THE ROBERT E. COWAN COLLECTION 1 RKSKNTKH TO THK UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNI HY C. P. HUNTINGTON .JUNE. :d<>7. NC 76 / y I THIRD EDITION ALMIRANTB NATIVK. SAN FRANCISCO: W. M HILTON & CO.. PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS, 536 CLAY STREET, BELOW MONTGOMERY. iseo. THE TRADK Srri i.iKD BY THE SAN FilANCISCO NEWS COMPANY. PRIHF. 2R CENTS: < W. M. AIT.K. A.. S. BALDWIN I; 1> H \MMo\n, JR. MCAFEE, BALDWIN & HAMMOND, I(eal EgMe ^gent$ and 1O MONTGOMERY ST., SAN FRANCISCO. JOHNSON-LOCKE MERCANTILE CO. Shipping and Commission Merchants CORNER CALIFORNIA AM) FRONT STREETS, SAN KRANCISCO. RAISINS DRIED FRUIT PRUNES We make sales of California products in San Francisco, also through our representatives in the principal cities of the Eastern States, Europe and Australia. E. P. SPENCE, PEES. D. E. MILES, SEC Y -INSURK WITH- - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INS. CO. ? * MAIN OFFICE, 423 CALIFORNIA ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. The Reputation of this Company for the prompt payment and Equitable Adjustment of Losses is unexcelled Since the Cable Road from OAKLAND recently climbed the Suburban Heights to PIEDMONT investments in Resi dence Lots in this choice direction are rapidly growing in public favor. To any who may have a few dollars to lay away in Profitable ReJ Estate investments in or roundabout OAKLAND correspondence is solicited by Truly yours, XVirvT^IAM J. I>IJVOII .... REAL ESTATE .... 46O & 462 Eighth St. Oakland, Cal. JUNE, 30, 1890. 1 1 REGENT STREET, LONDON, ENG. DEAR SIR: We beg to inform you that we have taken the agency for Great Britain and Ireland for Messrs. Arpad Haraszthy & Go s celebrated California Champagnes, of which we shall always keep on hand a full supply in bottles and half bottles for imme diate delivery. These Champagnes are produced by fermentation in the bottle, precisely as the high-grade French sparkling wines, requiring two year s cure and racking to perfect. They are blended in proportions from the grape of nine different vari- ties of imported vines, transplanted and grown in carefully selected localities of California. Whenever tried by unprejudiced connoisseurs, these wines have been pronounced equal to the best, and wherever exhib ited for competition with any other Champagne, either French or American, their merits were attested by the highest awards, as exemplified on following page. Soliciting a trial of these really meritorious Champagnes, we are, Respectfully yours, GRIERSON, OLDHAM & CO., 1 1 Regent Street. GENERAL AGENTS London ORIEBSON. OLDHAM & CO 11 Regent Street New York PARK & TILFORD 917 Broadway Philadelphia P P. DILLEY & CO 25 N. Tenth Street Chicago C JEVNE & CO 110 Madison Street St. Pul C. JEVNE & CO 114 E. Third Street Detroit O. & R. McMILLAN & CO 131 Woodward Arenuc Cincinnati JOHN R. PEEBLES SONS CO 73 W. Fourth Street KaiaasOity MARTIN. PERRIN & CO 300 W. Sixth Street New Orleans F. HOLLANDER & CO 51 Ciutom House Strett Honolulu, H. I HE.VRY CONGDON & OO... ALMIRANTE ^MflWW* >.. v^.; \v \ I saw the sunlight flashing on the points of their spears." PAGE 93. ALMIRANTE A ROMANCE OF OLD-TIME CALIFORNIA, BY "A NATIVE. S AN FRANCISCO: W. M. HINTON & CO., PKINTEKS AND PUBLISHERS, 536 CLAY STREET, BELOW MONTGOMERY. 18O. THE TRADE SUPPLIED BV THE SAN FRANCISCO NEWS COMPANY. COPYRIGHT* \V. M. HlNTON & C<X J890. Or TBK UNIVERSITY ALMIRANTE A ROMANCE OF OLD-TIME CALIFORNIA CHAPTER I. THE RESCUE. It was the most disagreeable night I had yet experienced at sea. The waves, though not par ticularly high, were sufficiently so to render footing uncertain, while a cold, gray haze enveloped the ship like the folds of a shroud. Objects distant but the width of the vessel could scarcely be distinguished, and when occasionally a sailor moved silently about the deck, there was something startlingly phantom-like in the appearance of the shadowy form. I was standing by the bulwarks in the fore part of the ship, clinging to the rail, and suffering myself to rise and fall with the vessel without motion of my own, while I stared blankly out into the fog. Such a night would have inclined the merriest mind to sad ness, but to me, who for many long months had had i 4 ALM1RANTE no subject for meditation save what was of the most melancholy character, it brought a sense of indescrib able loneliness. It was over a year since I, a sickly, despondent, almost despairing youth of twenty-one, lately orphaned by the sudden death of both my parents, had em barked at New Bedford on board the whaler Philip for a three years cruise in the Pacific. The com mander of the vessel, Captain Trueman, had been my father s companion in childhood, and his shipmate thereafter for many years, in fact until both became masters. It was therefore a more than ordinary friendship he felt for me, and when my health, natur ally delicate, showed signs of giving way altogether under the shock of the severest affliction my life had known, he insisted upon my accompanying him to sea, in the hope of rousing me from my state of despondent lethargy. I gladly accepted the offer. I had no near relatives. What little property my parents had left was soon converted into money, and, except a me derate sum reserved for my occasional necessities, deposited in a Boston bank and within three months we had set sail. We had now, as I have stated, been at sea over a year, and were at present in the Pacific, off the Mexican province of California. The voyage had been of service to me in every way. My frame had THE RESCUE 5 filled out and strengthened Mv health had become perfect ; and my mind, if not cheerful, had at least grown resigned. But there was something in the night I have attempted to describe which Drought back every dark image of the past, and my reverie became at last so intensely mournful that the sigh with which I finally aroused myself was more like a groan. It was echoed near at hand, and I became suddenly aware that I was no longer alone. Manuel, a dark-haired, dark-eyed youth of Span, ish blood, whom we had taken on board at a South American port, had crept noiselessly near, and now stood beside me, clinging in a half-kneeling attitude to the bulwarks. His lips were moving as if in prayer, but the look in his upturned eyes, as the light of a lantern shone full in his face, partook so much more of horror than devotion that I involuntarily interrupted him. "Manue?, what is it?" I spoke in Spanish, which I had learned to use with considerable fluency, and he answered me in the same tongue "O, Senor ! do you not hear it? that music that dreadful music?" "Music? You are dreaming!" "A .i, no. Listen!" 6 ALMIRAMTE Awed, in spite of myself, by his manner, I strained my hearing to the utmost, and it did indeed seem that, above the wash of the waves, there could be distinguished a faint, weird strain of melody " Heavens ! What is it ?* I exclaimed. " Ah Senor, do you not know ? It is the hymn for the dying, but sung by no mortal tongues. Mother of God, have mercy on our souls . It is meant for us." With difficulty shaking off the dread which op pressed me, I opened my lips to reply, but was silenced before I had spoken a word. The other noises of the night had suddenly lulled, and, in the momentary interval of silence which succeeded, the same wild strain of indescribably weird and mel ancholy music ro?e again on the air, but now clear and distinct, and apparently near at hand. For a moment there was not a breath drawn on the ship, for, unknown to me, the entire crew had come on deck; then a deep, strong voice exclaimed: "Wake up, lads, and look alive ! It s some vessel in distress. The fog conceals her." It was Captain Trueman who spoke, and so entirely did he possess the confidence of his crew that not a man hesitated for an instant to accept his explanation of what had the moment before seemed so appalling THE RESCUE 7 a mystery. Moved by a common and simultaneous impulse, all shouted aioud: "Ship ahoy!" But the wind had risen again and there was no reply, though we still heard the chant, but faintly. 11 Poor devils !" said the Captain. "They re too much taken up with their own noise to heed ours. Fire a gun." It was done immediately, and as the deep, dull boom thundered out on the night the music suddenly ceased. An instant later there was a wild, confused cry, followed a moment after by a loud report. Another and another succeeded, and we were now fortunately enabled to distinguish the direction from which the sounds proceeded. The Philip was im mediately allowed to fall away until she sailed in a direction almost at right angles to her former course. Our progress was now much more rapid, and, guided by the continuous shouting of the distressed crew, we swiftly neared their vessel, and her glimmering lights were soon visible through the fog. As we drew nearer we could dimly diicern what appeared to be a craft of small size, lying very low in the water and ap parently foundering. The roughness of the sea rendering it unadvisable to run alongside, Captain Trueman hailed, in Spanish : Man your boats and come on board." 8 ALM1KANTE An answer came bark, partly lost in the confusion of other sounds, but \ve were able to distinguish " Boats lost have none." " Then wait and we ll come to you," shouted the Captain, adding energetically to his crew : " Be lively, boys. The first three boats. There s not an instant to lose." The boats were lowered almost in an instant, their crews sprang into them, and in an incredibly short space of time the three shell- like crafts were dancing against the side cf the sinking vessel. As each boat had its full crew of able and skillful men, the Captain had not accepted my offer to go in one of them, and I was, therefore, for the time relegated to the position of spectator. draining my eyes in the endeavor to pierce through the mist, I could dimly see our sailors helping the forlorn strangers into the boats, and soon the words "All right ! give way back to the ship !" told me that all was ready for the return. A moment later they came alongside, rescued and rescuers were helped on board, the boats were hoisted in, -and all preparations made to stand en in our former course once more. Then from the midst of the strangers who, something over a score in all, stood grouped about a tall, stern-faced individual of Spanish aspect, broke an old man who seemed a servai.t, exclaiming wiiuiy : THE RESCUE 9 "Carlos, Carlos! Mother of God! where is he? Don Ramon Estrada, speak ! Where is my master s son ?" The man called Estrada started at the question, which from its tone seemed almost an accusation, and answered hastily : "Carlos! Is he not here with us? Surely he came in the boats ?" The old man beat his breast in anguish. " O mi Dios ! he is lost. He lay beside us on the deck, weak and fainting from exhaustion. He has been forgotten he is dead 1 O, Don Ramon! surely you, his kinsman " A cry of horror from one of our own sailors interrupted him, and attracted the attention of all. He was standing beside the bulwarks, pointing astern. The fog seemed to have grown less dense, and a dreadful sight met our gaze. The wreck was appar ently in the very act of disappearing beneath the waves, and upon the deck stood a slender form with long, streaming hair, and arms extended towards us in despairing appeal. Even as we looked he flung himself into the sea. The sailors sprang to a boat without waiting for orders. tf Lower away lower away!" screamed the Cnp- taln. "For Goa s sake, be quick 1 But they will never OF THK UNIVERSITY io ALMIRANTE reach him in time," he added, sadly and in an undertone, to me. A sudden resolve awoke within me, and in an instant casting off my heavy jacket and low, slipper- like shoes, I plunged headlong overboard and struck out for the spot where I knew the youth to be strug gling. I had in the last year become an expert swimmer, and, having a long start of the boat, I did not despair of being in time. Nor was I disappointed in my expectations. I reached the stranger, but only as he was sinking. His long hair floated on the surface, and winding one hand in this, I swam for the ship. In a moment my arm was seized, both my charge and myself were lifted into the boat, and but a brief interval elapsed before we were handed on board the Philip. As in a dream I stood upon the deck and saw the sailors crowd around me, cheering madly, while Captain Trueman stepped forward and seized my hand, warmly exclaiming : " Well done, my boy. You have saved him !" Then the Mexican, Don Ramon, who had been kneeling beside the youth, as he lay, weak and help less, before us, rose to his feet, saying in tones which even at that moment impressed me as fraught with no gratitude " Yes, you have saved him. * He stood erect now, exactly opposite me, and a lantern held by a sailor illuminated both our faces. THE RESCUE u " Jesu Maria !" exclaimed Don Ramon, turning ashy pale. Then as he stepped suddenly back, his lips moved again, and did I or did I not hear him. mutter, half under his breath, in a tone of mingled rage and horror: " Alfred Rivers !" 12 ALMIRANTE CHAPTER II. TREACHERY. Whether it was that the words were not heard by others, I do not know, but at the time no one else seemed to notice the singularity of this evident recog nition, and in a moment the Mexican, recovering himself, seized my hand, exclaiming with what seemed to me a somewhat forced enthusiasm: " Senor, you have done a deed which for bravery can never be surpassed. Accept the thanks, the fervent gratitude, of a man who holds far dearer than his own the life of this loved young kinsman I" Without giving me time to reply, he turned to Captain Trueman and continued : "To you also, Senor Capitan, our gratitude is due, since, but for the prompt and daring aid of yourself and your galhint crew, not a soul of us would now be alive. We are all of the province of California, but are now seven weeks out from Manilla, whither we have been to meet and bring home my young kins man, Carlos, who has of late years been receiving instruction in Spain. That vessel was his father s, her mariners were his servants. For four days we have been slowly sinking. We could find no leak > TREACHERY 13, and, in spite of all our efforts, the water gained on us steadily. To-night we gave up in despair, and r assembling upon the deck, commended our souls to God. But the Virgin sent you to our aid, and in the midst of our devotions the sound of your gun told us of the succor the mist prevented our seeing. For the present I can only repeat my thanks. Before long, to those who will receive it, I hope to render more substantial token of my gratitude/ Captain Trueman made some deprecating reply,, and busied himself with the care of our unexpected guests. There was plenty of room about the vessel, as we had not yet taken in any quantity of oil, and after those who were wet had been supplied with dry clothing, all were stowed away very comfortably to seek the rest they so much needed. The Captain, however, had first ascertained that their destination. was the port of San Francisco, and, as it did not materially interfere with his plans to cruise in that direction, he at once gave the necessary orders. The next day dawned bright and lovelv, and our vessel, with all sails set, glided over the rippling sea with a gentleness of movement delightful to experi ence. The rescued Mexicans enjoyed it greatly. They were nearly all on deck, and in the reaction from the exhaustion and despair of the previous night were inclined to be somewhat uproarious in their 14 A LM IRAN IE good humor. Two, however, of a different station than the rest, were more self-contained Don Ramon and his kinsman, Carlos. To the latter I took an immediate liking. He was not yet twenty years of age, dark-eyed and with a face of almost girlish beauty, framed in wavy masses of raven hair. Quiet and reserved in his manner, there was, nevertheless, something in the few faltering words with which he thanked me that morning for my services of the night before which impressed me as volumes of his cousin s ready eloquence could not have done. It was evident he fully reciprocated my regard, and I promised myself many pleasant hours in his company when he should be able to come on deck. At present he was confined to his berth, and in a state of extreme weakness the result, as we understood, of violent and long continued exposure at the pumps of the lost vessel. Captain Trueman, who was the surgeon as well as the master of the Philip, prescribed absolute rest and quiet for the boy, so, beyond a few words of greeting and inquiry on my part that morning, and the feeble but feeling expression of thanks to which I have already alluded, we had no conversation at all. But I looked in upon him often, never failing, when he was awake, to be greeted by a winning smile and a glance from his dark eyes which was eloquent of gratitude. TREACHERY 15 Don Ramon remained a source of bewilderment to me. Suave and courteous to a degree, he speedily won the regard of every one on the ship every one save myself. I could scarcely analyze my own feelings regarding him. Distrust predominated. In every smiling look and courteous word I fancied I could detect hypocrisy. Once or twice, moreover, I found him covertly glancing at me, with an expression which I could not but believe savored of malignant hatred. I attempted to dismiss the idea as absurd, but without success. The remembrance of what I had deemed his unmistakable recognition of me lingered uneasily in my mind in spite of the unsatis factory explanation he had afforded me regarding the circumstance. I had naturally taken the earliest opportunity to inquire concerning it, receiving a reply, delivered without the slightest appearance of hesitation, to the effect that the surprise he had manifested was entirely owing to his discovering that I, whom, from the skill and hardihood I had evinced, he had fancied some rough, storm-beaten old sailor, was hardly more than a boy. As to his having uttered my name, that was but a fancy of my own imagina tion He even seemed amused at the suggestion. ;> I have never in my life," he said, smilingly, "been in New England. You tell me that until this voyage you have been nowhere else. It is 16 ALMIRANTE scarcely likely, then, is it, that I could have had the honor of Seiior Rivers acquaintance before?" Trie air of perfect frankness with which the explan ation was offered went far to render it plausible. Nevertheless, I hoped that before we should reach port an opportunity might occur to enable me to learn something further and more satisfactory. The opportunity came that very night, much sooner than I had expected, and the attendant cir cumstances were as wholly unlooked-for. I had never been attached to any regular watch on board the P. iilip, and was, consequently, not obliged to come on deck at night nevertheless, I often chose to do so. Upon this occasion, feeling restless and disinclined to sleep, I did not go to my berth at all, and one o clock found me standing by the bulwarks very near the spot I had occupied the previous night, and under almost the same circum stances, for the weather had changed agiin and grown thick and foggy, though the sea was not rough. The members of the watch were lounging idly about, there being no occasion for any special alertness, since the vessel was sailing on an even keel with a breeze both gentle and steady. Nona of the sailors were in my immediate vicinity, and he who at length interrupted my meditations was the Mexican, Don Ramon. His step was so noiseless that he was at my side TREACHERY 17 "before I was aware of his approach, and, in the murky obscurity of the Anight, it was only by his voice that I recognized him. " Senor Rivers?" he said, inquiringly. " Yes, Senor," I answered, and he continued, in Spanish : " Pardon me that I disturb your reflections, for you seem in a musing mood." " I am sometimes liable to fall into such, Senor," said I. "As are we all, - he answered. "And you. Senor Rivers, have this night a special subject for medi tation." I started and gazed earnestly toward him, but his features were indistinguishable, and in a perfectly calm and unmoved voice he went on : " You are thinking of the explanation I offered you this morning. It was unsatisfactory, and you feel it to be so. Am I not right ?" (t Senor, I cannot deny it." / Then again," he continued, in the same cool, even tone, "you fancy I have some secret reason for disliking you. Do 1 still interpret your thoughts?" "You do." "Alfred Rivers, you are right in this at least. I do dislike you I hate you ! You did me one bad ser- i8 ALMIRANTE vice last night, but, more thnn that, your very existence is a wrong to me Now-JoseT His voice had grown lower and lower, and the last words were but a whisper. As it was uttered I heard a movement behind me, but before I could turn or utter a sound a heavy blow descended with crushing force upon my head. Blinded, stunned and half par alyzed, unable to defend myself or call for aid, I sank helplessly against the bulwarks, and an instant later felt myself lifted in some one s arms and flung over the side. Even in falling, and in spite of the burning pain and deathly sickness that oppressed me, I heard the cry 1 Man overboard!" uttered in Spanish, and in the voice of that black-hearted fiend who had so foully sought my life. Then the blackness of death seemed to close around me, and, like one already bereft of life, I sank into the sea. SAVED 19 CHAPTER III. SAVED. A blank, black interval of utter darkness and in sensibility, though whether long or short I have no means of knowing. A dim and gradual awakening to a consciousness of pain. Then a faint sense of motion of being lifted and let fall alternately. An undefined idea of chilliness undefined at first, but gradually becoming clear. At last a full and horrible awakening. I found myself floating in the sea, supported by a small piece of broken spar, around which my arms were fast locked. Subsequent reflection convinced me that it was the very weapon with which I had been so treacherously struck down, and which my assailants had doubtless flung overboard to hide the traces of their crime. It had proved the immediate means of my preservation, though at the time I was far from comprehending this. Flinging my arms about the spar had doubtless been my last mechanical and instinctive act as I lost consciousness, and my body, naturally buoyant to an unusual degree, had needed no other support. 20 ALMIRANTE But my situation was desperate in the extreme, and as the full realization of its horror gradually worked itself into my mind, a feeling of utter despair overcame me. The ship was nowhere in sight, though had she been within fifty yards it would have been impossible to discover her, such was the dark ness of the night and the thickness of the fog. I called aloud repeatedly, but received no answer, and since the vessel was out of hearing she was as remote, so far as aiding me was concerned, as if at the anti podes. To add to the hopelessness of my situation, the waves appeared to be rising, and occasionally one with a slight curling crest broke against my face, almost strangling me, and awakening horrible thoughts as to how long it would be until the billows should become sufficiently high to roll over and engulf me. My head pained dreadfully, and more than once, when sickening spasms of deathly faint- ness would at times oppress me, I was tempted to let myself sink, and end life and pain together. But worthier impulses prevailed. After a time, I must have once more relapsed into insensibility, or, if under the circumstances such a thing were possible, have fallen asleep, for my next recollection is of opening my eyes with a sudden start, to find that it was broad day, the sun well up in a cloudless sky, and the fog which had enveloped SAVED 21 ^everything the night before lying in a long, low, thick bank far to one side. What might be concealed behind that veil I of course could not tell, but in no other direction was there either land or ship in sight. A new torment now assailed me. The sun, as it rose higher, shone down with tropical fierceness upon my uncovered head, and the pain of my wound increased four-fold, while a burning thirst tortured me, though as yet I felt no hunger. In vain I plunged my head again and again into the sea. It appeared to give no relief, and the pain grew intoler able. Delirium gradually overcame me. I have dim and confused recollections of screaming and shrieking wildly ; of turning my mad and burning eyes toward the fog-bank, and longing for its cool shelter. 1 remember frantic and insane struggles to swim to it, though it was miles away ; then periods of silent torpor and despairing inaction from which I would suddenly arouse to curse and scream in agony, or burst into shrieks of mad laughter. At last came merciful unconsciousness. A large, flat surface, an irregular square in shape, inclosed by a low, notched parapet of masonry, and floored with what appeared to be cement. A vast array of flowering shrubs, growing in all manner of 22 ALMIRANTE rude but strongly made receptacles for earth. A dark-haired girl of lovely face and slender figure^ seated upon a low ottoman, and leaning in a pensive attitude against the parapet, while her eyes appeared to be turned to where, far in the distance and beyond the intervening hills, could be discerned the blue and sun-lit surface of the sea. This was the scene upon which I next turned conscious eyes. I found myself reclining upon a low couch, a num ber of cushions and pillows about my head and shoulders propping me up in such a position that my face was turned toward the sea. All my surroundings were unfamiliar, as was the strange and fancifully cut clothing which I wore, and my sensations upon opening my eyes were as of awakening from an unusually long and sound sleep. That some of its phantasma yet lingered before my sight was my first thought, as my amazed eyes swept slowly around me, to become fixed and riveted upon her who, in her wonderful loveliness, seemed much more likely to be a creature of the imagination than of reality. She seemed entirely unaware of the close attention with which I was regarding her, and sat motionless as if sunk in an absorbing reverie. Her head was turned partly away, which did not prevent my observing the perfect contour of her features nor the exquisite fair ness of her complexion. Her lustrous brown hair SAVED was drawn back from her forehead, and allowed to flow loosely over her neck and shoulders, falling even below her waist. Her eyes I could not see, and while I lay there, drinking in, so to speak, the details of her beauty, I felt an impatient longing to have her turn her gaze toward me. Nor was my desire long ungratified, for, apparently becoming aware that I was watching her, she turned suddenly and fixed two large, soft brown eyes full upon my own. For a moment no word was spoken ; then, feeling the silence becoming embarrassing, I said : "Pardon me, Senorita, but may I ask " She interrupted me, springing suddenly up and exclaiming, with clasped hands and upturned eyes : "Holy Mother of God! thou hast saved him. Blessings on thy name !" Then, coming swiftly to my side, she spoke again in tones of the kindliest inquiry : "Oh, Senor, and has the cruel delirium at last left you ? Are you truly recovering from this sad illness ? " Delirium illness ! Have I then been ill ?" " 111 ! Ah, Santa Maria ! if you knew how ill! For days we despaired of your life, and it is only since yesterday that we have dared to hope for your recov ery, but now, thanks to heaven, you are sa"e, and will 24 ALM1KANTE soon be well. But I must not talk thus to you, for you are too weak to listen. Padre Francisco will be angry." " Padre Francisco ? Who is he ?" " Our chaplain and my friend the best I have on earth except my father and my brother. He has been your doctor, and you owe your life to him. But I will go and call him now, for if I talk to you longer you will be ill again." She was moving away, but I made a weak attempt to arise, exclaiming : "Stay, Senorita, I beg of you, but a moment. Your talking cannot do me harm, but suspense and bewilderment may. Tell me, I pray, before you go, where I am and how I came here." "You are at the hacienda of my father, Don Hernando Almirante. It is two weeks since you were found senseless and almost without life upon the beach, yonder where you see the sea. Our peons brought you here, and we have done what we could to restore you to health." "But how do I happen to be lying here upon the roof for this is the roof, is is not?" "Ah, that seemed the saddest of all, but I will tell you. For three days after you were brought herei you lay in a kind of stupor, saying nothing and taking no heed of any one. You would eat nothing except SAVED a$ it were placed in your mouth, and then but the least particle. At last you began to talk, and raved wildly in English, which Padre Francisco understands, about your old home in New England, and how you could look upon the sea from your father s door. It was always in your thoughts, and you seemed to long to gaze upon it. At last, as you grew worse, Padre Francisco said the sight of the ocean might possibly calm your delirium. So they carried you up here, and then ah, Senor, how sad it seemed ! as you saw the sun shining upon the waves, you clasped your hands over your eyes, cursing the sunlight, and calling for the mist to come and shelter you from the heat that was killing you. But when they brought you to your chamber again, you called for the sea ; and thus it has been, day after day never contented away from it, but moaning at the sight of it; It was pitiful." Her voice faltered, and the soft luster of her eyes was for a moment dimmed. Then she continued : "Yesterday you were calmer, and to-day what we had been hoping for came to pass you fell into a sound sleep. Heretofore, you have slept but for the briefest periods, and it has seemed more the stupor of exhaustion. From this slumber the Padre hoped you would awake in your right mind, and, as it promised to be long, he left me to watch, and went to 26 ALMIRANTE seek the rest he himself greatly needs. The servants I did not allow to remain, lest their awkwardness should disturb you. Now, Senor, I have told you all, and I must go for Padre Francisco." "Stay, Senorita," said I again, detaining her, " do not disturb the good father, since, as you say, he should have rest. I do not at present need his kind ministra tions, and my thanks for his faithful services can be given him when he awakens. But meanwhile let me thank you you to whom, though you have said nothing to indicate it, I yet dare believe I owe an equal if not greater debt of gratitude." I would have said more, but she laid her hand lightly on my arm, saying in her pure and gentle tones : "When I was a little child, before my mother died" her voice faltered "she used to tell me something the holy Jesus said to his disciples Do ye unto others as ye would have them do to you. " I took her hand in mine and pressed it to my lips. She blushed slightly, and, gently withdrawing it, walked noiselessly away. MYS1EKY 27 CHAPTER IV. MYSTERY. I attempted to follow her with my eyes as she depaited, but before I could turn my head she was out of sight, and I had not done wondering by what means she had descended from the roof, since from where I lay there was no staircase visible, when I heard a footstep behind me, and an old, gray-bearded man, venerable and benevolent in aspect, and habited in a long, gray cassock, came to my side and greeted me with a kindly smile. I immediately addressed him in Spanish. " Padre Francisco, is it not to whom I owe so much ? " "Not to me, young man," he answered, gravely. Render not your thanks to me, nor yet to her whose gentle and unremitting care has done more for you than all my feeble skill; give your praise and gratitude to Him without whose aid all our efforts had been fruitless." " I do thank God, father, with all my heart ana soul ; but yourself and that young lady have been his worthy instruments, and as such you must accept the assurance of my gratitude/ 28 ALMIRANTE " That is well said, my son, and now let us not neglect what may still be advisable to restore you more completely to health. How do you feel now ? " " Not at all unwell, but very weak." " That is but natural, since you have eaten nothing for days. Have you an appetite now ? " " I am as hungry as a wolf," I answered, smiling, He smiled also and rubbed his hands in satisfac tion. " Ah, that is well, indeed. You must have some food immediately. Ina, my child, will you attend to this?" I glanced around and to my surprise saw that the young girl was but a few feet distant. She did not look at me, however, but answering " Yes, father " turned to leave the spot, but the priest detained her a moment, saying : "On second thoughts, daughter, have our own simple repast brought here also. It is near the hour and our guest will feel more at home if we share his meal." I looked my gratitude fo{ the suggestion and Donna Ina, bowing in acquiescence, disappeared. While she was gone the priest remained silent, regard ing me with what seemed an intense, yet puzzled scrutiny, under which, with the nervousness of an in- MYSTERY *$. valid, I at length grew uncomfortable and writhed uneasily. He noticed it and said: "Pardon me, my son, but it is wonderful what a change the recovery of your reason has made in the expression of your features. I see in them now some thing I never saw before something which seems to recall a dim and indistinct memory which but let it pass. Here is Ina." The young lady was accompanied by an Indian girl, bearing a tray, upon which was a plentiful supply of simple and wholesome food. A small table was placed beside my couch, and upon this the repast was spread, to which, after Padre Francisco had said a short grace, I at least did ample justice, in spite of the priest s singular words. When we had finished he arose, saying : "My daughter, for a time I must leave you to attend to the wants of our guest. Entertain him, but do not let him talk too much. Speak yourself, or better still, sing to him, I will send some one up with your instrument." " Stay, father," said I. " Before I trespass further on your hospitality you must hear me state, now that I am able, who I am and the circumstances which led to my falling into your kind care." He waved his hand deprecatingly. v 30 ALMIRANTE " My son, you have heard me say that you must not talk at present. As for the information you wish to give us all in good time. We have none of the world s idle curiosity, and can wait. Farewell." With a slight but courteous bow, and another strange, intent look at me, he left us and descended the stairway, which I had now succeeded in discover ing, the mass of shrubbery which surrounded the landing having heretofore prevented me. A moment afterwards the Indian girl who had brought the lunch re-appeared, carrying a guitar. Placing it in Donna Ina s hands she took up the tray and once more retired. Her young mistress remained silent for some moments after her departure, idly fingering the strings of the instrument, and I at length broke the stillness myself. " Pardon me, Senorita," I said, "but may I beg you to depart from the good father s directions inso much as to talk to me rather than sing ? There is no music I should like better." She flashed a sudden look upon me, and I feared for a moment I had offended her, but it was not so, for a slight smile came over her face, and casting down Tier eyes, she asked : " What shall I speak of, Senor? " "Anything everything! Tell me about your self, your home your friends." MYSTERY 31 "Ah, what is there to tell? I am Ina Almirante. I live here in this wilderness with Padre Francisco and my father, brother, and and a kinsman. Other relatives I have none. Even these that I have are at present absent, though soon expected to return. My brother has been gone three years, my cousin five months, and my father three weeks. They will all meet and return together." "You speak of a kinsman," said I with could it be possible ? something very like a feeling of jealousy stirring within me. "Yes, my father s cousin. He has always made his home with us, for his own rancho, which is far ther back from the coast, is a wild and savage place, and open to attack from the Indians. No one lives there but some of my kinsman s peons, who are, I sometimes think, more wild than the savages." "You say, Sefiorita, that your kinsman s residence is farther in the interior. Then whose is that large, white building I see far away toward the ocean ?" She started, exclaiming : "Ah, that I do not know!" "You do not know," I repeated In amazement. Donna Ina hesitated, colored, and at length an swered, confusedly : " I my father there is some mystery about it." 3 ALMIRANTE "Then do not let me pry into it, Senorita. Par don me for mentioning it." "But now that I have excited your curiosity, Sefior, you shall know all I do. That is only this : I have never been allowed to go there, nor do I know to whom it belongs. My father, when I ask him, only replies that it is waiting for an owner who will come some day. Whom he means I cannot tell. That he could possess it himself if he wished, I know; for once my cousin " She suddenly stopped. " Your cousin, Senorita " "Pardon me, Seftor, but this I cannot tell." She cast down her eyes and said no more, and there was a moment of embarrassing silence. Then, turning to me once more, she said, anxiously: "Senor, you are flushed and nervous. I should not have talked to you as I have. I have tired you !" " No indeed. How should it tire me to listen to you ?" " Perhaps not, were I to speak in your own tongue, but to endeavor to listen to one speaking a language which, however well you many understand it, is nevertheless not your own, must necessarily be trying to one just recovering from brain fever. Why did I never learn to speak English ! "Thanks, Senorita," I answered, smiling, "but MYSTERY 33 that could not but be difficult, I imagine, if you have always lived apart from English-speaking people and their literature/ "Literature! Indeed, yes. We have but one English book in the house, and how that came into our possession I do not know." "An English book? What is its subject, Senorita ?" "Ah, that I do not know. But I will bring it to you in one instant." " No, no; do not trouble yourself, I beg." But she was already gone, and while I was yet regretting the interruption she returned, carrying in her hand a well-worn, leather-bound book, which, upon opening, I ascertained to be an odd volume of Shakspere. But when I turned to the fly-leaf to see if there was an inscription of any kind, the book fell from my hand, and I fell helplessly back upon the couch, in my weak state almost fainting with surprise, for upon the page was written, in a bold, old- fashioned hand Alfred (Rivers, JJew (Bedford, Massachusetts. 34 ALM1RANTE CHAPTER V. A MEETING. Donna Ina hurried to my side. "What is it, Senor, what is it?" she asked anxiously. " Let me call Padre Francisco." 11 No, no, it is not necessary/ I answered, with what calmness I could muster. "A sudden iamtness, that is all." What induced me to answer thus evasively, and to conceal the cause of my agitation, I hardly knew certainly no distrust of the beautiful girl upon whose truth and faith I felt even then I would be willing to peril my life. Nevertheless, the impulse arose and on the spur of the moment was acted upon. My own name, and the name of the place where I was born and where I had lived almost all my life ! What could it mean ? A score of strange and im probable thoughts and fancies stirred in my mind at the same instant. The blood rushed to my head, and my wound, though almost healed, throbbed with pangs of burning pain. A low moan escaped me, and I lay back with closed eyes, half unconscious. " Poor, poor boy !" The pitying words, uttered in the soft Spanish A MEETING 35 tongue, and with a world of tender sympathy in their intonation, fell upon my senses like a breath of heal ing. It was evident that she thought me unconscious, and had no idea of my overhearing her, but could she already speak of me in a tone like that ? The pain seemed to leave me, or I no longer felt it, for a sense of strange and sudden delight thrilled through my being, and for one moment at least I felt lifted above the cares and the ills of earth. I opened my eyes and met her own, bent full upon me and dim with tears. A deep blush for a moment suffused her face for she saw that I had heard, yet she did not turn away, but, strong in her own utter innocence and purity, still bent her eyes, lit with gentle sympathy, upon me, while she said : "Pardon me, Senor, but I pity you so deeply! Are you in much pain ?" I forgot how utterly a stranger I was to her ; forgot that our acquaintance, as far at least as my own recollection extended, was but of hours ; forgot all but the spell of her beauty and her words and it was with throbbing pulses and burning eyes that I said: "Ah, Senorita, who could think of pain while you look on him like that ?" Again a crimson shade swept over her face, and she lifted her hand with a strange motion which seemed almost of warning. But I caught it in mine 3 36 ALMIRANTE and, carried away with the excitement of this wild passion, pressed it suddenly and almost fiercely to my lips. She attempted to draw it away, but I did not release it, and after a moment she suffered it to remain passive in my grasp. But she trembled visibly, and when I looked up, her face was white and troubled, while her eyes had in them an expression of intense reproach. Stung with shame I released her hand, and murmured, only half intelligibly : "Forgive me, Senorita. I am half mad I think, and scarcely know what I do. Indeed, I would not willingly make you angry." " I am not angry, Senor," she answered; "I do not forget that you are ill. But hereafter " She paused, hesitated, sighed and turned away. What might have next been said, had we remained uninterrupted, I cannot tell, for at that moment our attention was suddenly arrested by the rapid clatter of hoofs near at hand. The rider, whoever he might be, was not visible from where we were, and in a moment the sounds ceased, the horseman having evidently arrived at the entrance to the hacienda. Shortly afterward a babel of confused exclamations burst sud denly forth, and even while Donna Tna s lips seemed to frame a question, the young Indian girl came sud denly up the staircase and hurried towards us, exclaiming in strangely accented Spanibh : 37 "Donna Ina! Donna Ina! Can you think who has come ?" "Not my father and brother? exclaimed her mis tress, eagerly. The girl laughed. "No, no, Donna Ina," she answered; "but they are coming and have sent a messenger. But who is that messenger? Who should it be but one?" Ina seemed offended at her servant s freedom, for the eager light left her eyes, and drawing herself up, she said, coldly : "Go down, Fancha, and say I am coming." The girl obeyed, still laughing, and evidently in no wise disconcerted by her mistress s manner. Donna Ina stood still for a moment, apparently in deep thought ; then, with a glance at me and a slight bow, began to move slowly toward the stairway. While I was wondering at her seeming indifference to the message which the late arrival was said to bring from the father and brother to whom I felt sure she passionately attached, there was a quick step upon the stairs, and a tall, dark-visaged man, dressed in dusty and travel-worn garments, sprong upon the roof, and without noticing me hurried to Ina and sank upon his knees before her. 11 Fairest Ina," he murmured, clasping her hand and lifting his dark and passionate eyes to her face, 3* ALM1RANTE "forgive my impatience, but I could not wait an instant. It is five months since I have seen you, five months five centuries !" "You are welcome home, Ramon," said Ina in a trembling voice. " But now rise, and let us go down where you may rest and tell me of Carlos and my father. "No, rather let me rest here," he answered, his adoring eyes still fixed upon her face. " What resting place can be sweeter to the weary wanderer than at the feet of her he loves ?" But. mad with jealousy and thirsting for ven geance, I had already dragged myself from my couch, and staggered, weak and dizzy, to the unconscious man s side ; and as he uttered the last word my hand closed on his throat. " Treacherous hound !" He sprang to his feet with a ghastly face and a cry that was almost a shriek : "Diablo! it is Rivers I" In rising he had torn himself loose from my feeble hold, and now stood opposite me, but a step away, with his hand upon his knife-hilt, while Ina, mute uith amazement and horror leaned against the para pet but a few yards distant. I was so utterly weak that I could scarcely stand, and, as my enemy noticed this, the color came again into his face, and a gleam. A MEETING 39 of murderous hate shone in his eyes. I saw his fing ers tighten upon the hilt of his weapon, and, helpless and unarmed as I was, realized how completely I was in his power. Frenzied and maddened, I gave no heed, but sprang forward and struck him on the breast. He drew back with a muttered curse, and his knife flashed from the sheath but at the same instant a lithe figure sprang up the stairway, and Carlos Alrrurante, dashing between us without notic ing our positions, clasped his sister in his arms. * Ina, my love, my darling sister ! I am home at lastl" 40 ALMIRANTE CHAPTER VI. THE BANISHMENT. I think that, horrified as she must have been the instant before, Ina for a moment forgot the very existence of Estrada and myself in the joy of meeting her brother. She clung to him, passionately returning his embrace, and sobbing for joy, while my own mad passions grew hushed and aim in the presence of such tenderness and devotion. Even Estrada, wretch as he was, must have felt its influence, or per haps an impulse of prudence moved him, for he returned his weapon to its sheath, and, folding his arms, assumed an attitude of imperturbable calmness. "O, Carlos, my dear, dear brother !" murmured Ina, brokenly, " the years have been long since you left us/ "And they have to me," he answered, pressing his lips to her forehead. "Never did a criminal long for the end of his imprisonment with more earnestness than did I for the time when I should be free to re turn to the sister I loved. All of our party can testify that since we left the port I have given them no rest in my eagerness to reach home. Nor did my father and Ramon seem less eager, and to-day it culminated THE BANISHMENT 41 in a race between us three to see which should arrive first. My saddle-girths broke, or Ramon should not have outstripped me, It matters not, however, for I am here now, as our father will soon be, nor are the rest far behind. But what is it, sister? Why do you turn pale and tremble ?" The mention of her kinsman s name had evidently recalled the incidents of the last few moments to Donna Ina s mind, for her face had indeed lost its color, and her eyes turned to where we yet stood, I leaning against a trellis, for I could no longer stand unsupported, and Don Ramon opposite me, erect and defiant. Carlos, receiving no reply to his question, followed his sister s gaze with his own, and as his eyes fell upon my face, a wild cry escaped him : " Mother of God! Mother of God! Can it be truly the same? or is it but his ghost ?" I could not answer, but Ina said, wonderingly : " Do you then know him, brother?" " Do I know him !" echoed Carlos, springing to me and seizing both my hands in his; "do I know him to whom I owe my life? who saved it at the risk of his own ? But O, my friend ! my saviour ! that I should find you here here at my own home! alive and safe, when I have mourned you as lying dead beneath the treacherous sea that would have been my own grave but for you ! Great God, I thank thee !" 42 ALMIRANTE "I, too, am grateful," spoke Don Ramon, in slow, measured tones, " that Providence has saved the life of one who rendered us such good service, and whose supposed loss, I as well as his late ship mates mourned most deeply. But I am grieved to think that I have still to regret the loss of his reason ?" " His reason ! What do you mean ?" exclaimed Carlos. " Your sister, if she will, can explain my mean ing," answered Estrada, coldly. " Let her tell what happened a few moments since." "Let me tell it !" I exclaimed, starting up erect, my indignation lending me a fictitious strength. " Let me show you what manner of man he is who calls himself your kinsman !" and in tremulous tones and with passionate gestures, vainly attempting to restrain the indignation which possessed me, I poured forth the story of Estrada s treachery and attempted murder. Donna Ina and her brother listened with horrified countenances, but Don Ramon s bore an expression of cynical contempt, inexpressibly galling. When I had finished he opened his lips to speak, but a deep, stern voice interrupted him : " Ramon Estrada, is this true ?" We turned to the head of the staircase, from whence the voice had proceeded. A man stood there, erect and vigorous, with eyes of intense and THE BANISHMENT 43 fiery blackness, but whose flowing hair and beard were as white as snow. His was a face both haughty and handsome, and it needed not the word " Father !" uttered by Ina, to convince me of his identity. His daughter would have hastened to his side, but he waved her back, almost sternly, while he repeated his ques tion: "Ramon Estrada, is this true?" The accused did not answer immediately^ and the old man continued: " I came but a moment since, though you did not notice me ; came to hear that man, Alfred Rivers, who speaks to me as would a voice from the grave, declare that you, my kinsman, repaid his faithful ser vice to my son with treachery and attempted assassi nation. Ramon Estrada, is this true?" " Don Hernando," answered Estrada, with well feigned indignation, "if any man to whom I owe less reverence had asked that question, his heart s blood should atone for the insult. But to you all things must be allowed. Know, then, that this poor mani ac s tale is the absurdest of untruths. His own ship-mates will testify that when he fell overboard it was I who first gave the alarm, and, furthermore, that no one was more active in attempting to rescue him than myself. I appeal to Carlos to substantiate or disprove this assertion." 44 ALM1RANTE Almirante turned inquiringly toward his son, who, with eyes averted from mine, answered in a low tone : "It is true. No one suspected that there had been treachery against our poor friend." " Now, Don Hernando," pursued Estrada, in a firmer and more confident tone, "can you not see that what you have listened to is but the delusion of a mind deranged from hardship and suffering? I con fess that I myself did not at first think of this, and in my anger at his sudden and unprovoked assault upon me a few moments since I could have taken his life. But all that is passed now, and the only feeling I have for him is pity." Pity ! Great God ! could I bear this ? The liar actually looked at me as he ceased speaking with an expression of deep compassion ; worse than that, I saw Ina and her brother exchange glances of the same import, though Don Hernando s eyes were fixedly bent npon his kinsman s face, and his own counte nance bore only an expression of intense thought. Suddenly the sound of a bugle was heard in the dis tance, evidently heralding the approach of the remain der of the travelers, and at the same instant Almi- rante s brow cleared, and he said : * Come with me, all of you, to the court You, Carlos, support your friend. He saved your life, and THE BANISHMENT 45 you owe him service, and the greater his affliction now, the greater is his claim upon yon. Come/ We all followed him to the staircase and de scended, Carlos guiding and aiding my steps with brotherly solicitude. But I scarcely needed his sup port, for a conviction of Don Hernando s purpose had suddenly entered my mind and brought with it a feeling of confidence which for the time seemed to supply the place of physical strength. I fancied, too, that Don Ramon had some conception of his kins man s idea, for an uneasy look was visible for a mo ment in his dark eyes, giving place, however, to an expression of sullen scorn. When we had descended the stairway I was led into a large square courtyard, around which the house was built in the form of a quadrangle. Opposite us- was a gloomy looking, arched passageway, and along this my companions conducted me until we emerged through a heavily barred door into the open air. A broad and gentle slope lay before us, and up this a number of picturesquely costumed horsemen were riding, urging before them a line of heavily laden mules. They were soon near at hand, whereupon a number of the household servants hurried out to meet them, and after greeting their returning friends, took charge of the pack animals, driving them around an angle of the hacienda and out of our sight, while their 46 ALMIRANTE late herders galloped up to us and sprang from their wearied horses with a chorus of * Vivas." Ever since we had taken up our position in the doorway, Don Hernando had been standing directly before me, with his stern eyes fixed upon Estrada s face. Now, however, he turned away and at the same instant drew me forward into the full view of the ar rivals. There was a moment of dead silence, and then exclamations of astonishment and even horror burst from the lips of nearly all, since there were few among them who had not been of the crew we had rescued at sea. But upon one, a low-browed and stalwart-framed individual of middle age, who stood in the front of the group, the effect of my sudden apparition was tremendous. A ghastly pallor spread over his visage, and wildly flinging up his arms he sank upon his knees with a cry " Mercy ! mercy, Jesu !" A mad light flamed in Djn Ramon s eyes, and he cried sivagely: " What ails you, fool ?" "There, there!" shrieked the wretch, glaring at me with a gnze of utter horror. " Do you not see him? So pale and ghastly! Oh, keep him away! keep him away !" Fur here in the excitement of the moment I moved a step toward him. "For God s sake, do not let him touch me ! Don Ramon, save THE BANISHMENT 47 me ! It was you who made me do it ! Save me ! save me !" I heard a horrible oath, and saw some one rush savagely forward. A knife for an instant flashed in the sunlight then there was an awful cry. For an instant the air seemed full of blood, I grew sick at the sight, and staggering blindly backward sank upon- a rude stone seat against the wall. Ina appeared to be fainting, and Carlos sprang to her side, and, passing his arm around her, half led, half carried her to a seat upon the opposite side of the gateway, correspond ing to that upon which I sat. She sank upon it, pale and motionless, while Carlos knelt before her, chafing her hands and endeavoring to shut out the sight of the dead man who lay so near, bloody and horrible* The crowd of menials had shrunk back, aghast and trembling, forgetting their consternation at the unex pected sight of myself in the shock of this sudden crime. The murderer, every devilish though long restrained passion of his nature now for once thor oughly released, stood over his victim, his bloody weapon still in his hand, and with a face of demoni acal fury. Don Hernando stood near him, giving no heed to the dead man, but gazing steadfastly upon the murderer. Not till the confusion had entirely ceased and given place to a kind of dead calm, did 48 ALMIKANTE he speak ; then, in cold, stern tones, he addressed his kinsman : " Ramon Estrada, you are a liar and a murderer. The wretch you have slain had forfeited his life, and it is not worth avenging. But he has proved your greater guilt. You sought the life and I well know why of him, whom you, my son s kinsman, should have died to save. Again I believe now that when Carlos was left to perish upon the sinking vessel, it was with your knowledge, and not by accident. You would have murdered him, and I can guess your reason. And o think that I had urged my innocent child to give her land to such a monster ! Leave my sight and pres ence forever! Upon the peril of your life never again set your foot upon the land which I call mine. Gu! and thank the Fates that the blood of rny own race flows in your veins, else you should never leave this spot alive. Go ! and may God curse you !" Don Ramon had listened to Almirante s words without offering to interrupt him, but when they were ended he smiled scornfully, and answered, in a low, fierce tone : " And are you the man who should speak to me thus ? Are you the one to denounce a murderer ? Perhaps if Alfred Rivers knew " Don Hernando s face grew a shade paler, and he hoarsely interrupted: THE BANISHMENT 49 " Wretch, do not tempt me too far. Our common blood may yet fail to protect you." Estrada sheathed his bloody knife and turned away, saying : " Let it pass now, then. But trust to me for the truth being known some day." " But from my lips only shall it be known," was the low, stern answer. Without further answer, save by a sneering smile, Estrada walked slowly away and disappeared around a corner of the building. A moment later we saw him, mounted upon a strong-limbed and coal- black mustang, dashing recklessly down the slope as if returning toward the coast. Reaching the foot of the hill, however, he turned abruptly inland and was soon lost to view behind the first of a low range of hills. Then Don Hernando broke the silence, ad dressing his servants : " Take away the body of that wretch and prepare it for burial. I will send Padre Francisco to you. Come, my children, let us go within." As he uttered the word " children," his eves dwelt upon me with an expression of the utmost kindness, which seemed to indicate that I was included in the meaning of the term. However, he said nothing further, but giving his arm to Ina and motioning Carlos to lend me his suppoit, silently led the way 50 ALM1RAN IE back through the passage until we stood once more within the courtyard. Then as 1 paused by his side and noted his kindly look once more dwelling on my face, a sudden impulse moved me to extend my hand toward him. To my surprise he hesitated to take it, turning lividly pale, and after a pause gently grasped me by the wrist and placed my hand in that of his son. " Give Carlos your hand," he said, sighing. " Be you to him as he to you, a friend, a brother in affec tion, if you will. But for myself pity and pardoa me. Alfred, for I cannot suffer you to take my hand."- xie waved us on toward a curtained douiwiiy, and turned sadly away. A SAD REVELATION CHAPTER VII. A SAD REVELATION. Two weeks had elapsed after the occurrences nar rated in the last chapter before I felt myself to be fully recovered from my illness. During all this time nothing could exceed the kindness of Don Her- nando and his household. One would have sup posed me to be a beloved member of their own family. Almirante himself seemed to regard me almost in the same light as he did Carlos. Yet he offered me no explanation of the many singular circumstances con cerning which I would fain have been enlightened, and delicacy forbade my seeking information from the other members of his household, since he, its head, did not see fit to give it. The period of my convalescence was certainly pleasant. Everything was done which could tend to interest or divert me. Having lived the greater part of my life in a. New England seaport town, I knew lit tle of horsemanship, but as soon as I became suffi ciently strong my host and his son placed me under a course of instruction in this exercise, to the daily trials of which I soon looked forward with the keenest zest. Nor was this in any way singular, since Carlos and 52 ALMIRANTE his sister were the almost invariable companions of my rides, which increased in length daily. Ina was a splendid horsewoman, having spent a great part of her life in the saddle, while Carlos, mounted, seemed almost a centaur. As time went on Don Hernnndo s kindness seemed to increase, if that were possible. My ship had sailed from the Bay of San Francisco, but he sent messages regarding my safety to all the points within a distance of several hundred miles up and down the coast where there was the least likelihood of her touching. In the meantime he forbade me, kindly but per emptorily, to make any reference to my future move ments, observing that there was something I was yet to learn, and which would in due time be told me. He placed no restrictions upon my intercourse with his dau-ghter, but at times I observed him regarding us with a sad and anxious look. So the days went by. At length when several weeks had elapsed since the return of his party from the port, Don Hernando one morning invited me to ride out with him alone. 1 accepted with alacrity, feeling assured that some thing of moment was in prospect. I did not know how momentous it was to prove. When we had descended from the eminence upon which the hacienda was located, my interest was fur- A SAD REVELATION 53 ther excited by Don Hernando choosing a path I had never before traversed, but which I felt assured led to the mansion concerning which Donna Ina had once made some slight mention in a manner which had at the time greatly excited my curiosity. However, as my conductor seemed to be in a musing mood, I for bore to question him, and we rode on in silence side by side. At last, after having ridden a distance of some three miles, my companion drew rein before a small mound of loose stones heaped together some thing in the shape of a pyramid. Motioning me to occupy a particular position, Don Hernando directed my attention first toward the north, and then southward, and I saw the heap by which we stood was one of a long and perfectly straight line of similar mounds of which I could not see the end. 11 The boundary between my land and this," said Almirante. Again we rode forward, my guide directing our course toward a high hill, the slope of which, however, was, on our side at least, comparatively gentle. Reaching the base, Don Hernando never paused, but rode on and upward, straight toward the summit. Our horses were full of fire, and impatient of re straint,, and in a very short space of time we reached the highest peak. There Don Hernando drew rein, 54 ALMIRANTE and with a wave of his hand directed my attention to what lay around about us. To the west and south was the mighty expanse of the Pacific, its changeless monotony unbroken by a single sail. Turning from its troubled surface, my eyes swept over a vast area of hill and dale ; of wide savannas and flower decked plains, extending to the east and north till further vision was cut off by a range of mountains. In some places the surface of the ground was hidden by a heavy growth of timber, while in others it was bare except for a verdant carpeting of the most luxuriant vegetation, anid which antelope, elk and deer could be discerned feeding in countless numbers. At a distance of per haps two miles to the southward was the building I have already referred to, and which I now perceived to be of much larger dimensions than I had pre viously supposed. It seemed to me also that there were quite a number of people moving about it. Don Hernando addressed me. " Look," he said, " far to the north. The moun tains that you see form the northern boundary of this domain. On the west and south it does not end but with the ocean. To the east lies my own land, di vided from this by the line of boundary stones I showed you, which extends southward till it strikes the sea. There are ten square leagues in this domain. A SAD REVELATION 55 Look upon it now and say if it be not a goodly heri tage ?" " It is, Don Hernando, or the sun never shone on one." " The house you see to the southward is, of course, a part of it. There are numerous peons dwelling upon the estate, whose services are needed for the care of the herds which belong to it. Nor is money wanting, though* in this wilderness there is little need for it. All this awaits the heir, and, Alfred Rivers, you and you only are that heir." " I, Don Hernando ? I ! What can you mean ?" "I mean that it is all yours," he answered quietly. " Mine ? By what right can I claim it ?" " The best. You are the nearest, and so far as I know the only, blood relation of its former owner." " Don Hernando, you are under a strange delu sion. None of my race were ever on this coast be fore." "None of his race ! Ah, heaven, hear the boy!" he muttered sadly. After a pause, during which I remained silent, a multitude of tumultuous thoughts whirling through my mind, he continued : " Have you never wondered at the strange knowl edge of yourself which I and others seemed to possess. Were you not amazed by the fact that your name was 56 ALMIRANTE not unknown among us? Could you not see that there was something concerning yourself which you did not know ?" " It seems so/ I answered, " and yet I could not imagine it possible." " Well, then, know now from me that you are not the first of your race that has visited these shores. You are but the successor and heir of another of your name and blood who, years ago, founded here a home he did not live to enjoy. For many long years it has been under my stewardship, and I trust my duty has been faithfully performed. But you have come, though unconscious of the heritage awaiting you, and I yield it up to you." " Can this indeed be possible?" "It is true." "But, Don Hernando, this cannot be all you have to tell me. I am still utterly bewildered, and there must be more for me to learn." " Yes, you are right, there is more more which I would fain be spared the telling. Why should I tell it ? Yonder, Alfred Rivers, is your home. G j there and seek within its walls the key to the mystery of your life." " Come then," said I, " let us go together." He shook his head sadly, answering: " No, that cannot be. In all the long years of mv A SAD REVELATION 57 stewardship of this domain, I have never been within the walls of yonder building. And when you have once entered and received the knowledge which awaits you there, you will never again offer me the invitation you have but now given." * c What !" I exclaimed, almost angrily, "and can I not enter into possession of what you say is my property without forfeiting what I value far more the friendship of the man I revere next to my father?" A sudden spasm as of pain crossed his face. " Next to your father," he repeated in a low tone. "Ah, holy Jesu ! his father!" Then lifting his bent brows, he went on : . "Alfred, it is as I have said. There is your home, and you have only to enter to possess it. But when you have done so you will no longer call me friend, and I and mine will be as widely separated from you as though yonder ocean rolled between us." I and mine! The words sank into my heart like lead, and I answered with a sort of sullen despair : " Then hear me. If this horrible thing can possi bly be true, I will not enter the home which you call mine. My parents are dead, and from the treatment I have received at your hand 5 , my first duty is to you; and if I cannot " " You mistake, Alfred," said he, interrupting me. 58 ALMIRANTE "There is one other who has a stronger claim upon you than I have." The conscious blood rose in my face, and for a moment I hung my head. But soon, lifting my eyes and firmly meeting his own, I said in a low tone ; "And if I do love her, could I or could any one in my circumstances have done otherwise ? The sad look deepened upon his face. "You have utterly mistaken me," he said; "I had no reference to Im. But is it then as I have feared? Alas 1 I should hav^ been harsher for your own good. I dreaded the possibility of this, but I could not bear to seem unkind to one who deserved so much at my hands. But now there is only one thing for me to say. Boy, you must crush such thoughts out of your mind, for what you dream of is utterly impossible," A blank feeling of hopelessness took possession of me, and I exclaimed, despairingly : " But why why ? Don Hernando, is this jus tice ? You profess the deepest friendship for me, and you have proved it to be no pretense. Yet you for bid me to even hope for that beside which every other interest pales into insignificance, and you give no rea son. Is this just?" " Then hear my reason, "he said, throwing out his hands with a sudden passionate gesture, and speaking A SAD REVELATION 59 in a manner which would have seemed melodramatic but for the evident earnestness of his words ; " hear my reason ! The blood of the race of Rivers is upon my hands, and while that stain remains we can never be allied I" 60 ALMIKAME CHAPTER VIII. THE GRAVE ON THE CLIFF I started, aghast. " You mean" " I mean that Alfred Rivers, the first of that name who visited these shores, died by my hands." " But surely by accident ; through no malice of " " Through the deadliest malice that ever man felt for man," was the stern interruption. " I can guess what questions are upon your tongue, but before you ask them come with me." He put spurs to his horse. My own sprang for ward to keep pace with it, and side by side we dashed away toward the ocean. The ground descended but slightly, and our pace was terrific, for Don Hernando, sitting erect and firm in his saddle, with colorless face and sternly fixed eyes, seemed to think only of haste. He urged his horse to the utmost, while I felt it was useless to attempt restraining my own. The ridge along which we were dashing so recklessly ran out a long distance into the ocean, in the form of a lofty promontory, ending at last in a tremendous cliff. Not until we were upon the very brink of this did my companion draw rein. Then, suddenly flinging his THE GRAVE ON THE CLIFF 6l horse almost upon its haunches, he sprang to the ground. " Dismount," he said. I needed no second suggestion, for as my horse curveted and plunged but a few feet from the verge of the cliff my brain grew sick and dizzy, and I felt as if I must soon fall from the saddle. However, my feet had hardly touched the earth when my attention was riveted upon an object, a closer inspection of which caused me to forget my illness. Don Her- nando, with his uncovered head bent forward upon his breast and his long snowy hair floating in the breeze from the sea, stood motionkss beside a roughly hewn slab of gray stone, upon the surface of which an irregularly chiseled inscription could be discerned. I drew nearer, and bending over it read aloud : Beneath this stone lies the body of ALFRED RIVERS, who fell by the hand of violence upon this very spot on the ist day oj May, 18 . He was foully slain, since he was guiltless of all crime, God and Holy Mary receive him into Paradise and pity and forgive his murderer. \ looked up, and Don Hernando s eves met mine. "And you are that murderer !" I said. He bowed his head. 62 ALMIRANTE " One more question. What was this Alfred Rivers to myself?" "Your own father 1" I sprang up, aghast, and involuntarily recoiled from him. But this was too horrible and too wildly improbable for belief. "You are mad!" I cried. " Robert Rivers was my father. He was born in New England. He died and was buried there. He never to my knowledge visited this coast." "Robert Rivers never did," he replied in a hollow tone. " But he had no children that I ever heard of, for you are really his nephew and his son only by adoption. You were born within the walls of yonder mansion, and your father lies beneath this stone." "This cannot be." " It is. Have you no remembrance of a foreign nurse who attended on you through some part at least of your childhood?" "Juanita! Juanita ! She died when I was twelve years old." " In her charge you, when almost an infant, made the perilous voyage from these wilds to the home of your father s kindred. Do you believe me now, or shall I explain more?" " No," I hoarsely answered, a strange feeling of distrust and enmity rising within me against this man THE GRAVE ON THE CLIFF 6$ whom I but now had regarded with so much reverence and affection. " There is more, much more to be ex plained, but at your hands I ask nothing further. Were it other than yourself, the father of Ina Almi- rante, who thus boldly proclaims himself my father s murderer, explanation is not what I should ask of you. But if this be true, then with you I am done now and I hope forever. I will go my own way and seek for myself some solution of this web of sin and treachery and crime." " Alfred Rivers seek that solution as I have already told you, within the walls of your own home. It awaits you there. You have acted as I knew you would, and I cannot blame you. Hereafter, unless you yourself render it necessary, neither I nor mine shall ever willingly cross your path. Now, farewell. The horse I leave with you is your property, bor rowed purposely from your own herds that you might owe me nothing." He mounted, and putting spurs to his horse, rode rapidly up the slope. My own steed would have dashed away in pursuit, but I kept a firm hand upon the reins, while I gazed fixedly after the singular man who was leaving me. Soon he passed over the summit and out of sight, and I turned once more to the stone at my feet. I again read and re-read the inscription and pondered over it 4 ALM1RANTE deeply. MVhat was the nature of my thoughts it would be difficult to say. Amazement, incredulity, despair and hopelessness were interblended in wild confusion, and at last, in sheer desperation, I sprang upon my horse and galloped up the slope, resolved to act upon Almirante s advice, and seek within the walls of the mansion he called mine what further secrets of my life remained to be told. Reaching the summit of the hill I drew rein and gazed once more over the glorious expanse surround ing me. Once more my eyes roved over the noble domain inclosed within the boundaries Don Hernando had named, and in spite of the many sad circumstances of my present position, a sense of pride and elation rose in my mind. I found myself uttering aloud : "And this is all mine!" The sound of my own voice startled me, and once more loosening my rein I rode on in the direction of the building, but now at a more gentle pace, survey ing the land as I went. The nearer I approached the house, the greater became my admiration of the fer tility and natural beauty of the estate, and when I at length reached the hacienda, and noted its massive- ness and size, I could not but feel that mine was a goodly heritage if, indeed, so strange a thing could possibly be true. It was after mid-day when I rode up to the arched I HE GRAVE ON THE CLIFF 65 gateway. There seemed to be no one moving about the place, but the sight of a stout looking peon, lying sound asleep beside the entrance, suggested to me that the remainder of the household were also enjoy ing their afternoon siesta. The door stood wide open, and leaving my horse standing without I en tered the passageway leading to the courtyard in the center, for the house was built upon the same plan as Don Hernando s, in the form of a hollow square. Reaching the interior I paused for a few moments in delighted astonishment, for the courtyard seemed a paradise in miniature. A fountain scattered its crys tal spray in the center, and arranged around were flowers of numberless varieties, filling the air with fra grance. A shady piazza ran around three sides of the court, and the numerous doorways opening into the interior apartments were screened by delicate cur tains. I walked to one of these entrances, and draw ing aside the screen entered the room. I advanced but one pace within it when my steps were suddenly and involuntarily arrested. Upon the wall opposite, framed in massive oak, there hung a pictured face. I knew it was my father s. Mine were the eyes and the features, the fair, clustering hair. But our lives had been different, and my own, as yet, had known no passages which could give to me that look of daring, dauntless resolution 66 ALMIRANTE that in him so plainly spoke the soldier. Arms and warlike accoutrements hung about, but I only needed to look upon my father s face to know that he had been a warrior and a leader of warriors. Pinned to the wall beside the picture was a long Mexican lance, from which still drooped a pennon of faded crimson. Beside it hung a sabre, in a massive metal scabbard, upon which an inscription in Spanish was engraved so deeply that it caught my eye even in the first glance I turned upon the weapon : " To ALVA, from his brother in love and comrade in arms, HERNANDO ALMIRANTE." I gazed at the picture, and here, too, was an inscription : " ALFRED as I saw him last. LOLA." Lola who was Lola? I turned as if for an answer and the answer was there. Upon a low couch in an alcove opposite lay a lady- asleep. She was yet young and beautiful, though deep lines of suffering were visible about her brow and eyes, and her hair was thickly streaked with gray. Strange thoughts began to move in my mind. Her features resembled none that I remembered, but their expression seemed strangely familiar. Where had 1 seen anything similar? Then the knowledge flashed upon me. // was the expression of my own features! THE GRAVE ON THE CLIFF 67 But the thought had barely shaped itself in my mind when the lady awoke, and affer gazing at me for one moment in blank amazement, a look of unutterable joy came into her eyes, and springing up she threw her self into my arms, exclaiming : " O, Alfred ! my son ! my son I you have come to me at last I" 4 ALM1KANTE CHAPTER IX. LEAVES FROM THE PAST. There was no doubt in my mind now. I had "hesitated to believe Don Hernando s story in spite of the circumstantial evidence to which he had referred in support of its truth, but now it needed but the throbbing of my pulses, the flood of yearning affec tion which welled up in my heart, to convince me that here at least there was no deceit. I knew now that, dearly as I had loved her whom I had for years called mother, and well as she had deserved my devo tion, it was here that my fondest affection was due. My mind was still in a maze of bewilderment, but my .heart told me this was my mother. For many moments she clung to me, locked in my arms, sometimes resting with her head upon my breast, motionless except for her deep drawn sighs, and again drawing slightly back to fix her loving eyes upon my face, while for a long time she seemed una ble to utter a word. At last her lips seemed to move, and I heard her say, almost in a whisper : " My boy ! my boy ! The son of my lost Alfred ! Come to me at last in the image of his father 1 O, .tny darling 1 LEAVES FROM THE PAST 69 Bewildered and amazed as I was, I could only reply by pressing my lips to the pale forehead where the hand of care had rested so gently but alas! so plainly. And she needed no words. She knew that her son was restored to her, and in that knowledge her soul was content. After a time she became calmer, and drawing me to a seat placed herself by my side. All that was said in the next few hours it would be impossible to write. Many and many were the questions asked and an swered on either side ; many the exclamations of as tonishment, pity or dismay. I told her all I knew of my life, and learned much of which I had had no knowledge. But of all that I heard, what interested me most was the history of my father. In his youth, being of a roving disposition, he had wandered to Mexico, and had there formed the acquaintance of Don Hernando Almirante, a young man of about his own age. The two soon became warmly attached, and Almirante s family, for his parents were then living, received the young stranger into their home and treated him as one of themselves. He remained with them for many months, his enter tainers earnestly and affectionately protesting against his departure whenever he made mention of it. Nor was it difficult to persuade him, since in the person of Lola Almirante, an adopted daughter of the family 70 ALMIRANTE whose name she bore, there existed an attraction which the young American had from the first found himself unable to resist. Well aware that his love was reciprocated, but painfully conscious of the very modest property of which he was possessed, he hesi tated to make his attacnment known, being too proud to offer himself as a suitor for one of a family in the highest degree wealthy, until by some anx iously hoped for opportunity he should be enabled to greatly improve his own fortunes. Circumstances, however, soon occurred which materially changed the aspect of affairs. In one of their country s periodical insurrections against the government, the Almirante family es poused the revolutionary, and, as it proved, the losing side ; and the defeat of their party deprived them of position, influence and property. Outlawed and pro scribed, the entire family, together with a number of their retainers, were compelled, for their own preser vation, to flee to the mountains and adopt a sort of half-bandit, half- guerrilla mode of life, under the hardships of which the senior Almirante and his wife soon sank and died. Hernando and his friend for the latter had sharea all the enterprises and misfor tunes of his hosts continued their desultory warfare for some time longer, when the young Almirante was unfortunately captured. Contrary to the general ex- LEAVES FROM THE PAST 71 pectation, however, he was not executed, but the gov ernment, for once lenient to a remarkable degree, offered to pardon the two young men and their fol lowers for the part they had taken in the rebellion, on condition of their going northward and settling in the wilderness of California, where large tracts of wild land were to be granted them. They thought best to agree to this proposal, and as the authorities insisted on detaining Hernando as a hostage for the faithful fulfillment of their contract, his friend led their little band across the country to a port upon the Pacific, whence they set sail for the Bay of San Francisco. Upon the eve of their embarkation, Lola Almi- rante and Alfred Rivers were united in marriage, all fancied obstacles to their union having long before been dissipated by the stern realities which they had met with and undergone together. Regretting that they were compered to leave Hernando behind, yet consoled by the reflection that he would soon follow them, they set their faces northward, happy in the present since they were blessed with each other s love, and confident in their own ability to render the future all that they might desire. Their voyage was prosperous in the highest degree, -as was also the journey from the port to the locality where they determined to settle. The late revolu tionist went energetically to work, and as he was ably 72 ALM1RANTE / and faithfully seconded by his followers, the effect of their industry was soon apparent. As some defense was necessary against the aborigines, who could not be trusted, the building of a house, practically a fort ress, was one of the first labors undertaken. It was pushed forward to a speedy completion, and when once at home within its walls the young couple and their faithful servants felt secure as to both the pres ent and the future. One thing troubled them the non- arrival of Her- nando Almirante. He was to have been released immediately after their own departure, and allowed to follow upon the first vessel sailing northward. Weeks- and months passed and he did not come, nor any word of his welfare. Impatience became anxiety, and anxiety dread, and still was he absent. At last I was born the first white child of that wild wilderness and still no word of the absent. Months went by. At last but let me give my poor mother s own words : " You were three months old, and I was sitting one day, with you in my arms, beside the stream which flows below the hill, waiting for your father s re turn, for he had as usual ridden out that morning. Suddenly I was startled by the heavy tramp of a horse, and a rider came into view through the under wood bordering the watercourse. He drew near and reined in his horse by my side, and I recognized LEAVES FROM THE PAST 7$ Hernando Almirante. I would have sprung up to greet him, but something in his appearance caused me to hesitate. His face was ghastly pale, and his hollow eyes met mine with a look so sad, so stern and reproachful that my blood froze in my veins. After a moment his gaze fell upon you, but only for an instant, for he drew his hand suddenly across his eyes, and, uttering a mad cry, struck his spurs fiercely into his horse s sides and dashed away. He passed out of my sight in a moment amid the woods, and I left my seat and hurried to the house, fearing I knew not what. I told the servants what I had seen, and sent them everywhere in search of your father and Her- nando. One by one, as the hours passed, they returned and reported their efforts fruitless. A dread ef something horrible took possession of me, I hardly knew why, and I paced the court like a mad crea ture, feeling sure that it was but a question of mo ments when some dreadful calamity should be brought home to me. "A servant at last hurriedly entered, gloom and horror in his looks, and without waiting to hear his message I wrung my hands and screamed thnt my darling was dead, dead ! and he need not tell me. He shrunk away from me with a blanched and ghastly face, and spoke in a whisper to the other servants. But I heard him plainly, heard him say that Alfred s 74 ALMIRANTE horse had just dashed up to the gate, riderless and foaming with terror. They all made a rush through the passage, but I was first. I reached the outer door and sprang to the horse. His mane was clotted with blood and the saddle was stained with it. I remember screaming aloud : He is dead ! My darling is dead ! Take me take me to him! and let me die! and then for a time I remembei no more. O, Alfred ! Alfred !" My poor mother ! She covered her face with her hands, and sobbed convulsively. I soothed her as best I could, and soon becoming calmer, she went on : "Yes, they brought me to him; placed me on a litter and bore me with them while they searched; for, raving and and raging as I was, they feared to leave me behind. The horse led the way like a hu man guide, and we followed him over the hills toward the coast. He brought us at last to the verge of the cliffs, and there we found him found my dead ! He lay upon the sward, motionles?, cold and still, his white face turned toward the sky, and the light of his blue eyes quenched forever. His fair hair lay about his forehead in heavy masses, bright as in life. There was no stain there, but upon his breast was the horrible wound through which his brave young life- blood had gone out, and beside his body, stern and cold, making no attempt to conceal his guilt, was the LEAVES FROM THE PAST 75 murderer, him whom I had for so many years called brother. What I said or did I do not know, for God, in mercy, sent me forgetful ness." Again did my mother pause, overcome by these dreadful memories of the past, but, once more recov ering herself, she resumed : " They buried him where he fell buried him there by his murderer s orders. Don Hernando never attempted to deny or explain his crime, yet he claimed the right to regulate everything. There was no one to say him nay. The servants were his own, rather than mine, and I, lying helpless upon my couch, daily expecting death, was not prepared to dispute his will. Yet in one thing did I have my way, sadly to my grief afterward. I sent him a message, for he never came into my presence, invoking God s curse upon his head, if he did not send you, my motherless boy, back to your father s kindred. I would not have you brought up by that father s murderer. "After this I sank into a state of dull stupor, from which no one expected me to awaken, and when word came that an American vessel, bound for New Eng land, was lying at the port, they thought best not to delay sending you away, since another opportunity might never occur, or not for many years. So, in the care of my own nurse, Juanita, you left me, and I ah, heaven! was it not strange? I grew stronger from 76 ALM1RANTE that hour, and at last recovered ; recovered to find myself not only a widow, but childless as well. " In all these years I have heard nothing of you until a few days since, when word came I can guess from whom that you might soon be expected to re turn. How our affairs have been managed until now I cannot tell. They have prospered, either because our servants have been unusually faithful, or if other wise, then Hernando Almirante, without my knowl edge and against my will, has directed them. If this last be so, then heaven forgive me that I have even unwittingly allowed it. But now it is all ended. Cocae with me, Alfred, my own dear son," she exclaimed, rising impetuously and moving toward the door, her hand still holding mine, "come with me and greet those who will call you master." We stepped out into tl \ court. A numerous assemblage was gathered there, for the news of my arrival had already, by some unknown means, spread among the servants of the estate. As they saw me a wild "Viva" rent the air, for they did not wait to hear my name. Some there were, however, who did not shout old and gray-headed men who came softly to my side, and pressed my hands within their own, muttering brokenly, while the tears fell from theit eyes: LEAVES FROM THE FAST 77 " His son! Our brave Don Alva s own true child! God and Holy Mary guard him!" My mother wept, and said, as soon as she could speak : "These are the brave men who followed your father in the mountains of Mexico. They are as true now as of old. God bless them and all others who are faithful to my sonl" 78 ALMIRANTE CHAPTER X, THE PARTING. Two months had passed. I had entered into full possession of the estate, for it was my mother s will that I should be regarded as its absolute owner. It had been managed admirably, and I found no diffi culty in assuming the control, aided as I was by Sanchez, an old Mexican, through whose means Don Hernando had been enabled heretofore to regulate its concerns. There was nothing necessary in our simple life which we could not produce within the limits of our own domain. As for luxuries, they were, to a certain extent at least, readily obtained by barter with the trading vessels of various nationalities which occas- ionly visited our coast. Our dependants were honest and devotedly loyal. Last, but greatest, I was blessed with the fondest affection that ever a mother gave her son. Yet I was thoroughly unhappy. From the roof of my own home I could see the hacienda of Almirante. I need not say that I had never again been within its walls since that fatal morn ing when I had quitted them as I then thought tem porarily, but as it now seemed, forever. The name of any of its inmates was never mentioned by either THE PARTING 79 my mother or myself. But with its white walls con stantly before my eyes, I could not blot from my mind the remembrance of those few weeks of happi ness and hope I had spent there, and while that memory remained contentment was impossible. I surprised and I fear sometimes alarmed my mother by taking long, solitary rides about the estate, always with some apparent and commonplace object in view, but conscious myself of being chiefly influenced in my action by a vague hope of something I scarcely knew what. And at last that hope was answered in a way I had not dared to look for. Late one afternoon I was riding recklessly along the bank of a willow-fringed stream far to the north ward of my home and near the boundary of the Almirante rancho, when my horse suddenly came to a full stop with an abruptness which almost unseated me. Recovering mys&lf I saw before me another steed and rider, but it was a female figure that sat in the saddle, and I recognized Ina Almirante. She had let her bridle reins fall upon the ; neck of her steed, and her hands were clasped upon her breast, while her eyes met mine with an expression of terror. I must indeed have been a startling object. A broad-brimmed black sombrero was pulled low down on my forehead, darkening and partially con cealing my face. The brown barrel of a carbine .80 ALMIRANTE projected above one shoulder, and a huge pair" of pis tols hung in their holsters from the pommel of my saddle, while a fearful looking weapon, called a hunt ing knife, but in reality more like a broad sword, swung from my belt. "Inal" "Alfred!" We had not addressed each other thus in our pre vious intercourse, but I had never thought of her by any other name, and in the surprise of the moment it escaped me involuntarily. At the same instant a thrill of joy flashed through me, at the conviction that it was with her as with me, and that I had dwelt in her thoughts, perhaps, even as she had in mine. As I drew nearer I was shocked to perceive the alter ation which her face seemed to have undergone since I had last seen her. Her eyes were as darkly beautiful as of old, but there was in them an expression of the deepest sadness, while heavy semi-circles were visible beneath. Her cheeks were sunken and hollow, and the deep glow that had once lent such beauty to her face had faded utterly and left it colorless and pale. For a moment, however, after she had uttered my name, a faint shade of carn.ine did for a moment tinge her cheeks, and she cast down her eyes. My confusion was nearly equal to hers, but at last I found my voice. " Dunna Ina," I said, hesitatingly, " foigtve me THE PARTING gi for having intruded upon you, but I never dreamed of meeting you here so far away from your home and alone." "I wished," she said in a low tone, "I wished I mean, I could not go away without " Her voice faltered, she paused and was silent. * " Go away!" I repeated in consternation, " Donna Ina, you do not mean that you " I ceased speaking, for a sudden pang of something- very like despair checked my utterance. Her white lips trembled but uttered no sound and she lifted her sad eyes to mine with an expression so unutterably mournful that, moved beyond restraint, I sprang from my horse and coming to her side clasped her cold hand in mine, exclaiming passionately: "Ina, dear, dear Ina! what is it? For God s sake tell me ! Are you ill ?" Her hand trembled in mine, but she did not with draw it, and as her head sank upon her breast, tears fell from her eyes, and she murmured, almost inaudi- bly : " I am so unhappy !" " But why, Ina, why ?" " I am going away, away from this, my home where I have lived all my life, to the far Phillipine isles, and I fear that I shall never see these scenes again." Sa ALMIRANTE "But why do you go ? If you are happy here, why not remain ? "Ah, but I am not happy here." "And God knows I am not," I could not help adding. She started and fixed her eyes upon me with a questioning look, and after a moment s pause, asked hesitatingly: "Senor Alfred, will you answer two questions for me?" "Anything, anything that I can." "Then why did you leave our house as you did, and why, since then, has my father never mentioned your name, except once to forbid us ever uttering it again ?" " Sefiorita, these are your father s own secrets. 1 cannot make them known." " Even you will not trust me." " Trust you O, Jna!" " Senor, it is late, and I am far from home. Let me go." " Ina, how can you be angry with me for this, and at such a time?" " But indeed I must go, Senor, and I am not angry. Why should I be? You have been only the kindest of frienns to me, and since you left our home I have missed you as I would my brother. I am glad THE PARTING 83 that we met to-day, that I can say farewell to you be fore I go." " But O, Tna, will you really go ?" " Have I not said I should ? It is my father s will, and I care not to dispute it. Farewell, Senor." " No, no! At least not here. It is a long ride to your home, too long and lonely for an unprotected girl. I shall ride with you if you do not forbid me." She hesitated, and the sad look deepened in her eyes, but at last she answered : " No, I do not forbid you. I should like you to come. It is for the last time." But that was the saddest ride I had ever taken, We rode side by side, over grass-covered hills and through flower-decked valleys, and scarcely spoke a word . The loveliest scenes of nature lay about our path, but we saw them with unseeing eyes. Desper ate as I was over the prospect of Ina s departure, I nevertheless, began to long for the end of our ride. It was misery unspeakable to be so near her, and yet feel that we were separated by a gulf which noth ing could bridge. Darkness overtook us while we were yet some distance from the hacienda, and when we at length reached the foot of the hill upon which it was situated, it was quite late. Moved by a common impulse we drew rein in the shadow of a copse of laurel. A *4 ALMIRANTE moment silently passed, and then, extending her hand to me, Ina said : " Farewell." But I seized both her hands in mine and, forget ting all else but the love I felt for her, murmured in low and passionate tones : "No, no, it must not bel O, Ina, my darling, my darling ! I cannot bear to part from you thus. You know that I love you. In all the months that have passed since your tender care saved me from death you have never been out of my thoughts. I have dared to believe that you cared for me, and now O, my love ! my love! can you leave me thus and forever?" " Can you ask me to stay ?" O, my God 1 She spoke in that low, sweet voice which had ever seemed to me like a breath of music, but the question pierced to my heart like a sword. I turned away and buried my face in my hands with a sensation of utter despair. She came to me now, urging her horse close beside mine, and spoke again in her pure and gentle tones: " No, Alfred, you see that it cannot be. It is better, far better that I should go. I do not know what terrible thing it is that causes us all this dreadful pain, but I do know that it is nothing for which you are to blame. But I could never be happy were we to THE PARTING 85 remain so near together, and yet be only enemies. But when I am far hence my prayers shall daily and hourly rise to heaven for your happiness and welfare. Alfred, good bye." She extended her hands toward me, but I took them in mine only to draw her to me and clasp her in my arms. She did not resist. She was too utterly sinless herself to dream of wrong in another. She knew her own innocence and trusted in mine, and the impulse which moved her to raise her lips to my own was the purest that ever came from God. For one moment only she rested in my arms, and then, draw ing herself away, she said gently : " Now go, Al fred, go without a word. Go, and may the good Jesus and his holy Mother bless and protect you." I obeyed her in silence, turning my horse and riding away without a word. I never looked back, but with my head bent low upon my breast, rode slowly on through the darkness toward my own home. Everything in life seemed ended. I had gone perhaps the eighth of a mile when I suddenly reined in my horse and listened in painful anxiety, for it certainly seemed to me that I had heard my name called in accents of alarm. So strong was the impression that, after vainly listening for a repeti tion of the sound, I turned and galloped rapidly back to the spot I had just quitted. When I reached it, Of THK UNIVERSITY 86 ALM1RANTE however, all was dead silence, and there was no one visible, Ina evidently having gone to the house. After a hasty examination I turned once more, cen suring ray own nervousness and credulity, and rode swiftly homeward. It was almost midnight when I arrived there, and my mother had become most anx ious. However, her mind being set at rest by my arrival, she soon retired, leaving me to my medita tions, for I felt no inclination to sleep. An hour probably passed, when sounds of confu sion without the hacienda attracted my attention and caused me to ascend to the roof to investigate. When I reached my post of observation there was nothing to be seen, but I could hear sounds as of a large number of horses galloping northward at full speed. In that, however, there was nothing to be be surprised at, since both Don Hernando and my self possessed herds of untamed animals that roamed at will all over our possessions. Deceived for the sec ond time, I now sought my couch, and, utterly wearied as I was, after a time fell asleep. But it was a short and troubled slumber; a slum ber from which I awoke at the first dawn of morning, to find Don Hernando Almirante standing over me, white and dreadful to look upon, and sternly de manding : "Alfred Rivers, where is my daughter?" THE PURSUIT 87 CHAPTER XL THE PURSUIT. " Your daughter ! How should I know? * "Boy! do not dare to trifle with me! For the love of Christ, remember the past, and take warning from it !" His heavy hand lay upon my breast, and by the faint light of the lamp which I had left burning I could see that his face bore an expression of con suming passion. Looking at him now, I was more willing to believe in the possibility of his passionate nature driving him at times to violent extremes. Nevertheless, angered by his words and actions, I answered : " The past ! The past is for you io remember !" 11 1 do remember it ! If it were not for that mem ory you would not be alive this instant. But enough of this trifling! Where is my daughter? Give her up, or else God help us both!" An idea of what had happened had by this time forced itself upon my mind, and springing up, fully clothed, for in my weariness of the night before I had flung myself upon my couch just as I was, I ex claimed : 88 ALMIRAME " Your daughter ! Great God ! Is Ina gone ?" An instantaneous change came over his face. Something seemed suddenly to convince him that he had erred in his suspicions, and with an abrupt alter ation in his manner, he cried : " O, Alfred! forgive me! Have I indeed so wronged you? But heaven pity me, for my child, my darling, has gone from me, and I know not what has befallen her." " When did she go?" "Ah! that you should be more able to answer than I. I have not seen her since noon yesterday, when she rode out, as was her daily custom, though she had never before gone beyond sight of the house. You were the last known to have been with her, for Pedro Gomez saw you riding together late yesterday evening. Can you wonder, then, at my suspicion ? and do you truly know nothing of her ?" " Upon my honor and my life I do not. I met her at the base of the mountains to the northward, and we rode together to the foot of the hill below your hacienda. There I left her." "And you know nothing of her now ?" "I do not." " O, my God !" His head sank upon his breast, and for a moment he stood motionless in an attitude of deep dejection. THE PURSUIT 89 but soon recovering himself, started up erect, exclaim ing angrily : " Shame upon me, that I waste time thus idly, when I should instead be scouring every rod of land about for traces of my child 1 Shame upon such weakness !" He rushed from the room. I followed immedi ately, but in the court I was detained a moment by my porter, while Don Hernando passed on and out of sight through the passageway. " What is it, Juan ?" I asked. " I have something to say, master," he answered, hesitatingly ; "but first you are not angry that I ad mitted Don Hernando ?" " No, I am not angry, Juan," I replied, " but why did you do so ?" His answer touched me. " Because I trusted you, my master ; I knew you had not done him wrong, and it would do no harm to let him satisfy himself. But I refused admittance to his followers." " His followers ! He is not alone, then ?" "Alone ! he has every man who dwells upon his lands with him, and all armed to the teeth." "Indeed! You did well to keep them without, Juan ; but now let me go." " Stay, Don Alva, you have not yet heard " 90 ALMIRANTE " True, I forgot What is it ?" He came to my side and whispered, though there was no reason for secrecy : "The horses, Seiior, that we heard at midnight, I fear that they had riders." " Good God ! and that cry." "Cry! What cry, Don Alva?" I did not stay to answer, b it rushed through the passageway and joined Don Hernando without. His son, Carlos, was with him, and also a large and well armed band of horsemen. Almirante was giving some orders to his followers, but ceased speaking upon my abrupt appearance, and turned to me in quiringly. In a few words I told him what I had to disclose. For a moment there was a dead pause ; then from Don Hernando came the words, low and distinct, but fraught with dread and anguish O, mother of God 1 had it been anything but this !" His son spurred to his side. "What is it, my father?" he asked, anxiously; " what do you mean ?" " God have mercy on her and on us !" groaned his father, clasping his hands convulsively together. "Ramon Estrada 1" A cry of horror burst from the whole band, and Carlos almost leaped from his saddle, his eyes blazing THE PURSUIT 91 with a mad fire, while his voice seemed scarcely human in the intense ferocity of its tone as he screamed rather than shouted : " God in heaven! Why are we waiting here ? On, on! Follow him, follow him to hell, if need be, him and his whole black-hearted crew! Come on!" He struck his spurs into his horse s sides, and it bounded forward ; but Don Hernando caught the rein, and while with his iron grasp he held the rearing animal motionless in the air, as it seemed, he cried to me : "Which way, Alfred, which way did they go? Where shall we find their traces ?" "They passed through the valley there to the north." "The black-hearted scoundrel! He came hither only to cast our suspicions upon you. But let me lay my hands upon him, and then God judge between us!" "Stay, Don Hernando!" I exclaimed; "stay but a moment I cannot remain behind." "Follow if you will, but nothing under heaven shall detain me for one instant longer from the rescue of my child. Now let us go. Away, away/" They swept by me like a whirlwind, and, not paus ing to watch their flight, I rushed into the interior of my dwelling to summon the household. It was not 92 ALM1RANTE necessary. The court was already filled with people, my mother among them, while in the corral inclosed within the rear wall of the hacienda nearly every able- bodied follower I claimed as mine was busily engaged in saddling and equipping his horse for immediate service. In the pause of a moment, while a servant had gone for my weapons, I gave what scant explana tion I could to my mother, and, receiving her tearful blessing and farewell, rushed through the house to the corral and sprang upon my horse, which had already been saddled. With a word of warning to the men who were to be left in charge of the house during our absence, I gave the signal to those who were to ac company me, and the outer gate of the corral being opened, we rode silently through. Then, with a wave of the hand to our friends and a touch of the spur to our steeds, we shot away from the white walls of my home in the path of pursuers and pursued. Don Hernando s party were by this time out of sight, the inequalities of the ground concealing them from our view. It was of little consequence, how ever, since we knew in what direction they had gone, and expected to soon overtake them. At all events, as the dawn was now rapidly brightening into day, we should have no difficulty in following the foot prints of their horses, should it prove necessary to do so. So we rode confidently forward. THE PURSUIT 93 At length, having ridden a distance of some three miles along a wooded valley, we emerged into a more open country, and saw, as I had expected, the Almi- rante party plainly in view and but a comparatively short distance ahead. Our horses were evidently of superior swiftness to their own, or otherwise, which was more likely, they had greater difficulty in follow ing the trail, since, as a matter of course, it was not nearly so well defined as that which was left for us. My companions uttered a triumphant " Viva" as we sighted the others, which they heard and answered by shouts and the waving of scarfs, without, however, re laxing their speed in the least. Nevertheless, we gained on them gradually, and at last, just as the sun began to show a glittering edge above the eastern hills, we found ourselves riding beside them. Many of our followers were armed in a manner re calling, to me at least, the memory of earlier days, and I remember even at that moment almost doubt ing my own identity, as I saw the sunlight flashing upon the points of their spears. Could it, indeed, be Alfred Rivers, so lately from staid New England, who rode as a leader in that wild array? Don Hernando rodie at the head of his troop, his face white and rigid, gtizing steadily before him. As I came near he turned his head slightly, and his stern eyes for a moment met my own. I fancied that for an 94 ALMIRANTE instant their expression seemed to soften, and that a faint look of something like gratitude shone from their dark depths. However, I had but a short time in which to observe the change, if, indeed, it were any thing more than imagination, since an instant later, with a slight bow to me, he turned his face forward once more and rode steadily onward, his eyes upon the trail. Carlos, when I first drew near, was riding by his father s side, but he now urged his horse near mine, and after a moment we were galloping abreast, our leather leggings almost touching. We rode thus for a while in silence, but at last, leaning toward me and speaking scarcely above a whisper, Carlos asked : "Alfred, what does this all mean?" 11 What does what mean, Carlos ?" " This mystery. My father s motive in one day bidding me prove myself a brother to you in friend ship, and the next exhorting me to forget, if possible, that we had ever met. As if it were possible for me to forget my savior, my preserver, the friend that I loved ! I ask again, Alfred what does this mean ?" " I cannot tell you, Carlos. I do not entirely understand it myself, and what I do know ij your father s secret." THE PURSUIT 95 He took my hand in his and pressed it warmly, saying : " I understand you. Let it pass. But O, Alfred ! if the yielding up of my life could heal this cruel breach, believe me I would give it gladly ; for, next to the affection I have for Ina and my father, is my love for you. Well, tis idle to hope for everything we wish for on this sad earth. God grant that we may rescue my sister from that inhuman hound, and then let come what may." I was about to reply, when Don Hernando sud denly checked his horse and sprang to the ground, ex claiming excitedly : " Dismount, dismount ! Quick, for your lives 1 Kneel ! kneel down ! " His men unhesitatingly obeyed him, and I directed my followers to do likewise, setting the example my self. We had been riding across a level and nearly cir cular plain, several miles in diameter and. surrounded by a ridge of low hills, while its entire surface was cov ered with a tall growth of grass, which swept our knees as we rode. Consequently to dismount and kneel was to effectually conceal ourselves, while as for our horses, half buried as they were in the grass, an observer would need to be within a short distance to distinguish them from the wild animals which roamed over all the land about in countless numbers. 96 ALMIKANTE There was no necessity for Don Hernando to ex plain the cause of his excitement, since it had taken us but an instant to discover it. Along the summit of the ridge separating the plain I have mentioned from the ocean, a horseman was riding at what, as far as we could judge, was the utmost limit of his horse s speed. He appeared to be proceeding in the direc tion of my hacienda, and as both Don Hernando and myself felt assured it could be none of our own people, it was but natural that we should regard the stranger with some suspicion. When we first ob served him he was just beyond the crest of the ridge, riding parallel with it, and consequently we were only able to see the horse s head as he rose and fell in his rapid gallop, and the form of the rider from the waist upward. Soon, however, they swerved slightly m their course and appeared upon the very summit of the ridge outlined against the sky. The wonderful clearness of the atmosphere served to render the fig ures of both horse and rider unusually distinct, and an exclamation burst from us all: "A woman !" Don Hernando alone did not speak, but continued for a moment longer to watch the flying rider with silent and intense scrutiny. Then lifting his eyes reverently to heaven he said, low but fervently : " Mother of God, I thank thee! It is my child ! " AT BAY 97 CHAPTER XII. AT BAY. A look of joy became instantly visible upon every face, but Don Hernando gave us all an earnest warn ing to restrain ourselves, and when Carlos, exclaim ing, " Ina ! my sister ! Praise be to heaven ! she has escaped him ! Let us show her we are near !" would have sprung to his feet, his father laid a heavy hand upon his arm, muttering, while the look of gratitude faded from his eyes and gave place to a fell gleam of vengeance. " Boy, be still ! We can secure her safety now at any moment, but wait. She will be pursued, and one of her pursuers, he who will be foremost in the chase, must this day receive his reward." A fierce and approving murmur rose from all, and with one accord we crouched closer to the ground, and watched the flying girl and the ridge along which she had come with intense eagerness. Our patience was not long tried. Soon a steed and rider, almost colossal in their apparent proportions, rose suddenly into view, and a common exclamation was uttered by all: " Ramon Estrada I" 98 ALMIRANTB " Yes," said Don Hernando. " Who else of nis robber band possesses such a horse." But the swiftness with which the new-comer sped along the ridge called forth audible expressions of uneasiness from many of our followers. Don Her nando endeavored to reassure them. "Restrain yourselves," he said ; " Ina will be safe she is riding directly for the Rivers hacienda, and the swiftness of Estrada s steed will only secure its rider s destruction. Can you not see that in the eagerness of his pursuit he has left his companions far behind, perhaps many miles ? They are separated, and it will be our care to see that they do not again come together. Let him but pass out of sight beyond that higher peak, and then our work will begin. Till then patience ! " Ina had already disappeared behind the hill re ferred to by Don Hernando, and a few moments later her pursuer was also hidden from our view. Then Almirante sprang to his feet, his eyes blazing. " To your saddles ! " he cried. "Alfred Rivers, if you will take my orders, ride back as we have come and prevent the traitor escaping to the eastward. Hem him in between yourselves and the ocean. We will ride up the ridge and follow directly in his tracks Your horses are fresher than ours, and I give you the longer route. Will you do this for me ? " AT BAY 99 For an answer I whirled my horse about and started back at full speed, my men closely following, while the Almirante party almost at the same instant darted away toward the ridge. For a time we were visi ble to each other, but before long we reached the mouth of the valley through which we had ridden that morning, and entering it were lost to their view,. and they to ours. We rode on in silence, as I had little inclination to- talk, even if the rapid rate of our progress had not rendered it almost out of the question. Added to this, I was several lengths in advance of all my com> panions save one, my major-domo, Sanchez, a one time follower of my father, now old and gray, but bold and active as in youth, and he was by nature re served and taciturn. I well knew, however, that he was devoted to my interests, and that when he saw a necessity for it he would not hold back his advice. After a long, hard ride we drew rein for an instant at the point where the low range of hills which formed the eastern wall, so to speak, of the valley, spread widely away from that toward the ocean, and becom ing still more depressed melted, as it were, into the undulating plains which lay between my own home and the hacienda of Almirante. Both were visible from the point where we sat upon our panting horses loo ALMIRANTE but it was in vain that we looked for a sight of Ina Almirante or her pursuer. The hill, from the summit of which Don Her- nando had first shown me the domain which he called mine, was upon our right as we faced southward and partially behind us, and of course concealed every thing between itself and the ocean. Sanchez sug gested that some one ride to the summit, as from that elevation there was scarcely a point within a radius of ten miles which could not be observed, and offered himself to be the one to make the re- eonnoissance. The idea was in my own mind before he utteied the suggestion, but in my impatience and excitement I could not leave its execution to another ; so bidding Sanchez lead the men slowly forward, skirting the base of the hill, I turned my horse and rode directly toward the summit. As I drew near the top I advanced with more caution, glancing constantly from side to side, desir ing if possible to discover the objects of my quest without myself being seen, at least by one of them. Not, however, until I reached the highest peak of the hill did I observe anything to engage my special attention. Then an exclamation of rage and horror burst involuntarily from my lips, though I had little reason to be startled at what I saw. The elevation from which I was gazing, was, as I AT BAY 101 "have already mentioned, the highest point of a ridge which, in the form of a lofty promontory, ran far out into the sea. To descend from it to the water s edge was impossible, since its sides and end formed an un broken chain of perpendicular and overhanging cliffs. Such, moreover, was the character of the coast-line for miles. Along the northern verge of the promon tory Ina Almirante was riding at the full speed of her horse, while almost though not quite abreast of her, but some distance further away from the cliffs, rode Ramon Estrada. It was apparent that he had by some means succeeded in partially intercepting her, and it was his evident purpose to maintain his pres ent position until the end of the promontory was reached, where she would be completely in his power. Ina was either unacquainted with, or had else forgotten, the geography of this part of the coast, and did not know that with every rod she advanced she was rendering her escape less possible. I clinched my hands and muttered between my set teeth : "You vile hound! You have trapped her and you are trapped yourself ! " I paused but a moment to turn to my followers, who were already half-way around the hill, and wave them onward ; then, shouting aloud to attract Estrada s attention and if possible cause him to cease his pur- 102 ALMIKANTE suit, I rode down the slope toward him. He was a long distance away, yet he heard my ^.ce, and, turn ing his head, seemed instantly to recognize me, for, waving his clinched hand with a gesture of hate and defiance, he whirled his horse about and rode to meet me. I unslung my carbine, resolving to fire as soon as we were within range and to make use of my pistols afterwards if necessary. But the end was not quite yet. A sudden shout attracted my attention, and, turn ing my head for an instant, I saw to my right, and a short distance behind me, Don Hernando coming toward us at the full speed of his horse. He had, as I afterwards ascertained, adopted the same plan that I had, having left his troop in concealment, under charge of Carlos, while he ascended an eminence to recon noitre. What followed was precisely as it had been in my own case. He had lost control of himself, and, only pausing to signal to his followers, had dashed recklessly forward, his one thought being to fly to the rescue of his child. I saw his men following him, though a quarter of a mile behind, and Ramon Estrada saw them also. He was no coward; he would, I doubt not, have rejoiced with a savage delight to have met me in mor tal combat alone, and the very fact of his having dared to pursue Ina as he had back to the near neighbor hood of her kindred and friends, whom he must have AT BAY Tmown would be aroused and searching for her, was sufficient proof of his reckless courage ; nevertheless, when he saw by what odds he would be opposed, his natural impulse was flight, and he spurred his horse across the promontory, with the evident intention of passing between me and the southern boundary of the headland, and escaping thus toward the interior. But as he reached the summit of the ridge he stopped short, for the sight of my followers rapidly approach ing along the shore was all that was necessary to con vince him that flight was impossible. For a moment he sat almost motionless upon his steed, turning his head slowly as if seeking a weak spot in the cordon of his foes ; then, seemingly con vinced that all hope was lost, he brandished both arms for an instant over his head with an action of inde scribable rage and maniacal fury, and, whirling his horse once more, dashed directly and at his utmost speed for Ina. Sh2 had reined in her steed but a moment before, and was glancing eagerly from one to another of us, evidently striving to understand what she saw, but now, with a scream of terror she once more gave the rein to her steed and rode toward the end of the headland. Estrada, spurring savagely, gained upon her every instant, and Don Hernando and myself, for he had by this time almost 104 ALMIRANTE overtaken me, rode after, urging our horses to their utmost, shouting, screaming, raving and cursing wildly, sick with horror and despair, for we saw in the demon s hand a gleaming knife. It seemed but a second until his horse s shoulders were lapping the flanks of her steed. We saw him lean forward, we saw her shrink back as if from a blow, yet she did not fall, and still they rushed on. Again and again we saw the blade flashing in his hand, as he continued to lean from his saddle as if striving to reach her. What could he be doing? Suddenly Don Hernando shrieked aloud : " God have mercy ! He is pricking her horse with his knife ! He means to drive it over the cliff. O, Christ ! what a death !" A deadly faintness came over me. I swayed in my saddle and for a moment everything grew black. A sudden report, followed almost instantly by a second, recalled me to myself. Almirante had fired both his pistols at Estrada, but the outlaw was beyond their range, and his only reply was a mocking and maniacal laugh. I leveled my carbine, but I dared not fire. Madly galloping as we were, I could take no aim, and where might not the bullet strike? Don Hernando marked my hesitation. " Fire ! fire !" he screamed. " If she must die, rather let it be thus." There was, indeed, no time to be lost, since they AT BAY i oS had almost reached the end of the promontory. I pressed the trigger. My bullet, as I had feared, failed to strike him at whom I aimed, but buried itself in Ina s horse. Rearing and plunging, the stricken ani mal threw its rider, and Estrada s horse coming the next instant violently in contact with it, both fell headlong to the earth together. We were beside them in a moment, but, as we leaped to the ground, Estrada disengaged himself from the struggling steeds, and, springing to his feet, leveled his carbine at my heart, exclaiming, while his eyes blazed with insane fury : " Bane of my life ! you at least shall die ! " My pistols were in the saddle holsters, and not an instant was given me to secure them. Even as my hand dropped upon my knife-hilt, there was a loud report and a blinding flash. For one instant I won dered that I did not fall. Then I saw Don Hernando lying upon the earth before me, bleeding and gasping. He had sprung between us, and his own breast had been my shield. With a savage curse Estrada sprang toward me, his drawn knife in his hand. I swerved from the blow and drove my own weapon deep in his shoulder. The warm blood spirted on my hand. Then my sight seemed to grow dim for a moment, and my .memory of what happened for awhile thereafter is 106 ALMIRANTE strangely confused. I remember struggling and swaying back and forth with something clutched fast in my arms; and I remember that something being rudely torn from me. I can recall the look which the usu ally fair and gentle face of Carlos then wore, chang ing its beauty fro: a an angel s to a demon s, as with his slight arms he flung his stalwart foe to the ground beside his father, and pressed his knees upon him as if to grind him into the earth. I have dim memories of how two bands of swarthy, wild-eyed horsemen came rushing down upon us; of the wild cries they uttered at the sight of Don Hernando s bleedingbody, and of how they sprang from their steeds and seized upon his murderer, crowding around and above him like a herd of hungry wolves, striking, stabbing and spearing, till at last a lifeless and bloody something, bruised and battered and gashed beyond all sem blance of humanity, was dragged to the verge of the cliff and flung into the sea. And beside my father s grave, with his rescued daughter kneeling beside him, striving to staunch the life-blood flowing from his wound, lay Hernando Al- mirante, dying, but with a happier look in his dark eyes than I had ever dreamed could dwell there. EXPIATION 107 CHAPTER XIII. EXPIATION. "Alfred" " What is it ?" " Will you come to my father ? He is asking for you." I was sitting upon the ground, sunk in a kind of stupor, when these words from Carlos aroused me to a sense of what was going on. Rising with difficulty, for excitement and exertion seemed to have com pletely exhausted me, I followed him to where his father lay. Don Hernando lifted his eyes to mine as I drew near, but said no word, only motioning me to seat myself beside him. I did so silently, and, turning to his son and daughter, he said : " My children, leave us for a moment. What I have to tell you will soon learn from Alfred, but now I have neither time nor strength to explain all it would be necessary you should know to understand what I say. But Alfred knows much of it already." Ina and Carlos withdrew, sadly and silently, and when they were a few paces away, Don Hernando fixed his eyes upon my face, saying huskily: io8 ALMIRANTE " Alfred, hear me ! I took your father s life. That you know but you do not know that when I did it I believed myself to be avenging the injured honor of my sister, your own mother, upon him whip had be trayed it." He paused for a moment, breathing hard, but as I was about to speak, he motioned me to refrain, and continued : " I had been in confinement for many months, for the authorities, having rid themselves of my fellow insurgents, were inclined to pay but little heed to the pledges they had given. Upon one pretext and an other I was detained for more than a year after the departure of your father and the remainder of our party. At last I was released. Better that I had never been !" Again did he break off abruptly, but after a brief pause once more proceeded : " One of our band had remained in Mexico, Ramon Estrada, a mere youth young in years but old in villainy. Up to that time, however, he had never given us cause to think him other than a keen witted boy. A distant relation of ours, he had been brought up in my father s house, and had, unknowa to any of us, conceived a passion for my foster sister, Lola. So you can see how from his very boyhood dates his hatred of your father and your fathers s race. EXPIATION 109 While I was in confinement he was frequently allowed to visit me. He was already an adept in deception^ He never made a direct accusation against Alva so I had always called your father yet he contrived to fill my mind with suspicions I scarcely know of what. He accomplished this result so skillfully and by such imperceptible degrees that I knew not when it was affected, but by the time I was finally released I was ready to believe anything of him whom a year before I would have trusted with my life. Then he met me with a dark hint of a wrong done to my sister. He told me of a rumor that after my capture the two had been united in a union unblessed by the church. Half maddened, I set myself to investigate the damning tale, and ascertained that they had indeed sailed from the port as husband and wife, but I could find no proof of their marriage. My pure-souled sister ! my brave, true-hearted Alva ! to think that I could wrong them so, and at the instigation of such a villain. He even made me believe that Alva, by some secret machina tions, had caused the long delay in my release. " But why dwell upon my folly ? I seized the first opportunity to sail for San Francisco, resolved to ex act either reparation or vengeance from the betrayer of my sister. When I reached the port I, <f>f course, did not delay to send word of my coming, but, secur ing a horse and obtaining directions as to its location,. no ALMIRANTE rode immediately to your father s settlement. Your mother must have told you of my meeting with her and my first sight of yourself. Excited by the sud den and unlooked-for encounter, and almost over whelmed by the flood of bitter thoughts which swept through my mind in consequence, I rode blindly away from the spot, and before I well knew whither I was going, reached the cliffs. I rode swiftly along the verge, striving to flee from my own thoughts, and here upon this very spot I met your father. " He uttered a glad cry when he saw me, and hur ried towards me with outstretched hands and eyes dancing with delight, exclaiming Hernan ! Her- nan ! for so among my family I had always been called. We both wore swords, as was then almost universally the custom among rancheros, and my only answer to his greeting was to draw mine from its scab bard and raise it as if to cleave him to the saddle. He started, aghast, exclaiming : " Hernan ! are you mad ? " If I am not it is no fault of yours ! I answered, continuing, savagely : We need not waste words ; you well know my errand. " What is your errand? 5 he asked with what I then thought the pretended innocence of a practiced hypocrite. " To have your life or force you to repair the EXPIATION nu wrong you have done my sister ! I cried, almost speechless with rage. "A dark flush rose in his cheeks and his eyes flashed fire. His hand rested upon his sword hilt, and I looked for him to draw his weapon and attack me. But in a moment a sudden change came over his face. The look of anger faded and gave place to what, in my madness, seemed to me a scornful smile, as her asked : " Do you mean I must marry her? " I do! I answered. " The look of amusement deepened on his face, and he replied : " Hernan, you must ask something else. This I cannot do, because " I did not allow him to finish, but maddened by what I thought his contempt for me and mine, spurred forward and struck at him with all my strength. He swerved his horse aside, and, drawing his sword with the quickness of lightning, parried the blow, angrily exclaiming at the same instant : " * Hernan, you are a hot-headed fool Listen to me ! " But I would not listen ; but, almost insane with rage, renewed my attack with the ferocity of a wild beast. But he was a much better swordsman than I, and our combat was of the briefest, for in a moment 112 ALMIRANTE my weapon was struck from my hand and sent whirling over the cliff. His own blade gleamed at my breast, and I thought my hour had come, but instead of striking he flung his weapon upon the ground and laughed aloud. That was the last straw ! Monster and murderer that I was ! while he sat there, unarmed and unguarded, I leaned suddenly forward and drove my dagger deep in his breast ! Stay ! stay, Alfred ! Do not start from me. Hear me to the end ! He never uttered a cry, not even a moan ; only sat for a full moment motionless upon his horse, gazing upon me with such eyes ! then uttered in a tone in which there was no anger but only sorrowing reproach : 141 0, Hernan! Hernan ! how could you make your sister a widow ? How could you take my life? "The full consciousness of my insane blunder and dastardly crime rushed instantly through my mind, and with a cry of horror I sprang from my horse and caught him in my arms as he fell. I laid him upon the ground and flung myself down beside him, mad with remorse. He only spoke once, saying : " Hernan, she is my wife. How dared you doubt it? But care for her and God pardon you for this. " Then, with the last effort of his life, he drew the weapon from his wound and flung it over the cliff and died." Don Hernando ceased speaking, in unutterable EXPIATION 113 emotion, and I sat motionless beside him, too deeply agitated for words. Soon he once more aroused him self and continued : " Your mother has never known of the cause of rny dark deed. I could not bear that she should know how I had wronged her in my suspicions. I preferred rather to bear her unforgiving hatred, and to banish myself from her presence. I made my home near by that I might fulfill Alva s last request. But my life seemed blasted . My troth was already plighted to the lady who a year later became my wife, else I had never married. She came to me from Mexico under charge of Padre Francisco. In him I found the priest who had performed the marriage ser vice for your father and my sister. How Ramon Es trada succeeded in convincing me of his innocence of any wrong intention, I have no time to explain. He <lid so, and for years thereafter was my trusted ad viser. He sought your life, and also my son s, that be might succeed to the inheritance of both. And I have trusted him all these years, and of late even thought of giving him my child! Great heaven! to what lengths my blind infatuation would have led me! But enough of him. He has gone to his doom, and my own draws nigh. Alfred, I have told you all. You have heard of my crime and its cause ; my re- rii-ise and repentance ; you know how I have striven 114 ALMIRANTE to atone for my guilt ; and knowing this, can you now give me the hand you once offered me, and which my conscience would not then let me take ?" * My father forgave you," I answered, clasping his hand, " and you have this day given your life for mine." His eyes filled with tears, and he murmured huskily : " Jesu bless you, Alfred. Bring me to your mother." ****** In the same room where I had myself found her after those long years of separation, she awaited his coming. I had reached home first and told her all, and when the pale-faced bearers brought him in upon his rude litter, and laid their silent burden at her feet, she knelt beside him with a sudden sharp and bitter cry : " My brother, O, my brother!" He clasped her hands in his and pressed them upon his heart. His lips moved, but only my mother, his children rnd myself caught the low-spoken words " How long, how long since I have heard that name!" My mother wept, and while I, though almost overcome myself, was endeavoring to soothe her grief, the priest entered, for he had long before been sum moned, and to him the dying man resigned himself to- EXPIATION. 115 receive the last rites of the Chruch, When they were ended he turned to us once more. He embraced his son, and drawing his daughter to him kissed her fondly and placed her hand in my own. His eyes lingered for a moment lovingly upon our faces, and then, turning to my mother, he extended his arms to ward her, saying: " Lola, my sister, I have lived all these years upon the hope of one day winning your forgiveness, and now " His voice failed him, but she bent down until her cheek rested for a moment on his own. When she lifted her head his eyes were already closing, but his lips still moved and he whispered, so low we could scarcely hear: "Oh, Alva, Alva!" And so he died, with my father s name last upon his lips. The priest knelt by the body, murmuring the prayers for the dead, my mother and Carlos kneeling beside him in silent grief. Ina wept in my arms. I was grieved to the heart, but it was not with a hopeless sorrow, for I knew no life could be desolate when blessed with friends and kindred and love. THE Were it not for the dread of this nauseating and miserable sickness, ocean voyages would be preferable to many, both for health and pleas ure. When statistics show that eighty-five per cent, of ocean travelers are subject to sea-sickness, it may readily be understood why a prejudice exists in favor of the rail. It may not be generally known on this coast, as it is in theEastern States and Europe, that a preventative and cure may be found in Dr, Rowas Famous Remedy for Sea-sickness. To be obtained from all Druggists and from I R PIT PRT ^ W< cor> Kearn y and California Sts 1-. n. C.L-L-C.n 1 , SAN FRANCISCO. SOHMER & CU., Hallet & Cumston, Newby & Evans, PIPE HND REED ORGHNS. BYRON MAUZY 308 - "Stf&SZE?" ST JNO. R. HILLMAN, Manager San Francisco Department Amazon Insurance Company American Central Insurance Company Liberty Insurance Company Pacific Fire Insurance Company ROLLA V. WATT, 317 CALIFORNIA ST. General Agent San Francisco An Old Californian Recognizes an Old Friend of Former Days, One of the oldest living Californians is George W. Vincent, of this city. He came to California in 1839, Some of his early experiences are full of interest. He says that in those days a doctor was a curiosity. The people had to resort to nature when bodily ills assailed them. He refers especially to an herb that they used to have recourse to for all disorders of the bowels, the name of which has escaped him. He reports that its effects were simply marvelous, and regretted for years that he had lost track of it. Let it be now said tha^t Joy s Vegetable Sarsaparilla is a vegetable bowel remedy of California origin, and the following letter will be understood: THE ED WIN JO Y CO: DEAR SIRS: I was recently induced to try a bottle of your California preparation, Joy s Vegetable Sarsaparilla, and I recognize in it the herb that the Mexicans used to give us away back in the " Forties " for bowel disturbances. As soon as I recognized it, I knew it would help me, and it has, for although I have had constipation for over twenty years, I have had less trouble since taking it than at any time during that period. I can now sleep well, and am in splendid condition. I am, yours truly, GEO. W. VINCENT. NEWS ENTERPRISE-CIRCULATION THE DAILY TRIBUNE and WEEKLY TRIBUNE are the Two Leading Papers of Alameda County. They contain Full and Exclusive Association Press Reports, and are metropolitan in every department. TRIBUNE PUBLISHING CO. W. E. DARGIE, President T. T. DARGIE, Secretary W. E. BOND, Business Manager The Old, Reliable House. ROOS BROS. Leading Clothiers and Furnishers, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37 KEARNY STREET. ONE PRICE. Occupying Two Entire Buildings. PLAIN FIGURES. !! "MONARCH S" *!! A Chance for Two Libraries for Almost Nothing. $2.50 PER MOMH FOR 12 MONTHS GIVES YOU THE Americanized Encyclopedia Britannica An Inexhaustible Storehouse of Fact and Knowledge, and THE DAILY EXAMINER." A Continuous and Complete Record of Current News and Information. Take the Chance while it is Offered! N. B. Post yourself also on the splendid premiums offered for the W EEK LY EX A MINER." Do You Want Real Estate? THEN SEE THE CARNALL-FlTZHUGH-HOKPINSCo. The Leading Dealers of California, They (Buy and Sell all kinds of City and Country (Real Property throughout the State. Maps, Catalogues and Printed Matter Mailed Free to Any Address. Eastern Corres pondence Solicited. CARNALL-FITZHUGH- HOPKINS CO, 624 Market St. San Francisco Opposite Palace Hotel. THE BALDWIN The Leading Hotel of San Francisco, Cal. And one- of the Best Appointed Hotels in the World, with Every Modern Improvement Location Unsurpassed, Tourists and Commerc Headquarters SITUATED ON MARKET STREET At the intersect* >n of Powell and Eddy Sts., and fronting on Four principal streets The It is near tin- popular places of amusement, and the principal business houses. M.irkt-t Stre.-t Cable line that OO01 and Cliff House, and the new Powell Street Cable line, with its beautiful view of the Kay and Presidio, la-sides f ui lines ot Horse Cars that connect with all paits of the L ity, pass the House. 1 1 \v is is brin tf entiie y renovated throughout, beinx made as good as new. . he lighted throughout by the Incani . umiu has a - Mann . The J)inin>. r Konin has In i n i aiitifully frescoed, and the ceiling ilhinnuaN .l uitii over four hundred .liaiimnds. In the K ..tunda will be found the Southern ! i.-!;.-t ouice, tli.- West, rn Cnion and the Pacific Postal Telegraph Cab; and the American District Messenger service. llnl. \ si. c \l;|;I.\i. I -- IN \\\II1N<. \I A I AND 8TATIOK8 ISAM,. \,,r , in , KI i. T. . AM. POIHIB PRICES THE SAME AS AT OTHER FIRST-CLASS HOTELS E* J. BALDVVIX, 1 roj >rivyt<gr , It