The Tiger Hunter Part 59

It was to the sh.o.r.es of this lake that the domestic of Don Mariano de Silva had conducted his master, certain of finding there a secure resting-place for the night. He knew that the country surrounding the lake was entirely uninhabited; and the brigands of Arroyo would scarce extend their excursions to such an unprofitable foraging ground. The southern end of the lake was bordered by a strip of forest; and it was in this forest that Don Mariano had determined to make halt for the night.

A small glade surrounded by trees of many species was chosen by the travellers as a place of their bivouac. The ground was covered with a carpet of soft gra.s.s, and many flowering shrubs and blossoming llianas, supported by the trees that grew around, yielded to the night an odorous incense that was wafted over the glade. It was, in fact, a bower made by the hand of nature, over which was extended the dark blue canopy of the sky, studded with its millions of scintillating stars.

Don Mariano had selected this lovely spot with a design--that of distracting his daughter's spirit from the sad reflections which the more gloomy portions of the forest might otherwise have called up.

Shortly after halting, Dona Gertrudis had fallen asleep in her _litera_--through the curtains of which, only half closed, might be seen her soft cheek, white almost as the pillow upon which it lay.

Nature had almost repaired the outrage she had voluntarily committed on her long dark tresses; but the life within her seemed fast hastening to an end, and her breathing told how feeble was the spirit that now animated her bosom. She appeared like one of the white pa.s.sion-flowers growing near, but more like one that had been plucked from the stem which had been the source of its life and sweetness.

Don Mariano stood near the _litera_--gazing upon the pale face of his child with feelings of sad tenderness. He could not help calling up this very comparison--although it was torture to his soul; for he knew that the flower once plucked must irrevocably wither and die.

At some distance from the _litera_, and nearer the edge of the lake, three of the attendants were seated together upon the gra.s.s. They were conversing, in low tones, for the purpose of pa.s.sing the time. The fourth, who was the guide already mentioned, had gone forward through the woods--partly to search for the crossing, but also to reconnoitre the path, and find out whether the road to San Carlos was clear of the guerilleros.

Through a break in the forest that surrounded the glade, the enchanted mountain was visible--its sombre silhouette outlined against the blue background of the sky.

In all countries, every object that appears to vary from the ordinary laws of nature, possesses, for the vulgar imagination, a powerful interest; and the servants of Don Mariano were no exception to the rule.

"I have heard it said," whispered one of them, "that the waters of this lake now so muddy, were once as clear as crystal; and that it was only after they were consecrated to the devil, that they became as they are now."

"Bah!" rejoined another, "I don't believe what they say about the devil living up there upon the _Cerro encantado_. He would choose a more pleasant place for his residence, I should fancy."

"Well," said the first speaker, who was named Zefirino, and who was better acquainted with the locality than either of his companions, "whether the devil dwells there or not, some terrible things have taken place on that mountain; and it is said, still happen there. I have heard that the fog which you see upon its summit, and which always rests there at night, is extended over it by the G.o.d of the Indians--who is only the devil himself. He does that to hide what goes on up there.

There's one strange story the Indians themselves tell."

"What is it? Let us hear it, Zefirino."

"Well, you've heard how in old times the Indian priests had an altar up yonder--upon which they used to sacrifice scores of human beings--so that the blood ran down the fissures of the rock like water after a shower of rain. Their plan was to cut open the breast of the victim, and tear out his heart while still alive. But why need I frighten you with a story that, by my faith, is fearful enough?"

"No--no--never mind! Go on, Zefirino."

"Stay!" cried the other domestic. "Did you not hear a noise--just down there by the edge of the lake?"

"Bah! it's only an alligator snapping his jaws together. Go on, Zefirino!"

"Well, comrades--the story is, that about five hundred years ago, one of the unfortunate victims was about to be sacrificed in this manner as usual. The cruel priest had opened his breast and taken out the heart; when, to the astonishment of all around, the Indian seized hold of his own heart, and endeavoured to put it back in its place. His hand, however, trembled, and the heart slipping from his grasp, rolled down the mountain side and into the lake. The Indian, uttering a terrible howl, plunged in after for the purpose of recovering his heart from the water, and was never seen again. Of course, a man like that could not possibly die; and for five hundred years the Indian has been wandering round the sh.o.r.es of the lake searching for his heart, and with his breast cut open, just as the priest had left it. It's not more than a year ago that some one saw this Indian, and just about here, too, on the southern sh.o.r.e of the lake."

As Zefirino finished his narration, his two companions involuntarily cast glances of terror towards the gloomy waters of the lake, as if in dread that the legendary Indian might suddenly show himself. Just at that moment, a rustling among the leaves caused all three of them to start to their feet, and stand trembling with fear.

Their alarm did not last long; for almost immediately after they perceived that the noise had been caused by Castrillo, the guide--who, in the next moment, stepped forward into the glade.

"Well, Castrillo! what have you seen?" demanded his fellow-servants.

"Enough to make it necessary that I should at once communicate with our master," and Castrillo pa.s.sed on towards the _litera_, leaving his companions to form their conjectures about what he had seen as best they might.

CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE.

THE INVALID.

On perceiving the approach of the domestico, Don Mariano silently closed the curtains of the _litera_, in order that the slumbers of Gertrudis might not be disturbed.

"Speak softly!" said he to the man, "my daughter is asleep."

The domestic delivered his report in an undertone.

"I have been almost as far as the hacienda of San Carlos," said he.

"The road to the house is clear; and I should have gone up to it, but for the strange sights which I saw there."

"Strange sight! what sights, Castrillo?"

"Oh, master! I can hardly tell you what I saw--at least I cannot explain it. The windows were all lit up, but with such lights! They were blue and red, and of a purple colour, and they appeared to be changing every instant, and moving about in the most mysterious manner.

While I stood looking at them, and trying to think what it could mean, I saw a figure in white gliding past me in the darkness, like some one not of this world."

"My worthy Castrillo, fear was troubling your senses, I am afraid you only fancied these things?"

"Oh, my master! what I saw was but too real. If you had seen these lights as I, you could not have doubted it. May it please G.o.d that I may have been deceived!"

The tone of conviction in which the servant delivered his report produced its effect on Don Mariano; and he could not help feeling the unpleasant presentiment that some grand misfortune had happened to his daughter, Marianita, or her husband.

The information brought by Castrillo was only the reawakening of a doubt that had been already oppressing him.

A prey to afflicting thoughts, he remained for a while in that state of silent uncertainty which follows the receipt of calamitous news. The servant having finished his report had joined his three companions, and Don Mariano was alone.

Just then the curtains of the _litera_ were drawn inside by a hand from within, and the voice of Gertrudis interrupted for the moment his gloomy reflections.

"My sleep has refreshed me," said the young girl; "do you intend soon to continue your journey, father? It is near daybreak, is it not?"

"It is not yet midnight, nina. It will be long before the day breaks."

"Then why do you not go to sleep, dear father? We are in safety here, I think; and there is no reason why you should keep awake."

"Dear Gertrudis, I do not desire to sleep until we are under the roof of Marianita, and I can see you both together."

"Ah! Marianita is so very happy," sighed the invalid. "Her life has been like one of the flowery paths we have been following through the forest."

"And so will yours be yet, Gertrudis," rejoined Don Mariano, with an effort to console her. "It will not be long before Don Rafael comes to see you."

"Oh, yes! I know he will come, since he has sworn it upon his word of honour. He will come, but what then?" murmured Gertrudis, with a melancholy smile.

"He will arrive to tell you that he still loves you," said Don Mariano, affecting a conviction which, in reality, he did not feel. "It is only a misunderstanding," he added.

"A misunderstanding that causes death, dear father," rejoined Gertrudis, as she turned her head upon the pillow to conceal her tears.

Don Mariano was unable to reply, and an interval of silence succeeded.

Then Gertrudis, by one of those sudden reactions common to invalids, seemed all at once inspired with a fresh hope, and raising her head, she inquired--

"Do you think the messenger has had time to reach Don Rafael?"