The Slave Sculptor — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

54 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. Around her was a large collection of fowers which she had gath. ered, and from which she was forming a wreath, yet her work exhibited great awkwardness, and a woeful deficiency in taste, While thus arranging her flowers, Toluca came from the entrance of the cave, but upon discovering her, started back, and, for sever- al moments, watched her closely. Apparently satisfied with his scrutiny, he walked slowly toward the knoll on which she was seat- ed. She failed to notice him until he had approached within a few feet of her, when, turning her head partly to one side, she eyed him vith a bold stare, after which she arose to her feet and commenced gathering up her flowers. This accomplished, she marched off some distance, where she sat down again and began re-arranging the flowers, without even looking back to ascertain whether he was fol- lowing or not. ‘ Toluca watched her for a few moments, then walked hurriedly up to where she sat and inquired : ‘** Would you like to work for good pay? ”’ She did not reply, but gave him another cold, indifferent side- glance, then continued her work. He was more earnest this time, ee, with 4 take fa young lady, I will «¢ ou me, an care of a » pay son tall, cit tes shall be dressed as a waiting-maid of Monte- zuma’s court.’” **Wheredo you want me to go?”’ she asked, in a sharp, squeak- ing voice, letting her eyes glance over her shabby dress. **T will show you, if you wish. The fact is, I was just starting out for the purpose of finding such a person as yourself, little dream- - ing that there was one so near.”’ “<The work.is not hard, and you will give me good clothes? ’’ she questioned. a oad ‘**T will go and see. If I like, I can stay; if not, [ean go away.’ ‘* Certainly! ’’ he replied, though his word belied his purposes. ** You shall have easy work, and good pay.’? Thereupon, she gathered up her flowers, and followed Toluca to the entrance of the cave. Here she refused to go any farther, assert- ing that the rocks would fall in and kill her; but, on being informed that a thousand persons lived in the mountain, she concluded to make the trial. A few moments later, they stool in the apartment where the des- perate encounter between Maxtla and Cruzilli took place. Here were forty or fifty men lying around, some talking and some sleeping. Toluca, however, did not pause or exchange a word with them, but continued directly across the cave, entered an opening on the opposite side, and proceeded over a rough course for perhaps twenty feet, when he came suddenly into an apartment much smaller than the former, though it surpassed it im elegant furniture and hangings, com/cbooks.com