'Ah, stay me not! With flying feet + O'er desert sands, I rush to greet + My fate, my love, my life, my sweet + Quinquinambo!' + + +"I venture to intrust to your care two unpublished manuscripts of +that gifted woman. The dangers that may environ my present +mission, the vicissitudes of battle by sea or land, forbid my +imperiling their natural descent to posterity. You, my dear +friend, will preserve them for the ages to come, occasionally +refreshing yourself, from time to time, from that Parnassian +spring. + +"Adieu! my friend. I look around the familiar cabin, and miss your +gentle faces. I feel as Jason might have felt, alone on the deck +of the Argo when his companions were ashore, except that I know of +no Circean influences to mar their destiny. In examining the +state-rooms to see if my orders for the complete restoration of +passengers' property had been carried out, I allowed myself to look +into yours. Lying alone, forgotten and overlooked, I saw a +peculiar jet hair-pin which I think I have observed in the coils of +your tresses. May I venture to keep this gentle instrument as a +reminder of the superior intellect it has so often crowned? Adieu, +my friend. + +"Ever yours, LEONIDAS BOLIVAR PERKINS." + + +"Well?" said Mrs. Markham impatiently, as Miss Keene remained +motionless with the letter in her hand. + +"It seems like a ridiculous nightmare! I can't understand it at +all. The man that wrote this letter may be mad--but he is neither +a pirate nor a thief--and yet"-- + +"He a pirate?" echoed Mrs. Markham indignantly; "He's nothing of +the kind! It's not even his FAULT!" + +"Not his fault?" repeated Miss Keene; "are you mad, too?" + +"No--nor a fool, my dear! Don't you see? It's all the fault of +Banks and Brimmer for compromising the vessel: of that stupid, +drunken captain for permitting it. Senor Perkins is a liberator, a +patriot, who has periled himself and his country to treat us +magnanimously. Don't you see it? It's like that Banks and that +Mrs. Brimmer to call HIM a pirate! I've a good mind to give the +Commander my opinion of THEM." + +"Hush!" said Miss Keene, with a sudden recollection of the +Commander's suspicions, "for Heaven's sake; you do not know what +you are saying. Look! they were talking with that strange man, and +now they are coming this way." + +The Commander and his secretary approached them. They were both +more than usually grave; but the look of inquiry and suspicion with +which they regarded the two women was gone from their eyes. + +"The Senor Comandante says you are free, Senoras, and begs you will +only decide whether you will remain his guests or the guests of the +Alcalde. But for the present he cannot allow you any communication +with the prisoners of San Antonio." + +"There is further news?" said Miss Keene faintly, with a presentiment +of worse complications. + +"There is! A body from the Excelsior has been washed on shore." + +The two women turned pale. + +"In the pocket of the murdered man is an accusation against one +Senor Hurlstone, who was concealed on the ship; who came not ashore +openly with the other passengers, but who escaped in secret, and is +now hiding somewhere in Todos Santos." + +"And you suspect him of this infamous act?" said Eleanor, +forgetting all prudence in her indignation. "You are deceiving +yourself. He is as innocent as I am!" + +The Commander and the secretary smiled sapiently, but gently. + +"The Senor Comandante believes you, Dona Leonora: the Senor +Hurlstone is innocent of the piracy. He is, of a surety, the +leader of the Opposition." + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +IN SANCTUARY. + + +When James Hurlstone reached the shelter of the shrubbery he leaned +exhaustedly against the adobe wall, and looked back upon the garden +he had just traversed. At its lower extremity a tall hedge of +cactus reinforced the crumbling wall with a cheval de frise of +bristling thorns; it was through a gap in this green barrier that +he had found his way a few hours before, as his torn clothes still +testified. At one side ran the low wall of the Alcalde's casa, a +mere line of dark shadow in that strange diaphanous mist that +seemed to suffuse all objects. The gnarled and twisted branches of +pear-trees, gouty with old age, bent so low as to impede any +progress under their formal avenues; out of a tangled labyrinth of +figtrees, here and there a single plume of feathery palm swam in a +drowsy upper radiance. The shrubbery around him, of some unknown +variety, exhaled a faint perfume; he put out his hand to grasp what +appeared to be a young catalpa, and found it the trunk of an +enormous passion vine, that, creeping softly upward, had at last +invaded the very belfry of the dim tower above him; and touching +it, his soul seemed to be lifted with it out of the shadow. + +The great hush and quiet that had fallen like a benediction on +every sleeping thing around him; the deep and passionless repose +that seemed to drop from the bending boughs of the venerable trees; +the cool, restful, earthy breath of the shadowed mold beneath him, +touched only by a faint jessamine-like perfume as of a dead +passion, lulled the hurried beatings of his heart and calmed the +feverish tremor of his limbs. He allowed himself to sink back +against the wall, his hands tightly clasped before him. Gradually, +the set, abstracted look of his eyes faded and became suffused, as +if moistened by that celestial mist. Then he rose quickly, drew +his sleeve hurriedly across his lashes, and began slowly to creep +along the wall again. + +Either the obscurity of the shrubbery became greater or he was +growing preoccupied; but in steadying himself by the wall he had, +without perceiving it, put his hand upon a rude door that, yielding +to his pressure, opened noiselessly into a dark passage. Without +apparent reflection he entered, followed the passage a few steps +until it turned abruptly; turning with it, he found himself in the +body of the Mission Church of Todos Santos. A swinging-lamp, that +burned perpetually before an effigy of the Virgin Mother, threw a +faint light on the single rose-window behind the high altar; +another, suspended in a low archway, apparently lit the open door +of the passage towards the refectory. By the stronger light of the +latter Hurlstone could see the barbaric red and tarnished gold of +the rafters that formed the straight roof. The walls were striped +with equally bizarre coloring, half Moorish and half Indian. A few +hangings of dyed and painted cloths with heavy fringes were +disposed on either side of the chancel, like the flaps of a wigwam; +and the aboriginal suggestion was further repeated in a quantity of +colored beads and sea-shells that decked the communion-rails. The +Stations of the Cross, along the walls, were commemorated by +paintings, evidently by a native artist--to suit the same barbaric +taste; while a larger picture of San Francisco d'Assisis, under the +choir, seemed to belong to an older and more artistic civilization. +But the sombre half-light of the two lamps mellowed and softened +the harsh contrast of these details until the whole body of the +church appeared filled with a vague harmonious shadow. The air, +heavy with the odors of past incense, seemed to be a part of that +expression, as if the solemn and sympathetic twilight became +palpable in each deep, long-drawn inspiration. + +Again overcome by the feeling of repose and peacefulness, Hurlstone +sank upon a rude settle, and bent his head and folded arms over a +low railing before him. How long he sat there, allowing the subtle +influence to transfuse and possess his entire being, he did not +know. The faint twitter of birds suddenly awoke him. Looking up, +he perceived that it came from the vacant square of the tower above +him, open to the night and suffused with its mysterious radiance. +In another moment the roof of the church was swiftly crossed and +recrossed with tiny and adventurous wings. The mysterious light +had taken an opaline color. Morning was breaking. + +The slow rustling of a garment, accompanied by a soft but heavy +tread, sounded from the passage. He started to his feet as the +priest, whom he had seen on the deck of the Excelsior, entered the +church from the refectory. The Padre was alone. At the apparition +of a stranger, torn and disheveled, he stopped involuntarily and +cast a hasty look towards the heavy silver ornaments on the altar. +Hurlstone noticed it, and smiled bitterly. + +"Don't alarm yourself. I only sought this place for shelter." + +He spoke in French--the language he had heard Padre Esteban address +to Mrs. Brimmer. But the priest's quick eye had already detected +his own mistake. He lifted his hand with a sublime gesture towards +the altar, and said,-- + +"You are right! Where should you seek shelter but here?" + +The reply was so unexpected that Hurlstone was silent. His lips +quivered slightly. + +"And if it were SANCTUARY I was seeking?" he said. + +"You would first tell me why you sought it," said Padre Esteban +gently. + +Hurlstone looked at him irresolutely for a moment and then said, +with the hopeless desperation of a man anxious to anticipate his +fate,-- + +"I am a passenger on the ship you boarded yesterday. I came ashore +with the intention of concealing myself somewhere here until she +had sailed. When I tell you that I am not a fugitive from justice, +that I have committed no offense against the ship or her +passengers, nor have I any intention of doing so, but that I only +wish concealment from their knowledge for twenty-four hours, you +will know enough to understand that you run no risk in giving me +assistance. I can tell you no more." + +"I did not see you with the other passengers, either on the ship or +ashore," said the priest. "How did you come here?" + +"I swam ashore before they left. I did not know they had any idea +of landing here; I expected to be the only one, and there would +have been no need for concealment then. But I am not lucky," he +added, with a bitter laugh. + +The priest glanced at his garments, which bore the traces of the +sea, but remained silent. + +"Do you think I am lying?" + +The old priest lifted his head with a gesture. + +"Not to me--but to God!" + +The young man followed the gesture, and glanced around the barbaric +church with a slight look of scorn. But the profound isolation, +the mystic seclusion, and, above all, the complete obliteration of +that world and civilization he shrank from and despised, again +subdued and overcame his rebellious spirit. He lifted his eyes to +the priest. + +"Nor to God," he said gravely. + +"Then why withhold anything from Him here?" said the priest gently. + +"I am not a Catholic--I do not believe in confession," said +Hurlstone doggedly, turning aside. + +But Padre Esteban laid his large brown hand on the young man's +shoulder. Touched by some occult suggestion in its soft contact, +he sank again into his seat. + +"Yet you ask for the sanctuary of His house--a sanctuary bought by +that contrition whose first expression is the bared and open soul! +To the first worldly shelter you sought--the peon's hut or the +Alcalde's casa--you would have thought it necessary to bring a +story. You would not conceal from the physician whom you asked for +balsam either the wound, the symptoms, or the cause? Enough," he +said kindly, as Hurlstone was about to reply. "You shall have your +request. You shall stay here. I will be your physician, and will +salve your wounds; if any poison I know not of rankle there, you +will not blame me, son, but perhaps you will assist me to find it. +I will give you a secluded cell in the dormitory until the ship has +sailed. And then"-- + +He dropped quietly on the settle, took the young man's hand +paternally in his own, and gazed into his eyes as if he read his +soul. + +And then . . . Ah, yes . . . What then? Hurlstone glanced once +more around him. He thought of the quiet night; of the great peace +that had fallen upon him since he had entered the garden, and the +promise of a greater peace that seemed to breathe with the incense +from those venerable walls. He thought of that crumbling barrier, +that even in its ruin seemed to shut out, more completely than +anything he had conceived, his bitter past, and the bitter world +that recalled it. He thought of the long days to come, when, +forgetting and forgotten, he might find a new life among these +simple aliens, themselves forgotten by the world. He had thought +of this once before in the garden; it occurred to him again in this +Lethe-like oblivion of the little church, in the kindly pressure of +the priest's hand. The ornaments no longer looked uncouth and +barbaric--rather they seemed full of some new spiritual +significance. He suddenly lifted his eyes to Padre Esteban, and, +half rising to his feet, said,-- + +"Are we alone?" + +"We are; it is a half-hour yet before mass," said the priest. + +"My story will not last so long," said the young man hurriedly, as +if fearing to change his mind. "Hear me, then--it is no crime nor +offense to any one; more than that, it concerns no one but myself-- +it is of"-- + +"A woman," said the priest softly. "So! we will sit down, my son." + +He lifted his hand with a soothing gesture--the movement of a +physician who has just arrived at an easy diagnosis of certain +uneasy symptoms. There was also a slight suggestion of an habitual +toleration, as if even the seclusion of Todos Santos had not been +entirely free from the invasion of the primal passion. + +Hurlstone waited for an instant, but then went on rapidly. + +"It is of a woman, who has cursed my life, blasted my prospects, +and ruined my youth; a woman who gained my early affection only to +blight and wither it; a woman who should be nearer to me and dearer +than all else, and yet who is further than the uttermost depths of +hell from me in sympathy or feeling; a woman that I should cleave +to, but from whom I have been flying, ready to face shame, +disgrace, oblivion, even that death which alone can part us: for +that woman is--my wife." + +He stopped, out of breath, with fixed eyes and a rigid mouth. +Father Esteban drew a snuff-box from his pocket, and a large +handkerchief. After blowing his nose violently, he took a pinch of +snuff, wiped his lip, and replaced the box. + +"A bad habit, my son," he said apologetically, "but an old man's +weakness. Go on." + +"I met her first five years ago--the wife of another man. Don't +misjudge me, it was no lawless passion; it was a friendship, I +believed, due to her intellectual qualities as much as to her +womanly fascinations; for I was a young student, lodging in the +same house with her, in an academic town. Before I ever spoke to +her of love, she had confided to me her own unhappiness--the +uncongeniality of her married life, the harshness, and even +brutality, of her husband. Even a man less in love than I was +could have seen the truth of this--the contrast of the coarse, +sensual, and vulgar man with an apparently refined and intelligent +woman; but any one else except myself would have suspected that +such a union was not merely a sacrifice of the woman. I believed +her. It was not until long afterwards that I learned that her +marriage had been a condonation of her youthful errors by a +complaisant bridegroom; that her character had been saved by a +union that was a mutual concession. But I loved her madly; and +when she finally got a divorce from her uncongenial husband, I +believed it less an expression of her love for me than an act of +justice. I did not know at the time that they had arranged the +divorce together, as they had arranged their marriage, by equal +concessions. + +"I was the only son of a widowed mother, whose instincts were from +the first opposed to my friendship with this woman, and what she +prophetically felt would be its result. Unfortunately, both she +and my friends were foolish enough to avow their belief that the +divorce was obtained solely with a view of securing me as a +successor; and it was this argument more than any other that +convinced me of my duty to protect her. Enough, I married, not +only in spite of all opposition--but BECAUSE of it. + +"My mother would have reconciled herself to the marriage, but my +wife never forgave the opposition, and, by some hellish instinct +divining that her power over me might be weakened by maternal +influence, precipitated a quarrel which forever separated us. With +the little capital left by my father, divided between my mother and +myself, I took my wife to a western city. Our small income +speedily dwindled under the debts of her former husband, which she +had assumed to purchase her freedom. I endeavored to utilize a +good education and some accomplishments in music and the languages +by giving lessons and by contributing to the press. In this my +wife first made a show of assisting me, but I was not long in +discovering that her intelligence was superficial and shallow, and +that the audacity of expression, which I had believed to be +originality of conviction, was simply shamelessness, and a desire +for notoriety. She had a facility in writing sentimental poetry, +which had been efficacious in her matrimonial confidences, but +which editors of magazines and newspapers found to be shallow and +insincere. To my astonishment, she remained unaffected by this, as +she was equally impervious to the slights and sneers that +continually met us in society. At last the inability to pay one of +her former husband's claims brought to me a threat and an anonymous +letter. I laid them before her, when a scene ensued which revealed +the blindness of my folly in all its hideous hopelessness: she +accused me of complicity in her divorce, and deception in regard to +my own fortune. In a speech, whose language was a horrible +revelation of her early habits, she offered to arrange a divorce +from me as she had from her former husband. She gave as a reason +her preference for another, and her belief that the scandal of a +suit would lend her a certain advertisement and prestige. It was a +combination of Messalina and Mrs. Jarley"-- + +"Pardon! I remember not a Madame Jarley," said the priest. + +"Of viciousness and commercial calculation," continued Hurlstone +hurriedly. "I don't remember what happened; she swore that I +struck her! Perhaps--God knows! But she failed, even before a +western jury, to convict me of cruelty. The judge that thought me +half insane would not believe me brutal, and her application for +divorce was lost. + +"I need not tell you that the same friends who had opposed my +marriage now came forward to implore me to allow her to break our +chains. I refused. I swear to you it was from no lingering love +for her, for her presence drove me mad; it was from no instinct of +revenge or jealousy, for I should have welcomed the man who would +have taken her out of my life and memory. But I could not bear the +idea of taking her first husband's place in her hideous comedy; I +could not purchase my freedom at that price--at any price. I was +told that I could get a divorce against HER, and stand forth before +the world untrammeled and unstained. But I could not stand before +MYSELF in such an attitude. I knew that the shackles I had +deliberately forged could not be loosened except by death. I knew +that the stains of her would cling to me and become a part of my +own sin, even as the sea I plunged into yesterday to escape her, +though it has dried upon me, has left its bitter salt behind. + +"When she knew my resolve, she took her revenge by dragging my name +through the successive levels to which she descended. Under the +plea that the hardly-earned sum I gave to her maintenance apart +from me was not sufficient, she utilized her undoubted beauty and +more doubtful talent in amateur entertainments--and, finally, on +the stage. She was openly accompanied by her lover, who acted as +her agent, in the hope of goading me to a divorce. Suddenly she +disappeared. I thought she had forgotten me. I obtained an +honorable position in New York. One night I entered a theater +devoted to burlesque opera and the exhibition of a popular actress, +known as the Western Thalia, whose beautiful and audaciously draped +figure was the talk of the town. I recognized my wife in this star +of nudity; more than that, she recognized me. The next day, in +addition to the usual notice, the real name of the actress was +given in the morning papers, with a sympathizing account of her +romantic and unfortunate marriage. I renounced my position, and, +taking advantage of an offer from an old friend in California, +resolved to join him secretly there. My mother had died broken- +hearted; I was alone in the world. But my wife discovered my +intention; and when I reached Callao, I heard that she had followed +me, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and that probably she would +anticipate me in Mazatlan, where we were to stop. The thought of +suicide haunted me during the rest of that horrible voyage; only my +belief that she would make it appear as a tacit confession of my +guilt saved me from that last act of weakness." + +He stopped and shuddered. Padre Esteban again laid his hand softly +upon him. + +"It was God who spared you that sacrifice of soul and body," he +said gently. + +"I thought it was God that suggested to me to take the SIMULATION +of that act the means of separating myself from her forever. When +we neared Mazatlan, I conceived the idea of hiding myself in the +hold of the Excelsior until she had left that port, in the hope +that it would be believed that I had fallen overboard. I succeeded +in secreting myself, but was discovered at the same time that the +unexpected change in the ship's destination rendered concealment +unnecessary. As we did not put in at Mazatlan, nobody suspected my +discovery in the hold to be anything but the accident that I gave +it out to be. I felt myself saved the confrontation of the woman +at Mazatlan; but I knew she would pursue me to San Francisco. + +"The strange dispensation of Providence that brought us into this +unknown port gave me another hope of escape and oblivion. While +you and the Commander were boarding the Excelsior, I slipped from +the cabin-window into the water; I was a good swimmer, and reached +the shore in safety. I concealed myself in the ditch of the +Presidio until I saw the passengers' boats returning with them, +when I sought the safer shelter of this Mission. I made my way +through a gap in the hedge and lay under your olive-trees, hearing +the voices of my companions, beyond the walls, till past midnight. +I then groped my way along the avenue of pear-trees till I came to +another wall, and a door that opened to my accidental touch. I +entered, and found myself here. You know the rest." + +He had spoken with the rapid and unpent fluency of a man who cared +more to relieve himself of an oppressive burden than to impress his +auditor; yet the restriction of a foreign tongue had checked +repetition or verbosity. Without imagination he had been eloquent; +without hopefulness he had been convincing. Father Esteban rose, +holding both his hands. + +"My son, in the sanctuary which you have claimed there is no +divorce. The woman who has ruined your life could not be your +wife. As long as her first husband lives, she is forever his wife, +bound by a tie which no human law can sever!" + + +CHAPTER IX. + +AN OPEN-AIR PRISON. + + +An hour after mass Father Esteban had quietly installed Hurlstone +in a small cell-like apartment off the refectory. The household of +the priest consisted of an old Indian woman of fabulous age and +miraculous propriety, two Indian boys who served at mass, a +gardener, and a muleteer. The first three, who were immediately in +attendance upon the priest, were cognizant of a stranger's +presence, but, under instructions from the reverend Padre, were +loyally and superstitiously silent; the vocations of the gardener +and muleteer made any intrusion from them impossible. A breakfast +of fruit, tortillas, chocolate, and red wine, of which Hurlstone +partook sparingly and only to please his entertainer, nevertheless +seemed to restore his strength, as it did the Padre's equanimity. +For the old man had been somewhat agitated during mass, and, except +that his early morning congregation was mainly composed of Indians, +muleteers, and small venders, his abstraction would have been +noticed. With ready tact he had not attempted, by further +questioning, to break the taciturnity into which Hurlstone had +relapsed after his emotional confession and the priest's abrupt +half-absolution. Was it possible he regretted his confidence, or +was it possible that his first free and untrammeled expression of +his wrongs had left him with a haunting doubt of their real +magnitude? + +"Lie down here, my son," said the old ecclesiastic, pointing to a +small pallet in the corner, "and try to restore in the morning what +you have taken from the night. Manuela will bring your clothes +when they are dried and mended; meantime, shift for yourself in +Pepito's serape and calzas. I will betake me to the Comandante and +the Alcalde, to learn the dispositions of your party, when the ship +will sail, and if your absence is suspected. Peace be with you, +son! Manuela, attend to the caballero, and see you chatter not." + +Without doubting the substantial truth of his guest's story, the +good Padre Esteban was not unwilling to have it corroborated by +such details as he thought he could collect among the Excelsior's +passengers. His own experience in the confessional had taught him +the unreliability of human evidence, and the vagaries of both +conscientious and unconscious suppression. That a young, good- +looking, and accomplished caballero should have been the victim of +not one, but even many, erotic episodes, did not strike the holy +father as being peculiar; but that he should have been brought by a +solitary unfortunate attachment to despair and renunciation of the +world appeared to him marvelous. He was not unfamiliar with the +remorse of certain gallants for peccadillos with other men's wives; +but this Americano's self-abasement for the sins of his own wife-- +as he foolishly claimed her to be--whom he hated and despised, +struck Father Esteban as a miracle open to suspicion. Was there +anything else in these somewhat commonplace details of vulgar and +low intrigue than what he had told the priest? Were all these +Americano husbands as sensitive and as gloomily self-sacrificing +and expiating? It did not appear so from the manners and customs +of the others,--from those easy matrons whose complacent husbands +had abandoned them to the long companionship of youthful cavaliers +on adventurous voyages; from those audacious virgins, who had the +freedom of married women. Surely, this was not a pious and +sensitive race, passionately devoted to their domestic affections! +The young stranger must be either deceiving him--or an exception to +his countrymen! + +And if he was that exception--what then? An idea which had sprung +up in Father Esteban's fancy that morning now took possession of it +with the tenacity of a growth on fertile virgin soil. The good +Father had been devoted to the conversion of the heathen with the +fervor of a one-ideaed man. But his successes had been among the +Indians--a guileless, harmless race, who too often confounded the +practical benefits of civilization with the abstract benefits of +the Church, and their instruction had been simple and coercive. +There had been no necessity for argument or controversy; the worthy +priest's skill in polemical warfare and disputation had never been +brought into play; the Comandante and Alcalde were as punctiliously +orthodox as himself, and the small traders and artisans were +hopelessly docile and submissive. The march of science, which had +been stopped by the local fogs of Todos Santos some fifty years, +had not disturbed the simple Aesculapius of the province with +heterodox theories: he still purged and bled like Sangrado, and met +the priest at the deathbed of his victims with a pious satisfaction +that had no trace of skeptical contention. In fact, the gentle +Mission of Todos Santos had hitherto presented no field for the +good Father's exalted ambition, nor the display of his powers as a +zealot. And here was a splendid opportunity. + +The conversion of this dark, impulsive, hysterical stranger would +be a gain to the fold, and a triumph worthy of his steel. More +than that, if he had judged correctly of this young man's mind and +temperament, they seemed to contain those elements of courage and +sacrificial devotion that indicated the missionary priesthood. +With such a subaltern, what might not he, Father Esteban, +accomplish! Looking further into the future, what a glorious +successor might be left to his unfinished work on Todos Santos! + +Buried in these reflections, Padre Esteban sauntered leisurely up +the garden, that gradually ascended the slight elevation on which +the greater part of the pueblo was built. Through a low gateway in +the wall he passed on to the crest of the one straggling street of +Todos Santos. On either side of him were ranged the low one- +storied, deep-windowed adobe fondas and artisans' dwellings, with +low-pitched roofs of dull red pipe-like tiles. Absorbed in his +fanciful dreams, he did not at first notice that those dwellings +appeared deserted, and that even the Posada opposite him, whose +courtyard was usually filled with lounging muleteers, was empty and +abandoned. Looking down the street towards the plaza, he became +presently aware of some undefined stirring in the peaceful hamlet. +There was an unusual throng in the square, and afar on that placid +surface of the bay from which the fog had lifted, the two or three +fishing-boats of Todos Santos were vaguely pulling. But the +strange ship was gone. + +A feeling of intense relief and satisfaction followed. Father +Esteban pulled out his snuff-box and took a long and complacent +pinch. But his relief was quickly changed to consternation as an +armed cavalcade rapidly wheeled out of the plaza and cantered +towards him, with the unmistakable spectacle of the male passengers +of the Excelsior riding two and two, and guarded by double files of +dragoons on each side. + +At a sign from the priest the subaltern reined in his mustang, +halted the convoy, and saluted respectfully, to the astonishment of +the prisoners. The clerical authority of Todos Santos evidently +dominated the military. Renewed hope sprang up in the hearts of +the Excelsior party. + +"What have we here?" asked Padre Esteban. + +"A revolution, your Reverence, among the Americanos, with robbery +of the Presidio saluting-gun; a grave affair. Your Reverence has +been sent for by the Comandante. I am taking these men to San +Antonio to await the decision of the Council." + +"And the ship?" + +"Gone, your Reverence. One of the parties has captured it." + +"And these?" + +"Are the Legitimists, your Reverence: at least they have confessed +to have warred with Mexico, and invaded California--the brigands." + +The priest remained lost for a moment in blank and bitter +amazement. Banks took advantage of the pause to edge his way to +the front. + +"Ask him, some of you," he said, turning to Brace and Crosby, "when +this d----d farce will be over, and where we can find the head man-- +the boss idiot of this foolery." + +"Let him put it milder," whispered Winslow. "You got us into +trouble enough with your tongue already." + +Crosby hesitated a moment. + +"Quand finira ce drole representation?--et--et--qui est ce qui est +l'entrepreneur?" he said dubiously. + +The priest stared. These Americans were surely cooler and less +excitable than his strange guest. A thought struck him. + +"How many are still in the ship?" he asked gently. + +"Nobody but Perkins and that piratical crew of niggers." + +"And that infernal Hurlstone," added Winslow. + +The priest pricked up his ears. + +"Hurlstone?" he repeated. + +"Yes--a passenger like ourselves, as we supposed. But we are +satisfied now he was in the conspiracy from the beginning," +translated Crosby painfully. + +"Look at his strange disappearance--a regular put-up job," broke in +Brace, in English, without reference to the Padre's not +comprehending him; "so that he and Perkins could shut themselves up +together without suspicion." + +"Never mind Hurlstone now; he's GONE, and we're HERE," said Banks +angrily. "Ask the parson, as a gentleman and a Christian, what +sort of a hole we've got into, anyhow. How far is the next +settlement?" + +Crosby put the question. The subaltern lit a cigarette. + +"There is no next settlement. The pueblo ends at San Antonio." + +"And what's beyond that?" + +"The ocean." + +"And what's south?" + +"The desert--one cannot pass it." + +"And north?" + +"The desert." + +"And east?" + +"The desert too." + +"Then how do you get away from here?" + +"We do not get away." + +"And how do you communicate with Mexico--with your Government?" + +"When a ship comes." + +"And when does a ship come?" + +"Quien sabe?" + +The officer threw away his cigarette. + +"I say, you'll tell the Commander that all this is illegal; and +that I'm going to complain to our Government," continued Banks +hurriedly. + +"I go to speak to the Comandante," responded the priest gravely. + +"And tell him that if he touches a hair of the ladies' heads we'll +have his own scalp," interrupted Brace impetuously. + +Even Crosby's diplomatic modification of this speech did not appear +entirely successful. + +"The Mexican soldier wars not with women," said the priest coldly. +"Adieu, messieurs!" + +The cavalcade moved on. The Excelsior passengers at once resumed +their chorus of complaint, tirade, and aggressive suggestion, +heedless of the soldiers who rode stolidly on each side. + +"To think we haven't got a single revolver among us," said Brace +despairingly. + +"We might each grab a carbine from these nigger fellows," said +Crosby, eying them contemplatively. + +"And if they didn't burst, and we weren't shot by the next patrol, +and if we'd calculated to be mean enough to run away from the +women--where would we escape to?" asked Banks curtly. "Hold on at +least until we get an ultimatum from that commodious ass at the +Presidio! Then we'll anticipate the fool-killer, if you like. My +opinion is, they aren't in any great hurry to try ANYTHING on us +just yet." + +"And I say, lie low and keep dark until they show their hand," +added Winslow, who had no relish for an indiscriminate scrimmage, +and had his own ideas of placating their captors. + +Nevertheless, by degrees they fell into a silence, partly the +effect of the strangely enervating air. The fog had completely +risen from the landscape, and hung high in mid-air, through which +an intense sun, shorn of its fierceness, diffused a lambent warmth, +and a yellowish, unctuous light, as if it had passed through amber. +The bay gleamed clearly and distinctly; not a shadow flecked its +surface to the gray impenetrable rampart of fog that stretched like +a granite wall before its entrance. On one side of the narrow road +billows of monstrous grain undulated to the crest of the low hills, +that looked like larger undulations of the soil, furrowed by bosky +canadas or shining arroyos. Banks was startled into a burst of +professional admiration. + +"There's enough grain there to feed a thousand Todos Santos; and +raised, too, with tools like that," he continued, pointing to a +primitive plow that lay on the wayside, formed by a single forked +root. A passing ox-cart, whose creaking wheels were made of a +solid circle of wood, apparently sawn from an ordinary log, again +plunged him into cogitation. Here and there little areas of the +rudest cultivation broke into a luxuriousness of orange, lime, and +fig trees. The joyous earth at the slightest provocation seemed to +smile and dimple with fruit and flowers. Everywhere the rare +beatitudes of Todos Santos revealed and repeated its simple story. +The fructifying influence of earth and sky; the intervention of a +vaporous veil between a fiery sun and fiery soil; the combination +of heat and moisture, purified of feverish exhalations, and made +sweet and wholesome by the saline breath of the mighty sea, had +been the beneficent legacy of their isolation, the munificent +compensation of their oblivion. + +A gradual and gentle ascent at the end of two hours brought the +cavalcade to a halt upon a rugged upland with semi-tropical +shrubbery, and here and there larger trees from the tierra templada +in the evergreens or madrono. A few low huts and corrals, and a +rambling hacienda, were scattered along the crest, and in the midst +arose a little votive chapel, flanked by pear-trees. Near the +roadside were the crumbling edges of some long-forgotten excavation. +Crosby gazed at it curiously. Touching the arm of the officer, he +pointed to it. + +"Una mina de plata," said the officer sententiously. + +"A mine of some kind--silver, I bet!" said Crosby, turning to the +others. "Is it good--bueno--you know?" he continued to the +officer, with vague gesticulations. + +"En tiempos pasados," returned the officer gravely. + +"I wonder what that means?" said Winslow. + +But before Crosby could question further, the subaltern signaled to +them to dismount. They did so, and their horses were led away to a +little declivity, whence came the sound of running water. Left to +themselves, the Americans looked around them. The cavalcade seemed +to have halted near the edge of a precipitous ridge, the evident +termination of the road. But the view that here met their eyes was +unexpected and startling. + +The plateau on which they stood seemed to drop suddenly away, +leaving them on the rocky shore of a monotonous and far-stretching +sea of waste and glittering sand. Not a vestige nor trace of +vegetation could be seen, except an occasional ridge of straggling +pallid bushes, raised in hideous simulation of the broken crest of +a ghostly wave. On either side, as far as the eye could reach, the +hollow empty vision extended--the interminable desert stretched and +panted before them. + +"It's the jumping-off place, I reckon," said Crosby, "and they've +brought us here to show us how small is our chance of getting away. +But," he added, turning towards the plateau again, "what are they +doing now? 'Pon my soul! I believe they're going off--and leaving +us." + +The others turned as he spoke. It was true. The dragoons were +coolly galloping off the way they came, taking with them the horses +the Americans had just ridden. + +"I call that cool," said Crosby. "It looks deuced like as if we +were to be left here to graze, like cattle." + +"Perhaps that's their idea of a prison in this country," said +Banks. "There's certainly no chance of our breaking jail in that +direction," he added, pointing to the desert; "and we can't follow +them without horses." + +"And I dare say they've guarded the pass in the road lower down," +said Winslow. + +"We ought to be able to hold our own here until night," said Brace, +"and then make a dash into Todos Santos, get hold of some arms, and +join the ladies." + +"The women are all right," said Crosby impatiently, "and are better +treated than if we were with them. Suppose, instead of maundering +over them, we reconnoitre and see what WE can do here. I'm getting +devilishly hungry; they can't mean to starve us, and if they do, I +don't intend to be starved as long as there is anything to be had +by buying or stealing. Come along. There's sure to be fruit near +that old chapel, and I saw some chickens in the bush near those +huts. First, let's see if there's any one about. I don't see a +soul." + +The little plateau, indeed, seemed deserted. In vain they shouted; +their voices were lost in the echoless air. They examined one by +one the few thatched huts: they were open, contained one or two +rude articles of furniture--a bed, a bench, and table--were +scrupulously clean--and empty. They next inspected the chapel; it +was tawdry and barbaric in ornament, but the candlesticks and +crucifix and the basin for holy water were of heavily beaten +silver. The same thought crossed their minds--the abandoned mine +at the roadside! + +Bananas, oranges, and prickly-pears growing within the cactus-hedge +of the chapel partly mollified their thirst and hunger, and they +turned their steps towards the long, rambling, barrack-looking +building, with its low windows and red-tiled roof, which they had +first noticed. Here, too, the tenement was deserted and abandoned; +but there was evidence of some previous and more ambitious +preparation: in a long dormitory off the corridor a number of +scrupulously clean beds were ranged against the whitewashed walls, +with spotless benches and tables. To the complete astonishment and +bewilderment of the party another room, fitted up as a kitchen, +with the simpler appliances of housekeeping, revealed a larder +filled with provisions and meal. A shout from Winslow, who had +penetrated the inner courtyard, however, drew them to a more +remarkable spectacle. Their luggage and effects from the cabins of +the Excelsior were there, carefully piled in the antique ox-cart +that had evidently that morning brought them from Todos Santos! + +"There's no mistake," said Brace, with a relieved look, after a +hurried survey of the trunks. "They have only brought our baggage. +The ladies have evidently had the opportunity of selecting their +own things." + +"Crosby told you they'd be all right," said Banks; "and as for +ourselves, I don't see why we can't be pretty comfortable here, and +all the better for our being alone. I shall take an opportunity of +looking around a bit. It strikes me that there are some resources +in this country that might pay to develop." + +"And I shall have a look at that played-out mine," said Crosby; "if +it's been worked as they work the land, they've left about as much +in it as they've taken out." + +"That's all well enough," said Brace, drawing a dull vermilion- +colored stone from his pocket; "but here's something I picked up +just now that ain't 'played out,' nor even the value of it +suspected by those fellows. That's cinnabar--quicksilver ore--and +a big per cent. of it too; and if there's as much of it here as the +indications show, you could buy up all your SILVER mines in the +country with it." + +"If I were you, I'd put up a notice on a post somewhere, as they do +in California, and claim discovery," said Banks seriously. +"There's no knowing how this thing may end. We may not get away +from here for some time yet, and if the Government will sell the +place cheap, it wouldn't be a bad spec' to buy it. Form a kind of +'Excelsior Company' among ourselves, you know, and go shares." + +The four men looked earnestly at each other. Already the lost +Excelsior and her mutinous crew were forgotten; even the incidents +of the morning--their arrest, the uncertainty of their fate, and +the fact that they were in the hands of a hostile community-- +appeared but as trivial preliminaries to the new life that opened +before them! They suddenly became graver than they had ever been-- +even in the moment of peril. + +"I don't see why we shouldn't," said Brace quickly. "We started +out to do that sort of thing in California, and I reckon if we'd +found such a spot as this on the Sacramento or American River we'd +have been content. We can take turns at housekeeping, prospect a +little, and enter into negotiations with the Government. I'm for +offering them a fair sum for this ridge and all it contains at +once." + +"The only thing against that," said Crosby slowly, "is the +probability that it is already devoted to some other use by the +Government. Ever since we've been here I've been thinking--I don't +know why--that we've been put in a sort of quarantine. The +desertion of the place, the half hospital arrangements of this +building, and the means they have taken to isolate us from +themselves, must mean something. I've read somewhere that in these +out-of-the-way spots in the tropics they have a place where they +put the fellows with malarious or contagious diseases. I don't +want to frighten you boys: but I've an idea that we're in a sort of +lazaretto, and the people outside won't trouble us often." + + +CHAPTER X. + +TODOS SANTOS SOLVES THE MYSTERY. + + +Notwithstanding his promise, and the summons of the Council, Father +Esteban, on parting with the Excelsior prisoners in the San Antonio +Road, did not proceed immediately to the presence of the +Comandante. Partly anxious to inform himself more thoroughly +regarding Hurlstone's antecedents before entering upon legislative +functions that might concern him, partly uneasy at Brace's allusion +to any possible ungentleness in the treatment of the fair +Americanas, and partly apprehensive that Mrs. Brimmer might seek +him at the Mission in the present emergency, the good Father turned +his steps towards the Alcalde's house. + +Mrs. Brimmer, in a becoming morning wrapper, half reclining in an +Indian hammock in the corridor, supported by Miss Chubb, started at +his approach. So did the young Alcalde, sympathetically seated at +her side. Padre Esteban for an instant was himself embarrassed; +Mrs. Brimmer quickly recovered her usual bewildering naivete. + +"I knew you would come; but if you hadn't, I should have mustered +courage enough to go with Miss Chubb to find you at the Mission," +she said, half coquettishly. "Not but that Don Ramon has been all +kindness and consideration, but you know one always clings to one's +spiritual adviser in such an emergency; and although there are +differences of opinion between us, I think I may speak to you as +freely as I would speak to my dear friend Dr. Potts, of Trinity +Chapel. Of course you don't know HIM; but you couldn't have helped +liking him, he's so gentle, so tactful, so refined! But do tell me +the fullest particulars of this terrible calamity that has happened +so awkwardly. Tell me all! I fear that Don Ramon, out of +kindness, has not told me everything. I have been perfectly frank, +I told him everything--who I am, who Mr. Brimmer is, and given him +even the connections of my friend Miss Chubb. I can do no more; +but you will surely have no difficulty in finding some one in Todos +Santos who has heard of the Quincys and Brimmers. I've no doubt +that there are books in your library that mention them. Of course +I can say nothing of the other passengers, except that Mr. Brimmer +would not have probably permitted me to associate with any +notorious persons. I confess now--I think I told you once before, +Clarissa--that I greatly doubted Captain Bunker's ability"-- + +"Ah," murmured Don Ramon. + +"--To make a social selection," continued Mrs. Brimmer. "He may +have been a good sailor, and boxed his compass, but he lacked a +knowledge of the world. Of the other passengers I can truly say I +know nothing; I cannot think that Mr. Crosby's sense of humor led +him into bad associations, or that he ever went beyond verbal +impropriety. Certainly nothing in Miss Keene's character has led +me to believe she could so far forget what was due to herself and +to us as to address a lawless mob in the streets as she did just +now; although her friend Mrs. Markham, as I just told Don Ramon, is +an advocate of Women's Rights and Female Suffrage, and I believe +she contemplates addressing the public from the lecturer's +platform." + +"It isn't possible!" interrupted Don Ramon excitedly, in mingled +horror of the masculinely rampant Mrs. Markham and admiration of +the fascinatingly feminine Mrs. Brimmer; "a lady cannot be an +orator--a haranguer of men!" + +"Not in society," responded Mrs. Brimmer, with a sigh, "and I do +not remember to have met the lady before. The fact is, she does +not move in our circle--in the upper classes." + +The Alcalde exchanged a glance with the Padre. + +"Ah! you have classes? and she is of a distinct class, perhaps?" + +"Decidedly," said Mrs. Brimmer promptly. + +"Pardon me," said Padre Esteban, with gentle persuasiveness, "but +you are speaking of your fellow-passengers. Know you not, then, of +one Hurlstone, who is believed to be still in the ship Excelsior, +and perhaps of the party who seized it?" + +"Mr. Hurlstone?--it is possible; but I know really nothing of him," +said Mrs. Brimmer carelessly. "I don't think Clarissa did, either-- +did you, dear? Even in our enforced companionship we had to use +some reserve, and we may have drawn the line at him! He was a +friend of Miss Keene's; indeed, she was the only one who seemed to +know him." + +"And she is now here?" asked the Padre eagerly. + +"No. She is with her friend the Senora Markham, at the Presidio. +The Comandante has given her the disposition of his house," said +Don Ramon, with a glance of grave archness at Mrs. Brimmer; "it is +not known which is the most favored, the eloquent orator or the +beautiful and daring leader!" + +"Mrs. Markham is a married woman," said Mrs. Brimmer severely, +"and, of course, she can do as she pleases; but it is far different +with Miss Keene. I should scarcely consider it proper to expose +Miss Chubb to the hospitality of a single man, without other women, +and I cannot understand how she could leave the companionship and +protection of your lovely sisters." + +The priest here rose, and, with formal politeness, excused himself, +urging the peremptory summons of the Council. + +"I scarcely expected, indeed, to have had the pleasure of seeing my +colleague here," he added with quiet suavity, turning to the +Alcalde. + +"I have already expressed my views to the Comandante," said the +official, with some embarrassment, "and my attendance will hardly +be required." + +The occasional misleading phosphorescence of Mrs. Brimmer's quiet +eyes, early alluded to in these pages, did not escape Father +Esteban's quick perception at that moment; however, he preferred to +leave his companion to follow its aberrations rather than to permit +that fair ignis fatuus to light him on his way by it. + +"But my visit to you, Father Esteban," she began sweetly, "is only +postponed." + +"Until I have the pleasure of anticipating it here," said the +priest, with paternal politeness bending before the two ladies; +"but for the present, au revoir!" + +"It would be an easy victory to win this discreetly emotional +Americana to the Church," said Father Esteban to himself, as he +crossed the plaza; "but, if I mistake not, she would not cease to +be a disturbing element even there. However, she is not such as +would give this Hurlstone any trouble. It seems I must look +elsewhere for the brains of this party, and to find a solution of +this young man's mystery; and, if I judge correctly, it is with +this beautiful young agitator of revolutions and her oratorical +duenna I must deal." + +He entered the low gateway of the Presidio unchallenged, and even +traversed the courtyard without meeting a soul. The guard and +sentries had evidently withdrawn to their habitual peaceful +vocations, and the former mediaeval repose of the venerable +building had returned. There was no one in the guard-room; but as +the priest turned back to the corridor, his quick ear was suddenly +startled by the unhallowed and inconsistent sounds of a guitar. A +monotonous voice also--the Comandante's evidently--was raised in a +thin, high recitative. + +The Padre passed hastily through the guard-room, and opened the +door of the passage leading to the garden slope. Here an +extraordinary group presented itself to his astonished eyes. In +the shadow of a palm-tree, Mrs. Markham, seated on her Saratoga +trunk as on a throne, was gazing blandly down upon the earnest +features of the Commander, who, at her feet, guitar in hand, was +evidently repeating some musical composition. His subaltern sat +near him, divided in admiration of his chief and the guest. Miss +Keene, at a little distance, aided by the secretary, was holding an +animated conversation with a short, stout, Sancho Panza-looking +man, whom the Padre recognized as the doctor of Todos Santos. + +At the apparition of the reverend Father, the Commander started, +the subaltern stared, and even the secretary and the doctor looked +discomposed. + +"I am decidedly de trop this morning," soliloquized the +ecclesiastic; but Miss Keene cut short his reflection by running to +him frankly, with outstretched hand. + +"I am so glad that you have come," she said, with a youthful, +unrestrained earnestness that was as convincing as it was +fascinating, "for you will help me to persuade this gentleman that +poor Captain Bunker is suffering more from excitement of mind than +body, and that bleeding him is more than folly." + +"The man's veins are in a burning fever and delirium from +aguardiente," said the little doctor excitedly, "and the fire must +first be put out by the lancet." + +"He is only crazy with remorse for having lost his ship through his +own carelessness and the treachery of others," said Miss Keene +doughtily. + +"He is a maniac and will kill himself, unless his fever is +subdued," persisted the doctor. + +"And you would surely kill him by your way of subduing it," said +the young girl boldly. "Better for him, a disgraced man of honor, +to die by his own hand, than to be bled like a calf into a feeble +and helpless dissolution. I would, if I were in his place--if I +had to do it by tearing off the bandages." + +She made a swift, half unconscious gesture of her little hand, and +stopped, her beautiful eyes sparkling, her thin pink nostrils +dilated, her red lips parted, her round throat lifted in the air, +and one small foot advanced before her. The men glanced hurriedly +at each other, and then fixed their eyes upon her with a rapt yet +frightened admiration. To their simple minds it was Anarchy and +Revolution personified, beautiful, and victorious. + +"Ah!" said the secretary to Padre Esteban, in Spanish, "it is true! +she knows not fear! She was in the room alone with the madman; he +would let none approach but her! She took a knife from him--else +the medico had suffered!" + +"He recognized her, you see! Ah! they know her power," said the +Comandante, joining the group. + +"You will help me, Father Esteban?" said the young girl, letting +the fire of her dark eyes soften to a look of almost childish +appeal--"you will help me to intercede for him? It is the +restraint only that is killing him--that is goading him to madness! +Think of him, Father--think of him: ruined and disgraced, dying to +retrieve himself by any reckless action, any desperate chance of +recovery, and yet locked up where he can do nothing--attempt +nothing--not even lift a hand to pursue the man who has helped to +bring him to this!" + +"But he CAN do nothing! The ship is gone!" remonstrated the +Comandante. + +"Yes, the ship is gone; but the ocean is still there," said Miss +Keene. + +"But he has no boat." + +"He will find or make one." + +"And the fog conceals the channel." + +"He can go where THEY have gone, or meet their fate. You do not +know my countrymen, Senor Comandante," she said proudly. + +"Ah, yes--pardon! They are at San Antonio--the baker, the buffoon, +the two young men who dig. They are already baking and digging and +joking. We have it from my officer, who has just returned." + +Miss Keene bit her pretty lips. + +"They think it is a mistake; they cannot believe that any intentional +indignity is offered them," she said quietly. "Perhaps it is well +they do not." + +"They desired me to express their condolences to the Senora," said +the Padre, with exasperating gentleness, "and were relieved to be +assured by me of your perfect security in the hands of these +gentlemen." + +Miss Keene raised her clear eyes to the ecclesiastic. That +accomplished diplomat of Todos Santos absolutely felt confused +under the cool scrutiny of this girl's unbiased and unsophisticated +intelligence. + +"Then you HAVE seen them," she said, "and you know their innocence, +and the utter absurdity of this surveillance?" + +"I have not seen them ALL," said the priest softly. "There is +still another--a Senor Hurlstone--who is missing? Is he not?" + +It was not in the possibility of Eleanor Keene's truthful blood to +do other than respond with a slight color to this question. She +had already concealed from every one the fact of having seen the +missing man in the Mission garden the evening before. It did not, +however, prevent her the next moment from calmly meeting the glance +of the priest as she answered gravely,-- + +"I believe so. But I cannot see what that has to do with the +detention of the others." + +"Much, perhaps. It has been said that you alone, my child, were in +the confidence of this man." + +"Who dared say that?" exclaimed Miss Keene in English, forgetting +herself in her indignation. + +"If it's anything mean--it's Mrs. Brimmer, I'll bet a cooky," said +Mrs. Markham, whose linguistic deficiencies had debarred her from +the previous conversation. + +"You have only," continued the priest, without noticing the +interruption, "to tell us what you know of this Hurlstone's plans,-- +of his complicity with Senor Perkins, or," he added significantly, +"his opposition to them--to insure that perfect justice shall be +done to all." + +Relieved that the question involved no disclosure of her only +secret regarding Hurlstone, Miss Keene was about to repeat the +truth that she had no confidential knowledge of him, or of his +absurd alleged connection with Senor Perkins, when, with an +instinct of tact, she hesitated. Might she not serve them all-- +even Hurlstone himself--by saying nothing, and leaving the burden +of proof to their idiotic accusers? Was she altogether sure that +Hurlstone was entirely ignorant of Senor Perkins' plans, or might +he not have refused, at the last moment, to join in the conspiracy, +and so left the ship? + +"I will not press you for your answer now," said the priest gently. +"But you will not, I know, keep back anything that may throw a +light on this sad affair, and perhaps help to reinstate your friend +Mr. Hurlstone in his REAL position." + +"If you ask me if I believe that Mr. Hurlstone had anything to do +with this conspiracy, I should say, unhesitatingly, that I do NOT. +And more, I believe that he would have jumped overboard rather than +assent to so infamous an act," said the young girl boldly. + +"Then you think he had no other motive for leaving the ship?" said +the priest slowly. + +"Decidedly not." She stopped; a curious anxious look in the +Padre's persistent eyes both annoyed and frightened her. "What +other motive could he have?" she said coldly. + +Father Esteban's face lightened. + +"I only ask because I think you would have known it. Thank you for +the assurance all the same, and in return I promise you I will use +my best endeavors with the Comandante for your friend the Captain +Bunker. Adieu, my daughter. Adieu, Madame Markham," he said, as, +taking the arm of Don Miguel, he turned with him and the doctor +towards the guard-room. The secretary lingered behind for a +moment. + +"Fear nothing," he said, in whispered English to Miss Keene. "I, +Ruy Sanchez, shall make you free of Capitano Bunker's cell," and +passed on. + +"Well," said Mrs. Markham, when the two women were alone again. "I +don't pretend to fathom the befogged brains of Todos Santos; but as +far as I can understand their grown-up child's play, they are +making believe this unfortunate Mr. Hurlstone, who may be dead for +all we know, is in revolt against the United States Government, +which is supposed to be represented by Senor Perkins and the +Excelsior--think of that!" + +"But Perkins signed himself of the Quinquinambo navy!" said Miss +Keene wonderingly. + +"That is firmly believed by those idiots to be one of OUR States. +Remember they know nothing of what has happened anywhere in the +last fifty years. I dare say they never heard of filibusters like +Perkins, and they couldn't comprehend him if they had. I've given +up trying to enlighten them, and I think they're grateful for it. +It makes their poor dear heads ache." + +"And it is turning mine! But, for Heaven's sake, tell me what part +I am supposed to act in this farce!" said Miss Keene. + +"You are the friend and colleague of Hurlstone, don't you see?" +said Mrs. Markham. "You are two beautiful young patriots--don't +blush, my dear!--endeared to each other and a common cause, and +ready to die for your country in opposition to Perkins, and the +faint-heartedness of such neutrals as Mrs. Brimmer, Miss Chubb, the +poor Captain, and all the men whom they have packed off to San +Antonio." + +"Impossible!" said Miss Keene, yet with an uneasy feeling that it +not only was possible, but that she herself had contributed +something to the delusion. "But how do they account for my +friendship with YOU--you, who are supposed to be a correspondent-- +an accomplice of Perkins?" + +"No, no," returned Mrs. Markham, with a half serious smile, "I am +not allowed that honor. I am presumed to be only the disconsolate +Dulcinea of Perkins, abandoned by HIM, pitied by you, and converted +to the true faith--at least, that is what I make out from the +broken English of that little secretary of the Commander." + +Miss Keene winced. + +"That's all my fault, dear," she said, suddenly entwining her arms +round Mrs. Markham, and hiding her half embarrassed smile on the +shoulder of her strong-minded friend; "they suggested it to me, and +I half assented, to save you. Please forgive me." + +"Don't think I am blaming you, my dear Eleanor," said Mrs. Markham. +"For Heaven's sake assent to the wildest and most extravagant +hypothesis they can offer, if it will leave us free to arrange our +own plans for getting away. I begin to think we were not a very +harmonious party on the Excelsior, and most of our troubles here +are owing to that. We forget we have fallen among a lot of +original saints, as guileless and as unsophisticated as our first +parents, who know nothing of our customs and antecedents. They +have accepted us on what they believe to be our own showing. From +first to last we've underrated them, forgetting they are in the +majority. We can't expect to correct the ignorance of fifty years +in twenty-four hours, and I, for one, sha'n't attempt it. I'd much +rather trust to the character those people would conceive of me +from their own consciousness than to one Mrs. Brimmer or Mr. +Winslow would give of me. From this moment I've taken a firm +resolve to leave my reputation and the reputation of my friends +entirely in their hands. If you are wise you will do the same. +They are inclined to worship you--don't hinder them. My belief is, +if we only take things quietly, we might find worse places to be +stranded on than Todos Santos. If Mrs. Brimmer and those men of +ours, who, I dare say, have acted as silly as the Mexicans +themselves, will only be quiet, we can have our own way here yet." + +"And poor Captain Bunker?" said Miss Keene. + +"It seems hard to say it, but, in my opinion, he is better under +lock and key, for everybody's good, at present. He'd be a +firebrand in the town if he got away. Meantime, let us go to our +room. It is about the time when everybody is taking a siesta, and +for two hours, thank Heaven! we're certain nothing more can +happen." + +"I'll join you in a moment," said Miss Keene. + +Her quick ear had caught the sound of voices approaching. As Mrs. +Markham disappeared in the passage, the Commander and his party +reappeared from the guard-room, taking leave of Padre Esteban. The +secretary, as he passed Miss Keene, managed to add to his formal +salutation the whispered words,--"When the Angelus rings I will +await you before the grating of his prison." + +Padre Esteban was too preoccupied to observe this incident. As +soon as he quitted the Presidio, he hastened to the Mission with a +disquieting fear that his strange guest might have vanished. But, +crossing the silent refectory, and opening the door of the little +apartment, he was relieved to find him stretched on the pallet in a +profound slumber. The peacefulness of the venerable walls had laid +a gentle finger on his weary eyelids. + +The Padre glanced round the little cell, and back again at the +handsome suffering face that seemed to have found surcease and rest +in the narrow walls, with a stirring of regret. But the next +moment he awakened the sleeper, and in the briefest, almost frigid, +sentences, related the events of the morning. + +The young man rose to his feet with a bitter laugh. + +"You see," he said, "God is against me! And yet a few hours ago I +dared to think that He had guided me to a haven of rest and +forgetfulness! + +"Have you told the truth to him and to me?" said the priest +sternly, "or have you--a mere political refugee--taken advantage of +an old man's weakness to forge a foolish lie of sentimental +passion?" + +"What do you mean?" said Hurlstone, turning upon him almost +fiercely. + +The priest rose, and drawing a folded paper from his bosom, opened +it before the eyes of his indignant guest. + +"Remember what you told me last night in the sacred confidences of +yonder holy church, and hear what you really are from the lips of +the Council of Todos Santos." + +Smoothing out the paper, he read slowly as follows:-- + + +"Whereas, it being presented to an Emergency Council, held at the +Presidio of Todos Santos, that the foreign barque Excelsior had +mutinied, discharged her captain and passengers, and escaped from +the waters of the bay, it was, on examination, found and decreed +that the said barque was a vessel primarily owned by a foreign +Power, then and there confessed and admitted to be at war with +Mexico and equipped to invade one of her northern provinces. But +that the God of Liberty and Justice awakening in the breasts of +certain patriots--to wit, the heroic Senor Diego Hurlstone and the +invincible Dona Leonor--the courage and discretion to resist the +tyranny and injustice of their oppressors, caused them to mutiny +and abandon the vessel rather than become accomplices, in the +company of certain neutral and non-combatant traders and artisans, +severally known as Brace, Banks, Winslow, and Crosby; and certain +aristocrats, known as Senoras Brimmer and Chubb. In consideration +thereof, it is decreed by the Council of Todos Santos that asylum, +refuge, hospitality, protection, amity, and alliance be offered and +extended to the patriots, Senor Diego Hurlstone, Dona Leonor, and a +certain Duenna Susana Markham, particularly attached to Dona +Leonor's person; and that war, reprisal, banishment, and death be +declared against Senor Perkins, his unknown aiders and abettors. +And that for the purposes of probation, and in the interests of +clemency, provisional parole shall be extended to the alleged +neutrals--Brace, Banks, Crosby, and Winslow--within the limits and +boundaries of the lazaretto of San Antonio, until their neutrality +shall be established, and pending the further pleasure of the +Council. And it is further decreed and declared that one Capitano +Bunker, formerly of the Excelsior, but now a maniac and lunatic-- +being irresponsible and visited of God, shall be exempted from the +ordinances of this decree until his reason shall be restored; and +during that interval subjected to the ordinary remedial and +beneficent restraint of civilization and humanity. By order of the +Council,-- + +"The signatures and rubrics of-- + +"DON MIGUEL BRIONES, + + Comandante. + +"PADRE ESTEBAN, + + of the Order of San Francisco d'Assisis. + +"DON RAMON RAMIREZ, + + Alcalde of the Pueblo of Todos Santos." + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE CAPTAIN FOLLOWS HIS SHIP. + + +When Padre Esteban had finished reading the document he laid it +down and fixed his eyes on the young man. Hurlstone met his look +with a glance of impatient disdain. + +"What have you to say to this?" asked the ecclesiastic, a little +impressed by his manner. + +"That as far as it concerns myself it is a farrago of absurdity. +If I were the person described there, why should I have sought you +with what you call a lie of 'sentimental passion,' when I could +have claimed protection openly with my SISTER PATRIOT," he added, +with a bitter laugh. + +"Because you did not know THEN the sympathy of the people nor the +decision of the Council," said the priest. + +"But I know it NOW, and I refuse to accept it." + +"You refuse--to--to accept it?" echoed the priest. + +"I do." He walked towards the door. "Before I go, let me thank +you for the few hours' rest and security that you have given to one +who may be a cursed man, yet is no impostor. But I do not blame +you for doubting one who talks like a desperate man, yet lacks the +courage of desperation. Good-by!" + +"Where are you going?" + +"What matters? There is a safer protection and security to be +found than even that offered by the Council of Todos Santos." + +His eyes were averted, but not before the priest had seen them +glaze again with the same gloomy absorption that had horrified him +in the church the evening before. Father Esteban stepped forward +and placed his soft hand on Hurlstone's shoulder. + +"Look at me. Don't turn your face aside, but hear me; for I +believe your story." + +Without raising his eyes, the young man lifted Father Esteban's +hand from his shoulder, pressed it lightly, and put it quietly +aside. + +"I thank you," he said, "for keeping at least that unstained memory +of me. But it matters little now. Good-by!" + +He had his hand upon the door, but the priest again withheld him. + +"When I tell you I believe your story, it is only to tell you more. +I believe that God has directed your wayward, wandering feet here +to His house, that you may lay down the burden of your weak and +suffering manhood before His altar, and become once more a child of +His. I stand here to offer you, not a refuge of a day or a night, +but for all time; not a hiding-place from man or woman, but from +yourself, my son--yourself, your weak and mortal self, more fatal +to you than all. I stand here to open for you not only the door of +this humble cell, but that of His yonder blessed mansion. You +shall share my life with me; you shall be one of my disciples; you +shall help me strive for other souls as I have striven for yours; +the protection of the Church, which is all-powerful, shall be +around you if you wish to be known; you shall hide yourself in its +mysteries if you wish to be forgotten. You shall be my child, my +companion, my friend; all that my age can give you shall be yours +while I live, and it shall be your place one day to take up my +unfinished work when it falls from these palsied hands forever." + +"You are mistaken," said the young man coldly. "I came to you for +human aid, and thank you for what you have granted me: I have not +been presumptuous enough to ask more, nor to believe myself a +fitting subject for conversion. I am weak, but not weak enough to +take advantage of the mistaken kindness of either the temporal +Council of Todos Santos or its spiritual head." He opened the door +leading into the garden. "Forget and forgive me, Father Esteban, +and let me say farewell." + +"Stop!" said the ecclesiastic, raising himself to his full height +and stepping before Hurlstone. "Then if you will not hear me in +the name of your Father who lives, in the name of your father who +is dead I command you to stay! I stand here to-day in the place of +that man I never knew--to hold back his son from madness and crime. +Think of me as of him whom you loved, and grant to an old man who +might have had a son as old as you the right of throwing a father's +protecting arm around you." + +There was a moment's silence. + +"What do you want me to do?" said Hurlstone, suddenly lifting his +now moist and glistening eyes upon the old man. + +"Give me your word of honor that for twenty-four hours you will +remain as you are--pledging yourself to nothing--only promising to +commit no act, take no step, without consulting me. You will not +be sought here, nor yet need you keep yourself a prisoner in these +gloomy walls--except that, by exposing yourself to the people now, +you might be compromised to some course that you are not ready to +take." + +"I promise," said Hurlstone. + +He turned and held out both his hands; but Father Esteban +anticipated him with a paternal gesture of uplifted and opened +arms, and for an instant the young man's forehead was bowed on the +priest's shoulder. + +Father Esteban gently raised the young man's head. + +"You will take a pasear in the garden until the Angelus rings, my +son, while the air is sweet and wholesome, and think this over. +Remember that you may accept the hospitality of the Council without +sin of deception. You were not in sympathy with either the captors +of the Excelsior or their defeated party; for you would have flown +from both. You, of all your party now in Todos Santos, are most in +sympathy with us. You have no cause to love your own people; you +have abandoned them for us. Go, my son; and meditate upon my +words. I will fetch you from yonder slope in time for the evening +refection." + +Hurlstone bowed his head and turned his irresolute feet towards the +upper extremity of the garden, indicated by the priest, which +seemed to offer more seclusion and security than the avenue of +pear-trees. He was dazed and benumbed. The old dogged impulses of +self-destruction--revived by the priest's reproaches, but checked +by the vision of his dead and forgotten father, which the priest's +words had called up--gave way, in turn, to his former despair. +With it came a craving for peace and rest so insidious that in some +vague fear of yielding to it he quickened his pace, as if to +increase his distance from the church and its apostle. He was +almost out of breath when he reached the summit, and turned to look +back upon the Mission buildings and the straggling street of the +pueblo, which now for the first time he saw skirted the wall of the +garden in its descent towards the sea. He had not known the full +extent of Todos Santos before; when he swam ashore he had landed +under a crumbling outwork of the fort; he gazed now with curious +interest over the hamlet that might have been his home. He looked +over the red-tiled roofs, and further on to the shining bay, shut +in by the impenetrable rampart of fog. He might have found rest +and oblivion here but for the intrusion of those fellow-passengers +to share his exile and make it intolerable. How he hated and +loathed them all! Yet the next moment he found himself +scrutinizing the street and plaza below him for a glimpse of his +countrywomen, whom he knew were still in the town or vainly +endeavoring to locate their habitation among the red-tiled roofs. +And that frank, clear-eyed girl--Miss Keene!--she who had seemed to +vaguely pity him--she was somewhere here too--selected by the irony +of fate to be his confederate! He could not help thinking of her +beauty and kindness now, with a vague curiosity that was half an +uneasiness. It had not struck him before, but if he were to accept +the ridiculous attitude forced upon him by Todos Santos, its +absurdity, as well as its responsibility, would become less odious +by sharing it with another. Perhaps it might be to HER advantage-- +and if so, would he be justified in exposing its absurdity? He +would have to see her first--and if he did, how would he explain +his real position? A returning wave of bitterness threw him back +into his old despair. + +The twilight had slowly gathered over the view as he gazed--or, +rather a luminous concentration above the pueblo and bay had left +the outer circle of fog denser and darker. Emboldened by the +apparent desertion of the Embarcadero, he began to retrace his +steps down the slope, keeping close to the wall so as to avoid +passing before the church again, or a closer contact with the +gardener among the vines. In this way he reached the path he had +skirted the night before, and stopped almost under the shadow of +the Alcalde's house. It was here he had rested and hidden,--here +he had tasted the first sweets of isolation and oblivion in the +dreamy garden,--here he had looked forward to peace with the +passing of the ship,--and now? The sound of voices and laughter +suddenly grated upon his ear. He had heard those voices before. +Their distinctness startled him until he became aware that he was +standing before a broken, half-rotting door that permitted a +glimpse of the courtyard of the neighboring house. He glided +quickly past it without pausing, but in that glimpse beheld Mrs. +Brimmer and Miss Chubb half reclining in the corridor--in the +attitude he had often seen them on the deck of the ship--talking +and laughing with a group of Mexican gallants. A feeling of +inconceivable loathing and aversion took possession of him. Was it +to THIS he was returning after his despairing search for oblivion? +Their empty, idle laughter seemed to ring mockingly in his ears as +he hurried on, scarce knowing whither, until he paused before the +broken cactus hedge and crumbling wall that faced the Embarcadero. +A glance over the hedge showed him that the strip of beach was +deserted. He looked up the narrow street; it was empty. A few +rapid strides across it gained him the shadow of the sea-wall of +the Presidio, unchecked and unhindered. The ebbing tide had left a +foot or two of narrow shingle between the sea and the wall. He +crept along this until, a hundred yards distant, the sea-wall +reentered inland around a bastion at the entrance of a moat half +filled at high tide by the waters of the bay, but now a ditch of +shallow pools, sand, and debris. He leaned against the bastion, +and looked over the softly darkening water. + +How quiet it looked, and, under that vaporous veil, how profound +and inscrutable! How easy to slip into its all-embracing arms, and +sink into its yielding bosom, leaving behind no stain, trace, or +record! A surer oblivion than the Church, which could not absolve +memory, grant forgetfulness, nor even hide the ghastly footprints +of its occupants. Here was obliteration. But was he sure of that? +He thought of the body of the murdered Peruvian, laid out at the +feet of the Council by this same fickle and uncertain sea; he +thought of his own distorted face subjected to the cold curiosity +of these aliens or the contemptuous pity of his countrymen. But +that could be avoided. It was easy for him--a good swimmer--to +reach a point far enough out in the channel for the ebbing tides to +carry him past that barrier of fog into the open and obliterating +ocean. And then, at least, it might seem as if he had attempted to +ESCAPE--indeed, if he cared, he might be able to keep afloat until +he was picked up by some passing vessel, bound to a distant land! +The self-delusion pleased him, and seemed to add the clinching +argument to his resolution. It was not suicide; it was escape-- +certainly no more than escape--he intended! And this miserable +sophism of self-apology, the last flashes of expiring conscience, +helped to light up his pale, determined face with satisfaction. He +began coolly to divest himself of his coat. + +What was that?--the sound of some dislodged stones splashing in one +of the pools further up! He glanced hurriedly round the wall of +the bastion. A figure crouching against the side of the ditch, as +if concealing itself from observation on the glacis above, was +slowly approaching the sea. Suddenly, when within a hundred yards +of Hurlstone, it turned, crossed the ditch, rapidly mounted its +crumbling sides, and disappeared over the crest. But in that +hurried glimpse he had recognized Captain Bunker! + +The sudden and mysterious apparition of this man produced on +Hurlstone an effect that the most violent opposition could not have +created. Without a thought of the terrible purpose it had +interrupted, and obeying some stronger instinct that had seized +him, he dashed down into the ditch and up to the crest again after +Captain Bunker. But he had completely disappeared. A little +lagoon, making in from the bay, on which a small fishing-boat was +riding, and a solitary fisherman mending his nets on the muddy +shore a few feet from it, were all that was to be seen. + +He was turning back, when he saw the object of his search creeping +from some reeds, on all fours, with a stealthy, panther-like +movement towards the unconscious fisherman. Before Hurlstone could +utter a cry, Bunker had sprung upon the unfortunate man, thrown him +to the earth, rapidly rolled him over and over, enwrapping him hand +and foot in his own net, and involving him hopelessly in its +meshes. Tossing the helpless victim--who was apparently too +stupefied to call out--to one side, he was rushing towards the boat +when, with a single bound, Hurlstone reached his side and laid his +hand upon his shoulder. + +"Captain Bunker, for God's sake! what are you doing?" + +Captain Bunker turned slowly and without apparent concern towards +his captor. Hurlstone fell back before the vacant, lack-lustre +eyes that were fixed upon him. + +"Captain Bunker's my name," said the madman, in a whisper. "Lemuel +Bunker, of Nantucket! Hush! don't waken him," pointing to the +prostrate fisherman; "I've put him to sleep. I'm Captain Bunker-- +old drunken Bunker--who stole one ship from her owners, and +disgraced himself, and now is going to steal another--ha, ha! Let +me go." + +"Captain Bunker," said Hurlstone, recovering himself in time to +prevent the maniac from dashing into the water. "Look at me. +Don't you know me?" + +"Yes, yes; you're one of old Bunker's dogs kicked overboard by +Perkins. I'm one of Perkins' dogs gone mad, and locked up by +Perkins! Ha, ha! But I got out! Hush! SHE let me out. SHE +thought I was going to see the boys at San Antonio. But I'm going +off to see the old barque out there in the fog. I'm going to chuck +Perkins overboard and the two mates. Let me go." + +He struggled violently. Hurlstone, fearful of quitting his hold to +release the fisherman, whom Captain Bunker no longer noticed, and +not daring to increase the Captain's fury by openly calling to him, +beckoned the pinioned man to make an effort. But, paralyzed by +fear, the wretched captive remained immovable, staring at the +struggling men. With the strength of desperation Hurlstone at last +forced the Captain down upon his knees. + +"Listen, Captain! We'll go together--you understand. I'll help +you--but we must get a larger boat first--you know." + +"But they won't give it," said Captain Bunker mysteriously. +"Didn't you hear the Council--the owners--the underwriters say: 'He +lost his ship, he's ruined and disgraced, for rum, all for rum!' +And we want rum, you know, and it's all over there, in the +Excelsior's locker!" + +"Yes, yes," said Hurlstone soothingly; "but there's more in the +bigger boat. Come with me. We'll let the man loose, and we'll +make him show us his bigger boat." + +It was an unfortunate suggestion; for the Captain, who had listened +with an insane chuckle, and allowed himself to be taken lightly by +the hand, again caught sight of the prostrate fisherman. A yell +broke from him--his former frenzy returned. With a cry of +"Treachery! all hands on deck!" he threw off Hurlstone and rushed +into the water. + +"Help!" cried the young man, springing after him, "It is madness. +He will kill himself!" + +The water was shallow, they were both wading, they both reached the +boat at the same time; but the Captain had scrambled into the +stern-sheets, and cast loose the painter, as Hurlstone once more +threw his arms about him. + +"Hear me, Captain. I'll go with you. Listen! I know the way +through the fog. You understand: I'll pilot you!" He was +desperate, but no longer from despair of himself, but of another; +he was reckless, but only to save a madman from the fate that but a +moment before he had chosen for himself. + +Captain Bunker seemed to soften. "Get in for'ard," he said, in a +lower voice. Hurlstone released his grasp, but still clinging to +the boat, which had now drifted into deeper water, made his way to +the bow. He was climbing over the thwarts when a horrified cry +from the fisherman ashore and a jarring laugh in his ear caused him +to look up. But not in time to save himself! The treacherous +maniac had suddenly launched a blow from an oar at the unsuspecting +man as he was rising to his knees. It missed his head, but fell +upon his arm and shoulder, precipitating him violently into the sea. + +Stunned by the shock, he sank at first like lead to the bottom. +When he rose again, with his returning consciousness, he could see +that Captain Bunker had already hoisted sail, and, with the +assistance of his oars, was rapidly increasing his distance from +the shore. With his returning desperation he turned to strike out +after him, but groaned as his one arm sank powerless to his side. +A few strokes showed him the madness of the attempt; a few more +convinced him that he himself could barely return to the shore. A +sudden torpor had taken possession of him--he was sinking! + +With this thought, a struggle for life began; and this man who had +just now sought death so eagerly--with no feeling of inconsistency, +with no physical fear of dissolution, with only a vague, blind, +dogged determination to live for some unknown purpose--a +determination as vague and dogged as his former ideas of self- +destruction--summoned all his energies to reach the shore. He +struck out wildly, desperately; once or twice he thought he felt +his feet touch the bottom, only to find himself powerlessly dragged +back towards the sea. With a final superhuman effort he gained at +last a foothold on the muddy strand, and, half scrambling, half +crawling, sank exhaustedly beside the fisherman's net. But the +fisherman was gone! He attempted again to rise to his feet, but a +strange dizziness attacked him. The darkening landscape, with its +contracting wall of fog; the gloomy flat; the still, pale sea, as +yet unruffled by the faint land breeze that was slowly wafting the +escaping boat into the shadowy offing--all swam round him! Through +the roaring in his ears he thought he heard drumbeats, and the +fanfare of a trumpet, and voices. The next moment he had lost all +consciousness. + +When he came to, he was lying in the guard-room of the Presidio. +Among the group of people who surrounded him he recognized the +gaunt features of the Commander, the sympathetic eyes of Father +Esteban, and the fisherman who had disappeared. When he rose on +his elbow, and attempted to lift himself feebly, the fisherman, +with a cry of gratitude, threw himself on his knees, and kissed his +helpless hand. + +"He lives, he lives! your Excellencies! Saints be praised, he +lives! The hero--the brave Americano--the noble caballero who +delivered me from the madman." + +"Who are you? and whence come you?" demanded the Commander of +Hurlstone, with grave austerity. + +Hurlstone hesitated; the priest leaned forward with a half anxious, +half warning gesture. There was a sudden rustle in the passage; +the crowd gave way as Miss Keene, followed by Mrs. Markham, +entered. The young girl's eyes caught those of the prostrate man. +With an impulsive cry she ran towards him. + +"Mr. Hurlstone!" + +"Hurlstone," echoed the group, pressing nearer the astonished man. + +The Comandante lifted his hand gravely with a gesture of silence, +and then slowly removed his plumed hat. Every head was instantly +uncovered. + +"Long live our brave and noble ally, Don Diego! Long live the +beautiful Dona Leonor!" + +A faint shade of sadness passed over the priest's face. He glanced +from Hurlstone to Miss Keene. + +"Then you have consented?" he whispered. + +Hurlstone cast a rapid glance at Eleanor Keene. + +"I consent!" + + + +PART II. FREED. + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE MOURNERS AT SAN FRANCISCO. + + +The telegraph operator at the Golden Gate of San Francisco had long +since given up hope of the Excelsior. During the months of +September and October, 1854, stimulated by the promised reward, and +often by the actual presence of her owners, he had shown zeal and +hope in his scrutiny of the incoming ships. The gaunt arms of the +semaphore at Fort Point, turned against the sunset sky, had +regularly recorded the smallest vessel of the white-winged fleet +which sought the portal of the bay during that eventful year of +immigration; but the Excelsior was not amongst them. At the close +of the year 1854 she was a tradition; by the end of January, 1855, +she was forgotten. Had she been engulfed in her own element she +could not have been more completely swallowed up than in the +changes of that shore she never reached. Whatever interest or hope +was still kept alive in solitary breasts the world never knew. By +the significant irony of Fate, even the old-time semaphore that +should have signaled her was abandoned and forgotten. + +The mention of her name--albeit in a quiet, unconcerned voice--in +the dress-circle of a San Francisco theatre, during the performance +of a popular female star, was therefore so peculiar that it could +only have come from the lips of some one personally interested in +the lost vessel. Yet the speaker was a youngish, feminine-looking +man of about thirty, notable for his beardlessness, in the crowded +circle of bearded and moustachioed Californians, and had been one +of the most absorbed of the enthusiastic audience. A weak smile of +vacillating satisfaction and uneasiness played on his face during +the plaudits of his fellow-admirers, as if he were alternately +gratified and annoyed. It might have passed for a discriminating +and truthful criticism of the performance, which was a classical +burlesque, wherein the star displayed an unconventional frankness +of shapely limbs and unrestrained gestures and glances; but he +applauded the more dubious parts equally with the audience. He was +evidently familiar with the performance, for a look of eager +expectation greeted most of the "business." Either he had not +come for the entire evening, or he did not wish to appear as if he +had, as he sat on one of the back benches near the passage, and +frequently changed his place. He was well, even foppishly, dressed +for the period, and appeared to be familiarly known to the loungers +in the passage as a man of some social popularity. + +He had just been recognized by a man of apparently equal importance +and distinction, who had quietly and unconsciously taken a seat by +his side, and the recognition appeared equally unexpected and +awkward. The new-comer was the older and more decorous-looking, +with an added formality of manner and self-assertion that did not, +however, conceal a certain habitual shrewdness of eye and lip. He +wore a full beard, but the absence of a moustache left the upper +half of his handsome and rather satirical mouth uncovered. His +dress was less pronounced than his companion's, but of a type of +older and more established gentility. + +"I was a little late coming from the office to-night," said the +younger man, with an embarrassed laugh, "and I thought I'd drop in +here on my way home. Pretty rough outside, ain't it?" + +"Yes, it's raining and blowing; so I thought I wouldn't go up to +the plaza for a cab, but wait here for the first one that dropped a +fare at the door, and take it on to the hotel." + +"Hold on, and I'll go with you," said the young man carelessly. "I +say, Brimmer," he added, after a pause, with a sudden assumption of +larger gayety, "there's nothing mean about Belle Montgomery, eh? +She's a whole team and the little dog under the wagon, ain't she? +Deuced pretty woman!--no make-up there, eh?" + +"She certainly is a fine woman," said Brimmer gravely, borrowing +his companion's lorgnette. "By the way, Markham, do you usually +keep an opera-glass in your office in case of an emergency like +this?" + +"I reckon it was forgotten in my overcoat pocket," said Markham, +with an embarrassed smile. + +"Left over from the last time," said Brimmer, rising from his seat. +"Well, I'm going now--I suppose I'll have to try the plaza." + +"Hold on a moment. She's coming on now--there she is!" He +stopped, his anxious eyes fixed upon the stage. Brimmer turned at +the same moment in no less interested absorption. A quick hush ran +through the theatre; the men bent eagerly forward as the Queen of +Olympus swept down to the footlights, and, with a ravishing smile, +seemed to envelop the whole theatre in a gracious caress. + +"You know, 'pon my word, Brimmer, she's a very superior woman," +gasped Markham excitedly, when the goddess had temporarily +withdrawn. "These fellows here," he said, indicating the audience +contemptuously, "don't know her,--think she's all that sort of +thing, you know,--and come here just to LOOK at her. But she's +very accomplished--in fact, a kind of literary woman. Writes +devilish good poetry--only took up the stage on account of domestic +trouble: drunken husband that beat her--regular affecting story, +you know. These sap-headed fools don't, of course, know THAT. No, +sir; she's a remarkable woman! I say, Brimmer, look here! I"--he +hesitated, and then went on more boldly, as if he had formed a +sudden resolution. "What have you got to do to-night?" + +Brimmer, who had been lost in abstraction, started slightly, and +said,-- + +"I--oh! I've got an appointment with Keene. You know he's off by +the steamer--day after to-morrow?" + +"What! He's not going off on that wild-goose chase, after all? +Why, the man's got Excelsior on the brain!" He stopped as he +looked at Brimmer's cold face, and suddenly colored. "I mean his +plan--his idea's all nonsense--you know that!" + +"I certainly don't agree with him," began Brimmer gravely; "but"-- + +"The idea," interrupted Markham, encouraged by Brimmer's beginning, +"of his knocking around the Gulf of California, and getting up an +expedition to go inland, just because a mail-steamer saw a barque +like the Excelsior off Mazatlan last August. As if the Excelsior +wouldn't have gone into Mazatlan if it had been her! I tell you +what it is, Brimmer: it's mighty rough on you and me, and it ain't +the square thing at all--after all we've done, and the money we've +spent, and the nights we've sat up over the Excelsior--to have this +young fellow Keene always putting up the bluff of his lost sister +on us! His lost sister, indeed! as if WE hadn't any feelings." + +The two men looked at each other, and each felt it incumbent to +look down and sigh deeply--not hypocritically, but perfunctorily, +as over a past grief, although anger had been the dominant +expression of the speaker. + +"I was about to remark," said Brimmer practically, "that the +insurance on the Excelsior having been paid, her loss is a matter +of commercial record; and that, in a business point of view, this +plan of Keene's ain't worth looking at. As a private matter of our +own feelings--purely domestic--there's no question but that we must +sympathize with him, although he refuses to let us join in the +expenses." + +"Oh, as to that," said Markham hurriedly, "I told him to draw on me +for a thousand dollars last time I saw him. No, sir; it ain't +that. What gets me is this darned nagging and simpering around, +and opening old sores, and putting on sentimental style, and doing +the bereaved business generally. I reckon he'd be even horrified +to see you and me here--though it was just a chance with both of us." + +"I think not," said Brimmer dryly. "He knows Miss Montgomery +already. They're going by the same steamer." + +Markham looked up quickly. + +"Impossible! She's going by the other line to Panama; that is"--he +hesitated--"I heard it from the agent." + +"She's changed her mind, so Keene says," returned Brimmer. "She's +going by way of Nicaragua. He stops at San Juan to reconnoitre the +coast up to Mazatlan. Good-night. It's no use waiting here for a +cab any longer, I'm off." + +"Hold on!" said Markham, struggling out of a sudden uneasy +reflection. "I say, Brimmer," he resumed, with an enforced smile, +which he tried to make playful, "your engagement with Keene won't +keep you long. What do you say to having a little supper with Miss +Montgomery, eh?--perfectly proper, you know--at our hotel? Just a +few friends, eh?" + +Brimmer's eyes and lips slightly contracted. + +"I believe I am already invited," he said quietly. "Keene asked +me. In fact, that's the appointment. Strange he didn't speak of +you," he added dryly. + +"I suppose it's some later arrangement," Markham replied, with +feigned carelessness. "Do you know her?" + +"Slightly." + +"You didn't say so!" + +"You didn't ask me," said Brimmer. "She came to consult me about +South American affairs. It seems that filibuster General Leonidas, +alias Perkins, whose little game we stopped by that Peruvian +contract, actually landed in Quinquinambo and established a +government. It seems she knows him, has a great admiration for him +as a Liberator, as she calls him. I think they correspond!" + +"She's a wonderful woman, by jingo, Brimmer! I'd like to hear whom +she don't know," said Markham, beaming with a patronizing vanity. +"There's you, and there's that filibuster, and old Governor Pico, +that she's just snatched bald-headed--I mean, you know, that he +recognizes her worth, don't you see? Not like this cattle you see +here." + +"Are you coming with me?" said Brimmer, gravely buttoning up his +coat, as if encasing himself in a panoply of impervious +respectability. + +"I'll join you at the hotel," said Markham hurriedly. "There's a +man over there in the parquet that I want to say a word to; don't +wait for me." + +With a slight inclination of the head Mr. Brimmer passed out into +the lobby, erect, self-possessed, and impeccable. One or two of +his commercial colleagues of maturer age, who were loitering +leisurely by the wall, unwilling to compromise themselves by +actually sitting down, took heart of grace at this correct +apparition. Brimmer nodded to them coolly, as if on 'Change, and +made his way out of the theatre. He had scarcely taken a few steps +before a furious onset of wind and rain drove him into a doorway +for shelter. At the same moment a slouching figure, with a turned- +up coat-collar, slipped past him and disappeared in a passage at +his right. Partly hidden by his lowered umbrella, Mr. Brimmer +himself escaped notice, but he instantly recognized his late +companion, Markham. As he resumed his way up the street he glanced +into the passage. Halfway down, a light flashed upon the legend +"Stage Entrance." Quincy Brimmer, with a faint smile, passed on to +his hotel. + +It was striking half-past eleven when Mr. Brimmer again issued from +his room in the Oriental and passed down a long corridor. Pausing +a moment before a side hall that opened from it, he cast a rapid +look up and down the corridor, and then knocked hastily at a door. +It was opened sharply by a lady's maid, who fell back respectfully +before Mr. Brimmer's all-correct presence. + +Half reclining on a sofa in the parlor of an elaborate suite of +apartments was the woman whom Mr. Brimmer had a few hours before +beheld on the stage of the theatre. Lifting her eyes languidly +from a book that lay ostentatiously on her lap, she beckoned her +visitor to approach. She was a woman still young, whose statuesque +beauty had but slightly suffered from cosmetics, late hours, and +the habitual indulgence of certain hysterical emotions that were +not only inconsistent with the classical suggestions of her figure, +but had left traces not unlike the grosser excitement of alcoholic +stimulation. She looked like a tinted statue whose slight +mutations through stress of time and weather had been unwisely +repaired by freshness of color. + +"I am such a creature of nerves," she said, raising a superb neck +and extending a goddess-like arm, "that I am always perfectly +exhausted after the performance. I fly, as you see, to my first +love--poetry--as soon as Rosina has changed my dress. It is not +generally known--but I don't mind telling YOU--that I often nerve +myself for the effort of acting by reading some well-remembered +passage from my favorite poets, as I stand by the wings. I quaff, +as one might say, a single draught of the Pierian spring before I +go on." + +The exact relations between the humorous "walk round," in which +Miss Montgomery usually made her first entrance, and the volume of +Byron she held in her hand, did not trouble Mr. Brimmer so much as +the beautiful arm with which she emphasized it. Neither did it +strike him that the distinguishing indications of a poetic +exaltation were at all unlike the effects of a grosser stimulant +known as "Champagne cocktail" on the less sensitive organization of +her colleagues. Touched by her melancholy but fascinating smile, +he said gallantly that he had observed no sign of exhaustion, or +want of power in her performance that evening. + +"Then you were there!" she said, fixing her eyes upon him with an +expression of mournful gratitude. "You actually left your business +and the calls of public duty to see the poor mountebank perform her +nightly task." + +"I was there with a friend of yours," answered Brimmer soberly, +"who actually asked me to the supper to which Mr. Keene had already +invited me, and which YOU had been kind enough to suggest to me a +week ago." + +"True, I had forgotten," said Miss Montgomery, with a large +goddess-like indifference that was more effective with the man +before her than the most elaborate explanation. "You don't mind +them--do you?--for we are all friends together. My position, you +know," she added sadly, "prevents my always following my own +inclinations or preferences. Poor Markham, I fear the world does +not do justice to his gentle, impressible nature. I sympathize +with him deeply; we have both had our afflictions, we have both-- +lost. Good heavens!" she exclaimed, with a sudden exaggerated +start of horror, "what have I done? Forgive my want of tact, dear +friend; I had forgotten, wretched being that I am, that YOU, too"-- + +She caught his hand in both hers, and bowed her head over it as if +unable to finish her sentence. + +Brimmer, who had been utterly mystified and amazed at this picture +of Markham's disconsolate attitude to the world, and particularly +to the woman before him, was completely finished by this later +tribute to his own affliction. His usually composed features, +however, easily took upon themselves a graver cast as he kept, and +pressed, the warm hands in his own. + +"Fool that I was," continued Miss Montgomery; "in thinking of poor +Markham's childlike, open grief, I forgot the deeper sorrow that +the more manly heart experiences under an exterior that seems cold +and impassible. Yes," she said, raising her languid eyes to +Brimmer, "I ought to have felt the throb of that volcano under its +mask of snow. You have taught me a lesson." + +Withdrawing her hands hastily, as if the volcano had shown some +signs of activity, she leaned back on the sofa again. + +"You are not yet reconciled to Mr. Keene's expedition, then?" she +asked languidly. + +"I believe that everything has been already done," said Brimmer, +somewhat stiffly; "all sources of sensible inquiry have been +exhausted by me. But I envy Keene the eminently practical +advantages his impractical journey gives him," he added, arresting +himself, gallantly; "he goes with you." + +"Truly!" said Miss Montgomery, with the melancholy abstraction of a +stage soliloquy. "Beyond obeying the dictates of his brotherly +affection, he gains no real advantage in learning whether his +sister is alive or dead. The surety of her death would not make +him freer than he is now--freer to absolutely follow the dictates +of a new affection; free to make his own life again. It is a +sister, not a wife, he seeks." + +Mr. Brimmer's forehead slightly contracted. He leaned back a +little more rigidly in his chair, and fixed a critical, half +supercilious look upon her. She did not seem to notice his almost +impertinent scrutiny, but sat silent, with her eyes bent on the +carpet, in gloomy abstraction. + +"Can you keep a secret?" she said, as if with a sudden resolution. + +"Yes," said Brimmer briefly, without changing his look. + +"You know I am a married woman. You have heard the story of my +wrongs?" + +"I have heard them," said Brimmer dryly. + +"Well, the husband who abused and deserted me was, I have reason to +believe, a passenger on the Excelsior." + +"M'Corkle!--impossible. There was no such name on the passenger +list." + +"M'Corkle!" repeated Miss Montgomery, with a dissonant tone in her +voice and a slight flash in her eyes. "What are you thinking of? +There never was a Mr. M'Corkle; it was one of my noms de plume. +And where did YOU hear it?" + +"I beg your pardon, I must have got it from the press notices of +your book of poetry. I knew that Montgomery was only a stage name, +and as it was necessary that I should have another in making the +business investments you were good enough to charge me with, I used +what I thought was your real name. It can be changed, or you can +sign M'Corkle." + +"Let it go," said Miss Montgomery, resuming her former manner. +"What matters? I wish there was no such thing as business. Well," +she resumed, after a pause, "my husband's name is Hurlstone." + +"But there was no Hurlstone on the passenger list either," said +Brimmer. "I knew them all, and their friends." + +"Not in the list from the States; but if he came on board at +Callao, you wouldn't have known it. I knew that he arrived there +on the Osprey a few days before the Excelsior sailed." + +Mr. Brimmer's eyes changed their expression. + +"And you want to find him?" + +"No," she said, with an actress's gesture. "I want to know the +truth. I want to know if I am still tied to this man, or if I am +free to follow the dictates of my own conscience,--to make my life +anew,--to become--you see I am not ashamed to say it--to become the +honest wife of some honest man." + +"A divorce would suit your purpose equally," said Brimmer coldly. +"It can be easily obtained." + +"A divorce! Do you know what that means to a woman in my +profession? It is a badge of shame,--a certificate of disgrace,-- +an advertisement to every miserable wretch who follows me with his +advances that I have no longer the sanctity of girlhood, nor the +protection of a wife." + +There was tragic emotion in her voice, there were tears in her +eyes. Mr. Brimmer, gazing at her with what he firmly thought to be +absolute and incisive penetration, did not believe either. But +like most practical analysts of the half-motived sex, he was only +half right. The emotion and the tears were as real as anything +else in the woman under criticism, notwithstanding that they were +not as real as they would have been in the man who criticised. He, +however, did her full justice on a point where most men and all +women misjudged her: he believed that, through instinct and +calculation, she had been materially faithful to her husband; that +this large goddess-like physique had all the impeccability of a +goddess; that the hysterical dissipation in which she indulged +herself was purely mental, and usurped and preoccupied all other +emotions. In this public exposition of her beauty there was no +sense of shame, for there was no sense of the passion it evoked. +And he was right. But there he should have stopped. Unfortunately, +his masculine logic forced him to supply a reason for her coldness +in the existence of some more absorbing passion. He believed her +ambitious and calculating: she was neither. He believed she might +have made him an admirable copartner and practical helpmeet: he was +wrong. + +"You know my secret now," she continued. "You know why I am +anxious to know my fate. You understand now why I sympathize +with"--she stopped, and made a half contemptuous gesture--"with +these men Markham and Keene. THEY do not know it; perhaps they +prefer to listen to their own vanity--that's the way of most men; +but you do know it, and you have no excuse for misjudging me, or +undeceiving them." She stopped and looked at the clock. "They +will be here in five minutes; do you wish them to find you already +here?" + +"It is as YOU wish," stammered Brimmer, completely losing his self- +possession. + +"I have no wish," she said, with a sublime gesture of indifference. +"If you wait you can entertain them here, while Rosina is dressing +me in the next room. We sup in the larger room across the hall." + +As she disappeared, Quincy Brimmer rose irresolutely from his seat +and checked a half uttered exclamation. Then he turned nervously +to the parlor-door. What a senseless idiot he had become! He had +never for an instant conceived the idea of making this preliminary +confidential visit known to the others; he had no wish to suggest +the appearance of an assignation with the woman, who, rightly or +wrongly, was notorious; he had nothing to gain by this voluntary +assumption of a compromising attitude; yet here he was, he--Mr. +Brimmer--with the appearance of being installed in her parlor, +receiving her visitors, and dispensing her courtesies. Only a man +recklessly in love would be guilty of such an indiscretion--even +Markham's feebleness had never reached this absurdity. In the +midst of his uneasiness there was a knock at the door; he opened it +himself nervously and sharply. Markham's self-satisfied face drew +back in alarm and embarrassment at the unexpected apparition. The +sight restored Brimmer's coolness and satirical self-possession. + +"I--I--didn't know you were here," stammered Markham. "I left +Keene in your room." + +"Then why didn't you bring him along with you?" said Brimmer +maliciously. "Go and fetch him." + +"Yes; but he said you were to meet him there," continued Markham, +glancing around the empty room with a slight expression of relief. + +"My watch was twenty minutes fast, and I had given him up," said +Brimmer, with mendacious effrontery. "Miss Montgomery is dressing. +You can bring him here before she returns." + +Markham flew uneasily down the corridor and quickly returned with a +handsome young fellow of five-and-twenty, whose frank face was +beaming with excitement and youthful energy. The two elder men +could not help regarding him with a mingled feeling of envy and +compassion. + +"Did you tell Brimmer yet?" said Keene, with animation. + +"I haven't had time," hesitated Markham. "The fact is, Brimmer, I +think of going with Keene on this expedition." + +"Indeed!" said Brimmer superciliously. + +"Yes," said Markham, coloring slightly. "You see, we've got news. +Tell him, Dick." + +"The Storm Cloud got in yesterday from Valparaiso and Central +American ports," said Keene, with glowing cheeks. "I boarded her, +as usual, last night, for information. The mate says there is a +story of a man picked up crazy, in an open fishing-boat, somewhere +off the peninsula, and brought into hospital at San Juan last +August. He recovered enough lately to tell his story and claim to +be Captain Bunker of the Excelsior, whose crew mutinied and ran her +ashore in a fog. But the boat in which he was picked up was a +Mexican fishing-boat, and there was something revolutionary and +political about the story, so that the authorities detained him. +The consul has just been informed of the circumstances, and has +taken the matter in hand." + +"It's a queer story," said Brimmer, gazing from the one to the +other, "and I will look into it also to-morrow. If it is true," he +added slowly, "I will go with you." + +Richard Keene extended his hand impulsively to his two elders. + +"You'll excuse me for saying it, Brimmer--and you, too, Markham-- +but this is just what I've been looking forward to. Not but what +I'd have found Nell without your assistance; but you see, boys, it +DID look mighty mean in me to make more fuss about a sister than +you would for your wives! But now that it's all settled"-- + +"We'll go to supper," said Miss Montgomery theatrically, appearing +at the door. "Dick will give me his arm." + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE MOURNERS AT TODOS SANTOS. + + +There was a breath of spring in the soft morning air of Todos +Santos--a breath so subtle and odorous that it penetrated the veil +of fog beyond the bay, and for a moment lingered on the deck of a +passing steamer like an arresting memory. But only for an instant; +the Ometepe, bound from San Francisco to San Juan del Norte, with +its four seekers of the Excelsior, rolled and plunged on its way +unconsciously. + +Within the bay and over the restful pueblo still dwelt the golden +haze of its perpetual summer; the two towers of the old Mission +church seemed to dissolve softly into the mellow upper twilight, +and the undulating valleys rolled their green waves up to the +wooded heights of San Antonio, that still smiled down upon the +arid, pallid desert. But although Nature had not changed in the +months that had passed since the advent of the Excelsior, there +appeared some strange mutations in the town and its inhabitants. +On the beach below the Presidio was the unfinished skeleton of a +small sea-going vessel on rude stocks; on the plaza rose the framed +walls and roofless rafters of a wooden building; near the +Embarcadero was the tall adobe chimney of some inchoate manufactory +whose walls had half risen from their foundations; but all of these +objects had evidently succumbed to the drowsy influence of the +climate, and already had taken the appearances of later and less +picturesque ruins of the past. There were singular innovations in +the costumes: one or two umbrellas, used as sunshades, were seen +upon the square; a few small chip hats had taken the place of the +stiff sombreros, with an occasional tall white beaver; while linen +coat and nankeen trousers had, at times, usurped the short velvet +jacket and loose calzas of the national costume. + +At San Antonio the change was still more perceptible. Beside the +yawning pit of the abandoned silver mine a straggling building +arose, filled with rude machinery, bearing the legend, painted in +glowing letters, "Excelsior Silver Mining Co., J. Crosby, +Superintendent;" and in the midst of certain excavations assailing +the integrity of the cliff itself was another small building, +scarcely larger than a sentry-box, with the inscription, "Office: +Eleanor Quicksilver Smelting Works." + +Basking in that yellow morning sunlight, with his back against his +office, Mr. Brace was seated on the ground, rolling a cigarette. A +few feet from him Crosby, extended on his back on the ground, was +lazily puffing rings of smoke into the still air. Both of these +young gentlemen were dressed in exaggerated Mexican costumes; the +silver buttons fringing the edge of Crosby's calza, open from the +knee down to show a glimpse of the snowy under-trouser, were richer +and heavier than those usually worn; while Brace, in addition to +the crimson silk sash round his waist, wore a crimson handkerchief +around his head, under his sombrero. + +"Pepe's falling off in his tobacco," said Brace. "I think I'll +have to try some other Fonda." + +"How's Banks getting on with his crop?" asked Crosby. "You know he +was going to revolutionize the business, and cut out Cuba on that +hillside." + +"Oh, the usual luck! He couldn't get proper cultivators, and the +Injins wouldn't work regular. I must try and get hold of some of +the Comandante's stock; but I'm out of favor with the old man since +Winslow and I wrecked that fishing-boat on the rocks off yonder. +He always believed we were trying to run off, like Captain Bunker. +That's why he stopped our shipbuilding, I really believe." + +"All the same, we might have had it built and ready now but for our +laziness. We might have worked on it nights without their knowing +it, and slipped off some morning in the fog." + +"And we wouldn't have got one of the women to go with us! If we +are getting shiftless here--and I don't say we're not--these women +have just planted themselves and have taken root. But that ain't +all: there's the influence of that infernal sneak Hurlstone! He's +set the Comandante against us, you know; he, and the priest, the +Comandante, and Nelly Keene make up the real Council of Todos +Santos. Between them they've shoved out the poor little Alcalde, +who's ready to give up everything to dance attendance on Mrs. +Brimmer. They run the whole concern, and they give out that it's +owing to them that we're given parole of the town, and the +privilege of spending our money and working these mines. Who'd +have thought that sneak Hurlstone would have played his cards so +well? It makes me regularly sick to hear him called 'Don Diego.'" + +"Yet you're mightily tickled when that black-eyed sister of the +Alcalde calls you 'Don Carlos,'" said Crosby, yawning. + +"Dona Isabel," said Brace, with some empressement, "is a lady of +position, and these are only her national courtesies." + +"She just worships Miss Keene, and I reckon she knows by this time +all about your old attentions to her friend," said Crosby, with +lazy mischief. + +"My attentions to Miss Keene were simply those of an ordinary +acquaintance, and were never as strongly marked as yours to Mrs. +Brimmer." + +"Who has deserted ME as Miss Keene did YOU," rejoined Crosby. + +Brace's quick color had risen again, and he would have made some +sharp retort, but the jingling of spurs caught his ear. They both +turned quickly, and saw Banks approaching. He was dressed as a +vaquero, but with his companions' like exaggeration of detail; yet, +while his spurs were enormous, and his sombrero unusually +expansive, he still clung to his high shirt-collars and accurately +tied check cravat. + +"Well?" he said, approaching them. + +"Well?" said Crosby. + +"Well?" repeated Brace. + +After this national salutation, the three Americans regarded each +other silently. + +"Knocked off cultivating to-day?" queried Crosby, lighting a fresh +cigarette. + +"The peons have," said Banks; "it's another saint's day. That's +the fourth in two weeks. Leaves about two clear working days in +each week, counting for the days off, when they're getting over the +effects of the others. I tell you what, sir, the Catholic religion +is not suited to a working civilization, or else the calendar ought +to be overhauled and a lot of these saints put on the retired list. +It's hard enough to have all the Apostles on your pay-roll, so to +speak, but to have a lot of fellows run in on you as saints, and +some of them not even men or women, but IDEAS, is piling up the +agony! I don't wonder they call the place 'All Saints.' The only +thing to do," continued Banks severely, "is to open communication +with the desert, and run in some of the heathen tribes outside. +I've made a proposition to the Council offering to take five +hundred of them in the raw, unregenerate state, and turn 'em over +after a year to the Church. If I could get Hurlstone to do some +log-rolling with that Padre, his friend, I might get the bill +through. But I'm always put off till to-morrow. Everything here +is 'Hasta manana; hasta manana,' always. I believe when the last +trump is sounded, they'll say, 'Hasta manana.' What are YOU +doing?" he said, after a pause. + +"Waiting for your ship," answered Crosby sarcastically. + +"Well, you can laugh, gentlemen--but you won't have to wait long. +According to my calculations that Mexican ship is about due now. +And I ain't basing my figures on anything the Mexican Government is +going to do, or any commercial speculation. I'm reckoning on the +Catholic Church." + +The two men languidly looked towards him. Banks continued +gravely,-- + +"I made the proper inquiries, and I find that the stock of +rosaries, scapularies, blessed candles, and other ecclesiastical +goods, is running low. I find that just at the nick of time a +fresh supply always comes from the Bishop of Guadalajara, with +instructions from the Church. Now, gentlemen, my opinion is that +the Church, and the Church only, knows the secret of the passage +through the foggy channel, and keeps it to itself. I look at this +commercially, as a question of demand and supply. Well, sir; the +only real trader here at Todos Santos is the Church." + +"Then you don't take in account the interests of Brimmer, Markham, +and Keene," said Brace. "Do you suppose they're doing nothing?" + +"I don't say they're not; but you're confounding interests with +INSTINCTS. They haven't got the instinct to find this place, and +all that they've done and are doing is blind calculation. Just +look at the facts. As the filibuster who captured the Excelsior of +course changed her name, her rig-out, and her flag, and even got up +a false register for her, she's as good as lost, as far as the +world knows, until she lands at Quinquinambo. Then supposing she's +found out, and the whole story is known--although everything's +against such a proposition--the news has got to go back to San +Francisco before the real search will be begun. As to any clue +that might come from Captain Bunker, that's still more remote. +Allowing he crossed the bar and got out of the channel, he wasn't +at the right time for meeting a passing steamer; and the only +coasters are Mexican. If he didn't die of delirium tremens or +exposure, and was really picked up in his senses by some other +means, he would have been back with succor before this, if only to +get our evidence to prove the loss of the vessel. No, sir sooner +or later, of course, the San Francisco crowd are bound to find us +here. And if it wasn't for my crops and our mine, I wouldn't be in +a hurry for them; but our FIRST hold is the Church." + +He stopped. Crosby was asleep. Brace arose lazily, lounged into +his office, and closed his desk. + +"Going to shut for the day?" said Banks, yawning. + +"I reckon," said Brace dubiously; "I don't know but I'd take a +little pasear into the town if I had my horse ready." + +"Take mine, and I'll trapse over on foot to the Ranche with Crosby-- +after a spell. You'll find him under that big madrono, if he has +not already wound himself up with his lariat by walking round it. +Those Mexican horses can't go straight even when they graze--they +must feed in a circle. He's a little fresh, so look out for him!" + +"All the better. I'd like to get into town just after the siesta." + +"Siesta!" echoed Banks, lying comfortably down in the shade just +vacated by Brace; "that's another of their shiftless practices. +Two hours out of every day--that's a day out of the week--spent in +a hammock; and during business hours too! It's disgraceful, sir, +simply disgraceful." + +He turned over and closed his eyes, as if to reflect on its +enormity. + +Brace had no difficulty in finding the mare, although some trouble +in mounting her. But, like his companions, having quickly adopted +the habits of the country, he had become a skillful and experienced +horseman, and the mustang, after a few springless jumps, which +failed to unseat him, submitted to his rider. The young man +galloped rapidly towards Todos Santos; but when within a few miles +of the pueblo he slackened his pace. From the smiles and greetings +of wayfarers--among whom were some pretty Indian girls and +mestizas--it was evident that the handsome young foreigner, who had +paid them the compliment of extravagantly adopting their national +costume, was neither an unfamiliar nor an unpleasing spectacle. +When he reached the posada at the top of the hilly street, he even +carried his simulation of the local customs to the point of +charging the veranda at full speed, and pulling up suddenly at the +threshold, after the usual fashion of vaqueros. The impetuous +apparition brought a short stout man to the door, who, welcoming +him with effusive politeness, conducted him to an inner room that +gave upon a green grass courtyard. Seated before a rude table, +sipping aguardiente, was his countryman Winslow and two traders of +the pueblo. They were evidently of the number already indicated +who had adopted the American fashions. Senor Ruiz wore a linen +"duster" in place of his embroidered jacket, and Senor Martinez had +an American beard, or "goatee," in imitation of Mr. Banks. The air +was yellow with the fumes of tobacco, through which the shrewd eyes +of Winslow gleamed murkily. + +"This," he said to his countryman, in fluent if not elegant +Spanish, indicating the gentleman who had imitated Banks, "is a man +of ideas, and a power in Todos Santos. He would control all the +votes in his district if there were anything like popular suffrage +here, and he understands the American policy." + +Senor Martinez here hastened to inform Mr. Brace that he had long +cherished a secret and enthusiastic admiration for that grand and +magnanimous nation of which his friend was such a noble +representative; that, indeed, he might say it was an inherited +taste, for had not his grandfather once talked with the American +whaling Capitano Coffino and partaken of a subtle spirit known as +"er-r-rum" on his ship at Acapulco? + +"There's nothing mean about Martinez," said Winslow to Brace +confidentially, in English. "He's up to anything, and ready from +the word 'Go.' Don't you think he's a little like Banks, you know-- +a sort of Mexican edition. And there is Ruiz, he's a cattle +dealer; he'd be a good friend of Banks if Banks wasn't so +infernally self-opinionated. But Ruiz ain't a fool, either. He's +picked up a little English--good American, I mean--from me already." + +Senor Ruiz here smiled affably, to show his comprehension; and +added slowly, with great gravity,-- + +"It is of twenty-four year I have first time the Amencano of your +beautiful country known. He have buy the hides and horns of the +cattle--for his ship--here." + +"Here?" echoed Brace. "I thought no American ship--no ship at all-- +had been in here for fifty years." + +Ruiz shrugged his shoulders, and cast a glance at his friend +Martinez, lowered his voice and lifted his eyelashes at the same +moment, and, jerking his yellow, tobacco-stained thumb over his +arm, said,-- + +"Ah--of a verity--on the beach--two leagues away." + +"Do you hear that?" said Winslow, turning complacently to Brace and +rising to his feet. "Don't you see now what hogwash the Commander, +Alcalde, and the priest have been cramming down our throats about +this place being sealed up for fifty years. What he says is all +Gospel truth. That's what I wanted you fellows to hear, and you +might have heard before, only you were afraid of compromising +yourselves by talking with the people. You get it into your heads-- +and the Comandante helped you to get it there--that Todos Santos +was a sort of Sleepy Hollow, and that no one knew anything of the +political changes for the last fifty years. Well, what's the fact? +Ask Ruiz there, and Martinez, and they'll both tell you they know +that Mexico got her independence in 1826, and that the Council keep +it dark that they may perpetuate themselves. They know," he +continued, lowering his voice, "that the Commander's commission +from the old Viceroy isn't worth the paper it is stamped upon." + +"But what about the Church?" asked Brace hesitatingly, remembering +Banks' theory. + +"The Church--caramba! the priests were ever with the Escossas, the +aristocrats, and against the Yorkenos, the men of the Republic--the +people," interrupted Martinez vehemently; "they will not accept, +they will not proclaim the Republic to the people. They shut their +eyes, so--. They fold their hands, so--. They say, 'Sicut era +principio et nunc et semper in secula seculorum!' Look you, Senor, +I am not of the Church--no, caramba! I snap my fingers at the +priests. Ah! what they give one is food for the bull's horns, +believe me--I have read 'Tompano,' the American 'Tompano.'" + +"Who's he?" asked Brace. + +"He means Tom Paine! 'The Age of Reason'--you know," said Winslow, +gazing with a mixture of delight and patronizing pride at the +Radicals of Todos Santos. "Oh! he's no fool--is Martinez, nor Ruiz +either! And while you've been flirting with Dona Isabel, and Banks +has been trying to log-roll the Padre, and Crosby going in for +siestas, I'VE found them out. And there are a few more--aren't +there, Ruiz?" + +Ruiz darted a mysterious glance at Brace, and apparently not +trusting himself to speak, checked off his ten fingers dramatically +in the air thrice. + +"As many of a surety! God and liberty!" + +"But, if this is so, why haven't they DONE something?" + +Senor Martinez glanced at Senor Ruiz. + +"Hasta manana!" he said slowly. + +"Oh, this is a case of 'Hasta manana!'" said Brace, somewhat +relieved. + +"They can wait," returned Winslow hurriedly. "It's too big a thing +to rush into without looking round. You know what it means? +Either Todos Santos is in rebellion against the present Government +of Mexico, or she is independent of any. Her present Government, +in any event, don't represent either the Republic of Mexico or the +people of Todos Santos--don't you see? And in that case WE'VE got +as good a right here as any one." + +"He speaks the truth," said Ruiz, grasping a hand of Brace and +Winslow each; "in this we are--as brothers." + +"God and liberty!" ejaculated Martinez, in turn seizing the other +disengaged hands of the Americans, and completing the mystic +circle. + +"God and liberty!" echoed a thin chorus from their host and a few +loungers who had entered unperceived. + +Brace felt uneasy. He was not wanting in the courage or daring of +youth, but it struck him that his attitude was by no means +consistent with his attentions to Dona Isabel. He managed to get +Winslow aside. + +"This is all very well as a 'free lunch' conspiracy; but you're +forgetting your parole," he said, in a low voice. + +"We gave our parole to the present Government. When it no longer +exists, there will be no parole--don't you see?" + +"Then these fellows prefer waiting"-- + +"Until we can get OUTSIDE help, you understand. The first American +ship that comes in here--eh?" + +Brace felt relieved. After all, his position in regard to the +Alcalde's sister would not be compromised; he might even be able to +extend some protection over her; and it would be a magnanimous +revenge if he could even offer it to Miss Keene. + +"I see you don't swear anybody to secrecy," he said, with a laugh; +"shall I speak to Crosby, or will you?" + +"Not yet; he'll only see something to laugh at. And Banks and +Martinez would quarrel at once, and go back on each other. No; my +idea is to let some outsider do for Todos Santos what Perkins did +for Quinquinambo. Do you take?" + +His long, thin, dyspeptic face lit up with a certain small +political cunning and shrewdness that struck Brace with a half- +respect. + +"I say, Winslow; you'd have made a first-class caucus leader in San +Francisco." + +Winslow smiled complacently. "There's something better to play on +here than ward politics," he replied. "There's a material here +that--like the mine and the soil--ain't half developed. I reckon I +can show Banks something that beats lobbying and log-rolling for +contracts. I've let you into this thing to show you a sample of my +prospecting. Keep it to yourself if you want it to pay. Dat's me, +George! Good-by! I'll be out to the office to-morrow!" + +He turned back towards his brother politicians with an expression +of satisfied conceit that Brace for a moment envied. The latter +even lingered on the veranda, as if he would have asked Winslow +another question; but, looking at his watch, he suddenly +recollected himself, and, mounting his horse, cantered down towards +the plaza. + +The hour of siesta was not yet over, and the streets were still +deserted--probably the reason why the politicians of Todos Santos +had chosen that hour for their half secret meeting. At the corner +of the plaza he dismounted and led his horse to the public +hitching-post--gnawn and nibbled by the teeth of generations of +mustangs--and turned into the narrow lane flanked by the walls of +the Alcalde's garden. Halfway down he stopped before a slight +breach in the upper part of the adobe barrier, and looked +cautiously around. The long, shadowed vista of the lane was +unobstructed by any moving figure as far as the yellow light of the +empty square beyond. With a quick leap he gained the top of the +wall and disappeared on the other aide. + + +CHAPTER III. + +INTERNATIONAL COURTESIES. + + +The garden over whose wall Brace had mysteriously vanished was +apparently as deserted as the lane and plaza without. But its +solitude was one of graceful shadow and restful loveliness. A +tropical luxuriance, that had perpetuated itself year after year, +until it was half suffocated in its own overgrowth and strangled +with its own beauty, spread over a variegated expanse of starry +flowers, shimmering leaves, and slender inextricable branches, +pierced here and there by towering rigid cactus spikes or the +curved plumes of palms. The repose of ages lay in its hushed +groves, its drooping vines, its lifeless creepers; the dry dust of +its decaying leaves and branches mingled with the living perfumes +like the spiced embalmings of a forgotten past. + +Nevertheless, this tranquillity, after a few moments, was +singularly disturbed. There was no breeze stirring, and yet the +long fronds of a large fan palm, that stood near the breach in the +wall, began to move gently from right to left, like the arms of +some graceful semaphore, and then as suddenly stopped. Almost at +the same moment a white curtain, listlessly hanging from a canopied +balcony of the Alcalde's house, began to exhibit a like rhythmical +and regular agitation. Then everything was motionless again; an +interval of perfect peace settled upon the garden. It was broken +by the apparition of Brace under the balcony, and the black-veiled +and flowered head of Dona Isabel from the curtain above. + +"Crazy boy!" + +"Senorita!" + +"Hush! I am coming down!" + +"You? But Dona Ursula!" + +"There is no more Dona Ursula!" + +"Well--your duenna, whoever she is!" + +"There is no duenna!" + +"What?" + +"Hush up your tongue, idiot boy!" (this in English.) + +The little black head and the rose on top of it disappeared. Brace +drew himself up against the wall and waited. The time seemed +interminable. Impatiently looking up and down, he at last saw Dona +Isabel at a distance, quietly and unconcernedly moving among the +roses, and occasionally stooping as if to pick them. In an instant +he was at her side. + +"Let me help you," he said. + +She opened her little brownish palm,-- + +"Look!" In her hand were a few leaves of some herb. "It is for +you." + +Brace seized and kissed the hand. + +"Is it some love-test?" + +"It is for what you call a julep-cocktail," she replied gravely. +"He will remain in a glass with aguardiente; you shall drink him +with a straw. My sister has said that ever where the Americans go +they expect him to arrive." + +"I prefer to take him straight," said Brace, laughing, as he +nibbled a limp leaf bruised by the hand of the young girl. "He's +pleasanter, and, on the whole, more wildly intoxicating this way! +But what about your duenna? and how comes this blessed privilege of +seeing you alone?" + +Dona Isabel lifted her black eyes suddenly to Brace. + +"You do not comprehend, then? Is it not, then, the custom of the +Americans? Is it not, then, that there is no duenna in your +country?" + +"There are certainly no duennas in my country. But who has changed +the custom here?" + +"Is it not true that in your country any married woman shall duenna +the young senorita?" continued Dona Isabel, without replying; "that +any caballero and senorita shall see each other in the patio, and +not under a balcony?--that they may speak with the lips, and not +the fan?" + +"Well--yes," said Brace. + +"Then my brother has arranged it as so. He have much hear the Dona +Barbara Brimmer when she make talk of these things frequently, and +he is informed and impressed much. He will truly have that you +will come of the corridor, and not the garden, for me, and that I +shall have no duenna but the Dona Barbara. This does not make you +happy, you American idiot boy!" + +It did not. The thought of carrying on a flirtation under the +fastidious Boston eye of Mrs. Brimmer, instead of under the +discreet and mercenarily averted orbs of Dona Ursula, did not +commend itself pleasantly to Brace. + +"Oh, yes," he returned quickly. "We will go into the corridor, in +the fashion of my country"-- + +"Yes," said Dona Isabel dubiously. + +"AFTER we have walked in the garden in the fashion of YOURS. +That's only fair, isn't it?" + +"Yes," said Dona Isabel gravely; "that's what the Comandante will +call 'internation-al courtesy.'" + +The young man slipped his arm around the young diplomatist's waist, +and they walked on in decorous silence under the orange-trees. + +"It seems to me," said Brace presently, "that Mrs. Brimmer has a +good deal to say up your way?" + +"Ah, yes; but what will you? It is my brother who has love for +her." + +"But," said Brace, stopping suddenly, "doesn't he know that she has +a husband living?" + +Dona Isabel lifted her lashes in childlike wonder. + +"Always! you idiot American boy. That is why. Ah, Mother of God! +my brother is discreet. He is not a maniac, like you, to come +after a silly muchacha like me." + +The response which Brace saw fit to make to this statement elicited +a sharp tap upon the knuckles from Dona Isabel. + +"Tell to me," she said suddenly, "is not that a custom of your +country?" + +"What? THAT?" + +"No, insensate. To attend a married senora?" + +"Not openly." + +"Ah, that is wrong," said Dona Isabel meditatively, moving the +point of her tiny slipper on the gravel. "Then it is the young +girl that shall come in the corridor and the married lady on the +balcony?" + +"Well, yes." + +"Good-by, ape!" + +She ran swiftly down the avenue of palms to a small door at the +back of the house, turned, blew a kiss over the edge of her fan to +Brace, and disappeared. He hesitated a moment or two, then quickly +rescaling the wall, dropped into the lane outside, followed it to +the gateway of the casa, and entered the patio as Dona Isabel +decorously advanced from a darkened passage to the corridor. +Although the hour of siesta had passed, her sister, Miss Chubb, the +Alcalde, and Mrs. Brimmer were still lounging here on sofas and +hammocks. + +It would have been difficult for a stranger at a first glance to +discover the nationality of the ladies. Mrs. Brimmer and her +friend Miss Chubb had entirely succumbed to the extreme dishabille +of the Spanish toilet--not without a certain languid grace on the +part of Mrs. Brimmer, whose easy contour lent itself to the +stayless bodice; or a certain bashful, youthful naivete on the part +of Miss Chubb, the rounded dazzling whiteness of whose neck and +shoulders half pleased and half frightened her in her low, white, +plain camisa--under the lace mantilla. + +"It is SUCH a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Brace," said Mrs. +Brimmer, languidly observing the young man through the sticks of +her fan; "I was telling Don Ramon that I feared Dona Ursula had +frightened you away. I told him that your experience of American +society might have caused you to misinterpret the habitual reserve +of the Castilian," she continued with the air of being already an +alien of her own country, "and I should be only too happy to +undertake the chaperoning of both these young ladies in their +social relations with our friends. And how is dear Mr. Banks? and +Mr. Crosby? whom I so seldom see now. I suppose, however, business +has its superior attractions." + +But Don Ramon, with impulsive gallantry, would not--nay, COULD not-- +for a moment tolerate a heresy so alarming. It was simply wildly +impossible. For why? In the presence of Dona Barbara--it exists +not in the heart of man! + +"YOU cannot, of course, conceive it, Don Ramon," said Mrs. Brimmer, +with an air of gentle suffering; "but I fear it is sadly true of +the American gentlemen. They become too absorbed in their +business. They forget their duty to our sex in their selfish +devotion to affairs in which we are debarred from joining them, and +yet they wonder that we prefer the society of men who are removed +by birth, tradition, and position from this degrading kind of +selfishness." + +"But that was scarcely true of your own husband. HE was not only a +successful man in business, but we can see that he was equally +successful in his relations to at least one of the fastidious sex," +said Brace, maliciously glancing at Don Ramon. + +Mrs. Brimmer received the innuendo with invulnerable simplicity. + +"Mr. Brimmer is, I am happy to say, NOT a business man. He entered +into certain contracts having more or less of a political +complexion, and carrying with them the genius but not the material +results of trade. That he is not a business man--and a successful +one--my position here at the present time is a sufficient proof," +she said triumphantly. "And I must also protest," she added, with +a faint sigh, "against Mr. Brimmer being spoken of in the past +tense by anybody. It is painfully premature and ominous!" + +She drew her mantilla across her shoulders with an expression of +shocked sensitiveness which completed the humiliation of Brace and +the subjugation of Don Ramon. But, unlike most of her sex, she was +wise in the moment of victory. She cast a glance over her fan at +Brace, and turned languidly to Dona Isabel. + +"Mr. Brace must surely want some refreshment after his long ride. +Why don't you seize this opportunity to show him the garden and let +him select for himself the herbs he requires for that dreadful +American drink; Miss Chubb and your sister will remain with me to +receive the Comandante's secretary and the Doctor when they come." + +"She's more than my match," whispered Brace to Dona Isabel, as they +left the corridor together. "I give in. I don't understand her: +she frightens me." + +"That is of your conscience! It is that you would understand the +Dona Leonor--your dear Miss Keene--better! Ah! silence, imbecile! +this Dona Barbara is even as thou art--a talking parrot. She will +have that the Comandante's secretary, Manuel, shall marry Mees +Chubb, and that the Doctor shall marry my sister. But she knows +not that Manuel--listen so that you shall get sick at your heart +and swallow your moustachio!--that Manuel loves the beautiful +Leonor, and that Leonor loves not him, but Don Diego; and that my +sister loathes the little Doctor. And this Dona Barbara, that +makes your liver white, would be a feeder of chickens with such +barley as this! Ah! come along!" + +The arrival of the Doctor and the Comandante's secretary created +another diversion, and the pairing off of the two couples indicated +by Dona Isabel for a stroll in the garden, which was now beginning +to recover from the still heat of mid-day. This left Don Ramon and +Mrs. Brimmer alone in the corridor; Mrs. Brimmer's indefinite +languor, generally accepted as some vague aristocratic condition of +mind and body, not permitting her to join them. + +There was a moment of dangerous silence; the voices of the young +people were growing fainter in the distance. Mrs. Brimmer's eyes, +in the shadow of her fan, were becoming faintly phosphorescent. +Don Ramon's melancholy face, which had grown graver in the last few +moments, approached nearer to her own. + +"You are unhappy, Dona Barbara. The coming of this young cavalier, +your countryman, revives your anxiety for your home. You are +thinking of this husband who comes not. Is it not so?" + +"I am thinking," said Mrs. Brimmer, with a sudden revulsion of +solid Boston middle-class propriety, shown as much in the dry New +England asperity of voice that stung even through her drawling of +the Castilian speech, as in anything she said,--"I am thinking +that, unless Mr. Brimmer comes soon, I and Miss Chubb shall have to +abandon the hospitality of your house, Don Ramon. Without looking +upon myself as a widow, or as indefinitely separated from Mr. +Brimmer, the few words let fall by Mr. Brace show me what might be +the feelings of my countrymen on the subject. However charming and +considerate your hospitality has been--and I do not deny that it +has been MOST grateful to ME--I feel I cannot continue to accept it +in those equivocal circumstances. I am speaking to a gentleman +who, with the instincts and chivalrous obligations of his order, +must sympathize with my own delicacy in coming to this conclusion, +and who will not take advantage of my confession that I do it with +pain." + +She spoke with a dry alacrity and precision so unlike her usual +languor and the suggestions of the costume, and even the fan she +still kept shading her faintly glowing eyes, that the man before +her was more troubled by her manner than her words, which he had +but imperfectly understood. + +"You will leave here--this house?" he stammered. + +"It is necessary," she returned. + +"But you shall listen to me first!" he said hurriedly. "Hear me, +Dona Barbara--I have a secret--I will to you confess"-- + +"You must confess nothing," said Mrs. Brimmer, dropping her feet +from the hammock, and sitting up primly, "I mean--nothing I may not +hear." + +The Alcalde cast a look upon her at once blank and imploring. + +"Ah, but you will hear," he said, after a pause. "There is a ship +coming here. In two weeks she will arrive. None know it but +myself, the Comandante, and the Padre. It is a secret of the +Government. She will come at night; she will depart in the +morning, and no one else shall know. It has ever been that she +brings no one to Todos Santos, that she takes no one from Todos +Santos. That is the law. But I swear to you that she shall take +you, your children, and your friend to Acapulco in secret, where +you will be free. You will join your husband; you will be happy. +I will remain, and I will die." + +It would have been impossible for any woman but Mrs. Brimmer to +have regarded the childlike earnestness and melancholy simplicity +of this grown-up man without a pang. Even this superior woman +experienced a sensible awkwardness as she slipped from the hammock +and regained an upright position. + +"Of course," she, began, "your offer is exceedingly generous; and +although I should not, perhaps, take a step of this kind without +the sanction of Mr. Brimmer, and am not sure that he would not +regard it as rash and premature, I will talk it over with Miss +Chubb, for whom I am partially responsible. Nothing," she +continued, with a sudden access of feeling, "would induce me, for +any selfish consideration, to take any step that would imperil the +future of that child, towards whom I feel as a sister." A slight +suffusion glistened under her pretty brown lashes. "If anything +should happen to her, I would never forgive myself; if I should be +the unfortunate means of severing any ties that SHE may have +formed, I could never look her in the face again. Of course, I can +well understand that our presence here must be onerous to you, and +that you naturally look forward to any sacrifice--even that of the +interests of your country, and the defiance of its laws--to relieve +you from a position so embarrassing as yours has become. I only +trust, however, that the ill effects you allude to as likely to +occur to yourself after our departure may be exaggerated by your +sensitive nature. It would be an obligation added to the many that +we owe you, which Mr. Brimmer would naturally find he could not +return--and that, I can safely say, he would not hear of for a +single moment." + +While speaking, she had unconsciously laid aside her fan, lifted +her mantilla from her head with both hands, and, drawing it around +her shoulders and under her lifted chin, had crossed it over her +bosom with a certain prim, automatic gesture, as if it had been the +starched kerchief of some remote Puritan ancestress. With her arms +still unconsciously crossed, she stooped rigidly, picked up her fan +with three fingers, as if it had been a prayer-book, and, with a +slight inclination of her bared head, with its accurately parted +brown hair, passed slowly out of the corridor. + +Astounded, bewildered, yet conscious of some vague wound, Don Ramon +remained motionless, staring after her straight, retreating figure. +Unable to follow closely either the meaning of her words or the +logic of her reasoning, he nevertheless comprehended the sudden +change in her manner, her voice, and the frigid resurrection of a +nature he had neither known nor suspected. He looked blankly at +the collapsed hammock, as if he expected to find in its depths +those sinuous graces, languid fascinations, and the soft, half +sensuous contour cast off by this vanishing figure of propriety. + +In the eight months of their enforced intimacy and platonic +seclusion he had learned to love this naive, insinuating woman, +whose frank simplicity seemed equal to his own, without thought of +reserve, secrecy, or deceit. He had gradually been led to think of +the absent husband with what he believed to be her own feelings--as +of some impalpable, fleshless ancestor from whose remote presence +she derived power, wealth, and importance, but to whom she owed +only respect and certain obligations of honor equal to his own. He +had never heard her speak of her husband with love, with sympathy, +with fellowship, with regret. She had barely spoken of him at all, +and then rather as an attractive factor in her own fascinations +than a bar to a free indulgence in them. He was as little in her +way as--his children. With what grace she had adapted herself to +his--Don Ramon's--life--she who frankly confessed she had no +sympathy with her husband's! With what languid enthusiasm she had +taken up the customs of HIS country, while deploring the habits of +her own! With what goddess-like indifference she had borne this +interval of waiting! And yet this woman--who had seemed the +embodiment of romance--had received the announcement of his +sacrifice--the only revelation he allowed himself to make of his +hopeless passion--with the frigidity of a duenna! Had he wounded +her in some other unknown way? Was she mortified that he had not +first declared his passion--he who had never dared to speak to her +of love before? Perhaps she even doubted it! In his ignorance of +the world he had, perhaps, committed some grave offense! He should +not have let her go! He should have questioned, implored her-- +thrown himself at her feet! Was it too late yet? + +He passed hurriedly into the formal little drawing-room, whose +bizarre coloring was still darkened by the closed blinds and +dropped awnings that had shut out the heat of day. She was not +there. He passed the open door of her room; it was empty. At the +end of the passage a faint light stole from a door opening into the +garden that was still ajar. She must have passed out that way. He +opened it, and stepped out into the garden. + +The sound of voices beside a ruined fountain a hundred yards away +indicated the vicinity of the party; but a single glance showed him +that she was not among them. So much the better--he would find her +alone. Cautiously slipping beside the wall of the house, under the +shadow of a creeper, he gained the long avenue without attracting +attention. She was not there. Had she effectively evaded contact +with the others by leaving the garden through the little gate in +the wall that entered the Mission enclosure? It was partly open, +as if some one had just passed through. He followed, took a few +steps, and stopped abruptly. In the shadow of one of the old pear- +trees a man and woman were standing. An impulse of wild jealousy +seized him; he was about to leap forward, but the next moment the +measured voice of the Comandante, addressing Mrs. Markham, fell +upon his ear. He drew back with a sudden flush upon his face. The +Comandante of Todos Santos, in grave, earnest accents, was actually +offering to Mrs. Markham the same proposal that he, Don Ramon, had +made to Mrs. Brimmer but a moment ago! + +"No one," said the Comandante sententiously, "will know it but +myself. You will leave the ship at Acapulco; you will rejoin your +husband in good time; you will be happy, my child; you will forget +the old man who drags out the few years of loneliness still left to +him in Todos Santos." + +Forgetting himself, Don Ramon leaned breathlessly forward to hear +Mrs. Markham's reply. Would she answer the Comandante as Dona +Barbara had answered HIM? Her words rose distinctly in the evening +air. + +"You're a gentleman, Don Miguel Briones; and the least respect I +can show a man of your kind is not to pretend that I don't +understand the sacrifice you're making. I shall always remember it +as about the biggest compliment I ever received, and the biggest +risk that any man--except one--ever ran for me. But as the man who +ran that bigger risk isn't here to speak for himself, and generally +trusts his wife, Susan Markham, to speak for him--it's all the same +as if HE thanked you. There's my hand, Don Miguel: shake it. +Well--if you prefer it--kiss it then. There--don't be a fool--but +let's go back to Miss Keene." + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE. + + +While these various passions had been kindled by her compatriots in +the peaceful ashes of Todos Santos, Eleanor Keene had moved among +them indifferently and, at times, unconsciously. The stranding of +her young life on that unknown shore had not drawn her towards her +fellow-exiles, and the circumstances which afterwards separated her +from daily contact with them completed the social estrangement. +She found herself more in sympathy with the natives, to whom she +had shown no familiarity, than with her own people, who had mixed +with them more or less contemptuously. She found the naivete of +Dona Isabel more amusing than the doubtful simplicity of that +married ingenue Mrs. Brimmer, although she still met the young +girl's advances with a certain reserve. She found herself often +pained by the practical brusqueness with which Mrs. Markham put +aside the Comandante's delicate attentions, and she was moved with +a strange pity for his childlike trustfulness, which she knew was +hopeless. As the months passed, on the few occasions that she +still met the Excelsior's passengers she was surprised to find how +they had faded from her memory, and to discover in them the +existence of qualities that made her wonder how she could have ever +been familiar with them. She reproached herself with this +fickleness; she wondered if she would have felt thus if they had +completed their voyage to San Francisco together; and she recalled, +with a sad smile, the enthusiastic plans they had formed during the +passage to perpetuate their fellowship by anniversaries and +festivals. But she, at last, succumbed, and finally accepted their +open alienation as preferable to the growing awkwardness of their +chance encounters. + +For a few weeks following the flight of Captain Bunker and her +acceptance of the hospitality and protection of the Council, she +became despondent. The courage that had sustained her, and the +energy she had shown in the first days of their abandonment, +suddenly gave way, for no apparent reason. She bitterly regretted +the brother whom she scarcely remembered; she imagined his suspense +and anguish on her account, and suffered for both; she felt the +dumb pain of homesickness for a home she had never known. Her +loneliness became intolerable. Her condition at last affected Mrs. +Markham, whose own idleness had been beguiled by writing to her +husband an exhaustive account of her captivity, which had finally +swelled to a volume on Todos Santos, its resources, inhabitants, +and customs. "Good heavens!" she said, "you must do something, +child, to occupy your mind--if it is only a flirtation with that +conceited Secretary." But this terrible alternative was happily +not required. The Comandante had still retained as part of the old +patriarchal government of the Mission the Presidio school, for the +primary instruction of the children of the soldiers,--dependants of +the garrison. Miss Keene, fascinated by several little pairs of +beady black eyes that had looked up trustingly to hers from the +playground on the glacis, offered to teach English to the +Comandante's flock. The offer was submitted to the spiritual head +of Todos Santos, and full permission given by Padre Esteban to the +fair heretic. Singing was added to the Instruction, and in a few +months the fame of the gracious Dona Leonor's pupils stirred to +emulation even the boy choristers of the Mission. + +Her relations with James Hurlstone during this interval were at +first marked by a strange and unreasoning reserve. Whether she +resented the singular coalition forced upon them by the Council and +felt the awkwardness of their unintentional imposture when they +met, she did not know, but she generally avoided his society. This +was not difficult, as he himself had shown no desire to intrude his +confidences upon her; and even in her shyness she could not help +thinking that if he had treated the situation lightly or +humorously--as she felt sure Mr. Brace or Mr. Crosby would have +done--it would have been less awkward and unpleasant. But his +gloomy reserve seemed to the high-spirited girl to color their +innocent partnership with the darkness of conspiracy. + +"If your conscience troubles you, Mr. Hurlstone, in regard to the +wretched infatuation of those people," she had once said, +"undeceive them, if you can, and I will assist you. And don't let +that affair of Captain Bunker worry you either. I have already +confessed to the Comandante that he escaped through my +carelessness." + +"You could not have done otherwise without sacrificing the poor +Secretary, who must have helped you," Hurlstone returned quietly. + +Miss Keene bit her lip and dropped the subject. At their next +meeting Hurlstone himself resumed it. + +"I hope you don't allow that absurd decree of the Council to +disturb you; I imagine they're quite convinced of their folly. I +know that the Padre is; and I know that he thinks you've earned a +right to the gratitude of the Council in your gracious task at the +Presidio school that is far beyond any fancied political service." + +"I really haven't thought about it at all," said Miss Keene coolly. +"I thought it was YOU who were annoyed." + +"I? not at all," returned Hurlstone quickly. "I have been able to +assist the Padre in arranging the ecclesiastical archives of the +church, and in suggesting some improvement in codifying the +ordinances of the last forty years. No; I believe I'm earning my +living here, and I fancy they think so." + +"Then it isn't THAT that troubles you?" said Miss Keene carelessly, +but glancing at him under the shade of her lashes. + +"No," he said coldly, turning away. + +Yet unsatisfactory as these brief interviews were, they revived in +Miss Keene the sympathizing curiosity and interest she had always +felt for this singular man, and which had been only held in +abeyance at the beginning of their exile; in fact, she found +herself thinking of him more during the interval when they seldom +saw each other, and apparently had few interests in common, than +when they were together on the Excelsior. Gradually she slipped +into three successive phases of feeling towards him, each of them +marked with an equal degree of peril to her peace of mind. She +began with a profound interest in the mystery of his secluded +habits, his strange abstraction, and a recognition of the evident +superiority of a nature capable of such deep feeling--uninfluenced +by those baser distractions which occupied Brace, Crosby, and +Winslow. This phase passed into a settled conviction that some +woman was at the root of his trouble, and responsible for it. With +an instinctive distrust of her own sex, she was satisfied that it +must be either a misplaced or unworthy attachment, and that the +unknown woman was to blame. This second phase--which hovered +between compassion and resentment--suddenly changed to the latter-- +the third phase of her feelings. Miss Keene became convinced that +Mr. Hurlstone had a settled aversion to HERSELF. Why and +wherefore, she did not attempt to reason, yet she was satisfied +that from the first he disliked her. His studious reserve on the +Excelsior, compared with the attentions of the others, ought then +to have convinced her of the fact; and there was no doubt now that +his present discontent could be traced to the unfortunate +circumstances that brought them together. Having given herself up +to that idea, she vacillated between a strong impulse to inform him +that she knew his real feelings and an equally strong instinct to +avoid him hereafter entirely. The result was a feeble compromise. +On the ground that Mr. Hurlstone could "scarcely be expected to +admire her inferior performances," she declined to invite him with +Father Esteban to listen to her pupils. Father Esteban took a huge +pinch of snuff, examined Miss Keene attentively, and smiled a sad +smile. The next day he begged Hurlstone to take a volume of old +music to Miss Keene with his compliments. Hurlstone did so, and +for some reason exerted himself to be agreeable. As he made no +allusion to her rudeness, she presumed he did not know of it, and +speedily forgot it herself. When he suggested a return visit to +the boy choir, with whom he occasionally practiced, she blushed and +feared she had scarcely the time. But she came with Mrs. Markham, +some consciousness, and a visible color! + +And then, almost without her knowing how or why, and entirely +unexpected and unheralded, came a day so strangely and +unconsciously happy, so innocently sweet and joyous, that it seemed +as if all the other days of her exile had only gone before to +create it, and as if it--and it alone--were a sufficient reason for +her being there. A day full of gentle intimations, laughing +suggestions, childlike surprises and awakenings; a day delicious +for the very incompleteness of its vague happiness. And this +remarkable day was simply marked in Mrs. Markham's diary as +follows:--"Went with E. to Indian village; met Padre and J. H. +J. H. actually left shell and crawled on beach with E. E. chatty." + +The day itself had been singularly quiet and gracious, even for +that rare climate of balmy days and recuperating nights. At times +the slight breath of the sea which usually stirred the morning air +of Todos Santos was suspended, and a hush of expectation seemed to +arrest land and water. When Miss Keene and Mrs. Markham left the +Presidio, the tide was low, and their way lay along the beach past +the Mission walls. A walk of two or three miles brought them to +the Indian village--properly a suburban quarter of Todos Santos--a +collection of adobe huts and rudely cultivated fields. Padre +Esteban and Mr. Hurlstone were awaiting them in the palm-thatched +veranda of a more pretentious cabin, that served as a school-room. +"This is Don Diego's design," said the Padre, beaming with a +certain paternal pride on Hurlstone, "built by himself and helped +by the heathen; but look you: my gentleman is not satisfied with +it, and wishes now to bring his flock to the Mission school, and +have them mingle with the pure-blooded races on an equality. That +is the revolutionary idea of this sans culotte reformer," continued +the good Father, shaking his yellow finger with gentle archness at +the young man. "Ah, we shall yet have a revolution in Todos Santos +unless you ladies take him in hand. He has already brought the +half-breeds over to his side, and those heathens follow him like +dumb cattle anywhere. There, take him away and scold him, Dona +Leonor, while I speak to the Senora Markham of the work that her +good heart and skillful fingers may do for my poor muchachos." + +Eleanor Keene lifted her beautiful eyes to Hurlstone with an +artless tribute in their depths that brought the blood faintly into +his cheek. She was not thinking of the priest's admonishing words; +she was thinking of the quiet, unselfish work that this gloomy +misanthrope had been doing while his companions had been engaged in +lower aims and listless pleasures, and while she herself had been +aimlessly fretting and diverting herself. What were her few hours +of applauded instruction with the pretty Murillo-like children of +the Fort compared to his silent and unrecognized labor! Yet even +at this moment an uneasy doubt crossed her mind. + +"I suppose Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb interest themselves greatly +in your--in the Padre's charities?" + +The first playful smile she had seen on Hurlstone's face lightened +in his eyes and lips, and was becoming. + +"I am afraid my barbarians are too low and too near home for Mrs. +Brimmer's missionary zeal. She and Miss Chubb patronize the +Mexican school with cast-off dresses, old bonnets retrimmed, +flannel petticoats, some old novels and books of poetry--of which +the Padre makes an auto-da-fe--and their own patronizing presence +on fete days. Providence has given them the vague impression that +leprosy and contagious skin-disease are a peculiarity of the +southern aborigine, and they have left me severely alone." + +"I wish you would prevail upon the Padre to let ME help you," said +Miss Keene, looking down. + +"But you already have the Commander's chickens--which you are +bringing up as swans, by the way," said Hurlstone mischievously. +"You wouldn't surely abandon the nest again?" + +"You are laughing at me," said Miss Keene, putting on a slight pout +to hide the vague pleasure that Hurlstone's gayer manner was giving +her. "But, really, I've been thinking that the Presidio children +are altogether too pretty and picturesque for me, and that I enjoy +them too much to do them any good. It's like playing with them, +you know!" + +Hurlstone laughed, but suddenly looking down upon her face he was +struck with its youthfulness. She had always impressed him before-- +through her reserve and independence--as older, and more matured +in character. He did not know how lately she was finding her lost +youth as he asked her, quite abruptly, if she ever had any little +brothers and sisters. + +The answer to this question involved the simple story of Miss +Keene's life, which she gave with naive detail. She told him of +her early childhood, and the brother who was only an indistinct +memory; of her school days, and her friendships up to the moment of +her first step into the great world that was so strangely arrested +at Todos Santos. He was touched with the almost pathetic blankness +of this virgin page. Encouraged by his attention, and perhaps +feeling a sympathy she had lately been longing for, she confessed +to him the thousand little things which she had reserved from even +Mrs. Markham during her first apathetic weeks at Todos Santos. + +"I'm sure I should have been much happier if I had had any one to +talk to," she added, looking up into his face with a naivete of +faint reproach; "it's very different for men, you know. They can +always distract themselves with something. Although," she +continued hesitatingly, "I've sometimes thought YOU would have been +happier if you had had somebody to tell your troubles to--I don't +mean the Padre; for, good as he is, he is a foreigner, you know, +and wouldn't look upon things as WE do--but some one in sympathy +with you." + +She stopped, alarmed at the change of expression in his face. A +quick flush had crossed his cheek; for an instant he had looked +suspiciously into her questioning eyes. But the next moment the +idea of his quietly selecting this simple, unsophisticated girl as +the confidant of his miserable marriage, and the desperation that +had brought him there, struck him as being irresistibly ludicrous +and he smiled. It was the first time that the habitual morbid +intensity of his thoughts on that one subject had ever been +disturbed by reaction; it was the first time that a clear ray of +reason had pierced the gloom in which he had enwrapped it. Seeing +him smile, the young girl smiled too. Then they smiled together +vaguely and sympathetically, as over some unspoken confidence. +But, unknown and unsuspected by himself, that smile had completed +his emancipation and triumph. The next moment, when he sought with +a conscientious sigh to reenter his old mood, he was half shocked +to find it gone. Whatever gradual influence--the outcome of these +few months of rest and repose--may have already been at work to +dissipate his clouded fancy, he was only vaguely conscious that the +laughing breath of the young girl had blown it away forever. + +The perilous point passed, unconsciously to both of them, they fell +into freer conversation, tacitly avoiding the subject of Mr. +Hurlstone's past reserve only as being less interesting. Hurlstone +did not return Miss Keene's confidences--not because he wished to +deceive her, but that he preferred to entertain her; while she did +not care to know his secret now that it no longer affected their +sympathy in other things. It was a pleasant, innocent selfishness, +that, however, led them along, step by step, to more uncertain and +difficult ground. + +In their idle, happy walk they had strayed towards the beach, and +had come upon a large stone cross with its base half hidden in +sand, and covered with small tenacious, sweet-scented creepers, +bearing a pale lilac blossom that exhaled a mingled odor of sea and +shore. Hurlstone pointed out the cross as one of the earliest +outposts of the Church on the edge of the unclaimed heathen +wilderness. It was hung with strings of gaudy shells and feathers, +which Hurlstone explained were votive offerings in which their +pagan superstitions still mingled with their new faith. + +"I don't like to worry that good old Padre," he continued, with a +light smile, "but I'm afraid that they prefer this cross to the +chapel for certain heathenish reasons of their own. I am quite +sure that they still hold some obscure rites here under the good +Father's very nose, and that, in the guise of this emblem of our +universal faith, they worship some deity we have no knowledge of." + +"It's a shame," said Miss Keene quickly. + +To her surprise, Hurlstone did not appear so shocked as she, in her +belief of his religious sympathy with the Padre, had imagined. + +"They're a harmless race," he said carelessly. "The place is much +frequented by the children--especially the young girls; a good many +of these offerings came from them." + +The better to examine these quaint tributes, Miss Keene had thrown +herself, with an impulsive, girlish abandonment, on the mound by +the cross, and Hurlstone sat down beside her. Their eyes met in an +innocent pleasure of each other's company. She thought him very +handsome in the dark, half official Mexican dress that necessity +alone had obliged him to assume, and much more distinguished- +looking than his companions in their extravagant foppery; he +thought her beauty more youthful and artless than he had imagined +it to be, and with his older and graver experiences felt a certain +protecting superiority that was pleasant and reassuring. + +Nevertheless, seated so near each other, they were very quiet. +Hurlstone could not tell whether it was the sea or the flowers, but +the dress of the young girl seemed to exhale some subtle perfume of +her own freshness that half took away his breath. She had scraped +up a handful of sand, and was allowing it to escape through her +slim fingers in a slender rain on the ground. He was watching the +operation with what he began to fear was fatuous imbecility. + +"Miss Keene?--I beg your pardon"-- + +"Mr. Hurlstone?--Excuse me, you were saying"-- + +They had both spoken at the same moment, and smiled forgivingly at +each other. Hurlstone gallantly insisted upon the precedence of +her thought--the scamp had doubted the coherency of his own. + +"I used to think," she began--"you won't be angry, will you?" + +"Decidedly not." + +"I used to think you had an idea of becoming a priest." + +"Why?" + +"Because--you are sure you won't be angry--because I thought you +hated women!" + +"Father Esteban is a priest," said Hurlstone, with a faint smile, +"and you know he thinks kindly of your sex." + +"Yes; but perhaps HIS life was never spoiled by some wicked woman +like--like yours." + +For an instant he gazed intently into her eyes. + +"Who told you that?" + +"No one." + +She was evidently speaking the absolute truth. There was no deceit +or suppression in her clear gaze; if anything, only the faintest +look of wonder at his astonishment. And he--this jealously guarded +secret, the curse of his whole wretched life, had been guessed by +this simple girl, without comment, without reserve, without horror! +And there had been no scene, no convulsion of Nature, no tragedy; +he had not thrown himself into yonder sea; she had not fled from +him shrinking, but was sitting there opposite to him in gentle +smiling expectation, the golden light of Todos Santos around them, +a bit of bright ribbon shining in her dark hair, and he, miserable, +outcast, and recluse, had not even changed his position, but was +looking up without tremulousness or excitement, and smiling, too. + +He raised himself suddenly on his knee. + +"And what if it were all true?" he demanded. + +"I should be very sorry for you, and glad it were all over now," +she said softly. + +A faint pink flush covered her cheek the next moment, as if she had +suddenly become aware of another meaning in her speech, and she +turned her head hastily towards the village. To her relief she +discerned that a number of Indian children had approached them from +behind and had halted a few paces from the cross. Their hands were +full of flowers and shells as they stood hesitatingly watching the +couple. + +"They are some of the school-children," said Hurlstone, in answer +to her inquiring look; "but I can't understand why they come here +so openly." + +"Oh, don't scold them!" said Eleanor, forgetting her previous +orthodox protest; "let us go away, and pretend we don't notice +them." + +But as she was about to rise to her feet the hesitation of the +little creatures ended in a sudden advance of the whole body, and +before she comprehended what they were doing they had pressed the +whole of their floral tributes in her lap. The color rose again +quickly to her laughing face as she looked at Hurlstone. + +"Do you usually get up this pretty surprise for visitors?" she said +hesitatingly. + +"I assure you I have nothing to do with it," he answered, with +frank amazement; "it's quite spontaneous. And look--they are even +decorating ME." + +It was true; they had thrown a half dozen strings of shells on +Hurlstone's unresisting shoulders, and, unheeding the few words he +laughingly addressed them in their own dialect, they ran off a few +paces, and remained standing, as if gravely contemplating their +work. Suddenly, with a little outcry of terror, they turned, fled +wildly past them, and disappeared in the bushes. + +Miss Keene and Hurlstone rose at the same moment, but the young +girl, taking a step forward, suddenly staggered, and was obliged to +clasp one of the arms of the cross to keep herself from falling. +Hurlstone sprang to her side. + +"Are you ill?" he asked hurriedly. "You are quite white. What is +the matter?" + +A smile crossed her colorless face. + +"I am certainly very giddy; everything seems to tremble." + +"Perhaps it is the flowers," he said anxiously. "Their heavy +perfume in this close air affects you. Throw them away, for +Heaven's sake!" + +But she clutched them tighter to her heart as she leaned for a +moment, pale yet smiling, against the cross. + +"No, no!" she said earnestly; "it was not that. But the children +were frightened, and their alarm terrified me. There, it is over +now." + +She let him help her to her seat again as he glanced hurriedly +around him. It must have been sympathy with her, for he was +conscious of a slight vertigo himself. The air was very close and +still. Even the pleasant murmur of the waves had ceased. + +"How very low the tide is!" said Eleanor Keene, resting her elbow +on her knees and her round chin upon her hand. "I wonder if that +could have frightened those dear little midgets?" The tide, in +fact, had left the shore quite bare and muddy for nearly a quarter +of a mile to seaward. + +Hurlstone arose, with grave eyes, but a voice that was unchanged. + +"Suppose we inquire? Lean on my arm, and we'll go up the hill +towards the Mission garden. Bring your flowers with you." + +The color had quite returned to her cheek as she leant on his +proffered arm. Yet perhaps she was really weaker than she knew, +for he felt the soft pressure of her hand and the gentle +abandonment of her figure against his own as they moved on. But +for some preoccupying thought, he might have yielded more +completely to the pleasure of that innocent contact and have drawn +her closer towards him; yet they moved steadily on, he contenting +himself from time to time with a hurried glance at the downcast +fringes of the eyes beside him. Presently he stopped, his +attention disturbed by what appeared to be the fluttering of a +black-winged, red-crested bird, in the bushes before him. The next +moment he discovered it to be the rose-covered head of Dona Isabel, +who was running towards them. Eleanor withdrew her arm from +Hurlstone's. + +"Ah, imbecile!" said Dona Isabel, pouncing upon Eleanor Keene like +an affectionate panther. "They have said you were on the seashore, +and I fly for you as a bird. Tell to me quick," she whispered, +hastily putting her own little brown ear against Miss Keene's +mouth, "immediatamente, are you much happy?" + +"Where is Mr. Brace?" said Miss Keene, trying to effect a +diversion, as she laughed and struggled to get free from her +tormentor. + +"He, the idiot boy! Naturally, when he is for use, he comes not. +But as a maniac--ever! I would that I have him no more. You will +to me presently give your--brother! I have since to-day a +presentimiento that him I shall love! Ah!" + +She pressed her little brown fist, still tightly clutching her fan, +against her low bodice, as if already transfixed with a secret and +absorbing passion. + +"Well, you shall have Dick then," said Miss Keene, laughing; "but +was it for THAT you were seeking me?" + +"Mother of God! you know not then what has happened? You are a +blind--a deaf--to but one thing all the time? Ah!" she said +quickly, unfolding her fan and modestly diving her little head +behind it, "I have ashamed for you, Miss Keene." + +"But WHAT has happened?" said Hurlstone, interposing to relieve his +companion. "We fancied something"-- + +"Something! he says something!--ah, that something was a temblor! +An earthquake! The earth has shaken himself. Look!" + +She pointed with her fan to the shore, where the sea had suddenly +returned in a turbulence of foam and billows that was breaking over +the base of the cross they had just quitted. + +Miss Keene drew a quick sigh. Dona Isabel had ducked again +modestly behind her fan, but this time dragging with her other arm +Miss Keene's head down to share its discreet shadow as she +whispered,-- + +"And--infatuated one!--you two never noticed it!" + + +CHAPTER V. + +CLOUDS AND CHANGE. + + +The earthquake shock, although the first experienced by the +Americans, had been a yearly phenomenon to the people of Todos +Santos, and was so slight as to leave little impression upon either +the low adobe walls of the pueblo or the indolent population. "If +it's a provision of Nature for shaking up these Rip Van Winkle +Latin races now and then, it's a dead failure, as far as Todos +Santos is concerned," Crosby had said, with a yawn. "Brace, who's +got geology on the brain ever since he struck cinnabar ore, says he +isn't sure the Injins ain't right when they believe that the +Pacific Ocean used to roll straight up to the Presidio, and there +wasn't any channel--and that reef of rocks was upheaved in their +time. But what's the use of it? it never really waked them up." +"Perhaps they're waiting for another kind of earthquake," Winslow +had responded sententiously. + +In six weeks it had been forgotten, except by three people--Miss +Keene, James Hurlstone, and Padre Esteban. Since Hurlstone had +parted with Miss Keene on that memorable afternoon he had +apparently lapsed into his former reserve. Without seeming to +avoid her timid advances, he met her seldom, and then only in the +presence of the Padre or Mrs. Markham. Although uneasy at the +deprivation of his society, his present shyness did not affect her +as it had done at first: she knew it was no longer indifference; +she even fancied she understood it from what had been her own +feelings. If he no longer raised his eyes to hers as frankly as he +had that day, she felt a more delicate pleasure in the +consciousness of his lowered eyelids when they met, and the +instinct that told her when his melancholy glance followed her +unobserved. The sex of these lovers--if we may call them so who +had never exchanged a word of love--seemed to be changed. It was +Miss Keene who now sought him with a respectful and frank +admiration; it was Hurlstone who now tried to avoid it with a +feminine dread of reciprocal display. Once she had even adverted +to the episode of the cross. They were standing under the arch of +the refectory door, waiting for Padre Esteban, and looking towards +the sea. + +"Do you think we were ever in any real danger, down there, on the +shore--that day?" she said timidly. + +"No; not from the sea," he replied, looking at her with a half +defiant resolution. + +"From what then?" she asked, with a naivete that was yet a little +conscious. + +"Do you remember the children giving you their offerings that day?" +he asked abruptly. + +"I do," she replied, with smiling eyes. + +"Well, it appears that it is the custom for the betrothed couples +to come to the cross to exchange their vows. They mistook us for +lovers." + +All the instinctive delicacy of Miss Keene's womanhood resented the +rude infelicity of this speech and the flippant manner of its +utterance. She did not blush, but lifted her clear eyes calmly to +his. + +"It was an unfortunate mistake," she said coldly, "the more so as +they were your pupils. Ah! here is Father Esteban," she added, +with a marked tone of relief, as she crossed over to the priest's +side. + +When Father Esteban returned to the refectory that evening, +Hurlstone was absent. When it grew later, becoming uneasy, the +good Father sought him in the garden. At the end of the avenue of +pear-trees there was a break in the sea-wall, and here, with his +face to the sea, Hurlstone was leaning gloomily. Father Esteban's +tread was noiseless, and he had laid his soft hand on the young +man's shoulder before Hurlstone was aware of his presence. He +started slightly, his gloomy eyes fell before the priest's. + +"My son," said the old man gravely, "this must go on no longer." + +"I don't understand you," Hurlstone replied coldly. + +"Do not try to deceive yourself, nor me. Above all, do not try to +deceive HER. Either you are or are not in love with this +countrywoman of yours. If you are not, my respect for her and my +friendship for you prompts me to save you both from a foolish +intimacy that may ripen into a misplaced affection; if you are +already in love with her"-- + +"I have never spoken a word of love to her!" interrupted Hurlstone +quickly. "I have even tried to avoid her since"-- + +"Since you found that you loved her! Ah, foolish boy! and you +think that because the lips speak not, the passions of the heart +are stilled! Do you think your silence in her presence is not a +protestation that she, even she, child as she is, can read, with +the cunning of her sex?" + +"Well--if I am in love with her, what then?" said Hurlstone +doggedly. "It is no crime to love a pure and simple girl. Am I +not free? You yourself, in yonder church, told me"-- + +"Silence, Diego," said the priest sternly. "Silence, before you +utter the thought that shall disgrace you to speak and me to hear!" + +"Forgive me, Father Esteban," said the young man hurriedly, +grasping both hands of the priest. "Forgive me--I am mad-- +distracted--but I swear to you I only meant"-- + +"Hush!" interrupted the priest more gently. "So; that will do." +He stopped, drew out his snuff-box, rapped the lid, and took a +pinch of snuff slowly. "We will not recur to that point. Then you +have told her the story of your life?" + +"No; but I will, She shall know all--everything--before I utter a +word of love to her," + +"Ah! bueno! muy bueno!" said the Padre, wiping his nose +ostentatiously. "Ah! let me see! Then, when we have shown her +that we cannot possibly marry her, we will begin to make love to +her! Eh, eh! that is the American fashion. Ah, pardon!" he +continued, in response to a gesture of protestation from Hurlstone; +"I am wrong. It is when we have told her that we cannot marry her +as a Protestant, that we will make love as a Catholic. Is that +it?" + +"Hear me," said Hurlstone passionately. "You have saved me from +madness and, perhaps, death. Your care--your kindness--your +teachings have given me life again. Don't blame me, Father +Esteban, if, in casting off my old self, you have given me hopes of +a new and fresher life--of"-- + +"A newer and fresher love, you would say," said the Padre, with a +sad smile. "Be it so. You will at least do justice to the old +priest, when you remember that he never pressed you to take vows +that would have prevented this forever." + +"I know it," said Hurlstone, taking the old man's hand. "And you +will remember, too, that I was happy and contented before this came +upon me. Tell me what I shall do. Be my guide--my friend, Father +Esteban. Put me where I was a few months ago--before I learned to +love her." + +"Do you mean it, Diego?" said the old man, grasping his hand +tightly, and fixing his eyes upon him. + +"I do." + +"Then listen to me, for it is my turn to speak. When, eight months +ago, you sought the shelter of that blessed roof, it was for refuge +from a woman that had cursed your life. It was given you. You +would leave it now to commit an act that would bring another woman, +as mad as yourself, clamoring at its doors for protection from YOU. +For what you are proposing to this innocent girl is what you +accepted from the older and wickeder woman. You have been cursed +because a woman divided for you what was before God an indivisible +right; and you, Diego, would now redivide that with another, whom +you dare to say you LOVE! You would use the opportunity of her +helplessness and loneliness here to convince her; you would tempt +her with sympathy, for she is unhappy; with companionship, for she +has no longer the world to choose from--with everything that should +make her sacred from your pursuit." + +"Enough," said Hurlstone hoarsely; "say no more. Only I implore +you tell me what to do now to save her. I will--if you tell me to +do it--leave her forever." + +"Why should YOU go?" said the priest quietly. "HER absence will be +sufficient." + +"HER absence?" echoed Hurlstone. + +"Hers alone. The conditions that brought YOU here are unchanged. +You are still in need of an asylum from the world and the wife you +have repudiated. Why should you abandon it? For the girl, there +is no cause why she should remain--beyond yourself. She has a +brother whom she loves--who wants her--who has the right to claim +her at any time. She will go to him." + +"But how?" + +"That has been my secret, and will be my sacrifice to you, Diego, +my son. I have foreseen all this; I have expected it from the day +that girl sent you her woman's message, that was half a challenge, +from her school--I have known it from the day you walked together +on the sea-shore. I was blind before that--for I am weak in my +way, too, and I had dreamed of other things. God has willed it +otherwise." He paused, and returning the pressure of Hurlstone's +hand, went on. "My secret and my sacrifice for you is this. For +the last two hundred years the Church has had a secret and trusty +messenger from the See at Guadalajara--in a ship that touches here +for a few hours only every three years. Her arrival and departure +is known only to myself and my brothers of the Council. By this +wisdom and the provision of God, the integrity of the Holy Church +and the conversion of the heathen have been maintained without +interruption and interference. You know now, my son, why your +comrades were placed under surveillance; why it was necessary that +the people should believe in a political conspiracy among +yourselves, rather than the facts as they existed, which might have +bred a dangerous curiosity among them. I have given you our +secret, Diego--that is but a part of my sacrifice. When that ship +arrives, and she is expected daily, I will secretly place Miss +Keene and her friend on board, with explanatory letters to the +Archbishop, and she will be assisted to rejoin her brother. It +will be against the wishes of the Council; but my will," continued +the old man, with a gesture of imperiousness, "is the will of the +Church, and the law that overrides all." + +He had stopped, with a strange fire in his eyes. It still +continued to burn as he went on rapidly,-- + +"You will understand the sacrifice I am making in telling you this, +when you know that I could have done all that I propose without +your leave or hindrance. Yes, Diego; I had but to stretch out my +hand thus, and that foolish fire-brand of a heretic muchacha would +have vanished from Todos Santos forever. I could have left you in +your fool's paradise, and one morning you would have found her +gone. I should have condoled with you, and consoled you, and you +would have forgotten her as you did the other. I should not have +hesitated; it is the right of the Church through all time to break +through those carnal ties without heed of the suffering flesh, and +I ought to have done so. This, and this alone, would have been +worthy of Las Casas and Junipero Serra! But I am weak and old--I +am no longer fit for His work. Far better that the ship which +takes her away should bring back my successor and one more worthy +Todos Santos than I." + +He stopped, his eyes dimmed, he buried his face in his hands. + +"You have done right, Father Esteban," said Hurlstone, gently +putting his arm round the priest's shoulders, "and I swear to you +your secret is as safe as if you had never revealed it to me. +Perhaps," he added, with a sigh, "I should have been happier if I +had not known it--if she had passed out of my life as mysteriously +as she had entered it; but you will try to accept my sacrifice as +some return for yours. I shall see her no more." + +"But will you swear it?" said the priest eagerly. "Will you swear +that you will not even seek her to say farewell; for in that moment +the wretched girl may shake your resolution?" + +"I shall not see her," repeated the young man slowly. + +"But if she asks an interview," persisted the priest, "on the +pretense of having your advice?" + +"She will not," returned Hurlstone, with a half bitter recollection +of their last parting. "You do not know her pride." + +"Perhaps," said the priest musingly. "But I have YOUR word, Diego. +And now let us return to the Mission, for there is much to prepare, +and you shall assist me." + +Meantime, Hurlstone was only half right in his estimate of Miss +Keene's feelings, although the result was the same. The first +shock to her delicacy in his abrupt speech had been succeeded by a +renewal of her uneasiness concerning his past life or history. +While she would, in her unselfish attachment for him, have +undoubtingly accepted any explanation he might have chosen to give +her, his continued reserve and avoidance of her left full scope to +her imaginings. Rejecting any hypothesis of his history except +that of some unfortunate love episode, she began to think that +perhaps he still loved this nameless woman. Had anything occurred +to renew his affection? It was impossible, in their isolated +condition, that he would hear from her. But perhaps the priest +might have been a confidant of his past, and had recalled the old +affection in rivalry of her? Or had she herself been unfortunate +through any idle word to reopen the wound? Had there been any +suggestion?--she checked herself suddenly at a thought that +benumbed and chilled her!--perhaps that happy hour at the cross +might have reminded him of some episode with another? That was the +real significance of his rude speech. With this first taste of the +poison of jealousy upon her virgin lips, she seized the cup and +drank it eagerly. Ah, well--he should keep his blissful +recollections of the past undisturbed by her. Perhaps he might +even see--though SHE had no past--that her present life might be as +disturbing to him! She recalled, with a foolish pleasure, his +solitary faint sneer at the devotion of the Commander's Secretary. +Why shouldn't she, hereafter, encourage that devotion as well as +that sneer from this complacently beloved Mr. Hurlstone? Why +should he be so assured of her past? The fair and gentle reader +who may be shocked at this revelation of Eleanor Keene's character +will remember that she has not been recorded as an angel in these +pages--but as a very human, honest, inexperienced girl, for the +first time struggling with the most diplomatic, Machiavellian, and +hypocritical of all the passions. + +In pursuance of this new resolution, she determined to accept an +invitation from Mrs. Markham to accompany her and the Commander to +a reception at the Alcalde's house--the happy Secretary being of +the party. Mrs. Markham, who was under promise to the Comandante +not to reveal his plan for the escape of herself and Miss Keene +until the arrival of the expected transport, had paid little +attention to the late vagaries of her friend, and had contented +herself by once saying, with a marked emphasis, that the more free +they kept themselves from any entanglements with other people, the +more prepared they would be for A CHANGE. + +"Perhaps it's just as well not to be too free, even with those +Jesuits over at the Mission. Your brother, you know, might not +like it." + +"THOSE JESUITS!" repeated Miss Keene indignantly. "Father Esteban, +to begin with, is a Franciscan, and Mr. Hurlstone is as orthodox as +you or I." + +"Don't be too sure of that, my dear," returned Mrs. Markham +sententiously. "Heaven only knows what disguises they assume. +Why, Hurlstone and the priest are already as thick as two peas; and +you can't make me believe they didn't know of each other before we +came here. He was the first one ashore, you remember, before the +mutiny; and where did he turn up?--at the Mission, of course! And +have you forgotten that sleepwalking affair--all Jesuitical! Why, +poor dear Markham used to say we were surrounded by ramifications +of that society--everywhere. The very waiter at your hotel table +might belong to the Order." + +The hour of the siesta was just past, and the corridor and gardens +of the Alcalde's house were grouped with friends and acquaintances +as the party from the Presidio entered. Mrs. Brimmer, who had +apparently effected a temporary compromise with her late instincts +of propriety, was still doing the honors of the Alcalde's house, +and had once more assumed the Mexican dishabille, even to the +slight exposure of her small feet, stockingless, in white satin +slippers. The presence of the Comandante and his Secretary +guaranteed the two ladies of their party a reception at least +faultless in form and respect, whatever may have been the secret +feelings of the hostess and her friends. The Alcalde received Mrs. +Markham and Miss Keene with unruffled courtesy, and conducted them +to the place of honor beside him. + +As Eleanor Keene, slightly flushed and beautiful in her unwonted +nervous excitement, took her seat, a flutter went around the +corridor, and, with the single exception of Dona Isabel, an almost +imperceptible drawing together of the other ladies, in offensive +alliance. Miss Keene had never abandoned her own style of dress; +and that afternoon her delicate and closely-fitting white muslin, +gathered in at the waist with a broad blue belt of ribbon, seemed +to accentuate somewhat unflatteringly the tropical neglige of Mrs. +Brimmer and Miss Chubb. Brace, who was in attendance, with Crosby, +on the two Ramirez girls, could not help being uneasily conscious +of this, in addition to the awkwardness of meeting Miss Keene after +the transfer of his affections elsewhere. Nor was his embarrassment +relieved by Crosby's confidences to him, in a half audible whisper,-- + +"I say, old man, after all, the regular straight-out American style +lays over all their foreign flops and fandoodles. I wonder what +old Brimmer would say to his wife's full-dress nightgown--eh?" + +But at this moment the long-drawn, slightly stridulous utterances +of Mrs. Brimmer rose through the other greetings like a lazy east +wind. + +"I shall never forgive the Commander for making the Presidio so +attractive to you, dear Miss Keene, that you cannot really find +time to see your own countrymen. Though, of course, you're not to +blame for not coming to see two frights as we must look--not having +been educated to be able to do up our dresses in that faultless +style--and perhaps not having the entire control over an +establishment like you; yet, I suppose that, even if the Alcalde +did give us carte blanche of the laundry HERE, we couldn't do it, +unaided even by Mrs. Markham. Yes, dear; you must let me +compliment you on your skill, and the way you make things last. As +for me and Miss Chubb, we've only found our things fit to be given +away to the poor of the Mission. But I suppose even that charity +would look as shabby to you as our clothes, in comparison with the +really good missionary work you and Mr. Hurlstone--or is it Mr. +Brace?--I always confound your admirers, my dear--are doing now. +At least, so says that good Father Esteban." + +But with the exception of the Alcalde and Miss Chubb, Mrs. +Brimmer's words fell on unheeding ears, and Miss Keene did not +prejudice the triumph of her own superior attractions by seeming to +notice Mrs. Brimmer's innuendo. She answered briefly, and entered +into lively conversation with Crosby and the Secretary, holding the +hand of Dona Isabel in her own, as if to assure her that she was +guiltless of any design against her former admirer. This was quite +unnecessary, as the gentle Isabel, after bidding Brace, with a rap +on the knuckles, to "go and play," contented herself with curling +up like a kitten beside Miss Keene, and left that gentleman to +wander somewhat aimlessly in the patio. + +Nevertheless, Miss Keene, whose eyes and ears were nervously alert, +and who had indulged a faint hope of meeting Padre Esteban and +hearing news of Hurlstone, glanced from time to time towards the +entrance of the patio. A singular presentiment that some outcome +of this present visit would determine her relations with Hurlstone +had already possessed her. Consequently she was conscious, before +it had attracted the attention of the others, of some vague +stirring in the plaza beyond. Suddenly the clatter of hoofs was +heard before the gateway. There was a moment's pause of +dismounting, a gruff order given in Spanish, and the next moment +three strangers entered the patio. + +They were dressed in red shirts, their white trousers tucked in +high boots, and wore slouched hats. They were so travel-stained, +dusty, and unshaven, that their features were barely +distinguishable. One, who appeared to be the spokesman of the +party, cast a perfunctory glance around the corridor, and, in +fluent Spanish, began with the mechanical air of a man repeating +some formula,-- + +"We are the bearers of a despatch to the Comandante of Todos Santos +from the Governor of Mazatlan. The officer and the escort who came +with us are outside the gate. We have been told that the +Comandante is in this house. The case is urgent, or we would not +intrude"-- + +He was stopped by the voice of Mrs. Markham from the corridor. +"Well, I don't understand Spanish much--I may be a fool, or crazy, +or perhaps both--but if that isn't James Markham's VOICE, I'll bet +a cooky!" + +The three strangers turned quickly toward the corridor. The next +moment the youngest of their party advanced eagerly towards Miss +Keene, who had arisen with a half frightened joy, and with the cry +of "Why, it's Nell!" ran towards her. The third man came slowly +forward as Mrs. Brimmer slipped hastily from the hammock and stood +erect. + +"In the name of goodness, Barbara," said Mr. Brimmer, closing upon +her, in a slow, portentous whisper, "where ARE your stockings?" + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A MORE IMPORTANT ARRIVAL. + + +The Commander was the first to recover his presence of mind. +Taking the despatch from the hands of the unlooked-for husband of +the woman he loved, he opened it with an immovable face and +habitual precision. Then, turning with a military salute to the +strangers, he bade them join him in half an hour at the Presidio; +and, bowing gravely to the assembled company, stepped from the +corridor. But Mrs. Markham was before him, stopped him with a +gesture, and turned to her husband. + +"James Markham--where's your hand?" + +Markham, embarrassed but subjugated, disengaged it timidly from his +wife's waist. + +"Give it to that gentleman--for a gentleman he is, from the crown +of his head to the soles of his boots! There! Shake his hand! +You don't get such a chance every day. You can thank him again, +later." + +As the two men's hands parted, after this perfunctory grasp, and +the Commander passed on, she turned again to her husband. + +"Now, James, I am ready to hear all about it. Perhaps you'll tell +me where you HAVE been?" + +There was a moment of embarrassing silence. The Doctor and +Secretary had discreetly withdrawn; the Alcalde, after a brief +introduction to Mr. Brimmer, and an incomprehensible glance from +the wife, had retired with a colorless face. Dona Isabel had +lingered last to blow a kiss across her fan to Eleanor Keene that +half mischievously included her brother. The Americans were alone. + +Thus appealed to, Mr. Markham hastily began his story. But, as he +progressed, a slight incoherency was noticeable: he occasionally +contradicted himself, and was obliged to be sustained, supplemented, +and, at times, corrected, by Keene and Brimmer. Substantially, it +appeared that they had come from San Francisco to Mazatlan, and, +through the influence of Mr. Brimmer on the Mexican authorities, +their party, with an escort of dragoons, had been transported across +the gulf and landed on the opposite shore, where they had made a +forced march across the desert to Todos Santos. Literally +interpreted, however, by the nervous Markham, it would seem that +they had conceived this expedition long ago, and yet had +difficulties because they only thought of it the day before the +steamer sailed; that they had embarked for the isthmus of Nicaragua, +and yet had stopped at Mazatlan; that their information was complete +in San Francisco, and only picked up at Mazatlan; that "friends"-- +sometimes contradictorily known as "he" and "she"--had overpowering +influence with the Mexican Government, and alone had helped them, +and yet that they were utterly dependent upon the efforts of Senor +Perkins, who had compromised matters with the Mexican Government and +everybody. + +"Do you mean to say, James Markham, that you've seen Perkins, and +it was he who told you we were here?" + +"No--not HIM exactly." + +"Let me explain," said Mr. Brimmer hastily. "It appears," he +corrected his haste with practical businesslike precision, "that +the filibuster Perkins, after debarking you here, and taking the +Excelsior to Quinquinambo, actually established the Quinquinambo +Government, and got Mexico and the other confederacies to recognize +its independence. Quinquinambo behaved very handsomely, and not +only allowed the Mexican Government indemnity for breaking the +neutrality of Todos Santos by the seizure, but even compromised +with our own Government their claim to confiscate the Excelsior for +treaty violation, and paid half the value of the vessel, besides +giving information to Mexico and Washington of your whereabouts. +We consequently represent a joint commission from both countries to +settle the matter and arrange for your return." + +"But what I want to know is this: Is it to Senor Perkins that we +ought to be thankful for seeing you here at all?" asked Mrs. +Markham impatiently. + +"No, no--not that, exactly," stammered Markham. "Oh, come now, +Susannah"-- + +"No," said Richard Keene earnestly; "by Jove! some thanks ought to +go to Belle Montgomery"--He checked himself in sudden consternation. + +There was a chilly silence. Even Miss Keene looked anxiously at +her brother, as the voice of Mrs. Brimmer for the first time broke +the silence. + +"May we be permitted to know who is this person to whom we owe so +great an obligation?" + +"Certainly," said Brimmer, "She was--as I have already intimated--a +friend; possibly, you know," he added, turning lightly to his +companions, as if to corroborate an impression that had just struck +him, "perhaps a--a--a sweetheart of the Senor Perkins." + +"And how was she so interested in us, pray?" said Mrs. Markham, + +"Well, you see, she had an idea that a former husband was on board +of the Excelsior." + +He stopped suddenly, remembering from the astonished faces of Keene +and Markham that the secret was not known to them, while they, +impressed with the belief that the story was a sudden invention of +Brimmer's, with difficulty preserved their composure. But the +women were quick to notice their confusion, and promptly +disbelieved Brimmer's explanation. + +"Well, as there's no Mister Montgomery here, she's probably +mistaken," said Mrs. Markham, with decision, "though it strikes ME +that she's very likely had the same delusion on board of some other +ship. Come along, James; perhaps after you've had a bath and some +clean clothes, you may come out a little more like the man I once +knew. I don't know how Mrs. Brimmer feels, but I feel more as if I +required to be introduced to you--than your friend's friend, Mrs. +Montgomery. At any rate, try and look and behave a little more +decent when you go over to the Presidio." + +With these words she dragged him away. Mr. Brimmer, after a futile +attempt to appear at his ease, promptly effected the usual marital +diversion of carrying the war into the enemy's camp. + +"For heaven's sake, Barbara," he said, with ostentatious +indignation, "go and dress yourself properly. Had you neither +money nor credit to purchase clothes? I declare I didn't know you +at first; and when I did, I was shocked; before Mrs. Markham, too!" + +"Mrs. Markham, I fear, has quite enough to occupy her now," said +Mrs. Brimmer shortly, as she turned away, with hysterically moist +eyes, leaving her husband to follow her. + +Oblivious of this comedy, Richard Keene and Eleanor had already +wandered back, hand in hand, to their days of childhood. But even +in the joy that filled the young girl's heart in the presence of +her only kinsman, there was a strange reservation. The meeting +that she had looked forward to with eager longing had brought all +she expected; more than that, it seemed to have been providentially +anticipated at the moment of her greatest need, and yet it was +incomplete. She was ashamed that after the first recognition, a +wild desire to run to Hurlstone and tell HIM her happiness was her +only thought. She was shocked that the bright joyous face of this +handsome lovable boy could not shut out the melancholy austere +features of Hurlstone, which seemed to rise reproachfully between +them. When, for the third and fourth time, they had recounted +their past history, exchanged their confidences and feelings, Dick, +passing his arm around his sister's waist, looked down smilingly in +her eyes. + +"And so, after all, little Nell, everybody has been good to you, +and you have been happy!" + +"Everybody has been kind to me, Dick, far kinder than I deserved. +Even if I had really been the great lady that little Dona Isabel +thought I was, or the important person the Commander believed me to +be, I couldn't have been treated more kindly. I have met with +nothing but respect and attention. I have been very happy, Dick, +very happy." + +And with a little cry she threw herself on her brother's neck and +burst into a childlike flood of inconsistent tears. + +Meantime the news of the arrival of the relief-party had penetrated +even the peaceful cloisters of the Mission, and Father Esteban had +been summoned in haste to the Council. He returned with an eager +face to Hurlstone, who had been anxiously awaiting him. When the +Padre had imparted the full particulars of the event to his +companion, he added gravely,-- + +"You see, my son, how Providence, which has protected you since you +first claimed the Church's sanctuary, has again interfered to spare +me the sacrifice of using the power of the Church in purely mundane +passions. I weekly accept the rebuke of His better-ordained ways, +and you, Diego, may comfort yourself that this girl is restored +directly to her brother's care, without any deviousness of plan or +human responsibility. You do not speak, my son!" continued the +priest anxiously; "can it be possible that, in the face of this +gracious approval of Providence to your resolution, you are +regretting it?" + +The young man replied, with a half reproachful gesture: + +"Do you, then, think me still so weak? No, Father Esteban; I have +steeled myself against my selfishness for her sake. I could have +resigned her to the escape you had planned, believing her happier +for it, and ignorant of the real condition of the man she had +learnt to--to--pity. But," he added, turning suddenly and almost +rudely upon the priest, "do you know the meaning of this irruption +of the outer world to ME? Do you reflect that these men probably +know my miserable story?--that, as one of the passengers of the +Excelsior, they will be obliged to seek me and to restore me," he +added, with a bitter laugh, "to MY home, MY kindred--to the world I +loathe?" + +"But you need not follow them. Remain here." + +"Here!--with the door thrown open to any talebearer OR PERHAPS TO +MY WIFE HERSELF? Never! Hear me, Father," he went on hurriedly: +"these men have come from San Francisco--have been to Mazatlan. +Can you believe that it is possible that they have never heard of +this woman's search for me? No! The quest of hate is as strong as +the quest of love, and more merciless to the hunted." + +"But if that were so, foolish boy, she would have accompanied +them." + +"You are wrong! It would have been enough for her to have sent my +exposure by them--to have driven me from this refuge." + +"This is but futile fancy, Diego," said Father Esteban, with a +simulated assurance he was far from feeling. "Nothing has yet been +said--nothing may be said. Wait, my child." + +"Wait!" he echoed bitterly. "Ay, wait until the poor girl shall +hear--perhaps from her brother's lips--the story of my marriage as +bandied about by others; wait for her to know that the man who +would have made her love him was another's, and unworthy of her +respect? No! it is I who must leave this place, and at once." + +"YOU?" echoed the Padre. "How?" + +"By the same means you would have used for her departure. I must +take her place in that ship you are expecting. You will give ME +letters to your friends. Perhaps, when this is over, I may return-- +if I still live." + +Padre Esteban became thoughtful. + +"You will not refuse me?" said the young man, taking the Padre's +hand. "It is for the best, believe me. I will remain secret here +until then. You will invent some excuse--illness, or what you +like--to keep them from penetrating here. Above all, to spare me +from the misery of ever reading my secret in her face." + +Father Esteban remained still absorbed in thought. + +"You will take a letter from me to the Archbishop, and put yourself +under his care?" he asked at last, after a long pause. "You will +promise me that?" + +"I do!" + +"Then we shall see what can be done. They talk, those Americanos," +continued the priest, "of making their way up the coast to Punta +St. Jago, where the ship they have already sent for to take them +away can approach the shore; and the Comandante has orders to +furnish them escort and transport to that point. It is a foolish +indiscretion of the Government, and I warrant without the sanction +of the Church. Already there is curiosity, discontent, and wild +talk among the people. Ah! thou sayest truly, my son," said the +old man, gloomily; "the doors of Todos Santos are open. The +Comandante will speed these heretics quickly on their way; but the +doors by which they came and whence they go will never close again. +But God's will be done! And if the open doors bring thee back, my +son, I shall not question His will!" + +It would seem, however, as if Hurlstone's fears had been groundless. +For in the excitement of the succeeding days, and the mingling of +the party from San Antonio with the new-comers, the recluse had been +forgotten. So habitual, had been his isolation from the others, +that, except for the words of praise and gratitude hesitatingly +dropped by Miss Keene to her brother, his name was not mentioned, +and it might have been possible for the relieving party to have left +him behind--unnoticed. Mr. Brimmer, for domestic reasons, was quite +willing to allow the episode of Miss Montgomery's connection with +their expedition to drop for the present. Her name was only +recalled once by Miss Keene. When Dick had professed a sudden and +violent admiration for the coquettish Dona Isabel, Eleanor had +looked up in her brother's face with a half troubled air. + +"Who was this queer Montgomery woman, Dick?" she said. + +Dick laughed--a frank, reassuring, heart-free laugh. + +"Perfectly stunning, Nell. Such a figure in tights! You ought to +have seen her dance--my!" + +"Hush! I dare say she was horrid!" + +"Not at all! She wasn't such a bad fellow, if you left out her +poetry and gush, which I didn't go in for much,--though the other +fellows"--he stopped, from a sudden sense of loyalty to Brimmer and +Markham. "No; you see, Nell, she was regularly ridiculously struck +after that man Perkins,--whom she'd never seen,--a kind of +schoolgirl worship for a pirate. You know how you women go in for +those fellows with a mystery about 'em." + +"No, I don't!" said Miss Keene sharply, with a slight rise of +color; "and I don't see what that's got to do with you and her." + +"Everything! She was in correspondence with Perkins, and knows +about the Excelsior affair, and wants to help him get out of it +with clean hands, don't you see! That's why she made up to us. +There, Nell; she ain't your style, of course; but you owe a heap to +her for giving us points as to where you were. But that's all over +now; she left us at Mazatlan, and went on to Nicaragua to meet +Perkins somewhere there--for the fellow has always got some Central +American revolution on hand, it appears. Until they garrote or +shoot him some day, he'll go on in the liberating business forever." + +"Then there wasn't any Mr. Montgomery, of course?" said Eleanor. + +"Oh, Mr. Montgomery," said Dick, hesitating. "Well, you see, Nell, +I think that, knowing how correct and all that sort of thing +Brimmer is, she sort of invented the husband to make her interest +look more proper." + +"It's shameful!" said Miss Keene indignantly. + +"Come, Nell; one would think you had a personal dislike to her. +Let her go; she won't trouble you--nor, I reckon, ANYBODY, much +longer." + +"What do you mean, Dick?" + +"I mean she has regularly exhausted and burnt herself out with her +hysterics and excitements, and the drugs she's taken to subdue +them--to say nothing of the Panama fever she got last spring. If +she don't go regularly crazy at last she'll have another attack of +fever, hanging round the isthmus waiting for Perkins." + +Meanwhile, undisturbed by excitement or intrusion of the outer +world, the days had passed quietly at the Mission. But one +evening, at twilight, a swift-footed, lightly-clad Indian glided +into the sacristy as if he had slipped from the outlying fog, and +almost immediately as quietly glided away again and disappeared. +The next moment Father Esteban's gaunt and agitated face appeared +at Hurlstone's door. + +"My son, God has been merciful, and cut short your probation. The +signal of the ship has just been made. Her boat will be waiting on +the beach two leagues from here an hour hence. Are you ready? and +are you still resolved?" + +"I am," said Hurlstone, rising. "I have been prepared since you +first assented." + +The old man's lips quivered slightly, and the great brown hand laid +upon the table trembled for an instant; with a strong effort he +recovered himself, and said hurriedly,-- + +"Concho's mule is saddled and ready for you at the foot of the +garden. You will follow the beach a league beyond the Indians' +cross. In the boat will await you the trusty messenger of the +Church. You will say to him, 'Guadalajara,' and give him these +letters. One is to the captain. You will require no other +introduction." He laid the papers on the table, and, turning to +Hurlstone, lifted his tremulous hands in the air. "And now, my +son, may the grace of God"-- + +He faltered and stopped, his uplifted arms falling helplessly on +Hurlstone's shoulders. For an instant the young man supported him +in his arms, then placed him gently in the chair he had just +quitted, and for the first time in their intimacy dropped upon his +knee before him. The old man, with a faint smile, placed his hand +upon his companion's head. A breathless pause followed; Father +Esteban's lips moved silently. Suddenly the young man rose, +pressed his lips hurriedly to the Father's hand, and passed out +into the night. + +The moon was already suffusing the dropping veil of fog above him +with that nebulous, mysterious radiance he had noticed the first +night he had approached the Mission. When he reached the cross he +dismounted, and gathering a few of the sweet-scented blossoms that +crept around its base, placed them in his breast. Then, +remounting, he continued his way until he came to the spot +designated by Concho as a fitting place to leave his tethered mule. +This done, he proceeded on foot about a mile further along the +hard, wet sand, his eyes fixed on the narrow strip of water and +shore before him that was yet uninvaded by the fog on either side. + +The misty, nebulous light, the strange silence, broken only by the +occasional low hurried whisper of some spent wave that sent its +film of spume across his path, or filled his footprints behind him, +possessed him with vague presentiments and imaginings. At times he +fancied he heard voices at his side; at times indistinct figures +loomed through the mist before him. At last what seemed to be his +own shadow faintly impinged upon the mist at one side impressed him +so strongly that he stopped; the apparition stopped too. +Continuing a few hundred paces further, he stopped again; but this +time the ghostly figure passed on, and convinced him that it was no +shadow, but some one actually following him. With an angry +challenge he advanced towards it. It quickly retreated inland, and +was lost. Irritated and suspicious he turned back towards the +water, and was amazed to see before him, not twenty yards away, the +object of his quest--a boat, with two men in it, kept in position +by the occasional lazy dip of an oar. In the pursuit of his +mysterious shadow he had evidently overlooked it. As his own +figure emerged from the fog, the boat pulled towards him. The +priest's password was upon his lips, when he perceived that the TWO +men were common foreign sailors; the messenger of the Church was +evidently not there. Could it have been he who had haunted him? +He paused irresolutely. "Is there none other coming?" he asked. +The two men looked at each other. One said, "Quien sabe!" and +shrugged his shoulders. Hurlstone without further hesitation +leaped aboard. + +The same dull wall of vapor--at times thickening to an almost +impenetrable barrier, and again half suffocating him in its soft +embrace--which he had breasted on the night he swam ashore, carried +back his thoughts to that time, now so remote and unreal. And +when, after a few moments' silent rowing, the boat approached a +black hulk that seemed to have started forward out of the gloom to +meet them, his vague recollection began to take a more definite +form. As he climbed up the companion-ladder and boarded the +vessel, an inexplicable memory came over him. A petty officer on +the gangway advanced silently and ushered him, half dazed and +bewildered, into the cabin. He glanced hurriedly around: the door +of a state-room opened, and disclosed the indomitable and affable +Senor Perkins! A slight expression of surprise, however, crossed +the features of the Liberator of Quinquinambo as he advanced with +outstretched hand. + +"This is really a surprise, my dear fellow! I had no idea that YOU +were in this affair. But I am delighted to welcome you once more +to the Excelsior!" + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE RETURN OF THE EXCELSIOR. + + +Amazed and disconcerted, Hurlstone, nevertheless, retained his +presence of mind. + +"There must be some mistake," he said coolly; "I am certainly not +the person you seem to be expecting." + +"Were you not sent here by Winslow?" demanded Perkins. + +"No. The person you are looking for is probably one I saw on the +shore. He no doubt became alarmed at my approach, and has allowed +me quite unwittingly to take his place in the boat." + +Perkins examined Hurlstone keenly for a moment, stepped to the +door, gave a brief order, and returned. + +"Then, if you did not intend the honor of this visit for me," he +resumed, with a smile, "may I ask, my dear fellow, whom you +expected to meet, and on what ship? There are not so many at Todos +Santos, if my memory serves me right, as to create confusion." + +"I must decline to answer that question," said Hurlstone curtly. + +The Senor smiled, with an accession of his old gentleness. + +"My dear young friend," he said, "have you forgotten that on a far +more important occasion to YOU, I showed no desire to pry into your +secret?" Hurlstone made a movement of deprecation. "Nor have I +any such desire now. But for the sake of our coming to an +understanding as friends, let me answer the question for you. You +are here, my dear fellow, as a messenger from the Mission of Todos +Santos to the Ecclesiastical Commission from Guadalajara, whose +ship touches here every three years. It is now due. You have +mistaken this vessel for theirs." + +Hurlstone remained silent. + +"It is no secret," continued Senor Perkins blandly; "nor shall I +pretend to conceal MY purpose here, which is on the invitation of +certain distressed patriots of Todos Santos, to assist them in +their deliverance from the effete tyranny of the Church and its +Government. I have been fortunate enough to anticipate the arrival +of your vessel, as you were fortunate enough to anticipate the +arrival of my messenger. I am doubly fortunate, as it gives me the +pleasure of your company this evening, and necessitates no further +trouble than the return of the boat for the other gentleman--which +has already gone. Doubtless you may know him." + +"I must warn you again, Senor Perkins," said Hurlstone sternly, +"that I have no connection with any political party; nor have I any +sympathy with your purpose against the constituted authorities." + +"I am willing to believe that you have no political affinities at +all, my dear Mr. Hurlstone," returned Perkins, with unruffled +composure, "and, consequently, we will not argue as to what is the +constituted authority of Todos Santos. Perhaps to-morrow it may be +on board THIS SHIP, and I may still have the pleasure of making you +at home here!" + +"Until then," said Hurlstone dryly, "at least you will allow me to +repair my error by returning to the shore." + +"For the moment I hardly think it would be wise," replied Perkins +gently. "Allowing that you escaped the vigilance of my friends on +the shore, whose suspicions you have aroused, and who might do you +some injury, you would feel it your duty to inform those who sent +you of the presence of my ship, and thus precipitate a collision +between my friends and yours, which would be promotive of ill- +feeling, and perhaps bloodshed. You know my peaceful disposition, +Mr. Hurlstone; you can hardly expect me to countenance an act of +folly that would be in violation of it." + +"In other words, having decoyed me here on board your ship, you +intend to detain me," said Hurlstone insultingly. + +"'Decoy,'" said Perkins, in gentle deprecation, "'decoy' is hardly +the word I expected from a gentleman who has been so unfortunate as +to take, unsolicited and of his own free will, another person's +place in a boat. But," he continued, assuming an easy +argumentative attitude, "let us look at it from your view-point. +Let us imagine that YOUR ship had anticipated mine, and that MY +messenger had unwittingly gone on board of HER. What do you think +they would have done to him?" + +"They would have hung him at the yard-arm, as he deserved," said +Hurlstone unflinchingly. + +"You are wrong," said Perkins gently. "They would have given him +the alternative of betraying his trust, and confessing everything-- +which he would probably have accepted. Pardon me!--this is no +insinuation against you," he interrupted,--"but I regret to say +that my experience with the effete Latin races of this continent +has not inspired me with confidence in their loyalty to trust. Let +me give you an instance," he continued, smiling: "the ship you are +expecting is supposed to be an inviolable secret of the Church, but +it is known to me--to my friends ashore--and even to you, my poor +friend, a heretic! More than that, I am told that the Comandante, +the Padre, and Alcalde are actually arranging to deport some of the +American women by this vessel, which has been hitherto sacred to +the emissaries of the Church alone. But you probably know this--it +is doubtless part of your errand. I only mention it to convince +you that I have certainly no need either to know your secrets, to +hang you from the yard-arm if you refused to give them up, or to +hold you as hostage for my messenger, who, as I have shown you, can +take care of himself. I shall not ask you for that secret despatch +you undoubtedly carry next your heart, because I don't want it. +You are at liberty to keep it until you can deliver it, or drop it +out of that port-hole into the sea--as you choose. But I hear the +boat returning," continued Perkins, rising gently from his seat as +the sound of oars came faintly alongside, "and no doubt with +Winslow's messenger. I am sorry you won't let me bring you +together. I dare say he knows all about you, and it really need +not alter your opinions." + +"One moment," said Hurlstone, stunned, yet incredulous of Perkins's +revelations. "You said that both the Comandante and Alcalde had +arranged to send away certain ladies--are you not mistaken?" + +"I think not," said Perkins quietly, looking over a pile of papers +on the table before him. "Yes, here it is," he continued, reading +from a memorandum: "'Don Ramon Ramirez arranged with Pepe for the +secret carrying off of Dona Barbara Brimmer.' Why, that was six +weeks ago, and here we have the Comandante suborning one Marcia, a +dragoon, to abduct Mrs. Markham--by Jove, my old friend!--and Dona +Leonor--our beauty, was she not? Yes, here it is: in black and +white. Read it, if you like,--and pardon me for one moment, while +I receive this unlucky messenger." + +Left to himself, Hurlstone barely glanced at the memorandum, which +seemed to be the rough minutes of some society. He believed +Perkins; but was it possible that the Padre could be ignorant of +the designs of his fellow-councilors? And if he were not--if he +had long before been in complicity with them for the removal of +Eleanor, might he not also have duped him, Hurlstone, and sent him +on this mission as a mere blind; and--more infamously--perhaps even +thus decoyed him on board the wrong ship? No--it was impossible! +His honest blood quickly flew to his cheek at that momentary +disloyal suspicion. + +Nevertheless, the Senor's bland revelations filled him with vague +uneasiness. SHE was safe with her brother now; but what if he and +the other Americans were engaged in this ridiculous conspiracy, +this pot-house rebellion that Father Esteban had spoken of, and +which he had always treated with such contempt? It seemed strange +that Perkins had said nothing of the arrival of the relieving party +from the Gulf, and its probable effect on the malcontents. Did he +know it? or was the news now being brought by this messenger whom +he, Hurlstone, had supplanted? If so, when and how had Perkins +received the intelligence that brought him to Todos Santos? The +young man could scarcely repress a bitter smile as he remembered +the accepted idea of Todos Santos' inviolability--that inaccessible +port that had within six weeks secretly summoned Perkins to its +assistance! And it was there he believed himself secure! What +security had he at all? Might not this strange, unimpassioned, +omniscient man already know HIS secret as he had known the others'? + +The interview of Perkins with the messenger in the next cabin was a +long one, and apparently a stormy one on the part of the newcomer. +Hurlstone could hear his excited foreign voice, shrill with the +small vehemence of a shallow character; but there was no change in +the slow, measured tones of the Senor. He listlessly began to turn +over the papers on the table. Presently he paused. He had taken +up a sheet of paper on which Senor Perkins had evidently been +essaying some composition in verse. It seemed to have been of a +lugubrious character. The titular line at the top of the page, +"Dirge," had been crossed out for the substituted "In Memoriam." +He read carelessly: + + + "O Muse unmet--but not unwept-- + I seek thy sacred haunt in vain. + Too late, alas! the tryst is kept-- + We may not meet again! + + "I sought thee 'midst the orange bloom, + To find that thou hadst grasped the palm + Of martyr, and the silent tomb + Had hid thee in its calm. + + "By fever racked, thou languishest + On Nicaragua's"-- + + +Hurlstone threw the paper aside. Although he had not forgotten the +Senor's reputation for sentimental extravagance, and on another +occasion might have laughed at it, there was something so monstrous +in this hysterical, morbid composition of the man who was even then +contemplating bloodshed and crime, that he was disgusted. Like +most sentimental egotists, Hurlstone was exceedingly intolerant of +that quality in others, and he turned for relief to his own +thoughts of Eleanor Keene and his own unfortunate passion. HE +could not have written poetry at such a moment! + +But the cabin-door opened, and Senor Perkins appeared. Whatever +might have been the excited condition of his unknown visitor, the +Senor's round, clean-shaven face was smiling and undisturbed by +emotion. As his eye fell on the page of manuscript Hurlstone had +just cast down, a slight shadow crossed his beneficent expanse of +forehead, and deepened in his soft dark eyes; but the next moment +it was chased away by his quick recurring smile. Even thus +transient and superficial was his feeling, thought Hurlstone. + +"I have some news for you," said Perkins affably, "which may alter +your decision about returning. My friends ashore," he continued, +"judging from the ingenuous specimen which has just visited me, are +more remarkable for their temporary zeal and spasmodic devotion +than for prudent reserve or lasting discretion. They have +submitted a list to me of those whom they consider dangerous to +Mexican liberty, and whom they are desirous of hanging. I regret +to say that the list is illogical, and the request inopportune. +Our friend Mr. Banks is put down as an ally of the Government and +an objectionable business rival of that eminent patriot and well- +known drover, Senor Martinez, who just called upon me. Mr. +Crosby's humor is considered subversive of a proper respect for all +patriotism; but I cannot understand why they have added YOUR name +as especially 'dangerous.'" + +Hurlstone made a gesture of contempt. + +"I suppose they pay me the respect of considering me a friend of +the old priest. So be it! I hope they will let the responsibility +fall on me alone." + +"The Padre is already proscribed as one of the Council," said Senor +Perkins quietly. + +"Do you mean to say," said Hurlstone impetuously, "that you will +permit a hair of that innocent old man's head to be harmed by those +wretches?" + +"You are generous but hasty, my friend," said Senor Perkins, in +gentle deprecation. "Allow me to put your question in another way. +Ask me if I intend to perpetuate the Catholic Church in Todos +Santos by adding another martyr to its roll, and I will tell you-- +No! I need not say that I am equally opposed to any proceedings +against Banks, Crosby, and yourself, for diplomatic reasons, apart +from the kindly memories of our old associations on this ship. I +have therefore been obliged to return to the excellent Martinez his +little list, with the remark that I should hold HIM personally +responsible if any of you are molested. There is, however, no +danger. Messrs. Banks and Crosby are with the other Americans, +whom we have guaranteed to protect, at the Mission, in the care of +your friend the Padre. You are surprised! Equally so was the +Padre. Had you delayed your departure an hour you would have met +them, and I should have been debarred the pleasure of your company. + +"By to-morrow," continued Perkins, placing the tips of his fingers +together reflectively, "the Government of Todos Santos will have +changed hands, and without bloodshed. You look incredulous! My +dear young friend, it has been a part of my professional pride to +show the world that these revolutions can be accomplished as +peacefully as our own changes of administration. But for a few +infelicitous accidents, this would have been the case of the late +liberation of Quinquinambo. The only risk run is to myself--the +leader, and that is as it should be. But all this personal +explanation is, doubtless, uninteresting to you, my young friend. +I meant only to say that, if you prefer not to remain here, you can +accompany me when I leave the ship at nine o'clock with a small +reconnoitring party, and I will give you safe escort back to your +friends at the Mission." + +This amicable proposition produced a sudden revulsion of feeling in +Hurlstone. To return to those people from whom he was fleeing, in +what was scarcely yet a serious emergency, was not to be thought +of! Yet, where could he go? How could he be near enough to assist +HER without again openly casting his lot among them? And would +they not consider his return an act of cowardice? He could not +restrain a gesture of irritation as he rose impatiently to his +feet. + +"You are agitated, my dear fellow. It is not unworthy of your +youth; but, believe me, it is unnecessary," said Perkins, in his +most soothing manner. "Sit down. You have an hour yet to make +your decision. If you prefer to remain, you will accompany the +ship to Todos Santos and join me." + +"I don't comprehend you," interrupted Hurlstone suspiciously. + +"I forgot," said Perkins, with a bland smile, "that you are unaware +of our plan of campaign. After communicating with the insurgents, +I land here with a small force to assist them. I do this to +anticipate any action and prevent the interference of the Mexican +coaster, now due, which always touches here through ignorance of +the channel leading to the Bay of Todos Santos and the Presidio. I +then send the Excelsior, that does know the channel, to Todos +Santos, to appear before the Presidio, take the enemy in flank, and +cooperate with us. The arrival of the Excelsior there is the last +move of this little game, if I may so call it: it is 'checkmate to +the King,' the clerical Government of Todos Santos." + +A little impressed, in spite of himself, with the calm forethought +and masterful security of the Senor, Hurlstone thanked him with a +greater show of respect than he had hitherto evinced. The Senor +looked gratified, but unfortunately placed that respect the next +moment in peril. + +"You were possibly glancing over these verses," he said, with a +hesitating and almost awkward diffidence, indicating the manuscript +Hurlstone had just thrown aside. "It is merely the first rough +draft of a little tribute I had begun to a charming friend. I +sometimes," he interpolated, with an apologetic smile, "trifle with +the Muse. Perhaps I ought not to use the word 'trifle' in +connection with a composition of a threnodial and dirge-like +character," he continued deprecatingly. "Certainly not in the +presence of a gentleman as accomplished and educated as yourself, +to whom recreation of this kind is undoubtedly familiar. My +occupations have been, unfortunately, of a nature not favorable to +the indulgence of verse. As a college man yourself, my dear sir, +you will probably forgive the lucubrations of an old graduate of +William and Mary's, who has forgotten his 'ars poetica.' The +verses you have possibly glanced at are crude, I am aware, and +perhaps show the difficulty of expressing at once the dictates of +the heart and the brain. They refer to a dear friend now at peace. +You have perhaps, in happier and more careless hours, heard me +speak of Mrs. Euphemia M'Corkle, of Illinois?" + +Hurlstone remembered indistinctly to have heard, even in his +reserved exclusiveness on the Excelsior, the current badinage of +the passengers concerning Senor Perkins' extravagant adulation of +this unknown poetess. As a part of the staple monotonous humor of +the voyage, it had only disgusted him. With a feeling that he was +unconsciously sharing the burlesque relief of the passengers, he +said, with a polite attempt at interest, + +"Then the lady is--no more?" + +"If that term can be applied to one whose work is immortal," +corrected Senor Perkins gently. "All that was finite of this +gifted woman was lately forwarded by Adams's Express Company from +San Juan, to receive sepulture among her kindred at Keokuk, Iowa." + +"Did she say she was from that place?" asked Hurlstone, with half +automatic interest. + +"The Consul says she gave that request to the priest." + +"Then you were not with her when she died?" said Hurlstone +absently. + +"I was NEVER with her, neither then nor before," returned Senor +Perkins gravely. Seeing Hurlstone's momentary surprise, he went +on, "The late Mrs. M'Corkle and I never met--we were personally +unknown to each other. You may have observed the epithet 'unmet' +in the first line of the first stanza; you will then understand +that the privation of actual contact with this magnetic soul would +naturally impart more difficulty into elegiac expression." + +"Then you never really saw the lady you admire?" said Hurlstone +vacantly. + +"Never. The story is a romantic one," said Perkins, with a smile +that was half complacent and yet half embarrassed. "May I tell it +to you? Thanks. Some three years ago I contributed some verses to +the columns of a Western paper edited by a friend of mine. The +subject chosen was my favorite one, 'The Liberation of Mankind,' in +which I may possibly have expressed myself with some poetic fervor +on a theme so dear to my heart. I may remark without vanity, that +it received high encomiums--perhaps at some more opportune moment +you may be induced to cast your eyes over a copy I still retain-- +but no praise touched me as deeply as a tribute in verse in another +journal from a gifted unknown, who signed herself 'Euphemia.' The +subject of the poem, which was dedicated to myself, was on the +liberation of women--from--er--I may say certain domestic shackles; +treated perhaps vaguely, but with grace and vigor. I replied a +week later in a larger poem, recording more fully my theories and +aspirations regarding a struggling Central American confederacy, +addressed to 'Euphemia.' She rejoined with equal elaboration and +detail, referring to a more definite form of tyranny in the +relations of marriage, and alluding with some feeling to +uncongenial experiences of her own. An instinct of natural +delicacy, veiled under the hyperbole of 'want of space,' prevented +my editorial friend from encouraging the repetition of this +charming interchange of thought and feeling. But I procured the +fair stranger's address; we began a correspondence, at once +imaginative and sympathetic in expression, if not always poetical +in form. I was called to South America by the Macedonian cry of +'Quinquinambo!' I still corresponded with her. When I returned to +Quinquinambo I received letters from her, dated from San Francisco. +I feel that my words could only fail, my dear Hurlstone, to convey +to you the strength and support I derived from those impassioned +breathings of aid and sympathy at that time. Enough for me to +confess that it was mainly due to the deep womanly interest that +SHE took in the fortunes of the passengers of the Excelsior that I +gave the Mexican authorities early notice of their whereabouts. +But, pardon me,"--he stopped hesitatingly, with a slight flush, as +he noticed the utterly inattentive face and attitude of Hurlstone,-- +"I am boring you. I am forgetting that this is only important to +myself," he added, with a sigh. "I only intended to ask your +advice in regard to the disposition of certain manuscripts and +effects of hers, which are unconnected with our acquaintance. I +thought, perhaps, I might entrust them to your delicacy and +consideration. They are here, if you choose to look them over; and +here is also what I believe to be a daguerreotype of the lady +herself, but in which I fail to recognize her soul and genius." + +He laid a bundle of letters and a morocco case on the table with a +carelessness that was intended to hide a slight shade of +disappointment in his face--and rose. + +"I beg your pardon," said Hurlstone, in confused and remorseful +apology; "but I frankly confess that my thoughts WERE preoccupied. +Pray forgive me. If you will leave these papers with me, I promise +to devote myself to them another time." + +"As you please," said the Senor, with a slight return of his old +affability. "But don't bore yourself now. Let us go on deck." + +He passed out of the cabin as Hurlstone glanced, half mechanically, +at the package before him. Suddenly his cheek reddened; he +stopped, looked hurriedly at the retreating form of Perkins, and +picked up a manuscript from the packet. It was in his wife's +handwriting. A sudden idea flashed across his mind, and seemed to +illuminate the obscure monotony of the story he had just heard. He +turned hurriedly to the morocco case, and opened it with trembling +fingers. It was a daguerreotype, faded and silvered; but the +features were those of his wife! + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +HOSTAGE. + + +The revolution of Todos Santos had to all appearances been effected +as peacefully as the gentle Liberator of Quinquinambo could have +wished. Two pronunciamientos, rudely printed and posted in the +Plaza, and saluted by the fickle garrison of one hundred men, who +had, however, immediately reappointed their old commander as +Generalissimo under the new regime, seemed to leave nothing to be +desired. A surging mob of vacant and wondering peons, bearing a +singular resemblance to the wild cattle and horses which +intermingled with them in blind and unceasing movement across the +Plaza and up the hilly street, and seemingly as incapable of self- +government, were alternately dispersed and stampeded or allowed to +gather again as occasion required. Some of these heterogeneous +bands were afterwards found--the revolution accomplished--gazing +stupidly on the sea, or ruminating in bovine wantonness on the +glacis before the Presidio. + +Eleanor Keene, who with her countrywomen had been hurried to the +refuge of the Mission, was more disturbed and excited at the +prospect of meeting Hurlstone again than by any terror of the +insurrection. But Hurlstone was not there, and Father Esteban +received her with a coldness she could not attribute entirely to +her countrymen's supposed sympathy with the insurgents. When +Richard Keene, who would not leave his sister until he had seen her +safe under the Mission walls, ventured at her suggestion to ask +after the American recluse, Father Esteban replied dryly that, +being a Christian gentleman, Hurlstone was the only one who had the +boldness to seek out the American filibuster Perkins, on his own +ship, and remonstrate with him for his unholy crusade. For the old +priest had already become aware of Hurlstone's blunder, and he +hated Eleanor as the primary cause of the trouble. But for her, +Diego would be still with him in this emergency. + +"Never mind, Nell," said Dick, noticing the disappointed eyes of +his sister as they parted, "you'll all be safe here until we +return. Between you and me, Banks, Brimmer, and I think that Brace +and Winslow have gone too far in this matter, and we're going to +stop it, unless the whole thing is over now, as they say." + +"Don't believe that," said Crosby. "It's like their infernal +earthquakes; there's always a second shock, and a tidal wave to +follow. I pity Brace, Winslow, and Perkins if they get caught in +it." + +There seemed to be some reason for his skepticism, for later the +calm of the Mission Garden was broken upon by the monotonous tread +of banded men on the shell-strewn walks, and the door of the +refectory opened to the figure of Senor Perkins. A green silk sash +across his breast, a gold-laced belt, supporting a light dress- +sword and a pair of pistols, buckled around the jaunty waist of his +ordinary black frock-coat, were his scant martial suggestions. But +his hat, albeit exchanged for a soft felt one, still reposed on the +back of his benevolent head, and seemed to accent more than ever +the contrast between his peaceful shoulders and the military +smartness of his lower figure. He bowed with easy politeness to +the assembled fugitives; but before he could address them, Father +Esteban had risen to his feet,-- + +"I thought that this house, at least, was free from the desecrating +footsteps of lawlessness and impiety," said the priest sternly. +"How dare YOU enter here?" + +"Nothing but the desire to lend my assistance to the claims of +beauty, innocence, helplessness, and--if you will allow me to add," +with a low bow to the priest--"sanctity, caused this intrusion. +For I regret to say that, through the ill-advised counsels of some +of my fellow-patriots, the Indian tribes attached to this Mission +are in revolt, and threaten even this sacred building." + +"It is false!" said Father Esteban indignantly. "Even under the +accursed manipulation of your emissaries, the miserable heathen +would not dare to raise a parricidal hand against the Church that +fostered him!" + +Senor Perkins smiled gently, but sadly. + +"Your belief, reverend sir, does you infinite credit. But, to save +time, let me give way to a gentleman who, I believe, possesses your +confidence. He will confirm my statement." + +He drew aside, and allowed Hurlstone, who had been standing +unperceived behind, to step forward. The Padre uttered an +exclamation of pleasure. Miss Keene colored quickly. Hurlstone +cast a long and lingering glance at her, which seemed to the +embarrassed girl full of a new, strange meaning, and then advanced +quickly with outstretched hands towards Father Esteban. + +"He speaks truly," he said, hurriedly, "and in the interests of +humanity alone. The Indians have been tampered with treacherously, +against his knowledge and consent. He only seeks now to prevent +the consequences of this folly by placing you and these ladies out +of reach of harm aboard of the Excelsior." + +"A very proper and excellent idea," broke in Mrs. Brimmer, with +genteel precision. "You see these people evidently recognize the +fact of Mr. Brimmer's previous ownership of the Excelsior, and the +respect that is due to him. I, for one, shall accept the offer, +and insist upon Miss Chubb accompanying me." + +"I shall be charmed to extend the hospitality of the Excelsior to +you on any pretext," said the Senor gallantly, "and, indeed, should +insist upon personally accompanying you and my dear friends Mrs. +Markham and Miss Keene; but, alas! I am required elsewhere. I +leave," he continued, turning towards Hurlstone, who was already +absorbed in a whispered consultation with Padre Esteban--"I leave a +sufficient escort with you to protect your party to the boats which +have brought us here. You will take them to the Excelsior, and +join me with the ship off Todos Santos in the morning. Adieu, my +friends! Good-night, and farewell!" + +The priest made a vehement movement of protestation, but he was +checked by Hurlstone, as, with a low bow, Senor Perkins passed out +into the darkness. The next moment his voice was heard raised in +command, and the measured tramp of his men gradually receded and +was lost in the distance. + +"Does he think," said the priest indignantly, "that I, Padre +Esteban, would desert my sacred trust, and leave His Holy Temple a +prey to sacrilegious trespass? Never, while I live, Diego! Call +him back and tell him so!" + +"Rather listen to me, Father Esteban," said the young man +earnestly. "I have a plan by which this may be avoided. From my +knowledge of these Indians, I am convinced that they have been +basely tricked and cajoled by some one. I believe that they are +still amenable to reason and argument, and I am so certain that I +am ready to go down among them and make the attempt. The old Chief +and part of his band are still encamped on the shore; we could hear +them as we passed in the boats. I will go and meet them. If I +succeed in bringing them to reason I will return; if I find them +intractable, I will at least divert their attention from the +Mission long enough for you to embark these ladies with their +escort, which you will do at the end of two hours if I do not +return." + +"In two hours?" broke in Mrs. Brimmer, in sharp protest. "I +positively object. I certainly understood that Senor Perkins' +invitation, which, under the circumstances, I shall consider equal +to a command from Mr. Brimmer, was to be accepted at once and +without delay; and I certainly shall not leave Miss Chubb exposed +to imminent danger for two hours to meet the caprice of an entire +stranger to Mr. Brimmer." + +"I am willing to stay with Father Esteban, if he will let me," said +Eleanor Keene quietly, "for I have faith in Mr. Hurlstone's +influence and courage, and believe he will be successful." + +The young man thanked her with another demonstrative look that +brought the warm blood to her cheek. + +"Well," said Mrs. Markham promptly; "I suppose if Nell stays I must +see the thing through and stay with her--even if I haven't orders +from Jimmy." + +"There is no necessity that either Mr. or Mrs. Brimmer should be +disobeyed in their wishes," said Hurlstone grimly. "Luckily there +are two boats; Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb can take one of them +with half the escort, and proceed at once to the Excelsior. I will +ride with them as far as the boat. And now," he continued, turning +to the old priest, with sparkling eyes, "I have only to ask your +blessing, and the good wishes of these ladies, to go forth on my +mission of peace. If I am successful," he added, with a light +laugh, "confess that a layman and a heretic may do some service for +the Church." As the old man laid his half detaining, half +benedictory hands upon his shoulders, the young man seized the +opportunity to whisper in his ear, "Remember your promise to tell +her ALL I have told you," and, with an other glance at Miss Keene, +he marshalled Mrs. Brimmer and Miss Chubb before him, and hurried +them to the boat. + +Miss Keene looked after him with a vague felicity in the change +that seemed to have come on him, a change that she could as little +account for as her own happiness. Was it the excitement of danger +that had overcome his reserve, and set free his compressed will and +energy? She longed for her brother to see him thus--alert, strong, +and chivalrous. In her girlish faith, she had no fear for his +safety; he would conquer, he would succeed; he would come back to +them victorious! Looking up from her happy abstraction, at the +side of Mrs. Markham, who had calmly gone to sleep in an arm-chair, +she saw Father Esteban's eyes fixed upon her. With a warning +gesture of the hand towards Mrs. Markham, he rose, and, going to +the door of the sacristy, beckoned to her. The young girl +noiselessly crossed the room and followed him into the sanctuary. + +Half an hour later, and while Mrs. Markham was still asleep, Father +Esteban appeared at the door of the sacristy ostentatiously taking +snuff, and using a large red handkerchief to wipe his more than +usually humid eyes. Eleanor Keene, with her chin resting on her +hand, remained sitting as he had left her, with her abstracted eyes +fixed vacantly on the lamp before the statue of the Virgin and the +half-lit gloom of the nave. + +Padre Esteban had told her ALL! She now knew Hurlstone's history +even as he had hesitatingly imparted it to the old priest in this +very church--perhaps upon the very seat where she sat. She knew +the peace that he had sought for and found within these walls, +broken only by his passion for her! She knew his struggles against +the hopelessness of this new-born love, even the desperate remedy +that had been adopted against herself, and the later voluntary +exile of her lover. She knew the providential culmination of his +trouble in the news brought unconsciously by Perkins, which, but a +few hours ago, he had verified by the letters, records, and even +the certificate of death that had thus strangely been placed in his +hands! She knew all this so clearly now, that, with the instinct +of a sympathetic nature, she even fancied she had heard it before. +She knew that all the obstacles to an exchange of their affection +had been removed; that her lover only waited his opportunity to +hear from her own lips the answer that was even now struggling at +her heart. And yet she hesitated and drew back, half frightened in +the presence of her great happiness. How she longed, and yet +dreaded, to meet him! What if anything should have happened to +him?--what if he should be the victim of some treachery?--what if +he did not come?--what if?--"Good heavens! what was that?" + +She was near the door of the sacristy, gazing into the dim and +shadowy church. Either she was going mad, or else the grotesque +Indian hangings of the walls were certainly moving towards her. +She rose in speechless terror, as what she had taken for an +uncouthly swathed and draped barbaric pillar suddenly glided to the +window. Crouching against the wall, she crept breathlessly towards +the entrance to the garden. Casting a hurried glance above her, +she saw the open belfry that was illuminated by the misty radiance +of the moon, darkly shadowed by hideously gibbering faces that +peered at her through the broken tracery. With a cry of horror she +threw open the garden-door; but the next moment was swallowed up in +the tumultuous tide of wild and half naked Indians who surged +against the walls of the church, and felt herself lifted from her +feet, with inarticulate cries, and borne along the garden. Even in +her mortal terror, she could recognize that the cries were not +those of rage, but of vacant satisfaction; that although she was +lifted on lithe shoulders, the grasp of her limbs was gentle, and +the few dark faces she could see around her were glistening in +childlike curiosity. Presently she felt herself placed upon the +back of a mule, that seemed to be swayed hither and thither in the +shifting mass, and the next moment the misty, tossing cortege moved +forward with a new and more definite purpose. She called aloud for +Father Esteban and Mrs. Markham; her voice appeared to flow back +upon her from the luminous wall of fog that closed around her. +Then the inarticulate, irregular outcries took upon themselves a +measured rhythm, the movement of the mass formed itself upon the +monotonous chant, the intervals grew shorter, the mule broke into a +trot, and then the whole vast multitude fell into a weird, +rhythmical, jogging quick step at her side. + +Whatever was the intent of this invasion of the Mission and her own +strange abduction, she was relieved by noticing that they were +going in the same direction as that taken by Hurlstone an hour +before. Either he was cognizant of their movements, and, being +powerless to prevent their attack on the church, had stipulated +they were to bring her to him in safety, or else he was calculating +to intercept them on the way. The fog prevented her from forming +any estimation of the numbers that surrounded her, or if the Padre +and Mrs. Markham were possibly preceding her as captives in the +vanguard. She felt the breath of the sea, and knew they were +traveling along the shore; the monotonous chant and jogging motion +gradually dulled her active terror to an apathetic resignation, in +which occasionally her senses seemed to swoon and swim in the +dreamy radiance through which they passed; at times it seemed a +dream or nightmare with which she was hopelessly struggling; at +times she was taking part in an unhallowed pageant, or some heathen +sacrificial procession of which she was the destined victim. + +She had no consciousness of how long the hideous journey lasted. +Her benumbed senses were suddenly awakened by a shock; the chant +had ceased, the moving mass in which she was imbedded rolled +forward once more as if by its own elasticity, and then receded +again with a jar that almost unseated her. Then the inarticulate +murmur was overborne by a voice. It was HIS! She turned blindly +towards it; but before she could utter the cry that rose to her +lips, she was again lifted from the saddle, carried forward, and +gently placed upon what seemed to be a moss-grown bank. Opening +her half swimming eyes she recognized the Indian cross. The crowd +seemed to recede before her. Her eyes closed again as a strong arm +passed around her waist. + +"Speak to me, Miss Keene--Eleanor--my darling!" said Hurlstone's +voice. "O my God! they have killed her!" + +With an effort she moved her head and tried to smile. Their eyes, +and then their lips met; she fainted. + +When she struggled to her senses again, she was lying in the stern- +sheets of the Excelsior's boat, supported on Mrs. Markham's +shoulder. For an instant the floating veil of fog around her, and +the rhythmical movement of the boat, seemed a part of her +mysterious ride, and she raised her head with a faint cry for +Hurlstone. + +"It's all right, my dear," said Mrs. Markham, soothingly; "he's +ashore with the Padre, and everything else is all right too. But +it's rather ridiculous to think that those idiotic Indians believed +the only way they could show Mr. Hurlstone that they meant us no +harm was to drag us all up to THEIR Mission, as they call that half +heathen cross of theirs--for safety against--who do you think, +dear?--the dreadful AMERICANS! And imagine all the while the Padre +and I were just behind you, bringing up the rear of the procession-- +only they wouldn't let us join you because they wanted to show you +special honor as"--she sank her voice to a whisper in Eleanor's +ear--"as the future Mrs. Hurlstone! It appears they must have +noticed something about you two, the last time you were there, my +dear. And--to think--YOU never told me anything about it!" + +When they reached the Excelsior, they found that Mrs. Brimmer, +having already settled herself in the best cabin, was inclined to +extend the hospitalities of the ship with the air of a hostess. +But the arrival of Hurlstone at midnight with some delegated +authority from Senor Perkins, and the unexpected getting under way +of the ship, disturbed her complacency. + +"We are going through the channel into the bay of Todos Santos," +was the brief reply vouchsafed her by Hurlstone. + +"But why can't we remain here and wait for Mr. Brimmer?" she asked +indignantly. + +"Because," responded Hurlstone grimly, "the Excelsior is expected +off the Presidio to-morrow morning to aid the insurgents." + +"You don't mean to say that Miss Chubb and myself are to be put in +the attitude of arraying ourselves against the constituted +authorities--and, perhaps, Mr. Brimmer himself?" asked Mrs. +Brimmer, in genuine alarm. + +"It looks so," said Hurlstone, a little maliciously; "but, no +doubt, your husband and the Senor will arrange it amicably." + +To Mrs. Markham and Miss Keene he explained more satisfactorily +that the unexpected disaffection of the Indians had obliged Perkins +to so far change his plans as to disembark his entire force from +the Excelsior, and leave her with only the complement of men +necessary to navigate her through the channel of Todos Santos, +where she would peacefully await his orders, or receive his men in +case of defeat. + +Nevertheless, as the night was nearly spent, Mrs. Markham and +Eleanor preferred to await the coming day on deck, and watch the +progress of the Excelsior through the mysterious channel. In a few +moments the barque began to feel the combined influence of the tide +and the slight morning breeze, and, after rounding an invisible +point, she presently rose and fell on the larger ocean swell. The +pilot, whom Hurlstone recognized as the former third mate of the +Excelsior, appeared to understand the passage perfectly; and even +Hurlstone and the ladies, who had through eight months' experience +become accustomed to the luminous obscurity of Todos Santos, could +detect the faint looming of the headland at the entrance. The same +soothing silence, even the same lulling of the unseen surf, which +broke in gentle undulations over the bar, and seemed to lift the +barque in rocking buoyancy over the slight obstruction, came back +to them as on the day of their fateful advent. The low orders of +the pilot, the cry of the leadsman in the chains, were but a part +of the restful past. + +Under the combined influence of the hour and the climate, the +conversation fell into monosyllables, and Mrs. Markham dozed. The +lovers sat silently together, but the memory of a kiss was between +them. It spanned the gulf of the past with an airy bridge, over +which their secret thoughts and fancies passed and repassed with a +delicious security; henceforth they could not flee from that +memory, even if they wished; they read it in each other's lightest +glance; they felt it in the passing touch of each other's hands; it +lingered, with vague tenderness, on the most trivial interchange of +thought. Yet they spoke a little of the future. Eleanor believed +that her brother would not object to their union; he had spoken of +entering into business at Todos Santos, and perhaps when peace and +security were restored they might live together. Hurlstone did not +tell her that a brief examination of his wife's papers had shown +him that the property he had set aside for her maintenance, and +from which she had regularly drawn an income, had increased in +value, and left him a rich man. He only pressed her hand, and +whispered that her wishes should be his. They had become tenderly +silent again, as the Excelsior, now fairly in the bay, appeared to +be slowly drifting, with listless sails and idle helm, in languid +search of an anchorage. Suddenly they were startled by a cry from +the lookout. + +"Sail ho!" + +There was an incredulous start on the deck. The mate sprang into +the fore-rigging with an oath of protestation. But at the same +moment the tall masts and spars of a vessel suddenly rose like a +phantom out of the fog at their side. The half disciplined foreign +crew uttered a cry of rage and trepidation, and huddled like sheep +in the waist, with distracted gestures; even the two men at the +wheel forsook their post to run in dazed terror to the taffrail. +Before the mate could restore order to this chaos, the Excelsior +had drifted, with a scarcely perceptible concussion, against the +counter of the strange vessel. In an instant a dozen figures +appeared on its bulwarks, and dropped unimpeded upon the +Excelsior's deck. As the foremost one approached the mate, the +latter shrank back in consternation. + +"Captain Bunker!" + +"Yes," said the figure, advancing with a mocking laugh; "Captain +Bunker it is. Captain Bunker, formerly of this American barque +Excelsior, and now of the Mexican ship La Trinidad. Captain Bunker +ez larnt every foot of that passage in an open boat last August, +and didn't forget it yesterday in a big ship! Captain Bunker ez +has just landed a company of dragoons to relieve the Presidio. +What d'ye say to that, Mr. M'Carthy--eh?" + +"I say," answered M'Carthy, raising his voice with a desperate +effort to recover his calmness, "I say that Perkins landed with +double that number of men yesterday around that point, and that +he'll be aboard here in half an hour to make you answer for this +insult to his ship and his Government." + +"His Government!" echoed Bunker, with a hoarser laugh; "hear him!-- +HIS Government! His Government died at four o'clock this morning, +when his own ringleaders gave him up to the authorities. Ha! Why, +this yer revolution is played out, old man; and Generalissimo +Leonidas Perkins is locked up in the Presidio." + + +CHAPTER IX. + +LIBERATED. + + +The revolution was, indeed, ended. The unexpected arrival of a +relieving garrison in the bay of Todos Santos had completed what +the dissensions in the insurgents' councils had begun; the +discontents, led by Brace and Winslow, had united with the +Government against Perkins and his aliens; but a compromise had +been effected by the treacherous giving up of the Liberator himself +in return for an amnesty granted to his followers. The part that +Bunker had played in bringing about this moral catastrophe was, +however, purely adventitious. When he had recovered his health, +and subsequent events had corroborated the truth of his story, the +Mexican Government, who had compromised with Quinquinambo, was +obliged to recognize his claims by offering him command of the +missionary ship, and permission to rediscover the channel, the +secret of which had been lost for half a century to the Government. +He had arrived at the crucial moment when Perkins' command were +scattered along the seashore, and the dragoons had invested Todos +Santos without opposition. + +Such was the story substantially told to Hurlstone and confirmed on +his debarkation with the ladies at Todos Santos, the Excelsior +being now in the hands of the authorities. Hurlstone did not +hesitate to express to Padre Esteban his disgust at the treachery +which had made a scapegoat of Senor Perkins. But to his surprise +the cautious priest only shrugged his shoulders as he took a +complacent pinch of snuff. + +"Have a care, Diego! You are of necessity grateful to this man for +the news he has brought--nay, more, for possibly being the +instrument elected by Providence to precipitate the denouement of +that miserable woman's life--but let it not close your eyes to his +infamous political career. I admit that he was opposed to the +revolt of the heathen against us, but it was his emissaries and his +doctrines that poisoned with heresy the fountains from which they +drank. Enough! Be grateful! but do not expect ME to intercede for +Baal and Ashtaroth!" + +"Intercede!" echoed Hurlstone, alarmed at the sudden sacerdotal +hardness that had overspread the old priest's face. "Surely the +Council will not be severe with the man who was betrayed into their +power by others equally guilty?" + +Padre Esteban avoided Hurlstone's eyes as he answered with affected +coolness,--"Quien sabe? There will be expulsados, no doubt. The +Excelsior, which is confiscated, will be sent to Mexico with them." + +"I must see Senor Perkins," said Hurlstone suddenly. + +The priest hesitated. + +"When?" he asked cautiously. + +"At once." + +"Good." He wrote a hurried line on a piece of paper, folded it, +sealed it, and gave it to Hurlstone. "You will hand that to the +Comandante. He will give you access to the prisoner." + +In less than half an hour Hurlstone presented himself before the +Commander. The events of the last twenty-four hours had evidently +affected Don Miguel, for although he received Hurlstone courteously, +there was a singular reflection of the priest's harshness in his +face as he glanced over the missive. He took out his watch. + +"I give you ten minutes with the prisoner, Don Diego. More, I +cannot." + +A little awed by the manner of the Commander, Hurlstone bowed and +followed him across the courtyard. It was filled with soldiers, +and near the gateway a double file of dragoons, with loaded +carbines, were standing at ease. Two sentries were ranged on each +side of an open door which gave upon the courtyard. The Commander +paused before it, and with a gesture invited him to enter. It was +a large square apartment, lighted only by the open door and a +grated enclosure above it. Seated in his shirtsleeves, before a +rude table, Senor Perkins was quietly writing. The shadow of +Hurlstone's figure falling across his paper caused him to look up. + +Whatever anxiety Hurlstone had begun to feel, it was quickly +dissipated by the hearty, affable, and even happy greeting of the +prisoner. + +"Ah! what! my young friend Hurlstone! Again an unexpected +pleasure," he said, extending his white hands. "And again you find +me wooing the Muse, in, I fear, hesitating numbers." He pointed to +the sheet of paper before him, which showed some attempts at +versification. "But I confess to a singular fascination in the +exercise of poetic composition, in instants of leisure like this--a +fascination which, as a man of imagination yourself, you can +appreciate." + +"And I am sorry to find you here, Senor Perkins," began Hurlstone +frankly; "but I believe it will not be for long." + +"My opinion," said the Senor, with a glance of gentle contemplation +at the distant Comandante, "as far as I may express it, coincides +with your own." + +"I have come," continued Hurlstone earnestly, "to offer you my +services. I am ready," he raised his voice, with a view of being +overheard, "to bear testimony that you had no complicity in the +baser part of the late conspiracy,--the revolt of the savages, and +that you did your best to counteract the evil, although in doing so +you have sacrificed yourself. I shall claim the right to speak +from my own knowledge of the Indians and from their admission to me +that they were led away by the vague representations of Martinez, +Brace, and Winslow." + +"Pardon--pardon me," said Senor Perkins deprecatingly, "you are +mistaken. My general instructions, no doubt, justified these young +gentlemen in taking, I shall not say extreme, but injudicious +measures." He glanced meaningly in the direction of the Commander, +as if to warn Hurlstone from continuing, and said gently, "But let +us talk of something else. I thank you for your gracious +intentions, but you remember that we agreed only yesterday that you +knew nothing of politics, and did not concern yourself with them. +I do not know but you are wise. Politics and the science of self- +government, although dealing with general principles, are apt to be +defined by the individual limitations of the enthusiast. What is +good for HIMSELF he too often deems is applicable to the general +public, instead of wisely understanding that what is good for THEM +must be good for himself. But," said the Senor lightly, "we are +again transgressing. We were to choose another topic. Let it be +yourself, Mr. Hurlstone. You are looking well, sir; indeed, I may +say I never saw you looking so well! Let me congratulate you. +Health is the right of youth. May you keep both!" + +He shook Hurlstone's hand again with singular fervor. + +There was a slight bustle and commotion at the door of the guard- +room, and the Commander's attention was called in that direction. +Hurlstone profited by the opportunity to say in a hurried whisper: + +"Tell me what I can do for you;" and he hesitated to voice his +renewed uneasiness--"tell me if--if--if your case is--urgent!" + +Senor Perkins lifted his shoulders and smiled with grateful +benevolence. + +"You have already promised me to deliver those papers and +manuscripts of my deceased friend, and to endeavor to find her +relations. I do not think it is urgent, however." + +"I do not mean that," said Hurlstone eagerly. "I"--but Perkins +stopped him with a sign that the Commander was returning. + +Don Miguel approached them with disturbed and anxious looks. + +"I have yielded to the persuasions of two ladies, Dona Leonor and +the Senora Markham, to ask you to see them for a moment," he said +to Senor Perkins. "Shall it be so? I have told them the hour is +nearly spent." + +"You have told them--NOTHING MORE?" asked the Senor, in a whisper +unheard by Hurlstone. + +"No." + +"Let them come, then." + +The Commander made a gesture to the sentries at the guard-room, who +drew back to allow Mrs. Markham and Eleanor to pass. A little +child, one of Eleanor's old Presidio pupils, who, recognizing her, +had followed her into the guard-room, now emerged with her, and +momentarily disconcerted at the presence of the Commander, ran, +with the unerring instinct of childhood, to the Senor for +protection. The filibuster smiled, and lifting the child with a +paternal gesture to his shoulder by one hand, he extended the other +to the ladies. + +"The Commander," said Mrs. Markham briskly, "says it's against the +rules; that visiting time is up; and you've already got a friend +with you, and all that sort of thing; but I told him that I was +bound to see you, if only to say that if there's any meanness going +on, Susannah and James Markham ain't in it! No! But we're going +to see you put right and square in the matter; and if we can't do +it here, we'll do it, if we have to follow you to Mexico!--that's +all!" + +"And I," said Eleanor, grasping the Senor's hand, and half blushing +as she glanced at Hurlstone, "see that I have already a friend here +who will help me to put in action all the sympathy I feel." + +Senor Perkins drew himself up, and cast a faint look of pride +towards the Commander. + +"To HEAR such assurances from beautiful and eloquent lips like +those before me," he said, with his old oratorical wave of the +hand, but a passing shadow across his mild eyes, "is more than +sufficient. In my experience of life I have been favored, at +various emergencies, by the sympathy and outspoken counsel of your +noble sex; the last time by Mrs. Euphemia M'Corkle, of Peoria, +Illinois, a lady of whom you have heard me speak--alas! now lately +deceased. A few lines at present lying on yonder table--a tribute +to her genius--will be forwarded to you, dear Mrs. Markham. But +let us change the theme. You are looking well--and you, too, Miss +Keene. From the roses that bloom on your cheeks--nourished by the +humid air of Todos Santos--I am gratified in thinking you have +forgiven me your enforced detention here." + +At a gesture from the Commander he ceased, stepped back, bowed +gravely, and the ladies recognized that their brief audience had +terminated. As they passed through the gateway, looking back they +saw Perkins still standing with the child on his shoulder and +smiling affably upon them. Then the two massive doors of the +gateway swung to with a crash, the bolts were shot, and the +courtyard was impenetrable. + + . . . . . . + +A few moments later, the three friends had passed the outermost +angle of the fortifications, and were descending towards the beach. +By the time they had reached the sands they had fallen into a vague +silence. + +A noise like the cracking and fall of some slight scaffolding +behind them arrested their attention. Hurlstone turned quickly. A +light smoke, drifting from the courtyard, was mingling with the +fog. A faint cry of "Dios y Libertad!" rose with it. + +With a hurried excuse to his companions, Hurlstone ran rapidly +back, and reached the gate as it slowly rolled upon its hinges to a +file of men that issued from the courtyard. The first object that +met his eyes was the hat of Senor Perkins lying on the ground near +the wall, with a terrible suggestion in its helpless and pathetic +vacuity. A few paces further lay its late owner, with twenty +Mexican bullets in his breast, his benevolent forehead bared meekly +to the sky, as if even then mutely appealing to the higher +judgment. He was dead! The soul of the Liberator of Quinquinambo, +and of various other peoples more or less distressed and more or +less ungrateful, was itself liberated! + + . . . . . . + +With the death of Senor Perkins ended the Crusade of the Excelsior. +Under charge of Captain Bunker the vessel was sent to Mazatlan by +the authorities, bearing the banished and proscribed Americans, +Banks, Brace, Winslow, and Crosby; and, by permission of the +Council, also their friends, Markham and Brimmer, and the ladies, +Mrs. Brimmer, Chubb, and Markham. Hurlstone and Miss Keene alone +were invited to remain, but, on later representations, the Council +graciously included Richard Keene in the invitation, with the +concession of the right to work the mines and control the ranches +he and Hurlstone had purchased from their proscribed countrymen. +The complacency of the Council of Todos Santos may be accounted for +when it is understood that on the day the firm of Hurlstone & Keene +was really begun under the title of Mr. and Mrs. Hurlstone, Richard +had prevailed upon the Alcalde to allow him to add the piquant Dona +Isabel also to the firm under the title of Mrs. Keene. Although +the port of Todos Santos was henceforth open to all commerce, the +firm of Hurlstone & Keene long retained the monopoly of trade, and +was a recognized power of intelligent civilization and honest +progress on the Pacific coast. And none contributed more to that +result than the clever and beautiful hostess of Excelsior Lodge, +the charming country home of James Hurlstone, Esq., senior partner +of the firm. Under the truly catholic shelter of its veranda Padre +Esteban and the heretic stranger mingled harmoniously, and the +dissensions of local and central Government were forgotten. + +"I said that you were a dama de grandeza, you remember," said the +youthful Mrs. Keene to Mrs. Hurlstone, "and, you see, you are!" + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg Etext The Crusade of the Excelsior, by Harte + diff --git a/old/tcote10.zip b/old/tcote10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fbe300c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/tcote10.zip |