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
understand
understand
her meaning
,
than either of the wives
of Mattinao
of Mattinao
, or the
Cacique
cacique
himself. To Ozema, then, Luis put most of his questions
,
;
;
;
and ere the day
was
was had
had
had
had
had
passed
,
this quick-witted and
read attentive
attentive
girl had made greater progress in opening an intelligible
communication understanding
understanding
between the adventurers and her
country-men
countrymen
countrymen
countrymen
, than had been
previously
accomplished by the communications of the two previous months. She caught the Spanish
words with a readiness that seemed
miraculous instinctive
instinctive
, pronouncing them with an accent that only rendered
the
them
them
them
them
them
prettier and softer to the ear.
Luis de Bobadilla was just as good a
catholic
Catholic
Catholic
Catholic
as a rigid education, a wandering life, and the habits of the camp
,
,
,
would be apt to
leave make
make
one of his rank, years
,
,
,
and temperament. Still, that was an age
,
in which most laymen had a deep reverence for religion, whether they actually submitted
to its purifying influence
,
or not. If there were any
free-thinkers
Freethinkers
free?thinkers
Freethinkers
,
at all, they existed principally among those who passed
thier
their
their
their
their
lives in
thier
their
their
their
their
closets, or were to be found among the
churchmen,
Churchmen
Churchmen
themselves
, ;
;
who often used the cowl as a hood to conceal
thier
their
their
their
their
infidelity. His close association with Columbus
,
too, had contributed to
stregth strengthen
strengthen
our hero's tendency to believe in the constant supervision of Providence
,
;
;
;
and he now felt a strong inclination to fancy that this
extraordinary
extraordinary
facility of Ozema's in acquiring languages
,
was one of its
semi-miraculous
semi-miraculous
provisions, made with a view to further the introduction of the religion of the
cross
Cross
Cross
among her people
among her people
. Often did he flatter himself, as he sat gazing into the sparkling, and yet mild
,
,
,
eyes of the girl, listening to her earnest efforts to make him comprehend her meaning,
that
that
that
that
he was to be the instrument of bringing about this great good
,
through so young and charming an agent. The
admiral
Admiral
Admiral
had
also
also
enjoined on him
,
the importance of ascertaining, if possible, the position of the mines
,
;
;
and he had actually succeeded in making Ozema comprehend his questions on
a subject that was
a subject that was
all engrossing
all-engrossing
all-engrossing
all-engrossing
subject
with most
with most
of the Spaniards. Her answers were less intelligible, but Luis thought they never
could be sufficiently full; flattering himself, the whole time, that he was only
laboring
labouring
labouring
labouring
to comply with the
wishes
wish
of Columbus.
The day after his arrival
,
our hero was treated to an exhibition of some of the Indian games. These sports
have been too often described to need repetition here
,
;
;
;
but, in all their movements and exercises,
which were altogether pacific,
which were altogether pacific,
the young princess was conspicuous for grace and skill. Luis, too, was required
to show his powers
,
;
;
and being exceedingly athletic and active, he easily bore away the palm from his
friend Mattinao. The young
cacique
Cacique
Cacique
manifested neither jealousy
, nor disappointment,
nor disappointment
nor disappointment
nor disappointment
at this result,
at this result,
while his sister laughed and clapped her hands with delight, when he was outdone,
even at his own sports, by the greater strength
,
or greater
efforts
effort
of his guest. More than once
,
,
,
the wives of Mattinao seemed to
utter gentle
utter gentle
reproaches at this exuberance of feeling
,
;
;
but Ozema answered with smiling taunts, and Luis thought her, at such moments, more
beautiful than
evern imagination could draw
even imagination could draw
,
--
--
and perhaps with justice
,;
;
for her cheeks were flushed, her eyes became as brilliant as
[illeg.] ornaments
ornaments
of jet, and the
rows of ivory teeth teeth
teeth
that were visible between lips like cherries,
rivalled resembled
resembled
rows of ivory. We have said that the eyes of Ozema were black, differing in this
particular, from the deep-blue melancholy orbs of the enthusiastic Mercedes
,
;
;
;
but still they were alike, so often uttering the same feelings, more especially
in touching
touching
matters in which Luis was concerned. More than once
, during the trial of strength,
during the trial of strength
during the trial of strength
did the young man fancy that the
expression of the
expression of the
rapture which fairly danced in the eyes of Ozema, was the very counterpart of
that of
that of the
that of the
the
deep-seated delight which had so often beamed on him, from the glances of Mercedes
in the tourney; and, at such times
,
it struck him that the resemblance between
the
the
the
the
two was
so strong, as after some allowances had been made for dress and other sufficiently striking circumstancesalmost identic to render them identical, after some allowance had been made for dress and other sufficiently striking circumstances
strong, as—after some allowances had been made for dress and other sufficiently striking
circumstances—almost to render them identical.
strong as, after some allowance had been made for dress and other sufficiently striking
circumstances, to render them almost identical.
The reader is not to suppose from this, that our hero was actually inconstant to his
ancient love. Far from it. Mercedes was too deeply enshrined in his heart
, to [illeg.] this,-- --
--
,
,
and
,
Luis, with all his faults, was as warm-hearted
and
aud
true-hearted a
fellow
fellow cavalier
cavalier
cavalier
cavalier
cavalier
as breathed
--
,
,
to be so easily dispossessed. But he was young, distant from her he had so long adored,
and was,
withall
withal
withal
withal
, not altogether insensible to
the
admiration
,
,
so artlessly and winningly betrayed
by the
by the
Indian-girl.
Indian girl
. Had there been the least immodest glance,
an intimation any proof
any proof
that art or design lay at the bottom of Ozema's
feeli> conduct
conduct
, he would
at once
, at once,
, at once,
have taken the alarm, and been completely disenthralled from his temporary delusion;
but, on the contrary, all was so frank and natural with this artless girl; when she
most betrayed the hold he had taken of her imagination, it was done with a simplicity
so obvious, a naivete so irrepressible, and
an inn ingenuousness
an ingenuousness
that was
so clearly the
fruits
fruit
fruit
fruit
fruit
of innocence, that it was impossible to suspect artifice. In a word, our hero merely
showed that he was
mortal human
human
, by yielding
,
,
to
to in
in
in
in
in
a certain degree to a fascination that, under the circumstances, might
well
well
have made
far
far
deeper inroads on the faith
of even men
even of men
who enjoyed much better reputations for stability of purpose.
In situations of so much novelty
,
time flies swiftly, and Luis himself was astonished when, on looking back, he remembered
that he had now been several days with Mattinao, most of which
time period
period
,
,
had actually been passed in what might
almost not inaptly
not inaptly
be termed the seraglio of the
Cacique
cacique
.
Nor had
Sancho of the
Ship Yard Gate
Ship-yard Gate
ship-yard gate
Ship-yard Gate
had not
had not
been
, in the least,
, in the least,
in the least
in the least
in the least
neglected
all this time.
all this time.
He had been a hero, in his
own
own
circle, as well as the young noble, nor had he been at all
neglectful forgetful
forgetful
of his duty on the
subject
subjet
of searching for gold. Though he had neither acquired a single word of the Haytian
language, nor taught a syllable of Spanish to even one of the laughing nymphs who
surrounded him, he had decorated
most of the persons of many of them
the persons of many of them
with
hawks' bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
, and had
contrived contrived
contrived
to abstract from them, in return, every ornament that resembled the precious metal
,
,
which they possessed. This transfer
no doubt
,no doubt,
, no doubt,
, no doubt,
was honestly effected, however, having been made on that
favorite
favourite
favourite
favourite
principle of the
Free Trade Theorists
free trade theorists
free trade theorists
free trade theorists
, which maintains that trade is merely an exchange of equivalents
,;
;
,
,
overlooking all the adverse circumstances which may happen, just at the moment, to
determine the standard of value. Sancho had his notions of commerce as well as the
modern philosophers, and, as he and Luis occasionally met
,
,
during their sojourn with Mattinao, he revealed a few of his opinions on this
interesting
interesting
subject, in one of their interviews.
"I percieve Thou
"I perceive thou
"I perceive thou
"I perceive thou
"I perceive thou
hast not forgotten thy passion for doblas, friend Sancho," said Luis, laughing, as
the old seaman exhibited
his the
the
store of dust and golden plates he had collected; "there is sufficient
of the metal
of the metal
in thy sack
in thy sack
in thy sack
in thy sack
in thy sack
to coin a score of them, each having the royal countenances of our
Lord
lord
lord
lord
the King, and our
Lady
lady
lady
lady
the Queen!"
"Double that, Señor Conde ; , , just double that, and all for the price of some seventeen hawks bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells , that cost but a handful of maravedis. By the Mass mass mass mass ! this is a most just and holy trade, and such as it becomes us Christians to carry on. Here are these savages, they think no more of gold , than your Excellency excellency excellency excellency thinks of a dead Moor, and to be revenged on them, I hold a hawk's bell hawk's-bell hawk's-bell hawk's-bell hawk's-bell just as cheap. Let them think as poorly as they please of thier their their their their ornaments and yellow dust, they will find me just as willing to part with the twenty hawks' bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells that remain. Let them barter away, they will find me as ready as they possibly can be , , , , , to give nothing for nothing nothing for nothing ."
"Is this quite honest, Sancho, to rob an Indian
for of
of
his gold, in exchange for a
bawble
bauble
bauble
bauble
that copper so easily
purchases.th?
purchaseth?
Remember
Remember
thou art a Castilian, and henceforth give two
hawks' bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
, where thou hast hitherto given but
one one
."
"I never forget my birth, Señor, for happily the
Ship Yard
ship-yard
ship-yard
ship-yard
of Moguer is
truly
truly
in
old
old
old
old
old
Spain. Is not the value of a thing to be settled by what it will bring in the market?
Ask
ask
ask
ask
any of our traders
,
and they will tell you this, which is clear as the sun in the heavens. When the
Venitians
Venetians
Venetians
Venetians
lay before Candia
[edge of page]
,
,
,
,
grapes and figs
,
,
,
and greek wine
and Greek wine
,
,
,
could be had for the asking
,
in that island
in that island
in that island
in that island
in that island
while western articles commanded any price. Oh
!
,
,
,
nothing is plainer than the fact that
every thing
everything
everything
hath its price, and
it is real trade is
it is real trade
to give one worthless commodity for another."
"If it be honest to profit by the ignorance of another," answered Luis, who had a nobleman's contempt for Commerce commerce commerce commerce , " then Then is it is it it is just to deceive the child and the idiot."
"God forbid, and especially St. Andrew
,
,
,
my patron, that I should do
any thing
anything
anything
anything
so wicked.
Hawk's bells
Hawk's-bells
Hawk's-bells
Hawk's-bells
Hawk's-bells
are of more account than gold, in Hayti, Señor, and happening to know it, I am willing
to part with the precious things for the dross. You see
,
I am generous instead of being avaricious, for all parties are in Hayti, where the
value of the articles must be settled. It is true, that
by
by after
after
after
after
after
running great risks at sea, and undergoing great pains and chances
,
,
,
by carrying this gold to Spain, I may be requited for my trouble, and get enough
benefit to make an honest livelihood. I hope Doña Isabella will have so much feeling
for these
,
,
,
her new subjects, as to prevent their ever going into the shipping business
,
,--
,--
,--
a most laborious and dangerous calling, as we both
well
well
know."
"And why art thou so particular in desiring this favor favour favour favour in behalf of these poor islanders, and that too, Sancho, at the expense of thine own bones?"
"Simply, Señor," answered the knave , , , with a cunning leer, " lest it unsettle Trade trade trade trade , which ought to be as free and unencumbered as possible. Here, now, if we Spaniards come to Hayti, we sell one hawk's bell, hawk's-bell hawk's-bell hawk's-bell hawk's-bell for a dobla in gold , ; ; ; , whereas, were we to give these savages the trouble to come to Spain, a dobla of thier their their their their gold would buy a hundred hawk's bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells hawk's-bells ! No--no--it is right as it is , ; ; ; and may a double allowance of purgatory Purgatory Purgatory Purgatory be the lot of him , who wishes to throw any difficulties in the way of a good, honest, free , , and civilizing trade, say I."
Sancho was thus occupied in explaining his notions of
Free Trade
free trade
free trade
free trade
, the great
hum mystification
mystification
of modern philanthropists, when there arose
such
such
a cry in the village of Mattinao, as is only heard in moments of extreme jeopardy
and sudden terror. The conversation took place in the grove, about midway between
the town and the
private
private
dwellings of the
cacique
Cacique
Cacique
,
;
;
;
and so implicit had become the confidence
of
the two Spaniards reposed in their friends, that neither had any other arms
with about
about
his person
,
than those furnished by nature. Luis had left both sword and buckler, half an hour
earlier
,
lying
at the feet of Ozema, who had been enacting a mimic hero
,
,
,
,
with his weapons, for their mutual diversion
,
;
;
;
,
while Sancho had found the arquebuse much too heavy to be carried about for a
play thing
plaything
plaything
plaything
. The last was deposited in the room where he had taken up his comfortable quarters.
There was
"Can this mean
treachory
treachery
treachery
treachery
treachery
, Señor?" exclaimed Sancho. "
Are Have
Have
these
black guards
blackguards
blackguards
blackguards
blackguards
found out the true value of
hawk's bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
hawk's-bells
,
after all,
after all,
after all,
after all,
after all,
and do they mean to demand the balance due
to
to
them?"
"My life on it, Mattinao , and all his people are true, Sancho. This uproar hath a different meaning--hark! is not that the cry of "Caonabo"?" 'Caonabo?'" 'Caonabo?'" 'Caonabo?'" 'Caonabo'?"
"The very same, Señor! That is the name of the Carib Carrib Carrib cacique Cacique Cacique , who is the terror of all these tribes."
"Thy arquebuse, Sancho, if possible; then join me at the dwellings above. Ozema and
the wives of our good friend must be defended, at every hazard
.!
!"
Luis had no sooner given these orders, than he and Sancho separated, the latter running
towards the town, which by this time was a scene of wild tumult, while our hero
slowly and sullenly
, slowly and sullenly,
, slowly and sullenly,
, slowly and sullenly,
retired towards the private dwellings of the
cacique
Cacique
Cacique
, occasionally looking back, as if
longing
longing he longed
he longed
he longed
he longed
he longed
to plunge into the thickest of the fray. Twenty times did he wish for his
favorite
favourite
favourite
favourite
charger and a stout lance, when
, indeed,
, indeed,
it would not have been an extraordinary feat for a knight of his prowess to put to
flight a thousand enemies like those who now menaced him. Often had he singly broken
whole ranks of
christian
Christian
Christian
Christian
Christian
foot soldiers
foot-soldiers
foot-soldiers
foot-soldiers
, and it is
well
well
known that
solitary
soilitary
individuals
,
,
,
when mounted, subsequently drove hundreds of the natives before them.
The alarm
had
reached
the dwellings of Mattinao
the dwellings of Mattinao
,
before our hero. When he entered the house of Ozema, he found
her
her its mistress
its mistress
its mistress
its mistress
its mistress
surrounded by fifty females, some of whom had already ascended from the town below,
and every tongue
and every tongue each of whom
each of whom
each of whom
each of whom
each of whom
was
eagerly
eagerly
eagerly
eagerly
eagerly
uttering the terrible name of "Caonabo." Ozema herself
,
was the most
collected
eollected
of them all
of them all
of them all
of them all
of them all
, though it was apparent that, from some
fcause
cause
, she was
the an
an
object of particular solicitude with
all
all those
those
those
those
those
around her. As Luis entered the apartment, the wives of Mattinao were pressing around
the
princess
Princess
Princess
,
;
;
;
and he soon gathered from
thier
their
their
their
their
words and entreaties, that they urged her to fly, lest she should fall into the hands
of the
Carib
Carrib
chief. He even fancied, and he fancied it justly, that the rest of the females supposed
the seizure of the
cacique
Cacique
Cacique
's beautiful sister
was
was to be
to be
to be
to be
to be
the real object of the
sudden
sudden
attack. This conjecture
,
in no manner lessened
Luis'
Luis's
Luis's
Luis's
ardor
ardour
ardour
ardour
in the defence.
The moment
The moment
Ozema
soon
caught sight of him,
and
she flew to his side, clasping her hands, and uttering the name of "Caonabo," in a
tone that would have melted a
rock
rock heart of stone
heart of stone
heart of stone
heart of stone
heart of stone
. At the same time, her eyes spoke a language of hope, confidence
,
,
and petition that was not
needed
needed necessary
necessary
necessary
necessary
necessary
to enlist
all
all
our hero's resolution on her side. In a moment the sword of the young cavalier was
in his hand, and the buckler
was
was
on his arm. He then assured the
princess
Princess
Princess
of his zeal, in the best manner he could,
by
by
placing the buckler before her throbbing breast, and waving the sword, as in defiance
of her enemies
. No
: no
: no
: no
: no
sooner was this pledge given
,
than every other female disappeared, some flying to the rescue of their children,
and all
endeavoring
endeavouring
endeavouring
endeavouring
to find places of concealment. By this singular and unexpected desertion, Luis found
himself
, for the first time, since they had met,
, for the first time since they had met,
alone with Ozema.
To remain in the house would be to suffer the enemy to approach unseen
,
;
;
and the shrieks and cries sufficiently announced that
, each moment, the danger drew nearer.
, each moment the danger drew nearer, each moment.
, each moment, the danger drew nearer.
each moment, the danger drew nearer.
each moment, the danger drew nearer.
Luis
, accordingly,
accordingly
accordingly
accordingly
made a sign for the girl to follow him, first rolling the turban into a bundle
,
,
,
and placing it
in her arms
in on her arms
on her arm
on her arm
on her arm
on her arm
, that it might serve her, at need, as a species of shield against the hostile arrows.
While he was thus employed, Ozema's head fell upon his breast, and the excited girl
burst into tears. This display of weakness, however, lasted but a moment
,
;
;
when she aroused herself, smiled through her tears, pressed the arm of Luis convulsively
,
and became the Indian heroine
,
again. They then left the building together.
Luis soon perceived that his retreat from the house had not been made a moment too soon. The family of Mattinao had already disappeared, and a strong party of the invaders was in full view, rushing madly up the grove, silent, but evidently bent on seizing their prey. He felt Ozema, who clung to his arm, tremble violently, and then he heard her murmuring -- ,-- ,-- ,--
"Caonabo--no--no--no." "Caonabo,--no--no--no!" "Caonabo,--no--no--no!" "Caonabo,--no--no--no!"
The young Indian
princess
Princess
Princess
had caught the Spanish monosyllable of dissent
,
;
;
and Luis understood this exclamation to express her strong disinclination to become
a wife of the Carib chief. His resolution to protect her, or to die, was in no manner
lessened by this involuntary betrayal of
her
her
her
her
feelings,
that
that which
which
which
which
which
he could not but think might have some
connection
connexion
with himself; for, while our hero was both
honorable
honourable
honourable
honourable
and generous, he was human, and
consequently
, consequently,
, consequently,
, consequently,
well disposed to take a
favorable
favourable
favourable
favourable
view of his own powers of pleasing. It was only in
connection
connexion
with Mercedes, that Luis de Bobadilla was humble.
A soldier almost from childhood, the young
count
Count
Count
looked
hastily
hastily
around him for a position that would
favor
favour
favour
favour
his means of defence, and which would render his arms the most available. Luckily
,
,
,
one offered so near him, that it required but a minute to occupy it. The terrace
lay against a precipice of rocks
,
;
;
and
,
,
a hundred feet from the house, was a spot where the face of this precipice was angular,
throwing forward a wall on each side to some distance, while the cliff above overhung
the base sufficiently to remove all danger from falling stones. In the angle were
several large fragments of rock that
could
could would
would
would
would
would
would
afford shelter against arrows,
while there was
while there was
while and, there was being
and, there being
and, there being
a sufficient space of
green sward
green sward
greensward
greensward
greensward
greensward
greensward
before them,
for on which a knight to might well display his prowess on
on which a knight might well display his prowess
on which a knight might well display his prowess
on which a knight might well display his prowess
on which a knight might well display his prowess
on which a knight might well display his prowess
on which a knight might well display his prowess
. When
when
when
when
when
when
when
in possession of this position
,
,
,
,
,
;
;
our hero felt himself strong, if not impregnable,
as since
since
since
since
since
since
since
he could be assailed only in front. Ozema was stationed behind one of the fragments
of the fallen rocks, her person only half concealed
,
;
;
however, concern for Luis, and curiosity as related to her enemies,
equally
equally
inducing her to expose her head and beautiful bust.
Luis was scarcely in possession of this post, ere a dozen
iIndians
Indians
were drawn up in a line
,
at the distance of fifty yards in his front. They were armed with bows, war-clubs
,
,
,
and spears. Being
entirely
entirely
without other defensive armour than his buckler, the young man would
now
now
have thought his situation sufficiently critical, did he not know that the archery
of the natives was
any thing
anything
anything
anything
but formidable. Their arrows would kill
,
,
,
certainly, when shot at short distances, and against the naked skin, but it might
be questioned if they would penetrate the stout velvet in which Luis was encased,
and fifty yards was not near enough to excite
much
much undue
undue
undue
undue
undue
alarm. The
besieged
besieged
besieged young man
besieged
besieged
young man
young man
did not dare to retreat to the rocks
,
as
a clear
a clear
space was indispensable for the free use of his good sword, and to that weapon
alone
alone
he looked for his eventual triumph.
It was
perhaps
, perhaps,
, perhaps,
, perhaps,
fortunate for our hero that Caonabo
, himself,
himself
himself
himself
was not with the party which
beleagured
beleaguered
beleaguered
beleaguered
him. That redoubtable chieftain, who had been led to a distance in pursuit of the
flying females, under
the
the a
a
a
a
a
belief that
her
her she
she
she
she
she
he sought was among them, would doubtless have brought the matter to an immediate
issue by a desperate charge, when numbers might have prevailed against courage and
skill. The actual assailants chose a different course, and began to
set poise
poise
their
arrows bows
bows
. One of the most skilful among them drew an arrow to the head, and let it fly .
The missile glanced from the buckler of the knight, and struck the
wall
wall
wall
wall
wall hill
hill
hill
behind him, as lightly as if the parties had been at their idle sports. Another
followed, and Luis turned it aside with his sword,
as if
disdaining to raise his
shild
shield
shield
shield
shield
against such a trifle. This cool manner of
recieving
receiving
receiving
receiving
receiving
their
assaults
assault
assaults
assaults
caused the Indians to raise a shout
;
,
,
,
though
whether in admiration or rage, Luis could not tell.
The next attack was more judicious, being made on a principle that Napoleon is said
to have adopted in directing discharges of his artillery. All
there
there those
those
those
who had bows, some six or eight, drew their arrows together, and the weapons came
rattling on the buckler of the assailed in a single flight. It was not easy to escape
altogether from such a combined assault, and our hero received one or two bruises
from glancing arrows, though no blood followed the blows. A second attempt of the
same nature was about to be made, when
Ozema the alarmed girl
the alarmed girl
rushed from her place of concealment, and, like
the
the
Pocahontas of our own history,
placed
placed threw
threw
threw
threw
threw
herself before Luis, with her arms meekly
folded
folded placed
placed
placed
placed
placed
on her bosom. As soon as she appeared
,
,
,
there was a cry of
"Ozema"--"Ozema"
"Ozema, Ozema,"
"Ozema"--"Ozema,"
"Ozema, Ozema,"
among the assailants, who were not Caribs,
it will be rememberedas will understand who are familiar with the island history,
as all will understand who are familiar with the island history,
as all will understand who are familiar with the island history,
but milder Haytians
who were
who were ,
,
,
,
,
governed by a Carib chief.
In vain Luis endeavored endeavoured endeavoured endeavoured to persuade the devoted girl to withdraw. She thought his life in danger, and no language, had he been able to exert his eloquence on the occasion, could have induced her to leave him exposed to such a danger. As the Indians were endeavoring endeavouring endeavouring endeavouring to obtain chances at the person of Luis without killing the princess Princess Princess , he saw there remained no alternative but a retreat behind the fragments of rock. Just as he obtained this the the temporary security, a fierce looking fierce-looking fierce-looking fierce-looking fierce looking warrior joined the assailants, who immediately commenced a vociferous explanation of the actual state of the attack.
"Caonabo?" -- demanded Luis , , , of Ozema, pointing towards the new comer new-comer new-comer new-comer .
The girl shook her head, after taking an anxious look at the stranger's face, at the same time clinging to our hero's arm, with seductive dependance dependence dependence dependence .
"No--no--no--" she said , , , eagerly. "No Caonabo--Caonabo--no--no--no." "No Caonabo--no--no--no." "No Caonabo--no--no--no." "No Caonabo--no--no--no."
Luis understood the first part of this answer to mean that the stranger was not the
Carib chief; and the last to signify Ozema's strong and settled aversion to becoming
a his wife of Caonabo's!
his wife.
The consultation
between
between among
among
among
among
among
the assailants was soon ended.
Four Six
Six
of them then poised their
war clubs
war-clubs
war-clubs
war-clubs
and spears
,
,
,
and made a rush for the citadel of the besieged. When
they were
they were
within twenty feet of his cover, our hero sprang lightly forward on the sward to
meet his foes. Two of the spears he received on his buckler, severing both shafts
with a single blow of his keen and
highly tempered
highly-tempered
highly-tempered
highly-tempered
highly tempered
sword. As he recovered from the effort, with an upward cut he met the
uplifted
uplifted raised
raised
raised
raised
raised
arm of the club-man most in advance. Hand and club fell at his feet with the skilful
touch. Making a sweep with the weapon in his front, its point seamed the breasts
of the two astonished spearsmen, whose distance alone saved them from more serious
injuries.
Thise
This
rapid and
unlooked for
unlooked-for
unlooked-for
unlooked-for
unlooked-for
execution struck the assailants with awe and dread. Never before had they witnessed
the power of metal as used in war
,
;
;
;
;
and the
sudden
sudden
amputation of the arm struck them as something miraculous. Even the ferocious Carib
fell back in dismay, and Luis felt hopes of victory. This was the first occasion
on which the Spaniards had come to blows with the mild inhabitants of the islands
they had discovered, though it is usual with the historians to refer to an incident
of still later occurrence
,
,
,
as the commencement of strife, the severe privacy which
was has ever been
has ever been
thrown over the
connection
connexion
of Don Luis with the expedition, having
completely
completely
baffled their slight and superficial researches. Of course
,
,
,
the efficiency of a weapon like that used by our hero, was
as
as
novel to the Haytians as it was terrific.
At this instant a shout among the assailants, and the appearance of a fresh body of
the invaders, with a tall and
commanding looking chief at
commanding chief at
their head, announced the arrival of Caonabo in person. This warlike
cacique
Cacique
Cacique
was soon made acquainted with the state of affairs, and it was evident that the prowess
of our hero struck him as much with admiration as with wonder. After a few minutes
,
,
,
he directed
all
all
his followers
,
to fall back to a greater distance, and
,
,
,
laying aside his club, he advanced fearlessly towards Luis
,
,
making signs of amity.
When the two adversaries met, it was with mutual respect and confidence. The Carib made a short and vehement speech, in which the only word that was intelligible to our hero, was the name of the beautiful young Indian. By this time Ozema had also also advanced, as if eager to speak , , , , and her rude suitor turned to her, with an appeal that was passionate , , if not eloquent. He laid his hand frequently on his heart, and his voice became soft and persuasive. Ozema replied earnestly , , , , and in in the quick manner of one whose resolution was settled . . At the close of her speech, the colour mounted to the temples of the ardent girl, and, as if purposely to make her meaning understood by our hero, she ended by saying , , , in Spanish -- , , , ,
"Caonabo--no--no--no -- !-- !-- !-- !-- !-- Luis--Luis!"
The aspect of the hurricane of the tropics is not darker
,
or more menacing, than the scowl with which the Carib chief heard this unequivocal
[illeg.] rejection of his suit
rejection of his suit
, accompanied, as it was
,
,
,
,
by so plain a demonstration in
favor
favour
favour
favour
of the stranger. Waving his hand in defiance, he
strided
strode
strode
strode
back to his people, and issued
his
orders for a fresh assault.
This time, a tempest of arrows
preceeded
preceded
preceded
preceded
preceded
the rush, and Luis was fain to seek his former cover behind the rocks. Indeed, this
was the only manner in which he could save the life of Ozema
,
;
;
;
;
the devoted girl resolutely persevering in standing before his body, in the hope
it would shield him from his enemies. There had been some words of reproach from
Caonabo to the Carib chief
,
,
who had retreated from the first attack, and the air was
yet
yet
filled with arrows, as this man rushed forward
,
,
,
singly, to redeem his name. Luis met him, firm as the rock
in his rear
in his rear behind him
behind him
behind him
behind him
behind him
. The shock was violent, and the blow that fell on the buckler would have crushed
an arm less
enured
inured
inured
to such rude encounters
,
;
;
;
but it glanced obliquely from the shield, and the club struck the earth with the
weight of a beetle. Our hero saw that all
now
now
depended on a deep impression. His sword flashed in the bright sun
of the tropics
of the tropics
,
and
and
and
and
and
the head of the Carib tumbled by the side of his club,
actually
actually
actually
actually
actually
leaving the body erect for an instant, so keen was the weapon, and so dexterous had
been the blow.
Twenty savages were on the spring, but they stopped
,
,
,
like men transfixed, at this unexpected sight. Caonabo,
however,
however,
however,
however,
however,
undaunted even when most surprised, roared out his orders like a
maddened
maddened
bull,
however,
however,
and the wavering crowd was again about to advance, when the
lowd
loud
loud
loud
report of an arquebuse was heard, followed by the whistling of its deadly
missive, and
missives
missives
missives
missive
a
. A
. A
. A
. A
second Haytian fell dead in his tracks. It exceeded the powers of savage endurance
to resist this assault, which
,
,
,
to
thier
their
their
their
their
uninstructed minds
,
,
,
appeared to come from heaven.
In two minutes niether Caonabo,
In two minutes, neither Caonabo
In two minutes, neither Caonabo
In two minutes, neither Caonabo
In two minutes, neither Caonabo
nor
one any
any
of his followers
was were
visible. As they rushed down the hill, Sancho appeared from a cover, carrying
his
his the
the
the
the
the
arquebuse, which he had taken the precaution to reload.
The
[illeg.] circumstances
circumstances
did not admit of delay. Not a being of Mattinao's tribe was
visible to be seen
to be seen
in any direction
,
;
;
;
and Luis made no doubt they had all fled. Determined to save Ozema
,
at every hazard, he now took his way to the river, in order to escape in one of the
canoes. In passing through the town, it was seen that not a house had been
,
;
;
;
and the circumstance was commented on by
both the Spaniards.
both the Spaniards., Luis pointing it out to his companion.
the Spaniards, Luis pointing it out to his companion.
the Spaniards, Luis pointing it out to his companion.
the Spaniards, Luis pointing it out to his companion.
the Spaniards, Luis pointing it out to his companion.
"Caonabo--no--no--no--Ozema!-- Ozema!--" Ozema!" Ozema!" Ozema!" Ozema!"--was the answer of the girl, who well knew the real object of the inroad.
A dozen canoes lay at the landing, and five minutes sufficed for the
three
three fugitives
fugitives
fugitives
fugitives
fugitives
to enter one, and to commence
thier
their
their
their
their
retreat. The current flowed towards the sea, and in a couple of hours
the fugitives
the fugitives they
they
they
they
they
were on the ocean. As the wind
blew
blow
constantly from the eastward, Sancho soon rigged an apology for a sail, and
,
,
,
an hour before the sun set, the party landed on a point
,
that concealed them from the bay
,
;
;
;
;
Luis being mindful of the
admiral's
Admiral's
Admiral's
injunction
,
,
,
,
,
to conceal his excursion
,
,
,
,
,
lest others might claim a similar
favor
favour
favour
favour
.