The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

28 A PERUVIAN PARADISE. ‘Speak, senor,’’ said the Indian, somewhat sternly., ‘‘ What dost thou seek ?”? Then the young man found his voice. He realized that he had a very delicate task before him. It would never do to tell the entire truth. The principal reason for the presence of his friends and himself in the mountains iiust remain hidden. ‘“ We had lost our way,’’ he said, bowing respectfully to his interrogator, ‘“when you and your people found us. We entered the mountains many leagues to the south of here.’? Hestretched out his hand in what he sup- posed to be the right direction. ‘‘ Our guide fell from the cliff at the three pines, where the tree is laid across the canyon, and was drowned.”’ The old man inclined his head to show that he knew the spot. ‘We climbed down the bluff to find his body and were unable to get back. Therefore we pursued the path by the river’s edge until we found the road to the summit of the cliff, made by your people.’’ ‘* Built by our fathers,’’ murmured the Indian. ‘Then, senor, you know how we came suddenly upon the girl, your daughter "2 ‘‘Not my daughter, stranger,’’ interposed the old man gently. ‘‘ My son’s child. J am an old man, senor—an old, old man. Ihave beena priest of my people since my youth. But how camest thou in these Sierras? Who was thy guide ?”’ ** An Indian,’’ replied Keeth. ‘His name ?’’ ** Manuel was all the name we knew him by.”’ ‘It is not an Indian name,”’’ said the old priest quietly. ‘“No, senor. He probably was named by the Spaniards.’’ A cloud crossed the other’s face. ‘‘ And, senor, art thou not a Spaniard ?’’ ‘“No. Iam of a different nation. Iam an American.”’ ‘We have no knowledge here of nations and peoples,’’ said the old man sadly. ‘‘’I‘he world is large, senor?’’ He asked the question with childish curiosity. ) ‘‘ Very large, indeed,’’ replied Keeth. ‘‘And our mountains—these mighty peaks—are but a small portion of it?’? Again Keeth replied affirmatively. ‘Then why do you come here, senor?’’ Why do you seek to disturb the unfortunate children of the Incas?”’ | The old man’s face flushed, and he rose suddenly to his feet. ‘‘We have been conquered. ‘The brutal Spaniards drove our fathers into these fastnesses ages ago, senor. ‘They lusted for gold—for treasure. Why dost thou, and thy companions, come here ?”’ \ ‘*TIt is not of our own choice that we are here,’’ replied Keeth pacifically. ‘“Not keve—no! But you came into our country—you seek out the hid- ing places of my unfortunate people. Dost thou lust for gold, too?”’’ Keeth was silent. He did not know how to reply to the old priest’s vehement query. COMMIGIIOOLKS (@)