the golden fleece-第7章

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ummy；　but　a　living　creature。　　In　fact；　it　was　none　other　than　the　aged　and　austere　Kamaiakan；　who；　for　reasons　best　known　to　himself；　chose　to　spend　the　hours　usually　devoted　to　rest　in　an　attitude　that　no　European　or　white　American　could　have　maintained　with　comfort　longer　than　five　minutes。

An　hourtwo　hourspassed　away。　　Then　Kamaiakan　noiselessly　arose；　peered　about　him　cautiously　for　a　few　moments；　and　passed　out　of　the　court…yard　through　the　open　gate。　　He　turned　to　the　left；　and；　stealing　beneath　Miriam's　windows；　paused　there　for　an　instant　and　made　certain　gestures　with　his　arms。　　Anon　he　continued　his　way　to　the　garden；　and　was　soon　concealed　by　the　thick　shrubbery。

History　requires　us　to　follow　him。　　The　garden　extended　westward；　and　was　quite　a　spacious　enclosure：　one　not　familiar　with　its　winding　paths　might　easily　lose　himself　there　on　a　dark　night。　　But　Kamaiakan　knew　where　he　was　going；　and　the　way　thither。　　He　now　stalked　along　more　swiftly；　taking　one　turn　after　another；　brushing　aside　the　low…hanging　boughs；　and　passing　the　loveliest　flowers　without　a　glance。　　He　was　as　one　preoccupied　with　momentous　business。　　Presently　he　arrived　at　a　small　open　space；　remote　and　secluded。　　It　was　completely　surrounded　by　tall　shrubbery。　　In　the　centre　was　a　basin　of　stone；　evidently　very　ancient；　filled　to　the　brim　with　the　clear　water　of　a　spring；　which　bubbled　up　from　the　bottom；　and；　overflowing　by　way　of　a　gap　in　the　edge；　became　a　small　rivulet；　which　stole　away　in　the　direction　of　the　sea。　　Across　the　slightly　undulating　surface　of　the　basin　trembled　the　radiance　of　the　star。

Kamaiakan　knelt　down　beside　it；　and；　bending　over；　gazed　intently　into　the　water。　　Presently　he　dipped　his　hands　in　it；　and　sprinkled　shining　drops　over　his　own　gaunt　person；　and　over　the　ground　in　the　vicinity　of　the　spring。　　He　made　strange　movements　with　his　arms；　bowed　his　head　and　erected　it　again；　and　traced　curious　figures　on　the　ground　with　his　finger。　　It　appeared　as　if　the　venerable　Indian　had　solemnly　lost　his　senses　and　had　sought　out　this　lonely　spot　to　indulge　the　vagaries　of　his　insanity。　　If　so；　his　silence　and　deliberation　afforded　an　example　worthy　of　consideration　by　other　lunatics。

Suddenly　he　ceased　his　performance；　and　held　himself　in　a　listening　attitude。　　A　light；　measured　sound　was　audible；　accompanied　by　the　rustling　of　leaves。　　It　came　nearer。　　There　was　a　glimpse　of　whiteness　through　the　interstices　of　the　surrounding　foliage；　and　then　a　slender　figure；　clad　in　close…fitting　raiment；　entered　the　little　circle。　　It　wore　a　sort　of　tunic；　reaching　half…way　to　the　knees；　and　leggings　of　the　same　soft；　grayish…white　material。　　The　head　was　covered　with　a　sort　of　hood；　which　left　only　the　face　exposed；　and　this　too　might　be　covered　by　a　species　of　veil　or　mask；　which；　however；　was　now　fastened　back　on　the　headpiece；　after　the　manner　of　a　visor。　　The　front　of　the　tunic　was　embroidered　with　fantastic　devices　in　gold　thread；　brightened　here　and　there　with　precious　stones；　and　other　devices　appeared　on　the　hood。　　The　face　of　this　figure　was　pale　and　calm；　with　great　dark　eyes　beneath　black　brows。　　The　stature　was　no　greater　than　that　of　a　lad　of　fifteen；　but　the　bearing　was　composed　and　dignified。　　The　contours　of　the　figure；　however；　even　as　seen　by　that　dim　light；　were　those　of　neither　a　boy　nor　a　man。　　The　wearer　of　the　tunic　was　a　girl；　just　rounding　into　womanhood；　and　the　face　was　the　face　of　Miriam。

Yet　it　was　not　by　this　name　that　Kamaiakan　addressed　her。　　After　making　a　deep　obeisance；　touching　his　hand　to　her　foot　and　then　to　his　own　forehead　and　breast；　he　said；　in　a　language　that　was　neither　Spanish　nor　such　as　the　modern　Indians　of　Mexico　use；

〃Welcome；　Semitzin！　　May　this　night　be　the　beginning　of　high　things！〃

〃I　am　ready；〃　replied　the　other；　in　a　soft　and　low　voice；　but　with　a　certain　stateliness　of　utterance　unlike　the　usual　manner　of　General　Trednoke's　daughter：　　〃I　was　glad　to　hear　you　call；　and　to　see　again　the　stars　and　the　earth。　　Have　you　anything　to　tell？〃

〃There　are　events　which　may　turn　to　our　harm；　most　revered　princess。　　The　master　of　this　house〃

〃Why　do　you　not　call　him　my　father；　Kamaiakan？〃　interposed　the　other。　　〃He　is　indeed　the　father　of　this　mortal　body　which　I　wear；　which　（as　you　tell　me）　bears　the　name　of　Miriam。　　Besides；　are　not　Miriam　and　I　united　by　the　thread　of　descent？〃

〃Something　of　the　spirit　that　is　you　dwells　in　her　also；〃　said　the　Indian。

〃And　does　she　know　of　it？〃

〃At　times；　my　princess；　but　only　as　one　remembers　a　dream。〃

〃I　wish　I　might　converse　with　her　and　instruct　her　in　the　truth；〃　said　the　princess。　　〃And　she；　in　turn；　might　speak　to　me　of　things　that　perplex　me。　　I　live　and　move　in　this　mortal　world；　and　yet　（you　tell　me）　three　centuries　have　passed　since　what　is　called　my　death。　　To　me　it　seems　as　if　I　had　but　slept　through　a　night；　and　were　awake　again。　　Nor　can　I　tell　what　has　happenedwhat　my　life　and　thoughts　have　beenduring　this　long　lapse　of　time。　　Yet　it　must　be　that　I　live　another　life：　I　cannot　rest　in　extinction。　　Three　times　you　have　called　me　forth；　yet　whence　I　come　hither；　or　whither　I　return；　is　unknown　to　me。〃

〃There　is　a　memory　of　the　spirit；〃　replied　Kamaiakan；　〃and　a　memory　of　the　body。　　They　are　separate；　and　cannot　communicate　with　each　other。　　Such　is　the　law。〃

〃Yet　I　remember；　as　if　it　were　yesterday；　the　things　that　were　done　when　Montezuma　was　king。　　And　well　do　I　remember　you；　Kamaiakan！〃

〃It　is　true　I　live　again；　princess；　though　not　in　the　flesh　and　bones　that　died　with　you　in　the　past。　　But　in　the　old　days　I　was　acquainted　with　mysteries；　and　learned　the　secrets　of　the　world　of　spirits；　and　this　science　still　remained　with　me　after　the　change；　so　that　I　was　able　to　know　that　I　was　I；　and　that　you　could　be　recalled　to　speak　with　me　through　the　tongue　of　Miriam。　　But　there　are　some　things　that　I　do　not　know；　and　it　is　for　that　I　have　been　bold　to　summon　you。〃

〃What　can　I　tell　you　that　can　be　of　use　to　you　in　this　present　life；　Kamaiakan；　when　all　whom　we　knew　and　loved　are　gone？〃

〃To　you　only；　Semitzin；　is　known　the　place　of　concealment　of　the　treasure　which；　in　the　old　times；　you　and　I　hid　in　the　desert。　　I　indeed　remember　the　event；　and　somewhat　of　the　region　of　the　hiding；　but　I　cannot　put　my　hand　upon　the　very　spot。　　I　have　tried　to　discover　it；　but　when　I　approach　it　my　mind　becomes　confused　between　the　present　and　the　past；　and　I　am　lost。〃

〃I　remember　it　well；〃　said　Semitzin。　　〃We　rode　across　the　desert；　carrying　the　treasure　on　mules。　　The　air　was　still；　and　the　heat　very　heavy。　　The　desert　descended　in　a　great　hollow：　you　told　me　it　was　where；　in　former　days；　the　ocean　had　been。　　At　last　there　were　rocky　hills　before　us；　we　rode　towards　a　great　rock　shaped　like　the　pyramid　on　which　the　sacrifices　were　held　in　Tenochtitlan。　　We　passed　round　its　base；　and　entered　a　deep　and　narrow　valley；　that　seemed　to　have　been　ploughed　out　of　the　heart　of　the　earth　and　to　descend　into　it。　　Then　　But　what　is　it　you　wish　to　do　with　this　treasure；　Kamaiakan？〃

〃It　belongs　to　your　race；　princess；　and　was　hidden　that　the　murderers　of　Montezuma　might　not　seize　it。　　I　was　bound　by　an　oath；　after　the　peril　was　past；　to　restore　it　to　the　rightful　owners。　　But　our　country　remained　under　the　rule　of　the　conquerors；　and　my　life　went　out。　　But　now　the　conquerors　have　been　conquered　in　their　turn；　and　Miriam　is　the　last　inheritor　of　your　blood。　　When　I　have　delivered　to　her　this　trust；　my　work　will　be　done；　and　I　can　return　to　the　world　which　you　inhabit。　　The　time　is　come；　and　only　by　your　help　can　the　restitution　be　made。〃

〃Was　there；　then；　a　time　fixed？〃

〃The　stars　tell　me　so。　　And　other　events　make　it　certain　that　there　must　be　no　delay。　　The　general　has　it　in　mind　to　discover　the　gates　through　which　the　waters　under…ground　may　arise　and　again　form　the　sea　which　flowed　hereabouts　in　the　ancient　times。　　Now；　this　sea　will　fill　the　ravine　in　which　the　treasure　lies；　and　make　it　forever　unattainable。　　A　youth　has　also　come　here　who　is　skilled　in　the　sciences；　and　whom　the　general　will　ask　to　help　him　in　the　thing　he　is　to　attempt。〃

〃Who　is　this　youth？〃　asked　Semitzin。

〃He　is　of　the　new　people　who　inherit　this　land：　his　name　is　Freeman。〃

〃There　is　something　in　meI　know　not　whatthat　seems　to　tell　me　I　have　been　near　such　a　one。　　Can　it　be　so？〃

〃The　other　self；　who　now　sleeps；　knows　of　him；〃　replied　the　ancient　Indian。　　〃He　is　a　well…looking　youth；　and　I　think　he　has　a　desire　towards　her　we　call　Miriam。〃

〃And　does　she　love　him？〃　inquired　the　princess。

〃A　maiden's　heart　is　a　riddle；　even　to　herself；〃　said　Kamaiakan。

〃But　there　is　a　sympathy　that　makes　me　feel　her　heart　in　my　own；〃　rejoined　Semitzin。　　〃Love　is　a　thing　that　pierces　through　time；　and　through　barriers　which　separate　the　mind　and　memory　of　the　past　from　the　present。　　Ias　you　know；　Kamaiakanwas　never　wedded；　the　fate　of　our　people；　and　my　early　end；　kept　that　from　me。　　But　the　thought　of　that　youth　is　here；〃she　put　her　hand　on　her　bosom；〃and　it　seems　to　me　that；　were　we　to　meet；　I　should　know　him。　　Perhaps；　were　that　to　be；　Miriam　and　I　might　thus　come　to　be　aware　of　each　other；　and　live　henceforth　one　life。〃

〃Such　matters　are　beyond　my　knowledge；〃　said　the　Indian；　shaking　his　head。　　〃The　gods　know　what　will　be。　　It　is　for　us；　now；　to　regain　the　treasure。　　Are　you　willing；　my　princess；　to　accompany　me　thither？〃

〃I　am　ready。　　Shall　it　be　now？〃

〃Not　now；　but　soon。　　I　will　call　you　when　the　moment　comes。　　The　place　is　but　a　ride　of　two　or　three　hours　from　here。　　None　must　know　of　our　departure；　for　there　are　some　here　whom　I　do　not　trust。　　We　must　go　by　night。　　You　will　wear　the　garments　you　now　have　on；　without　which　all　might　miscarry。〃

〃How　can　the　garments　affect　the　result；　Kamaiakan？〃

〃A　powerful　spell　is　laid　upon　them；　princess。　　Moreover；　the　characters　wrought　upon　them；　with　gold　thread　and　jewels；　are　mystical；　and　the　substance　of　the　garment　itself　has　a　virtue　to　preserve　the　wearer　from　evil。　　It　is　the　same　that　was　worn　by　you　when　the　treasure　was　hidden；　and　it　may　be；　Semitzin；　that　without　its　magic　aid　your　spirit　could　not　know　itself　in　this　world　as　now　it　can。〃

As　he　spoke　the　last　words；　a　low　sound；　wandering　and　muttering　with　an　inward　note；　came　palpitating　on　their　ears　through　the　night　air。　　It　seemed　to　approach　from　no　direction　that　could　be　identified；　yet　it　was　at　first　remote；　and　then　came　nearer；　and　in　a　moment　trembled　around　them；　and　shivered　in　the　solid　earth　beneath　their　feet；　and　in　another　instant　it　had　passed　on；　and　was　subdued　slowly　into　silence　in　the　shadowy　distance。　　No　one　who　has　once　heard　that　sound　can　mistake　it　for　any　other；　or　ever　can　forget　it。　　The　air　had　suddenly　become　close　and　tense；　and　now　a　long　breeze　swept　like　a　sigh　through　the　garden；　dying　away　in　a　long…drawn　wail；　and　out　of　the　west　came　a　hollow　murmur；　like　that　of　a　mighty　wave　breaking　upon　the　shore　of　the　ocean。

〃The　earthquake！〃　whispered　Kamaiakan；　rising　to　his　feet。　　And　then　he　pointed　to　the　stone　basin。　　〃Look！　the　spring！〃

〃It　is　gone！〃　exclaimed　Semitzin。

And；　in　truth；　the　water；　with　a　strange；　sucking　noise；　disappeared　through　the　bottom　of　the　basin；　leaving　th