the golden fleece-第14章

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oose　between　us！〃

With　these　words；　Semitzin　stepped　across　the　threshold　of　the　crypt；　and　vanished　in　its　depths。　　The　Indian；　still　dizzy　and　faint；　knelt　on　the　rock　without；　bowed　down　by　sinister　forebodings。

Several　minutes　passed。　　〃She　has　perished！〃　muttered　Kamaiakan。

Freeman　raised　himself　on　one　elbow；　and　gazed　giddily　about　him。　　〃What　the　deuce　has　happened？〃　he　demanded；　in　a　sluggish　voice。　　〃Is　that　you；　professor？〃

Suddenly；　a　rending　and　rushing　sound　burst　from　the　cave。　　Following　it；　Semitzin　appeared　at　the　entrance；　dragging　a　heavy　metal　box；　which　she　grasped　by　a　handle　at　one　end。　　Immediately　in　her　steps　broke　forth　a　great　volume　of　water；　boiling　up　as　if　from　a　caldron。　　It　filled　the　cave；　and　poured　like　a　cataract　into　the　gorge。　　The　foundations　of　the　great　deep　seemed　to　be　let　loose。

Semitzin　lifted　from　her　face　the　woollen　mask；　or　visor；　which　she　had　closed　on　entering　the　cave。　　She　was　panting　from　exertion；　but　neither　her　physical　nor　her　mental　faculties　were　abated。　　She　spoke　sharply　and　imperiously：

〃Bring　up　the　mule；　and　help　me　fasten　the　chest　upon　him。　　We　must　reach　higher　ground　before　the　waters　overtake　us。　　And　now〃　　She　turned　to　Freeman；　who　by　this　time　was　sitting　up　and　regarding　her　with　stupefaction。

〃Miriam！〃　was　all　he　could　utter。

She　shook　her　head；　and　smiled。　　〃I　am　she　who　loves　you；　and　whom　you　will　love。　　I　give　you　life；　and　fortune；　and　myself。　　But　come：　can　you　mount　and　ride？〃

〃I　can't　make　this　out；〃　he　said；　struggling；　with　her　assistance；　to　his　feet。　　〃I　have　read　fairy…tales；　but　this　。　。　。　Kamaiakan；　too！〃

Semitzin；　meanwhile；　brought　him　to　the　mule；　and　half　mechanically　he　scrambled　into　the　saddle；　the　chest　being　made　fast　to　the　crupper。　　Semitzin　seized　the　bridle；　and　started　up　the　gorge；　Kamaiakan　bringing　up　the　rear。　　The　lower　levels　were　already　filling　with　water；　which　came　pouring　out　through　the　archway　in　a　full　flood；　seemingly　inexhaustible。

〃I　see　how　it　is；〃　mumbled　Freeman；　half　to　himself。　　〃The　earthquakeI　remember！　　I　got　hit　somehow。　　They　came　from　the　ranch　to　hunt　me　up。　　But　where　are　the　general　and　Professor　Meschines？　　How　long　ago　was　it？　　And　how　came　Miriam　。　。　。　　Could　the　mirage　have　had　anything　to　do　with　it？Here；　let　me　walk；〃　he　called　out　to　her；　〃and　you　get　up　and　ride。〃

She　turned　her　head；　smiling　again；　but　hurried　on　without　speaking。　　The　roar　of　the　torrent　followed　them。　　Once　or　twice　the　mule　came　near　losing　his　footing。　　Freeman；　whose　head　was　swimming；　and　his　brains　buzzing　like　a　hive　of　bees；　had　all　he　could　do　to　maintain　his　equilibrium　in　the　saddle。　　He　was　excruciatingly　thirsty；　and　the　gurgling　of　waters　round　about　made　him　wish　he　might　dismount　and　plunge　into　them。　　But　he　lacked　power　to　form　a　decided　purpose；　and　permitted　the　more　energetic　will　to　control　him。　　It　might　have　been　minutes；　or　it　might　have　been　hours；　for　all　he　knew：　at　last　they　halted；　near　the　base　of　the　white　pyramid。

〃Here　we　are　safe；〃　said　Semitzin；　coming　to　his　side。　　〃Lean　on　me；　my　love；　and　I　will　lift　you　down。〃

〃Oh；　I'm　not　quite　so　bad　as　that；　you　know；〃　said　Freeman；　with　a　feeble　laugh；　and；　to　prove　it；　he　blundered　off　the　saddle；　and　came　down　on　the　ground　with　a　thwack。　　He　picked　himself　up；　however；　and　recollecting　that　he　had　a　flask　with　brandy　in　it；　he　felt　for　it；　found　it　intact；　and；　with　an　inarticulate　murmur　of　apology；　raised　it　to　his　lips。　　It　was　like　the　veritable　elixir　of　life：　never　in　his　life　before　had　Freeman　quaffed　so　deep　a　draught　of　the　fiery　spirit。　　It　was　just　what　he　wanted。

But　he　felt　oddly　embarrassed。　　He　did　not　know　what　to　make　of　Miriam。　　It　was　not　her　strange　costume　merely；　but　she　seemed　to　have　put　onor　put　offsomething　with　it　that　made　a　difference　in　her。　　She　was　assertive；　imperious；　as　loving；　certainly；　as　lover　could　wish；　but　not　in　the　manner　of　the　Miriam　he　knew。　　He　might　have　liked　the　new　Miriam　better；　had　he　not　previously　fallen　in　love　with　the　former　one。　　He　could　not　make　advances　to　her：　he　had　no　opportunity　to　do　so：　she　was　making　advances　to　him！

〃My　love；〃　she　said；　standing　before　him；　〃I　have　come　back　to　the　world　for　your　sake。　　Before　Semitzin　first　saw　you；　her　heart　was　yours。　　And　I　come　to　you；　not　poor；　but　with　the　riches　and　power　of　the　princes　of　Tenochtitlan。　　You　shall　see　them：　they　are　yours！Kamaiakan；　take　down　the　chest。〃

〃What's　that　about　Semitzin？〃　inquired　Freeman。　　〃I'm　not　aware　that　I　knew　any　such　person。〃

〃Kamaiakan！〃　repeated　the　other；　raising　her　voice；　and　not　hearing　Freeman's　last　words。　　Kamaiakan　was　nowhere　to　be　seen。　　Both　Freeman　and　she　had　supposed　that　he　was　following　on　behind　the　mule；　but　he　had　either　dropped　behind；　or　had　withdrawn　somewhere。　　〃O　Kamaiakan！〃　shouted　Freeman；　as　loud　as　he　could。

A　distant　hail；　from　the　direction　of　the　desert；　seemed　to　reply。

〃That　can't　be　he；〃　said　Freeman。　　〃It　was　at　least　a　quarter　of　a　mile　off；　and　the　wrong　direction；　too。　　He's　in　the　gorge；　if　he's　anywhere。〃

〃Hark！〃　said　Semitzin。

They　listened；　and　detected　a　low　murmur；　this　time　from　the　gorge。

〃He's　fallen　down　and　hurt　himself；〃　said　Freeman。　　〃Let's　go　after　him。〃

In　a　few　moments　they　stumbled　upon　the　old　Indian；　reclining　with　his　shoulders　against　a　rock；　and　gasping　heavily。

〃My　princess；〃　he　whispered；　as　she　bent　over　him；　〃I　am　dying。　　The　poisonous　air　in　the　cave　was　fatal　to　me；　though　the　spell　that　is　upon　the　Golden　Fleece　protected　you。　　I　have　done　what　the　gods　commanded。　　I　am　absolved　of　my　vow。　　The　treasure　is　safe。〃

〃Nonsense！　you're　all　right！〃　exclaimed　Freeman。　　〃Here；　take　a　pull　at　this　flask。　　It　did　me　all　the　good　in　the　world！〃

But　the　old　man　put　it　aside；　with　a　feeble　gesture　of　the　hand。　　〃My　time　is　come；〃　said　he。〃Semitzin；　I　have　been　faithful。〃

〃Semitzin；　again！〃　muttered　Freeman。　　〃What　does　it　mean？〃

〃But　what　is　this？〃　cried　the　girl；　suddenly　starting　to　her　feet。　　〃I　feel　the　sleep　coming　on　me　again！　　I　feel　Miriam　returning！　　Kamaiakan；　have　you　betrayed　me　at　the　last？〃

〃No；　no；　princess；　I　have　done　nothing；〃　said　he；　in　a　voice　scarcely　audible。　　〃But；　with　death；　the　strength　of　my　will　goes　from　me；　and　I　can　no　longer　keep　you　in　this　world。　　The　spirit　of　Miriam　claims　her　rightful　body；　and　you　must　struggle　against　her　alone。　　The　gods　will　not　be　defied：　it　is　the　law！〃

His　voice　sank　away　into　nothing；　and　his　beard　drooped　upon　his　breast。

〃He's　dying；　sure　enough；　poor　old　chap；〃　said　Freeman。　　〃But　what　is　all　this　about？　　I　never　heard　anything　like　this　language　you　two　talk　together。〃

Semitzin　turned　towards　him；　and　her　eyes　were　blazing。

〃She　shall　not　have　you！〃　she　cried。　　〃I　have　won　youI　have　saved　youyou　are　mine！　　What　is　Miriam？　　Can　she　be　to　you　what　I　could　be？You　shall　never　have　him！〃　she　continued；　seeming　to　address　some　presence　invisible　to　all　eyes　but　hers。　　〃If　I　must　go；　you　shall　go　with　me！〃　　She　fumbled　in　her　belt；　caught　the　handle　of　a　knife　there；　and　drew　it。　　She　lifted　it　against　her　heart；　but　even　then　there　was　an　uncertainty　in　her　movement；　as　if　her　mind　were　divided　against　itself；　or　had　failed　fully　to　retain　the　thread　of　its　purpose。　　But　Freeman；　who　had　passed　rapidly　from　one　degree　of　bewilderment　to　another；　was　actually　relieved　to　see；　at　last；　something　that　he　could　understand。　　Miriam　for　some　reason　best　known　to　herselfwas　about　to　do　herself　a　mischief。　　He　leaped　forward；　caught　her　in　his　arms；　and　snatched　the　knife　from　her　grasp。

For　a　few　moments　she　struggled　like　a　young　tiger。　　And　it　was　marvellous　and　appalling　to　hear　two　voices　come　from　her；　in　alternation；　or　confusedly　mingled。　　One　said；　〃Let　me　kill　her！　　I　will　not　go！　　Keep　back；　you　pale…faced　girl！〃　and　then　a　lower；　troubled　voice；　〃Do　not　let　her　come！　　Her　face　is　terrible！　　What　are　those　strange　creatures　with　her？　　Harvey；　where　are　you？〃

At　last；　with　a　fierce　cry；　that　died　away　in　a　shuddering　sigh；　the　form　of　flesh　and　blood；　so　mysteriously　possessed；　ceased　to　struggle；　and　sank　back　in　Freeman's　arms。　　His　own　strength　was　well…nigh　at　an　end。　　He　laid　her　on　the　ground；　and；　sitting　beside　her；　drew　her　head　on　his　knee。　　He　had　been　in　the　land　of　spirits；　contending　with　unknown　powers；　and　he　was　faint　in　mind　and　body。

Yet　he　was　conscious　of　the　approaching　tread　of　horses'　feet；　and　recollected　the　hail　that　had　come　from　the　desert。　　Soon　loomed　up　the　shadowy　figures　of　mounted　men；　and　they　came　so　near　that　he　was　constrained　to　call　out；　〃Mind　where　you're　going！　　You'll　be　over　us！〃

〃Who　are　you？〃　said　a　voice；　which　sounded　like　that　of　General　Trednoke；　as　they　reined　up。

〃There's　Kamaiakan；　who's　dead；　and　Miriam　Trednoke；　who　has　been　out　of　her　mind；　but　she's　got　over　it　now；　I　guess；　and　I；Harvey　Freeman。〃

〃My　daughter！〃　exclaimed　General　Trednoke。

〃My　boy！〃　cried　Professor　Meschines。　　〃Well；　thank　God　we've　found　you；　and　that　some　of　you　are　alive；　at　any　rate！〃



CHAPTER　VIII。

As　it　was　still　some　hours　before　dawn；　and　Freeman　was　too　weak　to　travel；　it　was　decided　to　encamp　beside　the　pyramid　till　the　following　evening；　and　then　make　the　trip　across　the　desert　in　the　comparative　coolness　of　starlight。　　Meanwhile；　there　was　something　to　be　done；　and　much　to　be　explained。

The　spirit　of　Kamaiakan　had　passed　away；　apparently　at　the　same　moment　that　the　peculiar　case　of　〃possession〃　under　which　Miriam　had　suffered　came　to　an　end。　　They　determined　to　bury　him　at　the　foot　of　the　great　pyramid；　which　would　form　a　fitting　monument　of　his　antique　character　and　virtues。

Miriam；　after　her　struggle；　had　lapsed　into　a　state　of　partial　lethargy；　from　which　she　was　aroused　gradually。　　It　was　then　found　that　she　could　give　no　account　what　ever　of　how　or　why　she　came　there。　　The　last　thing　she　distinctly　remembered　was　standing　on　the　veranda　at　the　ranch　and　looking　towards　the　east。　　She　was　under　the　impression　that　Kamaiakan　had　approached　and　spoken　with　her；　but　of　that　she　was　not　certain。　　The　next　fact　in　her　consciousness　was　that　she　was　held　in　Freeman's　arms；　with　a　feeling　that　she　had　barely　escaped　from　some　great　peril。　　She　could　recall　nothing　of　the　journey　down　the　gorge；　of　the　adventure　at　the　bottom　of　it；　or　of　the　return。　　It　was　only　by　degrees　that　some　partial　light　was　thrown　upon　this　matter。　　Freeman　knew　that　he　was　at　the　entrance　of　the　cave　when　the　earthquake　began；　and　he　remembered　receiving　a　blow　on　the　head。　　Consequently　it　must　have　been　at　that　spot　that　Miriam　and　the　Indian　found　him。　　He　had；　too；　a　vague　impression　of　seeing　Miriam　coming　out　of　the　cave；　dragging　the　chest；　and　there；　sure　enough；　was　a　metal　box；　strapped　to　the　saddle　of　the　pack…mule。　　But　the　mystery　remained　very　dense。　　And　although　the　reader　is　in　a　position　to　analyze　events　more　closely　than　the　actors　themselves　could　do；　it　may　be　doubted　whether　the　essential　mystery　is　much　clearer　to　him　than　it　was　to　them。

〃We　know　that　the　ancient　Aztecan　priests　were　adepts　in　magic；〃　observed　the　professor；　〃and　it's　natural　that　some　of　their　learning　should　have　descended　to　their　posterity。　　W