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diff --git a/43188-8.txt b/43188-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 08885e1..0000000 --- a/43188-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7040 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Harlequin Opal, Vol. 2 (of 3), by Fergus Hume - -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 Harlequin Opal, Vol. 2 (of 3) - A Romance - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: July 10, 2013 [EBook #43188] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HARLEQUIN OPAL, VOL. 2 (OF 3) *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -THE HARLEQUIN OPAL - -A ROMANCE - - -BY - -FERGUS HUME - -_Author of "The Island of Fantasy," "Aladdin in London," etc._ - - -VOLUME II - - - Once a realm of Indian glory, - Famed in Aztec song and story, - Fabled by Tradition hoary - As an earthly Paradise; - Now a land of love romances, - Serenades, bolero dances, - Looks of scorn, adoring glances, - Under burning tropic skies. - - -LONDON -W. H. ALLEN & CO., LIMITED -13, WATERLOO PLACE, S.W. -1893 - -WYMAN AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND REDHILL. - - - - - PROEM. - - - The stone had its birth in the nurturing earth, - Its home in the heart of the main, - From the coraline caves it was tossed by the waves - On the breast of an aureate plain; - And the spirits who dwell in the nethermost hell - Stored fire in its bosom of white; - The sylphs of the air made it gracious and fair - With the blue of the firmament's height. - - The dull gnomes I ween, gave it glittering sheen, - Till yellow as gold it became; - The nymphs of the sea made the opal to be - A beacon of emerald flame. - - The many tints glow, they come and they go - At bidding of spirits abhorr'd, - When one ray is bright, in the bosom of white, - Its hue tells the fate of its lord. - For yellow hints wealth, and blue meaneth health, - While green forbodes passing of gloom, - But beware of the red, 'tis an omen of dread, - Portending disaster and doom. - - - - -Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected -without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have -been retained as printed. Words printed in italics are noted with -underscores: _italics_. The cover of this ebook was created by the -transcriber and is hereby placed in the public domain. - - - - -INDEX. - - -CHAP. PAGE - - I.--AWAY TO THE NORTH 1 - - II.--ACAUHTZIN 21 - - III.--DON HYPOLITO XUAREZ 37 - - IV.--RIVALS 58 - - V.--IN SHADOWLAND 81 - - VI.--THE SHRINE OF THE OPAL 104 - - VII.--AN UNEXPECTED MEETING 130 - -VIII.--AN INDIAN FESTIVAL 153 - - IX.--THE FUGITIVES 184 - - X.--FORTUNE TURNS HER WHEEL 210 - - XI.--AWAY TO THE FRONT 233 - - XII.--A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT--NEW STYLE 257 - -XIII.--WITHOUT THE WALLS 278 - - - - -THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -AWAY TO THE NORTH. - - Oh, leave the south, the languid south, - Its cloudless skies, its weary calms; - The land of heat, and glare, and drouth, - Where aloes bloom, and spring the palms. - There water is the best of alms, - To cool the ever-parched mouth; - Oh, with the breezes bearing balms, - Fly northward from the languid south. - - Oh, seek the bitter northern skies, - Where falls the snow, and blows the sleet; - 'Mid which the stormy sea-bird cries, - And circles on its pinions fleet. - On rocky shores the surges beat, - And icebergs crystalline arise, - Life thrills our veins with tropic heat, - Beneath the bitter northern skies. - - -Once more _The Bohemian_ was breasting the warm waves of the Pacific, -and seemed to rejoice in her freedom like a sentient thing, as she -plunged north-ward to Acauhtzin. The smoke poured black from her -wide-mouthed funnel, the blades of her propeller, lashing the waters to -foam, left behind her a long trail of white, and her sharp nose dipped -and fell in the salt brine with every pulsation of the pistons. Beneath -the folds of the Union Jack, streaming in the wind, were gathered the -Englishmen and the Cholacacans, all light-hearted and hopeful, despite -the undoubted peril of their mission. It was no light task to beard -Xuarez in his stronghold, to assert the authority of the Republic in -the teeth of his army. The mission was a valiant one, but foolhardy, -and Tim, if no one else, looked for anything but a peaceful termination -to the voyage. - -The distance to Acauhtzin was something over three hundred miles, and -as _The Bohemian_ was swirling along at the rate of seventeen knots an -hour, it was hoped she would reach her destination in fifteen hours or -thereabouts. Owing to one thing and another, the yacht had not left -Tlatonac till close on four o'clock in the afternoon; so, making all -allowance for possible accidents and stoppages, at the rate she was -going, Philip calculated that he would fetch the northern capital about -dawn. He did not wish to venture too near the port in the darkness, as -the war-ships were protecting the town, and not seeing the English -ensign, might open fire on his yacht, under the impression that she was -an enemy. With this idea the engines were slowed down during the -voyage, and _The Bohemian_ was timed to enter the port some time before -noon of the next day. - -Owing to the number of people on board (twenty-six souls, in addition -to the crew), it was somewhat difficult to provide all with -accommodation. Fortunately, however, the nights were warm and rainless, -so the soldiers made themselves comfortable on deck, and slept soundly -enough, wrapped in their military cloaks. The sailing-master of _The -Bohemian_, a tough old salt, by name Simon Benker, growled a good -deal at the way in which his spotless decks were being spoiled, but -Philip managed to smooth him down by representing the seriousness of -the situation. Benker submitted with but ill grace. The yacht was the -pride of his life, the darling of his heart, and he had no great love -for the inhabitants of Cholacaca. However, Sir Philip was master, and -gave the soldiers permission to camp out on deck, so Benker was forced -to acquiesce in the arrangement. - -The ambassadors, in company with the three Englishmen, took up their -quarters in the state-room and cabins. As there were not enough bunks, -some of them had to sleep in the saloon, so the younger members of the -party gave up the sleeping-berths to the elders, and did their best to -make shift in a rough-and-ready fashion. As they sat up late, however, -and got up early, this inconvenienced them but little, and the utmost -good humour prevailed above and below during the voyage. The crew, with -the exception of Benker, fraternised with the soldiers, and their -masters entertained the Spanish hidalgos; so, despite all -inconveniences, things went off capitally. Even Jack plucked up his -spirits now that he was on his way to rescue Dolores, and Philip's -excellent brand of champagne had a wonderful effect of keeping the -temperament of all up to what Tim called, "concert pitch." - -Don Alonzo Cebrian was a pompous old man, whose every second word was, -"I, the Intendante." He was as proud as Lucifer, and never alluded to -the rebels save by the opprobrious names of canalla, ladrons, demonios, -all of which terms were echoed regularly by Captain Velez. This young -gentleman, a good-looking spendthrift, with a rather scampish -reputation, played the part of echo to please the Intendante, whose -daughter he wished to marry for her dowry. The lady was plain, but her -father was rich; so Captain Velez was quite willing to sacrifice his -good looks and bachelor freedom on the altar of matrimony, provided he -was well paid for doing so. Don Rafael was in the highest of spirits at -the prospect of seeing Doña carmencita, and kept things going by the -liveliness of his sallies, while Colonel Garibay smoked endless -cigarettes and spoke but little. - -After an excellent dinner, which was done full justice to by the hungry -Spaniards, they all went on deck, and sat down to smoke and talk. First -and foremost, they all paid Sir Philip handsome compliments about the -beauty and speed of _The Bohemian_, and then drifted gradually into the -one subject of the hour--the war with Xuarez--the embassy to -Xuarez--the certainty of punishing Xuarez. - -"Begad! Philip," whispered Tim, who was smoking a villainous black clay -pipe, "it's all Xuarez and nothing else. Is he the only man the -Opposidores have?" - -"So it appears," replied Philip, leaning back in his chair; "the whole -row seems to hinge on Xuarez. Is that not your opinion, Don Rafael?" - -"What is that, mi amigo? I do not understand English." - -"That Xuarez is the only capable man on the side of the Opposidores?" - -"Ladrons!" interrupted Don Alonzo, with stately spite. "I, the -Intendante, think otherwise. Xuarez is clever; but, Señores, no one is -so clever as Tejada! Canalla!" - -"Canalla!" echoed Velez, removing his cigarette, "no one is so clever -as Tejada!" - -"Don José is being deceived by Xuarez," said Rafael, ruffled at this -allusion to his proposed father-in-law; "he is a pompous old fool, and, -if he is wise, will leave Acauhtzin with his family, and place himself -under the protection of the Republic." - -"He won't do that," replied Garibay, decisively; "he is of too much -service to Xuarez. The Opposidores have but little wealth, and Tejada -is a rich man." - -"Well, no matter, Señores. I, the Intendante, will arrest them both, -and carry them in chains to the Junta." - -"I am afraid that will be more difficult than you imagine, Señor," said -Rafael, dryly. "Xuarez is adored by the townspeople of Acauhtzin. He -has a passably good army, the friendship of the Indians, who are being -urged on to war by that prophetic opal, and a capital fleet. With all -these at his command, he would be a fool to yield at the mere reading -of a decree. No. This war will be a long one--a difficult one--and it -is doubtful if, in the end, Don Hypolito will not conquer." - -Garibay frowned, and looked sternly at the young man. - -"Are your sympathies with the Opposidores, Señor?" - -"By no means. I see in Xuarez a possible tyrant, an unscrupulous -scoundrel; but I am not so blinded as to overlook his talents. Already -he has scored heavily against us. The securing of the fleet, the -gaining of Acauhtzin to his interest, and all without a blow. Believe -me, Colonel, I speak truly when I say Xuarez is a foe to be dreaded." - -"He will not dare to defy the decree of the Republic," said the -Intendante, pompously. "When I read this," added Don Alonzo, tapping -his breast pocket, where lay the official paper, "he will yield." - -"Certainly!" echoed Velez, parrot-like, "he will yield. Carambo! He -dare not defy Don Alonzo!" - -"Do you think Xuarez is a second Montezuma, to yield in the presence of -his army, Señores," cried Rafael, vehemently. "I tell you no! Were he -alone, he would resist arrest. How much more so, then, when supported -by the devotion of hundreds. I am a true subject of the Republic; I -hate, dread, and scorn Don Hypolito. But I do not despise him. He will -be the Napoleon of Cholacaca. Let the Republic beware!" - -"Ah! bah!" said Colonel Garibay, while Don Alonzo snorted with -indignation. "Xuarez may be a clever man; but he is no general. Why, he -does not even make the first move!" - -"No; he bides his time. When he does move, Tlatonac will hear of it." - -"You mean, he will bombard the city?" - -"Yes, and no! I will explain. Excuse me one moment, Señores. I go for a -map of the country." - -Don Rafael ran down to the cabin; and during his absence the Intendante -and Captain Velez scoffed at the idea that Xuarez would be a dangerous -enemy. They had a duet in a braggadocio vein. - -"He will yield, Señores, when I read this decree." - -"The troops of Tlatonac alone can crush him," added Velez, confidently. - -"We will swallow these rebels at a mouthful. I, the Intendante, say -so." - -"The war will be a mere military promenade!" said his echo. - -"So said the French at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war," -interjected Philip, grimly, "but they made a mistake. What is your -opinion, Colonel?" - -"I agree with Don Rafael," replied Garibay, slowly "I am by no means -inclined to undervalue our opponent. Xuarez is as cunning as Satan, and -as ambitious. His first moves in this war have resulted to his own -advantage; therefore I am not so confident of a speedy termination to -this campaign as are these gentlemen. Fire-crackers, such as reading a -decree will not frighten a man like Xuarez!" - -"Then you think this journey useless?" asked Jack, who was of much the -same opinion himself. - -"Absolutely, Señors. I believe we are on the eve of a terrible -struggle, and to whom will result the advantage I know not." - -"If all the Junta were as faint-hearted as yourself and Don Rafael, we -would yield without a blow," said the Intendante, bitterly. - -"Without a blow," from Velez, in the same tone! "Carambo!" - -"You are wrong, Señor," cried the Colonel, with fiery earnestness, "I -am not faint-hearted. I will fight against Xuarez to the last. But is -it wise to scoff at this man as you are doing? I tell you he is a -master-spirit, such as rises once in a century, and, as such, is -all-powerful, even against the great power of the Republic. He is one -of those men who change the destinies of nations. A Napoleon, a -Garibaldi, a Washington. From my soul, Señores, I trust we shall win, -and save the Republic; but it is as well to look on both sides of the -question. Blind security is not wise. Por todos Santos, Señores," cried -Garibay, rising to his feet in his excitement, "see how this man has -already succeeded. Acauhtzin, the most important town next to the -capital, is in his hands, our fleet has gone over entirely to his side; -and have you forgotten the treachery of Marina and Pepe. A full plan of -the fortifications of Tlatonac is before him. If he can do this much, -he can do more. Till the end, I shall support the Republic, and resist -a possible Dictator; but do not sneer at Xuarez! I tell you he is a -great man!" - -This was an unexampled outburst for the ordinarily calm Colonel, and he -sank back in his chair with a look of agitation on his usually -impassive face. The Intendante and Velez were for the moment impressed; -yet, soon recovering their obstinate belief in the invulnerability of -the Republic, would have replied, but that at this moment Don Rafael -made his appearance with a small map. - -"Your pardon, Señores, that I have been so long!" apologised Rafael, -sitting down promptly, and spreading out the map on his own and -Philip's knees. "Look, now, mis amigos, and I will tell you how this -campaign will be conducted!" - -"How do you know, Señor? Are you in the confidence of Xuarez?" - -"I am a gentleman, no traitor!" replied Rafael, haughtily, to the -insulting question of the Intendante. "I know something of Don -Hypolito's plans, because he spoke of them to Don José de Tejada. -Before the revolt of the fleet, I was a visitor at the house of that -gentleman, and so learned much. Had Don José known that I would remain -true to the Republic, he would have been more cautious. As it was, he -spoke sufficiently clearly to let me understand the broad outlines of -the campaign as designed by Xuarez." - -"Bueno!" said the Intendante, politely, "I ask your pardon, Don Rafael. -And this plan." - -"Behold!" said Rafael, tracing with his finger the various points; -"here is Acauhtzin--there Tlatonac!--and at the extreme south you see -Janjalla! This last town will be attacked first." - -"And the reason?" - -"Carrai! can you not see, Señor Garibay? Between Tlatonac and Acauhtzin -are nothing but mountains--no roads, no open spaces. All giant hills, -terrible precipices, a few paths made by Indians, and inhospitable -deserts, where the land happens to be flat for a few miles. How then -can Xuarez convey his army to the capital in that direction?" - -"True, true! And most of his soldiers are dragoons." - -"Certainly, he could attack Tlatonac with Indians who are used to their -rugged country; but savages, as Xuarez well knows, can do little or -nothing against trained troops. In conjunction with his own army, they -can do something; but, alone, they are almost useless. Bueno! You see -he, will not attack from the north." - -"But why attack Janjalla instead of Tlatonac?" asked Tim, who was -anxiously following this discussion, pencil and note-book in hand. - -"Look to the south," replied Don Rafael, promptly. "No mountains -between Janjalla and Tlatonac--nothing but rich plains--broad spaces on -which armies can manoeuvre. Now, if Xuarez conveys his troops by the -war-ships south to Janjalla, he can bombard and perhaps take that -city." - -"I, the Intendante, deny that!" - -"Impossible to take Janjalla," echoed Velez, nodding his head wisely. - -Rafael shrugged his shoulders. It was next to impossible to argue with -these obstinate people who would only look at one side of the question. - -"We will grant that Janjalla falls into the power of Xuarez," said -Garibay, impatiently; "and afterwards?" - -"Afterwards," resumed the young man, "Xuarez will garrison the town, -and concentrate all his troops there." - -"Thus leaving Acauhtzin open to attack," said Jack, satirically. - -"By no means. The war-ships will prevent our troops getting to that -town. We cannot get to it by land, and the sea will be blockaded by the -rebel fleet." - -"Unless the torpederas----" - -"True! unless the torpederas arrive," replied Rafael significantly; -"but it is doubtful as to whether the Junta or Xuarez will get them. -However, I am only supposing all these things being in favour of the -Opposidores." - -"Bueno! We will look at the matter from Don Hypolito's point of view," -said Philip, quietly. "His troops are concentrated at Janjalla. Between -that town and Tlatonac are open plains--and," added Philip, dryly, "the -armies of the Republic!" - -"Certainly. But let us presume, for the sake of argument, that Xuarez -makes three simultaneous attacks. With his regular army on the plains, -with the Indians from the north on Tlatonac--and from the sea by a -bombardment from the war-ships." - -"Dios!" muttered Garibay, biting his fingers; "that man is a general." - -"The troops of the Republic will conquer everywhere," said Don Alonzo, -gravely. - -"Everywhere!" repeated his umbra. - -"It is to be hoped so, Señores," said Tim, significantly, "the Republic -will need all the help she can get to defend herself in three places at -once." - -"In my opinion," observed Rafael, calmly, "there is only one way to end -the war." - -"And that is?" - -"By a naval victory. The Junta must secure the torpederas. We must have -more war-ships, and cripple Don Hypolito's power on the sea. Then he -will be unable to convey his troops to Janjalla--unable to bombard -Tlatonac, and remain shut up in Acauhtzin, where we can crush him at -our leisure." - -Garibay disagreed with this view of the matter, and accused Rafael of -looking solely at the matter from a naval point of view. A hot -discussion ensued, in which every possible attack, repulse, strategy, -and battle, was talked over far into the night. Philip and Jack grew -weary of this incessant argument, and slipped down to the saloon, where -they chatted about Dolores. Overhead they heard the hot-tempered -Spaniards arguing fiercely, and several times thought they would come -to blows so warm grew the discussion. - -"Egad, Jack! I'm glad this voyage ends to-morrow," said Philip, as they -turned in, "or they will certainly murder one another." - -A grunt was Jack's unsatisfactory reply. He was, almost asleep, and -already dreaming of rescuing Dolores from the clutches of Don Hypolito. - -After a time, those on deck grew tired of such unprofitable talk, and -one by one came down to snatch a few hours' sleep. In the space of -fifteen minutes everyone was snoring, and the yacht flew northward with -her cargo of sleeping men. Benker was in charge of the wheel, and as he -had been in these waters years before, knew every inch of the coast. -Keeping the boat about a mile from the shore, he headed her straight -for Acauhtzin, which was many miles away, in the curve of the land -where it stretched eastward into the Carribean Sea. - -It was a perfectly calm night. Stars and moon, a placid sea, and the -yacht swirling through the liquid plain with a slight roll. To the -right, the infinite expanse of the waters heaving against the horizon; -to the left, the long, low line of the coast, with its dim masses of -foliage, and here and there a snow-clad mountain peak. Benker twirled -the wheel, chewed his quid, and looked every now and then in disgust at -the sleeping forms of the soldiers encumbering the white decks of the -yacht. Moonlight and starlight, the throb of the screw, the singing of -the wind through the rigging, and the hiss of the waves seething past; -it was wonderfully beautiful. The boat sped onward like a shadow amid a -world of shadows, and the most prosaic soul would have been touched by -the profound beauty of this watery world. Not so Simon Benker. He was -used to it all, and regarded nothing but his work and the soldiers. - -Then the east began to palpitate with the coming dawn. Lines of dim -light low down on the horizon--yellow bands which melted to pale green, -and flushed to delicate rose colours. Higher and higher the coming day -dyed the sky in opaline hues, the stars fled westward, the wan moon -paling before this fierce splendour, hid her face behind a bank of -clouds. The dark world of waters became tinged with rainbow hues, then -one thick yellow shaft of light smote the zenith with heavy brilliance. -Ray after ray shot out like the spokes of a wheel, and suddenly the -intolerable glory of the sun leaped from the nether world. - -"Yonder," said Jack to Philip, who had come on deck to see the sunrise, -"yonder, my boy, is the Harlequin Opal!" - -"If it is as brilliant and as many-tinted as that," replied the -baronet, staring at the gorgeous sky and sea, "it must, indeed, be a -wonderful gem. Benker, how is she going?" - -"You have no soul," said Duval, turning away. "I am going down to have -a tub." - -He thereupon vanished again, was shortly followed by Philip, after he -had satisfied himself that _The Bohemian_ had done good work during the -hours of darkness. Afterwards they awoke their sleeping companions, and -had breakfast, when the Spaniards were introduced to several English -dishes, of which they approved greatly. - -The heavens were now a pale turquoise blue, the sun mounting towards -the zenith was already beginning to burn hotly, and all were assembled -on deck impatiently waiting to catch sight of their destination. Here -and there on the green shore, amid the forests they could see Indian -settlements, and at times light canoes skimmed the surface of the -waves. Towards eleven o'clock a white spot appeared on the land -straight ahead. Don Rafael, who was standing by Philip, touched the -young man's arm. - -"Acauhtzin!" he said, cheerfully; "we will be there in the hour." -Philip looked at his watch. - -"We left Tlatonac at four yesterday. We will reach Acauhtzin at twelve -to-day. Three hundred miles in twenty hours. That is not bad for slow -steaming. Had I kept her at full speed, she would have done it in -fifteen!" - -Tim, who had his glass up, gave an exclamation of surprise. - -"What is it, Tim?" - -"Three war-ships are lying in the harbour." - -"I thought as much," replied Philip, calmly; "we will have to run the -blockade." - -Tim pointed upward to the Union Jack. - -"If they fire on that," he said slowly, "Xuarez is not the clever man I -take him to be. What do you say, Jack?" - -"Say!" repeated Jack, who was looking ahead with clenched fists, "that -one of those three ships is _The Pizarro_, and that Dolores is on -board." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -ACAUHTZIN. - - Here, where mingle rocks and sands, - Phantom-like the city stands, - Looming vague and ghostly pale, - Through the dawning's misty veil. - Day and night, and night and day, - At the foot of ramparts grey; - Just a stone-throw up the shore - Ever-hungry surges roar, - As they would rejoice to tear - From her heights that city fair, - Where, engirt by forests green, - Proud she sits, a laurelled queen; - Dim the mighty fabric gleams, - As thought-built in magic dreams, - 'Tis some palace city hoary, - Famed in song for golden glory, - Which, at dawn, will fade away, - In the traitor light of day. - - -The city of Acauhtzin was not unlike the capital in appearance, though -it differed from Tlatonac in being built on a projecting point of land, -instead of on a hill. On either side were mountains, partially -enclosing a deep basin, wherein the war-ships were anchored, and on a -tongue of rock jutting into the centre of this pool the city was built. -The walls white and glistening, arose sheer from the rocky cliffs and -above them only a few steeples and towers could be seen. The walls -encompassing the tongue of rock formed a kind of citadel, and then ran -along the inshore for some distance on each side, terminating in -well-defended forts. At the back of the city arose a high mountain, -clothed with green forests, from amidst which a mighty peak of snow -shot up grandly into the blue sky. - -Philip saw all this when the yacht was some distance away, and at once -pronounced his opinion of the place. - -"It is like Valetta," he said, handing the glass to Jack. "The city is -built, on a tongue of land, the walls rise in the same precipitous -fashion, and there are harbours on either side. Were it not for that -mighty peak, and the mountains to right and left, it would be the -Valetta of the old world." - -On the flag-tower of the principal fort floated the banner of the -insurgent leader, the same in all respects as that of the Republic, -save that the colour was red instead of yellow. The Harlequin Opal was -so interwoven with the history and superstitions of the Cholacacans -that Xuarez could not afford to dispense with so powerful a symbol, and -on the crimson ground of the flag gleamed the representation of the -stone, shooting its myriad rays. At the entrance of the harbour were -anchored two heavily armed war-ships, which Don Rafael recognised as -_The Cortes_ and _The Columbus_. His own vessel, _The Pizarro_, lay -further in to the shore, almost across the gate which pierced the wall -of the great fort, and gave admission to the city. - -With the Union Jack flying at her masthead _The Bohemian_ steamed -boldly into the harbour between the threatening bulk of the two -men-of-war. Through their glasses, those on board the yacht could see -there was much excitement at her unexpected appearance both on the -ships and on shore. A crowd of people poured out of the gate like a -swarm of bees, as _The Bohemian_, slowing down her engines, swung -gracefully to anchor beside _The Pizarro_. Just as she cleared the -war-ships at the entrance, a puff of smoke broke from the black sides -of _The Cortes_, whereat Tim uttered an exclamation of rage. - -"It's insulting the flag they are!" - -"No. Blank cartridge," replied Philip, shrewdly; "they are saluting the -Union Jack. Don Hypolito evidently wants to stand well with England. -See, they are dipping their flags." - -The three war-ships lowered their pennants for a moment, in salutation -to the English flag, and then ran them up again to the masthead. Philip -had by this time brought _The Bohemian_ directly under the guns of -the forts; so that, in any event, she would be safe. The forts could -not depress their guns sufficiently to damage her, and the war-ships -would not dare to fire lest they should injure the ramparts of the -town. - -Making everything safe by this artful manoeuvre Philip, with the -sanction of Don Alonzo, hauled down the Union Jack, to hoist the -Republican banner. At first the forts thought the English ship was -responding to their salute, and several guns thundered a welcome to the -stranger, while the crowd on the shore cheered lustily. All these -greetings, however, were changed to cries of anger when the yellow -banner of Tlatonac flew up to the masthead of _The Bohemian_. Without -doubt, had the yacht been outside, the war-ships would have opened fire -on this audacious vessel, to make her pay for such insolence; but -Philip, being safe under the walls of the fort, could fly the flag with -impunity. - -The crowd on the beach and wharf roared with rage, as they saw the -hated ensign, and recognised the fact that by this audacious piece of -strategy a band of their enemies had gained admission into the very -heart of their harbour. Had those on shore been able to get on board -_The Bohemian_ it would have gone ill with Philip and his friends; -but, fortunately, the yacht had cast anchor some distance away, by the -side of _The Pizarro_. The crew of the war-ship lined the side of -their vessel to look at the daring intruder, and seeing this, Don -Rafael, suppressing all outward signs of rage, swore fluently to -himself as he recognised the renegades. - -In a remarkably short space of time, a boat with the rebel flag hanging -over its stern pulled out from the shore, and in a few minutes came -alongside _The Bohemian_. A ladder was thrown over at once, and there -stepped on deck Don José de Tejada, accompanied by a few officers. He -recognised Don Alonzo and his friends at once, for they had been -intimates of his before the outbreak of this fratricidal war. - -"Don Rafael! Don Alonzo," said Tejada, in astonishment. "What is the -meaning of this, Señores? and how have you the hardihood to display the -flag of Tlatonac under the guns of Acauhtzin?" - -"I, the Intendante, with these gentlemen, have come hither on a mission -to Don Hypolito Xuarez from the Junta of Cholacaca." - -"Oh, you would make peace. The Junta fears the result of an appeal to -arms." - -"Carajo, no!" cried Garibay, clapping his hand to his sword. "The Junta -fears nothing; much less the rebel Xuarez." - -"Beware, Señor," said Tejada, as several of his officers muttered -angrily; "I cannot protect you, if thus you speak of our honoured -President." - -"President!" cried Rafael, in a rage. - -"Yes; the President of Cholacaca." - -"Don Francisco Gomez is President?" - -"By the will of the aristocrats," said Don José fiercely; "but Don -Hypolito Xuarez is President by the will of the people." - -"Enough of this," exclaimed the Intendante, waving his hand; "we are -here under a flag of truce. Even you, Señor, must respect that. We will -deliver our message to Xuarez, and depart unharmed." - -"That is as Don Hypolito wills it." - -"Your pardon, Señor," interposed Philip, taking off his yachting cap; -"this is an English vessel, and as such you dare not seize her." - -"I recognise no vessel as English under those colours," said Tejada, -fiercely, pointing to the opal banner. - -"Bueno! I will endeavour to remove your prejudice." - -In another moment Philip had given orders to Benker, and the Union Jack -was flying at the other masthead. - -"You must respect our neutrality now, Señor." - -Don José bit his lip, and turning to one of his officers, gave an -order. The soldier bowed, dropped over the side of the yacht, and went -ashore in the boat. - -"I have sent to tell Don Hypolito that an embassy has come from -Tlatonac," said Tejada, addressing the Intendante with marked coldness; -"in ten or fifteen minutes you shall know his decision." - -"He must receive us, Señor." - -"No doubt; but the question is, will he let you depart?" - -"By the law of nations, which recognises the white flag, he must let us -go as we came, unharmed." - -"Had you not sailed under the English ensign, you would not have got -into the harbour so easily. This boat would be now sunk by the guns of -_The Cortes_." - -"I thought as much," said Philip, easily; "therefore I flew a flag -which even you had to respect." - -"And may I ask, Señores," sneered Don José, with elaborate politeness, -"under which flag you sail? the English, the Opal, or the White?" - -"Under the white," replied Garibay, promptly. - -"Good! Then lower those two banners, and run up the white flag." - -"I'll see you hanged first!" retorted Philip, bluntly. "This is an -English vessel, and I defy you to touch it or the flag." - -Tejada blushed red with rage, for he knew that Xuarez, anxious to stand -well in his quarrel with the great nations of Europe, would not dare to -insult the Union Jack. In fact, seeing that the deputation had arrived -in an English vessel, Tejada was well assured in his own mind that it -would be received and sent away with the utmost courtesy, let their -message from the Junta be galling as it might be. Xuarez was no -barbarian, and in any case would have treated a flag of truce with -honour, but the presence of these English gentlemen, of this English -ship, put the matter beyond all doubt. - -Under these circumstances, Tejada was unable to reply to Sir Philip; -but suppressing his wrath with a great effort, bowed politely and -turned away. As he did so, Don Rafael sprang forward, as also did Jack, -both eager to learn if Dolores was in the town. - -"I will speak, amigo," said Rafael, hurriedly to Jack. "I know Don -José, as my private friend, though public enemy; he will answer me." - -"Your servant, Señor!" remarked Tejada, stiffly, finding himself face -to face with Don Rafael. - -"Señor," said the young man, taking off his sombrero with ceremonious -politeness, "we are enemies because we follow different leaders; but I -implore you, by the friendship which once existed between us, to answer -a question I would ask." - -"Surely, Señor! You were ever welcome at my table, in time of peace. As -you say, we are now enemies; but God forbid that this unhappy war -should banish all courtesies between gentlemen. What question do you -wish to put, Señor? It shall be answered." - -"Is my cousin--is Doña Dolores at Acauhtzin?" - -Tejada started, and seemed much surprised. - -"No, Señor Maraquando, she is not here. Why ask me such a strange -question?" - -"Not here!" cried Jack, who also knew Tejada well; "but she must be -here, Señor Tejada; she has been carried off from Tlatonac, taken on -board yonder vessel,"--pointing to _The Pizarro_--"and is now in -Acauhtzin with Don Hypolito." - -"I swear to you, Señor Duval, that you wrong us. You wrong Don -Hypolito," replied Don José, earnestly. "I am aware that our leader -loves Doña Dolores, and desires to marry her, but he would not carry -her off so basely. No, Señor," continued Tejada, proudly; "we are men -of honour, we do not make war on women. When Don Hypolito conquers, he -will ask for the honour of Doña Dolores' hand in due form. She is not -here, I swear." - -"Great Heavens!" cried Jack, in despair. "Can this be true?" - -"Don José," said Rafael, eagerly, "I know you to be a man of honour. I -do not doubt your word; but I feel sure that my cousin is here." - -"Señor!" - -"I do not say that you know, or are deceiving me," went on Rafael, -rapidly. "But look you, Don José. There is a zambo called Pepe, who -acted as a spy for your party at Tlatonac. The other night he decoyed -my cousin from the cathedral on board _The Pizarro_. A fisherman saw -Pepe rowing to the war-ship, with a female in his boat." - -"Bueno! That is so," interrupted Tejada, bluntly; "but the woman was a -poblana--one Marina." - -"Marina!" cried Duval, savagely. "Then I have been tricked. We have all -been wrong! Doña Dolores must be with the Indians." - -"I trust, Señor, your fears are groundless; but if Doña Dolores is with -the Indians, she will be quite safe. They reverence her as the guardian -of the Chalchuih Tlatonac." - -"Does Don Hypolito know anything about the Indians?" asked Rafael, -hurriedly. - -"That question, Señor, I am not at liberty to answer." - -Rafael cast one swift and penetrating glance at the impassive face of -the old man, and turned away with a suppressed oath. - -"Carrai!" he muttered, fiercely, to Philip, who stood by, a silent -spectator. "I believe Xuarez is in league with the Indians, and has -made them carry her off. If she is not here, she is at that hidden -temple; but, in either case, Don Hypolito is mixed up with the case." - -"In my humble opinion, she is at Acauhtzin," said Philip, quietly. "Don -José does not know all the black dealings of Xuarez's heart. Cheer up, -my dear Jack, we will soon see Don Hypolito, and wring the truth from -him." - -Jack muttered something indistinctly, and turned away, whereon Philip, -taking him kindly by the arm, led him down to the saloon, with the -intention of giving him such consolation as he was able. - -"If she is here, Xuarez must know," said Philip, earnestly; "and if he -knows, he will not be able to deceive me. I can read most faces, and it -will be strange indeed if Don Hypolito's is the first to baffle me." - -"Don José denies everything." - -"Yes; because Don José knows nothing. That old man is a pompous old -ass, like the Intendante. Many things could take place under his nose -without his being any the wiser. Drink this glass of wine, my dear lad, -and keep up your spirits. We will find Dolores yet." - -Duval was so overcome by the loss of Dolores that he submitted to -Philip's orders like a child, and obediently drank the wine poured out -for him. In most emergencies, Jack would have been ready to act at once -with a cool head, and iron nerve; but Dolores was very dear to him, and -her loss had rendered him useless for the moment--in other words, the -shock had paralysed his will. - -After Philip had succeeded in putting some heart into the poor fellow, -he insisted on his coming on deck, and they ascended thereto just in -time to see the return of the officer sent by Tejada to Don Hypolito. -The messenger walked straight up to Don José, and gave the reply of -Xuarez, on hearing which, Tejada turned towards the waiting Intendante. - -"His Excellency Don Hypolito Xuarez will see you at his palace." - -Don Alonzo almost choked with rage at hearing these terms applied to a -rebel like Xuarez, but managed to bow with tolerably good grace. He -moved towards the side of the yacht, and scrambled down into the boat -in a somewhat ungraceful fashion for an ambassador. Colonel Garibay, -Don Rafael, and the Englishmen followed, together with Tejada and his -staff. - -Tim, who had been fraternising with the rebels, showed his note-book to -Jack, filled with shorthand notes. - -"I've got no end of information," he said gleefully; "and when I get -back to Tlatonac, it goes to the _Morning Planet_ straight." - -"That is if we ever do get back," said Jack, gloomily. - -"Of course we will, you pessimist; and, what's more, we'll take back -Doña Dolores with us." - -"Do you think she is here, then, after all?" asked Duval, with reviving -hope. - -Tim winked in a vulgar fashion. - -"A word in your ear, Jack," he said, jerking his head in the direction -of the pompous Tejada. "That old man's a liar. The pretty colleen is -here, and Don José knows it? but she's not with Don Hypolito." - -"Then where do you think she is?" - -"With Rafael's sweetheart, no less; the old man's daughter." - -"Doña Carmencita?" - -"You've hit it." - -Jack would have questioned Tim further, so as to learn his grounds for -such a belief, but just then the boat touched the stone steps of the -wharf. The embassy stepped ashore, and waited till the soldiers of -Tlatonac arrived. Don Alonzo, with a due regard for the dignity of the -Republic, refused to move until his bodyguard came on shore. In a few -minutes, the soldiers landed, under the command of Captain Velez, and -thus escorted, the ambassador of the Republic moved slowly forward, -beneath the mighty arch which led into the heart of the rebel capital. - -"We've got in, Señor," whispered Rafael to Philip with sudden doubt; -"but I hope we shall be able to get out." - -Philip pointed back to the Union Jack, which could be seen in the -distance at the yacht's masthead. - -"While that flag is there I have no fear, Don Rafael." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -DON HYPOLITO XUAREZ. - - A visionary? Wherefore not? All men - Who change the world are dreamers in their youth. - Thought comes before fulfilment!--in the earth, - The hidden seedling hints the future flower! - So is it with this man! For years his brain - Hath dallied with a thousand fantasies, - Which had no being save within himself. - But now his dreams take shape!--with purpose firm, - He aids their due fulfilment, till therefrom - New heavens and earth are formed, and ancient things - Crashing to ruin, as foundations serve - Whereon to build earth's future destinies. - - -There was no doubt that Don Hypolito laid due stress on ceremonial -observances as necessary to consolidate his pretensions. On the ground -that Gomez had broken the constitutional rules by which he held his -position, Xuarez proclaimed himself saviour and President of the -Cholacacan Republic. Not being in possession of Tlatonac, he -constituted Acauhtzin his capital for the time being, and there assumed -all the airs of a ruler. He called himself by the title of President, -his personal staff and intimate friends constituted a kind of -revolutionary Junta, and the building in which this illegal assemblage -met for conference was dignified with the name of the Palacio Nacional. -In all respects the machinery of the lawful Government was copied at -Acauhtzin, and that town was regarded by the Opposidores as the true -capital of the country until such time as Xuarez should enforce his -pretensions by marching in triumph into the head city of the Republic. -As in the Middle Ages two Popes ruled--the one at Rome, the other at -Avignon--so the allegiance of Cholacaca was claimed by two Presidents: -Gomez at Tlatonac, Xuarez at Acauhtzin. - -The extraordinary man who avowed himself the saviour of type country -possessed in a marked degree that power of dominating all with whom he -came in contact by the personal charm of his manner. This dæmonic -influence is a peculiar characteristic of all great men, without which -they could not hope to accomplish their missions. Napoleon changed the -map of Europe, Mahomet created a religion, Cæsar consolidated the Roman -Empire, Luther tore half the civilised world from the grip of -ecclesiastical Rome. These great events sprang in the first instance -from the strong personality of the men who accomplished them, hence the -performance of what appear to be miracles. Don Hypolito Xuarez, son of -a Spanish adventurer and an Indian woman, possessed this dæmonic -influence, and gifted with such power, arose from obscurity to the full -glory of supreme power. Nowhere was his authority more noticeable than -in Acauhtzin. Years before a political adventurer, he had been accepted -by the people of that town as their deputy to the Junta. Acauhtzin, -always jealous of the superiority of Tlatonac, was desirous that the -seat of Government should be transferred thither from the city of the -opal. This ambition was fostered by the crafty Xuarez, who saw therein -a safe way of gaining the love of the northern capital. After he had -accused Gomez in the Junta of breaking the rules of the constitution, -he came northward to claim the protection of his constituents, a -protection which was freely accorded to one who had their interests so -much at heart. - -Cunning Don Hypolito saw his position and how he could better it. -Casting all his fortunes on one bold stroke, he assembled the -townspeople in the great plaza, and harangued them with all his -marvellous powers of oratory. Gomez had tampered with the sacred -constitution of Cholacaca. Gomez was therefore unworthy to occupy the -Presidential chair. One man alone could save the country, that man was -himself. Let them throw in their fortunes with his, and resort to arms -to inforce his elevation to the supreme power. Then he would transfer -the seat of Government from Tlatonac to Acauhtzin, and the northern -port would become the greatest city in Central America. Dazzled by this -vision, the townspeople elected Don Hypolito President with enthusiasm, -and vowed to stand by him to the end. That end they never for a moment -doubted would be victory over the established Government, and the -transference of the seat of power from Tlatonac to Acauhtzin. They -firmly believed in Don Hypolito as the man of the future, and when, by -a skilful stroke of diplomacy, he secured the support of the Regimiento -de Huitzilopochtli and of the fleet, his triumph was complete. He who -could do so much could do more! The admiring townsfolk swore by the -brilliant adventurer, and when the message carried by Don Alonzo -arrived at the northern capital, the crafty Mestizo was the idol of the -populace. The ironical part of the whole affair was that he had no -intention of fulfiling any promises made to his trusting constituents. - -Jack, owing to his long residence in Tlatonac, was already acquainted -with Xuarez, but both Tim and Philip were exceedingly curious to behold -this man, of whom they had heard so much, and who seemed to hold the -destinies of the Republic in the hollow of his hand. In the Great hall -of the Palacio Nacional (so called) they beheld him for the first time, -waiting to receive the emissaries of the Government. Surrounded by a -brilliant throng of officers, he alone was plainly dressed, no uniform, -no gaudy tints, no decorations, yet his personality raised him high -above those by whom he was encircled. The supporters of Xuarez were -mediocrites; Xuarez himself was a great man. - -The revolutionary leader was small of stature, ungraceful in -appearance; his legs were short, his body was long, so that he rather -waddled than walked. At first sight this ungainly figure, this -ungraceful gait, was apt to bring a smile to the lips of the onlooker, -but that smile faded before the grand countenance surmounting the -misshapen frame. It was as though the head of a Greek statue had been, -by mistake, joined on to the body of a Polynesian idol; the first was -so noble, the latter so grotesque. A Roman head, such as tradition -ascribes to the Cæsars, a Napoleonic face, calm, powerful, terrible as -the impassive countenance of the Sphinx. Broad forehead, prominent -nose, large eyes, full of fire and determination; no beard or moustache -to hide the contour of the cheeks, the strong curve of the mouth, a -skin of marble whiteness, and the whole surmounted by masses of waving -hair, dark as the eyes beneath. Such faces are seen on the coins of the -Cæsars, on the painted walls of Egyptian tombs, on the carven walls of -Assyrian palaces. They belong alone to kings, to heroes, to conquerors. -Nature marks her great men thus. When such faces of terrible calm -appear at intervals of centuries, mankind trembles, they recognise the -scourges of God, destined to whelm the world in waves of blood. Philip -came to see Xuarez--he looked, and lo! Napoleon. - -"The struggle is unequal," he whispered to Jack, as Don Alonzo unrolled -his papers. - -"Yes," replied Duval, in the same tone. "His force is too weak to stand -against the power of the Junta." - -Philip smiled scornfully. - -"What can the Junta do against that face?" he said, contemptuously. -"There stands the greatest man in Cholacaca." - -"D----n him," muttered the engineer, fiercely, "he has carried off -Dolores." - -"Silence, boys," growled Tim, in a voice of subdued thunder, "the Don's -speaking." - -The Intendante was not a particularly brave man, and hardly liked the -position in which he now found himself. His mission had appeared to be -great and grand and glorious at Tlatonac! but now it assumed quite a -different complexion. To utter threats against the rebel Xuarez, when -in the society of friends, was one thing; to order the followers of the -revolutionary President to give him up to punishment, in the middle of -his army, was another. Don Alonzo Cebrian hummed and hawed, and cleared -his throat, to get down a nasty lump which impeded his speech. Don -Hypolito saw his confusion, but said nothing, he did not even smile, -but sat serenely in his chair, impenetrable as the Sphinx. At last the -Intendante screwed up his courage and delivered the decree of the -Junta--sufficiently badly, it is true--still, he delivered it. - -"As the legally qualified representative of the Junta of Cholacaca, in -congress assembled, I hereby order those in arms against the Republic -to surrender to the Government, and to deliver up for punishment the -body of the rebel, Hypolito Xuarez, for----" - -He did not finish his sentence. A low murmur of rage arose from the -supporters of the rebel leader, and, half-drawing their swords, they -looked towards Xuarez for authority to cut down the daring man who had -thus insulted him in the midst of his army. Don Alonzo turned pale at -the sight of the half-bared weapons, and shrank back among his friends; -but Xuarez, leaning his chin on his hand, stared steadily before him -and waited. Seeing this impassive demeanour, which he was not clever -enough to know was more dangerous than an outburst of rage, Don Alonzo -regained his spirits. A more unfitted diplomatist than Cebrian could -scarcely have been chosen. - -"I need not speak at any great length," he said, rapidly. "The orders -of his Excellency Francisco Gomez are that the town of Acauhtzin -surrender to the Government, deliver up the rebel Xuarez for -punishment, and submit to the clemency of the Junta. If this is done at -once, the Junta will be lenient; if not, the opal standard will be -unfurled, and all the inhabitants of Acauhtzin will be treated as -rebels. This is the decree of Don Francisco Gomez on the part of the -Junta of Cholacaca, delivered by myself the Intendante of Xicotencatl." - -Then, Cebrian, having delivered his message sufficiently badly, rolled -up his papers with the air of a man who has done his duty, and waited -the reply of the rebel leader. All those on the side of Xuarez frowned -heavily, but made no demonstration of wrath at the insolence of the -message. They waited to hear Don Hypolito speak. The Mestizo arose to -his feet, and addressed himself, not to the emissaries of the Republic, -but to his own supporters. - -"Señores," he said, in a singularly mellow and powerful voice, "you -hear the decree of the so-called Junta of Cholacaca. Lest you should -mistake the purport of the message delivered by Don Alonzo Cebrian, I -will repeat it shortly. You are to lay down your arms, surrender my -body to the Junta, and trust to the tender mercies of your rivals of -Tlatonac for judgment. These are the conditions, which, if not -accepted, will bring on us the thunderbolts of war from a Government -who have not a navy, and scarce an army. Your answer?" - -Hitherto he had spoken in a low tone, clear and distinct, but -distinguished by no oratorical fire. At the last words, however, his -voice rang through the hall like thunder, and he repeated them with -emphasis. - -"Your answer, Señores?" - -"No! no! no! Viva Xuarez! Viva el gefe! Abaja, Gomez!" - -Don Hypolito listened to those fierce responses with a smile of -pleasure on his usually immobile face, and when the clamour died away, -arose slowly to his feet. Facing the messengers of the Republic, he -addressed them sharply, laconically. - -"You hear, Señores. Go!" - -"You refuse!" said Don Alonzo, scarcely able to believe his ears. - -"I refuse to surrender myself to your tyrants. The people of Acauhtzin -refuse to lay down their arms. Between myself and the illegal Junta now -sitting at Tlatonac, there is no friendship, no trust, no faith. They -proclaim me a rebel! I, Hypolito Xuarez, proclaim war!" - -He flung up his hand with a fiery gesture, and as he did so a hundred -swords flashed from their scabbards. - -"War!" cried those in the hall. "War! Viva Xuarez!" - -Don Alonzo tore the message of the Republic in twain, and cast the -pieces at the foot of the dais whereon Xuarez was seated. - -"So be it!" he cried, turning his back, "War!" - -"Hold!" said Xuarez, in a voice of thunder. "You came, Señores, under -the protection of the English flag. You go with the opal banner flying -at your masthead. Such a precaution was useless. I am not a barbarian -to fire on a flag of truce; but you--you, Señores, are cowards to thus -distrust an honourable foe." - -Before the Intendante could speak, Philip sprang forward, and faced the -speaker. - -"The fault, Señor, if fault it be, is mine. The vessel in which we came -is English, and, therefore, flies the English flag. In the port, I -hoisted the opal banner, to show that these gentlemen were on board, -and had come on a mission from the Junta." - -"An excellent explanation!" sneered Hypolito, frowning; "but untrue!" - -"Señor!" - -"Untrue, I say! You thought I would fire on your ship! You looked on me -as a barbaric foe! You mistrusted me!" - -"And who would not?" said Jack's deep voice savagely, "who would not -mistrust one who makes war on women?" - -"Be quiet, Jack." - -"I do not understand you, Señor Duval," said Xuarez, who knew the young -engineer quite well. "Explain!" - -"Doña Dolores, the niece of Don Miguel Maraquando, has been kidnapped -from Tlatonac! I accuse you of carrying her off." - -"I deny it, Señor! It is false," cried the rebel leader, a flush -reddening the marble whiteness of his face. "Doña Dolores is not in -Acauhtzin." - -"She may not be here, Señor, but you know where she is!" - -"I do not, Señor! You have no proof of what you say." - -"Pepe, the zambo, a spy in your pay, carried off a woman from -Tlatonac," cried Rafael, stepping forward. "That woman was my cousin, -Dolores." - -Xuarez started, and spoke rapidly to one of his officers, who thereupon -left the room. - -"Ah! you know much, Señor," he resumed, scornfully; "but you are wrong; -the zambo was my spy----" - -"Carambo!" - -"I repeat he was my spy in Tlatonac," said Xuarez, coolly; "and he left -the city with a plan of your fortifications." - -"Por todos Santos," roared Garibay, fiercely, clapping his hand on his -sword. - -"Call on whom you like, Señor Commandante! I have no reason to hide -this from you or from the Junta, else would I have kept silent. I know -when to hold my tongue, Señores; I know when to speak! I speak now! Go -back and tell your President that I have a full plan of Tlatonac in my -possession, and that I will use it to take your city, and level its -walls to the ground." - -"If you can do so!" said Garibay, tauntingly. - -"If I can do so. As you say," replied Xuarez, suddenly recognising that -this controversy was unworthy of his rank; "we need say no more on that -subject. Ha!" he added, as the officers, with a man and a woman, -entered the hall, "here is Pepe! and here, Señores, is the woman he -carried off." - -The woman threw back her rebozo. - -"Marina!" cried Jack, in despair. - -"You see, Señores," said Don Hypolito, serenely, "I am not the base one -you think me to be." - -"I'm not so sure of that," muttered Tim, under his breath. - -"But this, Señores, is outside the question. You came to me with a -message from the Junta. I have answered that message. Go! Go, and carry -back to Tlatonac my defiance and that of Acauhtzin. Sail away under -your opal flag, caballeros, and I promise you my guns will respect your -vessel. Adios. Go!" - -He pointed imperiously down the hall to where the great doors stood -wide open, and, headed by Don Alonzo, the deputation retired. Rafael -was biting his lips with rage, and Garibay was swearing under his -breath. The exit was scarcely dignified or worthy of the greatness of -the Republic. - -"I never felt so mean in my life," whispered Philip to Tim. "What a -beast the man is!" - -"And you said he was a great man!" - -"So he is. But even great men are human. Xuarez is not perfect; but I -believe he is honourable as regards rules of warfare. We can leave the -harbour in safety." - -"I doubt that, my boy," said Tim, significantly; "the man's a liar!" - -"What!" said Jack, overhearing this; "do you think that Dolores----?" - -"I think that he knows where she is." - -"Then I'll stay here till he gives her up." - -"You'll stay here a long time, then. She is not in Acauhtzin." - -"Then where is she?" - -"It's more nor I know." - -They were marching down the street on their way to the sea-gate, -surrounded by their own soldiers and a troop of the Regimiento de -Huitzilopochtli. Around this living barrier raged the populace, who had -heard of the message sent by the Republic, demanding the surrender of -Xuarez, and were mad with anger. To give up the idol of their -hearts--the man on whom the glorious future of Acauhtzin depended! It -was an insult! If they could have got at the emissaries, they would -have torn them to pieces; but, fortunately, the line of soldiers -prevented this. Don Alonzo was pale with terror, but Rafael and Garibay -swore loudly at the rebel crowd. The three Englishmen smiled scornfully -and marched serenely along, not heeding the savage howling of the mob, -which recognised them as foreigners. - -"Abajo los Americanos! Mueran los Yankies!" - -"We would have rather a hard time out there," said Philip, as Tim, his -huge frame shaking with anger, ranged alongside of him. "Keep together -boys. Where's Jack?" - -"Behind, with Don Rafael. Don't trouble, Philip; Jack Duval has his -six-shooter on him." - -"Good! I hope I am not a coward," said the baronet, serenely, as a clod -of earth hit him on the shoulder; "but I will be glad when we are safe -on board _The Bohemian_." - -"So will I. This is like Donnybrook Fair. But we're nearly outside the -town. Glory be to the saints!" - -As they approached the gate, the fury of the mob increased, and it took -all the strength of the soldiers, tramping shoulder to shoulder, to -prevent them breaking through and falling on the emissaries of the -Junta. At the gate, however, a soldier stumbled and fell, whereon, -through the gap thus formed, a torrent of men rushed, shouting wildly. -The escort fought bravely, and the rebel soldiers did their best to -save the ambassadors. It would be a disgrace to Acauhtzin to let the -mob have their will. - -Inch by inch they fought their way down to the sea-shore, surrounded by -the howling multitude. Philip knocked down a man who tried to snatch -his watch-chain, and Tim, head and shoulders above the torrent of -humanity, whacked every head he saw heartily with his heavy stick. -"When you see a head, hit it." That was Tim's rule of warfare. He -picked it up at Donnybrook Fair, and applied it practically in his -present predicament. - -At the water's edge they were hurried into several boats, and amid a -shower of stones and mud, managed to get on board the yacht. As soon as -all were on deck, Benker, without waiting for instructions, started the -boat. Philip stood at the side of the ship and shook his fist at the -shore. - -"You scoundrels!" he raged, fiercely. "You dishonourable wretches." - -"And Xuarez is a great man," scoffed Tim, wiping the blood from his -face. - -"Well," retorted Philip, viciously, "he's not responsible for this -mob." - -"When we return," swore Rafael, who stood near him, "we will level -those walls with the sand." - -By this time the yacht had passed out of the harbour, and was steaming -between the two war-ships. Don Alonzo began to recover his courage. - -"Thanks to the Holy Virgin, we are all safe, Señores," he said, in a -trembling voice. "The Junta will bitterly resent this insult shown to -the Intendante of Xicotencatl." - -Philip looked around with an alarmed expression of countenance. - -"Where's Jack?" - -"Jack!" cried Tim, in a stentorian voice. - -There was no answer. - -"Señor Juan was with me," said Rafael, quickly, "but I lost him from my -side outside the gate." - -"He must be down below," said Philip, greatly disturbed, and went off -to the cabin. In a few moments he reappeared. - -"He is not there. My God! Can he be lost?" - -The yacht was searched thoroughly, but no trace of Jack Duval could be -found. Philip wanted to put back and rescue his friend, who had been -evidently left ashore. - -"Impossible, Señor!" cried Don Alonzo, in alarm; "it is dangerous." - -"I do not care. Do you think I am going to leave my dear friend to be -torn to pieces by these savages?" raged Philip, stamping his foot. - -"The soldiers will protect him," said Garibay, who was terribly upset -at the discovery of their loss. He was very fond of Jack. - -"Did they protect us?" said Tim, who was quite beside himself with -grief and rage. "Turn her head back, Philip." - -Don Rafael, Tim, and the baronet were all in favour of doing this, but -Don Alonzo and Garibay said it would be madness. By this time they were -beyond the range of the fort guns, and in safety; but notwithstanding -the remonstrances of the terrified Intendante, Philip altered the -course of the boat, and started back to the harbour. - -"I will save Jack, if I die for it," he said, fiercely. - -Just as _The Bohemian_ approached the warships, a puff of smoke burst -from the sides of both, and two balls ricochetted across the waves. - -"Not blank cartridge this time," muttered Tim, grimly, "The dirty -cowards, to fire on an unarmed boat. And the forts!" - -One! two! three! four! A perfect cannonade thundered from the forts, -and one of the spars of the boat was carried away. The warships -repeated their fire, and, against his will, Philip was forced to stop -the engines. It was no use running into a hornet's nest. Another -quarter of a mile, nay less, and _The Bohemian_ would be smashed to -pieces. The engines were reversed, and Philip shook his fist wildly at -the town. - -"First Dolores! then Jack! Oh, cursed, cursed town!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -RIVALS. - - I this side! You that side!--a woman between us, - You love her!--I love her!--each fain would caress her. - By Paul, I will never surrender this Venus, - For I in my arms would for ever possess her. - - You say that she loves you! A lie!--for she told me - Her heart had no caring for love or for lover. - Let her but a moment behold you! behold me! - And he whom she chooses we'll quickly discover. - - Well, say!--we'll suppose it!--to you she is tender! - And goes with you thither; while I remain lonely, - Think you that this woman I thus would surrender? - Nay! she shall remain with me! mine to be only. - - Why, you are my captive! but though I can slay you! - Give over this folly--you'll find me a true man! - Nay more, you are free, honoured, wealthy--what say you? - What madman refuse you!--then lose life and woman. - - -Jack recovered his senses in complete darkness. He put his hand to his -head and heard the clank of a fetter, felt the cold iron clasp his -wrist. He moved his legs, more chains, and the unexpected discovery -that he was lying on straw. Not a ray of light anywhere to be seen. On -all sides darkness, the darkness of Egypt. Rolling heavily to one side -with a groan of pain forced from him by his aching head, he felt the -cold chill of a stone floor. Straw, chains, stones, darkness! What did -it all mean? He tried to think, but his head was confused, stunned as -with a blow. It was a blow! For at the back of his cranium he felt a -wound, his fingers were moist with his own blood. - -Slowly, slowly, his scattered senses came back to him, and he strove to -recall all that had taken place since he had left the Palacio Nacional. -Yes! he had gone down the street with the rest of his friends. Rafael -had walked by his side, Philip and Tim had marched on in front. Then -the howling mob on all sides dashing itself against the lines of -soldiers. A dragoon had fallen by the sea-gate just as they were on the -verge of safety--the mob rushed in through the gap--then he remembered -fighting desperately--a blow on the head--a cowardly blow delivered -from behind, and he remembered no more. Remembrance ceased with that -blow, it revived again here in darkness, with him lying on a straw bed -chained like a prisoner. A prisoner! Jack saw his position in a -moment--he was in prison, at the mercy of his rival, of the lover of -Dolores, of Don Hypolito Xuarez, rebel and traitor. - -"Great Heaven," moaned Jack, as the horrors of his situation slowly -dawned on his confused brain, "this must all have been designed by that -scoundrel, Xuarez. His promises that we should go unscathed were all -lies. Philip! Tim! poor Rafael! Where are they now? Perhaps in this -accursed prison." - -It was so dark that he was afraid to move lest he should fall into -danger. At length he put out his hand cautiously, and, kneeling -forward, felt all round his bed. The straw was simply thrown on the -floor in a heap, and on three sides he found nothing but the pavement, -on the fourth the massive stones of the wall. Unexpectedly his hand -touched a crock of water, and drawing this towards him, he found it -full, much to his delight, as, owing to his wound, he was consumed with -a burning thirst. After taking a good draught, he sat back on his straw -to think of what he should do next. - -Jack was always cool in time of danger. The obstacles which would have -appalled other men only sharpened his wits, and as his brain was now -clearer, he set himself to work to think over the situation. Before -doing this, however, he soaked his handkerchief in the little water -remaining at the bottom of the crock, and bound it round his head. The -cool cloth somewhat assuaged the throbbing of his wound and thus -quieted his heated brain. - -On leaving Tlatonac, Jack and his friends had doffed their fine -uniforms as likely to compromise them in the eyes of Xuarez, and -reassumed their European garb. He was, therefore, dressed in a Norfolk -jacket, with trousers of rough blue serge, these latter being tucked -into high riding-boots of untanned leather. The pith helmet he had worn -had evidently been knocked off in the struggle at the sea-gate, as his -head was bare; but, on feeling his pockets, he found everything else -was safe. Money, knife, keys, they were all there; but his revolver was -gone, a loss which he much regretted. - -The first thing he did was to remove his fetters, which he managed with -some difficulty and the assistance of his knife. Luckily they were only -of light steel, and had evidently been put on more through the -malignity of Xuarez than because they prevented his escape. Indeed, it -was a useless precaution, for, even now that they were removed, he knew -not where he was, and in which direction to turn for egress. With his -knife he managed to bend back the links of one chain so that it parted, -leaving the steel ring still on the wrist; but, with considerable pain -to his hand, he managed to slip it through the other. As regards the -rings round his ankles, Jack was unusually powerful, and, in spite of -his wound, with the strength of despair, managed to wrench the locks of -the chains asunder. The steel chains were old and badly made, else he -would not have freed himself so easily; but as it was, after -half-an-hour's hard work, he managed to get rid of the chains, and -stood up with no manacles on him, save the steel ring on his left -wrist, with a few links dangling therefrom. - -Free so far, he next placed his head against the rough damp stones of -the wall, and cautiously moved round his cell. A few steps from his bed -brought him against another wall, at right angles to the former. -Following this, he soon arrived at the other side of the prison, and -felt his way along the opposite wall. Towards the end of this, he -stumbled over a flight of squat, stone steps, projecting into the -prison, and by careful touching, managed to ascertain that those led up -to a low door of wood, clasped with iron. Beyond, a short space, and -another wall, at right angles, and so back to his straw bed, on which -he resumed his seat. - -"Fifteen by twenty," muttered Jack, taking another drink of water, "and -steps leading down from the door. Damp walls too. I guess this cage is -in the basement of one of the forts, or below the Palacio Nacional. -That cursed Xuarez! One of his men stunned me in that fight with a foul -blow, and they then clapped me in here. I wonder what he intends to do -with me. He knows I love Dolores, and am his rival; so I expect he'll -make things pretty hot for me, if he can. Well, at all events, my life -is safe, for what with Philip and Tim to stand by me, he dare not kill -me." - -Then a sudden dread entered his mind regarding Philip and the war -correspondent. - -"If they should be killed in that row, or clapped in prison also! No, I -don't believe that. Putting Philip out of the question, Xuarez is too -cunning to hurt a war correspondent of a great English paper. He wants -to stand well with the world in this struggle, and would not dare to -risk the outcry of anything happening to Tim. I expect they all got -back safely to the yacht. Xuarez could afford to let them go with his -defiance to Tlatonac. He only wanted me because I am his rival in the -affections of Dolores. The question is, has he got her in his power -also? He says 'no,' but the man's a liar, whom it is impossible to -believe. Hang this wound." - -It was burning with heat, and taking off the bandage, he dipped it into -the dregs of water remaining. Then he bound it over the wound again, -and took out his watch, which luckily had not been stolen, as it was -safely stowed inside his Norfolk jacket. With his fingers, he -delicately felt the hands. - -"Six o'clock!" he said, somewhat startled; "and we left the palace at -three. I've been three hours in this cursed hole. It must be still -light, or, rather, twilight; so, as it is here as dark as pitch, this -cell must be built far down. Hang them! do they intend to starve me?" - -He felt vainly for the traditional loaf of bread, which always -accompanies the pitcher of water in prisons, but, to his dismay, could -find none. This pointed to one of two things. Either Xuarez intended to -starve him to death, or would visit him shortly with a meal. He would -not dare to do the former, as Jack, feeling sure his friends had -escaped, knew the outcry of these against the rebel leader would be -great, did he carry his hatred so far; and as to the latter, the young -man hopefully waited, in the hope that his gaoler would soon arrive. - -"He won't come himself, I suppose," said Jack, throwing himself down on -his straw; "some soldiers will come and escort me to the upper world. -Hang it! if the man isn't a thorough blackguard, he'll let me have a -meal and a doctor. My head is aching like, to split. Even a candle -would be acceptable in this infernal gloom." - -Clearly there was nothing for it but to wait till some one entered the -cell. Jack was too wise to waste his time in kicking at the door, or -exhaust his strength in shouting for help. He was in the power of -Xuarez, and it depended on future events as to how matters would turn -out. Of one thing Jack felt confident, and that was that even if Philip -and the others reached the yacht in safety they could do nothing. - -"I guess Xuarez brought the guns to bear on _The Bohemian_, and -ordered Philip to clear out. He could do nothing against that order, so -I expect the boat is by this time on her way back to Tlatonac with the -news of my capture or death. I'll have to wait here until the Junta -captures the town, and Lord only knows when that will be. I wouldn't -mind so much if I only knew of the whereabouts of Dolores." - -Thus talking to himself, in order to keep up his spirits, this -unfortunate young man sat for some considerable time, waiting with -philosophic resignation the turn of events. By means of his watch, he -calculated that it was close on eight o'clock before he was disturbed. -Then he heard the sound of a bolt slipping out of its socket, the door -of his cell opened, and a man appeared. A man draped in a long black -cloak, flung Spanish fashion over his left shoulder, and wearing a -broad-leaved sombrero which effectually concealed his features. He -carried a lantern which illuminated the cell with a sufficiently feeble -light, but it was comforting to Jack, after the intense darkness of the -previous hours, and enabled him to see whom was his visitor. - -The stranger closed the door of the cell, descended the steps, and -advanced towards Jack, swinging the lantern to and fro so as to flash -the light into every corner of the small room. That squat figure, that -ungraceful walk; Jack recognised him at once. Notwithstanding the -sombrero, the long cloak, the silence observed by the man, his prisoner -at once saluted him by name. - -"So this is how you keep your prisoners, Don Hypolito Xuarez?" - -Xuarez started at being thus recognised so speedily, but restraining -his speech, flashed the lantern up and down Jack's tall figure as he -leaned against the wall, and started again. - -"Carambo! You are free! The chains----" - -"Are there, Señor!" - -The rebel leader looked first at the broken chains afterwards at Jack, -and seemed to regard his prisoner as a kind of Samson. He had a -profound respect for physical strength, for physical beauty; and the -splendid frame of the young Englishman, in conjunction with this -evidence of his muscles, inspired Don Hypolito with great admiration. - -"Bueno, Señor Duval!" he said, in the frank tone of a man who cherishes -no animosity, "you are a difficult person to deal with. You have broken -your chains! Had I not arrived thus opportunely, you might by this time -have broken out of prison." - -"It's not impossible, Señor," replied Jack, coolly. "You may be certain -I would not have sat down much longer doing nothing. But now----" - -"You are thinking of making use of my presence here to facilitate your -escape. Is it not so, mi amigo? If you are wise, do not try. You may -knock me down--I am but a dwarf beside you! You may steal these keys, -this lantern; but you know not the palace, you know not the guards, -and, above all, even if you did get free, you could not escape from -Acauhtzin. No, mi amigo! Here you are! here you stay, unless you agree -to my conditions." - -"Conditions!" echoed Jack, scornfully. "I think I can guess what those -conditions are, Señor Xuarez." - -"Bueno! Then I can save my breath," replied Don Hypolito, setting down -the lantern. "If you know the conditions of your release, you also know -whether to accept them or not! Speak plainly, mi amigo!" - -"Don Hypolito," observed Jack, not answering this question directly, "I -do not know whether to regard you as a knave or a fool. You must be the -former, else you had not betrayed me and my friends. You are the -latter, or you would not ask me to agree to certain conditions which -you know are quite impossible--with me?" - -"You have the great merit, Señor Duval, of candour. I admire it as a -virtue, but it can be carried too far. I do not like being called knave -or fool, as I deserve neither name." - -"Is that so? Good! I say you are both! However, I am open to argument; -so let me hear your side of the question." - -Don Hypolito laughed quietly, and eyed his rival with increased -respect. - -"I wish you were on my side, Don Juan. A man such as you would be -invaluable to me." - -"I thank you for your good opinion, Señor; but I am not on your side, -neither am I likely to be. I support the established Government of -Cholacaca." - -"You are a--but no," said Xuarez, checking himself with a sardonic -smile; "we have no time to discuss politics. All are against me now, -but when I am seated in the presidential chair, the world will be in my -favour. To-day, Señor, I am an adventurer. To-morrow I will be a -conqueror. Success is everything in the eyes of the world. However, we -need not talk of these things which do not interest you. I notice you -have not yet asked after your friends." - -"Why should I, Don Hypolito?" replied Jack, determined to show no signs -of anxiety in the presence of this man. "I know that my friends are -safe, and are at present on their way to Tlatonac." - -"It is true, but how did you guess this much, Don Juan?" - -"From what I know of your character." - -"Pardon me, Señor, no one knows my character," said Xuarez, quietly. - -"Not your real character, perhaps, but the character by which you -choose to be known to the world." - -The nonchalance of the young Englishman somewhat puzzled Xuarez. Here -was a man talking quietly with one whom he had every reason to hate and -dread. Wounded as he was, incarcerated in a gloomy cell; in doubt as to -the safety of his friends, the whereabouts of his sweetheart--Jack had -yet sufficient pluck to conceal his real feelings, and play a part -which entirely deceived even so acute an observer of human nature as -Don Hypolito. He saw that Jack was purposely holding himself back -instead of giving way to his righteous indignation, but while admiring -the self-restraint of the young man, he was doubtful as to the meaning -of such diplomatic conduct. - -Experience had taught Don Hypolito that the only way to fathom the -feelings of others was to make them talk freely, listen attentively, -and draw conclusions from chance observations. This method he now -applied to Jack, and asked him to proceed in a grave tone of voice, all -the time keeping his ears open to find out the underlying meaning of -this impassive demeanour. He discovered nothing, because there was -nothing to discover. Jack spoke truthfully and bluntly, giving voice to -his real feelings, and Xuarez, accustomed to double dealing, to double -meaning, was for once in his life utterly at fault. - -"You have started this war, Señor," said Jack with painful candour, -"entirely for your own ends. The excuse you make is that Gomez has -broken the constitution of Cholacaca. This is false, as you know well. -However, it is a good excuse upon which to work out your aims. In this -war you wish the civilised world to be on your side--to look upon you -as a great man, fitted to be the saviour of Cholacaca from a tyrannical -Government. To this end you dare not act violently towards any -representative nation of the civilised world. England is a -representative nation, and you to-day saluted her flag. You respected -the ambassadors from the Junta because they were accompanied by -Englishmen, because they came here on an English ship. One of those men -whom you thus respected is the war correspondent of a London paper, and -you wished him of write home to his journal narrating the courtesy of -Don Hypolito Xuarez, and thus interesting our nation's feelings in your -favour. The attack made by the mob was, I firmly believe, made without -your sanction. You wished the embassy to depart in safety, and they so -departed. One man, however, you desired to detain, because he was your -rival in the affections of a woman. That man is myself! So you made use -of the riot to have me knocked down in the fight, and taken here to -prison. Now that you think I am worn out with wounds, thirst, and -imprisonment, you come to offer me my liberty on two conditions. First, -that I surrender all right to the hand of Doña Dolores. Second, that I -leave Cholacaca for ever. These, Señor Xuarez, are your motives in -acting as you have done, dictated, as I said before, not, perhaps, by -your real character, but by the noble character in which you wish to -appear to the world." - -Don Hypolito listened to this long speech with rapt attention, and -could not help admiring the way in which the young man had fathomed his -motives. When Jack ended, he raised his head and proceeded to -lie--uselessly, as it afterwards proved--still he lied. - -"In a great measure, what you say is correct, Don Juan. I do wish to -stand well with the nations, of Europe, because I believe my cause to -be a just one. Gomez was elected President by the aristocrats, not by -the people. I believe in democracy. He governs so as to throw the whole -power of the state into the hands of those who would take away the -liberties of the people, won so gloriously by Zuloaga. You say I have -begun this war from a personal ambition. That may be so. I wish to be -Dictator--Supreme Dictator of the Republic, and to raise her to her -rightful position as a power in the world. These, Señor, are political -and personal questions. They need not be discussed. What you say about -the embassy is true. Had the boat of Señor Felipe entered the harbour -under the opal flag, I would have ordered the fort guns to sink her for -such audacity. She however carried the English ensign. I respected that -ensign; I received the deputation; I heard the insolent demand of the -Junta, and gave my answer. They were free to depart without hindrance -from me. The outbreak of the mob was solely due to the message sent. I -did not create the riot. I did not make use of the tumult to get you -into my power. But when in the mêlée you were stunned, my soldiers -carried you off to the Palacio Nacional. I saw an opportunity of -gaining my ends by thus having you in my power, and so put you in this -prison. Now I come to make my terms. Accept them, and you are free. -Refuse, and a terrible fate will befall you!" - -"To remain in prison here, I suppose?" said Jack, contemptuously. - -"No; worse!" - -"What, would you kill me?" - -"I will not harm a hair of your head. What your fate will be I refuse -to tell you; but if you are a wise man you will accept my offer of -freedom." - -"And accept your conditions also. The conditions being those I have -stated?" - -"Precisely! You have rare penetration, Don Juan! My conditions are as -you have guessed. Give up Doña Dolores! leave Cholacaca, and you are -free." - -"I refuse." - -"Think well, Señor," said Xuarez, coldly. "I am not a man to threaten -in vain. Your fate will be a terrible one." - -"I quite believe you capable of any enormity, Don Hypolito," retorted -Jack, with a curling lip; "but why waste any more time over the matter? -I refuse!" - -"On what grounds?" - -"On what grounds?" reiterated Jack, in a haughty tone. "Simply that it -does not suit my convenience either to give up Doña Dolores or to leave -Cholacaca at your bidding." - -Xuarez was nettled at Jack's elaborately insulting manner; but he did -not lose his temper. He was too clever a man to do that. With a sudden -change of front, he took a hint from card-players, and tried to force -Jack's hand. - -"You love Doña Dolores?" - -"That is not a question for you to ask." - -"Pardon me, Señor; I also love Doña Dolores, therefore I am interested -in your reply." - -"Are you?" said Jack, facing his questioner sharply; "then you shall -have it. I do love Doña Dolores; and, what is more, she returns that -love. One person only will she marry, and that person is myself, John -Duval!" - -"You will never marry her!" exclaimed Xuarez, vehemently. "She is -mine!--mine! Before a month is gone, she becomes my wife!" - -"Ah!" sneered Jack, with a world of meaning in his tone, "I knew you -lied when you said she was not in Acauhtzin." - -"Carrai!" cried Don Hypolito, who was beginning to lose his temper; "I -did not lie. She is not in Acauhtzin. She is----" - -"Where?" asked Duval, impetuously. - -"In a place you will never discover, Señor. Not that it matters much, -for, in any case, you will not marry her. No! You are reserved for a -worse fate!--a fate which will bitterly punish you for daring to be my -rival." - -"I am not a child, to be frightened of big words," said Jack, -scornfully, though his heart quailed at the deadly menace of the -Mestizo's tones. "My friends know I am in Acauhtzin. They will come -back for me." - -"They have already tried to do so," retorted Xuarez, triumphantly. -"When they left the harbour, I suppose they discovered you were left -behind. The boat returned; but a few shot from the forts, and the -war-ships made her retreat, and when I last saw her she was steaming -full speed for Tlatonac." - -"Yes? I knew as much. To bring back an army to level Acauhtzin to the -ground. To capture you! to rescue me!" - -"No one can rescue you!" replied Xuarez, in a sombre tone. "Your only -chance of escape is to give up Doña Dolores!" - -"To you! to you!" cried Jack, fiercely. "You who love her not for -herself, but because she is the guardian of the opal stone! Ah, yes, -Señor Xuarez! I know well what you design. You wish to marry -Dolores--to secure the opal stone, to gain over the Indians to your -cause. All ambition; there is no love. I tell you, Señor, such a thing -can never be. Dolores would sooner die than give herself up to a -villain like yourself. You will never possess Dolores--you will never -be master of the Chalchuih Tlatonac! Turn your ambitions to other -things, Don Hypolito. Dolores is not for you!" - -Don Hypolito sprang to his feet with a cry of rage. Hitherto he had -restrained himself in a most admirable manner; but now the insulting -speeches of his prisoner proved too much for even his well-trained -temper. A torrent of passion swept away all his reserve, and he burst -out into a furious speech. - -"Dolores _is_ for me! She will be mine in another week or so. She -is the guardian of the opal, and that also will be mine. When I am -possessed of the devil stone, the Indians will flock round my standard. -I have the fleet, I have an army, I will have the Indians, too, my -allies, guided by the devil stone. That, also, will be mine, and -Dolores with it. I will become Dictator of Cholacaca. I will raise her -to a pinnacle of power. She will rule the South--nay, the North also. -Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Guatemala, they will all be mine. In the -North, the United States; in the South, the Empire of the Opal, with -myself as Ruler. It is a grand----" - -"Dream!" interrupted Jack, faintly, for the pain of his wound was -telling on his frame. "It is a dream! a dream!" - -"It is no dream! Or, if a dream, it will soon turn out a reality. And -you--you low-born Englishman, would dare to bar my way to this fame. -Lie there, Señor, and wait my commands. You will die, and by a death -which will break even your spirit. You will die and be forgotten, while -I, Hypolito Xuarez, will reconstruct on this continent the Empire of -Montezuma!" - -He spoke to deaf ears, for, overcome by fatigue and pain, Duval had -fainted. Xuarez bent over him, and held the lantern to his face. It was -deadly pale, and the eyes were closed. - -"I do not want him to die," muttered the remorseless Mestizo, going -towards the door. "I shall send a doctor to look after his wound. He -shall be made whole again, but only to perish in tortures. Not for you, -Don Juan, is Dolores; not for you the opal, but death and dishonour. -You fall! I rise! My star quenches yours in its burning splendour." - -In another moment he had quitted the prison, leaving his rival -stretched out in the darkness, to all appearances lifeless and lost. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -IN SHADOWLAND. - - Weary body, aching brain, - Tortured mind, and heavy soul, - Fourfold being, one existence! - Life with troublous insistence, - To ye brings but constant dole, - Ceaseless weeping, endless pain; - Yet is all this sorrow vain - When the waves of slumber roll - Over body, over soul. - In such slumber should ye list, hence - Flies the spirit to attain - That far land of dreams and stories, - Misty realms of airy glories, - Where the body hath no being, - Nor the eyes an earthly seeing - And the mind makes no resistance - To events which overleap - Nature's laws, which bind existence; - From our sphere the spirit fleeing - Dwells but in the realm of sleep. - - -After that extraordinary interview with Don Hypolito in the prison, -Jack ceased to take any interest in earthly matters, and went for a -space into shadow-land. He was not dead, but delirious. As a captive -balloon is anchored to earth, so Jack's soul had flown into the realms -of dream, yet was held to his body by a small amount of life. - -Yet curiously enough he retained a dull impression of earthly events. -All things actually done to his body coloured his dreams and decided -his visions. As the fancies of the sleepers are determined by external -actions, so as through a veil the wounded man faintly perceived the -every-day life going on around his inert body. Through the chain -extending from body to soul which held the latter captive to earth -passed the thrills hinting at corporeal-existence, and these dominating -his spirituality whirled him hither and thither, according as they -happened. We in health feel in slumber the power of the unseen world -guiding our every action; this man, in sickness dwelt, spiritually -speaking, in the world of shadows, whereof we have no knowledge, and -therefrom felt rather than saw the happening of earthly events which -coloured his ghostly being. - -Oh those dreams, those visions apocalyptical, what agonies, what -ecstacies, what feelings did they not beget? Now of earth, now of -heaven, frequently of hell. Years afterwards, Jack remembering portions -of these fantasies, would shudder and turn pale at the mere thought of -having endured them. Wild as the visions of Ezekiel, gorgeous as the -Arabian Nights, hideous as De Quincey's dreamings, delicate and -spiritual as the songs of Aeriel, those chimeras, at once terrible and -fascinating, racked his spiritual being with the pangs of pleasure and -pain. As thus:-- - -... Darkness! the infinite darkness of chaos, before the light-creating -word was spoken by the Deity. Ages and ages and ages of gloom, of -horror, of thick opacity. No light, no glimmer, no glow to break this -all-pervading blackness. No earth beneath, no sky above, nothing but -clinging gloom on all sides. So chill, so freezing--surely hell were -not more terrible.... - -Ha! a burst of light penetrating the gloom. The word is spoken, the -light is here.... Day divides itself from night ... from the womb of -the darkness springs the faint radiance of dawn. Then the sun, the -glorious sun, rises like a god to conquer the foul fiends of shadow. -See how his arrows fly, golden and swift, from his never-empty bow ... -east, west, north, south ... and the glory of light spreads over all -creation.... I am borne along on the wings of a mighty wind blown from -the gates of the dawn ... faster and faster and faster.... I swim -through the crystalline air.... I poise myself like a bird in the -opaline glories of a whirling sphere.... In the heart of the rainbow -... still no earth ... but air and the coruscation of infinite -colours--red and yellow and green and blue.... They swirl in circles, -they shoot on all sides from a spot of brilliance as the spokes of a -wheel.... They range themselves in lines of ever-changing hues ... and -now I am blown resistlessly onward by that mighty wind.... - -The sea! gloom once more! I can see nothing but darkness, yet -penetrated by faint gleams of light.... The wash of many waves break on -my ears.... Overhead a sky veiled in clouds, beneath the black breast -of ocean, heaving restlessly in white lines of foam.... I smell the -salt brine of the ocean.... The keen wind lashes my face as with a -whip.... Ho! yeo, ho!... the sailors are at work.... Hark! the throb of -a heart. Beat! beat! beat! beat! It is the beating of the propeller -blades now striking the water ... I am in the engine-room ... the -pistons slide silently in and out of the cylinders.... Now the giant -cranks rise and fall with monotonous motion ... and yon gleaming steel -shaft, revolving rapidly, turns the screw in the dark waters without -... the hiss of escaping steam ... the whirling of wheels ... the -sudden burst of red flame from the furnace ... I am carried across the -ocean ... whither? - -Earth! at last the land.... Mother of all things, I salute thee ... -this bleak beach on which dash the waves ... the soft odour of the wind -sways the trees on yonder promontory.... I hear the measured dip of -oars ... the grating of the boat's keel on the stones.... Ha! I am in -the hands of demons ... their eyes glare as they lift me from boat to -litter.... The curtains are dropped, and I feel the swing and sway of -the litter being carried up steep heights.... - -This is a primeval forest ... green as the sea ... scarcely so restless -... the warm wind stirs the giant branches ... what crowded hues ... -and lo! the flash of brilliant flowers ... the odour of spices.... -Brilliant birds flit from branch to branch like flying gems.... I hear -the singing of choirs invisible ... the birds!... Yes, birds only.... -Garlands of flowers trail from the trees ... beneath their shadow the -grass is crowded with blossoms ... wherever I step a flower springs to -being ... those pools of still water blue as turquoise ... the Indian -conjurer!... I see him hiding amid the frondage ... look!... the -saurian!... Oh, the frightful monster.... Preadamite!... begotten in -chaos slime.... Trees! trees! trees without end.... The earth is one -vast forest, and I alone wander therein.... - -Snow!... a vast expanse of snow ... for miles and leagues.... No! it is -salt lying in thin flakes on the brown earth ... the surface glitters -in the moonlight as if it were ice.... Far and wide whirl thin white -pillars of salt in the grip of the wind.... Lot's wife! Ha! Ha! Nay, no -woman do I see, but salt on all hands ... like snow ... and moon -freezing crystals.... - -The forest again ... more trees ... birds ... odours.... Hark! a song -... 'tis the dancing-girls who sing ... I heard them call ... I see -them shake their anklets of gold ... the cymbals crash ... the trinkets -shine. Can you not hear the roll of the serpent-skin drums?... - -Oh, this interminable avenue of stone gods ... on either side the faces -of solemn sphinxes.... I am in Egypt ... I go up to offer sacrifice to -the god Thoth ... lines of sphinxes ... statues of kings with their -hands placed on their knees ... then this great flight of steps.... Up, -and up and up.... Are we going to heaven?... I will bow down to my -God.... Horror! Huitzilopochtli.... This is not my God.... I sacrifice -to Thoth.... To Isis.... Ah, you would make of me the victim.... Oh, -foul priest, knife in hand ... the stone of the sacrifice ... you raise -the obsidian knife ... Again the chant of the priests ... the light -clash of the dancing-girls' anklets ... drums ... cymbals and death.... - -I am in the tomb ... yes; fold my hands on my breast, for I have done -with life ... straight and white I lie, with cerements swathing my form -... this is a king's tomb ... these walls are painted with many colours -... yonder are gods and kings and heroes walking in long files ... here -they sacrifice to their god ... there they lead captive trains of -prisoners.... A splendid tomb, but the roof crushes me down ... oh, -Heaven! can those pillars, those caryatides support the cyclopean -architecture?... It will fall and crush me, like Samson.... Yes, I -thirst! I am dead, but I thirst.... Dives in hell ... give me.... - -... What! a woman's face?... I have seen that face before ... those -dark eyes, that smiling mouth ... it is thou! Dolores! Oh, my heart's -best love, I again find you,--in the tomb?... we have done with life -... then we were divided; but Death, more merciful, has joined us -again.... Place your cool white hand on my brow ... it burns ... it -burns.... No, no! do not leave me ... oh, I see you fade in the -darkness like a vision ... and this phantom which rises between us?... -Oh, Xuarez! liar! thief! murderer!... thus do I slay thee!... So weak; -so weary; I know nothing ... where am I?... what am I?... whither have -my visions fled?... I am dead! not in hell, nor heaven ... but where? I -know not ... I am dead ... you, Dolores ... you, Xuarez ... you all, -dreams.... I lie here dead and still ... in my ear the chant of a -slave.... Could I only turn my head ... ah! the slave rises ... he -bends over me.... Cocom!... - -"Yes, Señor, it is Cocom," said a well-known voice, as a gentle hand -skilfully adjusted the bandages. - -"Cocom!" repeated Jack, in a weak voice. "Am I dead? Do I dream? Am I -dead?" - -"No, Señor Juan. You were nearly dead, and for days you have dreamed of -many things. Now you are better, and will live." - -"Still on earth?" - -"Yes, Don Juan. Still do you live, thanks be to the gods. Teoyamiqui -has not yet brought you to her kingdom. Now, lie you still, Señor. So! -Drink this, and speak not; you are so weak." - -Jack raised his head from the pillow, and greedily drank the contents -of the cup held to his lips by Cocom. Then he closed his eyes, and fell -into a refreshing sleep, while the old Indian sat quietly by the side -of the couch, muttering some strange old song of a forgotten -civilisation. Now and then a form would glide into the room and look at -Jack sleeping in the bed, so still, so deathlike. Sometimes a man, more -often a woman, and ever beside the couch sat the stolid Cocom, watching -the face of his patient with intense interest. - -How long he slept thus Jack did not know, but when he woke from a -refreshing slumber all his delirium had departed. He felt weak, truly, -but clear-headed and calm in his mind. Opening his eyes, he listened -vaguely to the murmuring song of his attendant, and thought over the -events which had preceded his illness. The entry into Acauhtzin; the -dismissal of the deputation at the Palacio Nacional; the fight at the -sea-gate; the interview in prison with Don Hypolito; and then utter -blankness. He remembered fainting in the cell at Acauhtzin, and now he -had wakened--where? With an effort he raised his head and looked round -him. - -In his delirium he had thought he was in a tomb, and truly the room -wherein he now found himself was not unlike one of those strange -Egyptian sepulchres, houses of the dead, wherein the highest art of -that sombre civilisation was displayed. This low roof, formed of -Titanic masses of stone; these heavy walls, gaudy with mural paintings, -representing gods, kings, heroes strange sacrifices, and mystical -ceremonies; all were redolent of the land of the Nile. Through a narrow -slit in the wall filtered a pale light; skins of jaguar and puma -carpeted the stone floor; rich coverlets of featherwork lay over the -couch, and the entrance was draped with gaudy tapestries, dyed with -confused tints, hinting at barbaric art. Jack, for the moment, thought -he was indeed in Egypt, when, suddenly, at the side of the room he saw -the hideous image of Huitzilopochtli, and heard the monotonous chant of -his Watcher. Then, his true situation came vividly to his mind; this -was a room in some Indian dwelling, yonder was the fierce god of the -Aztecs, and by his bedside knelt Cocom. - -"Where am I?" asked the young man, raising himself on his elbow, and -looking at the Indian with a puzzled expression of countenance. - -"In good hands, Señor," was the evasive answer. - -"Yes, yes! I know that. But am I still in Acauhtzin?" - -"No. You are many miles from Acauhtzin." - -"But I was there last night." - -Cocom shook his head, and, producing a cigarette, lighted it carefully, -blew some smoke through his nostrils, and looked steadily at Jack with -his melancholy eyes. - -"You were there five days ago, Señor." - -"What do you mean, Cocom?" - -"Ah! the Señor forgets that he has been ill. For five days he has been -in the land of everlasting darkness. Cocom has watched many hours by -this couch and listened to the crying of the Señor. You have seen -visions and heard voices, Don Juan. On the borders of Teoyamiqui's land -have you been, yet not within her kingdom. But Cocom knows many things, -and by his art has cheated the goddess of one Americano. You are out of -danger now, Señor, and I, Cocom, have cured you." - -"Mucha gracias!" murmured Jack, patting the Indian on the shoulder with -a weak hand; "but tell me where I am now." - -"Where does your memory fail, Don Juan?" - -Jack passed his hand across his brow. The confusion of his brain had -departed. His senses were clear now, and he could recall everything up -to a certain point. - -"I remember the embassy from Tlatonac to Acauhtzin--the fight at the -sea-gate. There I was struck down, and recovered my senses in prison. -With Don Hypolito I held a long conversation, and, I suppose, fainted -with his voice still in my ears. I wake here at a place you tell me is -far from Acauhtzin, and find you by my side--you, Cocom, whom I -supposed to be at Tlatonac!" - -"Listen, Don Juan," said Cocom, with great deliberation. "I will tell -you many things that have taken place since your soul was in the realm -of shadows. When you became insensible at Acauhtzin, a doctor was sent -to attend to you by Don Hypolito. That doctor did what he could for -you, but thought you would die as your soul was not within your body. -Wildly did you cry, Don Juan, and many strange things did you say. -Then, by the order of Don Hypolito, you were carried away on board a -war-ship down the coast. At a certain point your body was taken ashore -in a boat, and there delivered to certain people, who expected your -coming. Having been placed on a litter, you were carried through the -forest, across the salt desert, and again through the forest till you -were placed on that bed. For two days have you tossed and turned, and -cried, and fought. But now you are well, Don Juan--you will live; -thanks be to the gods." - -Jack listened to all this as in a dream. The explanation fitted in with -those vague visions which had haunted his delirious brain. The -darkness--that was the cell at Acauhtzin; the light came when he was -carried on board the war-ship. Then the sea-vision, the landing on the -coast--that mirage of a tropical forest--the snowy plains of salt, and -the climbing of many steps up to an antique temple. A sudden thrill -shot through his enfeebled frame as he recalled the vision of the -sacrifice, he recollected Cocom's last words referring to the gods, he -glanced terrified at the frightful image of Huitzilopochtli, and -turning slowly towards the Indian, repeated his often-asked question, -the answer to which he already guessed. - -"What is this place?" - -Cocom arose to his feet, drew himself up to his full height, and -pointed majestically towards the idol. - -"The temple of Huitzilopochtli! The shrine of the Chalchuih Tlatonac." - -"God!" cried Jack, in despair, as he recognised his position. "I am -lost!" - -He saw his peril at a glance. The threats of Don Hypolito regarding a -frightful death were not mere words. With devilish ingenuity he had -secured the death of his rival, with no possible chance of the truth -becoming known. Jack saw that Xuarez had preserved his life, had -delivered him to the Indians, to the end that he might be offered up on -the altar of the war-god, as a sacrifice to the opal. No wonder his -usually brave heart quailed at the prospect of such horrors. Captive to -remorseless savages, in the heart of an impenetrable forest, there was -no chance of a rescue by his friends. He was weak, unarmed, unfriended, -in the power of a fanatic race; there was no help for it--he must die. - -"Cocom," whispered Jack, clutching the Indian's arm, "why have I been -brought here--why did Don Hypolito deliver me to the Indians? Is it -for--for----" - -His dry lips refused to form the horrible word; but Cocom, without the -least emotion, supplied it. - -"For sacrifice! Yes, Don Juan; you are to be offered to the god." - -"Horrible! When?" - -"In three weeks. At the termination of the great cycle." - -"What do you mean?" asked Jack, with a shudder. - -"Our time," explained Cocom, with stolid apathy, "is divided into -cycles of fifty-two years. This have we received from our Aztec -ancestors. At the end of a cycle the sun will die out in the heavens, -and the earth end, if the new fire is not lighted on the altars of the -gods. When the last day of the cycle comes, you, Don Juan, will be -bound on the stone of sacrifice, your heart will be taken out as an -offering to the great gods, and on your breast will the new fire be -lighted. Then will the sun rise again, and a new cycle begin for the -earth. The gods will be appeased, and mankind will be saved." - -Jack had read of this terrible superstition in the fascinating pages of -Prescott, but he never expected that he would one day take an active -part in such a ceremony. With the hope of despair he endeavoured to -evade his doom. - -"But the body of a white man will not please the gods. Why not -sacrifice as your ancestors did, on the Hill of the Star?" - -"Hitherto, Señor, that has been done. Now, however, the gods have -spoken through the opal, and it is willed that a white man alone can -avert the end of time. A white man must be sacrificed, and you are -chosen." - -Jack shuddered, and hid his face in his hands. - -"Surely, Señor, you are not afraid!" - -"Afraid!" echoed Jack, uncovering his face, with a frown. "No, Cocom; -an Englishman is never afraid of death. But to come in such a form as -this--oh, horrible! horrible!" - -Cocom could not understand this alarm. Like all Indians, he regarded -death with stoical resignation, and would have been perfectly willing -himself to have been offered on the altar of sacrifice, seeing such a -death would admit him at once into the Paradise of the sun. But he was -very old, and therefore useless. The gods demanded a man, handsome, -young, in the flower of his age, and therefore was it certain that Jack -would be acceptable to the bloodthirsty Huitzilopochtli. - -"Did Don Hypolito know this when he delivered me to your friends?" - -"It was for that purpose he delivered you, Señor." - -"Oh, fiend! devil!" cried Jack, trying to rise in his bed. "I wish I -had my fingers round his throat!" - -"Lie quiet, Señor," said Cocom, forcing him back. "You will make -yourself ill again." - -"Why should I not, seeing I am only reserved for this frightful death?" - -"That is as it may be, Señor," observed Cocom, significantly. - -"What do you mean?" asked Duval, with sudden hope. - -"Hush!" replied the old man, laying his finger on his lips, and -glancing apprehensively around. "In this temple the very walls have -ears." - -"You can save me?" - -"Perhaps. I know not." - -"But----" - -Cocom bent over Jack on the pretence of arranging the bed-clothes, and -brought his lips close to the young man's ear. - -"Say not a word, Señor. If the priests suspect me, you are lost. I come -hither as my fathers came before me, but I worship not the devil-stone. -I am a true Catholic, Señor. The priests wanted a victim, and asked me -to betray to them Don Pedro, when he was with me beyond the walls. Then -I refused, and said I could not do so. The end of the cycle approaches, -and the priests were alarmed, so they sent to Don Hypolito, and -promised to make all the Indians help him in his war, if he procured -them a white man for a victim to the gods. Don Hypolito promised, and -two days ago sent you." - -"The fiends!" - -"Hush! I am a medicine-man, placed here by the priests to cure you; but -they think I wish to see you sacrificed. I do not. I will save you." - -"Oh, Cocom, I thank you." - -"Are you mad, Señor?" whispered the Indian, thrusting him hurriedly -back; "eyes may be on us now. The walls of this room are pierced with -secret eye-places." - -Jack recognised the wisdom of this reasoning, and sank back on his -couch. It was just as well he did so, for at that very moment the -drapery of the door was swept aside, and a man entered the room. - -He was a majestic-looking personage, much taller than the average -Indian. Indeed, he was as huge as Tim himself, but not so bulky. He -wore a long white robe, falling to his feet, over this a mantle of -gaudy leather-work. On his head was set a fresh chaplet of flowers, on -his breast burned the red glimmer of a small opal. Advancing into the -middle of the room, he swung a small incense-burner before Jack, -throwing therein some odoriferous gum, which made a thick, perfumed -smoke. After this, he cast some flowers on the couch, and muttered a -few words with uplifted hands, finally ending the ceremony by falling -on his knees. - -"What does this mean?" asked Jack of Cocom, who stood reverently on one -side, observing all this mummery. - -"Hush, Señor! He adores you as a god." - -"Devil take him and his worship," muttered Jack, crossly, in English. -Then the priest spoke in the Indian tongue, and Cocom translated his -speech to Jack. - -"Is my lord better in health?" asked the priest. - -"Tell him I am; but I don't care about being preserved for sacrifice." - -"Speak not so, Don Juan," said Cocom, in Spanish, with a look of alarm; -"you are not supposed to know anything of that. I told you on the peril -of my life." - -"Then tell him whatever lies you please!" said Duval, viciously, and, -rolling over, turned his back on the priest. - -"A bad sign!" murmured the priest, looking anxiously at Cocom. "Is my -lord angered?" - -"Nay," replied Cocom, in the Indian tongue; "my lord is much improved -in health, oh, Ixtlilxochitl; but as with all who are ill at ease, he -is fretful and wanting in courtesy." - -"It is true," replied Ixtlilxochitl, reverently. "The sick are ever -foolish. See that thou make him strong, Cocom, for the gods accept -naught but blooming health." - -"Oh, my sacred lord; he will be cured in two days from now. Cocom knows -of magic herbs whereby the favourite of Huitzilopochtli can be made -whole. Let Ixtlilxochitl be content, my lord will be pure and strong -for the sacrifice." - -"It is well," said the priest, rising from his knees. "I will leave my -lord to his sleep; but will he not vouchsafe one glance at his -servant?" - -Instructed by Cocom, Jack was forced to turn round and smile at the -priest, who knelt down to receive this mark of favour. Then he adored -Jack with more incense and flowers, after which he withdrew with -reverent genuflections. - -"The old fiend!" muttered Jack, when the drapery had again veiled the -door. "I should like to have sent a boot at his head." - -"Hush, my lord Juan." - -"Carrai! why should I? That devil-monkey does not understand Spanish." - -"No, Señor. Still, it is wiser to risk nothing." - -"You are quite right, Cocom. I place myself entirely in your hands. -Save me, and I promise you I shall not forget you." - -"Cocom will save you, for the sake of Don Miguel," said the old man, -proudly; "and for the sake of the lady Dolores." - -"Dolores!" repeated Jack, eagerly. "Do you know where she is?" - -"I know nothing at present," replied Cocom, with a meaning glance. -"Possess your soul in patience, Don Juan; all will yet be well. Don -Hypolito desires to kill you, and wed Doña Dolores. He shall do -neither. Santissima Virgen, I swear it. Be silent! No words, my lord. -Rest now, and sleep. You will need all your strength." - -"For the sacrifice?" - -"Nay, Señor, for escape!" - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE SHRINE OF THE OPAL. - - Lord of the humming-bird's foot! - Behold thy worshippers rising and falling in adoration - before thee, as rise and fall the restless waves of - the far-reaching ocean. - These thousands gathered from the ends of the earth, are - thine, and thine only. - We see thine image bedecked with jewels, shine like the sun - at his rising - Before thee, the stone, whereon the favoured one yields up - his life for thy glory. - Smoking hearts dost thou love, the savour of blood, the carnage - of battle. - For thou art god of war, death alone is the way to thy favour. - Spins before thee that precious stone by which thou tellest thy - wishes, - That shining, precious stone, which now burns red as the blood - of thine altars, - Crimson it gleams, hinting war! War is the fate of the future! - Oh, mighty one! Lord of the humming-bird's foot! We pray thee - give order, - That the red war light melt soon to the azure of peace, - Then will fresh victims be thine, and happiness ours, - Shout, ye people! ask peace from the lord of the humming-bird's - foot. - - -In two days, Jack was comparatively well, and able to move about -without much trouble. This almost miraculous cure was effected by Cocom -through the medium of some medicinal herbs, the curative powers of -which were known to him alone. Out of these he made two decoctions, one -for internal, the other for external application. With the latter he -bathed the wound on Jack's head, and made him drink quantities of the -former every two hours. The effect was wonderfully rapid, and Jack soon -found himself gaining strength. In the hands of a European doctor, he -would probably have been laid up for weeks; but the rude medicine of -the Indian set him on his legs in no time. The wound on his head gave -him no trouble, and healed with great quickness; a fact which Jack put -down as much to his healthy blood, and simple living, as to Cocom's -physicing. - -With renewed health and strength came a stronger desire to escape from -the horrible fate which waited him in a few weeks. When he went out, -however, and explored the strange city, in the centre of which stood -the shrine of the opal, Jack saw plainly that it would be madness to -attempt flight without the assistance of Cocom. The Indians apparently -knew this, for, treated by them more as a guest than a prisoner, he was -permitted to wander freely round the neighbourhood. Still, did he -venture too far in the direction of the belt of timber surrounding the -city, he was always followed by two or more native guards; these, when -he once more returned to the city, quietly left him. From this -espionage he plainly saw that his roaming was restricted, but not in -such a measure as to cause him any unpleasant feeling. - -As regards the behaviour of the Indians, Jack had nothing to complain -of. Indeed, they could scarcely have been more deferential. Regarded as -a kind of deity, his appearance was the signal for the most slavish -adulation. The Indians, of whom there were a goodly number in the -vicinity, threw themselves on their faces before him, as he walked -abroad, attended by Cocom. If he seated himself, they strewed flowers -at his feet, and swung censers, fragrant with copal, until he was -almost hidden by white wreaths of perfumed smoke. This popularity was -not unpleasant; but, as Jack knew it was but a prelude to the -sacrificial stone, he was anything but gratified at thus being -continually reminded of the dangerous position in which he stood. - -On recovering his health, Jack found Cocom much more reticent than when -he was acting as doctor. Several times had he been on the point of -making some important communication, but always stopped short and -refused to speak further. Jack supposed this caution was on account of -the priests, who, despite the deference of their demeanour, kept a -close watch on his actions, and on those of Cocom. The high priest, -Ixtlilxochitl, was a mild-looking old man, who treated Jack in a most -courteous manner, and frequently expressed his pleasure that the white -lord had so soon recovered his health. Such inquiries would have been -much more acceptable had not the recipient known that they were but the -outcome of Ixtlilxochitl's desire that he should be in good condition -for the sacrifice. It was no pleasant thing for Duval to know that -these courtesies came from an old gentleman who was anxiously looking -forward to taking his life. - -Under these circumstances, Jack did not wonder that Cocom was cautious, -and though for the moment the attitude of the old Indian appeared -anything but friendly, Jack quite relied on him to aid his escape. He -was anxious to escape from this buried city, where he was threatened -with so terrible a fate; he was longing to return to Tlatonac for the -purpose of reassuring his friends, who he knew would be terribly put -out by his disappearance at Acauhtzin; and, above all, he was anxious -to be free so as to search for Dolores. - -In Jack's opinion she was at Acauhtzin, as a man so vile as Don -Hypolito could no longer be believed. If she was not in the power of -the rebel leader, she would have been with the Indians. Yet here was -Jack in the very heart of this aboriginal civilisation, in the -stronghold of the opal, yet he neither saw her nor heard anything of -her. He questioned Cocom, but that wily old man replied that he knew -nothing, and as Don Hypolito had admitted that he knew where she was, -Jack felt sure that the poor girl was held a prisoner by the Mestizo at -Acauhtzin. He was therefore anxious to escape, and get back to -Tlatonac, for the purpose of urging on the war with all possible speed, -so that the northern capital should be invested within a reasonable -time, and Dolores rescued from her terrible position. Consequently, -escape was his one aim; but he saw plainly that without assistance it -would be impossible to leave this city of the opal, buried as it was in -the savage solitudes of primeval forests. - -That this famous opal shrine was in Cholacaca he knew perfectly well, -but as he had been brought hither in an unconscious state, he was quite -at a loss to lay his finger on the precise locality. Cholacaca, east to -west, was two hundred miles from mountains to sea, so the city of the -opal could not be situated out of this radius. It might be fifty, a -hundred, a hundred and fifty miles from the sea, and Jack, knowing by -his pocket-compass in which direction to go, calculated that if he -marched due east he could not fail to reach the coast. Once there, and -he could soon pick up a canoe or some light boat, in which he could get -in due time to Tlatonac. - -But to start for the coast without knowing the geography of the country -was sheer madness, and Jack stamped his foot with rage as he thought of -the miles of trackless forest which lay between him and freedom. To -push one's way through a virgin forest is difficult in any case, but to -make the attempt without arms, companions, food, and guides was quite -an impossibility. That there was some secret way to the coast was -plain, as the Indians came hither to this shrine from Tlatonac; but -that way was known only to the priests. Within a certain distance, -every new-comer was blinded with a bandage, and this was taken off in -the square, before the principal teocalli. The worshippers were -conducted into the forests with the same precautions; so, unless he -could bribe a priest to show him the secret way, Jack foresaw -absolutely no chance of gaining his freedom. - -It was a buried city, but not a ruined city, for here the aboriginal -civilisation flourished greatly, as it had done before the coming of -the Spaniards, to Anahuac. Situated in a hollow cup, on all sides arose -verdant forests of bright green, clothing the base of great mountains, -which showed their serrated peaks above the vegetation. On three sides -the city was shut in by these giant barriers, but towards the west -opened a rugged cañon, through which flowed a noisy stream. A road ran -along the west side of this freak of nature, cut out of the solid rock, -so narrow as to allow only three men to walk abreast. Above and below -were the cliffs, thousands of feet in height and depth. No foe could -enter the city by that pass, which led into the great mountains of the -interior continent; but no foe would wish to enter, for this city was -holy ground, the Mecca of the aborigines, and had preserved its -inviolability from an invasion for centuries. - -"It was built by the Toltecs, Señor," said Cocom, who acted as Jack's -cicerone. "Ages ago, you must know, this race came hither from the -North. It was they who built the great cities of Yucatan in the dark -past. Uxmal, Aké, Chichen-Itza. They reared them all. A glorious race -were my ancestors, Señor." - -"But you are not a descendant of the Toltecs, Cocom?" - -"No, Señor, I am a Maya. My ancestors ruled at Mayapan. See," added the -Indian, plucking a yellow flower sprouting out from a crevice close at -hand, "this is the plant Cocom--my name, Señor, and that of the great -kings who ruled Yucatan. The Mayas also built great cities, but Toltecs -or Mayas, Don Juan, what does it matter? I am a poor Indian crushed -under the heel of the white man." - -"You say the Toltecs built this city also?" - -"Surely, Don Juan. They came and they went; no one knows whither they -went. We are born, Señor, but we know not from whence we come. We die, -but we know not whither we go. So with the Toltecs. They came, they -went, and we know nothing more. But they left their cities behind them, -Señor, to show how great they were. In their wanderings--I speak from -the traditions of the priests--in their wanderings, Señor, they came to -this place, through yonder cañon--up the gorge, I think, for then there -was no river, no road. Here they lost their leader, and built this city -to commemorate his greatness. It is so called after him--Totatzine." - -"Oh, that was his name, no doubt." - -"Quien sabe! No; I do not know what his name was. Totatzine is a Nahua -word, meaning 'Our Great Father.' He was their father and leader, so -they called this place Totatzine. It is a monument to his memory." - -"It is a holy city!" - -"For ages, Señor, it has been sacred," replied Cocom, seriously. "Here -it was that the god Tezcatlipoca had his shrine, but when the guardians -of the opal stone fled hither, the worship of the Chalchuih Tlatonac -became the great religion here. Now the soul of the universe is -forgotten, and Huitzilopochtli alone is adored with his devil-stone." - -"Who is the soul of the universe?" - -"Tezcatlipoca! It is strange, Señor, that the name of this god means -'the shining mirror,' while the Chalchuih Tlatonac means 'the shining -precious stone,' so you see the religion has changed but little." - -"Do you not adore the old gods, Cocom?" - -The Indian looked fearfully around, as though he deemed his answer, -though delivered in Spanish, would be overheard and understood by some -lurking priest. - -"No, Señor Juan," he whispered at length. "I believe the opal can -prophesy because it is inhabited by devils, as we are told by the good -Padre, but I worship the Holy One and His virgin mother. I am a -Catholic, Señor, but once I was an adorer of Huitzilopochtli, and it is -hard to break away, Señor, from the habits of youth. I came then--I -come now, and though I am looked upon as one devoted to the old gods, -yet do I follow the faith of the good Padre!" - -"I am glad of that, Cocom. Otherwise you would not help me to escape." - -"True. The Holy Virgin has you in her care, Don Juan. I am, assuredly, -the only Catholic here in this city of the devil-stone, and I am your -friend. You will I aid to escape." - -"When?" - -"Hush! my lord. Behold, Ixtlilxochitli is at hand." - -The suave priest passed them slowly, and bent his head with abject -deference as Jack looked at him. He made as though he would have -stopped, but Duval waved his hand to intimate that he did not wish to -be disturbed. Ixtlilxochitli made a second genuflection, and resumed -his way. It was wonderful to see how these bloodthirsty idolators -obeyed the slightest wish of their proposed victim. - -"He thinks we are plotting," hinted Jack, looking after the old man -with anything but an amiable expression. - -"No. He trusts me too much. Besides, he would not care if he did guess -we were plotting, Señor, thinking, as he does, that I know not the -secret way." - -"And you do know it?" - -Cocom looked around and saw nobody. Then he turned towards Jack, and -nodded significantly. - -"Yes, Señor, I do know it." - -"Bueno! And when----?" - -"Another time, Don Juan. We have already spoken too long. Let us resume -our examination of the sacred city. It is not wise to be incautious. -Folly is loud of speech, but Wisdom is silent." - -Jack acquiesced in this view of the matter, and they walked on. He was -greatly interested in all he saw around him, as it is not given to -everyone to view a great aboriginal civilisation in its full glory. But -for the horrible fear he had of failing to escape, and thus run the -risk of being sacrificed to the war-god, he would have been quite -fascinated by this extraordinary place. Always a bit of an -archæologist, he viewed with enthusiasm these giant palaces, these -massive temples--works of a great race, still as fresh under the blue -tropic sky of to-day as when they were first reared in the dim past. -When Europe was a land of savages, this city was built; it rose in its -splendour while Greece was in her glory and Rome was not. Back, many -ages back before Christ; before David, perchance before Abraham, these -superb edifices rested majestically in this smiling valley. Still were -they inhabited, still were they the home of a race, of a religion--the -seat of a barbaric civilisation, the oracle of a faith, as they had -been in their pristine glory. The empire of Montezuma had fallen in -Mexico, the Incas were now but a name in Peru, gone were the Toltecs, -scattered the Mayas, yet the buried city of Totatzine, safe in the -midst of primeval forests, endured still, and would endure until that -fatal day, which would surely come, when the aboriginal race would -silently retreat before the conquering forces of civilisation. Here was -the last stronghold of the old gods, driven from the table-lands of -Anahuac; here smoked anew those altars overturned by the -Conquistadores; here shrieked the victim on the terrible stone of -sacrifice; and here was the shrine of the famous Opal, the Chalchuih -Tlatonac, the very mention of which thrilled the hearts of all far and -wide with superstitious dread. - -The sacred city was admirably situated for all purposes. Nothing could -be more beautiful than this majestic work of man, set like a jewel -within the green circle of the forest-clad mountains. Its health was -assured by its being fortunately placed in the genial climate of the -Tierra Templada. A vast wall built across the huge rift of the cañon -protected it from foes in the west, and the peaks, the impenetrable -forests, formed a barrier against the outside world on all other sides. -Its inviolability depended upon its remaining hidden in the shadow of -the forests; and in this isolated valley none would guess the secret of -its existence. It was veritably a buried city, secluded from the prying -gaze of mankind, and was probably the only one of its kind in the -world. Beautiful, healthy, well defended, closely hidden, this strange -town was the pride of the barbaric tribes of Central America--their -Mecca, their Jerusalem; the altar of their ancient faith, the city of -the shining precious stone. This was the true city of the opal, and not -Tlatonac, for here in the central shrine flashed the great gem on the -altar of the war-god. The paths of all savage men converged to this -place, and from here welled forth the influence of the old gods which -frustrated the efforts of the Padres to Christianise the tribes of -Central America. - -Down the eastern peaks fell a mighty torrent, which swept irresistibly -across the flat plain, and emerged from the valley through the cañon on -the west. On either side of this stream was the city built, and three -bridges of massive stone connected the one town with the other. That on -the right bank of the stream was the city of the priests, while to the -left lay the city of commerce, of dwellings, of daily life. In the -sacerdotal town a large square surrounded the vast mound whereon was -built the teocalli of the Chalchuih Tlatonac, and from this square -streets radiated--to the stream, to the mountains, to the wall, like -the spokes of a vast wheel. A similar square, with radiating streets, -formed the plan of the other town, save that the palace of the Cacique -occupied the place of the teocalli. Both towns were crowded with -Indians, but the sacerdotal portion was principally filled with -pilgrims, come to worship at the shrine of the opal, while the settled -population lived on the other side of the stream. There were large -caravansaries round the teocalli, for the accommodation of the visitors -who came from all parts of Central America; and Totatzine derived its -wealth, its splendour, its very existence, from the constant crowds -pouring in through the secret way to worship the old gods. The entrance -to that way was supposed to be in the shrine itself, but none knew the -exact place save the priests of Huitzilopochtli, and these jealously -preserved the secret on which depended their power. - -Accompanied by the faithful Cocom, who, notwithstanding his advanced -age, could bear a great deal of fatigue, Jack explored the two cities, -meeting everywhere with the greatest deference from the populace. -Unpleasant as was his position, he almost forgot his peril, in -contemplating the wonderful buildings around him. The architecture of -the houses was similar to that of ancient Egypt. Long ranges of squat -pillars, decorated with vivid hues, mural paintings, religious and -warlike in character, massive walls of reddish stone, sloping inward as -they gained height, colossal flights of steps leading up to cyclopean -door-ways, and everywhere the grotesque images of the Aztec gods. - -From the flat roofs of the houses arose truncated towers, carved rudely -with all the hideous forms of an obscure mythology. From these one -could see the vast expanse of the city, the interminable lines of the -terraces falling one below the other to the narrow streets, the great -squares crowded with people, dominated by teocalli, by palace, and far -off the sombre length of the wall stretching across the cañon, while -beyond this barrier the winding cliffs of the gulch shut out all view -of the world beyond. All was vague, awesome, terrible; the city wore a -menacing aspect, even in the cheerful sunlight, and the confused murmur -rising upward from the streets, seemed like the lamentations of -countless victims, the moaning of countless generations, tortured, -terrified, blinded by the blood-stained deities of Anahuac. - -"If the Señor so pleases, we will go to the teocalli," said Cocom, -after they had quite exhausted the commercial portion of the city, "and -there behold the opal." - -"I should like to see it, above all things," replied Jack, remembering -his first glimpse of the gem; "but I thought the priests would not let -me enter the temple." - -"You can go anywhere, Don Juan. Remember, in the eyes of the priests, -of the people, you are a deity." - -"A poor deity, seeing I am but preserved for that cursed altar. Where -will they kill me, Cocom--that is, if they get the chance?" - -"On the sacrificial stone in front of the teocalli. Your heart will be -taken out, and then, when the sacred fire is kindled, your body will be -hurled down the steps of the pyramid." - -"A very pleasant little programme," said Duval, grimly; "it is a pity -it should not be carried out; but as I propose to run away I guess it -will be Hamlet with the Dane left out. Bueno, Cocom! let us view the -shambles." - -The Indian assented, and, having crossed over the bridge, they walked -up the straight, narrow street which led to the central square. Such -people as they passed immediately prostrated themselves on the ground, -and in some cases suffered Jack to walk over them. The young engineer -felt inclined to kick them so enraged did he feel at being thus -perpetually reminded of his probable fate; but as such conduct would -scarcely be politic, he managed, though with difficulty, to restrain -himself. - -Soon they emerged from the street between two colossal carved idols of -appalling ugliness, and the square lay open before them. Like a vast -mountain arose the huge mound with five successive stages, and up to -the truncated summit, from the base, stretched a broad flight of sixty -steps. Wide and shallow was this staircase, with huge stone masks -scowling on each step. These dæmonic countenances were crowned with -twisted serpents, and had protruding tongues symbolical of life and -light. - -"Look like pantomime ogres," thought the irreverent Jack, contemplating -these horrors. "I say, Cocom," he said in Spanish, "what are these -heads meant to represent?" - -"They are god stars throwing their light over the earth, Señor. The -projecting tongues represent them doing so." - -"Bueno! I never should have thought putting out one's tongue meant such -a lot. Come, Cocom, let us ascend the steps." - -"One moment, Don Juan!" said Cocom, in a low voice, as Jack put his -foot on the lower step, "I have a reason for taking you up here." - -"To see the opal?" - -"Yes; and to see something else. Connected with your escape, Señor. We -can talk freely in the teocalli; for now it is noon, and no priest is -in the temple." - -"Good! We will have it all to ourselves. But I wonder at them leaving -the opal unguarded." - -"Santissima! It is quite safe, Don Juan! No one would steal the opal. -Even if anyone did he could not get out of the town, and if he did get -out of the town he would be killed before he reached the coast." - -"I see! Superstition is a greater safeguard than bolts or bars." - -"Promise me, Señor, you will not cry out at that which I am going to -show you," said the Indian, disregarding Jack's remark. - -"I don't know what you are going to show me, but I promise you I'll -keep silent." - -"Bueno, Señor Juan! Let us go!" - -He ascended the steps slowly, followed by Jack, who was much puzzled to -know the reason of this warning. Cocom, however, had proved himself to -be a true friend, so Duval trusted him implicitly, and was quite -satisfied that the Indian did not speak without cause. Up those -interminable steps they went, till Jack thought they would never reach -the summit, and, being still weak from illness, had to pause three or -four times during the ascent. At last they arrived at the top, and -Cocom, making Jack sit down to rest himself, went into the temple. -During the absence of the old man, his patient amused himself in -examining the teocalli, and admiring the splendid view outspread before -him. - -Far below he could see the dual city like a map, intersected by the -stream which cut it clean in two. The streets, running at right angles, -made it look like a chess-board, and on both sides of the river were -the great gaps of the squares. The surrounding green of the forests, -the grey worn peaks sharply defined against the blue sky, the -reddish-coloured city in the hollow, all made up an inexpressibly -beautiful picture. He could see the figures of men, women, and animals -moving like ants through the squares, bright-coloured dots of crawling -life. To his ear came the hoarse roar of the river dashing on its rocky -bed, the confused hum of voices, the faint cries of merchants, the thin -songs of women seated on the distant flat roofs. Hither ascended the -mingled murmur, as though the busy city exhaled a huge sigh of sorrow -and fear in the ear of their god, whose burdens were so heavy upon -them. - -Then he turned to view the teocalli, which he found not unworthy of his -regard. Indeed, the whole pyramid aroused his admiration. This vast -mound of earth, faced with a coating of adobe and covered with silvery -cement, was a feat of engineering which at the first sight appeared -somewhat startling, seeing it was the work of a barbaric race. Jack was -a civil engineer, and learned in mechanics; but it puzzled him to think -how this great mass had been built up. What armies of men must have -been employed in its construction! What architectural skill was needed! -How completely were the four sides covered with the smooth cement! This -mound, a mere mole-hill compared with the great artificial hills of -Quemada, Cholula, or Palanque, was as marvellous a work of man as the -pyramids of Egypt, and as mysterious. - -The teocalli itself was a structure of red stone, consisting of two -truncated towers, joined together by a flat-roofed building, in the -centre of which was a wide low doorway, the sides of which inclined -inward till they nearly touched at the lintel. The whole of this façade -was elaborately carved with convoluted serpents, mastodon heads, and -frequently bizarre emblems intermingled with representations of the -moon and stars. Birds, fishes, bows, arrows, and blazing suns were also -carved with wonderful skill out of this dull-hued stone, and directly -over the door itself flamed a painted opal, darting rays of divers -hues. As all these arabesques were gaudily coloured, the effect may be -imagined, and Jack's eyes ached as this grotesque confusion of crude -tints blazed in the strong sunlight. In front of the teocalli, to the -left, was a large serpent-skin drum, used for summoning the devotees of -the god; but Jack did not look so much at this as at an object which he -viewed with horrified repugnance. This was a huge block of jasper, -slanting and polished, on which many unhappy beings had been slain, on -which he himself was destined to suffer. Only by a strong effort did he -keep his eyes for a moment on this couch of death, and then averted -them with a shudder. - -Rising from his seat, he walked towards the door of the temple, and was -met at the entrance by Cocom. The Indian threw a glance down the -staircase, to see that no one was ascending, and then stood on one side -to let Jack pass into the shrine. - -"You can enter now, Señor, and speak with safety." - -It was some time before Jack's eyes became accustomed to the gloom, for -the shrine was only lighted from the door. In this vast apartment -twilight prevailed, and showed but dimly the flash of jewels, the -glitter of gold and silver. The sides were encrusted with stucco, -carved with figures of Aztec deities, which formed the court to the -terrible war-god. Teoyamiqui, the goddess of death, was there, with her -skirt of platted snakes; Teotl, the supreme deity of Anahuac; -Tlacatecolotl, his enemy, the spirit of evil; Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc, -Centeotl, and many other gods of that terrible hierarchy. Masks formed -of turquoise stones hung on the walls, here and there were small -altars, on which burned scented gums, and, at the end of the hall, -under a canopy of richly carved and gilded wood, sat the terrible one, -the war-god Huitzilopochtli. - -His image was scarcely human, but seemed to be simply a block of wood -distorted into hideous shapes. In one hand he grasped a bow, in the -other a sheaf of arrows, delicate humming-bird feathers adorned his -left foot, and his waist was encircled by a serpent formed of precious -stones, emeralds, turquoises, pearls, all glittering dimly in the pale -twilight. Behind the god spread a sheet of solid gold, carved with the -attributes of his deity, and in front of him appeared a grotesquely -carved altar, on which rested a red object. Jack, holding his nose, for -the stench of the slaughterhouse was terrible, advanced to see what it -was. He started back, with an exclamation of horror. It was a bleeding -human heart! - -As he started back, a blue flare seemed to strike across his eyes. He -looked up, and, lo! The Harlequin Opal. Depending from the roof by a -gold thread, the great jewel twisted slowly round in front of the -altar, the height of a man from the ground. With every revolution the -colours changed, like those of a chameleon. Now would radiate a bright -green flame, then a blue ray would flash like a streak of lightning -through the gloom; at times the whole stone shone yellow as the sun, -and oftentimes a fierce tongue of red would dart from its breast. All -these changes were caused by the constant twirling of the cord by which -it was suspended, and even in the half light the splendid gem scattered -its tints on all sides with the utmost brilliance. - -Fascinated by the magnificent jewel, Jack stepped forward to examine it -closely; but, just as he laid his finger on it, he heard a voice-- - -"Beware!" - -It was a woman's voice. He turned in alarm, and saw a woman standing -near the doorway. The light fell full on her face, and Jack rushed -forward, with a loud cry of joy, to clasp her in his arms. - -It was Doña Dolores! - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. - - Time is fond of strange surprises, - Ne'er we know what is before us; - Acting as stern Fate advises, - Time is fond of strange surprises. - Empires fall, a nation rises, - Those who hated, now adore us. - Time is fond of strange surprises, - Ne'er we know what is before us. - - -It was Dolores! The lost Dolores, for whom he had sought so long, so -vainly. She lay on his breast, sobbing as though her heart would break, -and Jack was so overcome with emotion that he could not speak. Cocom, -with true delicacy, had withdrawn, and they were alone in the temple. -For some moments they could neither speak nor move, but remained locked -in one another's arms, silently, passionately, grateful for the -meeting. Behind them, the slowly revolving opal flashed out a thin -streak of blue. It was an omen of peace, of love. - -Jack, as was natural, first recovered himself, and did all in his power -to quieten the hysterical emotion of Dolores. The poor girl looked ill -and haggard, as well she might, seeing how much she had suffered during -the last fortnight. Torn from her home, from her friends, her kindred, -her lover, entombed in the sepulchre of a vast forest, with no hope of -ever being released, she had abandoned herself to despair. The -unexpected appearance of Jack was too much for her overstrained nerves, -and she utterly broke down. Duval placed her on a stone near the -doorway of the shrine, and, kneeling at her feet, strove to calm her -agitation. He was having but ill success, when Cocom appeared in the -doorway, and seeing at a glance what was the matter with the girl, at -once produced one of those mysterious medicines he constantly carried -about with him. - -"Let the Señorita drink of this," he said, thrusting a small bottle -into Jack's hand. "Cocom will watch at the staircase that none ascend. -But be speedy, Señor. Ixtlilxochitli remains not long away from the -opal." - -When the Indian withdrew, Jack forced Dolores to take some of the drink -prescribed. The effect was magical, for in a few minutes her sobs -ceased, she became composed, and her eyes brightened with joy as she -looked at her lover. Jack was still in his serge shooting-suit, high -boots and all; while Dolores, in amber skirt, lace mantilla, and dainty -shoes, looked as though she were arrayed for a ball. The Indians had -evidently treated her with great tenderness, and save for her haggard -looks, she looked little different from what she did at Tlatonac. In -their European dresses, they were out of keeping in that savage house -of worship. A strange scene, truly. The blood-stained deity, the -fantastic figures of the gods, the twirling opal, flashing sparks of -light, and at the door these most unhappy lovers, oblivious to all save -themselves. - -"Querido!" sighed Dolores, looking fondly in Jack's face; "how like an -angel do you appear to me. I thought never to see you again; but now -you are here, and I am happy. Tell of the dear ones, Juanito, of -Eulalia and Rafael. How does my dear uncle, my aunt?" - -"I have not seen them for over a week, cara," replied Jack, kissing -her; "they were much disturbed at your disappearance. We all thought -that you had been carried off to Acauhtzin, and with Don Felipe and -your brother I went up there to demand you from the base one." - -"I know all of this, mi amigo," said Dolores, quickly. "Ah! do not look -so astonished. Cocom is our friend; Cocom told me all. Of Marina -departing with Pepe in _The Pizarro_, of your journey to Acauhtzin, -and how you were betrayed to the priests by Don Hypolito." - -"You know my story, Dolores, but I do not know yours. Tell me how it -was that you were carried off. I at first suspected the Indians, but -afterwards deemed Pepe had taken you to Xuarez. I suspected him -wrongly, it seems." - -"No, Juan!" cried the girl, her eyes flashing with anger; "all this -misery was contrived by Don Hypolito. He told Ixtlilxochitli that----" - -"What!" interrupted Jack, in astonishment; "does Xuarez know the -priest? Has he been here? Is he a worshipper of that devil stone?" - -"As to that I am not certain, but he has been here frequently, and held -long conversations with Ixtlilxochitli. Don Hypolito, you know, says he -is a Mestizo. It is false; he is a pure Indian. His parents dwelt here -as worshippers of the old gods, and it was in Totatzine that he was -born. Afterwards, when he became a man, he grew weary of this buried -city, and went forth to seek his fortune. He prospered, as you know, -and now says he has Spanish blood in his veins, to gain favour with my -own people. But his heart is Indian; he is a friend of Ixtlilxochitli; -he comes here frequently. I said, querido, that I was not certain that -he worshipped the devil stone. I am wrong; I think he does. Through him -does that opal counsel war; and you were delivered to the priests to be -the victim of the cycle." - -"And in return for this handsome gift of my life, what does Don -Hypolito get?" - -"Can you not guess? Ixtlilxochitli, anxious to see the Ruler of -Cholacaca one who is a believer in the old gods, has promised to make -the Indians fight for him. He can do this by means of the opal's -prophecies. The priest thinks that if Don Hypolito becomes President, -he will restore the worship of Huitzilopochtli." - -"Ridiculous!" - -"It is not. Yet Ixtlilxochitli, who is a clever man, is completely -deceived by Don Hypolito, and believes that this will be so." - -"Now I see how Xuarez came to the sacred city," said Jack, -reflectively; "but you say it was he who carried you off?" - -"By means of the Indians, yes. Listen, Juanito. The last time Don -Hypolito was here, he told Ixtlilxochitli that he desired to marry me; -also, that if I were not carried off from Tlatonac, and placed for -safety in the opal shrine, that I would probably marry you. As you can -guess, it would never do to let the guardian of the opal marry a white -man, so, as desired by Don Hypolito, I was decoyed from Tlatonac, and -carried to this frightful place." - -"How were you decoyed?" - -"By means of your friend, Don Pedro." - -"By Pedro!" cried Jack, in surprise. "Why, what had he to do with your -kidnapping?" - -"He had nothing actually to do with it. But his name was used in this -way. Listen, mi cara; it is the strangest of tales." - -Jack nodded and settled himself to listen, whereon Doña Dolores began -her story at once, as every moment was precious. - -"When you left me on that day, Juanito, I went to the cathedral, in -order to pray for you, and to obtain from Padre Ignatius the holy relic -for your protection. With Marina did I kneel before the shrine of the -Virgin, and waited for the Padre, but he did not appear." - -"Nevertheless, he was in the cathedral all the time waiting for you in -the sacristy." - -"That is strange," observed Dolores, in some perplexity, "for I grew -weary of waiting, and sent Marina to seek Padre Ignatius in the -sacristy. As she did not return, I presumed that she could not find -him, and had perhaps gone to look for him in his own church." - -"She went neither to sacristy nor to church," explained Jack, hastily; -"she saw Pepe at the door of the cathedral, as she went to seek the -good Father, and departed with the zambo. Then she was afraid of being -punished by you, and did not return to the Casa Maraquando until late, -when we found you were missing. I expect it was fear that made her run -off to Acauhtzin with Pepe." - -"Very probably; yes, Juan, it was as you say. She did not go for the -Padre, and he, waiting in the sacristy, expected me to meet him there. -I, on my part, thinking Marina would return every moment, remained -before the shrine. Then I felt a hand touch my shoulder, and turned -round expecting to see Marina. It was a dwarf Indian, called T'ho, who -gave me a message from--as I thought--Cocom and Don Pedro." - -"But it was not Cocom who betrayed you, Dolores?" - -"No, indeed. But through the craft of Ixtlilxochitli, his name was made -use of as a decoy. This Indian, T'ho, did not speak, but gave me an -object message." - -"Dios! What is that?" - -"Do you not know, Juanito? and yet you have dwelt so long in Cholacaca. -An object message is one the meaning of which is read by certain things -delivered. For instance, querido, in this case, T'ho gave me a yellow -flower and several objects cut in bark, including an arrow, a pair of -spectacles, and a round coloured red. Now can you understand?" - -"The yellow flower meant Cocom! Is that not so? He told me to-day his -name was from such a flower." - -"Yes, that is right--the spectacles?" - -"Eh, Dolores! The spectacles! Oh, I know; Peter wears spectacles." - -"You're right, mi amigo," replied Dolores, smiling at his discovery, -"and the arrow was a hint to be swift--the rough piece of bark, -coloured scarlet, showed that some one was wounded." - -"Wait a moment, Dolores," interposed Duval, hastily; "I can read the -message now. It came presumably from Cocom, and read, 'Come quickly, -Don Pedro is wounded.'" - -Dolores clapped her hands. - -"Santissima Madre! You have guessed rightly. That was the message. At -once I obeyed it, for I thought poor Don Pedro might be dying." - -"It was kind of you, Dolores, but terribly rash." - -"I did not think it would be far away from the gates, and suspected no -evil. Besides, I had been kind to T'ho, and did not dream he would -betray me." - -"Which he did?" - -"Yes, base criminal, he did. I followed him from the church just as the -sun was setting. He led me through the streets out of the town by the -Puerta de la Culebra. No one recognised me, as I veiled my face in my -mantilla. T'ho guided me past the chapel of Padre Ignatius to the open -country----" - -"How rash of you!" ejaculated Jack, reproachfully, "how terribly rash!" - -"Yes, it was rash, Juanito! But do not be angry, querido. I did it for -the sake of Don Pedro, whom I thought was wounded." - -"Well! and what happened after that?" said Duval, kissing her, to show -he was not cross. - -"Dios!" replied Dolores, tapping her mouth with her closed fan; "I -hardly remember! I was asking T'ho where lay the poor Señor Americano, -when a cloth was flung over my head, and I was borne swiftly away. With -the shock, I suppose I must have fainted, for on recovering my senses I -found myself in an open boat going up the coast. I tried to cry out, -but was so weak that I could make no sound. Only Indians were in the -boat, and one of them held a cup of wine to my lips. It was, I think, -drugged, as I then lost all consciousness, and awoke to find myself in -Totatzine!" - -"And all this was planned by Don Hypolito?" - -"Yes, and executed by Ixtlilxochitli. I have been kindly treated since -I have been here, and have a house yonder, across the square, all to -myself, with attendants. The high priest told me I had been carried off -so that no harm might happen to me, as guardian of the opal, during the -war. He also informed me that it was the desire of the god that I -should wed with Don Hypolito." - -"Confound his impudence," muttered Jack, in his native tongue. "And -what did you reply, Dolores?" - -"I said I would never wed with the traitor Xuarez; that my heart was -given to another, to Don Juan, the Americano. Ixtlilxochitli was -terribly angry when he heard this, and swore that never would the -guardian of the opal be permitted to wed a white man. 'But I have no -fear,' said this base one, 'for Don Hypolito, the true worshipper of -the sacred opal, will aid us to secure this evil Americano, and -sacrifice him to the gods.'" - -"And Don Hypolito succeeded," said Jack, with a shudder. "The wretch! -he had made up his mind to seize me from the moment I set foot in -Acauhtzin. Oh, if I can only escape, how dearly will I make him pay for -all this treachery." - -At this moment Cocom darted in at the door. - -"Señor, the priest, Ixtlilxochitli, is climbing the steps. Hide -yourself, lady. You must not be seen with my lord." - -"Why not?" asked Jack, as they arose to their feet. - -"Can you ask, after what I have told you?" whispered Dolores, -hurriedly. "The priest knows I love you, and if we were seen together -you would be detained in prison until the day of the sacrifice. Not -even your character of a god could save you from that. Cocom contrived -our meeting here, and the priests suspect nothing. Trust to Cocom! He -will tell you our plans of escape. Adios! I must hide!" - -"When will I see you again, angelito?" said Jack, kissing her -hurriedly. - -"To-morrow night, in the secret way. Adios!" - -She ran rapidly towards the shrine, and vanished behind the image of -the war-god, while Jack followed Cocom out on to the vast platform of -the pyramid. Midway on the steps they saw the old high priest, -painfully climbing upward. - -"Will he not find Doña Dolores in there, Cocom, and thus guess we have -met?" - -"No, Señor. He but comes to see that the sacred fire burns. That the -opal yet spins before the god. If the fire should go out, or the opal -stand still, great calamities would befall the city. Only does the opal -pause when it prophesies." - -"How is it managed?" - -"Santissima! Señor, I know not. But come, let us go down. -Ixtlilxochitli will just look at the fire, and then descend, after -which the Doña Dolores can come down and regain her palace without -being seen." - -"Is the shrine thus frequently left alone?" - -"Yes, Señor. Save at festivals, it is deserted. But a priest climbs to -the temple every five hours, to see that the sacred fire burns. But -see, Ixtlilxochitli is near us. Be cautious, my lord." - -When Jack paused on his downward way, the priest coming up at once -knelt on the steps to show his reverence. - -"Tell the old fool to get up," said Jack, angrily, being weary of such -mummery. - -"My lord bids you rise, Ixtlilxochitli!" translated Cocom, more -politely. - -The priest arose, with his hands folded across his breast, and, with -downcast eyes, addressed Cocom. - -"Has my lord seen the holy shrine, and the thrice sacred Chalchuih -Tlatonac?" - -"Yes; my lord has been graciously pleased to look at these things." - -"It is well! My lord should know well the sacred shrine, so that on the -great day he be prepared to act his part, as saviour of the city, with -dignity." - -"Deuce take your dignity!" cried Jack, in a rage when this polite -speech was translated. "I say Cocom, cannot we knock this old reprobate -down the steps; he wouldn't get up again in a hurry." - -"Nay, nay, Señor! such a course would not be wise," replied Cocom, -hastily thinking that Jack was about to carry his threat into -execution. - -"What says my lord?" asked Ixtlilxochitli blandly. - -"That he will not keep you longer from the sacred offices of the god." - -"It is well! See that my lord has all things, Cocom. The city is his, -and we are his, for on his sacrifice to the holy gods does the -existence of Totatzine depend." - -Cocom did not deem it politic to translate this speech to Jack, fearing -lest the young man should thereupon carry out his threat, and kick the -old priest down the steps. Already he was so exasperated at being -perpetually reminded of his awful position, that it would take but -little more to make him kill this bland, servile priest--to punish at -least one of his enemies before he was slain himself. Many men would -have been paralysed by the thought of the sacrificial stone, but peril -only the more firmly braced Jack's nerves, and relying, as he did, on -Cocom's help, and his own energy, he was determined to escape from -Totatzine in some way or another. The meeting with Dolores had inspired -him with fresh energies; and, after leaving Ixtlilxochitli climbing the -steps, he hurried Cocom to the palace where he was living, with the -idea of hearing what plan of escape the Indian had conceived. - -Now that Duval had seen Dolores, the reserve hitherto maintained by -Cocom entirely vanished, and he professed himself eager to explain his -designs. With instinctive caution, however, he refused to converse in -the lower room, where Jack habitually slept fearing lest they should be -overheard. It is true they constantly spoke the Spanish tongue, of -which the priestly spies were woefully ignorant; but Ixtlilxochitli was -quite crafty enough to employ a coast Indian as an eavesdropper; -therefore it was wise to put any such possibility of betrayal beyond -all doubt. With this intent, they ascended to the flat roof of the -palace; but, even here, Cocom felt doubtful of being absolutely safe. -In the end, they climbed the mirador, the sole tower of the palace, -where it was quite impossible that they could be either seen or heard -from below. Crouching on his hunkers below the low wall of the tower -platform, Cocom gravely took out some cigarettes, wrapped in -maize-husks, and presented them to Jack, who was lying full-length -against the opposite parapet. In a few minutes they were smoking, and -talking earnestly. - -"The priests, Señor," said Cocom, wrapping his zarape round his thin -shoulders, "the priests say that the entrance to the secret way is in -the shrine itself on the summit of yonder teocalli. That is a lie!" - -"Then where is it, Cocom?" - -"Three bridges are there over the stream, Don Juan. The largest and -oldest bridge is that central one, which leads straight to the square -of the sacrifice. Señor, below that bridge is the secret way!" - -"How do you know, Cocom? Were you not blindfolded when you were brought -here?" - -"Yes, Señor; but I smelt water. The priests blind the eyes, and close -the ears, so that the way be not seen, nor the voice of the torrent -heard; but I, Señor, have come by the hidden way many times. It is -there. I examined it secretly one night at the peril of my life." - -"And you found out you were correct?" said Jack, anxiously. - -"Absolutely, Señor. Under the bridge the torrent has worn a deep -channel; at the very bottom the path runs eastward, and is concealed by -a stone wall made to look like the natural cliff of the stream. You go -up that path which leads to the foot of the waterfall, then along a -passage which leads upward to the thickest part of the forest. Leaving -this passage, you ascend steps, which lead to a narrow gorge, cut in -the top of the mountain--deep, very deep, Señor, is the pass; no one -can see the city therefrom. In the centre of the pass is a circular -space, whence ten passages, cut from the solid rock, lead everywhere. -Go by eight of these passages, and you fall over cliffs, for the path -ends abruptly. They are death-traps. Of the other two passages, one -leads to the sacred city, the other to the forests beyond the -mountains. In this circular place do the priests blindfold the -worshippers. Those who go out can reach that place, those who come in -the same; but, unless guided, they would go astray into the -death-traps. Therefore are they blindfolded by the priests, and led -forward in safety." - -"What a horrible idea," said Duval, shuddering; "but how am I to know -the right passage?" - -"There is a carving of the opal, throwing rays, cut at the entrance of -the passage. That is the right one. Go through that, and you come on to -a broad platform on the other side of the mountain. Steps lead down -from thence to the valley into a broad way built of old by the Toltecs. -This road ends suddenly in a wilderness of trees. Then you guide -yourself to the coast by red marks on the trunks of trees--the opal, -painted crimson, is the sign. Follow those, and you come to the -sea-shore." - -"How far is it from here to the sea-shore?" - -"Fifty miles, Señor." - -"Fifty miles!" groaned Jack, in dismay. "However can Dolores manage to -do that? and then the perils from incoming Indians!" - -"Listen, Señor. Oftentimes the priests send forth penitents who have on -them a vow of silence. I will procure dresses for my lord and Doña -Dolores. You shall be disguised as Indians under the vow of silence. -Should you meet anyone, make a sign thus, and they will permit you to -pass without question. As to the length of the way, I will give you -provisions, and you must travel to the coast as best you can. It will -take many days, but what of that? You will be free." - -"Suppose we are pursued?" - -"No, Señor; I have a plan. Beyond the great wall of the west is the -narrow path of the cañon. When you and Doña Dolores depart, I will take -your clothes through the gate, which is always open, and strew some of -them on the narrow path. I will let fall some blood of an animal down -the side of the cliff. Below rushes the torrent, white and fearful. When -the priests find out you are gone they will not search the secret way, -not thinking that it is known to anyone but themselves. No, Don Juan, -they will go beyond the wall, to the narrow path, and there they will -find your clothes, and those of Doña Dolores. They will then think that -you have fallen into the torrent, and so all search will cease." - -"That's a capital idea, Cocom! Your ingenuity is wonderful. But when -myself and Doña Dolores come to the coast, what shall we do?" - -"Wait there, Señor, in a cave I will describe to you, until I come. I -will have to remain behind so as to avert suspicion. Yes; I will tear -my hair when you have gone, and say that you have fled by the way of -the cañon; the priests will search, and think you have fallen into the -torrent. The next day, they will thrust me from the sacred city for -having not guarded you well. I will then come down to the coast, to the -cave. Once there, Señor, and we shall soon contrive some plan to get -back to Tlatonac." - -"But the priests might kill you, Cocom!" - -"Have no fear of that, Señor; I am old, my sacrifice would not be -acceptable to the gods. And again, Señor, I have secrets of herbs known -only to myself, which the priests fain would learn. Should they -threaten my life, I will tell them my secrets and go free." - -"You can never return to Totatzine?" - -"What matter," replied Cocom, indifferently. "I am very old. Soon I -will die. When I get again to Tlatonac I will worship the Virgin, and -die in my corner. Who will care? The old have no friends!" - -"You will have a friend in me, Cocom," said Jack, shaking the hand of -the old Indian. "I promise you that neither myself nor Doña Dolores -will forget this service. By the way, when do we make this attempt?" - -"To-morrow night, Señor." - -"Bueno! But why to-morrow night?" - -"At dawn, Señor, to-morrow, there will be a sacrifice to the god, and a -man will die. The priests will ask you be present so as to sanctify the -ceremony." - -"A kind of rehearsal, I suppose," said Jack, grimly. "Go on, Cocom." - -"Afterwards there will be a great festival. All day it will continue, -till sunset. It may be," continued Cocom, artfully, "that the priests -and the people will drink much; if so, it will be the better for us. In -any case, Don Juan, all will be weary, and sleep well at sunset. Then I -will disguise you and Doña Dolores as Indians, and lead you to the -secret way. By dawn you will be far down beyond the mountains. Travel -all night, Señor, so as to reach the central forests before dawn. For -it may be that the priests will look from the platform down the road of -the Toltecs, and there see you far off. But this, I think, will not be. -The whole city will sleep heavily, exhausted by the festival, and when -they waken, you, Señor, will have escaped." - -"God grant this scheme may succeed!" said Duval, rising to his feet. "I -can never thank you sufficiently for this, Cocom." - -"Bueno! You are the friend of Don Miguel, who saved my life. Be happy, -Señor; I will not fail to rescue you from the stone of Huitzilopochtli. -And now, Señor Juan, we must go down, else will the priests be -suspicious of these long talks between us." - -"There is only one thing I would like to do before I leave Totatzine," -remarked Duval, as they went down to his room. - -"And that, Señor?" - -"Is to break the neck of Ixtlilxochitli by throwing him down those -steps." - -Cocom laughed softly. It was a rare thing for this melancholy Indian to -do, but he did not love Ixtlilxochitli, and the idea amused him -greatly. - -"Come," said Duval, tapping his friend on the back, "let us go and take -the eleven. We must drink success to our scheme in a flask of -aguardiente." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -AN INDIAN FESTIVAL. - - The sacred drums of serpents' skins - Send forth their muffled roar afar; - Before the shrine the opal spins, - A changing star! - That flashes rays of rainbow light - From out its breast of cloudy white, - Rebuking sins - Which mar! - - Oh, see the maidens forward bound, - To swing and sway in dances wild, - Loose locks with fragrant chaplets crowned, - Their glances mild! - Exchanged for looks, whose frantic fires - The sacred god himself inspires, - Who thrice hath frowned, - And smiled. - - The victim! see the victim pure! - Approaches to the stone to die; - But for a space his pangs endure, - And then on high - His soul mounts upward to the sun, - For ever with that orb to run, - Of pleasure sure - For aye. - - -That evening, Jack received an invitation from Ixtlilxochitli to be -present at dawn next morning on the summit of the teocalli, to take -part in a religious ceremony of peculiar solemnity. The god -Huitzilopochtli was to be asked if it was his will that the Indian -tribes should array their ranks in battle on the side of Don Hypolito -Xuarez? Through the opal was the answer to be given. If it gleamed red -the god desired war, if blue there was to be peace in the land. Seeing -the bloodthirsty character of the deity, and the secret understanding -between his high priest and Xuarez, there was but little doubt in the -mind of Jack as to what the answer would be. Still, as he was anxious -to know how the prophecies were given, and not averse to seeing a -unique religious ceremony, he accepted the invitation of Ixtlilxochitli -with avidity. - -For many days, messages had been sent far and wide, calling on the -Indians to repair to the sacred city, and assist at the festival. The -town was filled to overflowing, and all the caravansaries in the square -of the sacrifice were crowded. Owing to the depth of the valley, the -ceremony could not take place precisely at dawn, as it was some time -before the sun rose above the peaks of the surrounding mountains. His -presence was indispensable to the ceremony, as the heart of the victim -had to be held up by the officiating priest for the benediction of his -rays. Jack rather shrank from witnessing this horrible rite, -particularly as, unless he succeeded in effecting his escape, he would -probably be forced to take part in the same function; but curiosity -triumphed over repugnance, and he looked forward eagerly to beholding -this extraordinary spectacle. - -In the grey light of dawn he was awakened by the thunder of the -serpent-skin drums, which for some hours roared continuously. Springing -out of bed, he hastily put on his clothes, and had just finished -dressing when Cocom entered the room. The old Indian was arrayed in -white cotton garments, with a chaplet of flowers on his grey locks. He -had another wreath, of red blossoms, which he held out for Jack's -acceptance--an offer which that young man promptly refused. Red was the -emblem of a dedicated victim, and Jack, knowing this, objected to being -thus distinguished. - -"Carrajo! No, mi amigo," he said, vigorously, "I am not going to be -decked out as a victim yet." - -"Ixtlilxochitli will be angry, Señor." - -"He can be as angry as the devil, for all I care. I don't intend taking -any part in this infernal idol worship. Don't they look on me as a god, -Cocom?" - -"Yes, my lord; you are supposed to be the visible representative of -Tezcatlipoca, the soul of the universe." - -"Bueno! Well, the soul of the universe is going to have his own way. -What is the use of being Tez--what's-his-name, if you can't do as you -please? Besides, I wear European clothes, and wreaths don't go with -this rig-out." - -"As you please, Don Juan. Still, it is not wise to anger the priests." - -"I'll take the risk, Cocom. By the way, I trust Doña Dolores will not -be present at this butchery to-day." - -"No, Señor! She intends to sleep many hours." - -"Poor girl, she needs rest, seeing we shall be walking all night. I -will rest this afternoon myself, Cocom." - -"It would be wise, Señor." - -"You have everything prepared?" - -"Assuredly, Señor. You will find nothing wanting." - -"Bueno! Now let us go to the teocalli." - -The immense area of the square of sacrifice was densely packed with -Indians, mostly men, as the ceremonies of the war-god were -pre-eminently of a masculine character. A few women were to be seen; -but, as a rule, they preferred the gentler worship of Tezcatlipoca, and -left the fierce adoration of Huitzilopochtli to the rulers and -warriors. These pilgrims were one and all arrayed in white-cotton robes -similar to that of Cocom, and, like him, bore wreaths of flowers on -their locks. Many of the most opulent were draped in mantles of -gorgeous feather work, and adorned their persons with collars, -earrings, girdles, and bracelets of gold set with rough gems. The -summit of the teocalli was unoccupied, as the priests in their sable -vestments were waiting for the victim at the foot of the great -staircase. A constant thunder of drums, and shrilling of discordant -trumpets, added to the wild character of the scene. - -Jack had no sooner made his appearance than the multitude, recognising -the sacred victim of the cycle, parted to let him pass through. An -immense wave of movement swept across this sea of white garments, and -all flung themselves on their faces, not even daring to look at the -august presence of the incarnate deity. Attended by Cocom, Jack passed -up the avenue, opened by religious awe in this living mass, and -ultimately gained the steps of the teocalli. Here they saw -Ixtlilxochitli, who waved his hand to intimate that they had better -ascend the staircase, which they did, without further remark. - -Seated on the parapet surrounding the platform of the pyramid, Jack -looked down on the throng of people whose dark faces were turned -upwards to the shrine of the opal, and shuddered involuntarily, as he -thought of the fanaticism which had drawn this concourse together. -Devoutly did he pray that Cocom's scheme might be successful, as it was -terrible to think that in the presence of such savages he should be -slaughtered by those wild-looking priests. - -The morning was slightly chilly, as the valley was yet in the shadow; -but, beyond the rim of the mountains, Jack could see the rays of the -rising sun shooting up in the roseate sky. He trembled and held his -breath as a single trumpet bellowed below, and leaning over the -parapet, saw that the procession of priests were now escorting the -victim up the stair-case. Cocom manifested no emotion, he was but half -civilised, after all, and the horror of the coming deed did not strike -him as particularly awful. Men must die sometime, was Cocom's -philosophic view of the matter, and as well might death take place on -the sacrificial stone as in any other way. Jack felt his flesh creep at -the idea of what he would soon behold; but Cocom, with folded arms, -stood like a statue of bronze, silent, indifferent, unmoved. - -Up the staircase climbed that ghastly procession. The victim, a -handsome young Indian, tall and slender, seemed indifferent to his -fate, and bore his part in the ceremony with becoming dignity. As he -ascended the height, one by one he threw away his ornaments and rich -robes. His chaplet of flowers, his bracelets, earrings, girdles, his -mantle of feather work, his cotton robe of white, they were all strewed -on the steps like wreckage, and when he arrived at the summit of the -teocalli, he was completely naked. With his splendid muscular -development, his immobile face, his absolute repose, standing nude by -the jasper stone of sacrifice, he looked like a magnificent bronze -statue, and Jack could not but admire the stoical resignation with -which he met his death. Ixtlilxochitli vanished through the open door -of the shrine, and the sable-clad priests, looking like demons in their -religious frenzy, held up their arms to the east. A wild, barbaric -chant flowed from their mouths, weird and ear-piercing, rising and -falling like the waves of the sea. They chanted long lines of -invocation to the sun, and were answered by a confused roar from the -multitude below. So fierce, so savage was the music, that Jack -shuddered and closed his eyes with horror. The victim made no sign. - -Then the high priest, clad in scarlet robes, and holding a knife of -itzli in his hand, came forth from the presence of the god, and made a -sign to the officiating priests. The rim of the sun was just seen above -the heights when five priests darted forward, and, seizing the -impassive victim, flung him on the altar stone. An appealing cry to -Huitzilopochtli arose from the worshippers, the drums rolled, the -trumpets bellowed, and Ixtlilxochitli rapidly opening the breast of the -young man, tore out his heart. The multitude prostrated themselves -humbly, an immense sigh exhaled upward from a thousand breasts, and -after holding the bleeding heart to the sun, now full in sight, the -high-priest flung it at the feet of the idol. Jack felt sick with -horror at the consummation of this tragedy, and closed his eyes for a -moment. When he opened them again, the dead body of the victim was -rolling down the steps of the teocalli, to plunge into the sea of white -boiling in the square. - -"Horrible!" he muttered to Cocom; "these priests are devils." - -"Hush, Señor!" replied the Indian in a low voice; "be cautious. Now -they consult the opal." - -Wiping the perspiration from his forehead, Duval, leaning on the arm of -Cocom, entered the shrine which was crowded with priests. They all made -way for him respectfully, and, as the great drum outside commenced to -roll out its thunder, knelt in the presence of the deity. Even Cocom -bowed before the god, and Jack was the only one standing. A small fire -of coals burned on the altar, and thereon Ixtlilxochitli flung -priceless gums, storax, copal, and odorous resins. A rich perfume -spread through the temple, and a thick cloud of white smoke rolled -upward, veiling the hideous face of the war-god, hiding the now rapidly -revolving opal. A chant arose, sad and melancholy as the sweeping of -the wind through trees, supplicating and sorrowful--an appeal to the -terrible deity who had been thus propitiated with blood, with the heart -of a man. - -A thin shaft of sunlight entering the temple through some unseen -opening, smote the great gem with fierce fire, causing it to glitter -with blinding splendour. Every eye was fixed on the opal, which -continued spinning incessantly, darting its rays of red and blue, and -yellow, and green. Jack, at a glance, saw how the miracle was done. The -priests cunningly twisted the gold string attached to the roof, and as -it slowly unwound itself the great gem revolved. Whether they left the -colour it was to show when still, to chance, Jack did not know, but -they must have had some trick to make it pause when they chose, for he -felt certain the red side of the stone would ultimately reveal itself. -In the semi-darkness he kept his gaze on the jewel, twirling in the -yellow glare, and heard, as in a dream, the roar of the throng far -below waiting the announcement of the god's will. The teocalli was as -an island in the midst of a sea, and against its huge base these living -waves beat without intermission. - -At first the opal spun rapidly, throwing out sparks of coloured fire, -then it gradually slowed down as the string unwound itself. Slower and -slower it twisted, sparkling a ray of emerald green, a dazzling shaft -of blue, or a glory of golden haze. At last the motion was hardly -perceptible, and the worshippers held their breaths in reverential awe. -It moved slightly, it paused, it began to revolve slowly backward, and -then, with a slow oscillation, hung motionless from the roof. From out -its white breast shot a fierce glare of violent crimson. The will of -the god was war! - -Amid a dead silence Ixtlilxochitli stalked forth to the verge of the -staircase, now wearing only his black garments, and held up his scarlet -mantle as a sign that the opal was red. A frantic shout of delight -roared upward to the sky, and the multitude below broke into a frenzy -of joy. The religious ceremonies were at an end, the festival had -commenced. - -"Por el amor de Dios, let me go back to my room," whispered Jack, in -the ear of Cocom. "If I stay here, I will assuredly smash that idol and -kick old Ixtlilxochitli down the steps." - -Unwilling to risk such a scandal, Cocom hurried his charge out of the -temple at once. Ixtlilxochitli came forward as Jack departed, evidently -expecting to be congratulated on a successful performance, but the -young engineer, with a gesture of repugnance, turned his back on the -old villain, and sprang down the steps of the teocalli. The high-priest -looked grave. This dissatisfaction of the visible deity was a bad omen. - -"This place is a hell upon earth," cried Jack, throwing himself down on -his couch. "How many victims do they sacrifice to that infernal deity, -Cocom?" - -The old man counted on his fingers. - -"Señor, about one hundred in the year, more or less." - -"How terrible!" - -"Yes, Don Juan, more were offered up in the old days. It is said by the -priests that at the dedication of the great Teocalli in Mexico seventy -thousand victims were offered to Huitzilopochtli." - -"Butchery! I tell you what, Cocom, if I get safely back, and this war -is concluded in favour of the Junta, I will get Don Francisco Gomez to -send an army to stop this sort of thing." - -Cocom smiled scornfully. - -"Nay, Señor; no army could reach the city of Totatzine. It is hidden, -and the secret way is but narrow, as you shall see. Besides, Don Juan, -I would not aid an army to come hither. The city is sacred." - -"But you do not believe in this devil-worship?" - -"No, Señor. Still, it was the religion of my fathers. I do not wish it -destroyed." - -Jack saw that his proposition was distasteful to the old Indian, so did -not make further remark, fearful of raising anger in Cocom's breast. If -this one friend refused to assist them, neither himself nor Dolores -could hope to escape. Therefore Jack was wise and held his peace. -Shortly afterwards he intimated his desire to sleep in order to prepare -for the fatigue of the midnight journey, so Cocom left him, and -departed to make all arrangements for the escape. - -All day long the festival continued. Even through the massive walls of -his room Jack could hear the shrieks and yells of the worshippers as -they maddened themselves with pulque and aguardiente. Once he had the -curiosity to ascend to the flat roof and look down on the square. It -was filled with a mass of frenzied human beings, who danced and sang, -and bellowed wildly. Some cut themselves with knives, others climbing -up to the summit of the teocalli flung themselves headlong down the -staircase. Great fires were lighted in the square, and rings of -Indians, men and women, danced round them, singing frantically. -Everywhere the priests, long-haired, sable-robed, inciting worshippers -to fresh frenzies, constantly the wild piping of barbaric music, the -rumbling of drums. It was a horrible sight, this madness of the -multitude, and after a glance or so Jack descended to his bedroom to -think over the future. - -He was anxious to regain Tlatonac and see his friends once more. Philip -and Peter, and Tim, would be grieving for his loss; but they, no doubt, -thought that he was at Acauhtzin and not pent up in this city of -devildom. Jack knew well that Philip would never have turned _The -Bohemian's_ nose south unless he had been compelled to do so. Against -the heavy guns of ships and forts the bravest man could do nothing, and -the yacht had been forced to retreat. Doubtless Philip had steamed -direct to Tlatonac, and insisted on an army being sent to Acauhtzin to -release his friend and Dolores. But this could not be; as Jack felt -sure there were no transports to take the soldiers northward by sea, -and the inland route was impossible. - -How had the war gone? Had the torpederas arrived? or had Don Hypolito -sent the war-ships filled with soldiers southward to attack Janjalla, -and from thence forced his way overland to the capital? The campaign -would probably be conducted as theorised by Don Rafael. Xuarez would -first capture Janjalla, march his troops northward across the plains to -effect a conjunction with the Indians before the walls of Tlatonac, and -then bring his war-ships up to the capital. In this way the city would -be assaulted on both sides: bombarded by the war-ships, and stormed by -the regular troops of the Opposidores and the Indian tribes. - -"I must escape," thought Duval, as he restlessly tossed and turned on -his couch. "This last order of the Opal will send an Indian army to the -walls of Tlatonac. I know all or most of the plans of Xuarez and when I -tell them to Don Francisco he may be able to thwart them. It is now two -weeks since I was taken by that infernal Don Hypolito, and we cannot -regain Tlatonac for at least another five or six days, if, indeed then. -Three weeks is a long time, and many events may have happened. I hope -those fellows are all right. Once I get back, we shall manage to baffle -Xuarez in some way." - -These thoughts were not conducive to slumber, but during the afternoon -he managed to obtain a few hours of sleep. The herbal medicines of -Cocom had completely restored him to health, and he now felt strong -enough to undergo the hardships of the journey to the coast. Dolores, -however, was delicate, and Jack dreaded to think how she would suffer. -Still, it was a case of life or death, so it was best to make the -attempt. Anything was better than the certainty of a horrible death for -one, constant imprisonment for the other. At whatever cost, they must -escape. - -"It's a case of Pike's Peak, or bust," said Jack recalling the -favourite expression of an American comrade. "I hope to the Lord we -won't bust, this trip." - -Towards sunset Cocom came to wake him for the great attempt. He brought -a very gratifying report as to the state of the population, who were -all either drunk or worn out with religious frenzy. The priests were -scarcely better, and in three hours not a soul in the sacred city would -be capable of observation or movement. It is true that in the -commercial half of the town across the torrent, many people might be on -the alert; but fortunately the entrance to the secret way was on the -sacerdotal side of the bridge, so that the two lovers could escape -unseen. Jack was delighted to hear that things promised so well, and -proceeded under the supervision of Cocom to disguise himself as an -Indian. - -It was not a particularly agreeable task, for he had to strip to the -buff, and sponge himself from head to foot with a liquid so as to -darken his skin. He was also forced to sacrifice his moustache, as the -Central American Indians have no hair on their faces. Jack sorely -rebelled against this demand, but recognising that there was no help -for it, he shaved himself clean as directed, stained his face, dyed his -hair, and at length stood out a very athletic young Indian. Being thus -physically perfect, he assumed sandals of hide, short white cotton -drawers, a loose cotton shirt, an ample scarlet woollen mantle, and a -crown of peacock's feathers. Cocom also adorned him with a plentitude -of bracelets and jingling ornaments. Thus arrayed, Jack was supposed to -be a penitent under a vow of silence, travelling to the coast with his -sister. - -"I hope, Cocom, there won't be any rain," he said, as he followed the -Indian out of the room; "it might wash the dye off." - -"No fear! no rain," replied the Indian, confidently; "the staining will -hold, Señor. Now, not a word! It is dangerous." - -So long had the perfecting of the disguise taken that it was now -considerably after eight o'clock, and the moon was shining brilliantly -in the sky. Guided by the old man, Jack stepped lightly across the -square, which was cumbered with human bodies in all kinds of positions. -Some sleeping heavily from exhaustion, others from intoxication, the -whole of the immense area looked like a battle-field strewn with dead -men. In the midst arose the huge mound of the teocalli, menacing, -formidable. Not a sound broke the stillness, save the sigh of some -sleeper, or the restless turning of another. Under the clear sky lay -the field of the dead, and as Jack stepped gently across the prostrate -bodies he could not help shuddering. - -Remembering Cocom's caution, however, he uttered no sound, but followed -the Indian towards the bridge. Here, in the shadow of the wall, they -found Dolores stained as was her lover, and fantastically tricked out -in savage finery. When she saw Jack's tall form with the nodding plumes -on his head, she could not restrain an exclamation of surprise, but in -another moment was clasped in his arms. - -"Peace, dear one," whispered Jack, fondly kissing her; "keep your heart -brave. We must not wait a moment. Alas! querida, I feel doubtful that -you will bear the fatigues of the mountains." - -"Fear not, Juanito!" she answered, hastily drying her tears; "the -Virgin will sustain and protect us in the wilderness. With thee by my -side, I have no fear." - -Cocom, impatient of this delay, made a clucking noise with his tongue, -so they at once sprang towards him. He guided them a little distance -past the bridge towards the left, and paused before a high wall, -pierced by a dozen or more gateways, with massive doors, grotesquely -carved. By some trick, known only to himself, the old man opened the -valves of one door, and motioned them to enter. On doing so, they found -themselves in an immense oblong court-yard, decorated round the walls -with nothing but huge statues of the god Huitzilopochtli. Cocom had -closed the outside door, and standing in the open court, the fugitives -could see no mode of ingress or egress. The moon shining brightly made -all things as clear as day, and all around, at intervals of a yard, -arose the mighty images, between which was but smooth wall. It was a -trap out of which no one could hope to emerge. - -"The worshippers, Señor," explained Cocom, in a low voice, "are -admitted into this court from the secret way on the right. When the -court is full, their bandages are removed, and no one can tell how he -entered, or how he can go out. This confuses all, and then the bandages -are replaced, and they are thrust out of those many doors on to the -street, and guided to the great square. When they see, they behold but -the great teocalli, and cannot tell the way by which they came. Neither -can the dwellers in Totatzine, for none are admitted to this court." - -"And the secret way?" asked Jack, anxiously. - -"Is behind one of those statues, Señor." - -Both Jack and Dolores looked blankly at the long line of hideous images -against the opposite wall. One statue was as like the other as two -peas, and it was absolutely impossible to tell which one concealed the -entrance. Jack turned to Cocom, and shook his head. - -"If my life depended on it, I could not tell." - -"Eh, Señor, your life does depend on it," said Cocom, grimly, enjoying -his little joke. "Behold!" - -He walked slowly forward, and to all appearance chose a statue at -random. Touching a spring in the protuberant stomach of the idol, the -massive image swung outward, revealing a dark passage. The two lovers -ran forward, but were stopped by Cocom. - -"That passage, Señor, ends with a precipice," he said, with emphasis; -"if you went down there, you would fall into the torrent." - -"A misleading way," said Duval, shrinking back with a shudder at the -horrible imagination of the idea. "Are there others?" - -"This, and this, and this," replied Cocom, causing several statues to -swing out of their places. "All passages you see, Don Juan; all snares -for the unwary. Let me put the images back again. So! Now, Señor, -observe. This image of Huitzilopochtli has a representation of the opal -in its forehead. That is the mark of the way throughout. See!" - -The statue swung round, and Cocom, stepping boldly into the yawning -cavity disclosed, beckoned to them to follow. With the terrified -Dolores on his arm, Jack did so, and they found themselves at the top -of a flight of damp-looking steps. Once inside, and Cocom, pressing the -spring, restored the image to its proper position; then, taking Jack's -hand, led him down the staircase. Clasping Dolores tightly, he -cautiously descended into the pitchy gloom. They seemed to be -proceeding into the bowels of the earth. Down, and down, and still -down, until the hoarse roar of the torrent struck their ears, and -emerging into a darkness little less dense than that in the passage, -they found themselves on a rocky ledge, below the huge structure of the -bridge, almost on a level with the water. At their feet swirled and -foamed the flood, raging over sharp-pointed rocks. To the right, a path -led upward in a gentle slope; to the left, a similar path descended. -Cocom pointed to this latter. - -"Another trap, Señor," he said, grimly, "ending in the cañon. Take that -path, and you would die. Follow this one to the right, and it will lead -you to the great platform beyond the mountains. From thence you can -descend by the great way, and when in the forest, track your path by -the scarlet sign of the opal. Always the opal, Señor. Go nowhere but -where that sign points." - -"I will remember," replied Jack, confidently. - -"Take this wallet, Señor. It contains food for some days, and cacao -leaves, and strong drink. It will last until you reach the cave whereof -I told you. Wait there for me, and I will come shortly. Remember always -the rule of silence--that you are both penitents--the sign thus--lip -and forehead. Now go, Señor. I depart to scatter your clothes on the -narrow way, and spread a false report of your death in the torrent, -while escaping. In four days, Señor, expect me at the cave. Adios, lady -of the precious stone, and you, Señor." - -He sprang backward into the darkness up the stair, and left the lovers -standing in that gloomy inferno, with the torrent roaring below, the -huge masonry of the bridge high above, and, to the right, that perilous -way which they must tread to reach safety. Duval expected Dolores to -give way at thus finding herself in such danger, but, to his surprise, -she was brave, and gay, and strong. - -"Come, querido," she said, cheerfully, "let us go at once. We must -reach the forests before dawn, if possible." - -"It will exhaust you terribly, angelito!" - -"Probably. Still, I must keep up, if only for your sake! Come, querido! -let us depart." - -They moved simultaneously towards the right. - -Oh, that interminable passage, long and narrow and always ascending. -They thought it would never end; but at length it terminated at the -foot of the waterfall. Down from a great height thundered great masses -of water, smashing to foam in the basin below. The spray, rising fine -and mist-like, was damp on their faces. They could not hear themselves -speak, owing to the roar. Jack grasped the hand of Dolores to give her -courage, and turned off abruptly to the right where they entered a -passage cut out of the solid rock. Still gently sloping upward, the -path lead them out into a vast clearing, girdled on all sides by great -trees. The moon shone bright as day; and across the grass ran an -indistinct track. Following this, they found a great flight of steps -leading upward under the boughs of mighty trees--pine, and oak, and -hemlock, throwing their giant branches across, and almost shutting out -the moonlight sky. The staircase was crumbled and old, but wonderfully -built of great blocks of stone. Jack could not restrain his admiration -at this Titanic work. - -"How did they do it?" he said to Dolores, as they painfully climbed up -the superb stair; "they must have known a lot about engineering, those -Toltecs. To swing these blocks into their places must have taken -derricks and complicated machinery. A wonderful work; a wonderful race. -How Philip would enjoy this!" - -"I think Señor Felipe would rather be where he is--in Tlatonac," -replied Dolores, wearily. "I would I were in the Casa Maraquando." - -"Cheer up, my heart! We will be there in a few days. Will I carry you, -cara?" - -"Dios, no! You are already laden!" - -"But you are as light as a feather." - -"Eh, Juanito. You would not find that after carrying me for an hour or -so. No; I am still able to walk. I am stronger than you think." - -They steadily climbed up the staircase, and at length entered the -narrow gorge described by Cocom. Here Jack made the girl sit down and -drink some wine, which did her so much good that in a few minutes she -declared herself ready to resume the journey. Thus fortified, they -entered the gorge, and, cautiously following its windings, at length -emerged suddenly into a circular space. So unexpectedly did they enter -that, as passages opened out in all directions, they could not tell by -which way they had come. This pit--for it was little else, hewn out of -the rock--was fifty or sixty feet in depth, and must have represented -years of toil. On all sides, innumerable passages darted out like rays, -and it was this thought that caused Jack to exclaim-- - -"It is like the opal, Dolores. This space is the stone, those passages -the rays; so it serves a double purpose--to mislead the runaway, and -yet be a symbol of the Chalchuih Tlatonac." - -Fortune favoured the fugitives, for the moon, directly overhead, sent -down her full glory into the pit. Had they arrived later, they would -probably have had to wait till dawn, as the blackness would have been -too intense to permit them to find the true outlet. But the moonlight, -by happy chance, was so strong that, after carefully examining the -sides of several entrances, Jack at length hit on the sign. A huge -crimson blot, with scarlet rays, blazed on a passage to the right. - -"Here we are, Dolores," cried Duval, joyfully, "this is the right way; -but we must be careful, and not risk a snare; one can never tell what -these infernal Indians are up to." - -With great caution they entered the tunnel indicated by the sign, and -feeling every step before them, for the whole place was intensely dark, -moved onward at a snail's pace. The tunnel wound hither and thither, -until they felt quite bewildered. For a time the passage was level, but -after a series of turnings it began to slope gently downwards, and so -continued to the entrance. - -"I hope to Heaven there are no branch tunnels," said Jack, anxiously, -"we could easily go off the main track in this gloom." - -"I am sure there are no side tunnels," replied Dolores, decisively; -"even the priests could not find their way through this place otherwise -than with one way. If there were other tunnels, they would lose -themselves, and that they would not care to risk." - -"Well, let us move on. At all events, the tunnel is getting -straighter," remarked Jack, hopefully. "I wish Cocom had given us a -torch." - -"What is that yonder?" cried Dolores, pressing his arm. "A gleam of -light." - -"Bueno! It is the exit. Come, Dolores, and say no word, lest, when we -emerge on to the platform, there should be Indians waiting there. -Remember our vow of silence." - -Encouraged by this sign of deliverance, they hurried rapidly forward, -quite certain that the ground was safe, and in a few minutes stepped -out of the tunnel's mouth on to a mighty platform, half way down the -mountain. Jack cast a swift glance to right and left, but the area of -masonry was quite bare. They were the only human beings thereon. He -turned to speak to Dolores, and found her staring motionless at the -magnificent scene before her. - -The platform, Jack guessed, was fully a quarter of a mile in length, -and enormously wide. It had first been hewn out of the living rock, and -then faced with masonry, flagged with stones. Here was adopted the same -device for misleading strangers as had been done in the court of the -gods, at the entrance from Totatzine. The whole face of the cliff, at -the back of the terrace, was perforated with tunnels, and now that they -had moved to the verge of the platform neither of them could tell which -tunnel they had come out of. Saving one, all those passages led to -death and destruction. Only one was safe, and that the tunnel -distinguished by the opal sign. No one, ignorant of that sign, could -have escaped death. - -"I don't wonder Totatzine remains hidden," said Jack, thoughtfully. -"The whole of that path is a mass of danger and snares. Now, however, -we shall have a clearer way." - -Turning towards the east, they beheld a vast stair-case sloping -downward to a broad road, at the sides of which were giant images of -the gods. In the pale moonlight they looked like demons, so frightful -were their aspects. In long lines, like pillars, they stretched away -eastward, into the forests, ending in dim obscurity. On either side, -dense foliage; away in the distance, a sea of green trees. There was -nothing but trackless woods and this great road, piercing into the -emerald profundity like a wedge. Behind, arose tall red cliffs, crowned -with ancient trees, tunnelled with black cavities. From thence spread -out the platform with its huge blocks of stone, its walls covered with -hieroglyphics, statues of fierce gods, and vast piles of truncated -towers. Below, the forests, the roadway, the staircase. - -"What a terrible place, Dolores," said Jack, drawing a long breath. "It -is like the abode of demons. Come! it is now after midnight, and the -moon will soon be setting. While we have the light, let us try to reach -the end of yonder avenue." - -"One moment, Juan," replied Dolores, drawing forth something from her -bosom. "While Cocom was with you, I went up to the shrine of -Huitzilopochtli and took in--this." - -Between her fingers, in the pale moonlight, it flashed faintly with -weak sparks of many coloured fire. Jack bounded forward. - -"The Harlequin Opal!" he exclaimed, delighted. "You have taken the -Harlequin Opal." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE FUGITIVES. - - The sun goes down, the twilight wanes, - With reddened spurs and hanging reins, - We urge our steeds across the plains. - - For you and I are flying far, - From those who would our loving mar, - And prison you with bolt and bar. - - Sigh not, dear one, look not so white, - My castle stands on yonder height, - We'll reach it e'er the morning's light. - - The future's joy this night is born, - I wed thee in the early morn, - And laugh my rivals twain to scorn. - - -It was fifty miles from Totatzine to the coast. Dolores being a woman, -and weak, Jack, owing to illness, not being quite so strong as usual, -they found it difficult to do more on an average than two miles an -hour. To make up for slow walking they stretched out their -pedestrianism to twelve hours between dawn and eve, thus reaching the -sea-shore in two days. They arrived at the cave spoken of by Cocom, -which was a harbour of refuge to them in their sore distress, -completely worn out, body and soul and garments. Still they felt a -certain amount of comfort in three consolations: First, they had -escaped from Totatzine with their lives. Secondly, the wallet was not -yet exhausted of meat and drink, so that they were in no danger of -starvation. Thirdly, Cocom, always supposing he would hoodwink the -priests as to his share in their escape, would arrive within twelve -hours or thereabouts. Thus fortified with food and hope, they stayed -thankfully in the cave and waited the arrival of the old Indian. - -As to the journey from platform to cave, that had been a horrible -dream, a nightmare of hardship, of weariness, of many pangs. Starting -from the terrace shortly after midnight, they had traversed the avenue -in three hours. It was five miles in length, and proceeding at the rate -of two miles every sixty minutes, it can be easily seen that they could -gain the shelter of the forest long before dawn. The great road ended -abruptly amid a confused heap of ruins, forest trees, tangled -undergrowth. Doubtless, in the old time it had continued even to the -coast, but time and the Indians had obliterated all traces of its -magnificence five miles down. The former did this because it is his -invariable custom to so treat all human works, which set themselves up -as enduring for ever; the latter played havoc with the relics of their -ancestors' magnificence, so as to hide the city of Totatzine from the -eyes of the white destroyers, who had trodden out of existence those -same ancestors. Nature had also done her share in the work of -destruction, and sent a wave of green trees across the straight line of -cause-way. Therefore, the road which began so proudly at the foot of -the great staircase ended suddenly, after five miles, in the tangled -wilderness. - -The journey from Totatzine to this point had been long and arduous. The -moon had set behind the hills so that it was now dark, and to explore -an unknown forest in such gloom would have been foolish, therefore Jack -insisted that they should take some rest. In the midst of an old palace -he constructed a bed for Dolores with the aid of his and her own cloak, -and after seeing her safely bestowed therein, lay down at the entrance -so as to act as a sleeping sentinel if such a thing be possible. -Nothing particular occurred, however, and when they awoke the sun was -already high in the heavens. Then they made a frugal breakfast and -resumed their journey. - -The way being no longer clearly defined, their progress was necessarily -slow from this point. To the right, on the trunk of a tree, appeared -the sign of a scarlet opal as before pictured on the rocks, so to the -right they went, and at once, even at these few steps from the -causeway, found themselves in the heart of a wild, tropical forest. -There was something terrible to these two civilised beings about the -primeval savagery of this vegetation and exuberant foliage. Dense, -tangled, almost impenetrable, it reminded Jack of the wood grown by -fairy power round the palace of the sleeping beauty. That forest, -however was to keep lovers out; this, alas! served to keep these lovers -in. It lay between them and the coast, quite thirty-five miles of wild -growth, and at times Dolores almost despaired of breaking through the -barrier. Not so Jack, he was hopeful of ultimate success being -strengthened in his faith by the constant appearance of the opal sign. - -On every side of them rose giant trees of hoary age, their trunks -seemingly supporting the verdant roof above-head. At times, so dense -were the leaves that sky and sun and kindly light were shut out -entirely, and they moved through a translucent twilight of tremulous -green. From trunks and boughs depended lianas like ropes binding the -forest giants together, or, dropping to the ground, formed a ladder up -which climbed the most exquisite flowers. Splendid tree-ferns drooped -their gigantic fronds on high, springing thickly from tall pillars, -rough, brown, and hairy. Below, the ground was thick with brilliant -blossoms, which seized every chance offered by rock, liana, and trunk -to climb upward to that light excluded by the sea of foliage overhead. - -At every step the forest changed its appearance, as though it were an -enchanted wood. Here, all was savagery and gloom; step forward, and lo! -a wide and sunny glade. One moment, and they were surrounded by -moss-covered rocks; the next, and a noble avenue of palms opened a -vista before them. Pools of water sparkled here and there; babbling -brooks winding capriciously in and out in wayward circles; at times, -the sudden gleam of a waterfall, threading downwards in white streaks -from a giant rock; and again, the miasma of a swamp, black and -evil-looking, in whose waters rolled the trunks of fallen trees. -Everywhere flowers bursting into bloom; everywhere new leaves swelling -into being; everywhere the exuberant life of a tropic climate. The -atmosphere was warm and damp, a clammy air permeated the woods, and the -whole place was one vast hothouse, where fecundation went on -unceasingly. Throughout, a rich perfume pervaded the air, heavy, -sickly, and languorous. - -Fortunately, Jack's sight had been rendered keen by his profession, -else it would have been difficult to have discerned the sign, on trunk -of tree, or mossy rock. Scarlet is a noticeable colour, and had the -opal sign been the only red hue in the forest, there would have been no -difficulty in the matter. But everywhere scarlet flowers made fire of -the intense emerald of foliage and grass. Dazzling masses of crimson -verbena glared fiercely in the dim gloom, vermilion blossoms burned -like lamps in the dense brushwood, wreaths of ruddy leaves made streaks -like veins overhead, and the ground blazed with the pinks and carmines -and purples of an infinite variety of blossoms. It was difficult to -pick out the red-opal sign amid this constant repetition of the same -tints; but Jack, by careful observation, managed to do so, being guided -at times by a well-defined path. Indeed, often he was tempted to ignore -the sign, and go only by the path; but, as numerous branches led off -from the omphalos of the great road, he was afraid of going astray, so -kept his reckoning by the opal alone. - -For two days they travelled through this zone of verdure, and at -length, by the salt smell in the air, became aware that they were -nearing the ocean. At times they met Indians, gaudily dressed, with -painted faces, and deadly looking weapons; but these, on observing the -scarlet mantles of the pair, and receiving the sign on lips and -forehead, stepped aside to let them pass. They recognised that these -travellers were proceeding eastward by the will of the god, under the -vow of silence. Superstition, stronger than greed or cruelty, protected -them from the savages of the wilderness. - -The journey was not dull, in spite of their anxiety and dread of being -followed. On every side the forest was full of life, and Dolores was -delighted to see the constant flashing of humming-birds, green, red and -yellow glories, which darted through the still air like flying gems. -Once they saw the yellow hide of a jaguar, black spotted, sleek, and -terrible. Jack had nothing but a knife, given to him by Cocom, and -regretted that he had not his revolver with him. A knife was but a poor -weapon to do battle with such a terrible foe. To their relief, however, -the animal only eyed them for a few minutes in startled surprise, and -then slunk away among the undergrowth. Other perils from wild animals -they had none. - -Sometimes the whole air would be alive with butterflies. Purple, yellow -spotted, azure striped, they fluttered everywhere. One would have -thought the flowers were alive, and flew from stem to stem. Peter, as -Jack thought, would have been in his element. This forest was the true -paradise of butterflies. But they had no time to admire all this skill -and fecundity of Nature. Resolutely following the opal sign, they -pushed onward through the forest. They saw on all sides the puzzle -monkey trees, with their sharp spikes; ombù trees, whose shade is so -dense; aloes, whose branches spread outward like the seven-stemmed -candlestick of the Revelation; palms, mangoes, wild fig trees; cactus, -burning with fleshy scarlet blossoms, and shallow lagunas, swampy pools -of water, filled with sedges and rushes and slimy weeds. - -The din was constant. Monkeys swung themselves from bough to bough -overhead, chattered without ceasing; parrots, gay plumaged, harsh -voiced, shrieked discordantly in their ears; the roaring of jaguars and -pumas sounded faint in the distance, like muffled thunder; and ever -rasped the stridulation of restless grasshoppers, unseen but noisy. - -Such a wealth of invention, such overpowering luxuriance, wore out the -senses, wearied the soul. Both Jack and Dolores were glad when the -sharp, salt smell of the sea struck knife-like through the enervating -atmosphere. They had been travelling since dawn, and now, at noon, on -the third day of their departure from Totatzine, they beheld the great -waste of waters, flashing like a mirror in the sun. Jack should have -greeted it as did the Hellens of Epaminondas, with a joyful cry of -"Thalatta! Thalatta!" but he had forgotten his Greek, and was too weary -to feel poetic. - -At this stage of their journey, they met with many Indians, who here -landed in order to proceed to the shrine of the opal. Dolores was much -afraid of their secret being discovered, and even Jack was somewhat -doubtful of the efficacy of the vow of silence; but, in this case, as -in others, fanaticism proved their safeguard, for they passed unharmed, -even unspoken to, through the mass of savages. On arriving at the verge -of the sea, Jack at once sought out the cave described by Cocom; and, -leading Dolores thereto, for a short space of time, they were in -safety. - -From this point, as Jack had learned in Totatzine, the city of Tlatonac -was distant about twenty miles down the coast, and as there were plenty -of canoes drawn up on the beach, it would have been easy for them to -have proceeded at once on their journey. Gratitude to Cocom, however, -prevented this, and they remained that night in the cave in order to -await his arrival. The hiding-place was a natural cavern of wide -extent, and, after making Dolores as comfortable as he could, Jack -retired to the entrance, and kept guard, lest they should be surprised -by some wandering savage. - -Throughout this perilous journey, nothing could exceed the tenderness -and chivalry with which Duval behaved towards Dolores. He was tireless -in his efforts to spare her all fatigues, in keeping up her spirits, in -guarding her from all the annoyances consequent on travelling -ill-provided through a dense forest. Dolores said nothing at the time, -but took silent note of all this courtesy, and over and over again -breathed a thankful prayer that the man whom she loved had proved -himself so noble in the hour of danger. It was a disagreeable position -to a girl brought up as she had been in strict observance of etiquette; -but Jack came triumphantly through the ordeal, and gained rather than -lost in her eyes by the nobility of his character, by the rare delicacy -of his behaviour. - -The only thing that Duval feared was that the loss of the opal might -cause the priests to mistrust Cocom's story, and send out word far and -wide that the sacred gem had been torn from the temple. It was true -that they had gained a twelve hours' start, but, owing to the delicacy -of Dolores' constitution, they had travelled very slowly to the coast, -and at any moment messengers with news of the theft might arrive on the -scene. In such an event, all the Indians on the coast would be examined -as to whether a man and woman had passed seaward in company. Owing to -their clothes being scattered in the gorge, the priests (supposing they -did not trust these signs of death) would know they were disguised as -Indians, therefore the dresses would avail them but little. Neither -would the vow of silence be of much use, as in this crisis they would -be questioned as to whom they were, to what tribe did they belong, and -as neither of them could speak a word of Indian, the situation would -become serious. The only hope, therefore, that they had of safety was -of the arrival of Cocom without delay. If he arrived next morning, all -would be well, if not, Jack discussed the advisability of taking a -canoe, and proceeding at once to Tlatonac. - -At dawn next morning they were both eating a hurried meal in the cave, -and talking over the advisability of making a retreat while it was yet -time. - -"As soon as they find out the opal is missing, the whole country will -rise in arms," said Jack, emphatically; "and every Indian will be -questioned closely, both within and without the town." - -"But the news won't reach the coast for some time, Juan." - -"I question very much if it has not reached the coast now," replied -Jack, a trifle drily. "From the end of that road are many other paths -to the coast, so swift messengers might have passed us in that way. Let -us hope, however, that this is not the case, and that Cocom will be the -first to bring the news that the opal is lost." - -"Cocom will guess that I have taken the opal!" - -"Doubtless; and the question is whether he will permit you to take it -to Tlatonac." - -"But why not, Juanito? I am the guardian of the opal. It is mine." - -"Querida, you are wrong. It is the property of Huitzilopochtli. You are -only its guardian--a mere honorary position that does not entail -possession of the stone. Its proper place, according to the Indian's -superstition, is in the shrine of Totatzine." - -"But Cocom is a Christian. He will not care about my taking it." - -"Dios! I am not so sure of that, Dolores. Cocom, by his own profession, -was brought up an idolater, and old habits cling. It is true that he -was converted by the good Padre, and I have no doubt his Catholicism is -very fair--for an Indian. But if he does not worship the war-god, he at -least believes in the prophetic quotations of the Opal; and, thus -believing, may resent it being taken from the shrine." - -"Then I will say nothing about it." - -"Useless, angelito! Cocom knows that no other person than ourselves -would dare to steal the Chalchuih Tlatonac. I was with him all the -time, so he will know it cannot be me. Naturally enough, he will think -it is you." - -"And therefore betray us?" - -"No, I do not think he will do that. After all his trouble, it would be -foolish of him to now play the traitor, for then his concurrence in our -escape would become known, and get him into bad odour with the priests. -But it is possible that he might insist on your leaving the opal -behind, to be sent back to Totatzine." - -"No," cried Dolores, decisively; "I will rather throw it into the sea. -Now that the gem is away from the shrine, those horrid priests may stop -sacrificing men to the idol. Besides," she added, naïvely "it is mine." - -"Ah! that is an all-sufficient reason," replied Duval, smiling. "Like -all women, querida, you are fond of gems, and do not like to part with -this one." - -"It is very beautiful," sighed Dolores, taking the stone from her -breast. "See how it glitters, Juanito. Ah! what is that?" - -A long, shrill whistle sounded outside the cave. - -"Cocom!" cried Jack, starting to his feet. "Hide the opal for the -present, Dolores." - -It was indeed Cocom who entered. Cocom looking much older than usual, -and quite worn out with his long journey from Totatzine. He saluted -them gravely, and wrapping himself in his zarape crouched on the floor -of the cave, with his eyes intently fixed on them both. The expression -of his face was as usual, and Jack was quite unable to decide whether -he approved of or resented the rape of the shining precious stone. - -"You look tired, Cocom," said Jack, passing him a flask of aguardiente. -"Take a drink of this. It will do you good." - -The old man greedily seized the flask, and drained it to the bottom. As -it was more than half full Jack fully expected to see him fall -helplessly intoxicated on the floor. But Cocom's head was seasoned to -strong drink, and it only made him look younger, as though the -aguardiente were a draught from the fountain of Youth. - -"Have you it, Señorita?" he asked, fixing his beady eyes on Dolores. - -"Yes," replied Dolores, off her guard. "That is, I----" - -"Bueno!" said Cocom, nodding his head. "You have the opal. I am -content." - -Jack drew a long breath of relief. Cocom's sympathy with the idolatry -of his youth was not evidently strong enough to stir him into protest -against the gem being stolen. Or perhaps he deemed that Dolores had -more right to it than Huitzilopochtli. At all events, he did not seem -ill-pleased that she was now in possession of the celebrated stone. - -"What say the priests, Cocom?" he asked anxiously. - -"They are in despair, Señor, over the loss of the sacred stone." - -"Do they know who has taken it?" - -Cocom pointed one copper-coloured finger at Dolores. - -"They knew that the Chalchuih Tlatonac is with the guardian; but they -think that the guardian and you, Señor, are at the bottom of the -cañon--in the bed of the torrent." - -"Then your ruse was successful?" - -"Yes, Señor! I strewed the clothes on the narrow path, and in the dawn -awoke the town with my cries. Ixtlilxochitli, with his priests, came to -inquire the trouble. I told them that you, Señor, had escaped. They, -not guessing you had gone by the secret way, thought you had fled alone -by the cañon. The narrow way was examined, your clothes were found, the -blood on the cliffs, the clothes of Doña Dolores. Then they knew she -had fled with you, and deemed both had fallen in the darkness over the -cliff into the torrent." - -"And the Chalchuih Tlatonac?" asked Dolores, breathlessly. - -"They discovered that loss on returning to the teocalli for the morning -sacrifice. All the priests were in despair, and Ixtlilxochitli, knowing -you had taken the sacred gem, Señor, burnt a lock of your hair to----" - -"A lock of my hair!" interrupted Jack, in surprise; "how did they get -that?" - -"Some of your hair was cut off when you were ill, and preserved in the -temple." - -"And why did they burn it?" - -"Because, by doing so, they devote your soul to Tlacatecolotl, the evil -one." - -"Oh, the Aztec devil," replied Duval, carelessly. "Much good that will -do them. I should have thought it wiser for them to look for the -stone." - -"They are looking for it, Señor, and for your body--in the bed of the -torrent." - -"I'm afraid they will be disappointed with the result of their search. -So they think we are dead?" - -"Yes, Señor. You are safe from pursuit; but I am not." - -"What do you mean?" - -Cocom withdrew his left arm from the fold of his zarape. The hand was -cut off, and nothing remained but the stump of the wrist, seared with -hot-iron. A hideous object. Dolores cried out, and hid her face in her -hands with a shudder. Jack at once understood why Cocom had acquiesced -so calmly in the theft of the opal. - -"Behold, Señor!" said the old man, shaking the mutilated wrist at Jack, -with a look of hatred; "this was my punishment for suffering you to -escape. My hand was cut off before Huitzilopochtli, and burned with -red-hot iron. Then I was shut up in prison, to wait till the god's will -was known." - -"My poor Cocom!" cried Jack, much distressed, "how you have suffered -for aiding us. Thank Heaven you have escaped!" - -"Yes, Señor. Ixtlilxochitli did not think I could leave the city; but -in the night I got out of the window of my prison, and followed you -down the secret way. With all my strength I followed, but I feel sure -that the hounds of the priests are on my track." - -"But as Ixtlilxochitli knows you are not aware of the secret way, -he----" - -"Señor," interrupted Cocom, vehemently, "he must know it now. After the -discovery of the cañon, guards were placed there. I have left the city. -One other way only could I have gone--the secret way. Believe me, -Señor, the Indians are not far behind." - -"Dios!" cried Dolores, in terror, "we will be discovered!" - -"Not so, Señorita! On my way hither, I met a friend coming from -Tlatonac to the shrine. He told me that the boat of the Americano had -gone some days since to Acauhtzin, to demand the release of Don Juan. -She returns to-day, and will pass this point at noon. There is a canoe -below, Señor! Let us depart in that canoe, and meet the steamer." - -Jack sprang to his feet, with a shout, at this prospect of deliverance. - -"Philip's yacht," he cried, joyfully; "good! We will do as you say, at -once, Cocom, and cut across the line of her passage. She will be sure -to pick us up." - -"Not now, Señor! At noon!" - -Jack went to the entrance of the cave, and looked at the altitude of -the sun. - -"It wants two hours to noon. In one hour we will start." - -"Bueno!" replied Cocom, stolidly, "let us hope the hounds of -Ixtlilxochitli will not find us. Once we see the boat of the Señor -Americano, and we are safe, if not----" - -Cocom shook his head to intimate he had grave doubts of what would be -their fate in such an event, and took another drink of aguardiente. -Jack knew that in returning Philip would keep the yacht close to the -shore, in order to avoid the war-ships of Xuarez, which generally kept -a long way to seaward. He, therefore, took up his station at the mouth -of the cave, and watched the northern horizon for the first trail of -smoke from the yacht's funnel. - -As in most tropical countries, towards the middle of the day all sounds -of life ceased, and Nature took her siesta. In the hush, the three -people in the cave heard far away a wild cry. Cocom sprang to his feet, -and hurried to the entrance to lay his hand on Jack's arm. - -"Ixtlilxochitli's hounds! Let us get away at once. Quick, Señor! We -will start now." - -"And be safe," cried Jack, excitedly, pointing towards the horizon; -"yonder is the yacht!" - -There was a speck on the horizon, but they had no time to look at it. -The cries of the Indians sounded nearer and nearer. Guided by Cocom, -they left the cave and rushed down a steep road to the beach. Hastily -selecting a large canoe, Cocom sprang in. Jack lifted Dolores over the -gunwale, and stepping in himself, pushed quickly off. Just as they got -her afloat, a crowd of Indians burst out of the woods, and made for the -beach. With keen eyes they had distinguished Cocom as the fugitive whom -they were after, and fearful of losing their prey, poured down in a -tumultuous mass. A shower of arrows fell around them, but luckily did -no damage, save one which grazed Jack's cheek. In another moment, they -were in deep water, paddling quickly from the shore. - -The Indians at once seized the remaining boats, of which there were -about a dozen, and hurriedly embarked. Impelled by powerful arms, these -boats shot out after the fugitives with great rapidity. Jack turned his -head to look for the yacht. She was steaming southward with great -speed. With the strength of despair, Jack paddled, and so did Dolores. -Cocom was but little use with his mutilated hand, but stood up in the -bow cursing their pursuers fluently in the Indian tongue. - -From the start, they had gained considerably on their pursuers, and -fortunately an accident happened, by which three of the canoes, coming -into collision, were overturned. The screams and cries of those -struggling in the water caused their comrades to pause, and during a -few minutes Jack succeeded in placing a longer distance between himself -and his pursuers. _The Bohemian_ was so near that he could see the -Union Jack flying at her masthead, the foam swirling from her bows. - -With wild yells to encourage one another, the remaining canoes started -again; but, their folly in keeping close together in a mass, impeded -their own speed. A good distance stretched between the pursuers and -pursued. Cocom stood swearing fluently, Dolores prayed loudly in -Spanish, but Jack, with teeth set hard, paddled as though the devil -were after him. To lose all when within sight of safety, it would be -too terrible; and as he forced the boat along, he kept glancing over -his shoulder to look at the course of the yacht. She was standing -closer in to shore, and the canoe would cut across her trail in ten -minutes or thereabouts. - -Those on board had evidently seen a boat was being chased by the -Indians, for the sound of a gun broke on their ears. - -"Hurrah!" yelled Jack, joyfully. "Philip sees us. Come on, you cursed -wretches, I'll escape you yet." - -Dolores flung down her paddle with a cry. She was completely worn out, -and could do no more. Jack did what he could, but the Indians rapidly -gained on them. A second gun announced that the yacht was close at -hand. So were the Indians now within bow shot. Already some were -fitting the arrows to the strings. An idea struck Jack which promised -to be their salvation. - -"Dolores, the opal! the opal! Hold it up. They dare not fire then." - -She caught his meaning at once, and as the nearest boat drew on, sprang -to her feet and held up the great gem. It flashed and sparkled in the -sun, and a cry of wonder burst from the lips of their pursuers. The -foremost warriors dropped their bows. They recognised the Chalchuih -Tlatonac, and superstition, stronger than anything else in their -natures, paralysed their arms. - -"Señor, the boat!" cried Cocom, joyfully. - -Jack turned his head. _The Bohemian_ was less, much less, than a -quarter of a mile away. Seeing this, the Indians, while forebearing to -shoot, made redoubled efforts to catch them before the yacht came up, -and thus recover the sacred gem. One boat came within two lengths, when -Jack, thinking to dodge and gain time, turned his light craft off to -the right. In another two minutes a ball ricochetted across the waves -and smashed the foremost boat to pieces. Awestruck at this unexpected -event, the others stopped paddling, and in a few minutes the canoe was -safe under the bows of the yacht. Philip, Peter, and Rafael were -looking over the side at the--as they thought--Indians. - -"Philip! Philip!" - -"Why! God! It's Jack!" - -"Dolores! Take Dolores on board first," murmured Jack; then, overcome -by all he had passed through, fell back in a faint. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -FORTUNE TURNS HER WHEEL. - - Frown, Fortune, frown, - For I am much cast down, - And tears do melancholy make my face; - In sable gown, - With sad yew-wreath as crown, - I rail at you, - Oh, Fortune, most untrue, - For that to me, you show not any grace; - Oh, la! fa! la! la! - My Lady Fortune, hear my sigh, - Be kinder to my love and I. - - Smile, Fortune, smile, - For I am gay awhile, - And laughter lurks about these lips again; - Now I beguile - My days with cheerful wile, - For from the throng, - Of shepherds gay and strong, - My love hath chosen me to be her swain; - Oh, la! fa! la! la! - My Lady Fortune hear my cry, - How happy are my love and I. - - -"Baron Munchausen!" said Philip, addressing Jack, with mock solemnity, -"this story of thine passeth the comprehension of man. 'Tis a most rare -history, and, were I the Commander of the Faithful, I would have it -written in letters of gold on purple parchment." - -It was some hours after their rescue by Philip, and _The Bohemian_ -was just entering the harbour of Tlatonac. Dolores was sound asleep in -Peter's cabin; and Jack, now transformed to a civilised being, by -washing and clothing, was seated in the state-room, narrating his -adventures to an attentive audience of three. As for Cocom, he was -squatting on the floor with a cigarette in his mouth, grunting approval -of Jack's story--which he told in Spanish, for the benefit of Rafael, -and modestly receiving the encomiums lavished on him by the listeners. -Philip and Don Rafael frequently interrupted him with exclamations of -surprise; but Peter, less skilful in understanding the Castilian -tongue, had to keep his attention fixed on every word that fell from -Jack's lips. Under the tutorship of Doña Serafina, the little doctor -had made wonderful progress, and now understood the Spanish language -fairly well. It was at the conclusion of this most extraordinary story -that Philip addressed Jack as "Baron Munchausen." - -"Por todos Santos!" exclaimed Rafael, admiringly, following Philip's -example, "it is wonderful. Mi amigo! I can never thank you sufficiently -for all you have done for my cousin. But, perchance," added the young -captain, with a twinkle in his eye, "Dolores has already thanked you -herself." - -"Dolores will thank me when we arrive at Tlatonac," retorted Jack, -sipping his wine. "Our circumstances were too perilous, Rafael, to -admit of fine compliments." - -"Don Miguel will be pleased!" remarked Peter, in fair Spanish. - -"He will be more than pleased, Don Pedro," cried Rafael, seizing Jack's -hand. "My friend, for this you have done, I feel sure my father will -grant you the desire of your heart." - -"Santissima! Let Dolores marry an Americano?" - -"And why not, Señor? You have saved her life." - -"Assuredly! But Cocom saved mine, Rafael!" - -"For that Cocom shall pass the rest of his days in peace and comfort," -said Philip, looking gratefully at the Indian. - -Cocom shook his head with mournful composure. - -"The days of Cocom are numbered, Señores. The Doña Dolores showed the -opal to the hounds of Ixtlilxochitli. By that they knew that the victim -of the cycle, that the guardian of the Chalchuih Tlatonac still live, -and have stolen the sacred stone. Cocom aided them to discover the -secret way, and Ixtlilxochitli will never forgive that betrayal. I am -lost, Señores. I shall die." - -"Es verdad!" exclaimed Rafael, earnestly, "doubtless the Indians of -Totatzine will try and kill you, Cocom. But in Tlatonac, under the -protection of the opal flag, you are safe!" - -"No, Señor Maraquando! I shall die," repeated Cocom, stolidly. - -"Not you!" interposed Jack, patting the old man on the head. "I shall -look after you, my friend. You saved my life; I shall save yours. A -fair exchange! Hark! a gun!" - -"It is from the fort," said Philip, hastily rising, "we are now in the -harbour. Come on deck, Jack. We shall be on shore in another twenty -minutes." - -They at once went up, and Jack took off his hat with a reverential -expression, when he saw the silvery walls of Tlatonac once more glisten -over the blue waters. - -"Thank God, who has preserved us through many perils!" - -"Amen!" said Philip's deep voice, behind him "Oh, Jack," he added, -placing his hand on his friend's shoulder, with deep emotion, "if you -only knew what agonies we have undergone, thinking of your fate. When -we found you were missing, I wished to go back, at any risk, and headed -the yacht for the harbour of Acauhtzin. But that cursed Xuarez turned -his guns on us, and, as _The Bohemian_ would have been smashed to -pieces, we were forced to retreat. What a cur I felt then." - -"You could not help it," said Jack, patting Philip's back, kindly. "In -an attempt to rescue me, you would only have lost your own lives." - -"I did what I could, Jack. At once I came back to Tlatonac, and -implored Don Francisco to send an army to Acauhtzin to your rescue. But -it was impossible--the torpederas had not arrived, and there were only -some merchant-ships to take men north-ward. Defended, as Acauhtzin was, -by the war-ships, such an attempt would have been foolhardy. We were -forced to remain inactive at Tlatonac, not knowing if you were dead or -alive." - -"And then the war broke out?" - -"As I told you; Don Hypolito, with his war-ship, is now besieging -Janjalla. Tim, Garibay, General Gigedo, and half the army, are there -defending it. Tim wanted to remain and search for you; but I insisted -on his going, and told him I would take _The Bohemian_ up to Acauhtzin, -under the Union Jack, to make inquiries." - -"It was lucky you did that," said Jack, with a grim smile, "or those -Indians would have killed or recaptured us for sure." - -"We did not know it was you," interposed Peter, who had been -listening,--they were conversing in English. "I saw you first, and -thought it was only a canoe of Indians being chased by others. Philip -thought he would help the supposed Indians, and fired those guns." - -"Peter nearly fainted when we saw who the Indians were," laughed -Philip, slipping his arm within that of Jack's. "However, 'all's well -that ends well;' and here you are, safe and sound with Dolores." - -"And with the opal!" - -"Good! I never thought you would have got that stone, Jack. Your luck -holds, old fellow. The possession of the opal will give confidence to -Tlatonac. Will it not, Rafael?" - -"What say you, Señor Felipe?" - -"The opal! Its possession will inspire confidence." - -"Of a certainty, mi amigo. Our men will fight like devils, now they -know the fortune of the Chalchuih Tlatonac is on the side of the Junta. -In the same way, Don Hypolito's soldiers will lose heart." - -"If they lose the war, that is all I care about. I would like to see -that fiend of a Xuarez punished," said Jack, savagely. "By the way, -Philip, I suppose you got no satisfaction at Acauhtzin this trip?" - -"No; the forts opened fire, and would not let me enter the harbour. -Luckily, the war-ships were all south, as I knew, or we would have been -smashed up." - -"The war-ships are bombarding Janjalla, you told me." - -"Yes; we hope, however, that it will hold out till the torpederas go -south." - -"Have they arrived?" - -"Yonder." - -Philip pointed to the left, and there, under the walls of the fort, lay -two long black objects, with stumpy black funnels. More than this, a -large ship of some two thousand five hundred tons was anchored close at -hand. Jack was astonished to see the change in the port since he had -last beheld Tlatonac. Then it was quiet and peaceful-looking, now, what -with ships and the two torpedo-boats, black wasps of the ocean, as they -were, lying under the walls, the walls themselves spotted with the -muzzles of heavy guns, the glitter of arms and uniforms outside the -sea-gate, and the blaring of distant trumpets, the roll of drums, the -aspect was of the most warlike character. He glanced at the -spiteful-looking torpedo-boats, and turning towards Philip, mutely -demanded an explanation. - -"You see Cholacaca is in the thick of it," said the baronet, gaily. -"You have been away close on three weeks, and during that time neither -Don Hypolito nor the Junta have been idle. The former has sent his -troops and war-ships to Janjalla, and the latter is busy fixing up the -torpederas to have a fight with _The Pizarro_ and her consorts down -south." - -"But that ship?" - -"_The Iturbide_. She is a Cuban mail steamer requisitioned by the -Junta, and turned into an armed cruiser for this war. With her and the -torpederas, Don Hypolito's fleet won't have such a pleasant time as -they think." - -"Does Don Rafael command _The Iturbide?_" - -"I, mi amigo!" cried Rafael, overhearing this question. "Not I. Yonder -torpedo-boat is under my charge, and in that, Don Juan, you must come -with me." - -"When do you go south?" - -"The day after to-morrow. At the same time regiments march by land to -Gigedo, at Janjalla. Oh, the game has begun, Juan, and the opal burns -red!" - -"It will now burn whatever colour we like," retorted Jack, shrugging -his shoulders. "I saw the way those priests managed the trick. It -was----" - -"Tim can tell us all that in the patio of Casa Maraquando," interrupted -Philip, hastily. "See, the anchor is down, so we had better go ashore -at once, and relieve the minds of Don Miguel and the ladies." - -"Cocom is already over the side," said Peter, pointing to a small canoe -skimming the waves. "You will receive an ovation on your way through -the city." - -"Greatness is thrust upon me," laughed Jack, who was wonderfully -lighthearted now that they were safe, "Where is Doña Dolores?" - -"Just coming on deck." - -The girl still wore her Indian dress, as Philip, being a bachelor, had -no feminine gear on board. She had, however, washed the paint from her -face, and looked wonderfully bright and charming in her savage -toilette. - -"Pocahontas!" said Philip, in Jack's ear, as she approached. "Lucky -man. I would I were Captain John Smith." - -"What about Eulalia?" - -"Oh, I can tell you about Eulalia," murmured Dr. Grench, a trifle -maliciously. - -"You'll do nothing of the sort, Peter," said Philip, sharply. "I will -tell Jack all about it myself. You stick to your beetles and Doña -Serafina." - -"Doña Serafina!" cried Dolores, overhearing the name. "Oh, Señor -Felipe, how I do wish to see my dear aunt." - -"In a few minutes, Señorita. See, the boat is waiting. We will all go -on shore at once." - -"There seems to be a row on shore," remarked Jack, as they climbed down -the side of the yacht. - -"Dios!" exclaimed Rafael, laughing. "Cocom has told them all. The news -is passing from mouth to mouth. Soon it will be all over the city. -Harken to the cries, mis amigos." - -"Vive el Americano! El opalo! Dios lo pague, Doña Dolores!" - -"A shout for one, a shout for all," observed Jack, philosophically. -"They should also shout, 'God reward Cocom!' for without Him we would -not be here." - -They were welcomed on shore by a frantic crowd. The Cholacacans have -all the vivacity and impulsiveness of southern nature. Nothing do they -love so much as a public demonstration; therefore, on this occasion -they gave full rein to their enthusiasm. In their eyes, Jack was a -hero, Dolores a heroine, and, accordingly, they were almost stunned -with vociferous applause. The fact that the opal, that sacred gem, so -inextricably interwoven with the traditions of the Republic, was now in -the city itself, wrought them up to a pitch of frenzy. With the -Chalchuih Tlatonac in their midst, they could not fail to conquer the -rebels; it was the palladium of the Republic, the genius of Tlatonac, -and by it would they be enabled to overwhelm their enemies. The -superstitious belief they had in the jewel was almost terrible. It -glittered on the banners of Cholacaca, it coloured the whole patriotic -feelings of the inhabitants. The opal meant victory to its possessors, -and, lo! they held it safely in the capital. - -Up to the sea-gate the lovers passed, surrounded by their friends. On -either side the vast crowd heaved like a great sea. Constant cries -saluted Jack, Dolores, the opal; and to show the public that Cocom had -spoken truly, Duval whispered a few words to his companion. In a moment -she had drawn forth the gem from her breast, and held it up in full -sight of the populace. The tumult sank to a dead stillness, as if by -magic, and everyone drew a deep breath of awe and admiration as the -splendid jewel flashed its lightnings in the sun. A crimson beam flared -forth, owing to the position in which it was held by Dolores. It burned -in her fingers like a red-hot coal. The crowd, in their superstition, -took it as a sign from heaven, and burst out into frenzied cries. - -"Guerra! Guerra! El opalo! Guerra! Abajo los rebeledes!" - -Then some excited person began chanting the national song of the opal. -In a moment the mob caught at the idea, and the great body of sound -thundered to the sky. - - Kneel at the shrine while the future discerning, - See how the crimson ray strengthens and glows; - Red as the sunset the opal is burning, - Red is prophetic of death to our foes. - -"I feel like a victorious general," said Jack, smiling at all this -enthusiasm. - -"What a pity Tim isn't here," remarked Peter, whose usually meek eyes -were flashing like stars behind his spectacles; "he does so like a -row." - -"He'll be having plenty where he is," said Philip, grimly; "but look at -that fellow going to do the Raleigh business with his zarape." - -By this time they had passed into the Calle Otumba, and a frantic young -Spaniard, rushing forward, flung his cloak on the ground for Dolores to -walk across. The idea pleased the people, and in a few moments the -whole way up to the Casa Maraquando was spread with zarapes. Then -flowers were flung before them in profusion. - -"The primrose path of dalliance," quoth Philip, laughing. "I hope these -excited people won't throw their bodies next for us to walk over. Don't -be afraid, Doña Dolores. You have your guard of honour to protect you." - -Indeed, this frenzied demonstration rather scared the girl. All the -colour faded out of her face, and slipping the opal into her bosom, she -shrank terrified against her lover. Jack took her arm within his own -and his touch gave her more confidence; but what with the singing, -shouting, cloak-flinging, flower throwing, and what not, they both felt -quite worn out, and were not at all sorry to at length arrive at the -door of the Casa Maraquando. - -The news of their arrival had preceded them, as a matter of course, and -Don Miguel, with outstretched arms, was waiting in the gateway to -receive them. Dolores, with a cry of delight, flung herself on the -breast of her uncle, who at once carried her into the patio. Then the -rest of the party followed, and the doors were shut against the mob, -which still remained in the street, terribly excited. After a time, the -tumult quietened down like a sea after a storm, and the throng streamed -into the Plaza de los Hombres Ilustres to organise a demonstration to -the honour and glory of the Chalchuih Tlatonac and its guardian. - -In the patio, Dolores was received with noisy demonstrations by Doña -Serafina, and with joyful tears by Eulalia. It was some time, however, -before Don Miguel could part from his niece, for he held her to his -breast, calling upon all the saints to shower blessings on her head. -Never had the stately Spaniard been so moved, and when he delivered his -niece over to the tender embraces of Serafina and Eulalia, he turned -towards Jack, with tears in his eyes. - -"Señor Juan," he said, in a voice of emotion, grasping the young man's -hand, "I can never repay you for what you have done. From this moment -you may command the services, and the lives of myself and those dear to -me." - -He could say no more, but, with a wave of his hand, walked to the other -end of the court to conceal his emotion. Jack was scarcely less moved, -and as for Dolores, she was being overwhelmed by her cousin and aunt. - -"Dear one," chattered the old lady, noisily; "now that thou art safe, I -vow twenty candles to the Virgin, who has thus watched over thee, and -to San Juan, who is the patron saint of your preserver." - -"I, also!" cried Eulalia, who had in some mysterious way become -possessed of the history. "I vow a jewel to San Felipe, for it was his -namesake who preserved them from the Indians." - -Jack and Philip were much gratified by these marks of attention; but -Peter, being left out in the cold, was inclined to be cross. - -"They might vow a candle or so to San Pedro," he grumbled, "seeing the -whole Church of Rome is under his care." - -"Offer him some beetles, Peter," said Jack, in the little doctor's ear; -but the suggestion was not received favourably by the entomologist. - -Having wept and cried over Dolores to their hearts' content, the ladies -proceeded to lead her away to resume her own dress; but before doing -so, both aunt and niece flung themselves on Jack's neck, and embraced -him with fervour. Duval did not mind a kiss from Eulalia, but he -objected to the aunt. Nevertheless, as he had to take the bitter with -the sweet, he passively submitted to be made much of. - -"Caro, Señor! You are an angel from heaven," cried Serafina, with -fervour. - -"As valiant as the Cid," said Eulalia, kissing Jack's bronzed cheek. - -"We will pray for you to the saints." - -"Your face shall be in my soul!" - -This last remark came from Eulalia, whereat Philip winced. Seeing this, -Jack brought the duet to a speedy end. - -"I am your servant, Señoritas! What I have done is nothing, and thanks -are rather due to Cocom than to me." - -"But without you, Don Juan, Cocom could not have saved Dolores." - -"And without the boat of Señor Felipe," added Eulalia, glancing at the -baronet, "none of the three would be here." - -Philip made a polite gesture of dissent, though in his heart he was -glad that Eulalia inclined so kindly towards him. Then Jack kissed the -hands of the ladies in a most gallant fashion, and they, after removing -Dolores once more from the arms of Don Miguel, whither she had flown, -led her out of the patio. This being done, while waiting for the -evening meal, Don Miguel demanded from Jack an account of his -adventures, a request which was at once seconded by Philip, Rafael, and -Peter, who protested that they could listen to a dozen repetitions of -his hairbreadth escapes. Thus adjured, Jack, with as much suppression -of himself as possible, narrated the events which had taken place from -the earliest period of his capture by Xuarez down to the present time -when he was rescued by Philip. Frequently the story was interrupted by -ejaculations from his auditors, and by the time the story was finished -they were all furious with Don Hypolito, particularly Señor Maraquando. - -"To think, Señor," he cried, indignantly, "that I have touched the hand -of that man. Carambo! To give up a white man to the cursed altar of -Huitzilopochtli. It is infamous! It is unheard of!" - -"But you forget, Señor, he is a pure-blooded Indian." - -"I ever thought so," said Rafael, sagely. "There were many ways about -Xuarez, my father, that were not those of a Spaniard." - -"Indian or no Indian," growled Philip, clenching his fist, "if I get -within striking distance of the scoundrel, I won't leave a whole bone -in his body." - -"Nor will I," said the meek Peter, fiercely, "fancy him wanting to lay -Jack out on a jasper stone like a corpse on a dissecting-table." - -"Be quiet, you Chamber of Horrors," said the baronet, angrily, "don't -mention such a thing." - -"There is one great good gained out of much evil," observed Don Miguel, -reflectively; "the possession of the opal strengthens us greatly -against Xuarez." - -"How so?" asked Philip, curiously. - -"Because this priest, Ixtlilxochitli, will not be able to manage the -Indians for him without the stone." - -"I am afraid, Señor, the mischief is done," said Jack, gravely, "the -opal declared war, and now the Indians will join Don Hypolito." - -"It's a pity we can't get up a counter prophecy, and make the opal -declare peace," remarked Philip, quietly; "then the Indians would take -no part in the war." - -"I fancy that is impossible," said Miguel, shaking his head. "I would -it could be so. If the Indians would only keep quiet, Xuarez would find -great difficulty in accomplishing his plans. Should Janjalla fall, and -Xuarez concentrate his own men and the Indians before Tlatonac, it will -be hard to beat them back." - -"Janjalla will not fall," cried Rafael, in a fiery tone; "there are -brave men defending it. They will hold out till reinforced. The -regiments march southward to-morrow, the torpederas and _The Iturbide_ -go the next day; and between the two we shall conquer these rebels." - -"We will try, at all events, my son," said Maraquando, smiling at the -young man's enthusiasm; "but, meanwhile, it is best to look on both -sides of the question." - -"With the opal stone in Tlatonac, we cannot fail," declared Jack. "You -have seen it, Señor Maraquando?" - -"Not yet. Dolores was too agitated to show it to me." - -"Here is my cousin," said Rafael, rising to his feet. "She brings the -opal with her." - -Before he finished the sentence, Dolores, now arrayed in her European -dress, entered the patio, followed by Doña Serafina and Eulalia -uttering cries of admiration. In her hand she carried the Harlequin -Opal, which glittered faintly in the dim light. - -"See, uncle!" cried Dolores, placing the gem in Maraquando's hand, "I -give you the luck of Tlatonac." - -"So this is the famous stone?" said Miguel, gazing at the wonderful -play of colours, "I do not wonder it is held sacred. So beautiful a -jewel I have never yet beheld." - -"There, Señor Maraquando, I disagree with you," observed Jack, in a -nervous voice; "there is a jewel still more beautiful in my -eyes--Dolores!" - -Don Miguel started and stared in amazement at the young couple, who -were now standing hand in hand before him. He could not understand the -meaning of either the attitude or speech. - -"My brother," whispered Serafina, seizing the situation with feminine -quickness, "it is love!" - -"Yes," said Jack, firmly, "it is love. I have worshipped your niece -these many months, Señor Maraquando, but I dared not to tell you of -that love, seeing I was an Englishman, a heretic. Now, however, if I -have done anything to deserve your gratitude, I ask you, in the -presence of my friends, to give your consent to the marriage of Dolores -and myself." - -Don Miguel was silent for a few moments, and then turned slowly towards -his niece. - -"Do you love Don Juan, Dolores?" - -She raised her head and looked not at her questioner, but at Jack. - -"Yes," she replied simply, "I have loved him this long time." - -"Señor," said Maraquando, with great dignity, "it is true you are not -of our race; but during the time I have known you I have seen nothing -in you but what I admire and respect. In rescuing my niece from the -Shrine of the Opal at Totatzine, you have acted like a chivalrous -gentleman. To your marriage I gladly give my consent. Take Dolores as -your wife, Señor, and with her this." - -He held out for Jack's acceptance the Harlequin Opal. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -AWAY TO THE FRONT. - - One kiss! 'tis our last one; the horses await, - And swift through the midnight I ride to my fate. - 'Tis life for thy lover, or death it may be, - But living or dying, my thought is for thee. - Who knows when my arms shall enfold thee again - The future hides ever its joy and its pain. - I leave thee for battle, my dear one, my bride, - And on, through the darkness, I ride, and I ride. - - Light hand on the bridle, light heart in my breast, - A bunch of your ribbons flaunt gay on my crest. - I go not in sorrow, but hasten with glee, - To fight for my country, my honour, and thee. - Soon wilt thou in triumph behold me, my sweet, - Return with my laurels to cast at thy feet. - I dream of a future with thee by my side, - As on, through the darkness, I ride, and I ride. - - -Jack's position was now similar to that of Tantalus. Love was within -his reach, yet he dared not to grasp it, for on the next day he was to -depart with Don Rafael for Janjalla, in the torpedera _Montezuma_. -Peter had also been invited to visit the seat of war, and although a -man of peace, decided to go, as he was anxious about Tim. That -redoubtable warrior was at Janjalla, with General Gigedo, busily -engaged in wiring sensational accounts of the siege to _The Morning -Planet_. Tim was particularly anxious that Janjalla should not fall -into the hands of Don Hypolito, as it was the spot whence started the -telegraph-wires for the south. If Xuarez captured the town, the forces -of the Junta would be driven back to Tlatonac, and as likely as not the -wires would be cut by the rebels, therefore Tim would be unable to -transmit news to England. As it was, he made good use of his time, and -took full possession of the telegraph-office in Janjalla. - -As to Philip, he decided to march by land with the Regimiento de los -Caballeros, of which corps he was now an officer. Colonel Garibay, -the commander of the regiment, was already at Janjalla, having been -sent there by President Gomez on a special message to General Gigedo. -The regiment was, therefore, under the command of Captain Velez, who -was a great admirer of Philip, and made much of him. Altogether -reinforcements amounting to close on a thousand men were now on their -way south, to assist General Gigedo in holding Janjalla, and the -torpederas, in company with the armed cruiser _Iturbide_, were to -proceed there by sea, in order to destroy, if possible, the three ships -of the enemy now bombarding the town. - -There was no doubt that the war had begun badly for the Junta, but this -was the fault of President Gomez. A more obstinate man never existed, -and having made up his mind that Xuarez would attack Tlatonac without -delay, he had foolishly withdrawn the garrison from Janjalla, Puebla de -los Naranjos, Chichimec, and other towns, for the protection of the -capital. It was in vain that Don Miguel, warned by his son, represented -that it was more than probable Xuarez would attack Janjalla first, in -order to concentrate his troops in the south, and so march them across -the plains to Tlatonac. The President refused to take this view of the -matter, and by the withdrawal of the garrisons, left the whole of -Southern Cholacaca in an unprotected condition. - -The effect of this policy was most disastrous. Warned by his spies that -but a feeble defence could be offered by Janjalla, Don Hypolito sent -southward, without delay, transports filled with troops, and a convoy -of the three war-ships. He hoped to capture and garrison Janjalla with -his own men before the Junta became aware of his design, and thus -secure an important town as the basis of his operations. At Acauhtzin -he was hemmed in by mountains, unable to march his troops overland to -the capital; but in the south, between Janjalla and Tlatonac were vast -alluvial plains, over which he could lead his army. It was his -intention to effect a conjunction with the Forest Indians before the -walls of the Opal City, and having ordered his war-ships to bombard it -by sea, thus attack the capital on two sides at once. Between two -fires, he deemed that the city would speedily yield. - -Becoming aware that the war-ships had gone south, Don Francisco -speedily saw how foolishly he had acted, and ordered five hundred men -to at once proceed to Janjalla, to defend it against the rebels. He -sent back the troops to garrison the inland towns, and thus hoped to -stretch a barrier between the rebels and the capital. The whole danger -lay in the south, for as yet the Indians were quiet, and no rising was -apprehended on their part, though Jack was doubtful as to the -advisability of trusting to appearances. He quite believed that the -campaign would be conducted by Xuarez, as had been prophesied by Don -Rafael, and could not help deploring that such an incompetent man as -Gomez was at the head of affairs. - -"If he would only leave things alone, and not interfere," he said to -Philip, on the eve of departure. "His generals know more about warfare -than he does. The man's an ass." - -"I'm with you there," replied Philip, heartily; "he has made a muddle -of things already. Who but an ass would send only five hundred men to -Janjalla, when it is about to be bombarded by three men-of-war, and -attacked by two thousand rebel troops? Even this reinforcement is not -strong enough. Sending his troops southward in these dribblets will end -in their being cut to pieces. I would not be surprised if even now -Xuarez was in possession of Janjalla, and, with such a basis for -operations, he will make it hot for the Republic." - -"What do you think ought to have been done?" - -"I was speaking to Colonel Garibay, and we both came to the same -conclusion. Don Francisco ought to have taken the warning of Rafael, -and concentrated most of the troops at Janjalla. The capital is well -defended by its forts, and can look after itself. Janjalla, on the -other hand, is in no fit state of defence to resist the heavy guns of -three ships pounding at its walls. As I take it, the great aim should -be to prevent Don Hypolito from getting a footing in the south by -capturing Janjalla. Then he would have nothing but the sea and -Acauhtzin for a field of operations. In the north, owing to the -mountains, he can do nothing, and now we have the torpederas, he cannot -have it all his own way at sea." - -"Well, and supposing he captures Janjalla?" - -Philip shrugged his shoulders. - -"The result is plain enough. Instead of mountains between this and -Tlatonac, he has nothing but plains on which he can manoeuvre his -troops. He will either capture the intervening towns or seduce them to -his cause. Then he will arrive at Tlatonac, and while he is besieging -it from the inland, his fleet will bombard it from the sea." - -"That is if the torpederas don't sink his ships." - -"Of course! I am talking of the campaign from Don Hypolito's point of -view. But one thing is certain. If he captures Janjalla, this war may -be prolonged for months. Think of the ruin that will mean to the -country." - -Philip spoke truly. Hitherto Cholacaca had enjoyed immunity from the -horrors of war. From the year 1840, when under the leadership of -Zuloaga, the Republic had thrown off the yoke of Spain, there had been -peace for a period of forty-five years. Those fratricidal wars which -constantly convulsed the communities of South America were not to be -found in the history of Cholacaca. The Republic kept well within her -borders, was at peace with her neighbours, and under the rule of wise -rulers, devoted herself to improving her material condition. - -It was true that a greater part of the country consisted of wild -forests filled with unconquered Indians, but the Cholacacans had always -been able to keep these savages at bay. The coast-line of the north, -the immense alluvial plains of the south, were thoroughly civilised, -and covered with thriving towns. The two secondary capitals, Janjalla -in the south, Acauhtzin in the north, looked up to and respected their -powerful sister city, Tlatonac, who held her seat in the central -portion of the sea-board. Yet it must be admitted that they bore a -grudge against her, as nearly all the commerce of the country poured -into her walls, from thence to be distributed over the civilised world. -Why should Tlatonac be the capital when they were each equally suited -for the post? They had rich countries behind them, they exported goods -far and wide, they had their municipal institutions, their walls, -ramparts, palaces, and magnificent churches. Why, therefore, should -they be forced to send their ships to the port of Tlatonac, there to -pay toll and custom duties? The Junta had constituted Tlatonac the -starting-point of all vessels, and according to law, ships from the -north and south were forced, both in going and coming, to report -themselves at the capital. By this means Tlatonac dominated her sister -cities, and held them firmly under her thumb. - -The reason that Tlatonac was chosen to be the capital by Zuloaga was -very plain. It was situated in the centre of the coast-line, and thus -commanded equally the north and the south. It had been the shrine of -the opal, and the traditions of that stone closely interwoven with the -history of the country. Greatest reason of all, the harbour was the -finest in Cholacaca. Moreover, roads from most of the inland towns -diverged to the capital, thus rendering communication easy; while -Janjalla, environed by swamps, and Acauhtzin girdled by forests, were -more or less shut off from the heart of the country. When inland -traders could transport their goods to Tlatonac at half the cost they -could take them to either of the other two towns, it was not likely, -from a commercial point of view, that they would ever forsake the -capital. Under the circumstances, it can well be seen that Gomez had -good reason to doubt the fidelity of Janjalla. The northern town had, -through jealousy of Tlatonac, sided with the rebels, and it was just -possible that the southern city might follow suit. The only thing in -favour of Janjalla remaining faithful was that while both towns were -jealous of the capital, they were equally jealous of one another. The -populace of Janjalla knew well that if Xuarez conquered that he would -transfer the seat of Government to Acauhtzin out of gratitude for its -help, and would certainly not assist a cause calculated to elevate a -rival city. - -The Republic was very wealthy. She exported tobacco, coffee, cacao, -cotton, rice, maize, and cattle. Her plains were covered with grain, -her mountains were rich in ores, and her population extremely -industrious. With the exception of the area covered by the forests, the -whole country was cultivated, and now the formation of a railway -through the forests, up to Acauhtzin promised the opening up of the -northern lands. Already fifty miles of railway had pierced the enormous -belt of timber lying between Acauhtzin and the capital. From the main -line, branches were to extend to the different towns, so as to connect -them with the seat of Government. Unfortunately, all this promise of -prosperity was now interrupted by the war. - -There was no doubt that Don Hypolito was a source of infinite trouble -to the country. This Indian coming from the sacred city of Totatzine, -was now revenging himself on the descendants of the Conquistadores, for -their treatment of his ancestors. He had no genuine cause for -dissatisfaction, as at the time when he raised the standard of revolt, -the country was thoroughly prosperous. The wealth gained by the exports -of the Republic was used by her Presidents to open up the interior of -the continent, and to supply Tlatonac with all the refinements of -civilisation. The army was well drilled, well clothed, well armed. The -walls of the city were built on the most approved system of engineering -science, the principal squares were lighted by electricity, millions -had been expended on drainage, in the formation of interior roads, in -the construction of the proposed railway to Acauhtzin. The Republic had -even formed the nucleus of a navy, and had already three war-ships in -hand, and two torpederas coming, when the war broke out. - -Now the war-ships had revolted to Xuarez, the northern capital was -bound to his cause, and this ambitious Indian, assuming the name and -race of a Spaniard, had plunged the country into what promised to be a -disastrous war. The effect was ruinous. Business was at a standstill, -exports were stopped, the capital was declared in a state of siege, and -the whole country resounded with the tramp of armies, the clash of -arms, the thunder of cannon. Industry was paralysed, and many of the -country-people crowding to the capital, rendered food dear. To avoid -the horrors of famine and ruin which threatened the Republic, it was -absolutely necessary that Xuarez should be crushed at once. - -President Gomez was no warrior certainly, but he was a judicious -ruler--in time of peace. He saw at once the terrible calamities likely -to ensue should the war be prolonged, and already regretted his folly -in not taking the advice of Don Miguel. So far as was possible, he -repaired his mistakes. A thousand men were sent to the relief of -Janjalla by land, and _The Iturbide_, in company with the torpederas, -left for the seat of war by sea. If the reinforcements could succour -Janjalla in time, if the torpederas could sink the rebel ships, then -there would be some hope of the war being brought to a speedy -conclusion. But as it was, the whole danger lay in the probability of -Don Hypolito capturing Janjalla, from whence he could threaten the -capital and intervening towns. - -Jack was very anxious that Philip should come with him in _The -Montezuma_, but the baronet was obstinately set on going with his -regiment. - -"I shall be in Janjalla before you, Jack; for between you and the town -lie the war-ships, while we have but to march across those easy plains -in safety." - -"Yes, if the Indians don't stop you." - -"Nonsense; there is no chance of that." - -"I am not so certain, Philip. Don Hypolito has his spies, as you know; -and when he hears that reinforcements are advancing southward, he will -probably send word to Ixtlilxochitli to have them intercepted. As you -know, the plains are fringed to the west by the forests, so the Indians -could break out from thence, and perhaps exterminate the troops." - -"What! exterminate a thousand soldiers, armed with rifles? Impossible!" - -"Well, it does seem impossible. However, as you won't come with me, go -as you please. We shall meet at Janjalla." - -"Of course. I shall see you from the walls being chased, by _The -Pizarro_ and _The Cortes_." - -They were talking in the patio of the Casa Maraquando, and Philip was -tricked out in all the bravery of his uniform. He looked remarkably -handsome and Eulalia sighed as she thought he was about to leave her. -All coquetry had been laid aside, and she had confessed that she was -deeply in love with the Americano. Philip fully returned her affection, -and intended, on returning from Janjalla, to ask Don Miguel to permit -them to be married on the same day as Jack and Dolores. Turning away -from Jack, he caught sight of Eulalia's pensive face, and heard her -plaintive little sigh. In an instant he was by her side. - -"Querida," he whispered tenderly, "you must not be sad. I go forth to -bring home laurels to lay at your feet." - -"I would rather you were at my feet, Felipe," sobbed Eulalia. "This -horrid war! I am sure you will be killed, and then I shall die. Oh yes, -mi alma, I shall assuredly die." - -They were standing in a secluded corner of the patio. Neither Don -Miguel or Serafina were in sight, so Philip, taking advantage of the -situation, kissed Eulalia once, twice, thrice. It was true Jack and -Dolores were not far off, but they were too busy with each other to -take much notice. Eulalia sobbed on Philip's breast, vowed she would -die if he left her, told him to march forth and be a hero at once, -commanded him to remain at Tlatonac, ordered him to depart for -Janjalla, and thus contradicting herself every moment, smiled and wept -in turns. Finally, she produced a little gold cross. - -"This is for thee, my own one," she whispered slipping it into his -hand. "It has been blessed by Padre Ignatius. Nought can hurt thee -while the sacred thing is on thy heart." - -Philip kissed the cross, kissed Eulalia, and swore he would never part -with it throughout the campaign. In the middle of their tender -leave-taking, a trumpet pealed forth in the Plaza de los Hombres -Ilustres. It was the signal for departure. - -"I must go! Farewell, my dear one. Watch from the azotea, and let your -face be the last thing I behold in Tlatonac." - -"Adios, mi alma," murmured Eulalia, and embraced him fondly, after -which, Philip, turning hastily away, shook hands with Jack, and kissed -the hands of Dolores and Serafina, the latter of whom had just entered -the patio. - -"Adieu, dear ladies. Good-bye, Jack. Take care of yourself, and don't -be carried off to any more Indian cities. We meet at Philippi. Adios!" - -With a wave of his hand he was gone, and Jack escorted the ladies to -the azotea to watch the regiments departing. The Plaza was crowded with -soldiers and women, the latter taking tearful leave of those marching -to the front. President Gomez, attended by a brilliant staff, among -whom Jack saw Don Miguel and his son, made a speech full of fire and -patriotism, which caused the utmost enthusiasm. Then the banners of the -different regiments were unfurled, the bands began to play the March of -Zuloaga, and the soldiers began to file out of the square by the Calle -Otumba. - -Regiment after regiment marched past, through streets wreathed with -flowers, amid tears, cheers, and wavings of handkerchiefs. The -house-tops were crowded with ladies looking down on the troops. They -made a gallant show as they tramped along with waving plumes and -glittering arms. The cavalry soldiers came first, and those on the -azotea of the Casa Maraquando saw Sir Philip riding by the side of -Captain Velez, at the head of the Regimiento de los Caballeros. The -banners streamed in the air, the horses champed their bits, and proudly -pawed the earth, and, one vast rainbow of hues, this splendid body of -men moved majestically past. Philip was riding with his drawn sword -sloping over his shoulder, and as he passed the Casa Maraquando, looked -up, and saluted the ladies. Eulalia hastily snatching a bunch of -jasmine from her breast, let it drop when he was directly underneath. -The baronet dexterously caught it, and pressing a kiss on the blossoms, -fastened them in his jacket. In another minute or so, he disappeared -round the corner of the street on the way to the Puerta de la Culebra, -from whence the troops marched southward to Janjalla. - -After the disappearance of Philip, Eulalia took no further interest in -the proceedings of the day, and retired to her room, followed by -Dolores, who strove to console her. Jack not caring for the sole -companionship of Doña Serafina, excused himself on the plea that he -wanted to ride after the troops and give Philip a message to Tim. Doña -Serafina graciously permitted him to depart, and he dashed out of the -house, flung himself on his horse, which was waiting at the door, and -was about to ride towards the Puerta de la Culebra when Don Rafael came -riding at full speed out of the Plaza! The young man seemed much -excited, and in his headlong rush knocked down two or three people, so -crowded was the street. Never heeding their cries, he raced past Jack, -waving his hand. - -"To _The Montezuma_, mi amigo! News of the war-ships." - -Anxious to know what fresh event had taken place, and fearful that -Janjalla had fallen, Jack spurred his horse after Rafael, and at a -break-neck speed they clattered down the street to the sea-gate -scattering the crowd in every direction. - -Outside the sea-gate, Rafael headed to the left, where the torpedera -_Montezuma_ was lying, and jumping off his horse, threw the reins -to a peon, and called a boat. Jack followed his example, and in a few -moments they were pulling for the torpedo-vessel. - -"Carambo mi amigo!" said Jack, breathlessly, "you ride like the devil. -What is the matter now?" - -"His Excellency has just received news that two of the war-ships have -returned to Acauhtzin." - -"What! Have they given up the siege?" - -"No. They are acting as convoy to the transports. Xuarez is sending -more troops south, and, knowing that our torpederas are not ready, -thinks that _The Pizarro_, single-handed, is sufficient to blockade -Janjalla." - -"Then he has landed his other troops?" said Jack, as they sprang on -board _The Montezuma_. "The ship guns have evidently silenced the -forts, and permitted the rebels to get on shore." - -"Precisely! But what matter? Reinforcements are now on their way by -land, and we, my friend, will start to-morrow by sea to smash up _The -Pizarro_." - -"Will the torpederas be ready?" - -"They must be ready!" cried Rafael, stamping his foot. "We may never -get such another chance. If we can only sink _The Pizarro_, it will -dishearten the troops of Xuarez now besieging Janjalla, and they can be -easily defeated." - -"If we can manage that, it will be a sad blow to Don Hypolito!" - -"Dios! so I should think," replied Rafael, laughing gaily. "He will -come south with more troops, and find Janjalla occupied by us, and his -way barred by two torpederas and _The Iturbide_. Then _The Pizarro's_ -loss won't please him. Carajo! no." - -"Bueno! But you forget _The Pizarro_ has search-lights, -torpedo-netting----" - -"Not the last, mi amigo!" interrupted Rafael quickly. "I told you -before, the netting was left behind in Tlatonac when the war-ships left -for Acauhtzin. As to the search-lights, she can keep them on _The -Iturbide_ or on the other torpedera. Then, my friend, _The Montezuma_ -will make things unpleasant for her." - -"It's a mere chance, Rafael!" - -"Quien sabe!" retorted the young man, shrugging his shoulders; "all -warfare is mere chance. Come and look over the boat." - -As the fittings of the torpederas were somewhat complicated, engineers -had been sent out from England in charge, and these, being paid heavily -by the Junta, remained to manoeuvre the boats. Among them Jack -discovered a Scotchman, from Aberdeen, with whom he struck up a -friendship. This gentleman, whose clan was Mackenzie, showed them all -over the boat, and spoke in terms of great affection of the Whitehead -torpedoes. - -"Eh, mon!" he observed to Jack, as they surveyed those triumphs of -modern warfare, "jouist gie her a shove, an' she'll smash the hail -boatie to bits--into sma' bits." - -"That is if the ship you propose to smash doesn't bring her heavy guns -to bear on this boat." - -"Hoots! hoots! mon. _The Montyzumy_ can gang her ain gait. Nineteen -knots an hour! Ma certie, it wud tack a braw gun to catch the likes o' -her." - -When they returned on deck from their inspection of the ship, a note -was brought to Rafael, from Captain Pedraza, of _The Iturbide_, -requesting his presence on board. They dropped into a boat, and were -speedily clambering up the giant sides of the cruiser. Being conducted -to the state-room, they found Captain Pedraza, surrounded by his -officers, reading a message from the President. - -"Ola mis amigos!" cried the captain, gaily, "you are just in time. -Señor Juan, I am your servant. Don Rafael, we leave Tlatonac for -Janjalla to-morrow afternoon." - -"Why in the afternoon?" - -"Carambo. So as to reach Janjalla at night. _The Pizarro_ is lying -there in the harbour, and, under cover of darkness, we may be able to -sink her either with our guns or by means of torpedoes." - -"Will the torpederas be ready?" asked Jack, for the second time. - -"You may be certain of that," said Rafael, significantly. "I will -guarantee that _The Montezuma_ will be able to start at the appointed -time." - -"And I can say the same of _The Zuloaga_," observed a slim man, in -whom Jack recognised the commander of the other torpedo-boat. "I think, -Señor, it can be looked on as certain that all three can depart." - -After this a babel of talk ensued concerning the chances of surprising -_The Pizarro_. Some proposed one place, some another, and amid all -the excitement, Jack, growing weary of the arguing, slipped out of the -saloon, and went ashore, so as to have as much time as possible with -Dolores before departure. - -He strolled along the sea-shore, and met Cocom just outside the -sea-gate. The old man saluted him gravely-- - -"Señor," he said, mysteriously approaching Jack; "beware of -Ixtlilxochitli." - -"What do you mean, Cocom?" asked Duval, rather startled. - -"The Indians, Señor, are now on the war-path--to the south," added -Cocom, significantly. - -"Great Heaven!" ejaculated the young man, horror-struck. "They intend -to surprise the reinforcements." - -"That is so, Señor. But I, Cocom, have sent runners after them to warn -the Señors." - -"Bueno! Cocom, you are the safeguard of Cholacaca!" - -"Not I, Señor; but the Chalchuih Tlatonac!" - -"Oh, I haven't much belief in that." - -"Don Juan!" said Cocom, significantly; "the Indians obeyed the stone -implicitly--it is sacred. What it speaks they do. Red is burned and war -was proclaimed. But, Señor, if it flamed blue, then would the Indians -be at peace." - -Before Jack could say a word, Cocom mysteriously slipped away, leaving -the young man sorely puzzled as to his meaning. - -"That confounded opal," he said, as he resumed his way towards the Casa -Maraquando, "it meets one at every turn. They say opals are unlucky, -and certainly the Chalchuih Tlatonac has not brought much luck to us as -yet." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT--NEW STYLE. - - "Wot! fightin'?" said the sailor man to me - (He was wooden-legged and close on eighty-three). - "Why, bless 'ee, sir, who knows what fightin' are, - When iron pots is classed as men-of-war, - And kittles sail the sea without a spar? - Such wessels were not seen at Trafalgar." - - "Old Nelson!" said the sailor man to me - (He was lying like a hatter, I could see). - "I was with him when the Frenchies' line we broke, - With our wooden ships and sailors' hearts of oak, - And the great three-decker's cannon's voice awoke, - Every minute as they thundered thro' the smoke." - - "Oh, blow it!" said the sailor man to me - (His language, I admit, was rather free), - "Now you sends a black torpedo, and it seeks - To hit a wessel sideways--then she leaks, - And sinks while every sailor prays and shrieks, - Wot fightin'--why, it's murder! yah! the sneaks." - - -On leaving Cocom, Jack at once went to Don Miguel and informed him of -the Indian rising. Maraquando thought but little of the affair, as it -was unlikely unarmed savages would dare to attack a force of one -thousand soldiers. Besides, the journey to Janjalla was through a -civilised and cultivated country, and an Indian raid was improbable. -Nevertheless, at Jack's urgent request, he spoke to President Gomez -about the matter, and though his Excellency took the same view as did -Maraquando, yet he sent on messengers to overtake the reinforcements -and inform them of their possible danger. - -The next day at three o'clock the vessels were to leave for Janjalla, -but when the hour came it was found that the torpederas were far from -ready. It is true _The Iturbide_ was in a state of efficiency, and -could have left Tlatonac at the appointed time, but the complicated -engines of _The Montezuma_ and _The Zuloaga_ were somewhat out of gear. -Though the engineers worked day and night to get everything in order, -yet it was not until three days had elapsed that the squadron was ready -to start. This delay made Rafael feel very uneasy lest the consorts of -_The Pizarro_ should return south before they could sink her by the -torpedoes. He reckoned out the matter with Jack. - -"Dios, mi amigo! Three days have gone since _The Cortes_ and _The -Columbus_ passed Tlatonac with the transports to the north. It is three -hundred miles to Acauhtzin, and those boats steam at the rate of twelve -knots an hour----" - -"True," interrupted Jack, significantly; "but the transports do not." - -"That is so, Juan. Let us reckon accordingly. Steaming at the rate of -twelve knots, the war-ships would probably reach Acauhtzin in -twenty-five hours. Allowing for the slowness of the transports say -thirty hours. In twenty-four hours they will be able to take in troops, -provisions, horses and guns. That makes fifty-four hours. Steaming -south to Tlatonac thirty hours. Eighty-four hours. To Janjalla from -here it is a hundred miles--say twelve hours. In all ninety-six hours. -Divide by twenty-four, that is exactly four days." - -"At that rate, the rebel ships cannot possibly reach Janjalla before -to-morrow midnight. When do we leave here?" - -"About three o'clock," said Rafael, glancing at his watch. "The -torpederas can knock out eighteen knots, but the full speed of _The -Iturbide_ is fifteen. We will reckon at that, so by leaving here at -three can reach Janjalla long before midnight." - -"Bueno! We shall have a clear twenty-four hours in which to sink _The -Pizarro_." - -"Twelve," contradicted Rafael, captiously, "we must attack in the -darkness. The less risk the better." - -"I don't see that it makes much difference," retorted Jack, grimly, "if -_The Pizarro_ can fight two torpedo boats and an armed cruiser she -is a mighty clever ship. I look upon _The Pizarro_ as lost." - -"So do I, Juan," replied Rafael, with a sad expression flitting across -his face, "she was my ship, you know. I am sorry that it falls to my -lot to sink her." - -"Perhaps she will surrender." - -"Not while she is commanded by De Galvez. He was my first lieutenant, -and is as obstinate as the devil. Dios! There is noon. We have not much -time in which to make our adieux. Go up and see Dolores, mi amigo, but -return by two o'clock." - -Jack gladly took advantage of the permission and had a long interview -with Dolores, who wept bitterly at the idea of parting with him again. -She was already low-spirited, through having comforted Eulalia, and now -that her own lover was going away broke down entirely. - -"Promise me you will take the greatest care of yourself, querido." - -"My dearest, I will ask Rafael to wrap me in cotton wool. But, indeed, -cara, you need not fear. I will be as safe on board _The Montezuma_ as -in Tlatonac." - -"But you will be gone many days." - -"A week at the most. If we succeed in sinking _The Pizarro_ we will -steam north to meet the other war-ships, and try our luck with them." - -"I will pray for you, Juanito, and I will look after the beetles of Don -Pedro." - -Jack burst out laughing at the incongruity of such coupling. - -"Has Don Pedro asked you to look after that rubbish!" - -"Yes, Juanito! I am to take the very greatest care. They are precious." - -"In the doctor's eyes they are more precious than the opal. By the way, -where is Peter?" - -"He has said farewell, and departed with my uncle. Would I could come -down to the boat, querido. But I dare not." - -"I never knew such particular people as the Tlatonacians," muttered -Jack, somewhat vexed. "Well, angelito, we must say good-bye here." - -"Will you take the opal for good fortune, Juan?" - -"I? Take the opal? My dear Dolores, I would be frightened out of my -life at carrying such a treasure with me. No! No! You keep the opal -with yourself, and yourself in Tlatonac. Then will the good fortune of -the city be assured. But I will take this ring." - -"Turquoise! rubies! pearls!" said Dolores, drawing it off her finger. -"It was my mother's, querido. Now it is yours." - -"A thousand thousand thanks, alma de mi alma!" replied Jack, slipping -it on his little finger, "it will remind me ever of you. Rubies for -your lips, pearls for your teeth, and--and----" - -"Ah! and what for turquoise?" said Dolores, seeing he was rather -nonplussed, "for my eyes?" - -"No, those are black! Well, we will say turquoise for peace. The blue -ray of the opal means peace. And now, good-bye, my dearest--my own -one!" - -"Adios, Juanito. My soul! My heart!" - -Jack, not trusting himself to speak further, kissed her passionately, -and hastily left the house. Fortunately, he met no one, much to his -gratification, as he was too agitated to say a word. He went to his -house, and put all his necessaries together, then, in company with -Peter, went on board _The Montezuma_. - -At three o'clock the forts saluted the squadron, and _The Iturbide_, -followed by the torpederas, stood out to sea. The crowd on the beach -watched the vessels until they were mere specks on the horizon, and -then retreated within the walls, with loudly expressed hopes that they -would return with the rebel ship in tow. The Tlatonacians expected much -more than they were ever likely to obtain. - -The three vessels stood out about ten miles from the coast, and steamed -southward at no great speed, as Pedraza did not wish to fetch Janjalla -until darkness had set in. As two warships and the transports had gone -to Acauhtzin, it was probable that _The Pizarro_ would be the only -vessel left in the harbour, and vigilant watch would be kept on board, -lest the torpederas should come on her unawares. The rebel commander -knew perfectly well that the torpederas had arrived, and would soon be -in chase of his ships; but he did not expect that they would be able to -attack while the other war-ships were away. Still, it was probable _The -Pizarro_ would make good use of her search-lights, and Pedraza, wishing -to come to close quarters unexpectedly, had to exercise the greatest -care as they drew near the harbour. - -Towards nine o'clock they were off the coast of Janjalla, and intense -excitement prevailed on board all three vessels. The plan of attack -had been settled at a general counsel on board _The Iturbide_ before -they left Tlatonac, and it was arranged as follows. _The Iturbide_ -was to steam silently into the harbour of Janjalla, followed by -he torpederas, and come to close quarters with _The Pizarro_, if -possible. Should she be discovered by the search-light of the latter, -she was then to steam boldly ahead, and concentrate the attention of -the rebels on herself. _The Pizarro_, thus being busy with the -cruiser, would not notice the torpederas, which could then steal -silently within five hundred yards, and launch a Whitehead or so. The -result would be obvious. - -The torpederas, with twin screws and powerful engines, manoeuvred with -wonderful rapidity, darting here and there in the darkness like black -sharks. Both were armed with Hotchkiss guns and four Whitehead -torpedo-tubes, while their strong search-lights protected them against -the unexpected approach of an enemy. Painted a dark colour to escape -notice, they could steal silently within striking distance of a -vessel, and sink her with one of their deadly explosives. The only -chance of safety for _The Pizarro_ lay in her sighting them at a -considerable distance, and keeping them at bay with her heavy guns; -but as she would be fully taken up with _The Iturbide_, this would be -difficult for her to do. Worst of all, she had no defence against the -rapid darting torpederas, as the nets had been left behind in -Tlatonac, when she deserted to the rebel Xuarez. - -As to the cruiser, she was a handsome vessel, with a spar deck, and -filled with bow chasers and Gatling guns. She carried a crew of ninety -men including officers, and also two hundred soldiers, who had embarked -at Tlatonac to be landed, if possible, at Janjalla. Fifteen knots was -her usual speed; but, if necessary, she could stand to seventeen. This -was the fleet of the Junta, and now manoeuvred ten miles from the -town of Janjalla, waiting the signal to pounce down on the unsuspecting -_Pizarro_. - -Fortunately the night was cloudy and dark. At intervals the moon, -emerging from behind heavy clouds, cast a pale light over the scene. It -was far down in the west, and would soon drop behind the low-lying -shore, so Pedraza, who wanted complete darkness for his project, waited -until her disappearance before he gave the signal to steam into the -harbour. All lights were extinguished on the vessel, so as to avoid -attracting the attention of the enemy, but, if necessary, the -search-lights could blaze forth in an instant. The torpederas were to -attack the warship, one on the port, the other on the starboard side. -It was now close upon midnight, and as the moon showed but half her orb -above the shore, all waited the signal in breathless silence. - -"What is to be done if we sink _The Pizarro_?" asked Jack, as he stood -by Rafael, watching for the signal from _The Iturbide_. - -"Quien sabe!" replied Maraquando, shrugging his shoulders, "I expect we -will wait in the harbour till daylight, and then see if we can land our -troops." - -"There won't be much chance of that, my Comandante," said Duval, drily; -"between us and Janjalla two thousand rebel troops lie encamped. We -cannot break through that barrier." - -"You forget, mi amigo, there are close on a thousand troops of the -Junta in the town. By this time the reinforcements must have reached -their destination, so that will make two thousand. If they attack the -rebels from Janjalla, and we land our two hundred men under cover of -_The Iturbide's_ guns, who knows but what we may not be able to crush -these scoundrels before their warships and transports arrive from -Acauhtzin." - -"Bueno! Always presuming that the reinforcements have arrived safely. I -fear the Indians." - -"Carambo! Surely a thousand well-armed soldiers are a match for a horde -of naked savages. The reinforcements are safe in Janjalla by now. I am -sure of it. Believe me, Don Juan, we shall exterminate the rebels." - -"First we shall have to exterminate _The Pizarro_, and----" - -"Hold!" interrupted Rafael joyfully, "the signal." - -A rocket shot up from _The Iturbide_ and scattered its fires in the -dark air. The moon had entirely disappeared, and an intense gloom -prevailed over land and sea. - -Hardly had the rocket's trail of fire disappeared when _The -Iturbide's_ screw began to spin and followed by the torpederas she -moved cautiously towards the harbour at half speed. At the end of an -hour all three vessels were within sight of the town. Through the -gloom sparkled the lights of Janjalla, and between them and the -incoming vessels lay the huge bulk of _The Pizarro_, the glare of her -search-lights shooting up into the dark like two gigantic swords of -pale flame. - -_The Iturbide_ was leading by three hundred yards, and crept -cautiously forward so as to pounce on her prey unawares. Whether the -noise of her screw reached the ears of those on board _The Pizarro_, -or that they marked her coming through the darkness, it is impossible -to say, but just as she steamed within eight hundred yards, the -search-lights swept round like the spokes of a wheel and in a moment -their glare revealed her whereabouts. In the radiance she stood out -like a phantom ship, and seeing that he was discovered, Pedraza -cracking on all steam, swept past _The Pizarro_ in a wide circle. - -A heavy fire was at once opened by the rebels and they doubtless -deemed that this foe was not alone, for keeping one light on the -cruiser, they swept the sea with the other in search of her possible -companions. Those on board _The Iturbide_ could hear the yell of -mingled rage and terror, as the light struck the low bulk of _The -Zuloaga_ darting through the water, evil looking and venomous. A -broadside was poured on the torpedera, now left unprotected by _The -Iturbide_ which was circling to the left in the inner part of the bay. -Owing to the dexterity of _The Zuloaga's_ manoeuvring, none of the -heavy guns could hit her. She skimmed the grey waves at full speed -like a swallow, and the search light of _The Pizarro_ was much put to -in following her. It was like a dancer in the theatre followed by the -lime light. One moment the torpedera would be swallowed up in the -gloom, the next moment the darting ray of the electric light would -stab through the darkness and pick her out. The other ray followed -_The Iturbide_, which kept steaming slowly backwards and forwards on -the port side, firing her Armstrongs whenever she got a fair chance. - -_The Zuloaga_ sent off a bow torpedo, but it passed harmlessly under -the stern of _The Pizarro_ without doing any damage. Nevertheless, the -crew of the rebel ship seemed much alarmed, as well they might be, -seeing that a single torpedo striking them amidships would sink their -iron ship in a few minutes. Foolishly enough, it never occurred to De -Galevez to sweep the starboard with his lights, and he was quite -unaware that a second torpedo-vessel was stealing up in the darkness. - -Indeed, what with following _The Iturbide_ and _The Zuloaga_ with his -search-lights, De Galevez had enough to do, and kept the torpedo boat -at bay with his heavy guns. Occasionally a shot from _The Iturbide_ -would pass through the rigging of the rebel ship, but no damage was -done, and De Galevez's great desire was to keep at a distance the -wasp-like torpedo which circled round rapidly, everywhere trying to -plant its sting. - -While this drama was taking place on the port side, _The Montezuma_, -on seeing _The Iturbide_ was discovered, moved up on the starboard at -a distance of four hundred yards. When abreast of _The Pizarro_ she -slowed down her engines and crept up within pistol range. Had it not -been for the incessant firing of the guns, those on board _The -Pizarro_ would surely have become aware of their danger. As it was, -they thought themselves safe while they kept _The Zuloaga_ at a -distance. A tremendous broadside was directed at that torpedera and at -_The Iturbide_. It was her last discharge, for the next moment she was -struck amidships by a torpedo from _The Montezuma_. - -There was a cry of frenzied fear, and the search lights flashed round -to starboard only to see _The Montezuma_ slipping back into the gloom. -Three minutes afterwards _The Pizarro_ sank. - -The vessels of the Junta at once flashed their electric rays on the -spot, and where a moment before had been a magnificent vessel, now saw -nothing but a wide expanse of cold black sea dotted with drowning men. -Boats were lowered by _The Iturbide_ and a few soldiers and sailors -were rescued, but so suddenly had _The Pizarro_ gone down that, with -the exception of half a dozen survivors, the whole crew, officers, and -soldiers, in all three hundred men, were drowned. - -It would be impossible to describe the joy on board the loyalist ships -at this successful termination of the contest. Rafael and Jack went on -board _The Iturbide_ to receive the congratulations of Pedraza for -their success, and the officers of _The Zuloaga_ also hastened to -participate in the general joy. The large state-room of the cruiser -was one mass of excited men, drinking champagne, and wildly embracing -one another. This victory would surely damp the enthusiasm of the -rebels, and raise that of the loyalists to fever pitch. Don Hypolito -had now but two ships of war, and these could not surely stand before -the valour of _The Iturbide_, with her two torpedo-vessels. The -_vivas_ were deafening, and Rafael, as commander of the boat which had -sunk _The Pizarro_, was nearly stifled by the embraces of his brother -officers. - -As soon as the excitement had somewhat subsided, all went on deck, and -_The Iturbide_ stood in to the shore with the idea of seeing how -matters stood in the rebel camp. Flying the Opal flag, lest the forts -should open fire on one of their own vessels, the cruiser turned her -lights on to the beach, and saw that it was lined with the rebel -forces, all under arms. The noise of the firing and the flashing of the -lights had attracted the attention of those on shore, and fearing that -an attack was contemplated by the enemy, those rebels encamped in front -of Janjalla were now on the alert. No one could understand the reason -of this sea-fight, as it seemed quite impossible that the torpederas -could have arrived from Tlatonac in so short a period. The general in -command of the troops of Xuarez did not know what to think, and had to -wait till dawn before he could make up his mind what course to pursue. - -As the lights of _The Iturbide_ struck the distant town, a long -line of walls, surmounted by a crowd, leaped out of the darkness. The -search-lights from the forts were flashed on to the ships, and those in -Janjalla recognising the Opal flag, cheered vociferously. They saw -three boats, each flying the ensign of Tlatonac, and no _Pizarro_. -Then they guessed what had occurred, and were glad accordingly. The -rebel soldiers on the beach stamped and swore with rage as they saw -their loss, but being without boats could do nothing save parade under -arms till dawn, so as to be prepared against a possible attack by the -victorious loyalists. - -"Bueno!" cried Captain Pedraza, who had his night glass up. "There is -one good thing, mis amigos, the Opal flag still flies over the town, so -as yet it holds out." - -"What is next to be done, Comandante?" asked Jack, who was standing -near with Rafael. - -"We must wait till dawn, Señor Americano, and then find out if the -reinforcements have arrived at Janjalla. Afterwards we will steam back -to Tlatonac, and if possible meet the _Cortes_ and _Columbus_ coming -back. In any event, we must go to Tlatonac to report this victory to -the Junta." - -"Shall you land these two hundred troops?" - -"Caranto! Why not?" - -"Because the camp of the enemy lies between the town and ourselves. Two -hundred men cannot do much against two thousand." - -"True, Señor. If it is impossible, we will not attempt it. But at dawn, -I will signal to General Gigedo to make a sally from the gates down to -the shore; our men will land, and effect a conjunction, and so with -small loss they ought to get into the town. Especially under cover of -our guns, and those of the forts." - -"I don't see what use that will be, Pedraza," interrupted Rafael, -bluntly. - -"Caro, Señor! His Excellency ordered this to be done, so it must be -done." - -"Rather a useless task, I think," said Jack, dryly. "However, I am not -sorry, as I wish to get into the town myself. But you, Señor -Comandante, what will you do?" - -"Wait till these troops are safe with Gigedo, and also ascertain if the -reinforcements have arrived. Then I shall sail north." - -"You won't wait for the warships and transports?" - -"Carajo! what use? We shall find those on our way to Tlatonac." - -After this conversation, Rafael and Jack returned on board _The -Montezuma_, the former slightly gloomy in spite of the victory so -unexpectedly achieved. - -"Caro, Juan!" he said, reflectively; "if we lose this war, it will be -through Don Francisco Gomez. He is a good politician, but a bad -general. What use is there to sacrifice two hundred men to-morrow?" - -"It's rather like the Charge of the Light Brigade, certainly," replied -Jack, with a smile; "as foolhardy and as brave." - -"What is that, mi amigo?" - -Whereupon Jack related the glorious charge to Rafael, and thereby -stirred up the excitable Spaniard to fiery enthusiasm. - -"Oh, what men are the English," he cried, stamping his foot. "It is a -story worthy of the Cid. But this to-morrow, my friend--it is rare! it -is brave! and, like your story, there is no good to be gained." - -"Perhaps Gomez wants to frighten the rebels by showing them how -dauntless are his men." - -"Dios! That is not wise. The sinking of _The Pizarro_ will frighten -them without risking two hundred lives. However, as it is ordered, it -must be done. But you, Don Juan! Will you go?" - -"Assuredly, mi amigo. I wish to see the Señor Correspondent and -Felipe." - -"But you will be killed." - -"That is as it may be. But no, Rafael. I did not escape the perils of -Totatzine to fall in a skirmish before the walls of Janjalla. But see, -mi amigo, it is nearly dawn, let us snatch a few hours' sleep." - -"Bueno!" replied Rafael, leading the way to his cabin; "but first we -must call our friends together, and toast our victory once more." - -It was done accordingly. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -WITHOUT THE WALLS. - - Walls of stone like mountains rise, - Grey against the morning skies; - Still the royal banner flies, - Watched with hate by rebels' eyes. - And around the ramparts grey, - In the mists an army lies. - - Set in battle's wild array, - At the dawning of the day, - Traitors to their sovereign they, - Who would loyal subjects slay. - Hold this city as a slave, - Under democratic sway. - - Cannons thunder, banners wave, - As come on the foemen brave, - 'Neath these walls to find a grave; - Yet this city shall we save, - Never let it be the prize - Of the coward, fool, and knave. - - -Shortly after dawn, Jack went on deck, to have a thorough examination -of the coast-line. The situation of Janjalla was peculiar. To the right -a shallow river meandered seaward through low-lying, swampy ground, -discharging itself sluggishly by several mouths. A desolate plain -stretched for leagues on the left to the base of distant mountains, and -between swamp and plain the city appeared built on a rocky height. -Directly in front of the walls the sandy ground fell rapidly towards -the sea, on the extreme verge of which was a compact mass of huts -forming a kind of sea-port. The wharf shot out suddenly from this -miniature town. It lay along the hollow of the beach, and above it, in -the near distance, rose the grey walls of Janjalla from the rocky -cliffs. Above these, the domes of churches, the towers of houses, and, -highest of all, the expanse of bluish sky grey with the chill mists of -morning. - -In the beach hollow, the army of Xuarez was encamped, partly in the -houses, partly in the tents which whitely dotted the desolate shore. -Owing to the rapid fall of the ground from the ramparts, the invaders -were quite safe from the cannon of the forts. These could defend the -town against the attack of ships, but were unable to be depressed -sufficiently to command the spot where the rebels were encamped, thus, -in the very jaws of danger, lay the besiegers in comparative safety. -Jack, surveying all this through a telescope, was astonished to see -that the engineers who had constructed the defences had been so foolish -as to leave this debatable ground between rampart and sea. Perhaps they -deemed that the cannon would not permit ships to approach near enough -for the disembarking of hostile troops, but they seemed to have -forgotten that the heavy guns of a man-of-war could silence the forts. -This, perhaps, had not been done, as the cannon on the ramparts still -defended the city; but there was no doubt in Jack's mind that Don -Hypolito had landed his troops under cover of a heavy fire from his -three ships directed at the forts. Once encamped on shore, and the -besiegers could bid defiance to the lines of cannon, whose balls passed -harmlessly over their heads. - -"Ola, Señor Juan," said Rafael's gay voice behind him, "you are up -early." - -"Good morning, mi amigo," replied Jack, turning with a smile. "I have -been up at least half an hour, examining the town." - -"A place forsaken of God, is it not? Dios! to think that some fools -would have this to be the capital of Cholacaca. Swamps there, sandy -plains yonder. Holy Mary! how can it compare with Tlatonac?" - -"It is the first time I have been so far south, and I don't think much -of either country or town." - -"Oh, the situation is good for defence." - -"I'm not so sure of that, Rafael. It is true that the city is built on -a rocky height, and well defended by swamp and desert; but look how -safely enemies can lie under the walls." - -"Eh! what would you, Juan? The muzzles of the guns cannot be depressed -sufficiently to sweep the beach." - -"Then why didn't the engineers build two forts right and left, in order -to command the intervening ground?" - -"Dios! And thus knock each other to pieces." - -"True. Well, then, have one fort. See, mi amigo. On the right, that -wide swamp is a sufficient protection against the approach of an enemy; -but had I constructed the defences of the town, I would have run an arm -of forts between the desert and that sea-fort. Thus a double line of -cannon would have commanded the beach, and even if an enemy did succeed -in landing in face of the fire of the town forts, they could not have -encamped there as they have done." - -"That is true, Juan," replied Rafael, who now had the telescope to his -eye. "But it is now too late to deplore the lack of defences. The -rebels have landed, and are safely bestowed within stone-throw of the -city. Look at the number of them, and all on the alert. Santissima! -they won't feel very happy this morning, now that they see _The -Pizarro_ is lost." - -"Surely," said Jack, taking no notice of this last remark, "surely -Pedraza does not intend to land two hundred men directly in front of -the town?" - -"It is foolish, I admit," answered Rafael, shrugging his shoulders; -"but what with a sally of our troops from the town, and the guns of our -boats playing on the beach, it may be managed." - -"I doubt it. Two hundred men may land under cover of our fire; but, -believe me, Rafael, fifty will not break through that living barrier -and enter the town." - -"I grant that. As I said last night, it is a useless waste of life, and -his Excellency must have surely forgotten the situation of Janjalla -when he gave such a rash command. But what else can be done, save obey -his order?" - -"Obey it, by all means, but not in the way commanded." - -"What do you mean?" - -Jack was sweeping the shore right and left with the telescope, and did -not reply for a few minutes. At length he spoke, indicating the several -points he mentioned, with his hand. - -"Behold, mi amigo," he said, pointing towards the desert, "to land -there would be foolish, as the enemy could march along to defend that -point while the boats pulled in. The same with the central position. It -is madness to land in the teeth of two thousand men. But look to the -right. Why not land the troops up the coast, and let the swamp lie -between them and the enemy?" - -"Bueno!" replied Rafael, seizing the idea at once. "But how do you -propose to enter the city?" - -"Ah, that I can't say, not knowing the geography of the place." - -"I have a map below. Come with me, Juan, and we will invent some plan, -then go on board _The Iturbide_ to interview Pedraza. I am with you in -trying to prevent this sacrifice of two hundred men by landing them in -the jaws of danger." - -They went down to the cabin, and Rafael, after hunting about for a few -minutes, found a map of the southern portion of Cholacaca. He spread it -out on the table, and they began to examine it at once. - -"Here!" said Jack, drawing his finger along the paper; "here is -Janjalla, here the swamp and river, beyond is a kind of rolling -prairie. If we land the troops here, we can march them parallel to the -river, into the interior country." - -"That is so, mi amigo! But, you see, the river is ever between the -troops and the city. If the enemy see our men marching on this side, -they can march on the other, and so keep our men from entering the -city." - -"Not if Pedraza signals to the forts. You forget that the rebels are -only safe so long as they keep in the hollow of the beach. If they -march up on the right, they expose themselves to a heavy fire. -Consequently, the forts can keep them in check, and our troops, -marching along on the right bank of the stream, can surely find some -ford by which to cross, and then gain the inland gate of Janjalla by a -detour." - -"Como, no!" exclaimed Rafael, in a lively tone rolling up the map. "It -is not at all a bad idea. Let us board _The Iturbide_, and explain -your plan to the Comandante." - -"Who commands the expedition?" asked Jack, as he hastily snatched up a -brace of revolvers and a heavy cloak. - -"Don Sebastian de Ahumada. He is a great friend of mine. In fact," -added Rafael, laughing, "he is a cousin of Doña Carmencita de Tajada." - -"My poor Rafael, your suit does not progress much in that quarter." - -"Not with Don José, perhaps; but I am content to wait till the war is -ended, so far as my angel is concerned. She will be true to me, as I to -her. By the way, mi amigo, know you that Don José is now Governor of -Acauhtzin, in the absence of Don Hypolito?" - -"No, I did not know it. Is Don Hypolito yonder?" - -"Not now. He was on board _The Cortes_, and has gone back to -Acauhtzin, but will doubtless come south again, to personally conduct -the war." - -"I should like to get a shot at him," said Jack, grimly; "the brute. I -shall never forgive him for his treachery. Well, who knows?-- - - Perhaps a recruit - May chance to shoot - Great General Bonaparte." - -"What say you?" asked Rafael, puzzled at those -lines, which were recited in English. - -"Nothing, nothing. A something to relieve my feelings. Is that boat -never going to be ready?" - -"It is ready now," said the young man, gaily; "in with you, mi amigo! -Row to _The Iturbide_ Benito! So--give way, men!" - -The oars dipped into the water as the sun arose in the east, and the -boat shot away from _The Montezuma_ over a flood of gold. Rafael was -in great spirits, and chatted gaily all the time; but Jack, thinking -of the peril of the proposed expedition, was graver. Besides, he was -anxious about the safety of Philip and Tim. - -"By the way," said Rafael, suddenly, "Don Pedro did not return with us -last night." - -"No; Pedraza asked him to sleep on board _The Iturbide_. See, there he -is, looking over the bulwarks. I can tell him by the flash of the sun -on his spectacles!" - -"Dios! How strange! Will Don Pedro go with you into the town?" - -"Certainly not," replied Jack, decisively; "it is too risky! Take him -back with you to Tlatonac." - -"Assuredly! My aunt would never forgive me if harm came to Don Pedro." - -Rafael laughed heartily at the idea, for this undutiful nephew was much -amused at the flirtation between Peter and Serafina. - -"She will marry him, Juan! I am sure of it." - -"Then we will have four weddings when the war is over, Rafael." - -"Four weddings. Por todos santos! What mean you?" - -"Myself and Dolores. Yourself and Doña Carmencita. Pedro and your aunt, -and Señor Felipe and Doña Eulalia!" - -"Eh, mi amigo!" cried Rafael, in a lively tone, "does my sister favour -that cavalier? Dios! what says my father?" - -"He does not know anything yet. But as he has consented to receive one -heretic into his family, he can surely stretch a point, and receive -two." - -"Como, no! But it may be! Who knows? Ah! Here we are at _The -Iturbide_. Come, Juan!" - -They climbed up the side of the cruiser, and were received by Captain -Pedraza and Peter. - -"Buenos dias de Dios á ustedes, Señores," said Pedraza, greeting them -heartily. "I am glad to see you both, as I wish to land these troops at -once. Señor Pedro desires to go also." - -"What nonsense, Peter," said Jack, in English, turning to his friend; -"it is too dangerous. You stay on board, and go back to Tlatonac." - -"I shall not!" returned the doctor, indignantly; "you are going, so why -should not I? Besides, I wish to see Tim, and to be certain that Philip -has arrived safely." - -"I don't want you killed, Peter," protested Jack. - -"I won't be killed any more than you will be, Jack. It's not a bit of -use your talking, I'm going with you. I have my medicine-chest with -me." - -"Oh, well, obstinacy! Have it your own way," replied Duval, touched by -this proof of Peter's friendship; "but Tim will pitch at me for -bringing you into danger." - -"Tim will be glad enough to have a doctor at hand. Why, Jack, I should -have been at Totatzine to cure you." - -"Cocom was good at a pinch." - -"A quack!" muttered Peter, scornfully. He could not forgive Cocom -having cured Jack so rapidly. It was a case of professional jealousy. - -"Señor Duval," said Pedraza, approaching Jack, "Don Rafael tells me you -and he have hit on a plan to land the troops without danger." - -Jack signified that they had some such idea in their heads, and in -company with Pedraza, they went below to look at the map. Don -Sebastian followed them, and after a long discussion, the Comandante -decided to accept the suggestion. _The Iturbide_ raised her anchor, -and steamed a short distance up the coast, so as to land the troops -beyond the swamp. Signals having been made to the torpederas, they -remained in their former position, before the town. - -When the rebels saw _The Iturbide_ moving northward, they shouted -with joy, thinking that she was about to leave the harbour; but their -delight was turned into rage as they saw boat after boat drop from her -sides, and, laden with troops, make for the shore. Numbers ran along -the beach, to the verge of the swamp, but here their progress was -stayed, as it was impossible for them to cross the quagmire. They could -only remain quiet, and gesticulate with anger, though many fired their -guns, and two cannon were brought along the shore in the hope of doing -some damage. - -As yet they were safe, from the forts being too much in the hollow; but -when Pedraza saw the cannon brought up, he opened fire with his -Armstrongs, and signalled to the torpederas. These steamed abreast of -the swamp at once, and did considerable damage with their rapid-firing -Hotchkiss guns. Under cover of this cannonade, the whole of the troops -were duly landed, in admirable order, with the utmost celerity, and -then Jack, Peter, and Don Sebastian prepared to go on shore. Pedraza -gave De Ahumada sealed orders for Gigedo from the President, and Rafael -occupied himself in saying farewell to his English friends. - -"You have your revolvers, mis amigos?" he said anxiously; "and swords? -Good! Cloaks? Ah, that is well. Have, also, these flasks of -aguardiente; you will need sustenance. The march to the inland-gate may -be a long one. Adios." - -"Adios," replied Jack, dropping over the side. "Give my love to -Dolores, when you return to Tlatonac." - -"I shall not fail. And, Don Pedro, have you any message?" - -"Si, Señor," replied Peter, in his hesitating Spanish. "Doña Dolores. -Escarabajos." - -"Beetles!" echoed Rafael, in great astonishment. "What does he mean by -beetles?" - -His curiosity was not gratified, for already the boat was making -rapidly for the shore, and Jack, standing up in the stern, was waving -his adieux to all on board. - -By this time the sun was far above the horizon, and already the heat -was becoming unpleasantly great. Don Sebastian at once formed his men -into marching order, and the little company proceeded along the bank of -the river, towards the interior of the country. Before them spread a -kind of rolling downs, with undulating hills, sparsely covered with -vegetation. Here and there patches of yellow sand streaked with fine -white dust. On one side stretched the illimitable plains, and on the -other the ground marshy and treacherous, sank imperceptibly into the -bed of the slow-flowing river. Beyond this, an interval of firm land -for some considerable distance, and then the rocky shelf on which -Janjalla was built. In front the stream meandered in an erratic manner -inland; away in the extreme distance appeared the dim line of forest, -above which arose the snowy cone of Xicotencatl. Over all arched the -cloudless blue sky, with the sun flaming hotly in the east. - -The rebels had been considerably cut up by the incessant firing of the -ships, and had wisely fallen back into their camp. When, however, they -saw the loyalists moving inland, along the bank of the stream, a troop -of cavalry, some hundreds strong, galloped towards the swamp to -intercept them, if possible. The cruiser and the torpederas were still -in their former position, and as the cavalry turned the fatal corner, -to make for the inner country, they opened a heavy cannonade. -Considerable damage was inflicted particularly by the Hotchkiss guns, -and numbers of riders were soon struggling on the ground with their -wounded horses. In a few minutes, however, the troop, nothing dismayed, -escaped beyond the line of fire, and galloped parallel with the -loyalists, between swamp and walls. - -This defile proved to be a perfect death-trap. For those within the -town, having observed the landing of the reinforcements, and the chase -by the enemy, opened fire from the forts, and shattered the compact -mass of horses and men as they steadily galloped along. At length, -however, they had to cease their fire, as the rebels artfully kept -abreast of the loyalists, and at times the balls swept across the -swamp, and played havoc with the soldiers of Don Sebastian. The only -thing to be done, therefore, was to let the cavalry go free, and trust -to a hand-to-hand combat when on the sandy plains at the back of the -town. - -Both the ships and the forts, however, were determined that no more of -the enemy should join in the pursuit, for a heavy cannonade was kept up -as another troop tried to follow, and effectually held them back. - -"Bueno!" said Don Sebastian, when he saw this. "We have but to deal -with those abreast of us; no more can follow." - -"Cavalry against infantry, mi amigo! It is unequal, particularly if we -try to cross the river." - -"Perhaps those in the town will come to our assistance," suggested -Peter, who was trudging along manfully. - -"It is probable," replied De Ahumada, when this remark was translated -into good Spanish by Jack. "See, we are now nearly at the end of the -town. Yonder is the land-gate. If we remain here, assistance may come, -and while the cavalry are defending themselves against our friends, we -may be able to cross the river." - -"Yes; that is if the cavalry don't get reinforced by their own men -coming round the other side of the town." - -"Dios!" exclaimed Don Sebastian, grimly, "reinforcements certainly can -come that way, but they will be forced to make a wide detour in order -to keep out of range of the fort-guns. By the time they come up we may -be inside the walls." - -"I fervently trust so, Señor," replied Duval, who, though no coward, -did not relish the idea of engaging two hundred infantry with double -the number of cavalry. - -The city was enclosed by walls of a considerable height, was shaped in -a triangular fashion, the base being towards the ocean, and the -land-gate at the acute angle inland. They had now walked some distance -past the gate on the other side of the river, and a wide sheet of water -rolled between them and their enemies. On all sides spread the sandy -plain, and the walls of the city rose suddenly from the flat surface in -a most unexpected fashion. On the left bank halted the cavalry of the -enemy, prepared to dispute their crossing, and Don Sebastian was sorely -puzzled as to what was the best course to pursue. - -"It is madness to cross in the face of that, Don Juan." - -"Well, if we don't cross at once they will be reinforced from the other -side, and then it will be worse." - -"Look, Jack, look!" cried Peter at this moment, "the gates are open!" - -Just as he spoke a body of cavalry debouched from the city, and came -rapidly towards the rebels. They at once turned to meet this new -danger, and thus their attention was drawn off the infantry, upon -seeing which Don Sebastian waited a few minutes until the opposing -forces clashed together, and then gave the order to cross the river. - -"Must we strip?" asked Peter, ruefully, looking at the three hundred -yards of water before him. - -"Strip! no, man!" said Jack, laughing, "unless you want to enter -Janjalla naked. You can swim. At least you could at Bedford." - -"Of course I can swim," said Peter, testily; "but I hate getting my -clothes wet." - -"Oh, hang your clothes! The river is slow-flowing, so it is easy to get -across. See! the advance files are in already. In with you!" - -Peter did not need any second admonition, but waded into the water -beside Jack and Don Sebastian. The cavalry, which otherwise would have -shot them down as they swam across, were fully occupied with the -loyalist regiment from Janjalla. Already in the extreme distance dark -masses might be seen rapidly moving along. They were the reinforcements -for the rebels making a detour on the other side of the city. There was -not a moment to be lost. - -In a remarkably short space of time the whole of the infantry had -crossed, and were now standing high and dry on the other bank. Not even -giving them time to shake the water from their clothes, Don Sebastian -made them kneel and open fire on the rebels in the rear. Fortunately -each man had piled his musket and ammunition on his head while -swimming, so their arms were in excellent condition, and their -cartridges unwetted. A fusillade burst from the line, and wrought -considerable damage in the ranks of the enemy. Taken thus between two -fires, the rebels found themselves in exceedingly hot water, but -trusting that their comrades would soon reach them, turned and tried to -ride down the infantry. The soldiers immediately sprung to their feet -and scattered widely, firing into the troop whenever they got a chance. - -Fresh troops of loyalist cavalry poured out of the gates and made for -the scene of action. What with being pretty nearly equally matched with -the cavalry, and exposed to the galling fire of the infantry, the -rebels began to lose heart, and, breaking into disorderly masses, -spread over the plain. The gates of the city were distant a quarter of -a mile, and seeing that the reinforcements of the enemy were close at -hand, Don Sebastian shouted to his men to close up and make for the -shelter of the walls. Seeing this the rebel reinforcements, darting -between the moving loyalists and the gates, tried to cut them off, but -were met in their turn by the mounted troops from Janjalla. The plain -was strewn with dead and dying, and the incessant cracking of rifles, -the yells of the combatants, and the thick clouds of pungent smoke -added to the horrors of the skirmish. - -A huge trooper rode straight at Peter, and rolled him in the dust, but -Jack being close at hand shot the horse with his revolver, and pulled -his friend out of harm's way. By this time they were near the gates, -and Peter being somewhat stunned by his knock-down, was dragged along -rapidly by Jack, who wanted to get him into shelter as speedily as -possible. - -It was now dangerous for the infantry to fire, as friend and foe were -blended in an inextricable mass; so, forming line as speedily as -possible, they ran for the gate, and at length reached it in safety. -Seeing that they were now out of danger, the cavalry of Janjalla began -to retreat towards the portal. To the left of the town, great masses of -reinforcements were moving up, and it would have been madness to have -opposed them with the small force of loyalists outside. The cavalry -galloped back, and as by this time the infantry had fled inside the -walls, the gates were closed at once. - -"Jack! Jack! Peter!" cried a well-known voice, as Tim, grimy with -gunpowder and smoke, plunged down the street towards the gate. "Are you -safe?" - -"Quite safe. But why the deuce are these men coming back? Why don't -they pour out and exterminate those devils?" - -"What!" yelled Tim, throwing up his arms in surprise. "Why they can't -be spared. There's but seven hundred men here!" - -"Seven hundred!" cried Jack, seized with a sudden qualm of fear. "But -the reinforcements--the thousand men?" - -"No reinforcements have arrived, Jack." - -"And Philip?" - -"Philip!" said Tim, in alarm. "Was he with the reinforcements? God be -gracious to me. Not a man has arrived. When did they leave Tlatonac?" - -"Four days ago." - -"Four days! One hundred miles!" - -The three friends, amid the tumult around them, with the enemy -thundering at the gate, looked at one another in silent dread. Then -Jack took off his sombrero. - -"Poor Philip!" he said, solemnly. "I was afraid of those Indians. Oh, -my poor friend!" - - -END OF VOL. II. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Harlequin Opal, Vol. 2 (of 3), by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HARLEQUIN OPAL, VOL. 2 (OF 3) *** - -***** This file should be named 43188-8.txt or 43188-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/1/8/43188/ - -Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -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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