The Harlequin Opal / ./X AS THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES ALPHA LIBRARY. The Harlequin Opal A Romance By Fergus Hume. Onoe a realm of Indian glories, Famed In Aztec songs ana stories, Where the bold Conquistadores Won in light a splendid prize; Now a land of love romances, Seren 'des. bolero dances. Looks of scorn adoring glances, Under burning tropic skies. Chicago and New York : Rand, McNally & Company, Publishers. COPYRIGHT, 1893, BY RAND, McNALLY & Oo The Harleauln Opal THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. CHAPTEE I. CHUMS. Long years have passed since last we met, And left their marks of teen and fret. No longer faces plump and smooth Proclaim the halcyon days of youth; But haggard looks and tresses white Betray the ardor of the fight; The same old friends, we meet once more But not the merry boys of yore. ' * It is a great mistake," said Sir Philip Cassim, looking doubtfully at the piece of paper lying on his desk; "then we were foolish boys; now we are, I trust, sensible men. Certainly it is a great mistake." The piece of paper was yellow with age, a trifle grimy, and so worn with constant foldings that it was wonderful the four quarters had not long since parted company, as had the four friends, each of whom carried a similar piece in his pocket-book. Often in his wanderings had Sir Philip pondered over that untidy boyish scribble setting forth the foolish promise which he now half regretfully characterized as " a great mistake." " BEDFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL, " 24th July, 1874. "If we live and are in good health, we promise faith- fully to meet at Philip's house, in Portman Square, Lon- don, on the twenty-fourth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, at seven o'clock in the evening. (Signed) " PHILIP WINTHOBP CASSIM, "JOHN DlJVAL, "PETER PAUL (TRENCH, "TIMOTHY TEREXCE PATRICK FLETCHER." 1501474 10 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "That is quite fifteen years ago/' said Cassim, smooth - iiig the frail paper with tender fingers; "now it is the twenty-fourth day of July in the year eighty-nine. Six o'clock! I wonder if any of them will turn up. Jack is an engineer, building railways and bridges in China. Peter, as a respectable physician, doses invalids in Devon- shire. Special Correspondent Tim, the stormy petrel of war, wires lies to London newspapers. I I am a mere idler, given to wandering among the tombs of dead civiliza- tions. Peter may come; it means only a short railway journey to him; but Jack and Tim are probably thousands of miles away. Still, as I came from the Guinea Coast to meet them, they certainly ought not to miss the appoint- ment. This is the day, the place, the hour, and I have prepared the fatted calf, of which they will partake if they turn up. Pshaw! I am a fool to think they will come. They have no doubt quite forgotten this boyish freak. Perhaps it is best so. It is a great mistake to arrange a meeting fifteen years ahead. Father Time is too fond of strange surprises." He arose from his chair and paced slowly to and fro, with folded arms and bent head, the droop of this latter being somewhat dejected. The idea that he was about to meet his old school-fellows rendered him pensive, and a trifle regretful. Many years had passed since those halcyon days of youth, and oh, the difference between now and then! He could hardly avoid speculating on their certain mutation. Had the wand of time changed those merry lads into staid men? Would Jack still be ambitious as of yore? Tim's jokes were famous in the old days; but now, perchance, he found life too serious for jesting. ' Then Peter's butterflies! How often they had laughed at his entomological craze. Now, doubtless, he was more taken up with pills and patients. And himself he had outlived his youthful enthusiasms, raore's the pity. No wonder he felt pensive at the thought of such changes. Retrospec- tion is a saddening faculty. Cassim grew weary of these pessimistic fancies, and pausing in front of the fire-place surveyed himself long and critically in the mirror. It reflected a dark, handsome face reddened by the saltness of wind and wave boldly cut features, and melancholy eyes. Those eyes of Philip's CHUMS. 11 were somewhat misleading, as they suggested a poetic nature, steeped in sentimentalism, whereas he was a remarkably matter-of-fact young man, inclined to scoff at the romantic tendencies of his fellow-creatures. By no means expansive or apt to unbosom himself to his friends, his reticence, in conjunction with his romantic appear- ance, entirety deceived the world as to his true character. His Byronism lay in looks, rather than in actions. " Thirty is by no means old/' mused Sir Philip, absently stroking his mustache; "if anything, it errs on the side of youth; yet I look close on a hundred. Dark people never do wear well. Tim is five years older than I, Peter past thirty-three, but it's probable they look younger than I do. As to Jack well, Jack is an infant of twenty-eight summers, and I suspect has altered but little. They would hardly recognize me. Possibly I shall have considerable difficulty in recognizing them." He resumed his walk and his soliloquy, reverting therein to his first idea. "This meeting is a mistake. Beyond the fact that we were at school together, we have nothing in common about which to converse. Different lives, different ideas. We will simply bore one another. Perhaps they are married. Peter was just the kind of boy who would grow into a domesticated man. Jack was romantic, and has probably been captured by a pretty face. Tim! I'm not so sure about Tim. I fancy he is still a bachelor like myself! " It was his own fault that such was the case, as many a maiden would have gladly married Sir Philip and his Kentish acres. The baronet, however, with but little pre- disposition to matrimony, fought shy of the marriage ring, and preferred his yacht to all the beauties in Christendom. On rare occasions he showed himself in Belgravia draw- ing-rooms, but in the main loved the masculine seclusion of his club and the lurching deck of The Bohemian. It may be that some of his remote ancestors had intermarried with the Eomany, and thus introduced a strain of wander- ing blood into the family; but certain it was that Sir Philip Cassim, in place of being a steady-going country squire, was an irreclaimable Arab in the matter of vagrancy. Cases of atavism occur in the most respectable families. His nomadic instincts lured him into the dark places of 12 THE HAKLEQUIST OPAL. the earth, and as a rule he preferred these to the more civilized portions. Humanity in the rough is more interesting than humanity veneered with civilization, and in seeking such primevalism Sir Philip explored many of those barbaric lands which gird our comfortable civiliza- tion. Peru he knew better than Piccadilly; St. James Street was unknown territory to him compared with his knowledge of Japan, and if his yacht was not skirting the treacherous New Zealand coast, she was certainly battling with the giant billows off the Horn. Hating conventionalism, and the leges non scripts of London society, this vagabond by predilection rarely dwelt in the Portman Square family mansion. When he did pay a visit to town, he usually camped out so to speak- in a club bedroom, and before his friends knew of his whereabouts would flit away without warning, and be next heard of at Pernambuco, or somewhere about^ Madagascar. On this special occasion, however, he occupied his town house for the purpose of keeping the appointment made with his three friends fifteen years before on the banks of the Ouse. On this account, and to avoid the trouble of hiring serv- ants for the few days of his stay, he brought up his stewards from the yacht. These, accustomed to such emergencies, owing to Sir Philip's whimsical mode of life, speedily rendered a few rooms habitable, and prepared the dinner which was to celebrate the reunion of the quar- tette. It seemed strange that Cassim should take all this trouble to fulfill a boyish promise, but as he was a man who did not make friends easily, and moreover was begin- ning to weary of solitary wanderings, he greatly inclined to a renewal of these youthful friendships. Besides, he cherished a kindly memory of his old school-fellows, and looked forward with genuine pleasure to meeting them again. Yet, as his latter reason savored of sentimentalism, he would not admit of its existence even to himself; it clashed with his convictions that life was not worth living. Despite the fact that he was a cosmopolitan, Philip's nature, impressionable in the extreme, was deeply tinged with the prevailing pessimism of the day. He professed that facile disbelief in everything and in every one which is so easy to acquire, so difficult to relinquish. Human CHUMS. 13 nature he mistrusted, friendship he scoffed at, and was always on his guard against those with whom he came in contact. Thus living entirely within and for himself, the real geniality of his disposition became incrusted with the barnacles of a selfish philosophy. This noli me tangere creed isolated him from his fellow-creatures, .Avith the result that while he possessed many acquaintances he had no real friends. Thus he created his own misery, he inflicted his own punishment. Adopting as his motto the saying of the Oxford fine gentleman, "Nothing's new, nothing's true, and no matter," Cassim schooled himself to suppress all outward signs of feeling, and passed through life with a pretended indifference to the things of this world. Pretended! because he really felt deeply and suffered acutely, though pride forbade his showing aught of such mental disturb- ances to those around him. Perhaps in seeing so much of the world he had early exhausted all emotion; but he certainly surveyed everything from Dan to Beersheba with calm indifference. The real man was a genial, kind- hearted creature; the false, a frigidly cold person who accepted all things with ostentatious stoicism. He was by no means popular with men, as they greatly resented his reserve and haughty demeanor; but women professed to find him charming. Probably they, with the subtle instinct of their sex, saw below the mask of feigned cynicism, and judged him by what he was, not by what he appeared to be. Certainly he never laid himself out to gain their good opinion. He rarely troubled to make himself agreeable; he was not a marrying man (than which there can be no worse crime in a woman's eyes), and led a solitary, vagrant existence; yet, in spite of such social disqualifications, women were his best friends, and defended him loyally from the clumsy sneers of his own sex. Assuredly he should have married, ff only out of gratitude for such championship; but he preferred a single life, and in the main eschewed female society. Withal, he was not inclined to undervalue either his personal appearance or his mental capacity. No mean classical scholar, he seldom passed a day without dipping into the charming pages of Horace or Catullus. Of the two he preferred the V eronese, who with Heine and Poe 14 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. formed his favorite trio of poets, from which names it can be seen that Sir Philip had a taste for the fantastic in literature. He was conversant with three or four modern languages, and was especially familiar with the _ noble tongue of Castille. A man who can read " Don Quixote" in the original is somewhat of a rarity in England. Those of Philips acquaintances who could induce him to talk literature and art formed an excellent opinion of his abilities. Moreover, he was unique in one respect. He had circumnavigated the globe, yet had refrained from writing a book of travel. As to his personal appearance, it was as smart and spruce as that of his yacht. Only those who know how a crack yacht is cherished by her owner can thoroughly understand this comparison. In spite of his solitary exist- ence, Philip was always careful of the outward man, and this attention to his toilet was a notable trait of his charac- ter. Yet he was by no means effeminate, foppish, or finical. To sum up, he was a well-dressed, Avell-bred, cult- ured Englishman, who had all the qualities mental, personal, and physical fitting him to shine with no mean luster in society, yet he preferred to live the life of a nau- tical hermit, if such a thing be possible. "Walking constantly to and fro, he glanced every now and then at the clock, the large hand of which was close on seven. Given that all three guests were within a measur- able distance of the rendezvous, he began to calculate, from what he knew of their idiosyncrasies, which one of them would be the first to arrive. " I am certain it will be Peter," decided Cassim, after due reflection; " neat, orderly, punctual Peter, who never missed a lesson and never came late to class. Tim is careless! Jack is whimsical! If any one arrives, it will be Dr. Peter Paul Grench. And," he added, as the bell rang, "here he is." His prognostication proved to be correct, for in a few min- utes the door of the study opened to admit a precise little gentleman, in whom Philip had no difficulty in recognizing his quondam school-fellow. It was a trifle larger Peter it was Peter in evening dress, twirling a pince-nez Peter with mutton-chop whiskers and a bald head; but it Avas undeniably Peter Paul Grench of Bedford Grammar School. CHUMS. 15 "'The child/'' quoth Philip, advancing to meet his guest, "'is father of the man.' It is just on seven, and you, Peter, keep your fifteen-year-old appointment to the minute. I am delighted to see you." " I am sure the feeling is reciprocal," responded Doctor Grench, primly, as he grasped the baronet's hand; "it is indeed a pleasure to meet an old school-fellow after these many years." Peter spoke in a Johnsonian manner, but his words were genuine enough, and under the influence of this natural emotion, for the moment he forgot his primness. After a time, however, habit asserted its influence over nature, and Grench resumed his buckram civilities, while Philip, also recovering himself, relapsed into his usual nonchalant manners. " So you kept this appointment, after all," said Cassim, as they settled themselves for a confidential conversation; " I thought it possible you might have forgotten about it." "By no means," answered Grench, producing a piece of paper similar to that of Philip's. " I have often looked at this, and always intended, unless prevented by disease or death, to meet my old school-fellows as agreed. Here we are, my dear friend; but Tim and Jack?" " May be at the other end of the world for all I know," responded the baronet, carelessly. "Special correspond- ents and engineers are the Wandering Jews of to-day. Still, as I came from the Guinea Coast for this appoint- ment, they will surely not grudge a lengthy journey for a similar purpose." " Tim is in London," said Peter, unexpectedly. "Ah!" remarked Philip, manifesting but little surprise, "you have seen him, then?" "No! Since we parted at Bedford I have seen none of you; but I have heard of all three." " Nothing good of me, I am afraid/' said Cassim, with that amiable belief in his fellow- creatures which made them love him so. " Nothing bad, at all events," answered Peter, serenely. "You are constantly traveling; you are still a bachelor; you open your heart to no one, and judge the world as though you were not its denizen." " Which last remark is stolen from La Eochefoucauld. 16 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. Yes! Your description is accurate, if not original. How- ever, let us not talk of Philip Cassim. I am terribly tired of him. What about Jack and Tim? " " Of Jack I know nothing, save that he was last heard of in India. Tim, however, wrote to me the other day saying he intended to keep this appointment. Concerning his life, he volunteered no information." " So like Tim! His private correspondence was always unsatisfactory. I like his newspaper letters, however; the descriptions are so bright and vivid; plenty of gunpowder and adventure. Certainly Tim makes an excellent war correspondent. I wonder if he still has that strong brogue." "Surely not. When he came to Bedford, he was fresh from Ireland; but now that he has been traveling so much, he must have lost his pronounced Irishisms." "I'm not so sure of that," said Philip, with a smile. " Tim is Irish of the Irish. I believe he loves his brogue. You can't educate the race nature out of a man. Believe me, my dear Peter, Tim will be as noisy and as warm- hearted as of yore. I am very fond of Tim." " Yet I should think Tim, such as you describe him, would be the last person to suit a fastidious individual such as yourself." " Come now, Peter, I am not quite so hypercritical as all that. Besides, Tim, with all his noise and brogue, is a thorough gentleman. It is your veneered person I object to. However, Tim may have changed. Meanwhile what about yourself?" " Like Canning's knife-grinder, I have no story to tell. When I left Bedford I went to Cambridge; afterward came to London. Passed my examinations, walked the hospitals, took my degree, and hearing that a doctor was wanted down at Barnstaple, I went there. For some years I practiced with more or less success. Then I retired to give " "Retired!" interrupted Philip, in surprise. "Have you made your fortune?" " By no means. Country doctors never make fortunes. No ! I inherit five hundred a year from my father, and as there is no necessity for me to physic people for a liveli- hood, I devote myself" OHTJM8. 17 "To sticking pins through unoffending butterflies!" " Now, how did you guess that? " asked the little doctor, in mild surprise. "Easily enough. You had a butterfly and beetle mania at school. If I remember rightly, we rolled you in nettles to cure you of entomology. Boys don't relish scientific urchins. So you are still at it. But five hundred a year and beetles. Peter, you are not ambitious." "No," assented Grrench, simply; "I am not at all ambi- tious. My entomology gives me great pleasure, or why should I not enjoy myself in my own way? Ah, Philip, you do not know what true enjoyment is." "Certainly not, if it's butterflies." " To see one of the Callidryas species for the first time is indeed a pleasure," said Peter, beaming with scientific rapture. " Then the Papilios, the Hesperida, and the red Timitis " "Oh, oh!" yawned Philip, stretching himself, "how dry it sounds." "Dry!"' echoed Peter, indignantly; "the most fascinat- ing pursuit in the world." Philip looked kindly at the little man who appeared to be so satisfied with his simple pleasures. " Decidedly, Peter, you are a happy medico. Come with me on a cruise, and I will introduce you to the paradise of butterflies. Tropical America, Peter, where the insects are like flying flowers. Green butterflies, purple beetles, gilded moths " "Oh!" cried Peter, opening his eyes with delight, "I should like to go to South America. There is a peculiar species there, the Heliconidce. Why, Philip, if only "Hark! there's the bell," exclaimed Cassim, rising with alacrity, rather thankful to escape Peter's lecture. "Is it Jack or Tim?" " Tim," said Peter, promptly; " no one else would ring so violently." "Where did ye say they were?" cried a hearty Irish voice, half-way up the stairs. "That settles it," remarked Philip, comically, as he opened the door; "no two persons can possess such a strong brogue." And Tim it was. Tim, large and burly, roaring like a a 18 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. bull of Bashan, who hurled himself into the room and flung himself on Philip's neck. "My dear friend! my dear boy!" he thundered, squeez- ing Cassim in his athletic embrace, " it's glad I am to see you." " Gently, Tim, gently," gasped Philip, helpless in the hug of this bear; " don't crush me to a jelly." "And Peter!" exclaimed Tim, releasing the baronet to pounce on the doctor, " yon fat little man, how splendid you look." * Warned by the fate of Philip, the doctor skillfully evaded the embrace of the giant, and Tim was only able to demonstrate his affection by a hand-grip. He threw all his soul into this latter, and Peter's face wrinkled up like a monkey's with pain. It was like a fly struggling with an elephant, and Philip, thoroughly roused from his ordinary placidity, laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks. " As soon as you've quite done murdering us, Tim," he said, placing a chair between himself and his too demon- strative friend, " perhaps you'll give your hat and coat to the servant." Tim, who had rushed upstairs without pause, meekly delivered the articles in question to the servant, who stood grinning at the door. Looking on this respectful grin as a liberty, Philip frowned at the poor man, who thereupon vanished, while Tim, overcome by his late exertions, fell so heavily into a chair that the room rocked. "Phew!" he said, wiping his heated brow, "it's hot I am, anyhow." " That's scarcely to be wondered at," returned Cassim, dryly, "considering the enthusiasm of your greeting." "And why not?" retorted Tim, with the broadest of brogues; " am I not glad to see you both? " "Of course, and we are glad to see you," said Peter, examining his crushed hand; "but you needn't maim us for life." Tim roared with laughter in the most unfeeling manner, and Cassim, with a smile, placed his hand on the giant's shoulder. "The same noisy Tim as of old," he said, kindly; "you were a large boy, Tim, and now you are a large man. I CHUMS. 19 wouldn't have recognized you, though, save for the brogue. It's as strong as ever." " That's true, anyhow," acknowledged Fletcher, placing his huge paw on Philip's slender hand as it rested on his shoulder. " Wasn't I but one term at the school, and that didn't turn it into cockney speaking. Besides, I've been to Cork since." " To freshen up the accent, I suppose," said Grench, with the air of a man who has made a cutting remark; " but a special correspondent should know more than one language." "Especially if the language is Irish," finished Cassim, mischievously. " Get along with you," replied Tim, with a twinkle in his eye; "why, it's a polyglot I am French, Italian, Spanish, and a touch of Arabic. I can tell lies in any one of them. So here you are, lads. Where's Jack?" "Lord knows!" "He was in South America when I heard last; but III go bail he'll turn up soon. What is the time?" "Half -past seven," rejoined Peter, consulting an emi- nently respectable watch of the family physician species. Tim took out his piece of paper from a pocket-book com- mensurate to his size, and smoothed it carefully with his huge hand. " Seven's the hour, and Jack's late. I never knew him early yet." ' ' Well, you were not renowned for punctuality at school, Tim!" " True for you, Philip, and many's the hearing I've had for that same. But this is a special occasion, and Jack should be punctual. Confound him!" " Oh, he'll be here shortly," said Cassim, shrugging his shoulders. " We have plenty to talk about until he arrives. How arc you, Tim? But I needn't ask, you look like the giant Goribuster." " Six foot five in my stockings," replied Tim, com- placently; "and a good thing it is for me, that same. Special corresponding isn't knocking about the world in a gentleman's yacht, sir." " Or collecting butterflies," added Philip, with a sly smile at Peter. 20 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Are you at that rubbish, still, Peter? " " Of course I am," answered Peter, in mild surprise; " in fact, since my father left me five hundred a year, I've devoted myself entirely to entomology." " And to eating! " said Tim, with a grin. " Why, Peter, you've a paunch like a priest." "Oh, really!" began Peter, scandalized; but his further protestations' were drowned in the laughtei of Philip, on hearing which Tim nodded approvingly. " Come now, my dear friend, that's better. You arr more like a Christian than when I last saw you." "At Bedford? " inquired Philip, still smiling. "No! In London no less. Didn't I see you at the theater six months ago, looking for all the world as if you were attending your own funeral ? " " Why didn't you speak to me? " " You looked so supercilious and stand-off- the-grass like that I couldn't bring myself to it at all." " You idiot!" said Philip, coloring with vexation; "you know I am always glad to see you." "Is that a Chinese invitation, Philip?" "No, I assure you, Tim. Don't think me such a prig. Why, I came all the way from the Guinea Coast just to meet you." at school." " If I remember rightly, it was you who had the worst of that little encounter," retorted Philip, gripping Tim's hand strongly. "It was a draw," said Peter, suddenly; "I remember the fight quite well. But we can talk of these things again. I want to know what Tim is doing." " And this is fame," grunted Tim, nodding his head. "Haven't you seen my letters about the Soudan War to T'ii Morning Planet, and my account of the Transvaal ruc- tions? Am I not a special correspondent, you ignorant little person?" "Oh yes, yes; I know all that," replied Peter, impa- tiently; "but tell us about your life." "Isn't that my life, sir? When I left school I went to CHTTMS. 2] Ireland and became a reporter. Then I was taken up by a paper in London and went to the Soudan, afterward to Burmah, where I was nearly drowned in the Irrawaddy. They know me in Algiers and Morocco. Now I've just returned from Burmah, where I parted with my dear friend Pho Sa. He's in glory now rest his soul ! They hanged him for being a Dacoit, poor devil! " "You seem to have been all over the world, Tim/' said Philip, when the Irishman stopped for breath. " It's queer 5 never knocked up against you." ' ' Why, you never stayed one day in one place. That boat of yours is a kind of Flying Dutchman:." "Not a bit of it; she has doubled the Cape lots of times. I was just trying to persuade Peter to take a cruise with me." " I am seriously thinking of the advisability of doing so," observed Peter, judiciously selecting his words. "Are you, indeed, Mr. Lindley Murray? Well, if Philip asks me, I'll come too." "Will you really, Tim?" asked Philip, eagerly. " Of course I will. There's no war on at present, and I'm not busy. If those squabbling South American republics don't come to blows again, I'll be free for six months, more or less." " Then come with me, by all means." " I tell you what," observed Peter, who had been think- ing; " Jack, if he turns up at all, will have traveled home from South America. Let us take him back in Philip's yacht." "That's not a bad idea anyhow," said Tim, patting Peter's head, a familiarity much resented by the family physician. " You've got brains under this bald spot." " I am quite agreeable, provided Jack turns up," said Sir Philip, yawning; (< but it is now eight o'clock, and I'm hungry. It's no use waiting any longer for Jack, so I vote we have dinner." " He'll arrive in the middle of it," said Grench, as Cas- sim touched the bell. " Jack was never in time, or Tim either." "Don't be taking away my character, you mosquito," cried Tim, playfully, "or I'll put you on the top of the bookcase there. It's a mighty little chap you are, Peter! " a 22 THE HAELEQUIN OPAL. "Well, we can't all be giants! " retorted Peter, resent- fully. " I'm tall enough for what I want to do." ""Collecting butterflies! You don't know the value of time, sir. Come along with me to the dining-room." And in spite of Peter's struggles he picked him up like a baby, and carried him as far as the study door. Indeed, he would have carried him into the dining-room had not the presence of the servant restrained him. Tim had no idea of the dignity of the medical profession. The servant intimated that dinner was ready, so the three friends sat down to the meal, rather regretting that Jack was not present to complete the quartette. Just as they finished their soup, the servant announced.* "Mr. Duval!" Simultaneously the three sprang up from the table, and on looking toward the door beheld a tall young fellow, arrayed in tweeds, standing on the threshold. "Jack! "they cried, rushing toward him with unbounded delight. "JackDuval!" " My dear boys," said Jack, his voice shaking with emo- tion; "my dear old friends." CHAPTER II. THE DEVIL STONE. Spirits dwelling in the zone Of the changeful devil stone, Pray ye say what destiny Is prepared by Fate for me. Doth the doubtful future hold Poverty or mickle gold, Fortune's smile or Fortune's frown, Beggar's staff or monarch's crown? Shall I wed or live alone, Spirits of the devil stone? See the colors come and go, Thus foreboding joy and woe; Burns the red, the blue is seen, Yellow glows and flames the green; Like a rainbow in the sky, Mingle tints capriciously, Till the writhing of the hues Sense and brain and eye confuse. Prophet priest can read alone Omens of the devil stone. Having finished dinner, they repaired to the library, and there made themselves comfortable with coffee and tobacco. Emption at meeting one another after the lapse of so many years had by no means deprived them of their appetites,, and they all did full justice to the excellent fare provided by Philip's cook. So busy were they in this respect that during the meal conversation waxed somewhat desultory, and it was not until comfortably seated in the library that they found time for a thoroughly exhaustive confabulation. For this purpose the quartette drew their chairs close together, and proceeded to incense the goddess Nicotina, of whom they were all devotees save Peter. He said that tobacco was bad for the nerves, especially when in the guise of cigarettes, which last shaft \vus aimed at Philip, who particularly affected those evil little dainties abhorred by Doctor Grench. Jack and Tim, to mark their coo (23) 24 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. tempt for Peter's counterblast, produced well-colored meerschaum pipes, which had circumnavigated the globe in their pockets. Whereat Peter, despairing of making proselytes, held his tongue and busied himself with his coffee very weak coffee, with plenty of milk and no sugar. "What an old woman you have become, Peter," said Cassim, watching all this caution with languid interest. " You have positively no redeeming vices. But you won't live any the longer for such self-denial. Tim, there, with his strong coffee and stronger tobacco, will live to bury you." "Tim suffers from liver!" observed Peter, serenely, making a side attack. " What! "roared Tim, indignantly, " is it me you mean? Why, I never had a touch of liver in my life." "You'll have it shortly, then," retorted Peter, with a pitying smile. "I'm a doctor, you know, Peter, and lean see at a glance that you are a mass of disease." All this time Jack had spoken very little. He alone of the party was not seated, but leaned against the mantel- piece, pipe in mouth, with a far-away look in his eyes. While Tim and Peter wrangled over the ailments of the former, Philip, lying luxuriously in his chair, surveyed his old school-fellow thoughtfully through a veil of smoke. He saw a greater change in Jack than in the other two. In truth, Duval was well worth looking at, for, without being the ideal Greek god of romance, he was undeniably a handsome young man. Tim had the advantage of him in height and size, but Jack's lean frame and iron muscles would carry him successfully through greater hardships than could the Irishman's uncultivated strength. Jack could last for days in the saddle; he could sustain existence on the smallest quantity of food compatible with actual life; he could endure all disagreeables incidental to a pionoer existence with philosophical resignation, and altogether presented an excellent type of the Anglo-Saxon race in its colonizing capacity. Certainly the special cor- respondent had, in the interests of his profession, under- gone considerable hardships with fair success; but Tim was too fond of pampering his body when among the flesh- pots of Egypt, whereas Jack, constantly in the van of THE DEVIL STONE. 25 civilization, subjugating wildernesses, had no time to relapse into luxurious living. The spirit was willing enough, but the flesh had no chance of indulging. His face, bronzed by tropic suns, his curly yellow locks, his jauntily curled mustache, and a certain reckless gleam in his blue eyes made him look like one of those dare- devil Elizabethan seamen who thrashed the Dons on the Spanish Main. Man of action as he was, fertile in expe- dients, and constantly on the alert for possible dangers, Jack Duval was eminently fitted for the profession which he had chosen, and could only endure existence in the desert places of the world. This huge London, with its .somber skies, its hurrying crowds, its etiquette of civiliza- tion, was by no means to his taste; and already he was look- ing forward with relief to the time when he would once more be on his way to the vivid, careless, dangerous life of the frontier. Philip admired his friend's masculine thoroughness, and could not help comparing himself disadvantageous!}' with the young engineer. Yet Cassim Avas no weakling of the boudoir; he also had sailed stormy seas, had dared the unknown where nature fights doggedly with man for the preservation of her virgin solitudes. Still, withal, Jack was a finer man than he was. What were his luxurious travels, his antarctic explorations, in comparison with th, actual hardships undergone by this dauntless pioneer of civiliza- tion? Jack was one who did some good in the world; but as for himself well, Philip did not care about pursuing the idea to its bitter end, as the sequence could hardly prove satisfactory to his self-love. He irritably threw away his cigarette, moved restlessly in his chair, ard finally expressed himself in words. " Why do you come here, Jack, and make us feel like wastrels? A few hours ago and I rather prided nyself on myself; but now you make me feel idle, and lazy, and self- ish, and effeminate. It's too bad of you, Jack." Brains were not Duval's strong point, and, unable to un- derstand the meaning of this outburst, he simply stared in vague astonishment at Sir Philip. Tim and the doctor, pausing in their conversation, pricked up their ear?, while Cassim, paying no attention to this sudden enlargement of his audience, went on speaking, half peevishly, half good- humoredly. 26 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " I am the enervated type of an effete civilization. You, my friend, are the lusty young savage to whom the shaping of the future is given. You are Walt Whitman's tan-faced man, the incarnation of the dominating Anglo-Saxon race, ever pushing forward into fresh worlds. As compared with mine, your primeval life is absolutely perfect. The Sybarite quails before the clear glance of the child of nat- ure. Take me with you into the wilderness, John Duval. Teach me how to emulate the Last of the Mohicans. Make me as resourceful as Kobinson Crusoe. I am a prematurely old man, Jack, and I wish to be a child once more." "What the deuce are you driving at, Philip?" asked practical Jack. " It's from a book he's writing," suggested Tim, with a laugh. "Melancholia," hinted Peter, who was nothing if not medicinal. Philip laughed and lighted a fresh cigarette. Duval ran his hand through his curly locks, pulled hard at his pipe, and delivered himself bluntly. " I suppose all that balderdash means that you are tired of London." " Very much so." "Why, you never stay two days in London," said Peter, in astonishment. "Neither do I. Don't I tell you I'm tired of it? Be quiet, Peter; I can see that Jack is on the verge of being delivered of a great idea." "Upon my word, that's cute of you, Philip," exclaimed Jack, admiringly. " Yes, I have a scheme to propound, for the carrying out which I need your assistance; in fact, the assistance of all three." " This promises to be an interesting conversation," said Cassim, in an animated tone. "Proceed, John Duval, engineer. What is it you wish us to do?" " I had better begin at the beginning, gentlemen all." "That's generally considered the best way," observed Peter, with mild sarcasm. " Be quiet! you small pill-box. Let Jack speak." "As I told you at dinner," said Jack, placing his elbows backward on the mantel-shelf, "I have been all over the world since I last saw your three faces. China, Peru, New THE DEVIL STONE. 27 Zealand, India, Turkey I know all those places, and many others. I have made money; I have lost money; I have had ups and downs; but everywhere, I can safely say, I've had a good time." " Same here," murmured Tim, refilling his pipe. "At present I am in Central America," pursued Jack, taking no notice of the interpolation, " under engagement as a railway engineer to the Republic of Cholacaca." " Cholacaca?" echoed Tim, loudly; "isn't it there the row's to take place ? " "Why, what do you know about it, Tim?" " A special correspondent knows a lot of things," returned Fletcher, sagely. "Go on with the music, my boy. I'll tell you something when you've ended." Jack looked hard at Tim and hesitated, but Philip, curled up luxuriously in his big chair, asked him to pro- ceed. "You're going to tell an Arabian Night story, Jack." " Well, it sounds like one." "Good! I love romance. It's something about buried cities, and Aztecs, and treasure, and the god Huitzilo- pochtli." "Oh, bosh! You've been reading Prescott." " It seems to me," observed Peter, plaintively, " that with all these interruptions we'll never hear the story." " The first that speaks will be crushed," announced Tim, glaring around. "If you please, Mr. Duval, it's waiting we are." Jack laughed, and resumed his story. " While I was at Tlatonac that is the capital of the Republic I became mixed up in certain events, political and otherwise. I found I could do nothing I wanted to without assistance; so, as I suddenly remembered our promise to meet here this year, I came straight to London. In fact, I was in such a hurry to find out if you three had remembered the appointment, that I left my luggage at the railway station and came on by a hansom to Portrnan Square. This is the reason I am not in evening dress." " Oh, deuce take your evening dress," said Philip, irritably; "you might have come in a bathing-towel for all I cared. I didn't want to see your clothes. I wanted to see you. Go on with the story of the buried city." 28 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " How do you know my story is about a buried city? " I never heard a romance of Central America that wasn't." " You'll hear one now, then. This isn't about a city it's concerning a stone." "A stone?" echoed his three listeners. "Yes. An opal. A harlequin opal." "And what is a harlequin opal, Jack?" "Tim, I'm astonished at your ignorance. A special correspondent should know all things. A harlequin opal is one containing all the colors of the rainbow, and a few extra ones besides." "Well, Jack, and this special opal?" "It's one of the most magnificent jewels in the world." "Have you seen it?" Jack drew a long breath. "Yes, once. Great Scott, what a gem! You fellows can't conceive its beauty. It is as large as a guinea-hen's egg. Milky white, and shooting rays of blue and green, and red and yellow, like fireworks. It belongs to Monte- zuma." "I thought those everlasting Aztecs would come in," said Philip, smiling. " Well, Jack, and what about this stone?" "Ah, that's a long story." "What of that? The night's young and the liquor's plentiful." " I don't mind sitting up all night, if the story is inter- esting. Start at once, Jack, and don't keep us any loiiger in suspense. I hate wire-drawn agonies." " A year ago I was pottering about at Zacatecas over a wretched little railway that wasn't worth bothering about. Being hard up, I went in for it in default of something better; but meanwhile kept my eyes open to see what I could drop into. After some months I heard that the Republic of Cholacaca was about to open up the country with railways, so I thought I'd go there to get a -job." "Where 'is Cholacaca f" "Down Yucatan way, not far from Guatemala." "Oh, I know; looks on to Campeche Bay." "N"o, on the other side of the neck. Washed by the Carribean Sea." THE DEVIL STONE. 29 " I must get you to show it to me on the map," said Vhilip, finding his geographical knowledge at fault. "I have an idea of its whereabouts, but not of its precise locality. Meanwhile let us continue your adventures." " When-I heard of this prospect at Tlatonac," continued Jack, without further preamble, " I left Zacatecas for Mexico, staying a few days in the capital to make inquiries about the Eepublic. These proving satisfactory, I went on to Vera Cruz, and fortunately fdund a coasting- vessel which took me on to Cholucaca. Considering the ship, I got to my destination pretty sharp. I didn't know a soul in the town when I arrived; but after a few days began to pick up a few acquaintances. Among these was Don Miguel Maraquando, a wealthy old Estanciero. He has great influence in Cholacaca, being a member of the Junta, and is regarded by many people as the future president of the Republic." " That is if Don Hypolito stands out," said Tim, softly. "Have you heard "began Jack; when the journalist cut him short. " I've heard many things, my boy. Later on, I'll tell you all I know." "You seem to be pretty well acquainted with what's going on in Cholacaca," said Jack, after a few moments' reflection; (< but I'll tell my story first, and you can tell yours afterward. Don Miguel became a great friend of mine, and I saw a good deal of him while I stayed at Tlatonac. He is greatly in favor of this railway, which is to be made from the capital to Acauhtzin, a distance of some hundred and fifty miles. Don Hypolito Xuarez, the leader of the Oposidores, objected to the scheme on the ground that it was utterly unnecessary to run a railway to Acauhtzin when ships could take goods there by water." "And isn't the man right?" said Tim, indignantly; " what's the use of running a railway along the sea- coast?" " We'll argue that question later on," replied Jack, dryly; " I have my own ideas on the subject, and, as an engineer, I know what I'm talking about. Don Hypolito's objection sounds all right, I have no doubt; but if you look into the matter you will see he hasn't a leg to stand on. Besides, he's only objecting to the railway out of 30 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. sheer cussedness because Maraquaudo won't let him marry Dona Dolores/' "Ah, ah!" observed Philip, who had been listening to the story with great attention, " I was waiting for the inevitable woman to appear on the scene. And who is Dona Dolores?" " She is Maraquando's ward," replied Jack, coloring a little. " With whom you are in love? " " I didn't say that, Philip." "No; but you looked it." Peter chuckled, whereat Duval turned on him crossly. " I wish you would stop making such a row, Peter; I can't hear myself speak." "Well, what about Dona Dolores?" persisted Philip, maliciously. " Dona Dolores," repeated Jack, calmly, " is the woman whom I hope to make my wife." At this startling announcement there was a dead silence. "I congratulate you, Jack," said Cassim, gravely, after a momentary pause. " I hope you will ask us all to your wedding. But what has this story of politics, railways, and love to do with the harlequin opal?" "Everything. Listen. Don Hypolito is an ambitious man who wants to become dictator of Cholacaca, and rule that republic as Doctor Francia did Paraguay. Now, the easiest way in which he can obtain his desires is to marry Dolores." " What! Is she the heiress of the Republic?" "No; but she is the lawful owner of the Chalclmih Tlatonac." " What in heaven's name is that? " " It means ' the shining precious stone' in the Toltec tongue." "The deuce!" murmured Philip, in an amused tone; "we have got past the Aztecs." " I suppose this shining precious stone is the harlequin opal?" said Peter, inquiringly. "Precisely. This celebrated stone is hundreds of years old. Tradition says it was the property of Quetzalcoatl." " That's the Mexican god of the air," said Philip, who knew all sorts of stray facts. THE DEVIL STONE. 31 "Yes. You've read that in Prescott." ' ' No, I didn't. Bancroft is my authority. But how did it come into the possession of your Dona Dolores?" " Oh, she is a direct descendant of Moutezuma." " An Aztec princess. Jack, yon are making a royal match." "I'm afraid there is very little royalty about Dolores," replied Jack, laughing; "but as regards this stone, Quetzalcoatl gave it to Huitzilopochtli." "Lord! what names." "When Cortez conquered Mexico he found the stone adorning the statue of the war god in his famous teocalli in the city of the Aztecs. One of the Spanish adventurers stole it, and afterward married a daughter of Montezuma. When she found out that he had the opal she stole it from him and went off down south, where she delivered it to some native priest in one of those Central American forests." "Where it remains still?" " By no means. This woman had a son by the Spaniard, a Mestizo as they call this mixture of Indian and Spanish blood. He, I believe, claimed the stone as his property; whereon the high priest of Huitzilopochtli proposed to sacrifice him. Not being a religious man, he disliked the idea and ran away, taking the stone with him. He reached the coast, and married a native woman. There they set up a temple on their own account to the god of war, and round it, as time went on, grew a settlement which was called after the opal ' Chalchuih Tlatonac/ Then the Spaniards came and conquered the town, which they rechristened Puebla de Nuestra Sefiora de la Con- cepcion; but the name didn't catch on, and it is now known by its old Indian name of Tlatonac. Of course there are a good many Spaniards there still, descendants of the Oonquistadores; but the majority of the population are Indians." "And what became of the opal?" "Well, as the Spaniards tried to get hold of it, the Indians took it inland to one of their forest retreats. The descendants of Monteznma, however, are still supposed to be its guardians, and when one owner dies the opal is brought secretly to Tlatonac and shown to the new possessor; then it is taken back to its forest sanctuary." 32 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Where did you see it?" asked Philip, curiously. " That's the whole point of the story/' answered Jack, thoughtfully. "The son of Montezuma's daughter mar- ried a native woman, as I told you; their son, however, married a Spanish lady, and so the race was continued. Off and on they married Indian and Spaniard. This mixing of race isn't good, from a philoprogenitive point of view, and Dolores is the last descendant of the original owner of the opal. Therefore, she is its guardian, and that is the reason Don Hypolito wants to marry her." "He wishes to obtain the stone as a wedding dowry?" " Yes. This Chalchuih Tlatonac is an object of super- stitious veneration to the Indians. They are supposed to be converted, but they all more or less cling to their old beliefs. In one of these mysterious forests stands a temple to Huitzilopochtli, and there a good many of them go in secret to consult the opal. How they consult it I don't know, unless by its changing colors. Now, if Hypolito marries Dolores, through her he might seize the stone. If he becomes its possessor he could do what he pleased with the Indian population. As they greatly outnumber the Spanish element, he would use them to raise himself to the Dictatorship of Cholacaca." " Then he doesn't love the girl? " " Not a bit," replied Jack, viciously; " all he wants is to marry her, and thus gain possession of the devil stone. Besides, apart from the use it would be to him from a superstitious point of view, he would like to obtain the stone for its own sake. It is a magnificent gem." "Has he seen it also?" " Yes; at the same time as I did. Dolores' father died, and she became the ward of her uncle, Don Miguel. I was a good deal about the house, and naturally enough fell in love with her." "Jack! Jack!" "You'll fall in love with her yourself, Philip, when you see her; she's an angel." " Of course. You say that because you are in love with her. Does she return your love? " ' Yes; she is as fond cf me as I am of her." ' And what does Don Miguel, the proud hidalgo, say?" " He says nothing, because he knows nothing," said Jack, THE DEVIL STONE. 33 promptly; "we haven't told him yet. However, when Dolores and myself found out we loved one another, she told me all about this Ohalclmih Tlatonac, and how she expected it was to be shown to her, according to custom. A few nights afterward the priest arrived secretly and showed her the stone. While she was holding it up, I entered the room suddenly with Don Hypolito. We saw the opal flashing like a rainbow in her hand. By heaven, boys, I never saw such splendor in my life. We only had a glimpse, of it, for as soon as the old priest saw us he snatched it out of her hand and bolted. I followed, but lost him, so tho opal went back to the forest temple; and Lord only knows \vliere that is." " Doesn't Dona Dolores know?" "No; nobody knows except the priests. They meet the worshipers on the verge of the forest and blindfold them before leading them to the shrine." " And how did Don Hypolito find out Dolores was the guardian of the opal?" asked Peter, after a pause. " Oh, the story is common property. But the opal isn't of much value to Dolores. She is called its guardian, but has nothing to do with it. Now I suppose she'll never see it again. " " It's a queer story anyhow," observed Tim, reflectively; " I would like to see that jewel." " That's what I've come to see you all about," said Jack, excitedly. " I want you all to come with me to Cholacaca, and help me to marry Dolores and get the devil stone." The three remained silent, and a shade of disappoint- ment passed over Duval's face. " Of course, if you fellows don't care, I '' " Wait a moment, Jack," interrupted Philip, slowly. "Don't jump to conclusions. You want us to go to Cen- tral America?" "Yes." " And upset Don Hypolito's little plans?" "Exactly."' " Speaking for myself," said Philip, quietly, " there is nothing I would like better. I am with you, Jack. But Peter- " Oh, I'll come too," said the doctor, serenely, "if it's only to collect butterflies. While I'm on the spot, I may a 34 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. as well help. There's sure to be fighting, and I can attend to the wounded. You can depend upon me, Jack; I'll be your family physician, and physic the lot of you." "Bravo! " cried Jack, his face lighting up as he grasped a hand of each. " And what do you say, Tim? " "Your story is queer," remarked Tim, solemnly, "but mine is queerer. I'll go with the greatest of pleasure, Jack; but it so happens I'm going out to the same place for The Morning Planet." "What!" "It's a coincidence, anyhow, Jack. I told you I knew about Don Hypolito." " You did." "Have you seen the evening papers?" "No; I was too excited at the idea of meeting you fellows to bother about reading." " You are an ignorant person. While you've been fast in coming here, the telegraph's been faster. From all accounts, there's going to be a shindy in Cholacaca." " Dolores! " gasped Jack, turning pale. "Oh, you needn't be distressful," said Fletcher, hastily; "there's nothing much up as yet. I saw the telegram myself this morning. Don Hypolito has left Tlatonac, and gone to that other town what d'ye call it? 'Tis on the tip of my tongue." " Acauhtzin." " Yes, that's the name. 'Tis said he's trying to stir up a row; but there's no news of any consequence at all! " "You've been ordered to the front, then, Tim?" said Philip, quickly. " You've hit it, my boy! I was in the office this morn- ing, and the editor called me in. ' D'ye want a trip ? ' says he. ' I don't mind,' says I. ' There's going to be trouble again in South America,' says he. ' What! 'says I, 'are the Peruvians at it again?' ' No/ says he, 'it's Cholacaca.' ' And where's that?' says I. 'It's more nor I know/ says he. 'Find out on the map, and hold your- self in readiness to go.' So I left him at once, and looked up the map; found out all I could about the place, and at any minute I'm expecting to be sent off." "Jove! how curious," said Jack, reflectively. " I didn't expect Don Hypolito to cause trouble quite so soon; but I DEVIL STONE. 35 saw things were shaping that way. It's strange, Tim, that you should be going to the very place I wish you to go to. But Philip and Peter won't like to come now." "It doesn't make the slightest difference to me," said Philip, coolly. " In fact, like Xeres, I'm longing for a new pleasure. I've never been in a war, and should like the novelty of the thing. As to Peter, he's coming to resume his profession on the battle-field." " But what about my butterflies?" remonstrated Peter, who did not exactly relish the idea of being put in the fore- front of the battle. He objected to the rOle of Uriah. "Oh, you can do all that sort of thing between times. The main thing is to get the better of Don Hypolito, and help Jack." "Very well, Philip," said the little man, meekly, "I'll come." "But your practice," hesitated Jack, not liking to be selfish. " Why, the poor little man hasn't got one," laughed Tim, digging Peter in the ribs. "Hasn't he killed his patients long ago, and is now starving on five hundred a year, poor sou 1. " " It's very kind of you all!" said Duval, looking at his three friends. " But I feel that I'm leading you into trouble." "Not me," declared Tim, stoutly; "'tis The Morning Planet's to blame, if I peg out." " And I want some excitement," said Philip, gaily; "and Peter wants butterflies; don't you, Doctor? We're all free agents in the matter, Jack, and will go with pleasure." " How strange," said Peter, pensively; " we little thought at Bedford that" "Peter, don't be sentimental," interrupted the baronet, jumping up. "We little thought our meeting would bring us good luck, if that is what you mean. I'm delighted at this new conquest of Mexico." " We must start at once, Philip." " My dear Jack, we will start the day after to-morrow, in my yacht. She's lying down at Yarmouth, in the Isle of Wight, and is ready to get steam up at a minute's notice." " Is she a fast boat? " 36 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Fast!" echoed Philip, indignant at the imputation; " she's the fastest steam-yacht afloat. Wait till she clears the Channel, then you'll see what a clean pair of heels she can show." " The quicker the better. I don't want to arrive at Tlatonac and find Dolores missing." " You won't find a hair of her head touched. You shall marry her, Jack, and inherit the harlequin opal, and go and be priest to Huitzilopochtli, if you like. Now have a glass of wine." Tim, who was always handy when liquor was about, had already filled the glasses and solemnly handed them to his friends. " To the health," said Tim, standing up huge and burly, " of the future Mrs. Duval." The toast was drunk with acclamation. CHAPTER III. "THE BOHEAIIAN." Come, lads, and send the capstan round, Oh, Rio! Rio! Our ijood old barkey's outward bound, Oh, Rio! Rio! So, shipmates, all look sharp and spry, To Poll and Nancy say good-by, And tell them, if tiiey pipe their eye, We're bound for Rio Grande. The old man drank his grog and swore, Oli, Rio! Rio! He'd stay no longer slack ashore, Oh, Rio! Rio! " Come, tumble up, my lads," sez he, " An' weigh the anchor speedily. In twenty days the Cross we'll see, We're bound for Rio Grande." " What do you think of her? " asked Philip, with justi- fiable pride. " She's as near perfection as can be," replied Jack, enthusiastically; " no two opinions about that, old fellow." The Bohemian was a superbly modeled craft, and well deserved their admiration as she lay in Yarmouth Harbor, Isle of Wight. Schooner rigged fore and aft, she was close on 200 tons yacht measurement, and one of the smartest vessels of her kind in British waters. Putting aside her speed when the screw was spinning, she was renowned for her sailing capabilities. With all sails set and a fair wind, she could smoke through the water at the rate of fifteen knots an hour. Thanks to her owner's wandering proclivities, she was well known in every civilized port, and a good many savage anchorages had also seen her graceful form glide into their smooth waters. Some said that her engines were too powerful for her frame; and, indeed, when all her furnaces were going the boat quivered from stem to stern at every rise and fall of 38 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. the cranks. Philip, however, rarely used the full power of her screw, as it was quite unnecessary; but when she did fire up to the extent of her furnace accommodation her speed was something wonderful. Sometimes the baronet used the screw, more often the sails; and, with her white wings spread like summer clouds, The Bohemian, leaning to leeward, rode the surges like a Venus of the foam. Taper masts, splendid spars, cotton-white cloths, she looked a thing of beauty as she swirled through the sea in a smother of foam. She was the pride of Philip's heart, and, whether becalmed in the doldrums or seething through troubled waters in the heel of the trade, was well worthy of her owner's admiration. Jack was scarcely less enthusiastic. He knew more of the land than of the sea, and this was the first time he had ever had the opportunity of inspecting a crack yacht. It was impossible not to admire her milk-white decks, her well-polished brasses, and the general spruceness of her whole appearance. Philip attended thoroughly well to her wants, and despite her frequent voyagings in stormy seas, she always looked as though she had just left dry dock. When the screw thrashed the water into silver froth, and the black smoke poured from the wide funnel, The Bohemian knew what was expected of her, and put her heart into her work. In such a craft it was impossible that a voyage could be otherwise than pleasant, and Jack looked forward to having a thoroughly jolly run to Yuca- tan with his old school-fellows. As has before been stated, they were at Yarmouth. Not that land-and-water Norfolk puddle, but the quaint little seaport in the Isle of Wight. It was famous enough in the old days, and in the reign of our second Charles the gov- ernor of the island made it his headquarters. Now his old residence is turned into a hotel, and in comparison with Cowes and Ryde this once populous town is a mere nothing. With its narrow streets and antique houses and indolent townsfolk, it has an old-world air, and is still affected by some yachtsmen at the time when the Solent is full of graceful boats. Philip was very fond of this out-of- the-way seaport, and generally left The Bohemian in its harbor when he wished to run up to town. After that famous dinner the four friends separated in "THE BOHEMIAN." 39 order to prepare for the voyage. As they had only one clear day in which to do all things, there was little time to be lost. Peter started for Barnstaple by the early train in order to arrange his affairs, and, to save time, Philip agreed to pick him up at Plymouth. The special corre- spondent went straight to his chief, and told him of his desire to start for Cholacaca at once; so, as it seemed pretty certain that the difference between Don Hypolito and the Government would culminate in a civil war, Tim duly received his orders. Now he was flying round town collecting needful articles for his campaign, and was expected down by the early train. On his part, Jack had absolutely nothing to do in London. He already possessed all necessaries, and had neither the money nor the inclination to buy things he did not want. Indeed, leaving the bulk of his belongings in Tlatonac, he had arrived in England with but a single portmanteau, which had been left at the station. Philip carried the homeless wanderer to his club, and put him up for the night, and next day they took themselves and the solitary portmanteau down to Yarmouth, where they soon made themselves comfortable on board the yacht. All things being thus arranged, they only waited Tim's arrival to leave for Plymouth, from whence, after taking Peter on board, The Bohemian could bear away westward in the track of Columbus. With all his indolence Philip was no dilettante yachts- man, to leave everything to his sailing master, and thor- oughly believed in looking after things himself. After dis- playing the beauties of his boat to Jack, he busied himself with seeing about stores, and making sure that all was in order for the voyage. While the baronet was thus engaged, Jack wandered over the yacht in a musing sort of fashion, thinking not so much of the scene around him as of Dolo- res, and of the possible events now happening at Tlatonac. He had good reason to mistrust Don Hypolito, knowing as he did how treacherous and cruel was the nature of that would-be dictator. Half Indian, half Spanish, this Mestizo possessed the worst traits of both races, and once his pas- sions were aroused would stop at nothing to accomplish his desire. It was true that it was principally on account of the opal that he desired to marry Dona Dolores; but he 40 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. was also iu love with her beauty, and adored her in a sen- sual, brutish fashion which made Jack grind his teeth and clench his hands at the very thought. Yet he was unde- niably a clever man, and skilled in diplomatic intrigue; therefore it might be that his revolt against the established Government of Cholacaca would end in his assuming the dictatorship. In such an event he would certainly force Dolores to become his wife; and against his power the Englishman would be able to do nothing. Still, us he had now the aid of his three friends, Duval hoped, if it came to the worst, to escape with Dolores and the opal in Philip's yacht. Once on the open sea, and they could laugh at Xuarez and his threats. The engines of The Bohemian were not meant for show. What Jack feared was that Don Hypolito might have resorted to strong measures, and carried off Dolores with him to Acauhtzin. Hitherto there had been no suspicion that he intended to revolt; so, lulled by a sense of false security, Dolores might have permitted herself to be kid- naped, in which case Jack hardly knew what to do. Still, it might be that nothing had happened save the with- drawal of Xuarez to Acauhtzin, and Duval fervently hoped that he and his friends might arrive at Tlatonac before the outbreak of hostilities. Provided he started fair with Xuarez in the game, Jack hoped to come off winner Dolo- res, the opal, and the Kepublic being the stakes. " If we start to-morrow it will not be long before we reach Cholacaca/' thought Jack, as he leaned over the tailrail looking absently at the dull-hued water. " Once there, and I will be able to protect Dolores. If the worst comes, there is always Philip's yacht; and as to marriage, I am sure Maraquando would rather see his niece married to me than to that Xuarez half-breed." " In a brown study, Jack?" said Cassinrs voice, behind him. " I won't give a penny for your thoughts, for they are worth more." " How do you know that? " " Because you are thinking of Doila Dolores." " It's a true bill," replied Jack, with an ingenuous blush. ''I was hoping she had not been carried off to Acauhtzin by that scoundrel Xuarez." "'Oh, your friend Don Hypolito! JS T ot a bit of it. If "THE BOHEMIAN." 41 all you say is correct, he is in too serious a position, at present, to hamper himself with a woman. Don't worry, fond lover. The Bohemian will take us to Central America in less than no time, and if there's going to be a row, we'll be there to see its genesis." "I hope and trust so," said Duval, gloomily; "but I'm not so hopeful as you are." "I hopeful! My dear lad, I'm the most pessimistic per- son in existence; but at this moment I look at things from a common sense point of view. If Xuarez intends busi- ness, he has withdrawn to Acauhtzin to make his plans. To do so, lie requires time. If he had kidnaped Dona Dolores, things would be brought to a head before his plans were ripe. Therefore he has not kidnaped her. Q. E. D. So come ashore, and don't talk nonsense." "Have you finished your business? " asked Jack, follow- ing Sir Philip into his boat. " Yes, everything is right. As soon as Tim arrives we will start for Plymouth to pick up Peter. I wish Tim would come down to-night; but I suppose even a special correspondent must have time to collect his traps." " What is your reason for going ashore? " "In the first place I wish to send a wire to my lawyer as to my destination; and in the second, I desire to stretch my legs. Let us have as much dry land as we can get. It will be nothing but sea for the next week or so." " Have you been long ashore, this time?" asked Duval, as they went up to the telegraph office. " Only five or six days. I came from the Guinea coast, I tell you, to keep this appointment. I didn't then know it would result in a Central American expedition." " I hope you are not regretting your determination?" " My dear Jack, I am delighted. I have not yet seen a war, so it will be something new. Now then, Messrs. Bradshaw & Co.," he added, poising his pen over the telegraph form, " I had better tell you where I am to be found. How do you spell Tlatonac, Jack?" " T-1-a-t-o-n-a-c," spelled Jack, slowly; " but why don't you write your lawyer a letter, instead of sending an unsatisfactory telegram ? " "I have nothing to write about, "replied Philip, signing his name with a nourish; "all they need know is where I 42 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. am in case of my possible death, so as to make things right for the next-of-kin. They have no letters to forward. I always carry plenty of money, so I never bother my head about them, beyond giving my bare address." " Don't they object to such unbusiness-like habits?" "They did at first, but finding objections of no use, have quite given up such preachings. Don't trouble any more about them, but let us take a walk. ' You take a walk, but you drink tea/ said Samuel Johnson." "I don't see the connection," said Jack, soberly. "Neither do I; but what matter. e Dulce est disipere in loco.' There is a bit of dictionary Latin for your delectation." "Peter said you were a misanthrope, Philip; but I don't think so myself." " Peter is a collector of butterflies," retorted Philip, gaily. "'I was a misanthrope; man delighted me not, nor woman cither; but now I have met the friends of my youth I feel much better. The friends we make in life are never as dear as those we make at school. Since leav- ing Bedford I have made none. I have lived for my yacht and in my yacht. Now that I have you and Tim and Peter I feel that I am rapidly losing the character for Timonism. Like Mr. Buuthorne, I am a reformed character." " Who is Mr. Bunthorne? A friend of yours?" "Jack, Jack! you are a sad barbarian. It is a character in one of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas. But you have lived so long among savages that you don't know him; in fact 1 don't believe you know who Gilbert and Sullivan are." " Oh yes, I do. I'm not so ignorant as all that." " There is balm in Gilead, then," said Cassim, satirically, "Jack, when you marry Dolores and realize the opal, you must return to civilization. I can't let the friend of my youth dwell among the tombs any longer." " I am very happy among the tombs." "I know yon are. You would be happy anywhere," rejoined Philip, enviously. "Would I were as easily con- tented. Tell me how to' be happy, Jack." "Get married," returned Jack, promptly. "Married!" echoed Cassim, as though the idea were a new revelation; "that is a serious question, Jack, which "THE BOHEMIAN." 43 needs serious discussion. Let us sit down on this soft turf, my friend, and you shall give your opinions regarding mat- rimony. You don't know anything about it as yet; but that is a mere detail." By this time, owing to their rapid walking, they had loft Yarmouth far behind, and having turned off the high road were now strolling across a field yellow with gorse. In a few minutes they arrived at a land-slip where the earth fell suddenly down to the beach. The brow of this was cov- ered with soft grass, starred with primroses, and Philip threw himself down thereon with a sigh of content. Jack more soberly seated himself by the side of his friend, and for a few moments they remained silent, gazing at the scene. Below was the rent and torn earth, on either side a scanty fringe of trees, and in front the blue sea stretching far away toward the dim line of the Hampshire coast. A gentle wind was blowing, the perfume of the wild flowers came delicately on its wings, and they could hear the waves lapping on the beach below, while occasionally a bird piped in the near boughs. It was very cool, pastoral, and pleas- ant, grateful enough to Jack's eyes, weary of the burning skies and the gorgeous efflorescence of the tropics. Ah me ! how often we sigh for green and misty England in the lands of the sun. "'There is no land like England/" quoted Jack, absently smelling a pale primrose. "Ah! there is no doubt it is the most delightful country in the whole world. I have been all over the planet, so I ought to know." "And yet you propose to leave the land you profess to love," said Philip, rolling himself over so as to catch his friend's eye. "Jack, you are not consistent." " I must earn my bread and butter. Every one isn't born like you with a silver spoon in his mouth. If I can't find employment in England I must go abroad. Besides, there is always Dolores." "Of course," assented Philip, gravely, "there is always Dolores. Is she pretty, Jack?" "Pretty!" echoed Duval, with huge disdain; "if there is one adjective that does not describe Dolores it is 'pretty.' She's an angel." " Such a vague description. Era Angelica, Burne Jones. Gustave Dore", all paint angels differently." 44 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " Oh, I don't mind being more minute, if you care to listen. But I do not wish to bore you with my love affairs." " I like to be bored with love affairs when they are those of Jack Duval." Jack smiled thankfully. He was eager to talk of Dolores to Philip; but being somewhat sensitive to ridicule, hesi- tated as to whether he should do so. As a rule a man'V friends do not care about listening to a lover's ravings. Women are the most sympathetic in such a case; but as Jack had no female friend in whom to confide, he had either to hold his tongue or tell Philip. Philip, he thought, would not care for descriptions of the beloved one, so he kept silent; but now that he had been warmly requested to be as explicit as he pleased, he eagerly has- tened to unbosom himself. At that moment, Jack thought Philip an augel of sympathy. " Dolores," he began slowly, fixing his eyes seaward. " is rather tall, with a charming figure. Her hair is purple black, her face oval, and her complexion inclined to be darkish. She has teeth like pearls, and a mouth like Cupid's bow. Her eyes well, her eyes," said Jack, enthusiastic- ally, "are like those velvety dark pansies when the dew lies on them." "That's the first original epithet you've used, Jack. Teeth of pearl and Cupid's bow for a mouth are old similes. Dew on pansies is distinctly good." " Oh, if you are going to laugh," began Jack, angrily, when Cassim hastened to disclaim any such discourtesy. "I'm not laughing, my dear lad. I am only compli- menting you on your ingenuity. I know exactly what kind of a woman Dolores is. She is like Do Mussef's Mar- quise half fiend, half angel." " I never heard of her," interrupted Duval, bluntly, as he produced a gold oval from his pocket; "but to save further description, look at this picture. It was done for me by a Spanish fellow at Tlatonac." Philip surveyed the portrait in the locket long and earnestly. " Has Dolores a temper, Jack?" "Rather!" replied Jack, laconically; " but what do you think of her?" " She has an exquisite face, and, judging from her "THE BOHEMIAN." 45 mouth, a fiery temper. I don't wonder yon are in love with her, Jack. I hope she'll make you a good wife." "You seem rather doubtful on that point," said Jack, half annoyed, as he restored the locket to his waistcoat pocket. " No; but to tell you the truth, I'm doubtful of the advisability of mixed marriages in the matter of race. It may be all very well for the offspring, who, as a rule, are very clever; but the husband and wife, having different trainings, do not as a rule hit it off. Race nature again, my friend." "Oh, as to that," rejoined Jack, equably, "I have lived so long in Mexico and South America that I am half Spanish in my habits, and so can suit myself to Dolores. Besides, when we are married we will stay in Span- ish America; it will be more advisable than coming to England." " Yes; I agree with you there," said Philip, lazily; "in fact, I think the indolent Creole life of South America would suit me also. I also must find an Indian-Spanish spouse. And that reminds me, Jack, that we sat down to discuss my marriage prospects, whereas we've done noth- ing but talk about jours." " Well, suppose you marry Dona Eulalia?" "What, have you found me a spouse already?" cried Oassim, sitting up, with a ringing laugh. " And who is Dona Eulalia?" " The cousin of Dolores, aud the daughter of Don Miguel." " Is she as beautiful as her cousin? But there, I needn't ask that. Of course in your eyes no one is so perfect as Dolores. Well, I will consider the matter when I see Eulalia. It is too important a step to take without due consideration." " What nonsense you talk, Philip." "Why shouldn't I talk nonsense? Between you and mo, Jack, I grow weary, at times, of very sensible people. We won't discuss how that remark applies to you. Tell rue how many more members there are of the Maraquandc family." " Only a son, Don Rafael." " And what does the young hidalgo?" 46 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Re is in the Cholacacan navy. A very jolly young fellow of twenty-five. We are great friends. Then there is a Dona Serafina." " Another beauty? " " According to her own idea, very much so," replied Jack, dryly. "She is the old man's sister, and acts as duenna to Dolores and Eulalia." " Ah, an old maid. Good! We will marry her to Peter, and they can collect butterflies together." " Oh, Dona Serafina would marry any one; but why to Peter." " I don't know. Peter looks as if he needed a wife; so, as he won't choose one for himself, I must do so for him. Oh," yawned Philip, rising reluctantly to his feet, " Avhat a pleasant talk we have had. I suppose it's time we got back to the boat! Come, John, I'll race you to the road." Nothing loath, Jack accepted the challenge at once, and, though Philip ran like a deer, succeeded in beating him easily. "Whew!" gasped Cassim, leaning breathless against a fence which verged on the highroad. "You're one too many for me, Jack. I thought I was a good runner, but you can beat me." "You're out of training. Too much flesh. Too soft muscles." "Well, I'll soon right all that at Cholacaca, when we run from the enemy. Constant life on a yacht isn't a good thing to develop a fellow's running powers." They jumped lightly over the fence, and walked soberly toward Yarmouth in the gathering dusk. The sun was setting, and there was a glory over sea and land somewhat tempered by the twilight. The friends strolled comfort- ably along, still talking. Indeed, since their meeting they had done little else but talk, more especially Philip, who was not like the same man. His reserve seemed to have melted away like dew before the sun of D aval's geniality, and he was more like the merry boy of old than the haughty, distrustful man of the present. The reason of this lay in the fact that he felt he could thoroughly trust Jack, and it was a great comfort to him that there was at least one man in the Avorld to whom he could open his heart unreservedly. Secretly he was much astonished at "THE BOHEMIAN. " 47 the pleasure he found in this friendship, and by no means displeased, as while in Jack's company the world seemed a goodly place in which to dwell. Yet Duval was decidedly a commonplace young man, smart enough at his business, yet by no means distinguished for intellectuality; withal, so warm-hearted and simple-natured that Philip surren- dered himself entirely to the influence of this pleasant friendship. "You are doing me no end of good, Jack/' he said, as they walked through the town. " Before you came I was gradually becoming a fossil; now I am renewing my youth." "I am very glad to hear it," replied Jack, simply. " But indeed. Philip, so far as I can see, you seem to be as jolly as a sandboy." " I wasn't a week ago. It's the sunshine of your happy geniality, Jack. I will stay with you until the cure is com- plete. Then I will see you safely married to Dolores, pre- sent you with the opal stone as a dowry, and then ' "And then! " repeated Jack, as his friend paused. "Then I will' take up the old discontented life again." "I won't let you do that," said Duval, slipping his arm within that of Philip's. " No; I will cure you, as you say, and then you will marry Eulalia." " Humph! That's doubtful." " I'm not so sure about that, mi amigo. Meanwhile, I'm hungry, so let us go on board and have dinner." "Oh, bathos," laughed Philip, but offered no opposition to so sensible a suggestion. They sat up late that night talking of many things, but principally about Dolores and Tlatonac. Jack gave his friend a vivid description of the Cholacacan capital, and of the life therein, all of which was highly appreciated by Philip. The baronet's taste in existence, as in literature, leaned toward the dreamy and fantastical, so the languor- ous life of Spanish America in sleepy towns, amid the dilapidated pomp of former splendors, appealed greatly to the imaginative side of his nature. Hitherto his visits to these out-of-the-way places had been limited to a few days ashore while his yacht was anchored in the harbor; but this time he determined to take Jack for his guide, and live the life of these strange people. It was a dream of the Orient in a new world. The Arabian Nights in the west. 48 THE HAKLEQUIN" OPAL. Next morning they were up early in order to greet Tim; who duly arrived in a state of great excitement. He was delighted to be once more on the war-path, especially as he was to go through the campaign in the company of his old school-fellows. The business of putting his luggage on board took but little time, as Tim did not believe in special correspondents traveling with much impedimenta. " You could have brought more luggage, if you had liked/' said Philip, when they inspected Tim's modest kit. "More! Haven't I got all I want/' retorted Tim, indignantly. " What would I be stuffing up the boat with rags for. A tooth-brush and a clean collar is all I require." "Hardly, if this is going to be a lengthy campaign/' replied Philip, dryly. " I expect before the end of the voyage you'll be wearing Peter's clothes." Peter was so small and Tim so large, that the idea struck the latter as wonderfully ludicrous, and he sat down to laugh, which he continued to do until the screw began to beat the water. Then he went on deck to superintend the departure. In due time they arrived at Plymouth without accident, where they found Peter waiting with as much luggage as a bride would take on her honeymoon. It proved to be mostly articles for capturing butterflies, and cases for pre- serving them, much to the disgust of Philip, who hated his yacht to be overloaded with such debris. With that painful candor which prevailed between them, he told Peter that he would only take half; but the meek doctor waxed indignant, and refused to go without all these what he called "necessaries." So in the end Philip had to give in. Then The Bohemian turned her prow westward, and dipping her nose in the salt brine followed in the track of Columbus. CHAPTER IV. IN THE TRACK OF COLUMBUS. Spread sails, out oars, the galley's beak Points westward where the sunset dies. The fabled land of gold v.e seek, Which glows beneath the tropic skies A jeweled land of Paradise; The waters round our prow are curled, White foam bells streak their turquoise blue, We leave behind the ancient world, To seek the new. Spread sails, out oars, a path of gold Streams from the sinking sun at eve, As those bold mariners of old, Again romances wild we weave, Of splendors we would fain believe; Yon path leads on to fairyland, Which glows within the sunset's heart; We anguish for that magic strand, And so depart. On this occasion the Atlantic Ocean failed to justify its name, for The Bohemian met with little or no bad weather during her voyage to Cholacaca. Blue skies, blue seas, and fair winds, it was an ideal cruise, and had it not been neces- sary to reach Tlatonac with as little delay as possible, Philip would willingly have prolonged this ocean-tramping for an indefinite period. Jack, however, was anxious to see Dolores; the special correspondent looked forward eagerly to the fierce delights of possible battles, and Peter hank- ered after the insect tribes of Central America; so, in deference to their wishes, Philip made his yacht act well up to her reputation as a fast boat. The Bohemian did not belie her fame, and made a bee-line straight for her destination. Ignoring Lisbon, where boats generally touch on their way to South America, the yacht held on straight for the Azores, passed them in the night, and continued her course to Cuba, from whence she could drop down to 4 (49) 50 THE HABLEQUIN OPAL. Tlatonac in a few days. She touched at Havana which was a trifle out of her course at the express request of Jack, who had a few commissions to fulfill for Dolores; otherwise her nearest point of call would have been Kings- ton, in the Island of Jamaica. Truly there are worse lots in the world than a lotus- eating existence on board a crack yacht, and none of the four friends found the voyage too long or too dull. Peter attended to his entomological traps; Tim, obeying his journalistic instincts, made notes of daily events for future use, and Philip, in conjunction with his sailing master, attended to the navigation of the boat. The only idle per- son on board was Jack Duval, who did nothing bnt eat, sleep, drink, and think of Dolores, save when he amused himself by worrying his busier companions. Thanks to the powerful engines of The Bohemian, and the uniform speed at which they were kept the whole time, the voyage to the Carribean Sea was accomplished in a wonderfully short space of time. Occasionally, when the bearings of the engines became heated by constant friction, the screw was stopped and the sails were set, when the yacht, leaning slightly to one side, swirled through the waters under a cloud of canvas. They depended chiefly on steam-power, however, and it was rarely that the drum of the screw ceased resounding through the vessel as she held on steadily westward in the eye of the sunset. All four friends had plenty to do and plenty to talk about, so managed to get through the days in a sufficiently pleasant fashion. After dinner, which was the principal event of the twenty-four hours, they sat on deck chatting in the warm tropic nights, or else stayed in the saloon listening to Philip's piano-playing and Jack's singing. Tim also sang in a pleasant tenor voice, and often favored the company with a varied selection of ditties, ranging from pathetic Irish melodies to the latest music-hall songs of the clay. Peter was the most unmusical member of the party, and, save talking, did little else to amuse his friends. It is true that he offered to give them a lecture on " lepidopterous moths," but the offer was promptly refused on the score that it would be dull. Peter could not understand such an adjective being applied to so interesting a subject. IK THE TRACK OF COLUMBUS. 51 It was at one of these symposiums that Jack gave them a description of the political situation in Cholacaca, information peculiarly acceptable to Tim, who was anxious to be thoroughly acquainted with the local affairs of the country. On reaching Tlatonac, he wrote a capital article embodying Jack's information, and sent it off at once to The Morning Planet, in whose columns it duly appeared, and gave the British public an excellent idea of Don Hypolito's reasons for rebelling against the established Government of the Eepublic. Tim's articles were brutally plain and untempered by style. The night was warm and cloudless. Westward the faint after-glow of the sunset; and in the east the slender cres- cent of the moon, low down on the horizon. Overhead the constellations, large and mellow, burned like lamps in the purple sky, and mirrored their flashing points in the deep, so that the yacht cut her way through a glittering sea of planetary splendors. The sails \vere all furled, and a light breeze made humming noises in the taut hemp of the rigging. From the wide mouth of the funnel floated a faint trail of smoke, and the steady screw, with monotonous repetition, throbbed like a beating heart. The water, hissing like serpents, streamed past the black sides of the boat, and at the prow the white foam boiled like a witch's caldron, as she rose and fell on the heaving plain. It was all wonderfully charming, and the voyagers seated on deck felt it to be so. After a time conversation ceased, and they remained silent, drinking in the beauty of the night and the infinite magic of the sea. Peter, unromantic Peter, was the first to break the charm with a commonplace remark. " I hope we shall get fresh milk in Cuba; I'm tired of this Swiss stuff." "The heathen! " cried Tim, in a disgusted tone; "he thinks of nothing but his fat little paunch: Can't you admire the works of nature, you little dunderhead." "' Well, I do want fresh milk," urged Peter, obstinately. " You have no eye for beauty, Peter," said Jack, gravely; " look at the grandeur of the scene around you." "It's very pretty." "Pretty!" cried Philip, laughing. "I once heard a young lady call the Hallelujah Chorus pretty. You must be a relation of that young lady, Peter. 52 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Of all the adjectives in the English language/' said Duval, with mock solemnity, "the one I most detest is < pretty." "Especially when it is applied to a certain damsel, whereof we wot/' interjected Philip, mischievously; whereat Jack blushed and the others laughed. "If Peter is so enthusiastic over all this," said Tim, waving his hand to indicate the same, "what will he say when he sees Dona Serafina?" "Bother Dona Serafina!" retorted the doctor, growing red. " I wish you fellows would stop roasting me on the subject." " She isn't a subject, Peter, but an object. Forty-five, and as plain as Tim there." " Is it me you mean, Jack? Why, I'm not bad-looking at all. I've had that same on the best female authority. We can't all be heathen gods, like you and Philip." "I object to be compared to a heathen god," said the baronet, lighting a fresh cigarette. " There is ugly Vulcan as well as beautiful Apollo. Your compliment reads both ways, Tim." " Oh, the vanity of the creature! But I'm not going to pass compliments, sir. No, it's my intention to request Mister Duval to deliver a speech." "What about?" asked Jack, considerably taken aback at this cool request. "On the politics of Cholacaca. I dursn't neglect my business, lads, and the first letter I have to send to my chief is a report of the cause of this shindy." " The information will be useful to us all," said Philip, settling himself more comfortably in his chair; "we will then know which side to take, Don Miguel's or Don Hypolito's. Go on, Jack; and you, Peter, hold your tongue; interrupt, and I'll give orders for your removal overboard." The doctor grinned, and expressed his desire to know all that Jack had to say on the subject; whereat Duval, without wasting any time, plunged at once into the middle of the subject. "It's a difficult task," he said, rubbing his chin in some perplexity; "but first you must know the geography of Cholacaca. It has more depth than breadth, being a strip Itf THE TRACK OF COLUMBUS. 53 of country lying south of Yucatan, about four hundred miles long and two hundred broad. Tlatonac, the chief town, is in the south, and Acauhtzin, the second city, in the north about three hundred miles intervening. There are other towns of more or less importance in the interior; but the most of Cholacaca consists of dense forests inhab- ited by Indians and dotted with buried cities." " One of which contains the Temple of the Harlequin Opal, I tsuppose," said Philip, leisurely. " Yes; I have an idea that the Temple of the Opal is not very far fi-om Tlatonac; but of this I am not sure. Well, to proceed. The country is very mountainous, and there are comparatively few roads. I am engaged by the Govern- ment to construct a railway to Acauhtzin." " How far have you constructed?" "Fifty miled, or thereabouts; and now that this war is on the tapis, I expect the works will have to be abandoned. Failing this railway, the only way to get to the second cap- ital is by water. So, you see, communication between the two towns is not so perfect as it might be." " And thus offers good opportunities to Don Hypolito to make things nasty for the Government." "There's no doubt of that, provided Don Hypolito can secure the allegiance of the navy." " The navy ! " said Peter, in surprise. " You don't mean to say, Jack, that Cholacaca has a navy? " "A very good one, as South American navies go. They have three war-ships, named respectively, The Columbus, The Cortes and The Pizarro, all first-class vessels. The Government has also senfc to England for two torpedo- boats, which are expected out shortly." " Then, if Don Hypolito commands the navy, he can do what he likes." " Not exactly. Tlatonac is well fortified, and the war- ships would have to keep well out of the range of the guns. " " Any army worth mentioning?" " Yes; a capital army for this part of the world. Mostly Mestizos, you know; and, if needs be, I dare say the Gov- ernment can secure the forest Indians as their allies. Fools if they do. No wise man trusts an Indian. That holds good of governments also, I take it." 4 64 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " Judging from your opal story," said Philip, reflectively, " it seems to me that this Indian business depends on the stone." "No doubt. If Don Hypolito secures Dolores and her opal, the Indians, out of sheer superstition, will side with him against the Government. In that case, they are too near Tlatonac to be pleasant." . " And what are the plans of this Don, if you please," asked Tim, who was scribbling shorthand notes in his pocket-book. "'Hum! you'll have to ask Xuarez about those, and then he won't tell you. So far as I can judge, he will win over the navy to his side, establish his headquarters at Acauhtzin, and make things unpleasant all round. With the navy of three, he can blockade Tlatonac." "What about the torpedo-boats?" " They, no doubt, are on their way out from England. If the war-ships can stop them, they certainly will." " Torpedo-boats are unpleasant things to handle." " Yes; I don't suppose the war-ships will try force. Those in charge of the two torpedo-boats won't know of the disaffection of the navy; so possibly their commander will be decoyed on board the ships, and the rebels can place their own men in charge of the torpederas." " In that case," said Philip, after a pause, " it would be as well to use this yacht to warn them before they enter the harbor." " My dear Philip, if you tried on that game, the rebels would send a war-ship after you, and The Bohemian would be knocked to bits." " Not if she gets a start. I'll back her speed against the whole Cholacacan navy. When The Bohemian has all her furnaces going, she is like a streak of greased light- ning." " But, after all," said Peter, yawning, " I don't see why we need anticipate evil. Don Hypolito may not have rebelled, and the navy may still be loyal to the Govern- ment." " What!" cried Tim, sticking his chin in the air, "d'ye think I've come all these miles to see a flash in the pan. If Don Hypolito doesn't revolt, I shall consider myself deceived. I want war blood, red war, and plenty of it." IN THE TEACK OF COLUMBUS. 55 " Barbaric wretch!" said Philip, indolently. "War wasn't invented to fill the empty columns of your paper during the silly season. Not that I would mind a war myself." " You'll see all that and more," remarked Jack, con- fidently. " Xuarez is bent on becoming Dictator of the Republic, and as President Gomez won't care about being kicked out, it will be a case of war to the knife." " What kind of a man is Xuarez?" "He's like Napoleon; a wonderful man, I can tell you. You can see from his face that he was born to command. If he gains the day he won't be content with playing at Dictator. Not he! He'll make himself Emperor, estab- lish his capital in the neck of the Isthmus of Panama, and conquer South America. He won't attempt the north further than Mexico, in case the United States Govern- ment might make it hot for him. The Yankees object to foreign domination. Some people are so particular." " The New World is not the place for empires," said Philip, decisively. " Monarchs are at a discount in the Americas. Maximilian failed; Iturbide failed; Dom Pedro had to leave Brazil. No, Montezuma was the last of the American emperors; there will never be another." " Don't prophesy till you know, Philip. Don Hypolito is as cunning as the devil, and as clever." " I don't care how clever he is. No one can depend on the half-baked lot that form the population of Spanish America. You have to form a nation before you can con- struct an empire." "There's some truth in that." " Still, if Xuarez appeals to their superstition through this opal," said Peter, mildly, "there will be " That only counts with the Indians. The Mestizos and the descendants of the Spaniards won't be led by such child's play." "What about the Church?" Jack flicked a spot of dust off his coat. "The Church has that much pOAver in Cholacaca now," he said, slowly; " it's effete; it's worn out. The age of the Inquisition is past." "If Don Hypolito does get to be Lord- Lieutenant," asked Tim, inquiringly, "what will he do for the down- trodden country?" 56 THE HAELEQUIK OPAL. "According to his own showing,, everything. Don't I tell you he wishes to found a monarchy. But when he's got the upper hand I question whether he'll do much, save what chimes in with his own personal ambition. Besides, Cholacaca is going ahead now quite as much as is good for it." " That refers to the railway, Jack." " Partly, and to other things also. This railway will open up a lot of valuable country. It will run through from end to end; from Janjalla in the south to Acauhtzin in the north. Then lines will branch off here and there to the sea-coast on one side, to the mountains on the other. Thus the whole country will be a network of railways, bringing the population and towns within trading distance of one another/' " All of which visions are to be realized by Jack," said Peter, with mock sarcasm. "Yes, realized by Jack," assented the engineer, good- humoredly. " If Don Hypolito gets beaten, and things go on as now, I will have plenty of work." " Much virtue in ' if/" quoted Philip, smiling. "It is certainly difficult to foresee the end. Still. Gomez has the army." "And Don Hypolito has the navy. It's pretty even, I think." "The combat will be decided by us four," said Tim, conceitedly, " and we'll fight on the side of Jack's choosing. " "Then we will assist the Government. I don't want to help Xuarez to marry Dolores, and get the Harlequin Opal." " It's my opinion that the war has nothing to do with the Harlequin Opal," said Peter, decisively. " If the Indians have got it, the Indians will keep it." "Unless I'm within stealing distance of it," replied Jack, promptly. " No; whatever comes and goes, I'm determined to get that opal. It belongs to Dolores." "And Dolores belongs to you. You are an unselfish person, Jack." Duval laughed good-humoredly at Philip's mild protes- tation, and began to talk of other things. Tim went down to the saloon to arrange his notes; Peter turned in, and the symposium broke up without further conversation . IN THE TRACK OF COLUMBUS. 57 This is only a sample of the many talks they had on the subject of Cholacaca. The information supplied by Jack- was useful, as it showed his three companions plainly how matters stood. On their arrival at Tlatonac, they were thus well acquainted with the causes of the war, and could follow future developments with great interest. And whc^i this last conversation took place, Tlatonac was not far off. After leaving Havana, where they only stayed a few hours for a run ashore, the yacht dropped down toward the Bay of Honduras, and drew steadily toward their destina- tion. The nearer they came, the more excited did Jack become at the prospect of seeing Dolores once more. Asa rule, the young engineer was a steady, cool-headed fellow; but this love had upset his brain, and he was as love-sick and inconsequent as any raw lad. Amused at this specta- cle, Philip did his best to restrain Jack's impatience, aiid kept the engines at full speed so that the lover might the sooner arrive within kissing distance of his beloved. Within the circle of the Indian isles the heat grew almost unbearable. Blue sea, blue sky, and the burning eye of the sun grilling them constantly during the day. When the west flared red with his setting, and the waters heaved in billows of crimson, they were glad to welcome the cool night with serene moon and chilly, gleaming stars. The pitch bubbled sluggishly in the seams of the deck, the brasses burned like fire when touched by an incautious hand, and the very air was tremulous with the heat. In vain, with linen suits, solar topees, and constant keeping in the shade, they endeavored to find coolness; the sun found them out, and baked them with his fierce rays till they were half dead with exhaustion. The heat did not brown them as is customary in more temperate climes, but simply squeezed all the life out of their poor bodies until they waxed so indolent that they did nothing but lie about in shady corners all day, longing for the night. Even Peter abandoned his entomology; so, from such sacrifice, must the intense heat be judged. Tim was a perfect god-send in those glowing days of heat and thirst. He was skillful at preparing drinks, and concocted beverages which enabled them to hold out dur- ing twelve hours of incessant sun-glare. Occasionally they passed an island covered with masses of palm, cactus, and 58 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. aloes, and sometimes a distant ship arose and fell against the line of the horizon; but they were too indolent to trouble about such trifles. It was nothing but eternal sun- shine and eternal heat. But all things must come to an end, and so did this voyage. "To-morrow," said Philip, thankfully, as he broiled in the shade, "to-morrow we will sight British Honduras. Then Tlatonac won't be far off." " Perhaps it will be worse on shore than at sea," sighed Peter, mopping his bald head with a red silk pocket-hand- kerchief. "Why, if- "For Heaven's sake, Peter, throw that handkerchief overboard," cried Jack, irritably; "the very color makes me hot." "But it's silk!" ' ' I don't care what it is. It's red, and that's enough for me." " Don't lose your temper, Jack! " said Tim, soothingly. " Vamos a tomar las once." This Spanish phrase, meaning " Let us go and take the eleven," was introduced by Jack, and referred to "aguar- diente" (brandy), which has eleven letters. It was in con- stant use, and when the familiar sound struck on their ears, Philip and Peter lifted their heads anxiously. It is but fair to state, however, that in the sense in which the saying was used on board the yacht, it referred to lemon squash, which also has that number of letters. " I'll take one if you prepare it." "Carambo!" said Tim, viciously. "I won't. Make one yourself. I'm not a bartender." "Tim's getting up his Spanish for the ladies," mur- mured Philip, lazily. " If he greets them with carambo, he'll be slung out of Tlatonac," retorted Jack, who frequently indulged in American slang. "Oh, I also know how to make love in Spanish," said the Irishman, bluntly. " El hombre prevenido nunca f lie" vencido." "Oh, shut up!" * ' What does that mean ? " asked Peter, who was pro- foundly ignorant of the Castilian tongue. " It means ' The prepared man is never conquered/ you IN THE TRACK OF COLUMBUS. 59 ignorant creature. Peter, you'll have to learn Spanish, if only to flirt with old Serailna." Peter deliberately arose from his chair, and walked down to the saloon. " That's Peter's way of remonstrating,'" said Jack, smil- ing. "It's hot here; we had better follow his example." They did, and in a remarkably short space of time were fast asleep. The siesta had also been introduced by Jack with such success that they slept all day and sat up all night, when it was cool. It was the only way they had of making life bearable. The next morning they were within sight of Tlatonac. A long, low line of sand appeared in the distance, topped here and there with a slender palm. As they drew nearer, they saw the frowning walls of the forts rising above the waters, and beyond, on a hill, the red-roofed houses of the city. Above all, the slender towers and high dome of the cathedral. " Hullo! " said Jack, noting the absence of the war-ships. "No navy! This looks ominous." " Do you think war has begun?" asked Peter, turning round in dismay. " Lord knows! It looks like it." " Well, at all events, the war- ships can't hurt us now," said Philip; " we are under the guns of the forts." From the central part of the forts a long wharf shot into the blue waters. The bay was covered with boats; intensely green vegetation clothed the shores, and the white walls of the forts glistened like silver in the blazing sunlight. And this was Tlatonac. "A most exposed situation," said Philip, thinking of the war. " If the war-ships start shelling those red roofs there won't be much of them left." He addressed Jack; but that young man did not reply. He was thinking of Dolores. Philip turned toward Peter; but the doctor's mental eye was fixed on clouds of gor- geous butterflies. Tim! "I'd like to see a naval combat in this bay," said Tim, gravely, "with war-ships and torpedoes." "Three monomaniacs," said Philip, rising. "War, butterflies, and Dolores. We'd better go ashore now, lads. I'm tired of those three subjects." CHAPTER V. DON MIGUEL IS COMMUNICATIVE. Why, look you, Sefior, thus the matter stands: When one is in a country dangerous, And night is round him ever)' where, 'tis wise To venture nothing till the mo, uing's light, Lest, in the dark, some hidden pitfall lurk. Thus stands our fortune. Traitors full of guile Are in our midst, yet, keeping quiet their plans, Would gull us into false security. We know not where to strike; for here and here, Danger may lurk, and yet we dare not strike. The house of Don Miguel Maraquando Avas situate on one side of the Plaza de los liombres Ilustres, opposite to the cathedral, and near the Calle Otumba. Like the gen- erality of Mexican mansions, it was built in the Hispauo- Moriscan fashion a style of architecture peculiarly adapted to this equatorial climule. Walls of massive stone, impen- etrable to heat, surrounded a patio paved with variegated tiles and brilliant with tropical flowers. From this patio doors opened into the various rooms of the house, while above were ranges of sleeping-chambers fronted by a light iron-railed balcony running round all four sides of the court-yard. The roof generally called the azotea was flat, and in many houses is used for family gatherings in the warm nights or during a temperate day. In this case, however, the Maraquando family made use of the patio, where tho heat, particularly at noon, was not so great. It was a charming spot, cool, bright, and airy, with plenty of brilliant-blossomed flowers standing round the sides in red, porous jars, and vividly green creepers which twisted round the squat pillars and clambered to the sun- light by the ladder of the balconies. An old Aztec sacri- ficial stone, carved with ugly gods, occupied the center of the court, and here and there appeared misshapen statues of the same grotesque deities. A light awning, gaily striped with red and white, made the patio shady, and (60) DON MIGUEL IS COMMUNICATIVE. 61 beneath this were cane chairs for the accommodation of the lazy and small tables on which to place refreshments. It was a veritable castle of indolence; grateful to day- dreamers, and, as such, peculiarly acceptable to the Chola- cacans, who are the least industrious people on this planet. Outside, the mansion, with its massive doors and iron rejas, presented a gloomy and forbidding appearance, more like a prison than a dwelling-house. On entering the door, however, and passing through the dim zaguan, the internal cheerfulness of the patio was accentuated by the dullness without. Indeed, the sadden emergence into the light was somewhat bewildering, as with blue sky above and flower-decorated patio below, it was some time before the eye became accustomed to the blinding brilliance of the whole. Graceful architecture, hideous idols, the splendor of floral treasures, and silver glitter of the walls, the patio was a most charming spot, and eminently calculated to make life in this tropical zone remarkably pleasant. Into this city paradise created by the hand of man, Jack introduced his friends, and formally presented them to Don Miguel, Jefc Politico of Tlatouac, who, having been informed of their arrival, awaited them in his patio according to the etiquette of the country. He was tall and lean and diy, with a most astonishing resemblance to Don Quixote as delineated by the pencil of Dore. For coolness, he wore a white linen suit, and shaded his aus- tere face with a broad -brimmed sombrero, which latter he removed with infinite grace on the appearance of the Englishmen. "Welcome, gentlemen, to Tlatonac," he said, majestic- ally, in Spanish; " my house and all therein is at your disposal." After this hospitable greeting, he insisted that they should seat themselves in order to partake of some light refreshment. They had the greatest difficulty in assuring him that they were not hungry, as indeed they had just finished breakfast before leaving the yacht. Ultimately, in order not to offend their courteous host, they accepted some pulque, the national beverage of Mexico, and were sorry for the concession. Jack was used to the drink, and professed to like it; but the others pronounced it beastly. Those who have tried pulque for the first time will heartily indorse this opinion. 62 THE HAELEQUIN OPAL. "Oh, oh!" spluttered Peter, trying to conceal his dis- taste from their host, " it's like bad buttermilk." "What would I not give for a glass of whisky! 'Tis pig-wash, this same." " It is certainly not the milk of Paradise," said Philip, in disgust. Don Miguel had retired for a moment in search of cigars for the party, so they could express themselves freely to Jack. They took full advantage of the oppor- tunity. "The Mexicans say the angels in heaven prefer it to wine," said Jack, who had finished his glass with great gusto. " They have a proverb: " Lo beben, los augeles En vez de vino." " I can't say much for the angels' taste, then," retorted Philip, crossly. "Nastier stuff I never drank. Raki is bad enough, but it's nectar compared with pulque." Jack laughed heartily at the wry faces made by his friends, and comforted them after the manner of Job's acquaintances. "You'll have to drink it, however. Don Miguel will be offended if you do not." They all promptly poured the liquor into some of the flower-bearing jars which happened, fortunately enough, to be handy. "There," said Peter, triumphantly, "he'll think we have finished it." "I'll bring a pocket-pistol next time," said Tim, gloomily. "I'll be having the cholera with this stuff." " Hush! here is Don Miguel." Their host returned Avith a good supply of cigars, which found much more acceptance than the pulque. Maraquando expressed great surprise that Peter did not smoke. "AVhat docs he say?" asked Peter, wofully ignorant of Spanish. "That you ought to smoke." Peter shook his head in disgust. " Tell Don Miguel tobacco is slow poison." Maraquando laughed when this was translated to him. DON MIGUEL IS COMMUNICATIVE. 63 "It must be very slow, Senor," he said, smiling. "I have smoked for forty years, and yet the poison has not overtaken me as yet/' All laughed at this speech save Peter, who could not appreciate jokes in the tongue of Castile. Indeed, he began to find his ignorance of Spanish somewhat annoying, as his friends, who acted as interpreters, played tricks on him. He became proficient in the tongue when Dona Serafina took him in hand; but that was many weeks later. " All this time Jack was wondering why Dolores did not appear to welcome him back. As it was not etiquette to ask directly for the ladies of the family, he made the inquiry in a roundabout way. "Your family, I trust, are well, Senor?" ' ' They are in excellent health, I thank you, Senor Juan. At present I have but my daughter with me. Dona Sera- fina and Dolores are staying for a few days at my estancio." This was bad news for Jack; but as Don Miguel's eyes were fixed inquiringly on his face, he was forced to dissem- ble his sorrow. "And Don Rafael?" "Is at present with his ship at Acauhtzin." "What! with Don Hypolito?" The expression on Maraquando's face changed, and he seemed about to burst out into a furious speech; but out of courtesy restrained himself for the present. "We will talk of this again/' he said, gravely. "I am sure you do not care about our politics." "Indeed we do/' replied Jack, emphatically. "This gentleman," indicating Tim, "is a special correspond- ent, sent here by a great English paper to report on your war." "Our war!" echoed the Spaniard, with some surprise. " How do you know there is to be a war?" "The telegrams to Europe say as much/' interposed Tim, speaking in Spanish. "Telegrams sent by Don Hypolito, I have no doubt," responded Maraquando, grimly. " There will be no war, gentlemen." " Cardmba! Sacre! Damn!" ejaculated Tim, who ewore fluently in all three languages. "I have been tricked, then?" 64 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " Wait a moment, Senor Corresponsal. You will have plenty to write about; I will tell you. some astonishing ne\vs shortly. Meanwhile, I must present you to my daughter, Dona Eulalia." The girl who appeared at this moment caused them all to rise to their feet, and assuredly a more beautiful vision could not be seen anywhere. She was a little sparkling brunette, all eyes and smiles (as Tim afterward phrased it), and when she beheld Jack, came forward eagerly to greet him with outstretched hand. " Senor Juan/' she said, in a deliciously sweet voice, "you have returned. Ah, how sorry Dol Dona Serafina will be that she is not here to greejb you." She gave a side glance at her father on pronouncing the name of Dona Serafina; and by that diplomatic substitu- tion Philip guessed that she was in the secret of the lovers. "I trust Dona Serafina will return soon, Seiiora," said Jack, significantly, after exchanging courtesies. "I am anxious to see Dona Serafina." Eulalia put her black fan up to hide the smile on her lips, and intimated that she expected her aunt back on the morrow. Nothing was said of Dolores; but Jack was not so dull a lover as not to know that in this case the less Serafina included the greater Dolores. Meanwhile, neither Tim nor Philip could keep their eyes off this Spanish beauty, and Don Miguel graciously presented them to his daughter. As for Peter, he was examining an ugly clay god at the other end of the' court, which showed that he had no eye for beauty. " At your feet, lady," said Philip, in his best Castilian. "My hands for your kisses, Senor," she responded, coquettishly; whereat the baronet experienced a strange feeling about the region of his heart. " Oh, Lord, Lord! " he muttered, as Tim was executing court bows to the lady. "Great Heaven! this can not be love at first sight. It must be the pulque." Ho caught Jack's eye at this moment, and saw a derisive smile on that young man's lips, whereat he smiled also, as if to intimate that he thought but little of the dainty beauty. Jack knew better, however. Then Peter was torn away from his Aztec deity, and presented in due form, DON MIGUEL IS COMMUNICATIVE. 65 making use, at the introduction, of all the Spanish of which he was master. "Bueno! Bueno!" quoth Peter, in perplexity; when Philip came to his rescue. "Say f a los pies de usted, Senora/ " he whispered, quickly. " I can't remember all that/' protested the doctor. " Try." "A los pres ud worsted! " Dona Eulalia put up her fan at the sound of Peter's Spanish; but understanding the drift of his remark, replied gravely enough: ' Bese usted los manos, Senor." 'What's that, Philip?" ' My hands for your kisses, Senor." Will I have to kiss them ? " asked Peter, in dismay. No; it's only a matter of form/' At this assurance the doctor was much relieved, and not feeling any profound interest in a dialogue carried on completely in a foreign tongue, returned to his examina- tion of the Aztec gods. Maraquando was already deep in conversation with Jack and Tim, so Philip had Dona Eulalia all to himself, and made good use of this solitude of two. He was glad he knew Spanish. 'Tis a pleasant language in which to talk gay nonsense. On her side, Eulalia had no strong objection to the com- pany of this eccentric American all foreigners are Amer- icans with the Cholacacans; and though he was a heretic, yet he spoke Spanish beautifully, and had no lack of pretty sayings at his command. Doila Eulalia would have flirted with a Lepero in default of anything better; and as Don Felipe was a most desirable young man from every point of view, she lost no time in making herself agreeable. Philip, the cynic, enjoyed it greatly, thereby proving that a considerable portion of his misogamy was humbug. With the hour comes the eternal feminine. This was the hour Eulalia the woman. It flashed across Philip's mind at that moment that he was playing with fire. Confident in his own imperviousness to fire, he went on playing. Then he fell, and great was the fall thereof. "I always understood/' said Cassim to his charming companion, "that Cholacacan ladies were shut up like nuns." 5 66 THE HABLEQUIN OPAL. " A great many of them are, Sefior," replied Eulalia, demurely; "but my father is more liberal in his ideas. He delights in presenting us to his friends/' "How charming for the friends." ' And how delightful for us poor women. I assure you, Seiior, that I would not care to be shut up at all; neither would my cousin Dolores ! " " I have heard of Doiia Dolores from Jack! " Eulalia flashed a glance at him from her glorious dark eyes, bit the top of her fan, and made an irrelevant obser- vation. " My cousin admires fair people." "And Don Juan is fair. Oh, never fear, Senora, I know all." "All what, Don Felipe?" "All about fair people!" replied Philip, skillfully; " though for my part I prefer dark ladies." This last remark was too much even for the audacious coquetry of Eulalia, and she, glancing uneasily at her father, turned the conversation with a dexterity begotten by long practice. " My aunt, Dona Serafina, is dark. She is our duenna, you know. I am sure you will find her very charming. " "Oh, certainly, Senora, on your recommendation I " " And Tlatonac is charming, also," interposed the lady, smartly. " Do you stay long here, Senor?" " That depends, shall we say, on Senor Duval." His intention was to hint Dolores; but Dona Eulalia evidently thought the acquaintanceship was becoming too intimate, and intrenched herself behind her fan and a smile. " Rather does it depend on Don Hypolito." " Ah! is there, then, to be a war? " " I do not know, Senor. My father thinks it likely. If there is, of course you will go? " "No! Why should I? Tlatonac has many attractions for me." "My father will show you all over it to-morrow," rejoined Eulalia, with a mischievous smile. She knew quite well what he meant, but was not going to betray such knowledge at such an early period of her acquaintance. The proprieties must be observed, even in Oholacaca. Mrs. DON MIGUEL IS COMMUNICATIVE. 67 G-rundy is not indigenous to Britain only. She nourished at Tlatonac under the name of Dona Serafina. ' You came in a steamer, did you not, Senor?" 1 Yes; in my yacht, The Bohemian." ( Your vessel, Sefior? " 1 Yes." Eulalie opened her eyes. This Americano must be very rich to own the boat she had seen steaming into the har- bor. But, then, all Americanos were rich; though not all so nice as this one. " You must do me the honor of coming on board, Senora," said Philip, eagerly. Then, seeing her draw back in alarm at this audacious proposal, " Of course, with Don Miguel and Doila Serafina. Likewise your cousin. My friend Don Juan is anxious to see Doila Dolores." "Hush, Sefior!" said Eulalia, quickly, glancing toward her father; "it is a secret. Do not speak of it now; but let us talk to the Senor yonder with the spectacles." " He can not talk Spanish." " Oh yes, he can, Senor, I heard him." She burst out into a merry laugh, and went toward Peter, followed by the reluctant Cassim. Philip was get- ting on excellently well, and rather resented the introduc- tion of a third person into the conversation, even though it was but harmless Peter. That gentleman would much rather have been left alone to potter about the patio by himself; but Dona Eulalia, who saw his embarrassment, wickedly made him attempt Spanish, much to his discom- fiture. Philip translated his compliments to Eulalia, whereon she smiled so graciously on the little man that the baronet grew restless, and Peter began to think there were other things in the world besides butterflies. Meanwhile Don Miguel was having an interesting con- versation with Tim and Jack concerning the state of affairs prevalent at Tlatonac. He was much flattered at the idea that a "grandiario" of England should take such an interest in Central American politics, and paid Tim, as the Senor Corresponsal, such attention that Jack began to wish he were in the Irishman's shoes. He would then have a better chance of Dolores. As for Tim he discoursed blandly, quite unaware of the honors being showered on him, and when his Spanish failed took refuge in French; 68 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. when that gave out he supplied his wants with Italian, so that his conversation savored of the Tower of Babel and the confusion of tongues. However, with Jack's assistance he managed to get along capitally, and gained a good deal of useful information from the Jefe Politico. Don Miguel himself was most eloquent on the subject, and particularly rabid against Xuarez, whom he seemed to hate as only a Spaniard can hate. Doctor Johnson liked a good hater. He should have met Don Miguel. "Don H} r polito is a dangerous man, gentlemen/' he said, with a cold malignity; "he wishes to become Presi- dent of the Republic." "And why should he not become President?" asked Tim, calmly. "Because he would use his position to destroy the Constitution of Cholacaca. We have not forgotten Iturbide and Doctor Francia. Cholacaca shall never lie at the mercy of a tyrant, as did Mexico and Paraguay. No, gentlemen. It was not for such an end that we threw off the yoke of Spain. Republicans we are, Republicans we will be. If Don Hypolito succeeds he will find Tlatonac in ruins." "I don't think that will stop him, Senor," said Jack, lightly. " If he ruins the old Tlatonac he can build up a new one." "Not with peons and Indians," retorted Maraquando, fiercely. "We, Senor, are Spaniards, and will submit to the tyranny of no man, much less this Mestizo of a Xuarez." " What do you propose to do, Don Miguel? " " The Junta has already decided that. Don Hypolito is to be arrested, brought here for trial, and banished from the country." "I don't see how you are going to capture him at Acauhtziu. It is the headquarters of his party." Maraquando smiled grimly, and waved his hand con- temptuously. "Xuarez has no party. A few unimportant estancieros believe in him, certainly; bat the whole population of Tlatonac is in favor of the Government." "But not the whole population of Cholacaca," said Duval, significantly. DON MIGUEL IS COMMUNICATIVE. fiO " That is no matter. The Government holds Tlatonac, and therefore has all the power in its own hands. Acauht- zin! a mere village, whose adherence can do Xuarez no good." " But if it comes to war? " " It will not come to war, Senor Corresponsal. The fleet has gone to Acauhtzin to arrest Xuarez, and bring him here for trial." " They won't do that easily." Don Miguel laughed in a saturnine sort of manner, and pulled his mustache savagely. " And why not, Senor ? " said he, slowly. " I think three war-ships manned by brave men are more than sufficient to arrest one traitor." " That's so," replied Jack, dropping into Americanese, " if you can trust their crews." " My son, Don Rafael, commands The Pizarro/'he said, gravely. " The Government can trust him and his crew, if no others." " ' One swallow doesn't make a summer,' Don Miguel. That's an English proverb." " And a very true one. Where did you hear that our navy was not to be trusted, Don Juan?" "Here, and yonder!" said Jack, waving his hand all round the compass. "I hear this and that, Senor, and think over things. The general opinion, I find, is that there will be a civil war." " It needs no prophet to tell that. And afterward? " "Senor, it is said the army will support the Junta, but the navy will strike for Xuarez." " If I thought so! " growled Maraquando savagely, under his breath. " If I but no, Senor, you are mistaken. My son, Don Rafael, is in the navy, and many of the officers are his personal friends. He only consorts with men of honor, Senor. I swear that there is no fear of the navy revolting. In a few days our three ships will come back with Don Hypolito." Jack shrugged his shoulders. He was a youth of few words, and saw no reason to waste breath on such obstinacy. All the same he held to his opinion. Don Rafael or no Don Rafael, the three war-ships and their crews were not to be trusted. In spite of his refusal to believe in such 5 70 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. treachery, it seemed as though Don Miguel also had his doubts on the subject. "I will see the President about this you speak of, Sefior. It is as well that all things should be guarded against." " There is one other thing that should be guarded against/' said Jack, gravely. "Dona, Serafina and your niece are some distance from the city, at your estancia. As there may be a war, the country will not be safe. I suggest that you, Senor, should ride out and escort them back." " I am afraid I can not leave the city at this juncture." " Then let me go, Senor," said Jack, eagerly. " In any event I will have to see the railway works; they are near your estancia, you know. Let me ride over to-morrow, and I will bring them back with me." " It is too much honor, Senor," replied Maraquando, politely. " Still, if you can spare the time : " Oh, that will be all right, Sefior. It is settled, then; I will go to-morrow." " I am your debtor, Don Juan, and accept the offer with a thousand thanks. But your friends " "Oh, we will look round Tlatonac," said Tim, putting up his pocket-book, wherein he had been making notes; "and if you will but introduce me to the President, Senor Maraquando, I Avill take it as a favor. It will be useful to me in my letters to Europe." " I am at your service, Sefior Corresponsal. His Excel- lency will have much pleasure in receiving you, I am sure. Bueno!" "That settles you, Tim," said Duval, in English. " Philip can go with you, unless he prefers to remain with Dona Eulalia. But Peter ? " "Oh, send him after butterflies!" Duval thought this a good idea, and turning to Don Miguel explained how anxious Peter was in pursuit of insects. Could Don Miguel send him beyond the city in charge of some one to hunt for beetles? Maraquando reflected for a moment, and thought that he could do so. There was an Indian named Cocom who would attend to Don Pedro. Unfortunately he spoke no English. "Never mind," said Jack, easily; "when my friend is hunting the wily butterfly, he speaks to no one. All I DOX MIGUEL IS COMMUNICATIVE. 71 desire is that he should have a guide, so that he be not lost." "Bueno! I will see that Coconi goes with Don Pedro to-morrow." Jack called Peter from his interesting conversation with Eulalia, and explained matters. The doctor was quite agreeable, and wanted to go at once to the yacht in order to get his paraphernalia ashore. This ardent desire, how- ever, was not gratified at the moment, as they could scarcely take leave of their courteous host in so cavalier a fashion. "By the way, Jack," said Philip, at this moment, "are we to stay on board the yacht during your stay here?" " By no means. We will go to my house." " What! are you a landed proprietor, Jack?" " I have a rough kind of diggings, but it's big enough for the lot of us. Don Miguel," he added, turning to their host, "I must now take my leave, with my friends, as we want to see about our house." " My house is at the disposal of your friends, Sefior." ''A thousand thanks. I kiss your hands, Sefior Miguel; but for the present we will stay at my residence in the Calle Huascar." It not being etiquette to press the invitation, Don Miguel gravely bowed, and wished them good-by for the present. He had to go to a meeting of the Junta, in order to confer about the fleet, which had remained away from Tlatonac a long time. "And it will remain a longer time," said Jack, as they emerged on to the street. "The navy is going to revolt to Don Hypolito." " I believe that's true, but the old chap doesn't think so. He'll have his eyes open soon, or my name's not Tim. Where's Philip?" "Saying good-by to Doiia Eulalia," replied Jack, smil- ing. "Ah, by the way, here he is! Well, Sir Philip Cassim, Baronet, I see you are stabbed by a wench's black eye!" "A harmless little conversation,' protested Philip, guiltily; "don't make a mountain out of a mole-hill, Jack. I can take care of my heart; but your charming brunette friend has fascinated Peter." 72 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "I don't see how that can be/' said the doctor, dryly, "seeing I couldn't understand a word she was saying." " The language of the eye, Peter. You must learn that. It is more interesting than 'butterflies." "So you seem to think." "Jack," said Tim, suddenly, " before we go to your cabin take us to the telegraph office, if there is one here." " Of course there is one here. You want to wire to your editor?" "Not yet! I want to arrange matters with the officials. There's going to be trouble here in a week, anyhow." "So soon as that?" said Philip, starting. He had not heard the conversation with Don Miguel. ""Aye, and sooner," replied Ihival, prophetically. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Philip; for as sure as I stand here, news is now on its way to Tlatonac of the loss of their navy." "In that case," said the baronet, quietly, "it was a good thing I brought all those arms with me. You'll have to learn how to shoot, Peter." " Butterflies and beetles," said Peter, absently. He was thinking of the morrow's sport. CHAPTEE VI. CHALCHTTIH TLATONAC. This is a country of magic; for, lo! iu the heat of the noontide, Silent and lone is the city; no footfall is heard in the highways, Ouly the grasshopper shrilling, the tinkle of water clear-gushing, And rarely the sigh of the breezes that stir the white dust on the pavements. Magic! no rmu'ic but custom; frr this is the time of siesta; When sinks the sun, then the city will waken to love and to laughter; Lightly the gay sefioritas will dance in the cold-shining moonbeams. Flirt fan, flash eyes, and beckon to lovers who long for their kisses; Then will the castanets rattle, the little feet, dance the bolero, And serenades sigh at the windows, in scorning of jealous duennas. Magic is not of the noonday; when glimmers the amorous twilight, Then is the time of enchantment, of love, and of passionate lovers. Cooom was completely ignorant of his real age. He might have been a hundred, and he certainly looked as though he had completed his century. Long ago he had left olf counting the flying years and meditating on the mutability of human life. In fact, he had changed BO little that it is doubtful whether he believed in mutability at all. Wrinkled he was, it is true, and slightly bent, but his black eyes twinkled with the fire of youth, and he enjoyed his meals. These things argue juvenility, and as Cocom possessed them, he evidently knew the secret of immortality. Perhaps he had found that fountain of youth spoken of by Ponce de Leon. If so, it had affected his soul, not his body. He looked like Methuselah. Yet he was wonderfully active considering his years, and undertook to introduce Peter to the butterflies of Central America. Arrayed in his whito cotton drawers and shirt, with his pink zarape gracefully draped over his bent shoulders, he smoked a long black cigar, and waited the orders of the " Americanos" in stolid silence. Peter was affectionately handling his butterfly-net, Tim was finishing his breakfast, and Jack, in a smart riding- dress, was slashing his high boots with his whip, impatient (73) 74 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. to get away. They were looking at Cocom, who had just arrived, and waiting for Philip, who, as usual, was late for breakfast. "He looks too old to be of much use,'' said the doctor, disconsolately; "why couldn't Don Miguel send me a man instead of a mummy?" "Perhaps the mummy is well up in entomology!" " He ought to be that same! " cried Tim, with his mouth full; "he's had plenty of time to learn, anyhow. Ask the old cocoauuthis age, Jack." "Don't you take liberties with his name, Tim. Cocom was a king of Mayapan; and this, I presume, is his descendant." "Eoyalty out at elbows!" said Peter, blandly. "It's a king, is it?" remarked Tim, staring at the Indian. "He looks a mighty second-hand sort of article. I should be a king myself. Wasn't one of my ancestors King of Cork?" "Good-morning, gentlemen,"' said Philip, entering at this moment; " where did you pick up Methuselah?" " This is Cocom, my guide," said the doctor, proudly, introducing Cocom, who removed his sombrero with a graceful sweep. "Oh, you are going to hunt the ferocious beetle, are you not? What is he, Jack? An Aztec?" " No; a descendant of the Mayas." "A dethroned king no less." "You know the country round here, Cocom?" said Philip, taking no notice of Tim's joke. "Yes, Senor Americano; all! all! "replied Cocom, with grave dignity. " Don Pedro will be safe with me." "You can show him butterflies?" "Seiior, I can show him butterflies, ants, beetles, wasps; all the senor desires to behold." "That being so, Peter, you had better get away," said Jack, impatiently. "I want to be off, and must see you started first; you can't be trusted to run the show on your own account." " I'm quite ready. Good-by, boys; I will see j^n this afternoon." " Not me," said Dnval, brusquely; " I'm off tc M"ara- quando's estancia." CHALCHUIH TLATONAC. 75 "Take care of the sun, Peter," warned Philip, kindly; "your head isn't over strong." Peter indignantly repudiated this imputation on his cranium, and forthwith followed Cocom out of the house, gleefully looking forward to a pleasant day. His ideas of pleasure were singularly limited. "He's quite safe, isn't he, Jack?" said Philip, anx- iously. " I don't want Peter to get into trouble." " Oh, Cocom will look after him. I know the old man well. He is devoted to Don Miguel, who once saved his life. Cocom will sit on a bank and watch Peter gasping after butterflies. The exercise will do the doctor's liver good." "You are off yourself now, I suppose?" "Yes, I've been waiting for you. Keally, Philip, you are the laziest man I know." " This house that Jack built is the castle of indolence," explained Philip, sitting down to table. "Go, my friend, and kiss Dolores for me!" " I'll do nothing of the sort. I'll kiss her for my own sake! Adios caballeros." "When will you return, Jack?" "To-morrow. Meanwhile Don Miguel will look after you both. Take care of yourselves." " Con dios va usted mi amigo! " said Cassim, graciously. " Now go away, and let me eat my breakfast." Jack departed, and Tim went to the window to see him ride down the street. " He is a fine boy," he said, returning to the breakfast- table. " Dona Dolores ought to be proud of having such a lover." "I have no doubt she is, Tim. It is to be hoped the course of true love will run smooth with Jack; but Avhat with Don Hypolito and the Harlequin Opal I have my doubts. What are your plans, Timothy?" " It's writing I'll be, all day! ' "Nonsense. Come and see Tlatonac." "I can't. Isn't my chief waiting a letter from me?" " Such industry ! Tim, you make me feel ashamed of myself." "The devil I do. Then you write my letter, Philip, and I'll flirt with Dona Enlalia. I'm a white-headed boy with the female sex." 76 THE HAELEQUIN OPAL. " No, thank you. It's not a fair exchange." " Ah, she's a dark-eyed colleen, Philip. You have lost your heart there/' 7 "No," said Philip, a trifle doubtfully. "I have seen too many pretty faces to be captured at first sight by a new one. I have other things to think of besides marriage." " You have, but you won't," retorted Tim, ungrammat- ically. " Now get away with you, and leave me to my writing." '' I'll be back in two hours." " If you are not, I'll come and look you up at the Don's. Make love to Doila Eulalia while you can, Philip, for it's mighty little time you'll have when the row starts. " Do ye hear the cannon's rattle? do ye smell the smoke av battle, Whin the Irish bhoys are ridia' down the inimy so bould? Do ye see the bullets flyin'? and j our faithful Patrick dyin', Wid ne'er a sowl beside him dear, to kiss his forehead cowld? " Tim, with that sudden transition from mirth to melan- choly so characteristic of the Celtic race, threw so much pathos into the last two lines that Philip could not trust himself to reply, and went hastily out of the room. lie drew a long breath of relief when he found himself in the hot sunshine, for that unexpected note of sorrow from jovial Tim touched him more nearly than he cared to con- fess. In spite of his cold demeanor and reserve, Philip was of a very emotional nature, and that melancholy strain had reached his heart. He was by no means prone to superstition, but at that moment a sudden question stirred his self-complacency. Never before had he heard Tim sing so pathetically, and the unexpectedness of the thing startled him. It seemed to hint at future sorrows. Poor Tim! " Confound that Banshee song," he said, with a shiver, as he strolled along toward the Calle Otumba; "it makes me think of death and the grave. These Irishmen take one at a disadvantage. I won't shake off the feeling the whole day." He forgot all about it, however, when he reached Mara- quando's house, for in the patio he found Eulalia, who greeted him with a brilliant smile. The charm of her society banished the melancholy engendered by Tim's pesohnism, and, chatting gaily to this strongly Vitalized CHALCHUIH TLATONAC. 77 being, who restlessly flashed round the court like a hum- ming-bird, he recovered his usual spirits. There is more in juxtaposition than people think. "And where are your friends, Don Felipe?" asked Eulalia, standing on tip-toe to pluck a gorgeous tropical blossom. " Allow me to get you that flower, Senora," replied Philip, eagerly. "My friends," he added, as he presented her with the bud, "are variously employed. Don Pedro is out after butterflies with Cocom. Senor Corresponsal is writing for his 'diario/ and Don" Juan " " I know where Don Juan is, Senor. Yes; my father told me of his kindness. He will bring back from the cstaucia Dona Serafina." -'And Dona Dolores?" Eulalia flung open her fan with a coquettish gesture, and raising it to her face looked over the top of it at Philip. "You know, then, Senor, what you know?" " Assuredly," replied the baronet, tickled at this deli- cate way of putting it. " I know that my friend wishes to marry your cousin." " Ay de mi! It can never be." "He is not rich enough?" "He is not a Spaniard. My father will never consent. And then," she dropped her voice, and looked round fear- fully,"the Chalchuih Tlatonac!" "I know about that also. But it has nothing to do with this marriage." " It has everything to do with it. The Indians look on my cousin as one of themselves, and if she married an Americano she would leave the country. Then there would be no guardian of the stone, and their god would be angry." " Is your cousin, then, to marry as they please? " " She must marry one of her own people. An Indian or a Mestizo." " But suppose she does not?" "The Indians will carry her to their forest temple and keep her there in captivity." "Impossible! How could they seize her in Tlatonac?" Dona Eulalia nodded her head wisely. 78 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. "You do not know how strong are the Indians, Senor. They are everywhere. If they want Dolores at their tem- ple, they will be sure to capture her if they choose." "By force?" "No, by stratagem! They could take her away at any moment, and none of us would see her again/'' " But what does Don Hypolito say to all this?" Eulalia spread out her little hands with a look of disgust. "Don Hypolito wants to marry Dolores because of the Chalchuih Tlatonac! He is a Mestizo, so the Indians would not mind such a marriage. But she hates him and loves Don Juan. Let your friend beware, Senor." " Of whom! Of Don Hypolito? " " Yes; and of the Indians. It is much feared that Don Hypolito is no good Catholic; that he has been to the for- est temple and seen oh," she broke off with a shudder, "I do not know what he has seen! But he hates Don Juan, and if he captures him will put him to death. Senor" At this moment, before she could say more, Don Miguel entered the patio. Whereupon Eulalia whirled away like a black-and-amber bird. Philip looked after her for a sec- ond, thinking how graceful she was, then turned to greet Don Miguel. That gentleman was as lean and dry and as solemn as ever. How he ever came to be the parent of this fairy of midnight Philip could not quite understand. But doubtless she took after her mother; the female side of a family generally does in looks. "I was just conversing with Dona Eulalia," said Philip, responding to Maraquando's stately greeting. " Your daughter, Sefior." "She is yours also, Senor," was Miguel's startling reply. "Egad! I wish she was mine," thought Cassim, who knew this Spanish formula too well to be astonished. " By the way, Senor, my friend Don Pedro thanks you for sending Cocom," he added, politely. "Dom Pedro is welcome a thousand times to my poor services. And where is the Senor Corresponsal?" " Writing for his diario." " Bueno,"Senor. And Don Juan? " " He is now on his way to your estancia." CHALCHUIH TLATONAC. 79 " I am his servant for such kindness/'' said Maraquando, gravely. "Will you take some pulque, Senor Felipe? " " I thank you, no," replied Philip, remembering his former experience of the drink. "If not troubling you too much, I would like to see Tlatonac." "I am at your service, Senor. Shall we depart at once?" Philip signified his acquiescence, though he would rather have stayed in the cool patio and flirted with Dona Eulalia. He knew, however, that Spanish fathers are not the most amiable parents in the world, and resent too much atten- tion being paid by foreigners to their womankind; there- fore he took leave of the young lady and departed with Don Miguel. Before Philip parted from that gentleman, he had explored the city thoroughly, and was quite worn out. The Jefe Politico was a most conscientious cicerone. He took Philip to every building of any note, and gave him a minute history of all events connected therewith from the earliest period to the present time. Fortunately Tlatonac was not very old, or he would have gone on for a week without stopping. As it was, he took nearly all day in directing Philip's attention to dates, Aztec idols, ruins of teocallis, sites of palaces, to battle-fields, and many other things too numerous to mention. This information was accurate but wearisome, and Philip felt it to be so. Maraquando was Prescott and Bancroft rolled into one, as regards knowledge of history, and, having found a willing listener, took full advantage of the opportunity. Cassim was too polite to object, but he heartily wished that Don Miguel would hold his tongue. The most pathetic part of the whole affair was that the poor man thought he was amusing his guest. Tlatonac is built partly on the seashore and partly on a hill. Within the walls of the forts frowning over the waters are the dwellings of the flat portion inhabited by peons and leperos, with a sprinkling of low-caste Mestizos. From thence the houses rise up to the top of the hill, which is crowned by the cathedral in the Plaza de los Hombres Ilustres. This is the heart of Tlatonac, the aris- tocratic quarter, and commands a splendid view of the surrounding country. 80 THE HAKLEQUIN OPAL. The Plaza was a very large square, fenced in on three sides by the houses of the Cholacacan aristocracy, on the fourth by the great cathedral. In the center was the zocalo, a green oasis of verdure laid out in winding walks and brilliant flower-beds. Herein the aristocracy took their walks when the band played in the cool of the even- ing, using it as a kind of alameda, wherein to meet their friends, and gossip. It was indeed a charming spot, and its green arcades afforded a grateful shade from the hot sun which blazed down on the white stones of the square outside. On leaving the zocalo they entered the church dedicated to Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion, which once gave its name to the town now more generally known by its Indian appellation of Tlatonac. " The cathedral, Sefior," said Don Miguel, as they stood beneath the glory of the great cupola, " is built on the site of a famous teocalli." "That dedicated to the Chalchuih Tlatonac?" "To the false god Huitzilopochtli, Senor," corrected the Spaniard, gravely. "I see you know the story. Yes, it was here that the son of Montezuma's daughter came with the shining precious stone which gives its name to the city. He worshiped his barbaric deities after the fashion of his mother, and built here a teocalli to the war-god, wherein was preserved the devil stone. Many years after, when the Conquistadores our ancestors, Sefior arrived, the then possessor of the opal fled with it into the impenetrable for- ests, and thus the jewel was lost to the crown of Spain. The Conquistadores pulled down the teocalli and built thereon this church to the glory of Our Lady, at the command of Fray Medina, who afterward became the first Bishop of Tlatonac. Is it not beautiful, Senor ? And all for the glory of God and the true cross. " It was indeed a beautiful old church, mellowed into restful beauty by the lapse of years. The floor was of marquetry, hued like a dim rainbow, owing to the different- colored woods. Slender porphyry pillars sprang from the floor to the groined ceiling in two long rows, and at the far end, under a firmament of sun and stars and silver moons, with ascending saints and wide-winged angels, arose the glory of the great altar, sparkling in the dusky atmosphere like a vast jewel. Before it burned a silver CHALCHUIH TLATOSTAC. 81 lamp like a red star. Tapestries, richly worked, depended between the pillars; gorgeous brocades were here, faded silken draperies there, and everywhere faces of saint, angel, cherubim, and seraphim. Gilt crosses, pictures of the Virgin, statues of the Virgin, side altars laden with flowers, silver railings, steps of Puebla marble, like alabaster, and throughout a dim religious light as the rays of the sun pierced the painted windows. The fumes of incense permeated the building; there was a sound of muttered prayers, and here and there a dark figure pros- trate before a shrine or kneeling at the confessional. All this magnificence was toned down by time to delicate hues, which blended the one with the other and made a harmonious whole. Dingy and old as it was, the whole edifice was redolent of sacred associations, and it required some imagination to conceive that where now reigned this quiet and holy beauty, once arose a heathen temple, where the victims shrieked on the altar of a fierce deity. Beligion did not seem very flourishing in Cholacaca, for on this day in the cathedral there were few worshipers, no priests. "We have few priests now, Senor," explained Don Miguel, gravely, as they left the great building. " The Jesuits were once powerful in Cholacaca, but they were expelled some years ago. The priests would meddle with politics, and when the Church clashes with the Govern- mentwell, Senor, one must go to the wall." " So the Jesuits went?" " Yes. They were unwilling to go, for Cholacaca is one of the richest mission fields. Not that I think they have done much good, for though the Indians are outwardly converted, yet I know for certain that they still secretly worship Huitzilopochtli and the Chalchuih Tlatouac." "What makes you think so, Don Miguel?" "Little things! The straws which show the wind's course. On the summit of some of these ruined teocallis, beyond the walls, I have often seen fresh wreaths of flowers. Nay, in my own patio, before those statues of Coatlicue, Quetzalcoatli, and Teoyamiqui I have found offerings of flowers and fruit. 'Tis also said, Senor," pursued Mara- quando, dropping his voice, " that in the hidden Temple of the Opal the Indians still sacrifice human victims to the war-god. But this may be false." 82 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Very probably! I can not conceive such horrors/ 3 replied Philip, with a shudder; " but as regards priests,, there are still some here I presume?" " Assuredly; but not of the Society of Jesus save one. Yes, Padre Ignatius is still here. He was, and is, so beloved by all that the President had not the heart to banish him. So he yet works for the Faith in our midst." " I should like to meet Father Ignatius?" ' ' You shall do so, Senor. He is a great friend of mine, and the confessor of my children. Often does he come to my poor house. But let us walk on, Senor. There are many things to see. El Palacio Nacional, where dwells His Excellency; the Marketplace, and the alameda. We are proud of our alameda, Senor." Thus talked on Don Miguel, and, amused by the novelty of the scene, Philip stared round him with great pleasure. They passed the pulquerias, which are the public-houses of Tlatonac, saw the Palacio Nacioual, a huge stone build- ing above which flaunted the yellow flag of the Republic, with its device of a white stone, darting rays of red, yellow, green, and blue, in allusion to the opal; explored the prison, which held a fine collection of ruffians, and ultimately arrived at the Market Place. It was the prettiest sight in Tlatonac, and Philip was sorry he had not the power to transfer the scene, with all its varied hues and picturesque figures, to paper. A square little less large than the great Plaza, surrounded on all sides by gaily tinted houses. Reds, greens, yellows, pinks, the Plaza was girdled by a perfect rainbow, and under the gay awnings before these sat the dealers and their wares. Here were tropical fruits from the tierras calientes, com- prising oranges, bananas, pineapples, melons, peaches, and an infinite variety of others, all piled in picturesque con- fusion on the stalls. As to flowers, the whole place was a mass of blossom, from gorgeous red cactus-buds to modest bunches of violets. Owing to the geography of Mexico and Central America, the products of both temperate and tropical zones can be found flourishing at one and the same time. Hence the violets, which Philip had scarcely expected to see. They put him in mind of English woods; of the day when in the Isle of Wight Jack told him about Dolores. CHALCHTJIH TLATOtfAC. 83 te Yes, the Indians are fond of flowers/' said Don Miguel, when Philip expressed his surprise at the profusion of blossoms. " It is a taste they inherit from their ancestors. The Aztecs, you know, were famous for floriculture. We love flowers just as passionately; and go where you will in Tlatonac, you will find blooming gardens gay with flowers/' "It is a graceful taste, and one which the climate enables you to gratify to the full." " Without doubt, Senor. We possess three climates in which flourish different products of Nature. Tlatonac is in the tierra calienti, or hot country. Higher up, on the table-lands, it is less tropical, and is called the tierra tem- plada; while the snow-clad mountain-peaks, where flourish pine trees, oaks, and hemlocks, are known by the name of the tierra fria. Thus, you see, in our country we possess all the climates of the world." "A rare advantage. Central America is a favored country." " In all save its rulers," sighed Maraquando, regretfully. " Nor is its population what it should be. I tell you, Senor, this land should be the most powerful in the world. It is the most favored spot on earth the garden of Para- dise; but what with our incessant civil wars, our incompe- tent governors, and, of late, the tyranny of the Church, the whole continent is demoralized. Ah, if we but had the man who could weld all our foolish republics into one great nation! Then, indeed, would we be the glory of the earth." " Don Hypolito Xuarez evidently looks upon himself as that man." "Don Hypolito!" echoed Maraquando, scornfully. "No, Senor; he has the instincts of a tyrant. He would grind down the people as the Conquistadores did their ancestors. Were he pure-minded and noble in his am- bition, I even I, Miguel Maraquando would support him. I would lay aside all prejudices to aid him to make our country great. But I know the man, Don Felipe. He is a half-breed, a treacherous scoundrel, who wants to be the Santa Anna of the Eepublic. Let him beware of Iturbide's fate!" " At all events, he is going to attempt to become Em- peror," persisted Philip, calmly. 84 THE HAKLEQU1N OPAL. " No! The Junta has decided that he is to be banished from Cholacaca. Already the fleet is at Acauhtzin to arrest him, and to-morrow we send up a special message that he is to be brought to Tlatonac at once." "Suppose he refuses to come?" "He Avill be brought by force." "Always provided the fleet does not support his cause." " You too, Seiior!" said Maraquando, thoughtfully; "so said Don Juan last night. It may be so, and yet I hope, for the sake of the country, that the affair may be ended at once. I believe the navy will continue faithful. My own son, Don Rafael, is in command of one ship ; yet I mistrust Xuarez and his oily tongue. Yes, Seiior, I have thought much since Don Juan and the Seiior Corresponsal spoke to me last night. I have conferred with His Excellency the President. Therefore have we decided to send up a mes- sage to-morrow ordering the return of the fleet, with or without Xuarez. It does not do to trust him." " You have another man-of-war, then, to go to Acauhtzin." " No ; we have a small steamer. But she is quick, and will go there and return in no time." " That is if she is permitted to do so," thought Philip; but he did not say this aloud, lest Don Miguel should grow angry. " Still, even if the fleet does revolt, we will have the tor- pederas," said the Jefe, cheerfully. "They are now on their way from England. His Excellency received a tele- gram yesterday." "If you have the torped eras you can do a good deal," replied Philip, lighting a cigarette; " and if there is a war, Don Miguel, niy yacht is at the service of the Govern- ment." "A thousand, thousand thanks, Seiior!" said Miguel, smiling gratefully; " but I hope and trust there Avill be no occasion for us to ask you to make such a sacrifice. How- ever, we will soon know; in three days at the most. If the fleet are true to us, they will bring back Don Hypolito. If not, we will know what steps to take to defend Tlatonac from being bombarded." " By the way, Sefior," said Cassim, thoughtfully, " you have a telegraph station here. In which direction do the wires run?" CHALCHUIH TLATOtfAC. 85 "Why do you ask, Senor?" "Because the Senor Corresponsal wishes constant com- munication with England should there be a war. Now, if the wires go north to Acauhtzin, they can be cut by Don Hypolito." " That is true, Don Felipe. Fortunately they do not run north. No; the wires run south to Janjalla, which town will certainly remain faithful to the Government. From thence all messages can be with ease transmitted to England." Philip was pleased at this, as he saw that Tim would be enabled to transmit messages to England with the great- est ease, and thus cover himself with glory. They con- versed for a few minutes on the subject and then left the market for the alameda. It was a most delightful promenade. High trees on either side, whose branches formed a green arcade above the heads of the promenaders. Beds of roses in profu- sion, brilliant tropical plants, bronze statues, marble statues, and plenty of pleasantly situated seats. One portion was reserved for those who chose to walk, another for horses and their riders. Hither came all the aristocracy of the city when they grew weary of the zocalo of the Plaza de los Hombres Ilustres, and on this day the alameda was crowded. In a gaily decorated band-stand, an excellent company of musicians played bright music, mostly airs from comic operas, and Philip was amused to hear Offenbachian frivol- ities sounding in this spot. They seemed out of place. The musicians had no sense of the fitness of things. They should have played boleros fandangos the national music of Spain instead of which they jingled the trashy airs of minor musicians. The alameda was thronged by a motley crowd, presenting more varied features than are to be seen in any other part of the world. Indian women squatting at the corners sell- ing fruit and pulque, beautiful senoritas with black man- tillas and elegant fans, gay young cavaliers dashing along on spirited horses in all the bravery of the national cos- tume, and not seldom a sour-looking duenna, jealously watching her charge. Occasionally a priest in shovel-hat and black cassock but these were very rare. The army 6 86 THE HAELEQUIN OPAl. was al-o represented by a number of gaily dressed officers, who smoked cigarettes, smiled at the senoritas, and clanked their huge spurs ostentatiously together. It was a gay scene, and Philip admired it greatly. "I have never seen such a mixed crowd anywhere," he said, lightly, "save in the S trad a Reale in Valetta." "Well! "said Maraquando, after a pause, "and what do you think of Tlatonac!" "It is a terrestrial Paradise," replied Philip, "and Hypolito is the serpent." CHAPTER VII. DOLOEES. Your eyes Are dark as midnight skies, And bright as midnight stars; Their glance Is full of love's romance, When no hate loving mars. Oh, let those eyes look down on me, Oh, let those glances wander free, And I will take those stars to be My guides for life, Across the ocean of wild strife, Dolores! My heart Those looks have rent apart, And now 'tis torn in twain; Oh, take That broken heart, and make, With kiss, it whole again ; Oh, lightly from thy lattice bend, Give but a smile, and it will mend; Then love will love be till we end Our life of tears For some sweet life in yonder spheres, Dolores ! The next day Jack came back with, Dolores and Dona Serafina. He was puffed up with exceeding pride at his good fortune, for it is not every young man in Central America who gets a chance of talking unreservedly with the girl of his heart. The Cholacacans treat their women- folk as do the Turks : shut them up from the insolent glances of other men, and only let them feel their power over the susceptible hearts of cavaliers at the yearly car- nival. Jack never did approve of these orientalisms, even in his days of heart-wholeness; and now that his future hinged on the smile of Dolores, he disapproved of such shuttings up more than ever. (87) 88 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. Fortunately Don Miguel was not a Turk, and gave his women-folk greater freedom than was usual in Tlatonae. Dolores and her cousin were not unused to masculine society, and Dona Serafina was the most good-natured of duennas. Consequently they saw a good deal of the creat- ure man, and were correspondingly grateful for the seeing. Still, even in Cholacaca it is going too far to let a young unmarried fellow ride for many miles beside the caleza of two unmarried ladies. So far as Dona Serafina was concerned, it did not matter. She was old enough and ugly enough to be above suspicion; but Dolores ah, ah! the scandal-mongers of Tlatonae opened their black eyes and whispered behind their black fans when they heard of Don Miguel's folly; of the Senor Americano's audacity. As a rule, Don Miguel, proud as Lucifer, would not have permitted Jack to escort his sister and niece in this way; but the prospect of a war had played havoc with social observances. Don Eafael was away, Don Miguel could not leave the capital, and the ladies certainly could not return by themselves over bad roads infested by Indians. Thus the affair admitted of some excuse, and Don Miguel was grateful to Jack for performing what should have been his duty. He did not know that the gratitude was nil on the other side, and that Duval would have given years of his life for the pleasant journey, obtained with so little trouble. If he had known well, Don Miguel was not the most amiable of men, so there would probably have been trouble. As it was, however, the proud Spaniard knew nothing, not even as much as did the gossips of Tlatonae; so Jack duly arrived with his fair charges, and was duly thanked for his trouble by the grateful Maraqnando. Fate was somewhat ironical in dealing with the matter. That journey was a glimpse of Paradise to Jack, for he had Dolores all to himself. Dona Serafina, being asleep, did not count. A peon, with a long cigar, who was as stupid as a stone idol, drove the caleza containing the two ladies. Dona Serafiua, overcome by her own stoutness and the intense heat, slept heavily, and Jack, riding close to the carriage, flirted with Dolores. There was only one inconvenience about this arrangement the lovers could not kiss one another. DOLOEES. 89 It was a long way from the estancia, but Jack wished it was longer, so delightful was his conversation with Dolores. She sat in the caleza flirting her big fan, and cooing like a dove when her lover said something unusually passionate. Sometimes she sent a flash of her dark eyes through the veil of her mantilla, and then Jack felt queer sensations about the region of the heart. A pleasant situation, yet tantalizing, since it was all the "thou art so near and yet so far" business, with no caresses or kisses. When the journey came to an end, they were both half glad, half sorry; the former on account of their inability to come to close quarters, the latter because they well knew they would not again get such a chance of unwatched courting. Eulalia, who guessed all this pleasantness, received her cousin with a significant smile, and took her off to talk over the matter in the solitude of the bedroom they shared together. Don Miguel seized on his sleepy sister in order to extract from her a trustworthy report as to how tilings were at the estancia, and Jack departed to his own house to announce his arrival and that of Dolores. It was late in the afternoon, for the journey, commenc- ing at dawn, had lasted till close on four o'clock, and Jack found his three friends enjoying their siestas. He woke them up, and began to talk Dolores. When he had talked himself hoarse, and Peter asleep, quoth Philip: " What about the railway works? " "I haven't been near them," said Jack, innocently; whereat Tim and Philip laughed so heartily that they made him blush and awoke Peter. ""What are you talking about?" asked Peter, sleepily. "Jack's love affairs," replied Philip, laughing. "And by the same token we'll soon be talking of your own," said Tim, cruelly. "If you only knew the way he's been carrying on with the black-eyed colleen, Jack! " "Nonsense," retorted Cassim, reddening; "I walked about Tlatonac with Don Miguel yesterday." "You flirted with Eulalia last night, anyhow." "Don't be jealous, Tim. It's a low-minded vice." " Oh, so that is the way the wind blows, Philip," said Jack, stretching himself. " I knew you would fall in love with Eulalia. Now, it's no use protesting. I know the signs of love, because I've been through the mill myself." 90 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " Two days' acquaintance, and you say I love the girl! Try again, Jack." "Not I! Time counts for naught in a love affair. I fell in love with Dolores in two minutes!" "Ah, that's the way with us all/' said Tim, reflectively. " When I was in Burmah, there was a girl in Mandalay " "Tim, we don't want any of your immoral stories; you'll shock Peter. Confound him! he's asleep again, like the fat boy in Pickwick. "Well, gentlemen both, I am about to follow the doctor's example. I've been riding all day, and feel baked." "How long do you intend to sleep, Jack?" " An hour or so. Then we'll have something to eat, and go off to Maraquando's to see the ladies. We must intro- duce Peter to his future wife." "Begad, I may fall in love wid Dona Serafina mesilf!" "It's possible, if you are an admirer of the antique," retorted Jack, and went off to his bedroom for a few hours' sleep. Even lovers require rest, and bucketing about on a half-broken horse for the best part of the day, under a grilling sun, was calculated to knock up even so tough a subject as Jack. " Faith! remarked Tim, when Jack's long legs vanished through the doorway, "if old Serafina smiles on Peter, and them girls flirt with you and Jack, I'll be left out in the cold. Another injustice to Ireland." " Come to the alameda to-morrow, and pick out a senor- ita to be your own private property." " What! and get a knife in my ribs. I'm more than seven, Philip. Why, there was once a girl in Cape Town who had a Boer for a sweetheart " " And you took the girl, and the Boer didn't like it. I know that story, Tim. It's a chestnut. You told it in that book of sketches you wrote. Go on with your work; I'm sleepy." "Ow ow!" yawned Tim, lazily. "I'd like to sleep myself, but that I have to write up this interview with Gomez. Did I tell you about it, Philip?" "Yes; you've told me three times, and given three dif- ferent versions. Keep the fourth for The Morninq Planet." " But the President said" DOLORES. 91 "I know all about that," muttered Philip, crossly. " What you said what he said what Maraquando said and how you all lied against one another. Do let us sleep, Tim. First Jack, then you. Upon my upon my word upon on " and Philip went off into a deep slumber. " I hope the interview wid Gomez won't have the same effect on my readers," said Tim, blankly, to himself, "or it's the sack I'll be getting. Come on with ye! 'There Avill be no war,' said the President. That's a lie, anyhow; but he said it, so down it goes. my immortal eoul, it's a liar I am." Then he began scratching the paper with a bad pen, and there was peace in the land. That night they duly arrived at Maraquando's house in order to ask how politics were progressing. This was the excuse given by three of them; but it was false, as Tim well knew. He alone took an interest in politics. Even Peter had ceased to care about Don Hypolito and the opal stone and the possible war. He under orders from Jack and Philip, who wanted the girls to themselves made himself agreeable to Doila Serafma. Unaccustomed, by reason of her plain looks, to such attentions, she enjoyed the novelty of the thing and thought this fat little Americano delightful. It is true that their conversation was mostly pantomimic; but as the doctor knew a few words of Spanish, and Serafina had learned a trifle of English from Jack, filtered through Dolores, they managed between them to come to a hazy understanding as to what they were talking about. Never till that moment did Philip feel the infinite charm of that languorous Creole life, so full of dreams and idleness. Sitting beside Eulalia in the warm gloom, he listened to her sparkling conversation, and stared vaguely at the beauty of the scene around him. In the patio all was moonlight and midnight that is as regards the shadows, for the hour was yet early. Here and there in the violet sky trembled a star with mellow luster, and the keen, cold shafts of moonlight, piercing the dusk, smote the flowers and tessellated pavement with silver rays. Pools of white light lay on the floor, welling into the shadow even to the little feet of Eulalia. The court wore that unfamiliar look, so mysterious, so Y/eird, which 92 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. only comes with the night and the pale moon. And then surely that was music the trembling note of a guitar sounding from the shadowy corner in which Jack and Dolores were ensconced. In the glimmering light Philip could see the grotesque gestures of Serafina and the doctor as they pantomimed to one another on the azotea, and the red tip of Miguel's cigar as he strolled up and down on the flat roof talking seriously with Tim. Through the warm air, heavy with the perfume of flowers, floated the contralto voice of Dolores. The song was in Spanish, and that noble tongue sounded rich and full over the sweeping music of the guitar. As translated afterward by Philip (who dabbled in poetry), the words ran thus: In Spain! ah, yes, in Spain! When day was fading, I heard you serenading, While shed the moon her silver rain. The nightingale your song was aiding, My tresses dark I then was braiding, When to my chamber upward springing There came the burden of your singing; Nor was that singing vain In Spain, dear Spain. From Spain ! yes, far from Spain, We two now wander; And here as yonder A hopeless love for me you feign. Alas! of others thou art fonder, And I, forsaken, sit and ponder. Yet once a^ain your voice is ringing, I hear the burden of that singing. Alas! I fled in vain From Spain, dear Spain, They applauded the song and the singer, Jack looking across to Philip as much as to say, "Isn't she an angel?" If Philip thought so, he did not say so, being busy with Eulalia. They were talking Chinese metaphysics, a pleas- ant subject to discuss with a pretty girl well up in the intricacies thereof. As to Jack and his angel! " Querida," murmured Dolores, slipping her hand into that of her lover's under cover of the darkness, "how lonely has my heart been without thee." DOLOEES. 93 " Angelita," replied Jack, who was an adept at saying pretty things in Spanish, " I left behind my heart when I departed, and it has drawn me back to your side." "Alas! how long will we be together, Juan? I am afraid of this war; should Don Hypolito conquer! " Here she paused and slightly shuddered. "He shall not conquer, cara. What can he do with a few adherents against the power of the Government?" "Still the Indians" "You are afraid they will join with him. To what end? Xuarez can not restore the worship of the Chalchuih Tlatonac." "Juan!" said Dolores, anxiously, "it is not of Xuarez I am so much afraid as of the Indians. If there is a war, they may carry me off." "Carry you off! " repeated Jack, in a puzzled tone of voice. " Why, how could they do that? and for what rea- son?" "They could do it easily by some subtle device; bolts and bars and walled towns are nothing to them when they set their hearts on anything. And they would carry me away because I am the guardian of the Chalchuih Tla- tonac." "Who told you this?" "Cocom." " But he does not worship the opal or the old gods. He is a devout Catholic." " So says Padre Ignatius; but I think he is one of those who go to the forest sanctuary. He knows much." " And says nothing. It is death for him to betray the secrets of that Aztec worship." " Listen, Juan, alma de mi alma. The life of Cocom was saved by my Uncle Miguel, and with him gratitude is more powerful than religion. He told me while you were away tbat the opal has prophesied war, and on that account the Indians are alarmed for me. Should there be no guardian of the opal, Huitzilopochtli will be angry; and lest I should be killed in the Avar, as soon as the revolt takes place the Indians will carry me for safety into the heart of the country; into those trackless forest depths more pro- found than the sea." " They shall never do so while I am at hand/' said Jack, 94 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. fiercely; " but I don't believe this story of Cocom's. You can not be in such danger." " I am afraid it is true; besides, that is not the only danger Don Hypolito! " "What of him?" " He wishes to marry me, Juan." Duval laughed softly, and pressed the little hand that lay within his own. " You talk ancient history, querida; I thought we set- tled that I was to be the favored one." "It is true! Ah, yes, thee alone do I love," whispered Dolores, tenderly; " but when you departed, Juan, he came to me, this Don Hypolito, and spoke of love." " Confound his impudence! " muttered Jack, in English. "What say you, Juan? Oh, it was terrible! He said if I became not his wife that he would plunge the country into war. I did not believe that he could do so or would dare to do so. I refused. Then he spoke of my love for you, and swore to kill you." " He'll have to catch me first, Dolores." " ' There will be war,' said this terrible one, ' and I will tear down the walls of Tlatonac to seize yon. This Ameri- cano will I slay and give his body to the dogs." ; "All idle talk, mi cara," said Duval, scornfully; "I can protect myself and you. What more did he say?" " Little more; but it was the same kind of talk. When he departed, I spoke to my uncle; but Don Hypolito had by that time gone to Acauhtzin." " Was Don Miguel angry?" "Very angry! But he could do nothing. Don Hypo- lito was far away on the waters." " And will return with fire and blood," said Jack, gloomily; " but never fear, Dolores. My friends and myself will protect you from this insolent one. If we are conquered, we will fly to my own land in the vessel of Don Felipe!" "But what of Eulalia?" "Ah!" replied her lover, waggishly, "I think you can trust Don Felipe to look after Eulalia." " Do you think there will be a war, Juan?" " It looks like it. However, we will know for certain when the messenger comes back from Acauhtzin," toOLORES. 95 "Yes; my uncle told mo the boat had gone up to-day to bid the fleet return." " A Avilcl-goose chase only/' thought Jack, but held his peace lest he should alarm Dolores. Fearful of attracting her uncle's attention by speaking too much to Jack, the Spanish beauty crossed over to where Philip and Eulalia were sitting. " Senor Felipe! "said Dolores, gaily, " wherefore do you laugh?" " It is at Don Pedro and my good aunt," replied Eulalia, before Philip could speak. " Behold them, Dolores, making signs like wooden puppets." Dolores turned her eyes toward the couple leaning over the azotea railing, and began to laugh also. Then Jack came over and demanded to be informed of the joke. He was speedily informed of the performance going on above; so that the two actors had quite an audience, although they knew it not. Indeed the affair was sufficiently grotesque. It was like a game of dumb crambo, as Peter acted a word and the old lady tried to guess his meaning. For instance, wishing to tell her how he captured butter- flies, Peter wagged his hands in the air to indicate the flight of insects, then struck at a phantom beetle with an imaginary net. " Pajaros!" guessed Dona Serafina, wrongly. Peter did not know this was the Spanish for "birds," and thought she had caught his meaning. The lady thought so too, and was delighted with her own perspicuity. " Bueno, Sefiorl You catch birds! To eat?" She imitated eating, whereon Peter shook his head, though he was not quite sure if the Cholacacans did not eat beetles. Foreigners had so many queer customs. Seeing Peter misunderstood. Dona Serafina skipped lightly across the azotea, flapping her arms and singing. Then she turned toward the doctor, and nodded encourag- ingly. " Birds! " she said, confidently. "You eat them?" Now Peter knew that "comida" meant eating; but, quite certain that Dona Serafina did not devour beetles, set himself to work to show her what he really meant. He ran after imaginary butterflies round the azotea, and in his ardor bumped up against Tim. 96 THE HABLEQUIN OPAL. "What the devil are you after?" said Tim, displeased at his conversation with Maraquando being interrupted. "Why can't you behave yourself, you ill-conducted little person." "Do they eat beetles here?" asked Peter, eagerly. "Beetles! they'd be thin if they did," said Tim, dryly. "I don't know. Do you eat beetles, Senor?" he added, turning to Don Miguel. The Spaniard made a gesture of disgust, and looked inquiringly at his sister. "Los pajaros," explained Dona Serafma, smiling. "Oh, 'tis birds she's talking about!" "Birds!" replied the doctor, blankly. "I thought 1 showed her butterflies. This way," and he began hovering round again. Tim roared. " They'll think you have gone out of what little mind you possess, Peter ! " "Ah, pobrecito," said Serafina, when the meaning of the pantomime was explained, " I thought he was playing at a flying bird." "You'll never make your salt as an actor, Peter," jeered Tim, as they all laughed over the mistake. " I'd better call up Philip and Jack to keep you straight. Jack, come up here, and bring Philip with you." "All right," replied Jack, from the depths below, where they had been watching the performance with much amusement; " we are coming." The quartette soon made their appearance in the azotea, where Peter's mistake was explained. "Do it again, Peter," entreated Philip, laughing; "3^011 have no idea how funny you look flopping about! " " I shan't," growled the doctor, ruffled. "Why can't they talk English?" "Doila Dolores can talk a little," said Jack, proudly. " Senorita, talk to my friend in his own tongue." " It is a nice day," repeated Dona Dolores, slowly; " 'ow do you do?" "Quite well, thank you," replied Peter, politely; whereat his friends laughed again in the most unfeeling manner. " Oh, you can laugh," said Peter, indignantly; "but if DOLORES. 97 I were in love with a girl I would teach her some better words than about the weather and how do you do!" "I have done so/" replied Jack, quietly; "'but those words are for private use." At this moment Dolores, laughing behind her fan, was speaking to Dona Serafina, who thereupon advanced toward Peter. " I can speak to the Americano," she announced to the company; then, fixing Peter with her eye, said, with a tremendous effort, "Darling!" "Oh! "said the modest Peter, taken aback, "she said ' darling'!" "Darling!" repeated Serafina, who was evidently quite ignorant of the meaning. " That's one of the words for private use, eh, Jack?" laughed Philip, quite exhausted with merriment. "A very good word. I must teach it to Dona Eulalia." " It's too bad of you, Dofia Dolores," said Jack, reproach- fully; whereat Dolores laughed again at the success of her jest. " Did the Senor have good sport with Cocom," asked Don Miguel, somewhat bewildered at all this laughter, the cause of which, ignorant as he was of English, he could not understand. "Did you have a good time, Peter," translated Tim, fluently, "with the beetles?" "Oh, splendid! tell him splendid! I captured some Papilionidce and a beautiful little glow-worm; one of the ElateridcB species, and " I can't translate all that jargon, you fat little hum- ming-bird! He had good sport, Senor," he added, sud- denly turning to Don Miguel. "Bueno!" replied the Spaniard, gravely; "it is well." It was no use trying to carry on a common conversation, as the party invariably split up into pairs. Dolores and Eulalia were already chatting confidentially to their ad- mirers. Dona Serafina began to make more signs to Peter, with the further addition of a parrot-cry of "Darling," and Tim found himself once more alone with Don Miguel. "I have written out my interview with the President," he said, slowly; "and it goes to England to-morrow. Would you like to see it first, Senor ? " 1 98 THE HAKLEQUIN OPAL. "If it so pleases you, Senor Corresponsal." " Good! then I will bring it with me to-morrow morning- Has that steamer gone to Acauhtzin yet?" "This afternoon it departed, Senor. It will return in two days with the fleet." "I hope so, Don Miguel, but I am not very certain, " replied Tim, significantly. "His Excellency Gomez does not seem very sure of the fleet's fidelity, either." " There are many rumors in Tlatonac," said Mara- quando, impatiently. "All lies spread by the Oposidores by Xuarez and his gang. I fear the people are becoming alarmed. The army, too, talk of Avar. Therefore, to set all these matters at rest, to-morrow evening his Excellency the President will address the Tlatonacians at the alameda." "Why atthealameda?" " Because most of them will be assembled there at the twilight hour, Senor. It is to be a public speech to inspire our people with confidence in the Government, else would the meeting be held in the great hall of the Palacio Nacional." " I would like to hear Don Francisco Gomez speak, so I and my friends will be at the alameda." "You will come with me, Senor Corresponsal," said Miguel, politely; "my daughter, niece, and sister are also coming." "The more the merrier! It will be quite a party, Senor." " It is a serious position we are in," said Marac|uando, gravely; " and I trust the word of his Excellency will show the Tlatonacians that there is nothing to be feared from Don Hypolito." At this moment Dona Serafina, who had swooped down on her charges, appeared to say good-night. Both Dolores and Eulalia were unwilling to retire so early, but their aunt was adamant, and they knew that nothing could change her resolution, particularly as she had grown weary of fraternizing with Peter. " Bueno noche tenga, Ven," said Dona Serafina, politely, and her salutation was echoed by the young ladies in her wake. " Con dios va usted, Senora," replied Tim, kissing the old lady's extended hand, after which they withdrew. DOLORES. 99 Dolores managed to flash a tender glance at Jack as they descended into the patio, and Philip, leaning over the balustrade of the azotea, caught a significant wave of Eulalia's fan, which meant a good deal. Cassim knew all those minute but eloquent signs of love. Shortly afterward they also took their leave, after refus- ing Maraquando's hospitable offer of pulque. "No, sir," said Tim, as they went off to their own mansion; " not while there is good whisky to be had/' "But pulque isn't bad," protested Jack, more for the sake of saying something than because he thought so. " Well, drink it yourself, Jack, and leave us the crather! " "Talking about 'crathers,'" said Philip, mimicking Tim's brogue, " what do you think of Dona Serafina, Peter?" " A nice old lady, but not beautiful. I would rather be with Dona Eulalia." "Would you, indeed!" retorted Cassim, indignantly. "As if she would understand those idiotic signs you make." " They are quite intelligible to " "Be quiet, boys!" said Tim, as they stopped at the door of Jacks house; "you'll get plenty of fighting without starting it now. There's going to be a Home Rule meeting to-morrow." "Where, Tim?" "In the alameda, no less. His Excellency the Lord- Lieutenant is to speak to the crowd." " He'll tell them a lot of lies, I expect," said Jack, sagely. " Well, he can say what he jolly well pleases. I'll lay any odds that before the week's out war will be proclaimed." He was a truer prophet than he thought. CHAPTER VIII. VIVA EL EEPUBLICA. No king have we with golden crown, To tread the sovereign people down; All men are equal in our sight; The ruler ranks but with the clown. Our symbol is the opal bright, Which darts its rays of rainbow light, Prophetic of all coming things, Of blessing, war, disaster, blight. Red glow abroad the opal flings, To us the curse of war it brings; And evil days there soon shall be, Beneath the war-god's dreaded wings. Yet knowing what we soon shall see, We'll boldly face this misery, And fight, though dark our fortunes frown, For life, and home, and liberty. Padre Ignatius always said that his flock were true and devout Catholics, who believed in what they ought tft believe. Strictly speaking, the flock of Padre Ignatius was limited to the congregation of a little adobe church on the outskirts of the town, but his large heart included the whole population of Tlatonac in that ecclesiastical appella- tion. Every one knew the Padre and every one loved him, Jesuit though he was. For fifty years had he labored in the vineyard of Tlatonac, but when his fellow-laborers were banished, the Government had not the heart to bid him go. So he stayed on, the only representative of his order in all Cholacaca, and prayed and preached and did charitable works, as had been his custom these many years past. With his thin, worn face, rusty cassock, slouch hat, and kindly smile, Padre Ignatius, wonderfully straight considering his seventy years, attended to the spiritual wants of his people, and said they were devout Catholics. He always overestimated human nature, did the Padre. (100) VIVA EL REPUBLICA. 101 So far as the Padre saw, this might have been the case; and, nobody having the heart to deceive him, he grew to believe that these half -civilized savages were Christians to the bone; but there was no doubt that nine out of every ten in his flock were very black sheep indeed. They would kneel before the gaudy shrine of the adobe chapel, and say an Ave for every bead of the rosary, but at one time or another every worshiper was missing, each in his or her turn. They had been to the forest for this thing, for that thing; they had been working on the railway fifty miles inland or fishing some distance up the coast. Such were the excuses they gave, and Padre Ignatius, simple- hearted soul, believed them, never dreaming that they had been assisting in the worship of the Chalchuih Tlatonac in the hidden temple of Huitzilopochtli. The belief in the devil stone was universal throughout Cholacaca. Not only did the immediate flock of Padre Ignatius revere it as a symbol of the war-god, but every person in the Eepublic who had Indian blood in his or her veins firmly believed that the sbining precious stone exer- cised a power over the lives and fortunes of all. Nor was such veneration to be wondered at, considering how closely the history of the great gem was interwoven with that of the country. The shrine of the opal had stood where now arose the cathedral; the Indian appellation of the jewel had given its name to the town; and the picture represen- tation of the gem itself was displayed on the yellow stand- ard of the Republic. Hardly any event, since the founda- tion of the city, could be mentioned with which the Harle- quin Opal was not connected in some way. It was still adored in the forest temple by thousands of worshipers, and, unknown as it was to the padres, there were few peons, leperos, or mestizos who had not seen the gem flash on the altar of the god. Cholacacans of pure Spanish blood alone refrained from actual worship of the devil stone, and even these were more or less tinctured with the superstition. It is impossible to escape the influence of an all-prevailing idea, particularly in a country not quite veneered by civilization. On this special evening, when President Gomez was to address the populace, and assure them that there would be no war, the alameda presented an unusually lively appear- 7 102 THE HARLEQUIH OPAL. aiice. It had been duly notified that his Excellency would make a speech on the forthcoming crisis, hence the alameda was crowded with people anxious to hear the official opinion of the affair. The worst of it was, had Gomez but known it, that the public mind was already made up. There was to be war, and that speedily, for a rumor had gone forth from the sanctuary of the opal that the gem was burning redly as a beacon-fire. Every one believed that this forboded war, and Gomez, hoping to assure the Tlatonacians of peace, might as well have held his tongue. They would not believe him, as the opal stone had prophesied a contrary opinion. But beyond an idle whisper or so, Gomez did not know this thing, there- fore he came to the alameda and spoke encouragingly to the people. From all quarters of the town came the inhabitants to the alameda, and the vast promenade presented a singu- larly gay appearance. The national costumes of Spanish America were wonderfully picturesque, and what with the background of green trees, sparkling fountains, brilliant flower-beds, and over all the violet tints of the twilight, Philip found the scene sufficiently charming. He was walking beside Jack, in default of Eulalia, who, in com- pany with Dolores, marched demurely beside Dona Serafina. This was a public place, the eyes of Tlatonac gossips were sharp, their tongues were bitter, so it behooved discreet young ladies as these to keep their ad- mirers at a distance. In the patio it was quite different. Tim had gone off with Don Miguel, to attach himself to the personal staff of the President, and take shorthand notes of the speech. It had been the intention of Peter to follow his Irish friend, but unfortunately he lost him in the crowd, and therefore returned to the side of Philip, who caught sight of him at once. " Where's Tim? " asked the baronet, quickly; " gone off with Don Miguel?" "Yes; to the Palacio Nacional." " I thought you were going? " " I lost sight of them." " An excuse, Peter," interposed Jack, with a twinkle in his eye. "You remained behind to look at the senoritas," Peter indignantly repudiated the idea. VIVA EL REPUBLICA. 103 " His heart is true to his Poll," said Philip, soothingly; " thereby meaning Dona Serafina. Darling! " Philip mimicked the old lady's pronunciation of the word, and Jack laughed; not so Peter. "How you do go on about Dona Serafina?" he said, fretfully. "After all, she is not so very ugly, though she may not have the thirty points of perfection." " Eh, Peter! I didn't know you were learned in such gal- lantries; and what are the thirty points of perfection?" "The doctor was about to reply, when Cocom, wrapped in his zarape, passed slowly by, and took off his sombrero to the party. " A dios, Sefiores," said Cocom, gravely. " Our Indian friend," remarked Jack, with a smile. " Ven aca, Cocom! Have you come to hear the assurance of peace." "There will be no peace, Sefior Juan. I am old, very old, and I can see into the future. It is war I see; the war of Acauhtzin." " Ah! Is that your own prophecy or that of the Chal- chuih Tlatonac." " I know nothing of the Chalchuih Tlatonac, Don Juan," replied Cocom, who always assumed the role of a devout Catholic; " but I hear many things. Ah, yes, I hear that the Chalchuih Tlatonac is glowing as a red star." " And that means war! " "It means war, Sefior, and war there will be. The Chalchuih Tlatonac never deceives. Con dios va usted, Sefior. " "Humph! "said Jack, thoughtfully, as Cocom walked slowly away; "so that is the temper of the people, is it? The opal says war. In that case it is no use Gomez saying peace, for they will not believe him." During this conversation with the Indian, Philip had gone on with Peter, so as to keep the ladies in sight. Jack pushed his way through the crowd and found them seated near the band -stand, from which the President was to deliver his speech. As yet, however, his Excellency had not arrived, and the bands were playing music of a lively description, principally national airs, as Gomez wished to arouse the patriotism of the Tlatonacians. The throng of people round the band-stand was increas- 104 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. ing every moment. It was composed of all sorts and con- ditions of men and women, from delicate senoritas, draped in lace mantillas, to brown-faced Indian women, with fat babies on their backs; gay young hidalgos in silver-but- toned buckskin breeches, white ruffled shirts, and short jackets, and smart military men in the picturesque green uniform of the Republic. All the men had cigarettes, all the women fans, and there was an incessant chatter of voices as both sexes engaged in animated conversation on the burning subject of the hour. Here and there moved the neveros with their stock of ice-creams, grateful to thirsty people on that sultry night; the serenos keeping order among the Indians with their short staves, and many water-carriers with their leather clothes and crocks. Above the murmur of conversation arose the cries of these per- ambulating traders. "Tortillas de cuajuda," "Boca- dillo de Coco," and all the thousand and one calls announcing the quality of their goods. Many of the ladies were driving in carriages, and beside them rode caballeros, mounted on spirited horses, exchang- ing glances with those whom they loved. The air of the alameda was full of intrigue and subtle understandings. The wave of a fan, the glance of a dark eye, the dropping of a handkerchief, the removal of a sombrero, all the mute signs which pass between lovers who dare not speak; and everywhere the jealous watching of husbands, the keen eyes of vigilant duennas. "It is very like the Puerta del Sol, in Madrid," said Philip, in a low whisper, as he stood beside Eulalia; " the same crowd, the same brilliance, the same hot night and tropic sky. Upon my word, there is but little difference between the Old Spain and the New." "Ah! "sighed Eulalia, adjusting her mantilla; "how delightful it must be in Madrid ! " " Not more delightful than here, Senorita. At least, I think so now." Eulalia cast an anxious glance at her duenna, and made a covert sign behind her fan for him to be silent. " Speak to my aunt, Don Felipe!" "I would rather speak to you," hinted Philip, with a grimace. txmntry? /an ^oung ladies speak to whom they please in your VIVA EL REPUBLICA. 105 "I should rather think so. In my country the ladies are quite as independent as the gentlemen, if not more so." " Oh, oh! El viento que corre es algo fresquito." " The wind which blows is a little fresh/' translated Philip to himself; " I suppose that is the Spanish for ( I don't believe you/ But it is true, Senorita," he added, quickly, in her own tongue; "you will see it for yourself some day." "I fear not. There is no chance of my leaving Tla- tonac." " Who knows?" replied Philip, with a meaning glance. Eulalia cast down her eyes in pretty confusion. Decid- edly this Americano was delightful, and remarkably hand- some; but then he said such dreadful things. If Dona Serafina heard them Eulalia turned cold at the idea of what that vigorous lady would say. '" Bueno! " chattered the duenna at this moment; " they are playing the ' Fandango of the Opal."' This was a local piece of music much in favor with the Tlatonacians, and was supposed to represent the Indian sacred dance before the shrine of the gem. As the first note struck their ears, the crowd applauded loudly, for it was, so to speak, the national anthem of Cholacaca. Before the band-stand was a clear space of ground, and, inspired by the music, two Mestizos, man and woman, sprang into the open, and began to dance the fandango. The onlook- ers were delighted, and applauded vehemently. They were both handsome young people, dressed in the national costume, the girl looking especially picturesque with her amber-colored short skirt, her gracefully draped mantilla, and enormous black fan. The young fellow had castanets, which clicked sharply to the rhythm of the music as they whirled round one another like Bacchantes. The adoration of the opal, the reading of the omen, the foretelling of successful love, all were represented marvel- ously in wonderful pantomime. Then the dancers flung themselves wildly about with waving arms and mad gest- ures, wrought up to a frenzy by the inspiriting music. Indeed, the audience caught the contagion, and began to sing the words of the opal song: 106 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. Breathe not a vrord while the future divining, True speaks the stone as the star seers above, Green as the ocean the opal is shining, Green is prophetic of hope and of love. Kneel at the shrine while the future discerning, See how the crimson ray strengthens and glows; Red as the sunset the opal is burning, Red is prophetic of death to our foes. At tliis moment the carriage of the President, escorted by a troop of cavalry, arrived at the band-stand. The soldiers, in light green uniforms, with high buff boots, scarlet waistbands, and brown sombreros, looked particu- larly picturesque; but the short figure of the President, arrayed in plain evening dress, appeared rather out of place amid all this military finery. The only token of His Ex- cellency's rank was a broad yellow silk ribbon, embroidered with the opal, which he wore across his breast. Miguel Maraquando and Tim were in the carriage with the Presi- dent, and the Irishman recognized his friends with a wave of his hand. " Tim is in high society/' said Peter, with a grin. "We will have to call him Don Tim after this." "We'll call you 'donkey' after this, if you make such idiotic remarks/' replied Jack, severely. " Be quiet, Doc- tor, and listen to the speechifying." The President was received with acclamation by those in the alameda, which showed that Tlatonac was well disposed toward the established Government. It is true that one or two friends of Xuarez attempted to get up a counter dem- onstration; but the moment they began hissing and shout- ing for Don Hypolito, the serenos pounced down and marched them oil in disgrace. His Excellency, attended by Don Miguel and several other members of the Junta, came forward, hat in hand, to the front of the band-stand, and, after the musicians had stopped playing the "Fan- dango," began to speak. Gomez was a fat little man, of no very striking looks; but when he commenced speaking his face glowed with enthusiasm, and his rich, powerful voice reached every one clearly. The man was a born orator, and as the noble tongue of Castile rolled in sono- rous waves from his mouth, he held his mixed audience spellbound. The listeners did not believe in his assurances, but they were fascinated by his oratory. VIVA EL KEPUBLICA. 107 It was a sight not easily forgotten. The warm twilight, the brilliant equatorial vegetation,, the equally brilliant and picturesque crowd, swaying restlessly to and fro; far beyond, through a gap in the trees, in the violet atmos- phere, the snow-clad summit of Xicotencatl, the largest of Cholacacan volcanoes; and everywhere the vague languor of the tropics. Gomez, a black figure against the glitter- ing background of uniforms, spoke long and eloquently. He assured them that there would be no war. Don Hypolito Xuarez had no supporters; the Junta was about to banish him from the country; the prosperity of Chola- caca was fully assured; it was to be a great nation. He said many other pleasant things, which nattered, but deceived not, the Tlatonacians. " Yes, Senores," thundered the President, smiting his breast, "I, who stand here even I, Francisco Gomez, the representative of the Republic of Cholacaca tell you that our land still rests, and shall rest, under the olive tree of peace. We banish Don Hypolito Xuarez; we banish all traitors who would crush the sovereign people. The rulers of Cholacaca, elected by the nation, are strong and wise. They have foreseen this tempest, and by them it will be averted. Believe not, my fellow-countrymen, the lying rumors of the streets! I tell you the future is fair. There will be no war!" At this moment he paused to wipe his brow, and then, as if to give the lie to his assertion, in the dead silence which followed was heard the distant boom of a cannon. Astonished at the unfamiliar sound, the Tlatonacians looked at one another in horror. Gomez paused, hand- kerchief in hand, with a look of wonderment on his face. No one spoke, no one moved; it was as though the whole of that assemblage had been stricken into stone by some powerful spell. In the distance sounded a second boom, dull and men- acing; there was a faint roar far away as of many voices. It came nearer and nearer, and those in the alameda began to add their voices to the din. Was the city being shelled by the revolting war-ships; had Don Hypolito surprised the inland walls with an army of Indians? Terror was on the faces of all. The clamor in the distance came nearer; waxed loader. A cloud of dust at the bend of the avenue,, 108 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. and down the central walk, spurring his horse to its full speed, dashed a disheveled rider. The horse stopped dead in front of the band-stand, scattering people hither and thither like wind-driven chaff; a young man in naval uniform flung himself to the ground, and ran up to the astonished President. " Your Excellency, the fleet have revolted to Don Hypo- lito Xuarez! He is intrenched in the rebel town of Acauhtzin. I alone have escaped, and bring you news that he has proclaimed war against the Republic! " A roar of rage went up to the sky. "The opal! The prophecy of the Chalchuih Tla- tonac! " cried the multitude. " Viva el Eepublica! Death to the traitor Xuarez ! " Gomez was listening to the messenger, who talked vol- ubly. Then the President turned toward the people, and by a gesture of his hand enjoined silence. The roar at once sank to a low murmur. "What Don Eafael Maraquando says is true," said Gomez, loudly. "This traitor Xuarez has seduced the allegiance of the fleet, of Acauhtzin. The Republic must prepare for war " He could speak no further, for his voice was drowned in the savage roaring of the multitude. Every one seemed to have gone mad. The crowd of people heaved round the band-stand like a stormy sea. A thousand voices cursed the traitor Xuarez, lauded the Republic, and repeated the prophecy of the Harlequin Opal. The whole throng was demoralized by the news. " War! War! To Acauhtzin ! " roared the throats of the mob. "Death to Xuarez! Viva el Republica! Viva libertad ! " Gomez made a sign to the band, which at once burst out into the ' ' Fandango of the Opal. " A thousand voices began pinging the words; a thousand people began to dance wildly. Ladies waved their handkerchiefs; men shouted and embraced one another; and amid the roar of the mob and the blare of the band, Don Francisco Gomez entered his carriage and drove away, escorted by the cavalry. Tim fought his way through the crowd down from the band-stand, and reached the Maraquando party, where he found the three ladies, more excited than frightened, stand- VIVA EL KEPUBLICA. 109 (tig for safety in the circle formed by the five men. Two of the men were embracing Don Miguel and his son. 'It's a great day for Cholacaca," cried Tim, excitedly. " I wouldn't have missed it for a fortune. Viva el Repub- lica! Ah, Peter, my boy, this is better than the but- terflies." "My son, my son! how did you escape?" said Don Miguel, throwing his arms round Rafael's neck. " I will tell you all at the house, my father," replied the young man. " Let us go now with the ladies to our home. Sefiores," he added, turning to the Englishmen, " you will come, too, I trust?" It was no easy matter to get through the crowd, but ultimately the five men managed to push a path to a caleza for the ladies, placed them therein, and, when it drove off, hastened themselves to the Casa Maraquando. The whole city was in commotion. In the Plaza de los Hombres Ilustres a crowd had collected to salute the great yellow standard of the Republic, which streamed from the tower of the Palacio Nacional. "The opal! The opal! The prophecy of the Tlatonac Ohalchuih," roared the crowd, stamping and yelling. " They will believe in that stone more than ever now," whispered Philip to Jack as they entered the zaguan of Maraquando's house. " What do you think of it, Jack?" ''Oh, it's easy to prophesy when you know," retorted Jack, scornfully. "Of course Xuarez told the Indians lie was going to revolt, and the priests of the temple have used the information to advertise the stone. Of course it grew red and prophesied war under the circumstances. That is all the magic about the affair." In the patio the ladies were waiting for them in a state of great excitement, and welcomed Don Rafael as one returned from the dead. He embraced his sister, cousin, and aunt which privilege was rather envied by the four friends, as regards the first two and was then formally introduced to the Englishmen. His eye flashed as he saluted Tim and heard his vocation. "You will have plenty to write about, Seiior Correspon- sal," he said, fiercely; " there will be a war, and a bitte' war, too. I have barely escaped with my life from Aca uhtzin. 110 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Tell me all about it, Sefior," said Tim, taking out his pocket-book, "and the news will go off to London to-night." "A thousand regrets, Senor Coresponsal, that I can not give you a detailed account at present, but I am worn out. I have not slept for days!" " Pobrecito," cried the ladies, in a commiserating tone. " I will, at all events, tell you shortly/' resumed Rafael, without taking any notice of the interruption. "I com- manded The Pizarro, and went up to Acauhtzin to arrest Xuarez, according to the order of the Government. As he refused to surrender, and as the town had declared in his favor, I thought we would have to bombard it. But think, Senores; think! When I came back to my ship I was arrested by my own crew, by my own officers. Seduced by the oily tongue of Xuarez, they had revolted. In vain I implored, I entreated, I threatened, I commanded. They refused to obey any other than the traitor Xuarez. The other ships behaved in the same way. All the officers who, like myself, were known to be true to the Govern- ment were arrested and thrown into prison, I among the number." " Ay de mi," cried Serafina, in tears, "what an indig- nity!" Don Rafael was choking with rage, and forgot his man- ners. "Carambo!" he swore, roundly; "behold me, gentle- men! Look at my uniform! Thus was it insulted by the rebels of Acauhtzin, whose houses I hope, with the blessing of God, to burn over their heads. I swear it!" He wrenched a crucifix from his breast and kissed it passionately. It was a striking scene the dim light, the worn-out young fellow in the ragged uniform, and his figure black against the lights in the patio, passionately kissing the symbol of his faith. "How did you escape, my son?" said Maraquando, whose eyes were flashing with hatred and wrath. ' ' There was a man one of my sailors to whom I had shown favor he was made one of the prison guards, and, out of kindness, assisted me to escape; but he was too fearful to help any of the others. In the darkness of night I cut through my prison-bars with a file he had given me. I climbed down the wall by a rope, and, when on the VIVA EL REPUBLICA. Ill ground, found him awaiting me. He hurried me down to the water's edge and placed me in a boat, with food for a few days. I rowed out in the darkness past the ships, and luckily managed to escape their vigilance. Then I hoisted the sail, and, as there was a fair wind, by dawn I was far down the coast. I need not tell you all my adventures how I suffered, how I starved, how I thirsted; cursed, cursed Xuarez ! " He stamped with rage up and down the patio, while the ladies exclaimed indignantly at the treatment to which he had been subjected. Then he resumed his story hurriedly, evidently wishing to get it over: 1 ' This morning I fortunately fell in with the steamer sent up by the Government, which picked me up. I told the captain all, and he returned at once with the news, arriving at Tlatonac some time ago. I ordered him to fire those guns announcing my arrival, and hearing his Excel- lency was addressing a meeting at the alameda, jumped on a horse and rode here. The rest you know." "Good!" said Tim, who had been busily taking notes. " I'm off to the telegraph office, Senores. Good-night!" Tim went off, and the others were not long in following his example. Overcome by fatigue, Don Eafael had fallen, half-fainting, in a chair, and the ladies were attending to him; so, seeing they were rather in the way, Jack and his friends, saying good-night, left the house. The city was still heaving with excitement. Bands of men went past dancing and singing. The bells clashed loudly from every tower, and every now and then a rocket scattered emerald fire in the sky. War was proclaimed ! The whole of Tlatonac was in a state of frenzy, and there would be no sleep for any one that night. " We're in for it now," said Jack, jubilantly; "hear the war-song ! " A band of young men with torches tramped steadily toward the Square, singing the National Anthem of Tlatonac. Philip caught the last two lines, roared triumphantly as they disappeared in the distance: Red as the sunset the opal is burning, Red is prophetic of death to our foes. CHAPTER IX. THE CALL TO ARMS. Tarara! Tarara! The trumpets are blowing, And thrice hath their brazen notes pealed. To battle, to battle, the soldiers are going, To conquer or die on the field. On, soldiers! brave soldiers! who venture your lives, You fight for your country and sweethearts and wives. Tarara! Tarara! The drums roll like thunder, And women's tears falling like rain. For lovers, for lovers, are parted asunder, Till victory crowns the campaign. On, soldiers! brave soldiers! go forth to the fray, And close with the foe in their battle array. Tarara! Tarara! The banners are flying, And horses prance proudly along; For women, for women, are bitterly crying, As passes the red-coated throng. On, soldiers! brave soldiers! soon homewavd you'll ride, Encircled with bay-leaves and greeted with pride. At tliis eventful moment of its history, Cholacaca woke from its slumber of years, as did the Sleeping Beauty from her century sleep. No more the lethargic life, the indolent enjoyments, the languorous dreamings in an enchanted city. A sharp breath of war from the nortl> swept away the sedative atmosphere; the thunder o: the cannon roused Tlatonac to unexampled excitement. Rebellion and preparation for invasion at Acauhtzin; indignation and preparation for defense, for punishment, in the capital of the Republic. In these days of alarm and clanger the city resembled one vast camp, and the descendants of the Conquistadores, the posterity of the Mayas, proved themselves to be not unworthy of their glorious traditions, both Spanish and Indian. It was a turning-point in the history of the Republic. (112) THE CALL TO ARMS. 113 The two persons most desirous for the speedy commence- ment of this fratricidal war were Tim and Don Rafael, the former as he wished information for his journal, the latter hecause he was burning to revenge the insults and indigni- ties to which he had been subjected by the rebels at Acauhtzin. Jack was rather dismayed at the near pros- pect of hostilities, fearing lest harm therefrom should result to Dolores at the hands of Don Hypolito, or those of the Forest Indians. For their part, Philip and Peter assumed a neutral position, the one from indolence, the other because he was entomologically engaged. What was the hunting of men compared with the hunting of butter- flies? the capture of rebels with the capture of rare beetles? No, Peter preferred science to war. The loss of the fleet was a great blow to the strength of the Government, as it, comparatively speaking, placed the capital at the mercy of the rebel Xuarez. Communication between the two places was only possible by water, owing to the roughness and savagery of the interior; so the Gov- ernment were unable to march their troops to Acauhtzin, and nip the rebellion in the bud. On the other hand, as soon as Xuarez had completed his plans, he would doubtless come south with his ships and bombard Tlatonac from the sea. Most of the city being built on the hill, topped by the vast fabric of the cathedral, offered considerable advan- tages to the besiegers, and as their vessels would keep well out of the range of the forts, it would be difficult to silence their guns. From this point of view the outlook was certainly not encouraging, but the Junta did its best by every possible means to guard against possible contingencies. The army was drawn up in the Plaza de San Jago, and reviewed by the President in person. He made a brilliant speech, reminded the troops of their glorious predecessors, who had thrown off the yoke of Spain, implored them not to dis- grace the Flag of the Opal, and promised them a speedy victory over these audacious rebels if they would but be true to their leaders. The troops received this patriotic oration with acclamation, cheered the brave little man at the conclusion of his address, uncovered to salute the flag of Cholacaca, and swore, one and all, to leave no rebel alive in Acauhtzin or elsewhere. It was a scene of tre- 8 114 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. mendous excitement, and patriotism was at fever-heat in Tlatonac the whole of the day. The great banner of the Kepublic, only seen on special feast-days, was on this occasion brought forth from the Treasury by order of Gomez and displayed to the troops. It was truly a gorgeous flag. Composed of yellow silk, covered with feather-work, after the manner of the Aztecs, it glittered in the sunlight like a vast jewel. The sacred stone in the center was represented by a cluster of real opals from Queretaro, and the red, green, blue, and yellow rays therefrom were composed of ruby, emerald, turquoise, and topaz stones. It was the sacred ensign of Cholacaca, the palladium of the Kepublic; and in the estimation of the inhabitants was held to be as sacred as the holy stand- ard of the Osmanli. When its splendors streamed in the warm air, with flash of feather and glitter of jewel, a shout arose from soldiers and civilians alike which might have been heard at Acauhtzin. With that flag waving over them the Tlatonacians could not think of anything but victory. " It is like the standard of Harold at the battle of Hast- ings," gaid Philip, looking at the splendid flag. " It is to be hoped it will not bring Gomez such bad luck." "Not a bit of it, my boy," replied Tim, who was busy with his inevitable note-book. "We're going to be the death and glory lads this time, anyhow." "You quite identify yourself with the Government, I see, Tim," remarked Peter, who was standing by the caleza of Dona Serafina. " What!" shouted Tim, playfully, "have we a traitor here? Away with ye, Peter, or Til stick a pin in you, like one of those butterflies you're so fond of impaling. Don't I come of a fighting family myself ? " "Is the Senor Corresponsal angry? "asked Dolores of Jack, in alarm. "No, Senorita; he is patriotic. His nation always make a noise when they grow patriotic. Sing the ' Wear- ing of the Green,' Tim," he added, in English. "By St. Patrick! 'tis the < Opal Fandango ' I'll have to learn, sir. Be quiet, Jack. The troops are marching past the saluting-point." The great standard was waving over the heads of the THE CALL TO ARMS. llo Presidential staff, near which were the Maraquando party and their friends. Don Miguel himself was with His Excellency, mounted on a fiery steed, which he managed with the consummate ease of a practiced rider. The band was playing the " March of Zuloaga," in allusion to the hero who had founded the Republic. To its stirring strains the troops marched past, saluting Gomez and his officers as each regiment came abreast of the flag. The Plaza de San Jago, a vast clear space used for the parade-ground of the Cholacacan army, was quite filled with the troops, as there could not have been less than two thousand present. This was not the full power of the army, for Janjalla, Chichimec, Puebla de los Naranjos, and many of the inland towns, were garrisoned with troops. Already messages had been sent to the command- ants of these outlying garrisons to march with their full strength of men to the capital, but as yet they had not arrived, and the two thousand soldiers present in the great Plaza represented all the men at the immediate disposal of the Government. It was a splendid sight to see these soldiers marching past the saluting-point, as, with few exceptions, they were a fine body of men. The uniforms were gaudy and some- what fantastical, and each regiment had its special flag and appellation. There was the Regimiento de los Pajaros, whose banner, like that of the Republic, was composed of humming-birds' feathers; the Regimiento de Zuloaga, who marched under the pictured face of the founder of Cho- lacaca; the Regimiento de Fray Medina, bearing the pen- nant of the Church, embroidered with the cathedral of which that monk was the builder; and many others, all looking ready and fit for work in the field. The eyes of the President flashed with enthusiasm as file after file of men ranged past; and the inspiriting music of the "Zulo- aga March " added not a little to the patriotism of his feelings. "Xuarez is already conquered," he said to Maraquando, who rode beside him. " He can oppose no troops to ours." "With the exception of the Regimiento de Huitzilo- pochtli, which is at present at Acauhtzin, and has doubtless embraced his cause." " True, Senor; and he also will stir up the Indians! " 116 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. "I do not care for the Indians/' replied Maraquando, quietly; " they can not stand against troops armed as ours. If he attacks Tlatonac by land he will be beaten; but Xuarez is too crafty to venture so rashly. He has the fleet, and will blockade the city." " Let him do so," retorted Gomez, in a fiery tone; " we do not depend on foreign countries for our food. He can not starve us out." " True enough; but while he has the fleet he can pro- long the war to an indefinite period. Unless we can march our troops to Acauhtzin and crush him at his headquar- ters, there is no way of bringing the rebellion to a conclu- sion." "And we have no ships! Oarambo! it is unfortunate. But no matter. The Eepublic is rich; she has money! We will send for ships of war, for guns, for engineers, and sooner or later will invest Acauhtzin. Then Xuarez will meet with the fate he deserves." At this moment the crack cavalry regiment of Cholacaca passed proudly by, with waving plumes and prancing horses. Deprived of his ship by Xuarez, Don Rafael had asked for and obtained a commission in this corps, and was now riding at the head of his men with his brother officers. Accustomed from childhood, like all American Spaniards, to horses, he had no difficulty in exchanging the deck for the saddle, and looked a gallant figure as he dashed past on his fiery mustang. "Egad, Jack, we must enlist also, like Don Rafael," said Philip, gaily, as they saw the young man gallop past. " Dofia Dolores," he added, turning to her, " we are going to become soldiers." "In the Regimiento de las Senoritas!" exclaimed Dona Eulalia, clapping her hands. "What, Sefiorita! A regiment of women?" "Oh no!" interposed Doiia Serafina, with a fascinating smile; " it is a corps raised in the last war by the ladies of Tlatonac. See! here come the valiant ones." "Foot soldiers!" said Jack, in disgust, as the regiment filed past. "No, Dona Serafina; nothing less than a cav- alry corps will suit ns." "But can Don Pedro ride, Senor?" "What's that about me ?" asked Peter, overhearing his name. THE CALL TO ARMS. 117 " Dona Serafina wants you to enlist/' explained Philip, maliciously. " No," replied Peter, firmly; " I will physic the soldiers, and cut off their legs and arms; but I am a man of peace, and I will not enlist." " You little duffer!'' said Tim, reverting to his school- boy phraseology, " we'll make you doctor of the regiment. I'd like to enlist myself, but the editor would never hear of such a thing. It's my walking ticket I'd be getting if I did." " Well, Philip and myself will enlist," observed Jack, brightly. " You, Peter, will attend to us when we are wounded, and Tim shall cover us with glory in the columns of The Morning Planet. He shall be the bard to cele- brate our deeds." This scheme was explained to the ladies and found much favor in their sight. In fact, the whole female population of Tlatonac was seized with a violent attack of ' ' scarlet fever," and no one who was not a soldier found any favor in their eyes. " You will be as valiant as the Cid," said Dolores, look- ing tenderly at Jack from behind her black fan. "With you to smile on me I can scarcely be a coward," he replied, in a low tone, so as not to reach the vigilant ears of the duenna. " I will ask His Excellency for a com- mission in your cousin's regiment." " And you also, Don Felipe," said Eulalia, vivaciously. " El Regimiento de los Caballeros is the finest in the army. You would look so well in the uniform." She flashed a bewitching look at Philip, which sent that young man's blood spinning through his veins. He had quite given up fighting against his fate, and was fathoms deep in love. Dona Eulalia could use her eyes with great effect, and Philip had now surrendered at discretion. It is only fair to say that the victress took no undue advantage of her conquest. Indeed, Philip did not know yet if she returned his love. Eulalia was a born coquette, and he was terri- bly afraid lest she should be only amusing herself. This enlistment in the army might clinch the matter, and induce her to smile on his suit. "For your sake, I will play the bear," he whispered, alluding: to a foolish custom of the Cholacacians whereby a 3 118 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. young man walks up and down in front of the window ot his beloved like a bear. " No; I do not care for you to play the bear, Senor. Fight in the regiment of my brother, and when you return victorious well, who knows?" Philip looked; Eulalia smiled significantly. They thor- oughly understood one another, in spite of Dona Serafina and the restrictions of Cholacacan courtship. Eyes can speak as eloquently as can tongues, and are quite as intel- ligible to the initiated. "Kismet!" muttered Philip, as he went off the parade- ground with the ladies and his friends; " it is written." "What is written?" asked Peter, who was always over- hearing what was not meant for his ears. "Your marriage to Dona Serafina," laughed Philip, promptly; whereat the doctor shook his head. "A man can't marry his grandmother." Philip said no more; but returned to the side of Dona Eulalia, who had placed herself as far away from her duenna as was possible. This precaution was scarcely needed, as Dona Serafina had eyes for no one but Peter. She had not yet given up all hope of marriage, even at the mature age of five-and-forty. Peter was young and inno- cent; therefore Dona Serafina selected him as her victim, and under the guise of teaching him Spanish strove to entangle him in her elderly meshes. Her eyes were still brilliant, and long experience had taught her how to use them. It was so much waste time as regards Peter. He was so impossible. On leaving the Plaza de San Jago the troops marched to their several quarters in the forts, and His Excellency the President went to inspect the defenses of the city. Tlatonac was completely girdled by strong stone walls, and defended by heavy metal cannon, so that in the event of a sortie, particularly by a horde of naked Indians such as Xuarez' force would be, there was but little doubt that the invaders could be easily repulsed Avith great slaughter. As regards a land attack from the interior, this was well enough; but if Xuarez bombarded the town there was no doubt that he could speedily reduce Tlatonac to a heap of ruins. Gomez trusted to the impassable forests between the capital and Acauhtzin to protect him from an inland THE CALL TO AKMS. 119 invasion, and, as the sea-forts were defended by heavy guns, hoped to cripple the ships of the enemy before they could do much harm. The forts defending the const were therefore the most important in his eyes, and, after examining the interior defenses, he rode down to the sea-front to inspect the preparations for keeping the ships of Xuarez beyond bom- barding distance of the town. Thanks to English engi- neers, and a lavish outlay of money, the forts were superb pieces of workmanship; and their lofty walls frowning over the bay, with the muzzles of guns protruding from their embrasures, promised a difficult task to the invaders. Between the two principal forts was the gate of the town, which opened into a low stretch of land covered with fish- ing-huts, through which a road ran down to the wharf. The Bohemian was lying close under the guns of the city, so that in the event of their being discharged she would sustain no damage; and as His Excellency rode out of the city gate, his eyes rested admiringly on the beautiful little craft. Only for a moment, however, for at that moment a cry burst from the lips of his aide-de-camp; and Gomez looked seaward. " The Pizarro! " he cried, in surprise. It was indeed the old ship of Don Eafael, which was steaming slowly southward, a white flag fluttering at her mainmast head. Rafael uttered an ejaculation of rage, and Gomez turned his horse to ride back into the city, not knowing with what intentions the war-ship had come. " One moment, Senor," said Tim, catching the Presi- dent's horse by the bridle; " the vessel has a white flag, so she has come with a message from Acauhtzin." " For Dios, we do not treat with rebels, Sefior Corre- sponsal." " Do not be rash, Excelencia. It is as well to know all these dogs have to say. See! they are lowering a boat." This was indeed the case. A quarter of a mile from the shore The Pizarro cast anchor, fired three guns with blank cartridge, and then the boat already lowered was seen pull- ing straight for the wharf. "Bueno! Sefior Corresponsal," said Gomez, sorely against his will, "let it be as you say. We will wait here 120 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. for their leader. But I am sorely tempted to order the forts to open fire on that boat." " A mistake, Excelencia," interposed Maraquando at this moment; " we are a civilized people, and must observe the rules of war. Besides," he added, significantly, letting his eyes rest on Tim, "have we not here the Corresponsal? And all we do he will write off to England." "Bueno!" said the President again; "we will wait." The thunder of the cannon had brought a tremendous crowd to the walls, and down on to the beach. From the Presidential staff up to the gate was one black mass of people, heaving with excitement. All kinds of rumors were flying from lip to lip. The Pizarro had come to bombard the town, and her consorts were now on their way for the same purpose. The vessel had returned to its allegiance, and had brought Xuarez to Tlatonac for punish- ment. All were disturbed, startled, puzzled, and watched with lynx eyes the little boat, with the white flag at its stern, now drawing steadily near to the wharf. " What's up now, Tim?" asked Philip, pushing his way through the crowd. "A message from Don Hypolito, no less," replied Fletcher, without turning round. "See! he is standing up in the boat. Be Jove! it's a priest." " It must be Padre Ignatius," cried Jack, who had a remarkably keen sight. " He went up to Acauhtzin on some church business a week or so ago. Shovel-hat, white hair! Carambo! It is Padre Ignatius!" The name of the priest speedily became known, and the crowd cheered, for the Padre was well known in Tlatonac. Gomez swore. " Carrajo! He sends the Padre to make terms! " "Terms with those dogs!" cried Don Eafael, stamping his foot. "Excelencia, I would hang them all." "Como, no!" muttered the President, his fingers closing viciously on the bridle-rein; "but we will hear what the Padre has to say." By this time the boat had reached the wharf, and Padre Ignatius, nimble as a young man, sprang up the wooden steps leading from the water. The moment he was out of the boat it turned seaward again, and before the onlookers could recover from their surprise the oars were flashing in THE CALL TO ARMS. 121 and out of the waves as it sped back to the war-ship. A roar of rage burst from the lips of all. " For Dios!" swore Maraquando, livid with wrath. "They have only landed the Padre, and now take them- selves out of danger. Order the forts to open fire, Excel- encia!" Gomez had only to throw up his hand and the cannon would vomit fire. Knowing this, Jack stepped impulsively up to the President. "Be not hasty, Senor, I beg of you. See, the Padre carries a white flag ! He brings a message from Xuarez ! First hear what it is, and then decide." His Excellency moved uneasily in his saddle, and bit his nether lip. He would dearly have liked to have pounded the rebel war-ship into matchwood for her insolent daring in thus defying the Government of Cholacaca, but lie could not but see that such an extreme measure would be impolitic. Therefore he restrained his rage, and waited the approach of the Padre, who was now near at hand. Gomez, a true son of the Church, uncovered as the priest paused before him. The Padre raised his hand in token of benediction, and the staff also uncovered. With the atheistical opinions now prevalent in Cholacaca, they Avould not have don-e this for any priest save Padre Ignatius, who was much beloved by rich and poor. As for Tim, he had his note-book out, and a greedy little pencil, ready to take down every word of the forthcoming conversation. " Vaya usted con Dios Excelencia!" said the Padre, gravely. " I come from Acauhtzin, from Don Hypolito Xuarez, with a message to the Junta." "A message to the Junta from rebels, Reverend Father?" " It is my duty to prevent this fratricidal war, if pos- sible," replied Ignatius, mildly. "I have spoken with Xuarez, and persuaded him to send me hither with a message of peace." " And that message?" " Can not be spoken here, my son. Let us go to the Palacio Nacional ! " " By all means, my father. Will you not ride thither? One of my officers will give you his horse." 122 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. Three or four of the officers at once dismounted and begged Padre Ignatius to mount; but he refused their offers gently, with a wave of his hand. "No, my children; I will walk thither. Ride on, Excelencia; I will be with you soon." "But The Pizarro, Padre?" " Will lie off there till my message is delivered and the answer given. If the terms are accepted, one gun will be the sign; if refused, two guns, and the war-ship will return to the north." "Ah!" said Gomez, with a meaning smile, as he turned his horse's head toward the gate, "they are afraid to trust themselves in the lion's mouth." CHAPTER X. PADKE IGNATIUS. With cross in hand, the pious father goes From camp to camp on Heaven's errand bent; Soothing the wretched, overborne with woes, And to the weary bringing sweet content. Oh, gentle soul, too kind for this rude earth, What virtues doth thy being comprehend; Thou shouldst have lived in times of peaceful mirth, When war was not, and man ne'er lacked a friend. Of what avail those peaceful words of thine, When for the battle armies are arrayed; What use thy mission of good-will divine, When to the foe war's standard is displayed. The drums are beaten, trumpets shrill resound, Two gifts alone thou canst bestow on all; Salute with smiles all those with honor crowned, And for the dead a single tear let fall. Tim was ubiquitous. He seemed neither to eat nor sleep, but, note-book in hand, followed the President about everywhere, with the idea of gathering material for his letters to The Morning Planet. From the Plaza de San Jago he had gone down to the sea-gate of Tlatonac, where the meeting with Padre Ignatius took place, and from thence returned to the Palacio Nacional, at the heels of Gomez. In view of the message from Xuarez, the Junta had been hastily convened, and now the great hall of the palace was crowded with deputies waiting to hear the words of the Padre. Owing to the influence of Don Miguel, which was supreme in Tlatonac, Jack and Philip were admitted to the meeting, and they, in company with Tim, who was present by virtue of his office, watched the scene with great inter- est. It is not every day that one has the chance of seeing the naked machinery of the Government. In this vast chamber was the motive force which kept the machine (123) 124 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. going. Now, the Government machine was out of order, and Padre Ignatius, as a moral engineer, was trying to put it right again. He advocated delicate handling of the sua- sive kind. Gomez, rough work, in the manner of blows, and brute strength. As to Xuarez well, he was the wheel which had put the engine out of gear; and until that wheel was forced back into its proper position, or taken out of the Cholacacan machine altogether, there was but little chance of the reversion to the old smooth running. This is a parable to illustrate the importance of that hastily con- vened meeting. Tim was the only one of the four friends who understood the matter thoroughly. Don Francisco Gomez took his place in the Presidential chair, which stood beneath a gorgeous yellow satin canopy of anything but Eepublican simplicity. The opal arms of Cholacaca were above this drapery, the seat of power below; and therein sat President Gomez, with a fierce light in his eyes and an ominous tightening of his lips. He was in a critical position, and he knew it. The ship of the Repub- lic was among the breakers, and he, as helmsman, had to steer her into open sea again. With a disorderly crew this was no easy task. The members of the Junta took their seats in silence. They were like a class of school-boys before their master; and as Gomez cast his eyes over their ranks he could pick out here and there the men whom he knew would be trou- blesome. To understand his difficulty, it is necessary to explain the exact position of politics in Cholacaca. Tim was doing this in a low rapid voice to Philip, pending the appearance of Padre Ignatius. Jack listened to the expla- nation with interest, and every now and then threw in a word of enlightenment. "As in England/' said Tim, speaking in Philip's ear, "there are two political parties, broadly speaking, the Liberals and Conservatives. These, again, are sub- divided into smaller parties. On the Conservative side there is the party now in power, the aristocratic party, who believe in electing one of their own order as Presi- dent, and think the common people should have nothing to do with politics." " That is the party of Don Miguel and the President? " " Yes; their political programme is to govern on oli- 1'ADKE IGNATIUS. 125 garchical principles. Cholacaca and its loaves and fishes for the aristocrats only. That is one party. The other is the clericales, who would govern through the Church, and place the supreme power of the Bepublic in the hands of priests. Since the expulsion of the Jesuits, however,, this party is defunct; and a good thing, too. I'm. a true son of the Church/' added Tim, relapsing into his brogue; " hut I don't believe in the priests meddling with politics." "Then there is a third party," said Jack, taking up the explanation; ' ' what we may term the Liberal-Conservative party, if such a thing be possible. They believe in aristo- cratic government, with the consent of the people; that is, the people can elect as President one of the aristocrats, but not one of themselves." "And what about the Liberals?" asked Philip, deeply interested. "Oh, one party of the Liberals want democracy pure, unadulterated republicanism. A second party desires mil- itary rule, which would be nothing more or less than des- potism, supported by a standing army under the thumbs of a few martinets in power. Then there is a Free Lance party, where each individual desires the loaves and fishes for himself." " Then the party of Don Xuarez?" " Is not here," said Tim, waving his hand toward some empty seats; "they have all gone to Acauhtzin, and are now regarded as rebels by the Government. They desire a kind of civil despotism as opposed to the military party a dictator with supreme power, who can act as he damn well please." ' Seven political parties!" observed Cassim, derisively. "If too many cooks spoil the broth, too many politica) parties will certainly spoil Cholacaca. But they all seem to be afraid of one another. Don Xuarez has at least the courage of his opinions.'' "That is because his party is now strong enough to show fight. The others are all split up into small bodies, who quarrel among themselves and disagree with the President." " I presume they will all oppose Don Hypolito." "Naturally. They are dogs in the manger; they can't, get the supreme power of Cholacaca themselves, and won't 120 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. let Xuarez have it. I wonder what proposition the Padre brings from Acauhtzin." "Hush! here he is." Padre Ignatius, in his rusty black cassock, advanced, holding his shovel-hat clasped to his breast. Pausing in front of the President, where he could command the atten- tion of all, he cast up his eyes to heaven, as if seeking for strength to sustain him in his difficult task of reconciling the factions which threatened to involve Cholacaca in civil war. With his pale, refined face, his silver locks, and tall, slender figure, he looked a remarkably striking personage, and put Philip in mind of a picture he had once seen of Las Casas, the great Indian missionary. When he paused and thus sought inspiration in silent prayer, Gomez struck a silver bell on the desk before him. Instantly there was a dead silence, the murmur of voices was stilled, and every eye was turned toward the gentle priest. " My children," said Padre Ignatius in a weak voice, which gathered strength as he proceeded, "some weeks ago I went to Acauhtzin on the business of our Holy Church. There I found Don Hypolito Xuarez, who was not then in arms against the Junta. I knew, however, that he was a restless spirit, and, observing signs of dissatisfac- tion in the town, dreaded lest he should fan these embers of discontent into the flame of civil war. To Don Hypo- lito did I speak, but he disclaimed any intention of doing aught to break the peace of the Eepublic. In this, my children, he spoke falsely." A sullen murmur ran through the chamber. " Noting these signs of discontent, I did not return to Tlatonac, but waited to see if aught should occur. Noth- ing took place till the arrival of the fleet to arrest Xuarez. Ah, my children, that was a fatal mistake. It roused him from discontented quietness into a state of open rebellion. He convened a meeting in the market-place of Acauhtzin; he told the populace he was to be arrested as a traitor, and called on them to stand by him in his peril. What prom- ises he made use of I can hardly tell you, they were many and false; but those of the town believed him, and swore to assist his cause. The officers and crews of the fleet had already been tampered with by Xuarez before he left PADRE IGNATIUS. 127 tonac, and to a man they all went over on his side on hear- ing that Acauhtzin had done so/' " Not all ! Not all, my father! " cried Don Rafael, spring- ing up from where he sat by Maraquando; "there are many who still remain faithful to the Junta; I among the number. We were cast into prison, and by a miracle I escaped, to bring the news to Tlatonac. I am free; but my friends, my faithful friends, are in the prison of Acauhtzin/' Padre Ignatius looked sadly at the young man. " They were faithful when you escaped/' he said, gently. " They were in prison, my son; but now they are free, and have joined the rebels! " "Carrajo!" swore Don Eafael, stamping with rage. " The traitors! The dogs! Canalla! I spit on them! " " I call the Sefior to order! " cried Gomez, for the sake of f ormality, though his sympathies were with those of the young man. "I ask the pardon of His Excellency and that of this Honorable Assembly," replied Rafael, sitting down; " but my friends to be traitors! For Dios! If I meet with them I will show no mercy." " Reverend Father," said the President, when the young man had resumed his seat, " all that you have said is the way in which Xuarez has revolted. Tell us of his message." "I went to Don Hypolito when I heard these things," said the Padre, slowly. " I went to him, Senores, and prayed him not to plunge the country into civil war. At first he refused to listen to me, saying he was strong enough to crush the Republic to the dust!" "Carambo! Carrajo! Canalla!" cried a hundred voices, and many of the members sprang to their feet to speak. A babel of voices ensued; but at length, by repeated ringing of his bell, the President secured silence for a few minutes, and Padre Ignatius went on with his speech: ' ' Don Hypolito said he had the aid of Acauhtzin, of the Regimiento de Huitzilopochtli, of the fleet, and, if needs be, could secure the help of the forest Indians." " The opal! The Chalchuih Tlatonac!" ' ' Yes! " cried the priest, emphatically, " by making use of that unholy stone. Xuarez is no true son of the Church, 128 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. my children. He is a heretic, an idolater. He told me plainly that he worshiped and believed in the opal of Huitzilopochtli, and would make use of the superstition it engendered among the Indians to further his own ends." Another roar of wrath arose from the assemblage, which the President was quite unable to quiet. Padre Ignatius lifted his thin hand in token of entreaty, and the tumult ceased. " I need not say what he said to me, what I said to him; but I forced him to make an offer to the Junta, which, if accepted, will suspend all hostility. I implore you, Se- nores, to accept this offer and avert this fratricidal war!" ' ' The offer ! The message ! " "As you know, Senores, the Presidency is held for four years, and that he who has been our ruler can not be re-elected. His Excellency, Don Francisco Gomez, has now held this honorable office for three years and a half. In six months it becomes vacant, and Don Hypolito Xuarez offers, if you make him President of Cholacaca, to return to his allegiance." "Never!" cried Maraquando, springing to his feet, amid a deafening cheering. "What! elect Xuarez for our President; place the supreme power in his hands? Give to ourselves a dictator who will rob us of our liberties? Never! Never! Never!" "NoFrancia! No Iturbide! No Santa Anna!" yelled the excited members. Gomez called the assemblage to order. "Are these the only terms on which Xuarez will return to his allegiance?" lie asked the priest. " The only terms. If they are accepted, fire one gun, and Tlie Pizarro will steam to Acauhtzin to tell Xuarez that the war will not take place. Two guns, and then, oh, my children! the vessel will go northward to bring desola- tion on us. There will be war, red war; brother will be arrayed against brother; our towns will be laid in ashes; our peaceful community will struggle in deadly strife. I urge you, implore you, to accept this offer and avert dis- aster." "There will be war!" sang out some man in the crowd. "The opal is red!" " The opal is red! The opal is red!" PADRE IGNATIUS. 129 ' ' Are you Catholics ? " cried Padre Ignatius, his voice ringing forth like a trumpet. "Are you sons of the Church, or children of the devil? That stone is the work of Satan! Obey it, and you will bring ruin on yourselves, on your families, on your country. In the name of this sacred symbol," he thundered, holding up the cross, "I command you to put this evil from your hearts. The devil stone speaks war, the holy cross commands peace. Obey it at the peril of your souls, of your salvation. I say, Peace! Peace! Peace! In the name of the Church, Peace! At your peril, War!" The whole man was transfigured as he stood intrepidly facing the furious assemblage with the uplifted cross. There was no fear in his eyes, there was no trembling of the hand which upheld the symbol of Christianity. He was no longer Padre Ignatius, the gentle priest whom they knew. It was a priest, the representative of the awful power of Rome, with the thunders of the Vatican at his back, with salvation in this world and in the next at his will, holding their souls in the hollow of his hand. "Richelieu," murmured Philip, softly. For a moment the assemblage was awed. Many were atheists, who believed in nothing; some idolaters, who trusted in the devil stone; all were superstitious, and they quailed before that frail old man who faced them so dauntlessly. Suddenly, as it were, the influence passed away; the devil stone conquered the cross. "War, war!" yelled the deputies, springing to their feet. " No priests! N"o Jesuits! To the vote, to the vote!" G-omez arose to his feet. "Senores,"he cried, loudly, "I respect the Padre for his effort to avert the war. His mission is to bring peace, and he has striven to do so. But it can not be. The Chola- cacan Republic can not yield to the insolent demands of Xuarez. We choose our rulers freely, without coercion. In six months I step down from this chair, and will you permit Don Hypolito Xuarez, traitor and scoundrel, to profane this chair? 'No, Sefiores; a thousand times no! We know the nature of this man who aspires to play the part of a tyrant. Place him in this seat of power, and he will break every law of our glorious constitution. Will 9 130 THE HAKLE^UIN OPAL. that liberty which was won by the blood of our fathers, by the heroism of Zuloaga, be trodden under foot at the bidding of this man? He comes not to implore you to elect him supreme magistrate of the Republic. He comes 1 with an army at his back, and commands you I say com- mands you to make him Dictator!" "War, war! Down with Xuarez!" " Who is this traitor to dare our power? He has the fleet, it is true traitors that they are! but we have the army. We have money. We can buy a new fleet. Our soldiers will break up his power. Let us hurl back in his face this insolent defiance, and sweep away Xuarez and his partisans in torrents of blood ! " " War, war! The opal burns red." " Yes, the opal burns red. And our hearts burn with indignation at the insolence of this man. I swear," cried the President, drawing his sword; "I swear, by my sword, by the Chalchuih Tlatonac, that I shall not sheath this weapon till it has exterminated these traitors, and purified the Republic. Hear me, God!" " Hear us, Grod! " And a myriad swords flashed in the air. " Will I put the offer of the traitor Xuarez to the vote?" "No, no! War, war!" Ignatius tried to speak, but he saw that the Junta was unanimous in proclaiming war. His cross fell from his nerveless hands; his head sunk on his breast. " Holy Mary, have mercy on these misguided men." He passed out of the hall in dejected silence, and after him swept a whirlwind of men, headed by the President. Outside the Palacio Nacional a crowd of people were wait- ing to hear the decision of the Junta. Standing on the marble steps of the palace, Don Francisco caused the standard of the Republic to be unfurled, and waved his bare sword in the air. "In the name of the Junta, in the name of the free people of the great Republic of Cholacaca, I proclaim war against the traitor Xuarez! " "War, war, war! " yelled the mob, frantically. "The opal burns red ! War, war ! " Then with one accord the mob dashed down to the sea- gate of the city. PADRE IGNATIUS. 131 "What are they going there for, Tim? "asked Philip, as they were borne along by the living torrent. " To hear the cannon answer Xuarez, if I mistake not. Holy Virgin! what devils these are when their blood is up! " From the Plaza de los Hombres Ilustresthe crowd rolled down the steep of the Calle Otumba, passed into the Calle Mayor, and in a few minutes the city was vomiting hun- dreds of infuriated men out of her gates on to the beach and wharf. Far away on the azure sea lay the vast bulk of The Pi- zarro, with the flag of the Republic floating at her main- mast., in conjunction with the white pennant of peace. The crowd held their breath, and throughout the vast assemblage there was not a sound. The waves lapping on the beach could alone be heard, and each man in that mighty congregation held his breath. "One gun for 'yes!' Two guns for ' no ! ' " muttered Jack, in Tim's ear. At that instant a puff of smoke broke from an embrasure of the rear fort, and a gun thundered out its defiance to Xuarez. In another minute, before the echo of the first died away, a second gun from the other fort roared out in the still air, and there was an answering roar from the crowd below. The flag of peace, the flag of the opal, was suddenly lowered from the mast of The Pizarro, and up went a fierce red banner, foretelling war and disaster. The mob 3 r elled with rage, the guns of The Pizarro sent forth an insolent defiance, and in a few minutes, with the smoke pouring black and thick from her funnels, the great vessel stood out to sea. The War of Cholacaca had commenced. CHAPTEE XL THE DKAMA OF LITTLE THINGS. Many things happen! They are the daily events of our lives; we note them with idle indif- ference. The lover kisses his dear one, she sighs on his throbbing bosom, He springs on his waiting horse, and, waving his hand at paiting, Thinks that the morrow for certain will bring her again to his kisses. Alas! he knows not that Fate is capricious! That never again will the dear one respond to his welcome caresses! " Good-by for an hour!" ah, sorrow. That good-by means " farewell forever." And yet they know not this future, and so, parting happy, Go east and west gladly, to anguish apart till they perish. " Quiere a fumar, Juan," said Dolores, holding out a small case to Jack, with a coquettish smile. " Campeacheanos! " replied her lover, selecting one care- fully; "these are for men only. I hope you don't smoke these, mi cara." "No! I but use cigarros de papel. This case belongs to my cousin, Don Rafael. Now it is yours." "What will Don Eafael say?" "Say! Why, nothing, of course. He made me a pres- ent of the campeacheanos." "Oh, did he?" exclaimed Jack, suspiciously. "You seem to be fond of your cousin, Dolores!" " Naturally! It is my duty," replied Dolores, demurely, and dropped her eyes. "Oh!" said Duval, briefly, and busied himself in light- ing a cigar. It was late in the afternoon, and they were on the azotea of Maraquando's house alone, save for the presence of Dona Serafina; but she was asleep, and therefore did not trouble them. As before stated, the Casa Maraquando was on the summit of the hill, and from the roof they could look down into the valley below. Ring after ring of houses encompassed the rise, and on the flat, trending (132) THE t>KAMA OF LITTLE THINGS. 133 toward the sea, street, and house, and plaza, and wall were laid out as in a map. To the left the vast space of the parade-ground; to the right the crowded quarter of the peons, a mass of huddled huts, red-roofed, white- walled; and between the two the broad street leading from the foot of the hill down to the sea-gate. On the parade-ground companies of soldiers were maneuvering. Here and there the bright colors of uni- forms could be seen in the streets. Sometimes a distant trumpet rang out shrilly, or the muffled thunder of drums came faintly to their ears. Within the walls of the city all was bustle and military pomp; the place was one vast camp. Beyond, the white line of the walls and the infinite stretch of azure sea glittering in the sunshine. Peter, in company Avith Cocom, had gone outside the inland walls for a final butterfly-hunt before the outbreak of war, when, in view of the suburbs being deserted, he would have to abandon his favorite pursuit. Down in the Plaza de San Jago, Sir Philip Cassim was assisting Don Rafael to drill his men, and Tim was, as usual, haunting the telegraph office and the Palacio Nacional. He spent all his time between these two places, collecting news and dispatching messages. Only Jack was idle; Jack, who, decked out in the gaudy uniform of the Regimiento de los Caballeros, sat on the azotea flirting with Dolores and smoking innumerable cigarettes. With masculine vanity, he had come there especially to show himself to the lady of his heart in his new uniform, and, finding Dona Sera- fina asleep, had waited to speak to Dolores for a few min- utes before joining Philip in the Plaza below. The few minutes had by this time lengthened into half-an-hour. Without doubt Jack looked remarkably handsome in his uniform, and Dolores acknowledged this to herself as she glanced at him from behind the safe shelter of her fan. He was as fine as a humming-bird, and tinted like a rain- bow. The Mexican dress became him admirably, and in that brilliant climate the bright colors did not look too pronounced. The uniform consisted of calzoneros of dark green velvet split from the thigh downward, slashed with braid, set with rows of silver buttons, and filled with the calzoncillos of white muslin. A short, tight-fitting jacket of yellow 9 134 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. cloth embroidered with gold, over a full white shirt puffing out at the hips; open sleeves; a scarlet silk sash round the waist, sustaining a brace of pistols and a Spanish knife. Finally, boots of tanned leather with heavy spurs hanging with little bells. Over all his finery Jack wore a picturesque zarape of dark blue, and a sombrero of the same color encircled with a broad band of gold. In this picturesque costume his fine figure was seen to its best advantage; but Jack was already regretting his plain English riding-suit of unadorned gray. At present, however, he was not thinking of his fine feathers, or of the two men waiting for him in the Plaza de San Jago, but of the last remark of Dolores. Jack had no reason to be jealous of Don Eafael, as he, to all appearances, cared more for war than for women; yet, because Dolores admitted that she liked her cousin, this foolish young man began to sulk. The girl watched him with great amusement for a few minutes, and then made a malicious remark in reference to his uniform. " Pajaro precoso! " " Oh, I am a precious bird, am I?" said Jack, ungra- ciously; " but not precious to you, Dolores. Don Rafael "Is my cousin, nothing more/' "I don't like cousins," muttered Duval, obstinately, keeping his eyes away from her face; whereat Dolores rapped him smartly on the fingers with her closed fan. "I will eat all tbe cousins of your killing, Juan. Turn your face to me, child that you are. Santissima! What a cross face! Senor Caballero, you are jealous!" " Yes," admitted Jack, reluctantly. Dolores glanced at her aunt, to, make sure that she was asleep, then bending toward this foolish lover kissed him on the cheek. "Are you jealous now, querido?" " No, answered Jack, returning the kiss with interest; " I am a fool not to trust you thoroughly." "You are! Hush! Enough! My aunt may awake." "Not she! So you love me onlv, Dolores? And Don Rafael" " Is betrothed to a lady of Acauhtzin." "0 Dolores!" sighed Jack, much relieved, and kissed her again. In fact, he would have saluted her several THE DRAMA OF LITTLE THINGS. 135 times had not Dolores spread her fan between their two faces as a shield. "No, no! Dona Seraiina may awaken, and then ' Dios de mi alma/ what would my uncle say?" "He must know sooner or later." " Wait till the war is over, querido. Till Don Hypolito is slain, and you return covered with glory. Then my uncle can refuse you nothing." " Bueno! I will wait. And after all, Dolores, I am not quite a foreigner. I have dwelt so long in Mexico that 1 know all your manners and customs. Now I have even assumed the dress of Cholacaca, so I am quite one of your own people." "And a heretic!" "Ah! Padre Ignatius has been talking to you?" "'No, querido; my aunt " "Oh, never mind your aunt. If I mistake not, she admires a heretic herself." "El hombrecillo!" " If by the little man you mean Don Pedro, yes. But oh, my soul, do not let such things as this separate us. You love me, Dolores? You will be true to me?" "I swear it!" cried the girl, throwing herself on his breast; " I swear it, by the opal!" " No, no! not that. You surely don't believe in the devil stone?" "Am I a child to believe?" laughed Dolores, scornfully. "No, I am a true daughter of the Church; but I believe this opal to be mine, and if I can get it I will do so." " We will both try and obtain it, though I am afraid there is but little chance of doing so. We know not where is the temple." " Cocom knows." "Yes, but Cocom will not tell. But enough of the opal. We will talk of it again. Meanwhile, tell me to whom is Eafael engaged? He has told me nothing about it." "No; he has told no one save me, lest it should reach the ears of my uncle, and thus anger him. The lady my cousin loves is Dona Carmencita de Tejada " What!" ejaculated Jack, in surprise. " The daughter of Xuarez' right-hand man?" 136 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Yes, the daughter of Don Jose de Tejada, the rebel. So you see he does not let his father know of his love, for Don Miguel would never consent to his son becoming the husband of a traitor's child." "True, true! Poor Rafael! The course of his love does not seem likely to run smooth. Still, when the war is over he may be more fortunate." "Ah! the war," said Doiia Dolores, sadly. " This ter- rible war! How I tremble to think of what is before its. Should Don Hypolito conquer She covered her face with her hands, shuddering violently. " Don Hypolito will not conquer," soothingly taking her to his breast. " We will humble him to the dust before three months are ended. Besides, if the worst comes, we can fly to Europe." 11 Ay de mi. May it not come to that." "Amen!" said Duval, solemnly; and they remained clasped in each other's arms, with hearts too full for speech. Suddenly they heard the sound of a prolonged yawn, and had just time to separate before Dona Serafina caught them in that close embrace. Fortunately they had been hidden by an angle of the azotea wall; so the good lady, who had just awakened, and was still bemused with sleep, saw noth- ing. When she was thoroughly awake, however, she espied Jack in all the bravery of his uniform, and came forward with a light step and an exclamation of delight. "El Regimiento de los Caballeros!" she exclaimed, admiringly. " Santissima! how the uniform does become you, Don Juan. I do so admire handsome Americanos," added the lady, languidly. Dolores laughed at this naive confession, but Jack, modest Jack, blushed through the tan of his skin. " Really, Dona Serafina, I am much obliged; I kiss your hands," he answered, confusedly. " I have just arrived" he had been there half an hour " just arrived, Senora, and I had not the heart to disturb you." "Has the child spoken? "said Dona Serafina, waving her fan toward Dolores, who stood with downcast eyes, inwardly convulsed, outwardly demure. " Oh yes, a little. She has not the brilliant tongue of her aunt," replied Jack, artfully, THE DRAMA OF LITTLE THINGS. 137 "Pobrecita! She is young; she is a kitten. She will yet improve. I was the same at her age. " " The deuce you were," thought Jack, with secret appre- hension, surveying her portly form. " I hope Dolores won't be the same at your age." " And Don Pedro?" asked the duenna, languidly. " Will lay his heart at your feet this evening, Senora." "It is his, Don Juan/' responded the lady, graciously. It was a mere figure of speech, but Jack was secretly amused to think how alarmed Peter would be hearing of such an offer. "Oh, this war, Senor Americano! this terrible war! How I fear it.'' ' Do not be afraid, Seuora. We will protect you." "Oh yes, I am sure of that. But my nephew, Senor, Don Rafael! He is much angered." "At the war?" " Santissima, no! At his ship, which still sails up and down in front of Tlatonac. What does it mean, Senor?" Jack turned in the direction indicated by her fan, and saw a large ship far out on the wrinkled sea. "Is that The Pizarro? I did not know," he said, in some perplexity. " I understood she had departed to Acauhtzin." "My cousin says it is The Pizarro," interposed Dolores, at this moment; " and we know not why she stays." " I notice she keeps well out of the range of the fort guns," muttered Jack, anxiously. "Hum! it is curious. Perhaps she is sent by Don Hypolito to carry off Dona Dolores." The old lady made a gesture to avert the evil eye. " Say not such things, Senor. That terrible man! - He might carry me off even here." "So he might, Senora," replied Jack, trying to be serious. " I would advise yourself and the young ladies to keep within doors." " If Don Hypolito can carry us off from the middle of Tlatonac, he is cleverer than I think," said Dolores, con- temptuously; " but what can be the reason of The Pizarro thus guarding the town ? " "I have it! "cried Jack, suddenly enlightened. "She is watching for the arrival of the torpedo-boats. Yes, 138 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. that is her game. She wishes to meet them before they know of the revolt, and thus seduce them to the cause of Xuarez!" " Impossible, Senor! " exclaimed both ladies at once. " It is true! I am sure of it," responded Jack, hurriedly. " I must speak to Don Rafael about this. ' Adios, Senori- tas! Con Dios vayan ustedes." The young engineer kissed the hands of both ladies, and clattered down the steps on his way to the patio. Just as he was passing through the zaguano he heard a light foot hasten after him, and before he reached the door Dolores was in his arms. " I left my aunt on the azotea," she said, breathlessly. "One kiss, querido, before you go. There! and there! Oh, my soul! be careful of yourself. I go, at vespers, to pray for you at the shrine of Our Lady." " Angel! Such prayers will be my safeguard in all dangers. " "Padre Ignatius has promised me a sacred relic which preserves the wearer from harm. He gives it to me this evening. I will bring it to you. To-night you will be here ? " "Yes, at the eighth hour. Adios, angelito!" They embraced hurriedly, and Dolores returned to the azotea to explain her sudden absence to Dona Serafina as best she could; while Jack, rilled with joy at these proofs of her love, gaily danced down the street on his way to the Plaza de San Jago, where Philip awaited him. Everywhere soldiers; everywhere the beating of drums, the shrilling of trumpets, the waving of flags, and often- times the martial strains of the " Opal Fandango." The city of Tlatonac had awakened from its sleep of years, and in every street, in every house, activity prevailed. It Avas not a city; it was a camp. The inhabitants, almost to a man, had become soldiers, and, flattered by the women, dressed in gaudy uniforms, excited by frequent draughts of aguardiente, they fancied themselves invincible. Every evening fireworks were let off in the principal squares, bands of soldiers marched nightly through the streets, singing the national song of the opal; and at times the enthusiasm arose to such a pitch that the whole city was convulsed with a delirium of joy. In the opinion of Tla- tonac the rebel Xuarez was already conquered. THE UEAMA OF LITTLE THINGS. 139 "I hope this enthusiasm is not born of Dutch courage/' said Jack to himself as he elbowed his way through an excited throng; " but it seems too violent to last. These howling wretches see Xuarez in chains, pleading for his life; but they don't see the events which are bound to occur before such a thing takes place." " Abajo los Oposidores! Viva el Eepublica! Mueran a Xuarez!" " Shout away, mis amigos/' muttered Duval, grimly; " we'll see if you'll shout as loudly when the bombs are cracking over the city. If The Pizarro sent one now, I guess you'd not be so lively." In the Plaza de San Jago soldiers were being drilled. A fine body of men was El Eegimiento de los Caballeros, and a gallant show they made as they wheeled their horses into line. Philip, arrayed in the same style as Jack, was reining his steed beside Colonel Garibay, the commander of the troop; and on the other side of him rode Don Rafael, late a captain in the navy; now a captain on land. Don Eafael, a handsome, dark-eyed young man, full of fiery earnestness, and not unlike his sister in appearance, though lacking her softer feminine grace, had taken a great fancy to Philip, with whom he had become very intimate. Jack Duval he knew of old, and liked immensely; but Cassim's character was more in accordance with his own, therefore they were comrades by the rule of like drawing to like. Colonel Garibay was greatly gratified that these two young Americanos had joined his troop as volunteers, and made things as pleasant for them as he possibly could. He commanded one of the crack regiments of the Cliolacacan army, and was determined that it should not belie its reputation in the coming war. Hitherto it had but reaped laurels in frontier wars against the Indians; but now it was for the first time to combat with a civilized foe, and would have a good opportunity of showing to the world of what staff its men were made. The regiment deployed into thin lines, massed into com- pact columns, charged at the gallop, retired in good order, and proved themselves, in all the complicated evolutions of a cavalry corps, to be thoroughly disciplined soldiers. In the burning sun, with the gray dust whirling up in clouds from the restless feet of the horses, the columns 14:0 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. expanded and contracted like the glittering lengths of a snake, and at every sound of the bugle the lines changed their positions with the utmost military precision. For three hours Garibay kept his troop hard at Avork. At length even his insatiable soul Avas satisfied at their state of efficiency, and to the stirring strains of the "Zuloaga March " the men filed off the ground. In other parts of the Plaza infantry regiments Avere drilling; and after a time these also dispersed, so that by the hour of suudoAvn the great square Avas almost deserted, save for scattered groups of soldiers discussing the coming war. Jack, in company Avith Philip and the Colonel, Avent off to the quarters of the latter in the sea-fort, and there they proceeded to make themseh r es comfortable. "lam pleased Avith my children, Senores," said Gari- bay, thoughtfully; " but I would I commanded foot instead of horse." "Wherefore so, Don Rodrigo?" "For this reason, Senor Felipe. Our country is so mountainous that, save on the plains, there is but little use for cavalry. The seat of the Avar Avill be at Acauht- ziu, and there the land is all mountains. Consequently the infantry will be of most service up yonder. If, IIOAV- ever, the enemy come south to Tlatonac and Janjalla, our cavalry can meet them in the open plains surrounding these towns." " Don Hypolito Avill certainly come south," said Jack, sagely. " He will not Avait for the Republic to send troops up to Acauhtziu, but embark his troops on the Avar-ships and try his fortunes down in this direction. Besides, Xuarez knoAvs that the Republic has no transports for the troops." "No Avar-ships, Senor," replied the Colonel, gravely, "that is true. But by order of His Excellency all mer- chant-vessels of a certain tonnage have been seized in the port of Tlatonac, and requisitioned for the service of transporting troops to Acauhtzin." "The deuce! And what say the OAvners to such high- handed proceedings?" "The owners have been paid. So, you see, we can embark our men on these ships and sail north to "To be knocked to pieces by the war-ships/' finished Philip, coolly. THE DKAMA OF LITTLE THINGS. 141 "Senor, you forget the torpederas will be here soon/' "That is if The Pizarro will let them pass her/' said Duval, meaningly. "I see she is cruising constantly up and down." "Do you think, Don Juan, she is waiting for the arrival of the torpederas?" asked the Colonel, anxiously. " I am sure of it, Colonel. Don Miguel informed me that the torpedo-boats had started from England. Xuarez, who has his spies in England, also knows this, and sent The Pizarro south with a twofold object to dictate terms to the Republic and intercept the torpederas. "He failed in the first, however," observed Philip, hopefully. " True! but he may not fail in the second." "One moment, Senores," said the Colonel, earnestly. " The Pizarro dare not stop the torpedo-boats; they could sink her in no time. She has no defense against them, no nets, for those were left at Tlatonac when the fleet went north." "All the more reason that Xuarez should capture the torpedo-boats," retorted Jack, hotly. " The Pizarro will not try force, mi Coronel! No; the torpederas left En- gland before war was proclaimed; therefore, those in charge know nothing of the disaffection of the fleet, of the rebellion of Xuarez. If they meet The Pizarro, they will stop when she signals; their commanders will go on board in blissful ignorance, and be either seduced to the cause of Xuarez or retained as prisoners of war. In either case, the torpederas, taken by surprise, will be captured, and accompany The Pizarro to the north." " True! What you say is true, Senor! Santissima! what ill-fortune." "The torpederas must be warned !" exclaimed Philip, quickly. " I will speak to His Excellency, and offer the services of my yacht to the Republic. If my offer is accepted, I will get steam up on The Bohemian and stand out to sea at once; cruise up and down till I see the tor- pederas, and then warn them of their danger." "Yes, and be chased all the time by The Pizarro." "She can't catch The Bohemian. I'd back my boat against the combined speed of the whole rebel navy. It is the only chance of saving the torpedo-boats from the clutches of Xuarez. * 142 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "What a pity my railway is not finished," said Jack, regretfully; "then we could have run up the whole army to Acauhtzin without trouble. As it is, the only passage is by sea, and I am afraid the war-ships render that impossible." "How far have you got with the line, Jack?" " Only fifty miles. It stops in the center of a dense forest, so it is worse than useless to Xuarez as to our- selves." At this moment Don Rafael entered, in a state of great excitement. "Ola, Senores," he said, gaily; "I have just come from the presence of His Excellency and my father. It is the intention of the Junta to send an embassy to Acauhtzin." "To treat with Xuarez?" "Carajo! no!" retorted the young man, fiercely; "to promise freedom to the rebels if they lay down their arms and deliver up Xuarez for punishment. Colonel Garibay shook his head. " They won't do that, mi amigo, if I know anything of Don Hypolito." "It is true that he has great influence over them," said Rafael, thoughtfully; "but the power of the Oposidores is as nothing before that of the Junta. If they are wise they will lay down their arms." "They are not wise, however," said Jack, dryly; "and they won't lay down their arms. And how does the embassy propose to get to Acauhtzin?" " It is said that Senor Felipe has offered his ship to the Junta," said Rafael, bowing courteously to the baronet; "and the Junta have decided to accept that grand offer with a thousand thanks." "Bueno!" cried Philip, heartily. "I am glad The Bohemian will be of some service. Yes, Don Rafael, my yacht is at the disposal of the Government. But tell me, Senor, who goes north with the embassy?" "Yourself, Senor Felipe, if you will come; my father and myself, with a company of soldiers." "Why yourself, Don Rafael?" The young hidalgo blushed, and rolled a cigarette with pretended indifference. THE DRAMA OF LITTLE THINGS. 143 "I! Oh, I wish to hurl defiance in the teeth of Xuarez." Philip had received a hint of Don Rafael's passion, and, as Jack was busily talking with Garibay, approached the captain with a smile. "Is that all?" he whispered, smiling. Don Rafael looked at him steadily, and then caught his hand with a sudden passion of friendship. "No, mi amigo. I wish to see Dona Oarmencita, and if possible carry her south." " Will she come, Rafael?" " Yes, she loves me; her father is cruel to her; she will come, if you will permit it." " Senor, my ship and all I have is at your disposal." " A thousand thanks, Don Felipe," said Rafael, cordially, pressing his friend's hand; " I will take advantage of your kindness. Not a word to my father, Senor. He knows nothing as yet; I will tell him all at Acauhtzin." "I will be silent." " Gracios, mi amigo. I will give you my help in the like case." " It will certainly be needed some day," replied Philip, significantly. "But not as yet. Ah, Senor, you do not then know what it is to love." "Don't I?" thought Philip, and saw before him, as in a dream, the fair face of Dona Eulalia. It was now late, so, after they had dined with Gari- bay, the two Englishmen, at the invitation of Don Rafael, went to the Casa Maraquando. When they arrived, to their surprise all was in confu- sion. The servants were running aimlessly about, Dona Serafina and Eulalia were in tears, and Don Miguel was cursing loud and deep. " What is the matter?" asked the young man, in alarm. "Dolores is lost!" CHAPTER XII. A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. Shepherds kind! my love hath left me, Therefore am I filled with woe; Of my heart hath she bereft me; Thievish nymph! why didst thou so? Ah, well-a-day! True love is a jewel! Why hence away? Oh, my Chloe cruel. Tell the damsel, should ye meet her, That, alas! no heart have I, For her love I would entreat her; Fickle maid, why didst thpu fly? Ah, well-a-day! True love is a jewel! Why hence away? Oh, my Chloe cruel. Prythee, shepherds, her discover, I her face again would see; Still am I her longing lover; Sweet coquette, return to me! Ah, well-a-day! True love is a jewel! Why hence away? Oh, my Chloe cruel. Dolores lost! Jack's thoughts immediately became busy with Don Hypolito and the forest Indians. Could it be that she had been carried off by one of these; and if so, by which of the two? It was now nine o'clock, and Jack had left her on the roof of the azotea at four. It seemed impossible that in so short a period the girl could have utterly disappeared. At the same time, by the strict social observances of Tlatonac, Dolores should have returned from her visit to the cathedral before dark; and as she had not done so, there seemed to be reasonable ground for apprehension. Such excitement reigned in the house that it was somo time before either Jack or Philip could extract the reason? for such belief from the alarmed inmates. As poor Duval was terribly upset at the thought that Dolores was lost. Philip took affairs into his own hands with great prompt- itude, and proceeded to cross-examine the maid who had (144) A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. 145 last seen her. This damsel, by name Marina, was of pure Indian extraction, and cunning past all knowing. At the present time, however, owing to the reproaches of Dona Serafina and the scoldings of Don Miguel, she was reduced to a kind of moral pulp, not having even sufficient energy to lie according to custom. Philip spoke to Don Miguel as to the advisability of extracting information from this girl; and at once Marina was brought before him. She was terribly afraid of the Senor Americano, who looked so stern, and evidently thought Philip was about to order her immediate exe- cution. "Marina!" asked Philip, slowly, in Spanish, "where did you last see the Senorita? " " Santissima! Senor Americano," replied the frightened poblana, clasping her hands, " it was in the great church. The Senorita was kneeling at the shrine of Our Lady, and and" " Go on," said Philip, seeing she hesitated. "Por Dios, Senor, I thought no harm; but I saw Pepe at the door of the church, and he beckoned to me." "Who is Pepe?" "Hechicera!" broke in Dona Serafina, wildly; "that good-for-nothing Pepe is your lover. And you went to him, ladroncilla? Eh, yes! You left the Senorita. Oh, wicked one! Oh, child of Satan!" "But for a moment, I swear! Por todos santos! it was not long. When I returned to the shrine, Dona Dolores was gone. I thought she had departed to see Padre Igna- tius, and I waited. A long time I waited, Senor Ameri- cano, but she came not. Then I believed she had returned to the casa, and I was afraid of being punished, so I did not come back here till late! She is not here, ay de mi! And I know not where is the poor angel! Madre de Dios! what misfortune! " There was nothing more to be got out of the terrified girl, as she but repeated this story over and over again. She had gone with Dolores to the cathedral, had spoken to Pepe, and then lost sight of her mistress. Inquiries were made for Pepe, who was a zambo, that is, the offspring of an Indian and an African. To all accounts he inherited the worst vices of both races, and was an idle, drunken 10 146 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. vagabond, who had been frequently punished by Don Miguel for thieving. It was possible that out of revenge the zambo might have decoyed Dolores beyond the walls, and there surrendered her to the Indians. Maraquando thought that this might be the case. "No! " said Jack, when this explanation was suggested, ''Dolores was afraid of the Indians, and would not believe any message brought by such a man. But she told me to-day that she wished to see Padre Ignatius. Perhaps he was not in the cathedral, and she went to his chapel beyond the walls. Once there, and all things are possible." "It might be so," cried Don Miguel, sadly. "I have sent out men to ride everywhere beyond the walls, and try to discover traces. They will certainly go to the chapel, and ask the Padre if my poor child has been there I" " Ay di mi! what sorrow/' cried Eulalia, whose pretty face was disfigured by tears; "if Dolores is with the Indians, they will sacrifice her to the Chalchuih Tlatonac." " Not so, hermanita! " cried Rafael, hastily; " she is the guardian of the opal! They would not dare to do this! If she is with the Indians, her life is safe. But Don Hypolito!" "Carrai!" exclaimed his father, fiercely, "what of that false one? " " He swore to carry off Dolores, and make her his wife. This demonio of a Pepe was once in the household of Xuarez. He may be in his pay now, and have decoyed my cousin down to the sea-beach, beyond the gate. " "But how could he take her from thence?" asked Philip, in perplexity. "Carambo, Senor! do you forget that The Pizarro has been cruising before Tlatonac for days past. It was not to watch the torpederas coming, as we thought. By San Jago, it was to capture and carry off Dolores." " That can not be! " said Jack, in despair. " The Pizarro would not dare to come under the guns of the fort! " " She could do so in the darkness." "But the search-lights." " They are at present useless," cried Don Miguel, strik- ing his breast with his hand; "the electric apparatus is out of repair, and the engineers are now attending to it. What misfortune! Dios! It may be as Rafael says. Pepe A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. 14? decoyed Dolores to the beach, and from thence she could be taken to the war-ship." Jack was horrified at this possibility. It was not very probable that such a thing had happened; still, it might have taken place. If it were so, Dolores would be now on board The Pizarro, steaming north to Acauhtzin; to Xuarez, whom she hated and feared. He was about to speak his mind on the subject, when Tim, in a great flurry, arrived with Peter. "What is all this about? "cried Tim, rushing up to Jack. " Is Dona Dolores missing? " Philip drew him away from Jack, who was too over- whelmed to answer questions, and hurriedly explained all that had occurred. The Irishman scratched his head, but could suggest nothing save that they should search the country. A sudden idea struck Philip. "Peter!" he said, quickly, turning toward the doctor, "what time did you return from your beetle-hunting?" "About sunset." "And Cocom?" " Left me as soon as we entered the town, in order to pray at the cathedral. He has done the same thing regu- larly every time we have returned to Tlatonac." "Cocom!" cried Jack, jumping to his feet at the men- tion of the name. " Why, Philip, do you think he decoyed Dolores away?" "Who knows! She is either with the Indians or with Xuarez. Cocom or Pepe, as emissaries of Don Hypolito, may have carried her off. " The foregoing had been spoken in English, and, igno- rant of the language, Eafael could only understand the names. He glanced eagerly from one to the other, and spoke quickly. "Cocom! Pepe! What is this, Senor Felipe?" Whereat Philip began to explain, but was interrupted by the entrance of Padre Ignatius. The good priest looked much disturbed, and raised his hand to bless those in the room. Dona Serafina and Eulalia flung themselves at his feet, and were so overwhelmed with grief that they had to be taken away. When they had gone, Padre Ignatius, turned to the men. "My sons, I hear evil news. Is it true that Dona Dolores is missing? " 148 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. "Yes; do you know where she is?" asked Jack, implor- ingly, laying his hand on the rusty sleeve of the priest. "Alas! no/' replied the Padre, shaking his head; "all the afternoon did I wait for her in the cathedral, but she came not! " " She did not go to your own church, my father ? " ques- tioned Rafael, eagerly. " No, my son. I thought she might have done so, and repaired thither. But the sacristan tells me no one has been at the shrine this day. The messengers you sent out to seek for the poor lady came to the chapel to ask me if I had seen her, and it was then that I first heard of your great loss." " Think you the Indians have her? " asked Philip, anxiously. "Alas! who knows, Senor? The idolaters have been worshiping the devil stone greatly of late, and it may be that they have carried off Dona Dolores to assist in the ceremonies." " Not to sacrifice her? " " Santissima Virgen! no, Senor," rejoined the Padre, hastily. "The idolaters look on her as the guardian of the stone; as one under the protection of the god himself. If they have carried her off," added the priest, emphatic- ally, " her life is safe, and her honor. But, my son, Don Hypolito?" " Do you think" "I know nothing, my son. But there is one Pepe." "Thezambo? Yes, Padre." " He hired a boat this afternoon from one of the fishers, saying he was about to go up the coast to see his mother. I heard of that by chance, my children. When it was told to me that Pepe had been seen hanging about the doors of the cathedral, I went from my chapel to the seaport at once, and there I find that the boat and Pepe are both gone." "Carajo!" swore Rafael, giving voice to the general opinion, "he has carried Dolores off to The Pizarro. Ladron! " " It may not be so," said Philip, thoughtfully; " Cocom is also missing. Dona Dolores may have gone with him." " I don't believe it," said Peter, angrily. " Cocom is A STRAHGE DISAPPEAKASTCE. 140 food fellow, and devoted to Dona Dolores. He would not arm a hair of her head. " " It's a queer business/' cried Tim, in perplexity; "'tis either Cocom or Pepe. I am certain it is the last of them. The Pizarro wasn't cruising up and down for nothing." " The torpedo-boats "To the devil with them! Hasn't Xuarez his spies in England as well as the Junta? He knows the torpedo- boats are not due here for at least a fortnight, so why should he waste time in searching for them now? By all the saints," shouted Tim, raising his enormous fist and crashing it down on the table, " 'tis Don Hypolito who has the poor girl." There was nothing more to be said in the matter, as the opinions of every one were divided. Don Eafael, Philip, and Peter believed that Dolores had been carried off by Don Hypolito. as also did Padre Ignatius; while Don Miguel, Tim, and Jack were equally confident that she was in the power of the forest Indians. The Englishmen went back to their house, and, as nothing could be done till morning, Philip spent most of the night trying to comfort Jack, who refused to go to bed, and walked up and down the sitting- room till close on dawn. At last the baronet persuaded him to lie down and have some rest, but he only slept fit- fully. At dawn he was on his feet again, and away to the house of Maraquando, to hear if any news had arrived con- cerning Dolores. "My poor Jack, you will kill yourself," said Philip, anxiously, looking at the young man's haggard face. " No I won't," retorted Jack, grimly; " I'll hold out until I find Dolores. And find her I will, whether she is in that d d temple or with the cursed Don Hypolito." "If she is with Don Hypolito," said Philip, as he hur- ried along beside his friend, " we can go up to Acauhtzin in my yacht and demand her to be given up; but if the Indians have her, I am afraid we will never see her. No one knows where the temple is." " I don't care if it is in the moon," cried Duval, dog- gedly. "I'll hunt those infernal Indians out and make them pay for this. Of two evils I choose the least, and I trust and believe she is with those opal-stone fanatics rather than at Acaubtzin." 10 150 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " Don Hypolito " " He is a devil! " rejoined Jack, fiercely. " If she is with him, God help her! And God help him!" added the young man, in a low voice of concentrated hatred, "if I get my fingers on his throat." Philip heartily indorsed this opinion; but, afraid of add- ing to Jack's worry, kept his thoughts to himself. They speedily arrived at Casa Maraquando, and found Rafael on the azotea, looking seaward with a marine telescope. He turned round sharply as he heard their footsteps, and pointed due east. "She is gone," he said, with a gesture of despair. "Dolores?" said Jack, whose brain only held one idea. "Yes; and The Pizarro!" " In that case I am afraid Dona Dolores has been car- ried off by Don Hypolito," observed Philip, taking the glass from Rafael. " No doubt that cursed zambo induced her to go down to the sea-gate on some pretext, and then took her off to the war-ship, which stood in to land under cover of darkness." "Have you heard anything?" asked Jack, paying no attention to this speech, but turning to Don Rafael. " Of Dolores, nothing. All the messengers sent out have returned without tidings. It is stated that the Clial- chuih Tlatonac is burning red, and thus proclaiming war. To propitiate the god, some great feast is to take place; but whether Dolores has been seized by the Indians and carried to their temple to assist at the ceremony I do not know. Not a single trace of her can be found." "And Cocom?" " Cocom has disappeared; so have Pepe and Marina?" " Marina?" cried Jack, starting. " Yes; but that is not the worst. My father, as a mem- ber of the Junta, had plans of the fortifications to Tla- tonac. These have been stolen "Stolen?" interrupted Philip, who had been vainly sweeping the horizon in search of The Pizarro; "and by Marina?" " So my father thinks. My belief of last night is true, Senores. That ladron Pepe was a spy in the service of Hypolito. He seduced Marina into stealing the plans from my father's room, and now they have gone off together in that boat to The Pizarro." A STRAXGK DISAPPEAKANCE. 151 " Impossible, Rafael," replied Cassim, decisively. " Dona Delores was missing while Marina was in this house. She was still here when Padre Ignatius came with the news that Pepe and the boat were gone. Doubtless she has stolen the plans; but she could not have escaped as you say." " That is a mere detail/' said Jack, hastily. " Marina is an Indian, and knows the whole country round for miles. After stealing the plans, she doubtless slipped out of the country gate and journeyed up the coast. There a boat from The Pizarro could pick her up." "Where is Don Miguel?" "My father was summoned before dawn to a special meeting of the Junta. I believe the assemblage has been sitting all night to deliberate on what is to be done." " Oh, my poor Dolores! " groaned Jack, covering his face with his hands, "where are you now?" " She is on board The Pizarro, I doubt not, Don Juan," said Rafael, approaching the young Englishman. " I feel sure this is the case. But courage, mi amigo, we will save your dear one yet." "My dear one!" stammered Duval, in some perplexity. Don Rafael slipped his arm within that of Jack's, and smiled kindly. " Oh, I know all, Juan. Dolores told me of your love when I returned from Acauhtzin." "And you are not angry?" "Eh! mi amigo, why should I be angry? It is true you are an Americano, a heretic! But do I not know what love is myself? This makes me kind to you, and when the war is over I will do all in my power to aid you with my father." " Gracias, Rafael! " rejoined Duval, wringing his friend's hand with intense gratitude; "but first we must rescue Dolores from the Indians." "I tell you she is not with the Indians, Jack," said Philip, who had been at the other end of the terrace and just returned within earshot; "she is on board The Pizarro" " I think so also, Juan. If so we will chase the war-ship in the vessel of Don Felipe." " But I have given her to the Junta for political pur- poses." 152 THE HAELEQUIX OPAL. "Bueno! that is so. But when my father returns from the Palacio National, I am certain he will request you, in the name of the Eepublic, to start for Acauhtzin before noon/* "In order to demand the surrender of Xuarez," said Jack, clenching his fist; " those rebels will not do that; but if Dolores is there, I will save them the trouble of answering by man-handling Don Hypolito till he'll be fit for nothing but his bed." " Dos pajaros al un golpe," replied Rafael, significantly. "Dolores and Xuarez being the birds, you, mi amigo, the stone. Ah!" he added, as the bell in the cathedral tower chimed the hour; "there is eight o'clock. I think it will be as well, Senores, to have something to eat." " I couldn't eat a thing," said Jack, abruptly, as they descended the staircase to the patio. " That is wrong, Juan. You will need all your strength to regain Dolores." "Where are the ladies?" asked Philip, anxious to see Dona Eulalia. "They are not yet up, Don Felipe! Nor do I wish to disturb them, for they are worn out with sorrow." On hearing this, Philip agreed that it would be better to let them rest, and, accepting Rafael's invitation, they sat down to a hastily spread meal. In the middle of it, Don Miguel, followed closely by the ubiquitous Tim, entered the patio. " Buenos Dios, Senores," said Maraquaudo, as the young men arose from their meal. " I have news." "Of Dona Dolores, Senor?" "Yes, Don Felipe, sad news! Alas! there is no doubt of it,she is on board The Pizarro." "How is this, my father?" asked Rafael, as Jack resumed his seat with a visage of despair. "A fishing-boat came into the port late last night, and the men reported that they had passed a skiff containing a man and a veiled woman making for The Pizarro." "Dolores!" sighed Jack, sadly; "but then, Senor Maraquando," he added, with reviving hope, "it might have been Marina." "No, Senor. Marina was here when Padre Ignatius told us the boat was taken. I fear it is true. My poor A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. 153 niece has been decoyed away by that accursed zambo, and carried to the war-ship. Now she is on her way to Acauhtzin, to the rebel Xuarez." " Cheer up, old fellow!" cried Tim, thumping Jack on the shoulder with a heavy but kindly fist. "We'll have the colleen back soon. We're all going to fight the rebels this day." "What's that, Tim? The Bohemian' "Hold on, Jack! Don Miguel is speaking; he'll tell you all!" " Senor Felipe," said Maraquando, removing his som- brero with suave courtesy; " in the name of the Republic of Cholacaca I have to thank you for the offer of your ship, and to inform you that the Junta gladly accepts your aid, with a thousand thousand thanks." " The pleasure is mine, Senor," said Philip, courteously. " The Junta, Don Felipe," resumed Don Miguel, gravely, "desires to know if you can leave Tlatonac by noon." " Certainly, Senor. By noon The Bohemian will steam northward. Are you to be of the party, Senor?" "I regret to say I am not, Senor. His Excellency is pleased to consider that I will be more useful by his side. The message to Xuarez will be delivered by Don Alonzo Cebrian, the Intendante of the province of Xicotencatl. He will be accompanied by Colonel Garibay, my son Don Rafael, Captain Velez, and about twenty soldiers. Can your vessel hold such a company, Senor?" " Oh yes! if they don't mind a little discomfort, Don Miguel. The Bohemian is rather small for such a num- ber." "Fortunately, the voyage will not take long," added Jack, thankfully. "With myself and you, Philip, the number totes up to twenty-six passengers." "Twenty-seven, Jack," interposed Tim, quickly; " Fm not goin' to miss the fun." " But your business, Tim," remonstrated Philip, in alarm, afraid lest Fletcher's fighting propensities should cause trouble at Acauhtzin. " Well, isn't this my business, sir? Interview with the rebel leader! It's a fine article I'll get out of that same, Philip." Right you are, Tim. I'll be glad of your company. But Peter?" 154 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " We'll leave him behind to look after the ladies/' "Don Miguel," said Jack, who had been thinking deeply, "is the boat of Senor Felipe to sail under the English or the Cholacacian flag?" " Under the flag of the opal, Senor.-" " In that case, Senor, a few shots will send her to the bottom as she approaches Acauhtzin. Don Hypolito will suspect treachery and fire on the ship." " He dare not fire on the opal banner, Senor." "I wouldn't trust him. He's a scoundrel," retorted Jack, savagely. " Besides, war is proclaimed, and Xuarez won't want any messages of peace." "Senor Maraquando," said Philip, gravely, "I think it will be best to approach Acauhtzin under the English flag. When Don Alonzo delivers the message of the Junta, we can hoist the opal banner." " I will speak to His Excellency on the subject, Don Felipe," replied Maraquando, a trifle haughtily, feeling rather nettled at the implied hint of the opal banner being treated with disrespect. "Meanwhile, you will be ready to start at noon." "Yes, Senor; at noon precisely." "Bueno! His Excellency and the Junta will be at the sea-gate to see you depart." After this the three Englishmen bowed, and departed to get themselves ready for the journey to Acauhtzin. " I say, Philip, you rather put up the old gentleman's back!" " Oh, confound it, I don't want The Bohemian split up into matchwood. Xuarez will fire on the opal flag; but he'll think twice before he insults the Union Jack." "Let him try," said Tim, grimly; "and if I'm not kicking my heels at the bottom of the sea, I'll wire to Lon- don about the insult, and bring the British navy like hor- nets about his ears. Come, John, my boy, wake up! We're going to bring back your darling." "That is if we can get her from Xuarez, " said Jack, gloomily; " but I'm terribly afraid. If any harm has hap- pened to her, I'll kill him. By gad, I'll choke the life out of him." "I'll help you, Jack," said Philip, earnestly, for his blood boiled at the thought of Dolores in the grasp of A STBANGE DISAPPEARANCE. 155 Xuarez; " but I think you'll find Dolores can look after herself. Besides, Xuarez will be too much afraid of his allies, the Indians, to harm her." "You must change those fine feathers, boys," said Tim, suddenly. "And why?" " Because it will never do to let Don Hypolito know you're in this shindy. Afterward it doesn't matter; but with the Union Jack flying, you can't dress as Cholacacan soldiers." "Tim is right," said Jack, after a pause; "we will change our clothes." "But not our intentions, Jack," said Philip, anxious to keep up his friends' spirits. " Dolores or war! " "No," cried Duval, with intense earnestness; "with us it is ' Dolores or death '! " CHAPTER XIII. AWAY TO THE NORTH. Oh, leave the south, the languid south, Its cloudless skies, its weary calms; The land of heat and glare and drouth, Where aloes bloom and spring the palms: There water is the best of alms, To cool the ever-parched mouth; Oh, with the breezes bearing balms, Fly northward from the languid south. Oh, seek the bitter northern skies, Where falls the snow and blows the sleet; 'Mid which the stormy sea-bird cries, And circles on its pinions fleet. On rocky shores the surges beat, And icebergs crystalline arise, Life thrills our veins with tropic heat, Beneath the bitter northern skies. Once more The Bohemian was breasting the warm waves of the Atlantic, and seemed to rejoice in her freedom like a sentient thing, as she plunged northward to Acauhtzin. The smoke poured black from her wide-mouthed funnel, the blades of her propeller, lashing the waters to foam, left behind her a long trail of white, and her sharp nose dipped and fell in the salt brine with every pulsation of the pis- tons. Beneath the folds of the Union Jack, streaming in the wind, were gathered the Englishmen and the Chola- cacans, all light-hearted and hopeful despite the undoubted peril of their mission. It was no light task to beard Xuarez in his stronghold, to assert the authority of the Republic in the teeth of his army. The mission was a valiant one, but foolhardy, and Tim, if no one else, looked for any- thing but a peaceful termination to the voyage. The distance to Acauhtzin was something over three hundred miles, and as The Bohemian was swirling along at the rate of seventeen knots an hour, it was hoped she would reach her destination in fifteen hours or thereabouts. (156) AWAY TO THE NORTH. 157 Owing to one thing and another, the yacht had not left Tlatonac till close on four o'clock in the afternoon; so, making all allowance for possible accidents and stoppages, at the rate she was going, Philip calculated that he would fetch the northern capital about dawn. He did not wish to venture too near the port in the darkness, as the war-ships Avere protecting the town, and, not seeing the English ensign, might open fire on his yacht under the impression that she was an enemy. With this idea the engines were slowed down during the voyage, and The Bohemian was timed to enter the port some time before noon of the next day. Owing to the number of people on board (twenty-six souls, in addition to the crew), it was somewhat difficult to provide all with accommodation. Fortunately, however, the nights were warm and rainless, so the soldiers made themselves comfortable on deck, and slept soundly enough, wrapped in their military cloaks. The sailing-master of The Bohemian, a tough old salt, by name Simon Benker, growled a good deal at the way in which his spotless decks were being spoiled, but Philip managed to smooth him down by representing the seriousness of the situation. Benker submitted with but ill grace. The yacht was the pride of his life, the darling of his heart, and he had no great love for the inhabitants of Cholacaca. However, Sir Philip was master, and gave the soldiers permission to camp out on deck, so Benker was forced to acquiesce in the arrangement. The ambassadors, in company with the three English- men, took up their quarters in the state-room and cabins. As there were not enough bunks, some of them had to sleep in the saloon, so the younger members of the party gave up the sleeping-berths to the elders, and did their best to make shift in a rough-and-ready fashion. As they sat up late, however, and got up early, this inconvenienced them but little, and the utmost good-humor prevailed above and below during the voyage. The crew, with the excep- tion of Benker, fraternized with the soldiers, and their masters entertained the Spanish hidalgos; so, despite all inconveniences, things went off capitally. Even Jack plucked up his spirits now that he was on his way to rescue Dolores, and Philip's excellent brand of champagne had a 158 THE HAELEQUIN OPAL. wonderful effect of keeping the temperament of all up to what Tim called "concert pitch." Don Alonzo Cebrian was a pompous old man, whose every second word was, "I the Intendante." He was as proud as Lucifer, and never alluded to the rebels save by the opprobrious names of canalla, ladrons, demonios all of which terms were echoed regularly by Captain Velez. This young gentleman, a good-looking spendthrift with a rather scampish reputation, played the part of echo to please the Intendante, whose daughter he wished to marry for her dowry. The lady was plain, but her father was rich; so Captain Velez was quite willing to sacrifice his good looks and bachelor freedom on the altar of matrimony, provided he was well paid for doing so. Don Eafael Avas in the highest of spirits at the prospect of seeing Dona Carmencita, and kept things going by the liveliness of his sallies, while Colonel Garibay smoked endless cigarettes and spoke but little. After an excellent dinner, which was done full justice to by the hungry Spaniards, they all went on deck, and sat down to smoke and talk. First and foremost, they all paid Sir Philip handsome compliments about the beauty and speed of The Bohemian, and then drifted gradually into the one subject of the hour the Avar with Xuarez, the embassy to Xuarez, the certainty of punishing Xuarez. "Begad, Philip!" whispered Tim, who was smoking a villainous black clay pipe, "it's all Xuarez and nothing else. Is he the only man the Oposidores have?" " So it appears," replied Philip, leaning back in his chair; " the whole row seems to hinge on Xuarez. Is that not your opinion, Don Eafael? " "What is that, mi amigo? I do not understand English." " That Xuarez is the only capable man on the side of the Oposidores?" "Ladrons!" interrupted Don Alonzo, with stately spite. " I the Intendantc think otherwise. Xuarez is clever; but, Senores, no one is so clever as Tejada. Canalla!" " Canalla! " echoed Velez, removing his cigarette; " no one is so clever as Tejada! " " Don Jose 1 is being deceived by Xuarez," said Eafael, AWAY TO THE NORTH. 159 ruffled at this allusion to his proposed father-in-law; " he is a pompous old fool, and, if he is wise, will leave Acauht- zin with his family, and place himself under the protec- tion of the Republic." " He won't do that," replied Garibay, decisively; " he is of too much service to Xuarez. The Oposidores have but little wealth, and Tejada is a rich man." " Well, no matter, Senores. I the Intendante will arrest them both, and carry them in chains to the Junta." " I am afraid that will be more difficult than you imagine, Senor," said Rafael, dryly. ' ' Xuarez is adored by the townspeople of Acauhtzin. He has a passably good army; the friendship of the Indians, who are being urged on to war by that prophetic opal, and a capital fleet. With all these at his command he would be a fool to yield at the mere reading of a decree. No. This war will be a long one, a difficult one, and it is doubtful if, in the end, Don Hypolito will not conquer." Garibay frowned, and looked sternly at the young man. "Are your sympathies with the Oposidores, Seiior? " "By no means! I see in Xuarez a possible tyrant, an unscrupulous scoundrel; but I am not so blinded as to overlook his talents. Already he has scored heavily against us the securing of the fleet, the gaining of Acauhtzin to his interest, and all without a blow. Believe me, Colonel, I speak truly when I say Xuarez is a foe to be dreaded." " He will not dare to defy the decree of the Republic," said the Intendante, pompously. "When I read this/' added Don Alonzo, tapping his breast-pocket, where lay the official paper, "he will yield." "Certainly!" echoed Velez, parrot-like, " he will yield. Carambo! He dare not defy Don Alonzo." "Do you think Xuarez is a second Montezuma, to yield in the presence of his army, Senores?" cried Rafael, vehe- mently. "I tell you no. Were he alone, he would resist arrest. How much more so, then, when supported by the devotion of hundreds. I am a true subject of the Republic. I hate, dread, and scorn Don Hypolito; but I do not despise him. He will be the Napoleon of Cholacaca. Let the Republic beware ! " "Ah, bah!" said Colonel Garibay, while Don Alonzo snorted with indignation. " Xuarez may be a clever man, 160 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. but he is no general. Why, he does not even make the first move." "No, he bides his time. When he does move, Tlatonae will hear of it." "You mean he will bombard the city? " "Yes and no. I will explain. Excuse me one moment, Senores. I go for a map of the country." Don Rafael ran down to the cabin; and during his absence the Intendante and Captain Velez scoffed at the idea that Xuarez would be a dangerous enemy. They had a duet, in a braggadocio vein. "He will yield, Senores, when I read this decree." "The troops of Tlatonae alone can crush him," added Velez, confidently. "We will swallow these rebels at a mouthful. I the Intendante say so." "The war will be a mere military promenade," said his echo. "So said the French at the outbreak of the Franco- Prussian war," interjected Philip, grimly; " but they made a mistake. What is your opinion, Colonel?" "I agree with Don Rafael," replied Garibay, slowly. " I am by no means inclined to undervalue our opponent. Xuarez is as cunning as Satan, and as ambitions. His first moves in this war have resulted to his own advantage; therefore I am not so confident of a speedy termination to this campaign as are these gentlemen. Firecrackers, such as reading a decree, will not frighten a man like Xuarez!" "Then you think this journey useless?" asked Jack, who was of much the same opinion himself. "Absolutely, Senores. I believe we are on the eve of a terrible struggle, and to whom will result the advantage I know not." "If all the Junta were as faint-hearted as yourself and Don Rafael we would yield without a blow," said the Intendante, bitterly. "Without a blow," from Velez, in the same tone. "Carambo!" " You are wrong, Senor," cried the Colonel, with fiery earnestness; " I am not faint-hearted. I will fight against Xuarez to the last. But is it wise to scoff at this man as AWAY TO THE NOBTH. 161 you are doing? I tell you he is a master-spirit, such as rises once in a century, and as such is all-powerful, even against the great power of the Eepublic. He is one of those men who change the destinies of nations; a Napoleon, a Garibaldi, a Washington. From my soul, Senores, I trust we will win and save the Republic; but it is as well to look on both sides of the question. Blind security is not wise. For todos Santos, Senores," cried Garibay, rising to his feet in his excitement, "see how this man has already succeeded. Acauhtzin, the most important town next to the capital, is in his hands; our fleet has gone over entirely to his side; and have you for- gotten the treachery of Marina and Pepe. A full plan of the fortifications of Tlatonac is before him. If he can do this much, he can do more. Till the end, I will support the Eepublic, and resist a possible dictator; but do not sneer at Xuarez ! I tell you he is a great man ! " This was an unexampled outburst for the ordinarily calm colonel, and he sank back in his chair with a look of agitation on his usually impassive face. The Intendante and Velez were for the moment impressed; yet, soon recovering their obstinate belief in the invulnerability of the Eepublic, would have replied, but that at this moment Don Eafael made his appearance with a small map. "Your pardon, Senores, that I have been so long," apologized Eafael, sitting down promptly, and spreading out the map on his own and Philip's knees. ' ' Look, now, mis amigos, and I will tell you how this campaign will be conducted!" " How do you know, Senor? Are you in the confidence of Xuarez?" " I am a gentleman, no traitor! " replied Eafael, haugh- tily, to the insulting question of the Intendante. "I know something of Don Hypolito's plans, because he spoke of them to Don Jose de Tejada. Before the revolt of the fleet I was a visitor at the house of that gentleman, and so learned much. Had Don Jose* known that I would remain true to the Eepublic, he would have been more cautious. As it was, he spoke sufficiently clearly to let me understand the broad outlines of the campaign as designed by Xuarez." "Bueno!" said the Intendante, politely, "I ask your pardon, Don Eafael. And this plan?" 11 162 THE HAKLEQUIN OPAL. " Behold! " said Rafael, tracing with his finger the various points; " here is Acauhtzin there Tlatonac and at the extreme south you see Janjalla! This last town will be attacked first." " And the reason? " "Carrai! can you not see, Senor Garibay? Between Tlatonac and Acauhtzin are nothing but mountains; no roads, no open spaces. All giant hills, terrible precipices, a few paths made by Indians, and inhospitable deserts where the land happens to be flat for a few miles. How then can Xuarez convey his army to the capital in that direction ? " "True, true! And most of the soldiers are dragoons." " Certainly, he could attack Tlatonac with Indians, who are used to their rugged country; but savages, as Xuarez well knows, can do little or nothing against trained troops. In conjunction with his own army they can do something; but alone they are almost useless. Bueno! You see he will not attack from the north." "But why attack Janjalla instead of Tlatonac?" asked Tim, who was anxiously following this discussion, pencil and note-book in hand. " Look to the south," replied Don Rafael, promptly. "No mountains between Janjalla and Tlatonac; nothing but rich plains; broad spaces on which armies can maneu- ver. Now, if Xuarez conveys his troops by the war-ships south to Janjalla, he can bombard and perhaps take that city." "I the Intendante deny that! " "Impossible to take Janjalla," echoed Velez, nodding his head wisely. Rafael shrugged his shoulders. It was next to impos- sible to argue with these obstinate people, who would only look at one side of the question. " We will grant that Janjalla falls into the power of Xuarez," said Garibay, impatiently; "and afterward?" "Afterward," resumed the young man, "Xuarez will garrison the town, and concentrate all his troops there." "Thus leaving Acauhtzin open to attack," said Jack, satirically. "By no means. The war-ships will prevent our troops getting to that town. We can not get to it by land, and the sea will be blockaded by the rebel fleet." AWAY TO THE NORTH. 1G3 " Unless the torpederas " " True! unless the torpederas arrive/' replied Rafael, sig- nificantly; "but it is doubtful as to whether the Junta or Xuarez will get them. However, I am only supposing all these things being in favor of the Oposidores." " Bueno! We will look at the matter from Don Hypo- lito's point of view," said Philip, quietly. " His troops are concentrated at Jan jalla. Between that town and Tla- tonac are open plains; and," added Philip, dryly, " the armies of the Republic! " " Certainly. But let us presume, for the sake of argu- ment, that Xuarez makes three simultaneous attacks. "With his regular army on the plains, with the Indians from the north on Tlatonac, and from the sea by a bombardment from the war-ships." "Dios!" muttered Garibay, biting his fingers; "that man is a general." " The troops of the Republic will conquer everywhere," said Don Alonzo, gravely. " Everywhere!" repeated his umbra. " It is to be hoped so, Senores," said Tim, significantly; " the Republic will need all the help she can get to defend herself in three places at once." " In my opinion," observed Rafael, calmly, " there is only one way to end the war." "And that is?" " By a naval victory. The Junta must secure the tor- pederas. We must have more war-ships, and cripple Don Hypolito's power on the sea. Then he will be unable to convey his troops to Janjalla, unable to bombard Tlatonac, and remain shut up in Acauhtzin, where we can crush him at our leisure." Garibay disagreed with this view of the matter, and accused Rafael of looking solely at the matter from a naval point of view. A hot discussion ensued, in which every possible attack, repulse, strategy, and battle was talked over far into the night. Philip and Jack grew weary of this incessant argument, and slipped down to the saloon, where they chatted about Dolores. Overhead they heard the hot-tempered Spaniards arguing fiercely, and several times thought they would come to blows, so warm grew the discussion. 164 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. " Egad, Jack! I'm glad this voyage ends to morrow, w said Philip, as they turned in, " or they will certainly murder one another." A grunt was Jack's unsatisfactory reply. He was almost asleep, and already dreaming of rescuing Dolores from the clutches of Don Hypolito. After a time those on deck grew tired of such unprofit- able talk, and one by one came down to snatch a few hours' sleep. In the space of fifteen minutes every one was snor- ing, and the yacht flew northward with her cargo of sleep- ing men. Benker was in charge of the wheel, and, as he had been in these waters years before, knew every inch of the coast. Keeping the boat about a mile from the shore, he headed her straight for Acauhtzin, which was many miles away, in the curve of the land where it stretched eastward into the Carribean Sea, It was a perfectly calm night. Stars and moon, a placid sea, and the yacht swirling through the liquid plain with a slight roll. To the right the infinite expanse of the waters heaving against the horizon; to the left the long, low line of the coast, with its dim masses of foliage, and here and there a snow-clad mountain-peak. Benker twirled the wheel, chewed his quid, and looked every now and then in disgust at the sleeping forms of the soldiers encumbering the white decks of the yacht. Moonlight and starlight, the throb of the screw, the singing of the wind through the rigging, and the hiss of the waves seething past; it was wonderfully beautiful. The boat sped onward like a shadow amid a world of shadows, and the most prosaic soul would have been touched by the profound beauty of this watery world. Not so Simon Benker. He was used to it all, and regarded nothing but his work and the soldiers. Then the east began to palpitate with the coming dawn. Lines of dim light low down on the horizon; yellow bands which melted to pale green and flushed to delicate rose colors. Higher and higher the coming day dyed the sky in opaline hues; the stars fled westward; the wan moon, paling before this fierce splendor, hid her face behind a bank of clouds. The dark world of waters became tinged with rainbow hues, then one thick yellow shaft of light smote the zenith with heavy brilliance. Eay after ray shot out like the spokes of a wheel, and suddenly the intolerable glory of the sun leaped from the nether world. AWAY TO THE NORTH. 165 "Yonder," said Jack to Philip., who had come on deck to seethe sun rise "yonder, my boy, is the Harlequin Opal!" " If it is as brilliant and as many-tinted as that/' replied the baronet, staring at the gorgeous sky and sea, " it must indeed be a wonderful gem. Benker, how is she going?" " You have no soul," said Duval, turning away. " I am going down to have a tub." He thereupon vanished again, and was shortly followed by Philip, after he had satisfied himself that The Bohemian had done good work during the hours of darkness. After- ward they awoke their sleeping companions and had break- fast, when the Spaniards were introduced to several English dishes, of which they approved greatly. The heavens were now a pale turquoise blue; the sun, mounting toward the zenith, was already beginning to burn hotly, and all were assembled on deck impatiently waiting to catch sight of their destination. Here and there on the green shore, amid the forests, they could see Indian settle- ments, and at times light canoes skimmed the surface of the waves. Toward eleven o'clock a white spot appeared on the land straight ahead. Don Rafael, who was standing by Philip, toached the young man's arm. " Acauhtzin!" he said, cheerfully; "we will be therein the hour." Philip looked at his watch. "We left Tlatonac at four yesterday; we will reach Acauhtzin at twelve to-day. Three hundred miles in twenty hours; that is not bad for slow steaming. Had I kept her at full speed, she would have done it in fifteen ! " Tim, who had his glass up, gave an exclamation of surprise. "What is it, Tim?" " Three war-ships are lying in the harbor." " I thought as much," replied Philip, calmly; " we will have to run the blockade." Tim pointed upward to the Union Jack. "If they fire on that," he said, slowly, "Xuarez is not the clever man I take him to be. What do you say, Jack?" "Say!" repeated Jack, who was looking ahead with clenched fists; "that one of those three ships is The Pizarro, and that Dolores is on board." 11 CHAPTER XIV. ACAUHTZIST. Here, where mingle rocks and sands, Phantom-like the city stands, Looming, vague and ghostly pale, Through the dawning's misty veil. Day and night, and night and day, At the foot of ramparts gray; Just a stone-throw up the shore Ever-hungry surges roar, As they would rejoice to tear From her heights that city fair, Where, engirt by forests green, Pr^ud she sits, a laureled queen. Dim the mighty fabric gleams, As thought-built in magic dreams. 'Tis some palace city hoary, Famed in song for golden jilory, ^ Which at dawn will fade away In the traitor-light of day. The city of Acauhtzin was not unlike the capital in appearance, though it differed from Tlatonac in being built on a projecting point of land instead of on a hill. On either side were mountains, partially inclosing a deep basin, wherein the war-ships were anchored; and on a tongue of rock jutting into the center of this pool the city was built. The walls, white and glistening, arose sheer from the rocky cliffs, and above them only a few steeples and towers could be seen. The walls encompassing the tongue of rock formed a kind of citadel, and then ran along the inshore for some distance on each side, terminat- ing in well-defended forts. At the back of the city arose a high mountain, clothed with green forests, from amidst which a mighty peak of snow shot up grandly into the bine sky. Philip saw all this when the yacht was some distance away, and at once pronounced his opinion of the place. (1C6) ACAUHTZIN. 167 " It is like Valetta," he said, handing the glass to Jack. " The city is built on a tongue of land, the walls rise in the same precipitous fashion, and there are harbors on either side. Were it not for that mighty peak, and the mountains to right and left, it would be the Valetta of the New World." On the flag-tower of the principal fort floated the banner of the insurgent leader, the same in all respects as that of the Republic save that the color was red instead of yellow. The Harlequin Opal was so interwoven with the history and superstitions of the Cholacacans that Xuarez could not afford to dispense with so powerful a symbol, and on the crimson ground of the flag gleamed the representa- tion of the stone, shooting its myriad rays. At the entrance of the harbor were anchored two heavily armed war-ships, which Don Rafael recognized as The Cortes and The Columbus. His own vessel, The Pizarro, lay farther in to the shore, almost, across the gate which pierced the wall of the great fort, and gave admission to the city. With the Union Jack flying at her mast-head The Bohemian steamed boldly into the harbor between the threatening bulk of the two men-of-war. Through their glasses thos.on board the yacht could see there was much excitement at her unexpected appearance, both on the ships and on shore. A crowd of people poured out of the gate like a swarm of bees, as The Bohemian, slowing down her engines, swung gracefully to anchor beside The Pizarro. Just as she cleared the war-ships at the entrance, a puff of smoke broke from the black sides of The Cortes, whereat Tim uttered an exclamation of rage. " It's insulting the flag they are! " " No; blank cartridge," replied Philip, shrewdly; "they are saluting the Union Jack. Don Hypolito evidently wants to stand well with England. See, they are dipping their flags." The three war-ships lowered their pennants for a moment in salutation to the English flag, and then ran them up again to the mast-head. Philip had by this time brought The Bohemian directly under the guns of the fort, so that, in any event, she would be safe; the forts could not depress their guns sufficiently to damage her, and the war- 168 THE HAKLEQUIN OPAL. ships would not dare to fire lest they should injure thv. ramparts of the town. Making everything safe by this artful maneuver, Philip, with the sanction of Don Alonzo, hauled down the Union Jack to hoist the Republican banner. At first the forts thought the English ship was responding to their salute, and several guns thundered a welcome to the stranger, while the crowd on the shore cheered lustily. All these greetings, however, were changed to cries of anger when the yellow banner of Tlatonac flew up to the mast-head of The Bohemian. Without doubt, had the yacht been out- side the war-ships would have opened fire on this audacious vessel, to make her pay for such insolence; but Philip, being safe under the walls of the fort, could fly the flag with impunity. The crowd on the beach and wharf roared with rage as they saw the hated ensign, and recognized the fact that by this audacious piece of strategy a band of their enemies had gained admission into the very heart of their harbor. Had those on shore been able to get on board The Bohemian it would have gone ill with Philip and his friends; but, for- tunately, the yacht had cast anchor some distance away, by the side of The Pizarro. The crew of the war-ship lined the side of their vessel to look at the daring intruder; and seeing this Don Eafael, suppressing all outward signs of rage, swore fluently to himself as he recognized the renegades. In a remarkably short space of time a boat, with the rebel flag hanging over its stern, pulled out from the shore, and in a few minutes came alongside The Bohemian. A ladder was thrown over at once, and there stepped on deck Don Jose" de Tejada, accompanied by a few officers. He recognized Don Alonzo and his friends at once, for they had been intimates of his before the outbreak of this fratri- cidal war. "Don Eafael! Don Alonzo! "said Tejada, in astonish- ment. "What is the meaning of this, Senores? And how have you the hardihood to display the flag of Tlatonac under the guns of Acauhtzin?" "I the Intendante, with these gentlemen, have come hither on a mission to Don Hypolito Xuarez from the Junta of Cholacaca." ACAUHTzrsr. 169 " Oh, you would make peace ! The Junta fear for them- selves ! " "Carajo, no!" cried Garibay, clapping his hand to his sword. "The Junta fear none; much less the rebel Xuarez." "Beware, Sefioiy" said Tejada, as several of his officers muttered angrily. " I can not protect you if thus you speak of our honored President." "President!" cried Rafael, in a rage. "Yes; the President of Cholacaca." "Don Francisco Gomez is President." " By the will of the aristocrats," said Don Jose, fiercely; "but Don Hypolito Xuarez is President by the will of the people." "Enough of this!" exclaimed the Intendante, waving his hand; "we are here under a flag of truce. Even you, Sefior, must respect that. We will deliver our message to Xuarez, and depart unharmed." " That is as Don Hypolito wills it." "Your pardon, Sefior," interposed Philip, taking off his yachting-cap; "this is an English vessel, and as such you dare not seize her." "I recognize no vessel as English under those colors," said Tejada, fiercely, pointing to the opal banner. "Bueno! I will endeavor to remove your prejudice." In another moment Philip had given orders to Benker, and the Union Jack was flying at the other mast-head. "You must respect our neutrality now, Sefior." Don Jose bit his lip, and turning to one of his officers gave an order. The soldier bowed, dropped over the side of the yacht, and went ashore in the boat. "I have sent to tell Don Hypolito that an embassy has come from Tlatonac," said Tejada, addressing the Intend- ante with marked coldness; "in ten or fifteen minutes you will know his decision." " He must receive us, Senor." "No doubt; but the question is, Will he let you depart? " " By the law of nations, which recognizes the white flag, he must let us go as we came, unharmed." "Had you not sailed under the English ensign, you would not have got into the harbor so easily. This boat would be now sunk by the guns of The Cortes." 170 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " I thought as much/' said Philip, easily; " therefore I flew a flag which even you had to respect." " And may I ask, Senores," sneered Don Jose", with elaborate politeness, "under which flag you sail the English, the opal, or the white?" "Under the white/' replied Garibay, promptly. "Good! Then lower those two banners and run up the white flag." "I'll see you hanged first!" retorted Philip, bluntly. "This is an English vessel, and I defy you to touch it or the flag." Tejada blushed red with rage, for he knew that Xuarez, anxious to stand well, in his quarrel, with the great nations of Europe, would not dare to insult the Union Jack. In fact, seeing that the deputation had arrived in an English vessel, Tejada was well assured in his own mind that it would be received and sent away with the utmost courtesy, let their message from the Junta be galling as it might be. Xuarez was no barbarian, and in any case would have treated a flag of truce with honor; but the presence of these English gentlemen, of this English ship, put the matter beyond all doubt. Under these circumstances Tejada was unable to reply to Sir Philip; but, suppressing his wrath with a great effort, bowed politely and turned away. As he did so Don Rafael sprang forward, as also did Jack, both eager to learn if Dolores was in the town. " I will speak, amigo," said Eafael, hurriedly, to Jack. " I know Don Jose as my private friend, though public enemy; he will answer me." "Your servant, Senor!" remarked Tejada, stiffly, find- ing himself face to face with Don Eafael. "Senor," said the young man, taking off his sombrero with ceremonious politeness, "we are enemies because we follow different leaders; but I implore you, by the friendship which once existed between us, to answer a question I would ask." "Surely, Senor! You were ever welcome at my table in time of peace. As you say, we are now enemies; but God forbid that this unhappy war should banish all court- esies between gentlemen. What question do you wish to put, Senor? It shall be answered." ACAUHTZIX. 171 " Is my cousin is Dona Dolores at Acauhtzin?" Tejada started, and seemed much surprised. "No, Senor Maraquando, she is not here. Why ask me such a strange question ? " "Not here!" cried Jack, who also knew Tejada well; "but she must be here, Senor Tejada; she has been carried off from Tlatonac, taken on board yonder vessel" point- ing to The Pizarro " and is now in Acauhtzin with Don Hypolito." " I swear to you, Senor Duval, that you wrong us. You wrong Don Hypolito," replied Don Jose", earnestly. "I am aware that our leader loves Dona Dolores, and desires to marry her, but he would not carry her off so basely. No, Senor," continued Tejada, proudly, "we are men of honor; we do not make war on women. "When Don Hypo- lito conquers, he will ask for the honor of Dona Dolores' hand in due form. She is not here, I swear." "Great heavens!" cried Jack, in despair, "can this be true?" " Don Jose 1 ," said Eafael, eagerly, " I know you to be a man of honor. I do not doubt your word; but I feel sure that my cousin is here." "Senor!" "I do not say that you know, or are deceiving me," went on Rafael, rapidly. "But look you, Don Jose". There is a zambo called Pepe who acted as a spy for your party at Tlatonac. The other night he decoyed my cousin from the cathedral on board The Pizarro. A fisherman saw Pepe rowing to the war-ship with a female in his boat." "Bueno! that is so," interrupted Tejada, bluntly; "but the woman was a poblana, one Marina." " Marina! " cried Duval, savagely. " Then I have been tricked. We have all been wrong! Dona Dolores must be with the Indians." "I trust, Senor, your fears are groundless; but if Dona Dolores is with the Indians, she will be quite safe. They reverence her as the guardian of the Chalchuih Tlatonac." " Does Don Hypolito know anything about the Indi- ans?" asked Eafael, hurriedly. "That question, Senor, I am not at liberty to answer." Rafael cast one swift and penetrating glance at the 172 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. impassive face of the old man, and turned away with a suppressed oath. "Carrai! " he muttered, fiercely, to Philip, who stood by, a silent spectator. " I believe Xuarez is in league with the Indians, and has made them carry her off. If she is not here she is at that hidden temple; but in either event Don Hypolito is mixed up with the case." " In my humble opinion she is at Acauhtzin," said Philip, quietly. " Don Jose does not know all the black dealings of Xuarez' heart. Cheer up, my dear Jack; we will soon see Don Hypolito, and wring the truth from him." Jack muttered something indistinctly, and turned away, whereon Philip, taking him kindly by the arm, led him down to the saloon, with the intention of giving him such consolation as he was able. "If she is here, Xuarez must know," said Philip, earnestly; "and if he knows, he will not be able to deceive me. I can read most faces, and it will be strange indeed if Don Hypolito's is the first to baffle me." "Don Jose denies everything." "Yes, because Don Jose' knows nothing. That old man is a pompous old ass, like the Intendante. Many things could take place under his nose without his being any the wiser. Drink this glass of wine, my dear lad, and keep up your spirits. We will find Dolores yet." Duval was so overcome by the loss of Dolores that he submitted to Philip's orders like a child, and immediately drank the wine poured out for him. In most emergencies Jack would have been ready to act at once with a cool head, and with courage; but Dolores was very dear to him, and her loss had rendered him useless for the moment; in other words, the shock had paralyzed his will. After Philip had succeeded in putting some heart into the poor fellow, he insisted on his coming on deck, and they ascended thereto just in time to see the return of the officer sent by Tejada to Don Hypolito. The messenger walked straight up to Don Jose, and gave the reply of Xuarez, on hearing which Tejada turned toward the wait- ing Intendante. " His Excellency Don Hypolito Xuarez will see you at his palace." ACAUHTZItf. 173 Don Alonzo almost choked with rage at hearing these terms applied to a rebel like Xuarez; but managed to bow with tolerably good grace. He moved toward the side of the yacht, and scrambled down into the boat in a some- what ungraceful fashion for an embassador. Colonel Gari- bay, Don Rafael, and the Englishmen followed, together with Tejada and his staff. Tim, who had been fraternizing with the rebels, showed his note-book to Jack, filled with shorthand notes. " I've got no end of information/' he said, gleefully; " and when I get back to Tlatonac, it goes to The Morning Planet straight." " That is if we ever do get back," said Jack, gloomily. "Of course we will, you pessimist; and, what's more, we'll take back Dona Dolores with us." "Do you think she is here, then, after all?" asked Duval, with reviving hope. Tim winked in a vulgar fashion. " A word in your ear, Jack," he said, jerking his head in the direction of the pompous Tejada; " that old man's a liar. The pretty colleen is here, and Don Jose* knows it; but she's not with Don Hypolito." " Then where do you think she is? " "With BafaeFs sweetheart, no less; the old man's daughter. " " Dona Carmencita? " " You've hit it." Jack would have questioned Tim further, so as to learn his grounds for such a belief, but just then the boat touched the stone steps of the wharf. The embassy stepped ashore, and waited till the soldiers of Tlatonac arrived. Don Alonzo, with a due regard for the dignity of the Republic, refused to move until his body-guard came on shore. In a few minutes the soldiers landed, under the command of Captain Velez, and thus escorted the embas- sador of the Republic moved slowly forward under the mighty arch which led into the heart of the rebel capital. "We've got in, Senor," whispered Rafael to Philip, with sudden doubt; "but I hope we will be able to get out." Philip pointed back to the Union Jack, which could V" seen in the distance at the yacht's mast-head. "While that flag is there I have no fear, Don Rafael/ CHAPTER XV. DON HYPOLITO XUAREZ. A visionary? Wherefore not? All men Who change the world are dreamers in their youth. Thought conies before fulfillment! In the earth The hidden seedling hints the future flower! So is it with this man! For years his brain Hath dallied with a thousand fantasies, Which had no being save within himself. But now his dreams take shape! With purpose firm, He aida their due fulfillment, till therefrom New heavens and earth are formed; and ancient things Crashing to ruin, as foundations serve Whereon to build earth's future destinies. There was no doubt that Don Hypolito laid due stress on ceremonial observances as necessary to consolidate his pretensions. On the ground that Gomez had broken the constitutional rules by which he held his position, Xuarez proclaimed himself saviour and President of the Cholacacan Republic. Not being in possession of Tlatonac, he consti- tuted Acauhtzin his capital for the time being, and there assumed all the airs of a ruler. He called himself by the title of President, his personal staff and intimate friends constituted a kind of revolutionary Junta, and the build- ing in which this illegal assemblage met for conference was dignified with the name of the Palacio National. In all respects the machinery of the lawful Government was copied at Acauhtzin, and that town was regarded by the Oposidores as the true capital of the country until such time as Xuarez should enforce his pretensions by marching in triumph into the head city of the Republic. As in the Middle Ages two Popes ruled the one at Rome, the other at Avignon so the allegiance of Cholacaca was claimed by two Presidents Gomez at Tlatonac, Xuarez at Acauhtzin. The extraordinary man who avowed himself the savior of the country possessed in a marked degree the power of dominating all with whom he came in contact by the per- (174) DON HYPOLITO XUAREZ. 175 sonal charm of his manner. This demonic influence is a peculiar characteristic of all great men. without which they could not hope to accomplish their missions. Napo- leon changed the map of Europe, Mahomet created a relig- ion, Caesar consolidated the Roman Empire, Luther tore half the civilized world from the grip of ecclesiastical Rome. These great events sprang, in the first instance, from the strong personality of the men who accomplished them; hence the performance of what appear to be mira- cles. Don Hypolito Xuarez, son of a Spanish adventurer and an Indian woman, possessed this demonic influence, and, gifted with such power, arose from obscurity to the full glory of supreme power. Nowhere was his authority more noticeable than in Acauhtzin. Years before a polit- ical adventurer, he had been accepted by the people of that town as their deputy to the Junta. Acauhtzin, always jealous of the superiority of Tlatonac, was desirous that the seat of Government should be transferred thither from the city of the opal. This ambition was fostered by the crafty Xuarez, who saw therein a safe way of gaining the love of the northern capital. After he had accused Gomez in the Junta of breaking the rules of the constitution, he came northward to claim the protection of his constitu- ents, a protection which was freely accorded to one who had their interests so much at heart. Cunning Don Hypolito saw his position and how he could better it. Casting all his fortunes on one bold stroke, he assembled the Acauhtzinas in the great Plaza, and harangued them with all his marvelous powers of oratory. Gomez had tampered with the sacred constitu- tion of Cholacaca. Gomez was therefore unworthy to occupy the Presidential chair. One man alone could save the country; that man was himself. Let them throw in their fortunes with his, and resort to arms to enforce his elevation to the supreme power; then he would transfer the seat of Government from Tlatonac to Acauhtzin, and the northern port would become the greatest city in Cen- tral America. Dazzled by this vision, the townspeople elected Don Hypolito President with enthusiasm, and vowed to stand by him to the end. That end they never for a moment doubted would be victory over the estab- lished Government, and the transference of the seat of JL76 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. power from Tlatonac to Acanhtzin. They firmly believed in Don Hypolito as the man of the future, and when, by a skillful stroke of diplomacy, he secured the support of the Regimiento de Huitzilopochtli and of the fleet, his triumph was complete. He who could do so much could do more! The admiring Acauhtzinas swore by the brilliant advent- urer, and when the message carried by Don Alonzo arrived at the northern capital, the crafty Mestizo was the idol of the populace. The ironical part of the whole affair was that he had no intention of fulfilling any promises made to the trusting Acauhtzinas. Jack, owing to his long residence in Tlatonac, was already acquainted with Xuarez, but both Tim and Philip were exceedingly curious to behold this man, of whom they had heard so much, and who seemed to hold the des- tinies of the Republic in the hollow of his hand. In the great hall of the Palacio Isacional (so called) they beheld him for the first time, waiting to receive the emissaries of the Government. Surrounded by a brilliant throng of officers, he alone was plainly dressed no uniform, no gaudy tints, no decorations; yet his personality raised him high above those by whom he was encircled. The supporters of Xuarez were mediocrites; Xuarez himself was a great man. The revolutionary leader was small of stature, ungrace- ful in appearance; his legs were short, his body was long, so that he rather waddled than walked. At first sight this ungainly figure, this ungraceful gait, was apt to bring a smile to the lips of the onlooker, but that smile faded before the grand countenance surmounting the misshapen frame. It was as though the head of a Greek statue had been, by mistake, joined on to the body of a Poly- nesian idol; the first was so noble, the latter so gro- tesque. A Roman head, such as tradition ascribes to the Caesars; a Napoleonic face, calm, powerful, terrible as the impassive countenance of the Sphinx; broad forehead, prominent nose, large eyes, full of fire and determination; no beard or mustache to hide the contour of the cheeks, the strong curve of the mouth; a skin of marble whiteness, and the whole surmounted by masses of waving hair, dark as the eyes beneath. Such faces are seen on the coins of the Caesars, on the painted walls of Egyptian tombs, on the carven walls of Assyrian palaces. They belong alone DON HYPOLITO XUAREZ. 17? to kings, to heroes, to conquerors. Nature marks her great men thus. When such faces of terrible calm appear at intervals of centuries, mankind trembles, recognizing the scourges of God, destined to whelm the world in waves of blood. Philip came to see Xuarez he looked, and lo! Napoleon. "The struggle is unequal," he whispered to Jack, as Don Alonzo unrolled his papers. " Yes," replied Duval, in the same tone. " His force is too weak to stand against the power of the Junta." Philip smiled scornfully. " What can the Junta do against that face?" he said, contemptuously. " There stands the greatest man in Cholacaca." "D n him," muttered the engineer, fiercely, "he has carried off Dolores." " Silence, boys," growled Tim, in a voice of subdued thunder; "the Don's speaking." The Intendante was not a particularly brave man, and hardly liked the position in which he now found him- self. His mission had appeared to be great and grand and glorious at Tlatonac; but now it assumed quite a different complexion. To utter threats against the rebel Xuarez when in the society of friends was one thing; to order the followers of the revolutionary President to give him up to punishment in the middle of his army was another. Don Alonzo Cebriau hemmed and hawed, and cleared his throat, to get down a nasty lump which impeded his speech. Don Hypolito saw his confusion, but said nothing; he did not even smile, but sat serenely in his chair, impenetrable as the Sphinx. At last the Intendante screwed up his cour- age and delivered the decree of the Junta sufficiently badly, it is true, still he delivered it. " As the legally qualified representative of the Junta of Cholacaca., in congress assembled, I hereby order those in arms against the Republic to surrender to the Government, and to deliver up for punishment the body of the rebel, Hypolito Xuarez, for He did not finish his sentence. A low murmur of rage arose from the supporters of the rebel leader, and half- drawing their swords, they looked toward Xuarez for authority to cut down the daring man who had thus ia 178 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. insulted him in the midst of his army. Don Alonzo turned pale at the sight of the half-bared weapons, and shrank back among his friends; but Xuarez, leaning his chin on his hand, stared steadily before him and waited. Seeing this impassive demeanor, which he was not clever enough to know was more dangerous than an outburst of rage, Don Alonzo regained his spirits. A more unfitted diplomatist than Cebrian could scarcely have been chosen. " I need not speak at any great length/' he said, rapidly. "The orders of His Excellency Francisco Gomez are that the town of Acauhtzin surrender to the Govern- ment, deliver up the rebel Xuarez for punishment, and submit to the clemency of the Junta. If this is done at once the Junta will be lenient; if not, the opal standard will be unfurled, and all the inhabitants of Acauhtzin will be treated as rebels. This is the decree of Don Francisco Gomez on the part of the Junta of Cholacaca, delivered by myself, the Intend ante of Xicotencatl." Then Cebrian, having delivered his message sufficiently badly, rolled up his papers with the air of a man who has done his duty, and waited the reply of the rebel leader. All those on the side of Xuarez frowned heavily, but made no demonstration of wrath at the insolence of the message. They waited to hear Don Hypolito speak. The Mestizo arose to his feet, and addressed himself, not to the emis- saries of the Eepublic, but to his own supporters. " Senores," he said, in a singularly mellow and powerful voice, "you hear the decree of the so-called Junta of Cholacaca. Lest you should mistake the purport of the message delivered by Don Alonzo Cebrian, I will repeat it shortly. You are to lay down your arms, surrender my body to the Junta, and trust to the tender mercies of your rivals of Tlatonac for judgment. These are the condi- tions which, if not accepted, will bring on us the thunder- bolts of war from a Government who have not a navy, and scarce an army. Your answer?" Hitherto he had spoken in a low tone, clear and distinct, but distinguished by no oratorical fire. At the last words, however, his voice rang through the hall like thunder, and he repeated them with emphasis. "Your answer, Senores?" "No, no, no! Viva Xuarez! Viva el gefe! Abaja, Gomez I" DON HYPOLITO XUAREZ. 1?9 Don Hypolito listened to these fierce responses with a smile of pleasure on his usually immobile face, and when the clamor died away, arose slowly to his feet. Facing the messengers of the Kepublic, he addressed them sharply, laconically. "You hear, Senores. Go!" " You refuse!" said Don Alonzo, scarcely able to believe his ears. ' ' I refuse to surrender myself to your tyrants. The peo- ple of Acauhtzin refuse to lay down their arms. Between myself and the illegal Junta now sitting at Tlatonac there is no friendship, no trust, no faith. They proclaim me a rebel! I, Hypolito Xuarez, proclaim war!" He flung up his hand with a fiery gesture, and as he did so a hundred swords flashed from their scabbards. "War!" cried those in the hall. "War! Viva Xuarez!" Don Alonzo tore the message of the Eepublic in twain, and cast the pieces at the foot of the dai's whereon Xuarez was seated. "So be it! " he cried, turning his back. " War! " "Hold!" said Xuarez, in a voice of thunder. "You came, Senores, under the protection of the English flag. You go with the opal banner flying at your mast-head. Such a precaution was useless. I am not a barbarian to fire on a flag of truce; but you you, Senores, are cowards to thus distrust an honorable foe." Before the Intendante could speak, Philip sprang for- ward and faced the speaker. " The fault, Senor, if fault it be, is mine. The vessel in which we came is English, and therefore flies the English flag. In the port I hoisted the opal banner to show that these gentlemen were on board, and had come on a mission from the Junta." "An excellent explanation! " sneered Hypolito, frown- ing, "but untrue!" "Senor!" "Untrue, I say! You thought I would fire on your ship ! You looked on me as a barbaric foe ! You mistrusted me!" " And who would not? " said Jack's deep voice, savagely. "Who would not mistrust one who makes war on women?" " Be quiet, Jack," 180 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. " I do not understand you, Senor Duval," said Xuarez, who knew the young engineer quite well. " Explain! " " Dona Dolores, the niece of Don Miguel Maraquando, has been kidnaped from Tlatonac! I accuse you of car- rying her off ! " " I deny it, Senor! It is false," cried the rebel leader, a flush reddening the marble whiteness of his face. " Dona Dolores is not in Acauhtzin." "She may not be here, Senor, but you know where she is." " I do not, Senor! You have no proof of what you say." "Pepe, the zambo, a spy in your pay, carried off a woman from Tlatonac," cried Rafael, stepping forward. " That woman was my cousin, Dolores." Xuarez started, and spoke rapidly to one of his officers, who thereupon left the room. "Ah! you know much, Senor," he resumed, scornfully; " but you are wrong; the zambo was my spy "Carambo!" "I repeat he was my spy in Tlatonac/' said Xuarez, coolly; "and he left the city with a plan of your fortifica- tions." " For todos Santos," roared Garibay, fiercely, clapping his hand on his sword. " Call on whom you like, Senor Commandants! " I have no reason to hide this from you or from the Junta, else would I have kept silent. I know when to hold my tongue, Senores; I know when to speak! I speak now. Go back and tell your President that I have a full plan of Tlatonac in my possession, and that I will use it to take your city, and level its walls to the ground." "If you can do so," said Garibay, tauntingly. "If I can do so, as you say," replied Xuarez, suddenly recognizing that this controversy was unworthy of his rank. "We need say no more on that subject. Ha!" he added, as the officers, with a man and woman, entered the hall, "here is Pepe; and here, Senores, is the woman he carried off." The woman threw back her rebozo. "Marina!" cried Jack, in despair. "You see, Senores," said Don Hypolito, serenely, "I am not the base one you think me to be." DON" HTPOLITO XUAEEZ. 181 "Fin not so sure of that/' muttered Tim, under hia breath. "But this, Senores, is outside the question. You came to me with a message from the Junta. I have answered that message. Go! Go, and carry back to Tlatonac my defiance and that of Acauhtzin. Sail away under your opal flag, caballeros, and I promise you my guns will respect your vessel. Adios. Go!" He pointed imperiously down the hall to where the great doors stood wide open, and, headed by Don Alonzo, the deputation retired. Rafael was biting his lips with rage, and Garibay was swearing under his breath. The exit was scarcely dignified or worthy of the greatness of the Republic. "I never felt so mean in my life," whispered Philip to Tim. " What a beast the man is! " " And you said he was a great man!" " So he is. But even great men are human. Xuarez is not perfect; but I believe he is honorable as regards rules of warfare. We can leave the harbor in safety." "I doubt that, my boy," said Tim, significantly; "the man's a liar! " "What! "said Jack, overhearing this; "do you think that Dolores ?" " I think that he knows where she is." " Then I'll stay here till he gives her up." "You'll stay here a long time, then. She is not in Acauhtzin." " Then where is she? " " It's more nor I know." They were marching down the street on their way to the sea-gate, surrounded by their own soldiers and a troop of the Regimiento de Huitzilopochtli. Around this living barrier raged the populace, who had heard of the message sent by the Republic demanding the surrender of Xuarez, and were mad with anger. To give up the idol of their hearts the man on whom the glorious future of Acauht- zin depended! It was an insult! If they could have got at the emissaries, they would have torn them to pieces; but, fortunately, the line of soldiers prevented this. Don Alonzo was pale with terror; but Rafael and Garibay swore loudly at the rebel crowd. The three Englishmen smiled 12 182 THE HARLEQUIN" OPAL. scornfully and marched serenely along, not heeding the savage howling of the mob, which recognized them as foreigners. " Abajo los Americanos! Mueram los Yankies! " " We would have rather a hard time out there," said Philip, as Tim, his huge frame shaking with anger, ranged alongside of him. " Keep together, boys. Where's Jack ? " " Behind, with Don Rafael. Don't trouble, Philip; Jack Duval has his six-shooter on him." " Good! I hope I am not a coward," said the baronet, serenely, as a clod of earth hit him on the shoulder; " but I will be glad when we are safe on board The Bohemian." " So will I. This is like Donnybrook Fair. But we're nearly outside the town. Glory be to the saints! " As they approached the gate the fury of the mob increased, and it took all the strength of the soldiers, tramping shoulder to shoulder, to prevent them breaking through and falling on the emissaries of the Junta. At the gate, however, a soldier stumbled and fell, whereon, through the gap thus formed, a torrent of men rushed, shouting wildly. The escort fought bravely, and the rebel soldiers did their best to save the embassadors. It would be a disgrace to Acauhtzin to let the mob have their will. Inch by inch they fought their way down to the sea- shore, surrounded by the howling multitude. Philip knocked down a man who tried to snatch his watch-chain, and Tim, head and shoulders above the torrent of humanity, whacked every head he saw heartily with his heavy stick. "When you see a head hit it." That was Tim's rule of warfare. He picked it up at Donnybrook Fair, and applied it practically in his present predica- ment. At the water's edge they were hurried into several boats, and amid a shower of stones and mud managed to get on board the yacht. As soon as all were on deck, Benker, without waiting for instructions, started the boat. Philip stood at the side of the ship and shook his fist at the shore. "You scoundrels!" he raged, fiercely. "You dishonor- able wretches ! " "And Xuarez is a great man," scoffed Tim, wiping the blood from his face. DON HYPOLITO XUAREZ. 183 "Well," retorted Philip, viciously, "he's not respon- sible for this mob." "When we return/' swore Rafael, who stood near him, "we will level those walls with the sand." By this time the yacht had passed out of the harbor, and was steaming between the two war-ships. Don Alonzo began to recover his courage. " Thanks to the Holy Virgin, we are all safe, Senores," he said, in a trembling voice. " The Junta will bitterlj resent this insult shown to the lutendante of Xicotencatl. Philip looked around with an alarmed expression of countenance. "Where's Jack?" "Jack!" cried Tim, in a stentorian voice. There was no answer. "Senior Juan was with me," said Rafael, quickly; "but I lost him from my side outside the gate." "He must be down below," said Philip, greatly dis- turbed, and went off to the cabin. In a few moments he reappeared. " lie is not there. My God! can he be lost?" The yacht was searched thoroughly, but no trace of Jack Duval could be found. Philip wanted to put back and rescue his friend, who had evidently been left ashore. "Impossible, Senor!" cried Don Alonzo, in alarm; "it is dangerous." " I do not care. Do you think I am going to leave my dear friend to be torn to pieces by these savages?" raged Philip, stamping his foot. " The soldiers will protect him," said Garibay, who was terribly upset at the discovery of their loss. He was very fond of Jack. " Did they protect us?" said Tim, who was quite beside himself with grief and rage. " Turn her head back, Philip." Don Rafael, Tim, and the baronet were all in favor of doing this, but Don Alonzo and Garibay said it would be madness. By this time they were beyond the range of the ron guns, and in safety; but notwithstanding the remon- strances of the terrified Intendante, Philip altered the course of the boat and started back to the harbor. " I will save Jack, if I die for it," he said, fiercely. 184 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. Just as The Bohemian approached the war-ships a puff of smoke burst from the sides of both, and two balls ricochetted across the waves. "Not blank cartridge this time," muttered Tim, grimly. " The dirty cowards, to fire on an unarmed boat. And the forts!" One! two! three! four! A perfect cannonade thundered from the forts, and one of the spars of the boat was carried away. The war-ships repeated their fire, and, against his will, Philip was forced to stop the engines. It was no use running into a hornet's nest. Another quarter of a mile, nay less, and The Bohemian would be smashed to pieces. The engines were reversed, and Philip shook his fist wildly at the town. "First Dolores! then Jack! Oh, cursed, cursed town!" CHAPTER XVI. EIVALS. I this side! You that side! A woman between us. You love her! I love her! Each fain would caress her. By Paul! I will never surrender this Venus, For I in my arms would forever po-sess her. You say that she loves you. A lie! for she told me Her heart had no cariug for love or for lover. Let her but a moment behold you! behold me! And he whom she chooses we'll quickly discover. Well, say we'll suppose it to you she is tender, And goes with you thither, while I remain lonely. Think you that Ihis woman I thus would surrender? Nay! she shall remain with me, mine to be only. Why, you are my captive! But though I can slay you, Give over this folly you'll find me a true man! Nay more, you are free, honored, wealthy. What say you? What, madman, refuse you! Then lose life and woman. Jack recovered his senses in complete darkness. He put his hand to his head and heard the clank of a fetter, felt the cold iron clasp his wrist. He moved his legs; more chains, and the unexpected discovery that he was lying on straw. Not a ray of light anywhere to be seen. On all sides darkness, the darkness of Egypt. Rolling heavily to one side with a groan of pain forced from him by his ach- ing head, he felt the cold chill of a stone floor. Straw, chains, stones, darkness! What did it all mean? He tried to think, but his head was confused, stunned as with a blow. It was a blow; for at the back of his cranium he felt a wound, his fingers were moist with his own blood. Slowly, slowly his scattered senses came back to him, and he strove to recall all that had taken place since he had left the Palacio Nacional. Yes! he had gone down the street with the rest of his friends. Rafael had walked by his side, Philip and Tim had marched on in front. Then the howling mob on all (185) 186 THE HARLEQUIN OPAL. sides dashing itself against the lines of soldiers. A dra- goon had fallen by the sea-gate just as they were on the verge of safety the mob rushed in through the gap; then he remembered fighting desperately a blow on the head, a cowardly blow delivered from behind, and he remem- bered no more. Eemembrance ceased with that blow; it revived again here in darkness, with him lying on a straw bed, chained like a prisoner. A prisoner! Jack saw his position in a moment he was in prison, at the mercy of his rival, of the lover of Dolores, of Don Hypolito Xuarez, rebel and traitor. " Great heaven! " moaned Jack, as the horrors of his sit- uation slowly dawned on his confused brain, " this must all have been designed by that scoundrel Xuarez. His prom- ises that we should go unscathed were all lies. Philip! Tim! Poor Rafael! Where are they now? Perhaps in this accursed prison." It was so dark that he was afraid to move lest he should fall into danger. At length he put out his hand cautiously, and, kneeling forward, felt all round his bed. The straw was simply thrown on the floor in a heap, and on three sides he found nothing but the pavement, on the fourth the massive stones of the wall. Unexpectedly his hand touched a crock of water, and drawing this toward him, he found it full, much to his delight, as, owing to his wound, he was consumed with a burning thirst. After taking a good draught, he sat back on his straw to think of what he should do next. Jack was always cool in time of danger. The obstacles which would have appalled other men only sharpened his wits, and, as his brain was now clearer, he set himself to work to think over the situation. Before doing this, how- ever, he soaked his handkerchief in the little water remain- ing at the bottom of the crock, and bound it round his head. The cool cloth somewhat assuaged the throbbing of his wound and thus quieted his heated brain. On leaving Tlatonac, Jack and his friends had doffed their fine uniforms, as likely to compromise them in tbft eyes of Xuarez, and reassumed their European garb. He was therefore dressed in a Norfolk jacket, with trousers of "