Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

76 fashioned hangings of beautiful antique cloths. I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed, scarcely realizing that I was not still in the land of dreams. I looked in wonder at the walls, and at the richly carved mahogany bedstead. “It is clear,” I said to myself aloud, “that I have been ill a long time and have been brought to Para, for that 1s the nearest place to the Tapajos where one could find a room like this.” “Did the senor speak?” asked a soft voice in what seemed to be Span- ish, yet was evidently a language formed of a mixture of that and a less cultivated language. I likened it-to the Spanish of the Amazonian towns, which was a mixture of old Spanish and Indian. I turned in increasing astonishment as a young negro came toward me _ from some recess where he had been quietly awaiting my _ return to con- sciousness. ‘“I spoke to myself,” I answered, using the Spanish tongue, with which I was more or less familiar. “ I want to know where [ am.” “You are in the house of Padre Jadispiato, the chief priest of the tem- ple,” was the astounding reply. I lay down on the pillow and shut | my eyes. “Tam notin Para,” I said to myself; “T am in delirium.” ‘Will the senor have food?” again spoke the soft voice. I sat up again. “Who are you? name?” I asked. “Tam Tanno. I am the slave of the padre,” was the reply. There was not a smile on his even featured face as he spoke. His answer sounded like the extravagant talk of a character in a farce comedy. But his demeanor was as solemn as that of a bishop. _ “Why am I here?”’ I asked. “I do not know, senor. I suppose vou are the guest of the holy padre.” What is your THE ARGOSY. “And who the deuce is the holy padre? ” ' “He whom I have mentioned. Padre Jadispiato, of the Temple.” “Where is the padre now? ” “In the temple.” I became more and more bewildered. ‘* What is the name of this place, anyhow?” I asked. “Tam not permitted to talk, senor, but to serve. I have my orders. Will the senor have food ? ”’ ‘“ Yes,” I said with something like a feeling of involuntary exhilaration; “since there is nothing else to do, I will eat.” The black bowed low and disap- peared. He had scarcely gone from my sight before another, equally hand- some, and equally black, appeared. “Will the senor dress before eat- ing?” The fact that my clothes had been removed had not occurred to me. “Yes,” I replied. He at once brought my clothing, and helped me put it on. When I was dressed, two more blacks appeared in the room. One carried a basin filled with water, and the other a dish of perfumed soap and a soft towel. ‘One thing is certain,” I remarked. ‘This padre, whoever he is, comes from civilization, and keeps in touch with 1t.”’ Neither of the blacks answered. My ablutions finished, the blacks disappeared. But in another moment they returned with several others. The first one carried a table richly carved and ornamented. This was placed in the center of the room and a white cloth was spread. Upon this sundry dishes containing savory food were placed by the procession of blacks, and then they all withdrew save the first who had entered. “I would like to know where I am and why I am here,” I said. “I went to sleep in a forest, and woke up in a palace. Is this an enchanted place? ” ECORRIC OO© Ss eco