The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A PERUVIAN PARADISE, 23 Keeth, thus adjured, exercised such knowledge as he possessed in that direction. The Indians’ faces did not show that they had understood him: They waited in silence a moment and then the old man said something to his followers. At once the spears were raised again and the bows bent: ‘It’s fight, I reckon,’’ said Keeth, between his teeth. ‘‘ Get ready to jump behind that wall yonder. If we can once get under cover we can wipe ‘em out before they can send forreinforcements. Be sure your magazines are full.’’ But at this critical moment, when it seemed as though hostilities would at once begin, the girl, who had looked on in silence, suddenly darted between the hostile parties. She knelt gracefully at the old man’s feet and began to speak. He listened attentively and as she continued he waved his hand to the men behind him: and: their spears were lowered again. The three white me looked on with anxious faces, uncertain as to the outcome. CHAPTER VI.—GUESTS OR CAPTIVES ? THE girl was explaining to her people the incident which had taken place just before their appearance, and was pleading for the lives of the white men who had rescued her. Keeth was sure of this, and as he watched the old man’s face he gathered hope. It kindled with love-and pride as he gazed down upon the kneeling girl, and the young American shrewdly saw that through their effort in her behalf they had reached the old Indian’s heart. It was probable that she was his daughter, or granddaughter, and there was little wonder that the stern man loved her. Barbaric as was her dress and ornaments, Keeth was forced to admit that he had never seen so lovely a creature. The color came: and went in her dark cheeks as she talked ; her eyes shone ; every motiow was grace itself. The tightly fitting gown displayed every rounded curve of her form, and although she was so petite, the matur- ity of her figure was evident. She wasa true daughter of the tropics. But the affair was too serious to admit of much thought upon the girl’s beauty. It was in her power, Keeth believed, to avert bloodshed, and he prayed fervently that she might be successful. The fierce looking men who were gathered in the background could not be driven back by one discharge of the rifles. They would fight till the last one dropped; and if blood was shed and he and his comrades should be finally captured, Keeth knew that they would suffer the greater punishment. Finally the old man lifted the girl to her feet. With her hand in his he advanced toward the three white men and again spoke to Keeth. The in- tonation of the language was pleasant to the ear; there were few harsh sounds in it. But as far as Keeth was concerned it might have been Choctaw. He couldn’t understand a syllable. The old man talked earnestly, pointed to the white men, then to himself and his companions, and waved his hand to include the surrounding territory. Keeth guessed that he was declaring the fact that he and his people were the only rightful possessors Eomichook (S@)