Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 15 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

The Sea-Cat. 7 With an active bound, Lola sprung back, glowing with indignant courage, and cried, in clear, ringing tones: ‘¢ All who wish for liberty strikedown Natato and the Spaniards. J am your queen, sent by the sun-god out of the sea.” Her words were not without effect, and again the Indians on both sides wavered in their alle- giance, for they had a superstitious reverence for | him, which he soon recognized as Don Luis and | _ tell you.” ards was looking his | his cavalcade. The captain of the best, and made a gallant a ce on his handsome black charger at the head of his men. | ; _ By his side rode a muffled-up figure, with a fea- thered head-dress, that seemed to be the espe- cial object of his care, for he himself held the the child found on the beach at sunrise long ago, | whom they imagined to be a goddess. But Natato, who was an old man, and re- membered tke circumstances of the supposed divine appearance, was also determined to kee his new would help him. ‘She is no goddess!” he cried. ‘‘’Twas but a babe of the white people drifted ashore on a float from the wreck of a live the king of Spain, and down with the white witch that has deceived us all for so long!” - he spoke he bounded on Lola and seized her delicate form in his powerful . The girl was quite unarmed, and as she felt the gripe of Natato, and saw the Spanish horsemen, at a signal from Mendoza, urge their horses forward in a crowd round her, her courage gave way for an instant, and she shrieked aloud. She was but a pil, and not of that stolid In- dian race after all, though educated as such, and the instinct of natural terror overcame the ac- quired hardihood of the Indian queen. — Natato laughed savagely and raised his spear. ““She has fooled us long enough. Let us be men, and obey a warrior.” But Mendoza stayed his arm, saying: “Call off your warriors from these God-forsaken wretches. This girl is none of ou. She is a Spanish maiden, and must be judged by Spanish laws. Give her to me, and ind her fast,” In a trice the obsequious Natato and his ser- vile followers had pounced on the unfortunate queen, who was bound hand and foot and taken in front of Mendoza’s saddle. Then, turning his horse on the way to Panama, the cavalier rode toward the west, followed by the newly-appoint- ed king, who had seized and appropriated the gold diadem from poor Lola’s brow, and was obeyed by the Indians as cheerfully as though it al- ways been there. ‘* So,” said Mendoza to himself, as he rode off, “that is a job well done, and more than I ex- ted. Now the Indians will be for us, firmer han ever, and ‘twill —_ these buccaneers to t food or news on the way to Panama. And if I do not much mistake me, this maiden will prove to be the daughter of his excellency, whom all thought to be drowned.” CHAPTER IX. THE WITCH OF DARIEN. Two days after, Don Alonzo was returnin from the plains without Panama, whither he had repaired to review all the forces available for the defense of the city against the threaten- ed invasion of the buccaneers. These were sufficiently formidable, being nearly three times as numerous as any that Mo could hope to raise, four hundred of them being Spanish cav- alry, of the centaur type that has descended to our day in the vaqueros of Mexico. The old Governor’s spirits were much better than usual, for his men seemed to be animated with the best courage; and all were splendidly uipped. The sound of music was pleasant and inspiring, as the troops defiled awav into the town, and the Governor rode easily toward the dense forests on the east, to see if any news awaited him there, from his In- dian allies. All day long, runners had been coming in from the east, where a chain of scouts had been established, who reported, almost every hour, the movements of the buccaneers, thirty mil way. Hie a on their He heard that they were way through the forest, without any guides, almost devoid of food, and in great cicidemities. Every plantation on their way was deserted, and the Indians were shooting arrows into their camps at night, and harassing them as closely as they . He heard also that Don Luis Mendoza had succeeded in kidnapping the Queen of Darien, whom he was bringing a captive with him. The last runner announced him as only a short distance off, and Don Alonzo was going to meet him. As he approached the forest, the sun was sloping down to the horizon behind him; and the level beams, darting through the forest, re- vealed a party of horsemen coming toward bridle of the mule on which it was mounted. Don Alonzo galloped up and was respectfully saluted by Mendoza, who, in a pompous tone, announced to him: acquired royalty, if fighting for tt | ‘‘Dona Lola, your excellency, once Queen of Darien, captive to my sword.” At the same moment he twitched aside one of the muffling folds that enveloped the face of his companion, and disclosed the withered fea- eat ship. Long > Tw d rest g Id Th ch D q tures of an old Indian hag, with gray hair. ‘* She is their Brompatens and queen, your ex- cellency,” he said. ‘‘ 1 made one Natato assume the office of king, and the savages wisely sub- mitted to the decrees of the king of Spain.” ‘You have done well and redeemed your fame,” said inosa, heartily. ‘‘ Does she talk our ge, this prophetess of theirs?’ ‘* Not a word,” said Don Luis, hastily. ‘‘ Your excellency is aware that I have learned the barbarous tongue of these sav Whatever a at you are pleased to ask, I will put them er.” ** Ask her then, what made her join with the enemies of Spai ,’ said the Governor; ‘‘ and if she does not deserve death for rebellion.” Don Luis spoke to the old woman in a strange language, and she opened her withered lips in a short answer. ‘*She says she is ready to die,” said Don Luis. ‘‘’Twould be well to kill her, your ex- cellency, for she has much power among these baer n ‘Take her to the city, and keep her under guard in my palace,” said Don Alonzo. “ We will not stain our hands with unnecessary blood, when we may be assaulted at any moment. How far off are the pirates, and what is their condition, Luis?” ‘‘They are starving to death, like the wild 8 dogs of the forest,” said the captain, contemptu- ously. ‘‘They are gnawing at hides of leather and digging for roots, so that they will be as weak as rats, when they come here. We shall have little trouble, save to bury them.” ‘“ What is their number?’ asked Don Alonzo, without heeding the gasconade. ‘*Scearce twelve hundred, without artillery; half armed with pikes and halberds, and the rest with short musketoons, swords and pistols.” ‘“‘Twelve hundred, I think we can give an account of them,” said the Governor, thought- fully. ‘‘ Luis, you shall take command of the cavalry, and make the first attack. Now go an ; As he spoke, they turned, and rode toward the city. Little was said on the way, for the Gov- ernor was thoughtful and anxious; and Don Luis, after the first burst of egotism, seemed to be equally disinclined to speak. They rode silently across the fields and entered the streets of Panama, where the people welcomed them with glee, having heard of the capture of the Indian queen; and they with open-mouth- ed curiosity at the m aad», mapa that rode pe Mendoza, as if it had n some strange In a short time they arrived at the palace, where they separated. Don Luis conducted his silent prisoner to an upper chamber, next to his own, and only opening into it, where he signed to her to enter, and placed a sentry over the door. Then he left the chamber, saying: ‘“* Let not the Indian witch entice thee to speak to ee tng oA gute is hearin, Seceeels, whe can ange r face and figure to anything she when she is alone with a man, even to e face of an angel, and speak with all tongues. If she addresses , make the sign of the cross, and turn thy back. If she strives to leave the room, thrust her back with thy halberd.” e soldier saluted, and as his commander left the room, muttered: : “Ay, ay; all the witches of Darien cannot be- witch Blas Ortiz, *Twould be a good service, no coun to slay her, as an offering to holy ure Don Luis proceeded along the corridor to where his wife’s apartments were situated, and abruptly entered, Dona Inez, who was seated at. ta work with her maids, started up to welcome him with leasure she did not feel, but offering her Seek to his kiss in dutiful fashion. earn kissed her coldly, and then abruptly said: — uiet modesty, and affecting a I’ve something to With a gesture she dismissed the attendants, and he continued: “You have been a cold wife to me, Inez, but will admit, a good one. Tell me, if I com- mitted a secret to you, would you keep it?” ““T should do my duty, my lord, and obey you in all lawful commands,” said Inez, a gt have been taught so, by the good sisters.” ‘‘And if there were a strife between your fa- ther and myself, which would you go with?’ he demanded, keen y: ‘*Nay, now, God forbid!” said Inez, with a shudder ; “how is that a possible thing?” ¢ Soppose I ordered you to do something, and your father forbade it—would you obey him or me? ‘* Nay, my lord, my father would not counter- mand your orders,” she said; ‘‘ but if it were ible, 1 owe my first duty to you.” ‘“‘And would you obey me even to death?” he asked, with deep meaning. ‘“‘Ay, cheerfully, my lord,” said Inez, with a gentle sigh. ‘‘I would meet death itself, any- thing but dishonor, to save you from harm.” ‘“Do you say that from love or duty?” he asked, again. ‘*From duty, my lord,” she replied, frankly. ‘You know ve never deceived you about love, but I have tried to do my duty toward you. Don Luis stood looking at her silently for a minute, then turned away and paced the room picks or three times. When he came back, he said: ‘““Swear before God and all the saints that Ag will never reveal what I am about to say i Leave you leave.” y lord, if Ye: have any secrets, you be sure of my silence without swearing to ‘“‘ Ay, but this is something even your father must not know,” said Mendoza, in a low tone, and looking gg wey “ay ges around. ‘‘ Then pray keep it in your own breast,” said Dona Inez, gravely. ‘If it is not for him to nee 7 os gd ro 2 hear, Son F * oolish girl!” he sna out, fiercely ; ** tis nothing wrong. But, if you will not keep ad husband’s secrets, let it go. There is news hat is no secret. Morgan and his pirates will | be in \ ee cf Panama to-night unless they are all dead men. How like you that?” Dona Inez turned pale and trembled. “Oh, heavens!” she murm ‘“‘what will become of us if they take the place?” ‘‘EKasy enough told, my lady. The fate will not be pleasant. But the place is not taken yet. If it is, I have a galleon loaded and ready in the por to which we shall fly, and where we shall safe; for the pirates have left their boats at Chagres. But why do I say this? No doubt you will be well treated if Don Enrique Mor- ganos has not forgotten you.” He said the last words with deep meaning, and looked keenly at his wife. Evidently the man was peas Oe something he had heard. What it was they never explained to each other, for at that moment the itetan t sound of m rolled toward them on the evening air, and Mendoza started, ex : “Ha, St. Jago! The pirates were closer on our heels than I thought. I must away to my duties. You would not listen to what I had to say. You may besorry for it, a ee Fare- well, and, whatever happens, continue to be the same excessively virtuous piece of ice, or you YFie left the apartment with the | e le e apartmen € appearance of great irritation, and left Inez wondering at the meaning of his words. Blas Ortiz, the sentry on duty over the witch of Darien, was pacing el to and fro in the kness, when the door of the ve’s room gently apes’, and a low, sweet addressed him, in broken Spanish: Senor soldado, for the love of God, is the wicked captain gone?” For all answer Ortiz presented the point of his paces at the door, and sternly growled: é back, old witch. I know your e cap warned me,” Some one shrunk back in the ear sod the same sweet voice said, in a frightened @: ‘‘No, no, I will not try to escape, indeed; but oh, senor, listen a monient. I am not what I seem, indeed.” Something in the voice was so sweet and plaintive, that, involuntarily, the rough soldier muttered: ‘She has the voice of a girl, and the face of ‘‘Indeed, senor, you have not seen my face,” ““Send your maids away. = ma i . ca vo rT; an old witch. Why is this ECoOmilecnoo (G FEOK