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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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