Preface

So much has been written of late years of late years of late years of late years of late years of late years of late years --and well written, too-- --and well written, too--? , , , touching the discovery of America of late years , that it would not be at all surprising should there exist a disposition in a certain class of readers to deny the accuracy of all some of[1] all all all all all the statements of of in in this work Work . Some may refer to history, with a desire desire view view view view view view to prove that there never were were were were were were wasere such a persons as our hero and heroine, and fancy that by establishing these facts, they completely destroy the authenticity of the whole book. All that we have to say in answer to this anticipated objection is All that we have to say i. In answer to this anticipated objectionis, we will state, In answer to this anticipated objection, we will state, In answer to this anticipated objection, we will state, In answer to this anticipated objection, we will state, In answer to this anticipated objection, we will state, In answer to this anticipated objection, we will state, that after carefully perusing severel several several several several several several of the Spanish writers, from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of Columbus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature, from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of Columbus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature, from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of Columbus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature, from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of Columbus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature, from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of Columbus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature, from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of Columbus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature, from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of Columbus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature, and after having read both Irving and Prescott from beginning to end, we can can do do do do do do not find a syllable in either of them, that we understand to be conclusive evidence, or indeed to be to be to be to be to be to be any evidence at all, on this part of the subject this part of the subject the portions of our subject that are likely to be disputed the portions of our subject that are likely to be disputed the portions of our subject that are likely to be disputed the portions of our subject that are likely to be disputed the portions of our subject that are likely to be disputed the portions of our subject that are likely to be disputed . Until some solid affirmative proof, therefore, can be produced against us, we shall hold our case to be made out, and rest our claims to be believed on the authority of our own statements. Nor do we think there is any thing any thing any thing any thing any thing anything anything either unreasonable or unusual , , in this course, as perhaps the greater portion of that which is , daily and hourly, , daily and hourly, daily and hourly daily and hourly daily and hourly daily and hourly daily and hourly offered to the credence of the credence of the credence of the credence of the credence of the credence of the credence of the American American American American American public, daily and hourly, rests on the same species of testimony , , ,-- ,-- ,-- ,-- ,-- with the trifling difference that we state truths, with a profession of fiction, and while the great moral caterers of the republic age age age age age age age state fiction with the profession of truth. If any advantage can be fairly obtained over us, in consequence of this trifling discrepancy, we must fain fain submit. to

There is one point, notwithstanding, concerning which it may be well to be frank , , at once. The narrative of the "Voyage to Cathay , , , , , " has been written with the journal of the Admiral before us ; or, ; or, ; or, ; or, ; or, ; or, , or rather with all of that journal , , as it that that which which which which which has been given to the world through the agency of a very incompetent and meager meager meagre meagre meagre meagre meagre editor. Nothing is plainer than the general general general general general general general fact that this person generally did not always always always always always always always understand his author , , , , , ; ; and in one particular circumstance he has written so obscurely, as not a little to embarass even a novelist, whose functions naturally include an entire familiarity with the thoughts, emotions, characters, and, occasionally, with with with with with with with the unknown fates of the subjects of his pen. The nautical day formerly commenced at at Meridian meridian , ; and , with all our native ingenuity and high professional prerogatives , we have not been able to discover whether the editor of the journal has adopted that mode of counting time, or whether he has condescended to use the more vulgar and irrational practice of landsmen. It is our opinion, however, that in the spirit of impartiality which becomes an historian , he has adopted both. This little peculiarity might possibly embarrass a very accurate very accurate superficial superficial critic , ; but accurate critics being so very common, we feel no concern on this head, well knowing that they will be much more apt to wink at these minor inconsistencies, than to pass over an error of the press, or a comma with a broken tail. As we wish to live on good terms with this useful class of our fellow creatures fellow-creatures , we have directed the printers to mis-spell some eight or ten words for thier their [illeg.] convenience, and to save them from head-aches, have honestly stated this principal difficulty ourselves. If If Should Should the publicity which is now given to the consequences of commencing a day in the middle, should should have the effect to induce the government to order that it shall, in future, with all American seamen, with all American seamen, commence at one of its ends, we are quite indifferent which, we are quite indifferent which, something will be gained in the way of simplicity, and the writing of novels will, in-so-much, be rendered easier and more agreeable. It will, quite likely, remove the objections of one portion of the community to this innovation, to be told that the English have already made this change. It will, quite likely, remove the objections of one portion of the community to this innovation, to be told that the English have already made this change. [LARGE OMITTED PASSAGE HERE]

As respects the minor characters of this work, very little need be said. Every one knows that Columbus had seamen in his vessels, and that he brought some of the natives of the islands he had discovered , back with him to Spain. The reader is now made much much more intimately acquainted with certain of these individuals, we will venture to say, than that he can be be possibly be possibly possibly be by the perusal of any work previously written . As for the little little subordinate subordinate incidents that are that are connected with the known known more familiar more familiar events of the age, it is hoped that that they will be found so completely to fill up this branch of the subject, as to render all all future investigations unnecessary.

CHAPTER VII III XXIII .

"Thou seemest seemest seem'st seem'st to Fancy's Fancy's fancy's fancy's fancy's eye
An animated blossom , , born in air;
Which breathes and bourgeons in the golden sky,
And sheds its odours there."
Sutermeister .

Notwithstanding his native resolution, and an indifference to danger that amounted to recklessness, Luis did not find himself alone with the Haytians , without at least , at least, a lively lively consciousness of the novelty of his situation. Still , , , , nothing occurred to excite uneasiness , ; ; and he continued his imperfect communications with his new friends, occasionally throwing in a remark to Sancho in Spanish, who merely wanted encouragement to discourse by the hour. Instead of following the canoe boat of boat of the Santa Maria, on board which the ambassador had embarked, the canoe pushed on several leagues farther east , ; ; it being understood that Luis was not to present himself in the town of Guacanagari , until after the arrival of the ships, when he was to rejoin his comrades stealthily, or in a way not to attract attention.

Our hero would not have been a true lover, had he remained indifferent to the glories of the natural scenery that now lay spread before his eyes, as he thus coasted the shores of Hispaniola Española Española . The boldness of the landscape, as in the Mediterranean, was relieved by the softness of a low latitude, which throws some such witchery around rocks and promentories promontories promontories promontories promontories , as a sunny smile lends to female beauty. More than once did he burst out into exclamations of delight, and as often did Sancho respond in the same temper, though if not exactly if not exactly in the same language , ; ; . the latter concieving it to be a sort of duty to echo all that the young noble said, in the way of poetry. the latter conceiving conceiving conceiving conceiving it to be a sort of duty to echo all that the young noble said , in the way of poetry.

"I take it it , Señor Conde," observed the seaman, when they had reached a spot severel several several several several leagues beyond that where the launch of the ship had put to shore ,-- , ; "I take it , for granted for granted, for granted, for granted, for granted, Señor Conde, that Your your your your your Excellency excellency excellency knoweth whither these naked gentry are paddling , all this time. They seem in a hurry, and have a port in their minds, if it be not in view."

"Art thou uneasy, friend Sancho, that thou puttest this thy thy thy thy question thus earnestly?"

"If I am, Don Luis, it it is altogether on account of the family of Bobadilla, which would lose its head , did any mishap befall your excellency Excellency Excellency . What is it to Sancho of the Ship Yard Gate Sancho of the ship-yard gate Sancho of the Ship-yard Gate Sancho, of the ship-yard gate Sancho, of the ship-yard gate Sancho, of the Ship Yard Gate , whether he is married to some princess in Cipango, and gets to be adopted by the Great Khan, or whether he is an indifferent mariner out of Moguer .? ? It is very much as if one should offer him the choice between wearing a doublet and eating garlick garlic garlic garlic , and going naked on sweet fruits and a full belly stomach stomach . I take it it , Señor, your excellency Excellency Excellency would not willingly exchange the castle of Llera for thise the palace of this Great Cacique ?" ." ."

"Thou art right, Sancho; even rank must depend on the state of society in which we live. A castilian Castilian Castilian Castilian Castilian noble cannot envy even a Haytian Sovereign sovereign sovereign sovereign ."

" Most More More More More especially , since My Lord my lord my lord my lord my lord , the Señor Don Almirante , , , , hath publickly publicly publicly publicly proclaimed , , that our gGracious Lady Gracious Lady gracious lady gracious lady gracious lady , the Doña Isabella, is henceforth and for ever to be Queen Queen Qqueen queen queen over him," returned Sancho, with a knowing glance of the eye. "Little do these worthy people know understand understand the honor honour honour honour that is in store for them, and least of all least of all least of all, , least of all, , least of all, His his his his MajHighness Highness , King Guacanagari!"

"Hush, Sancho, and keep thy unpleasant intimations in thine own breast. Our friends turn the heads of the canoes head of the canoes head of the canoe head of the canoe head of the canoe towards yonder river's mouth, and are seem seem bent on landing."

By this time, indeed, the natives had coasted as far as they had intended, and were turning in towards the entrance of a small stream, that which which , taking its rise among the romantic noble noble mountains that were grouped inland, found its way through a smiling valley to the ocean. This stream was neither broad nor deep, but it contained far more than water sufficient for any craft used by the natives. Its banks were fringed with bushes , and ; and ; and, , and, as they glided up it, Luis saw fifty sites where he thought they he would could could could be content to pass his life, provided, always, provided always, provided always that it might possess the advantage of Mercedes's presence. It is scarcely necessary to add, too, that in all these scenes he fancied his mistress attired in the velvets and laces that were then so much used by high born high-born high-born high-born dames, and that he saw her in the her in her natural grace, embellished by the courtly ease and polished accessaries accessories accessories accessories of one who lived daily, if not hourly, in the presence of her royal mistress.

As the canoe shut in the coast, by entering between the two points that formed the river's mouth, Sancho pointed out to the young noble , a small fleet of canoes a small fleet of canoes, a small fleet of canoes, a small fleet of canoes, that was coming down before the wind from the eastward, apparently bound, like so many more they had seen that day, to the Bay bay bay bay of Acúl Acuúl , on a visit to the wonderful strangers. The natives in the canoe , also beheld this little flotilla, which was driving before the wind under cotton sails, and by their smiles and signs showed that they gave it the same destination. About this time, too, or just as they entered the mouth of the stream, the principal pater[illeg.] the Indians, Mattinao, or Mattinao Mattinao drew from under a light cotton robe that he occasionally wore that he occasionally wore; ,that he occasionally wore, ,that he occasionally wore, ,that he occasionally wore, a thin circlet of pure gold, which he placed upon his head, in the manner of a coronet. This Luis knew was a token that he was a cacique Cacique Cacique , one of those who were tributary to Guacanagari, and he rose arose arose arose to salute him at this evidence of his rank, an act that was imitated by all of the Haytians also. From this assumption of state, Luis rightly imagined that Borineo Mattinao Mattinao , as he understood the name of this young chief to be pronounced, had now entered within the limits of a territory that acknowledged his rule will will will . From the moment that this the the the young cacique Cacique Cacique threw aside his incognito, he ceased to paddle, but assuming an air of authority and dignity, he attempted to converse with his guest in the best manner thier their their their their imperfect means of communication would allow. He often pronounced the word, Ozema, "Ozema," and Luis inferred from the manner in which he used it, that it was the name of a favorite favourite favourite favourite wife, it having been already ascertained by the Spaniards, or at least it was it was thought to be ascertained, that the caciques Caciques Caciques indulged in polygamy, while they rigidly restricted their subjects to one wife.

The canoe ascended the river several miles, until it reached one of those tropical vallies valleys valleys valleys in which nature seems to expend all her means of rendering this earth inviting. While the scenery had all much of much of the freedom of a wilderness, the presence of man for centuries , had deprived it of all its ruder and more savage features. Like those who tenanted it, the spot possessed the perfection of native grace, unfettered and uninvaded by any of the more elaborate devices of human expedients. The dwellings were not without beauty, though simple as the wants of their owners , ; ; ; ; and the flowers bloomed , though in mid winter mid-winter mid-winter mid-winter , ; and the generous branches still groaned with their the weight of their nutritious or or and and and and and patable palatable palatable palatable palatable fruits.

Mattinao was received by his people , with an eager curiosity, blended with profound respect. His mild followers subjects subjects crowded around Luis and Sancho, with some such wonder , as a a a civilized man would gaze at one of the prophets, were he to return to earth in the flesh. They had heard of the arrival of the ships, but they did not the less regard thier their their their their inmates the less as visitors visiters visiters visiters from heaven. This probably , probably, , probably, , probably, was not the opinion of the more elevated in rank, for, even in the savage state, the vulgar mind is far from being that of the favored favoured favoured favoured few. Whether it was owing to his greater facility of character, and to habits that more easily adapted themselves to the untutored intercourse notions notions of the Indians , , , , or to their sense of propriety or to their sense of propriety , Sancho soon became beeame the favorite favourite favourite favourite with the multitude , ; ; ; ; leaving the Count of Llera more especially in to to the care of Mattinao, and the principal men ., , of his tribe. Owing to the this this this this circumstance , , the two Spaniards Spaniards were soon separated, while while Sancho being led away by the oi polloi, oi polloi, οί πολλοί oi polloi οί πολλοί to a sort of square in the centre of the village, leaving Don Luis in the habitation of the Cacique.

No sooner did Mattinao find himself alone with in the company of in the company of our hero, and that of that of that of that of one or two or three two two or three of his confidential chiefs, than the name of Ozema "Ozema" was repeated eagerly among the Indians ,. a A . A rapid conversation followed, a messenger was despatched dispatched dispatched dispatched , , Luis knew not whither, and then the chiefs took their departure, leaving Lui the young Castilian alone with the cacique Cacique Cacique Cacique Cacique . Laying aside his golden band, and throwing placing placing a cotton robe over about about about about a his person, which had hitherto been nearly naked, Mattinao made his a a sign for his companion to follow , him, him, and left the building. Throwing the buckler over his shoulder, and adjusting the belt of his sword in a way that the weapon should not incommode him in walking, Luis obeyed with as much as he would have followed a friend through along along along along the streets of Seville.

Mattinao led the way into through through through through a wilderness of sweets, where tropical plants luxuriated beneath the branches of trees loaded with luscious luscious fruits, holding his course along by by by by a foot-path footpath foot-path footpath that which which which which followed a lay on the banks of a torrent that lay on the banks of a torrent that flowed from a ravine, and poured its waters into the river below. The distance he went might have been half a mile. Here he reached a cluster of rustic dwellings that occupied a lovely terrace on a hill side hill-side hill-side hill-side , whence where where where they overlooked the larger town below, town below town below town below town, below the river, and commanded commanded commanded commanded commanded commanded a view of the distant ocean. Luis saw at a glance that this sweet retreat was devoted to the uses of the gentler sex, and he doubted not that it formed a species of seraglio, set apart for the wives of the young Cacique cacique Cacique . He was led into one of the principal dwellings, where the simple , , but grateful refreshments , , used by the natives , , , , were again again again again offered to him.

The intercourse of a month had not sufficed to render either party very familiar with the language of the other. A few of the commoner words of the Indians had been caught by the Spaniards, and perhaps Luis was one of the most ready in thier their their their their use; still, it is highly probable , , he was oftener wrong than right, even when he felt the most confident of his success. But the language of friendship is not easily mistaken, and our hero had not entertained a feeling of distrust from the time he left the ships , , down to the present moment.

Mattinao had despatched dispatched dispatched dispatched a messenger to an adjacent dwelling when he entered that in which Luis was now entertained, and when sufficient time had been given for the last to refresh himself, the cacique Cacique Cacique arose, and by a courteous courteous gesture, such as might have become a master of ceremonies in the court of Isabella, he again again again again again invited the young grandee to follow him him . They took their way along the terrace, to a house larger than common, and which evidently contained several subdivisions, entering an outer room. as they entered into a sort of as they entered into a sort of anti-room anteroom ante-room anteroom anteroom Here they remained but a minute , ; , ; ; ; ; the Cacique cacique , after a short parley with a female, removing a curtain ingeniously made of sea weed sea-weed sea-weed sea-weed sea-weed , and leading the way to an inner apartment. It had but a single occupant, whose character Luis fancied to be announced in the use of the single word "Ozema", "Ozema," "Ozema," "Ozema," "Ozema," that the Cacique cacique uttered in a low affectionate tone, as they entered. Luis bowed to this Indian beauty, as profoundly as he wasould could could could would have made his reverence to a high born high-born high-born high-born damsel of Spain; then, recovering himself, he fastened one long, long long, long long long steady look of admiration on the face of the curious but half-frightened young creature who stood before him, he and and exclaimed , , in such tones as only indicate rapture, admiration , , and astonishment mingled--

"Mercedes!"

The young Cacique cacique cacique repeated this name , in the best manner he could, for he mistook evidently mistaking evidently mistaking it for a Spanish term to express admiration, or satisfaction , ; ; ; ; while the trembling young thing , , , , who was the subject of all this wonder, shrunk shrank shrank back a step, blushed, laughed, and muttered in her soft low musical musical voice, "Mercedes," as the innocent take up , and renew, , anyd renew, and renew and renew and renew any source of their harmless pleasures. She then stood, with her arms folded meekly on her bosom, resembling a statue of wonder. But it may be necessary to explain , why, at a moment so peculiar, the thoughts and tongue of of Luis had so suddenly reverted resorted resorted resorted to his mistress. In order to do this, it will we shall we shall first attempt a short description of the person and appearance of Ozema, as was, in fact, the name of the Indian beauty.

All the the the the accounts agree in describing the Aborigines aborigines aborigines aborigines of the West Indies , as beings being singularily singularly well formed, and of a natural grace in their movements, that extorted a common admiration among the Spaniards. Their colour was not unpleasant , and those thosethe inhabitants the inhabitants the inhabitants the inhabitants the inhabitants the inhabitants of Hayti, in particular, were said to be but very little darker than the people of Spain. Those who were but little exposed to the bright sun of that climate, and who dwelt habitually beneath the shades of groves, or in the retirement of their dwellings, like persons of similar habits in Europe, might , , , even by comparison, have even by comparison, have even been termed fair. Such was the fact with Ozema, who, instead of being the wife of the young Cacique cacique , , was his only sister , and aAccording . According to the laws of Hayti , , , , the authority of a cacique Cacique Cacique was transmitted through females, and the the a a a a a son of Ozema was looked forward to, as the heir of his uncle. Owing to this fact, and to the circumstances circumstance circumstance that the true true royal line, if a term so dignified can be used applied applied to a state of society so simple, was reduced to these two individuals, Ozema had been more than usually fostered by the tribe, leaving her free from care, and as little exposed to hardships, as at all comported with the condition of her people. She had reached her eighteenth year, without having experienced any of those troubles and exposures which are , more or less, more or less more or less more or less the inevitable companions of savage life; though it was remarked by the Spaniards, that all the Indians they had yet seen , seemed more than usually exempt free free from evils of this character. They owed the the this this this this this exemption to the generous quality of the soil, the genial warmth of the climate, and the salubrity of the air. In a word , , Ozema 's , in her , in her person, possessed just those advantages that freedom from restraint, native graces, and wild luxuriance , , , might be supposed to lend the female form, under the advantages of a mild climate, a healthful and simple diet, and perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect exemption from exposure, care, or or or toil. It would not have been difficult to have fancied have fancied fancy fancy fancy fancy fancy Eve such a creature, when she first stood before appeared to appeared to Adam, fresh from the hands of her divine creator Divine Creator Divine Creator , modest, artless, timid , , , and perfect.

The Haytians used a scanty dress, though it shocked none of their opinions to go forth in the garb of nature. Still , , , , few of rank were seen without some pretensions to attire, which was worn rather as an ornament, or a mark of distinction, than as necessary either to opinion, opinion usage usage usage usage usage or to to to to to comfort. Ozema , herself, formed no exception to the general rule. A cincture of Indian cloth, woven in gay colours, circled her slender waist, and fell nearly as low as her knees; a robe of spotless cotton, inartificially made, but white as the driven snow, and of a texture so fine that it might have shamed many of the manufactures of our own days, fell like a scarf across onea a shoulder, and was loosely united at the opposite side, dropping in folds nearly to the ground. Sandals , , , of great ingenuity and beauty, protected the soles of feet that a queen might have envied , ; ; ; and a larger large plate of pure pure gold, rudely wrought, was suspended from her neck by a string of small, but small, but small but gorgeous shells. Bracelets of the latter were on her pretty wrists, and two light bands of gold encircled ancles ankles ankles ankles that were as faultless as those of the Venus of Naples. In that region, the fineness of the fineness of the hair was thought to be the test of birth, as with better reason than with better reason than many imagine many imagine many imagine many imagine many imagine many imagine the feet and hands to be, in civilized life. As power and rank had passed from female to female , in her family, for severel several several several several centuries, the hair of Ozema was silken, soft, waving, exuberant, and black as jet. It covered her shoulders, like a glorious viel mantle mantle , and fell nearly as low as her simple sincture cincture cincture cincture cincture . So light and silken was this natural veil, that its ends waved in the gentle currant current current current current of air that was rather breathing through the apartment, rather than blowing through the apartment than blowing through the apartment .

Although this lovely extraordinary extraordinary creature was much the loveliest specimen of young womanhood that Luis hasd had seen among the wild beauties of the islands, it was not so much her graceful and well rounded well-rounded well-rounded well-rounded form, or even the charms of face and expression , , , , that surprised him, as a decided and accidental resemblence resemblance resemblance resemblance resemblance to the being he had left in Spain, and who had so long been the idol of his heart. This resemblance alone, alone alone alone alone, had caused him to utter the name of his mistress, in the manner related. Could the two have been placed side by side together together , it would have been easy to detect marked points of difference between them, them, without being reduced to comparing without being reduced to compare without being reduced to compare without being reduced to compare without being reduced to comparing the intellectual and thoughtful expression of our heroine's countenance, with the wondering, doubtfuling doubting , half-frightenedstartled half-startled look of Ozema , but, ; but ; but ;but ; but, still was the general likeness was was so strong , , , that no one one person person person person person who was familiar with the face of one , could fail to see see note note note note note it on first first meeting with the other. Side by side, it would have been discovered that the the face of the face of Mercedes had the advantage in finesse finesse fineness fineness and delicacy; that her features and brow were nobler; her eye more illuminated by the intelligence within; her smile more radiant with thought and the feelings of a cultivated woman; her blush more sensitive, and betraying most of the consciousness of conventional habits , ; ; ; ; and that that the expression generally was much more highly elevated cultivated cultivated , than that that that that which sprung sprang sprang from the artless impulses and limited ideas of the young Haytian. Nonetheless Nevertheless Nevertheless Nevertheless , in outer mere mere beauty, of in in youth, and tint, and outline, the disparity was scarcely perceptible, was while while the resemblence resemblance resemblance resemblance resemblance was striking ; and , and ; and, ; and, ; and, on the score of animation, native frankness, ingenuousness, and all that witchery which an ardent and undisguised feeling lends to woman, many might have preferred the confiding abandon of the beautiful young beautiful young Indian , , , to the more trained and dignified reserve of the Castilian heiress. What , in the latter was earnest, high-souled, native, but religious enthusiasm euthusiasm , in the other was merely the out-pourings out?pourings outpourings outpourings of unguided impulses, that were which, however which, however feminine in their origin, were were but little regulated in their indulgence.

"Mercedes!" exclaimed our hero, when this vision of Indian loveliness unexpectedly broke on his sight. "Mercedes--" "Mercedes!" "Mercedes!" "Mercedes!" repeated Mattinao; "Mercedes!" murmured Ozema, recoiling a step , blushing, laughing, and then resuming her innocent confidence, as she severel several several several several times uttered the same word, which she also also also also mistook for an expression of admiration, in her own low, melodious voice.

Conversation being out of the question, there remained nothing for all but for the parties but for the parties but for the parties but for the parties but but for the parties to express thier their their their their feelings by signs and acts of amity. Luis had not come unprovided with presents, on his little expedition. on his little expedition unprovided with presents. on his little expedition unprovided with presents. on his little expedition unprovided with presents. on his little expedition unprovided with presents. Anticipating an interview with the wife of the cacique Cacique Cacique , he had brought up from the can village village below , several articles that he had supposed might suit her untutored fancy . But ; but ; but the moment he beheld the vision that now actually actually stood before him, they all seemed unworthy of such a being. In one of his onsets with against against the Moors, he had brought off a turban of rich but light but light cloth , , and he had kept it as a trophy, occasionally wearing it , in his visits to the shore, in his visits to the shore in his visits to the shore out of pure caprice, and out of pure caprice, and as a sort of ornament that might well well impose on the simple minded simple-minded simple-minded simple-minded natives. These vagaries excited no remarks, as mariners are apt to indulge thier their their their their whims , in this manner, in this manner in this manner, in this manner when far from the observations of those to to whom they habitually defer. This turban was on his head , at the moment , he entered the apartment of Ozema, and , , , overcome with the delight of finding so unexpected a resemblance, and , possibly, possibly possibly excited by so unlooked for unlooked-for unlooked-for unlooked-for unlooked-for an exhibition exhibibition of feminine loveliness, he gallantly unrolled it, through threw threw threw threw out the folds of rich cloth, and cast it over the shoulders of the beautiful Ozema , as a mantle.

The expressions of gratitude and delight that escaped this unsophisticated young creature , were warm, sincere, and undisguised. She cast the ample robe on the ground before her, repeated the word "Mercedes ," " " again and again, and manifested her rapturepleasure pleasure with all the warmth of a generous and ingenuous nature. If we were to say that this delight pleasure display display of Ozema was altogether free from the child-like delight rapture rapture that was perhaps , perhaps, , perhaps, , perhaps, unseparable inseparable inseparable inseparable from her ignorance, it would be attributing to her benighted condition the experience and regulated feelings of an an advanced civilization; but, notwithstanding the guileless simplicity with which she betrayed her emotions on this occasion , her delight was not without much of the dignity and tone that usually mark the conduct of the superior classes in other countries all over the world all over the world . Luis fancied it as graceful as it was naive and charming. He endeavored endeavoured endeavoured endeavoured to imagine the manner in which the Lady of Valverde might receive an offering of precious stones from the gracious gracious hands of Doña Isabella, and he even thought it very possible that the artless grace of Ozema was not far behind , what he knew would be the meek self-respect, mingled with gratitude grateful pleasure grateful pleasure grateful pleasure grateful pleasure , that Mercedes could not fail to exhibit.

While thoughts like these were passing through his mind, the Indian girl laid aside her own less enticing robe, without a thought of shame, and then she wrapped folded her faultless form in folded her faultless form in the cloth of the turban. This act was no sooner done, with a grace and freedom peculiar to her unfettered mind, than she drew the necklace of shells from her finery finery person, person, person, person, person, and advanced advanceding advancing advancing advancing advancing a step or two , towards our hero, extending extendinged extended extended extended extended the offering with a half averted half-averted half-averted half-averted half averted face, though the laughing and willing and willing eyes more than more than supplied the place of language. Luis accepted the gift , with suitable gallantry eagerness eagerness , not even nor did he nor did he refrain from using using the Castilian gallantry of kissing the pretty hand from which he took the bawbles bauble bauble bauble .

The Cacique cacique , who had been a pleased spectator of all that passed, now signed for the Count count to follow him, leading the way towards another dwelling. Here our hero our hero Don Luis Don Luis Don Luis Don Luis Don Luis was introduced to other young females, and to two or three children, the former of whom , he soon discovered, , he soon discovered, he soon discovered he soon discovered were the wives of Mattinao, and the latter his offspring. By dint of gestures, a few words, and such other means of explanations means of explanation as were resorted to between the parties Spaniards and the natives, Spaniards and the natives , he now succeeded in ascertaining the real affinity which existed between the cacique Cacique Cacique and Ozema. Luis Luis Our hero Our hero Our hero Our hero Our hero felt a sensation like pleasure when he discovered that the Indian beauty was not married , ; ; ; and he was fain to refer the feeling --perhaps justly-- , perhaps justly, , perhaps justly, to a sort of jealous sensitiveness that grew out of her resemblance to Mercedes.

The remainder of that, and the whole of the three three following days, were passed by Luis , with his friend , , , the cacique Cacique Cacique , in this, the favorite favourite favourite favourite and sacred residence of the latter. Of course our hero was, if any thing anything anything anything , a subject of greater interest to all his hosts , than they could possibly be to them him him . They took a thousand innocent liberties with him, him, his person; his person; his person; his person; his person; examining his dress , , , and the ornaments he wore and the ornaments he wore , not failing to compare the whiteness of his skin with the redder tint of that of Mattinao. On all these occasions Ozema was the most reserved and shy, though her look followed every movement, and her pleased countenance denoted the interest she felt in all that concerned the stranger. Hours at a time , did Luis lie stretched on fragrant mats near this artless and lovely creature, studying the changing wayward wayward expression of her features, in the fond hope of seeing stronger and stronger resemblances to Mercedes, and sometimes losing himself in that which was peculiarly her own. In the course of the time passed , in these dwellings, efforts were made at by our hero to by our hero the count to by the Count to by the count to by the Count to by the count to obtaining obtain some some useful information of the island of the island , ; ; ; and whether it was owing to her superior rank, or to a native superiority of mind, he seemed foun or to a charm of manner, he soon found fancied fancied that the Caciques Cacique cacique Cacique Cacique 's beautiful beautiful beautiful beautiful beautiful sister succeeded better in making him comprehend comprehend understand understand understand