Prisoners of Chance

  CHAPTER XXV

  A VISITANT FROM THE SUN

  As by magic the uproar of the infuriated savages died away. Gazing upfrom where I lay, my eyes beheld every face turned outward, every eyefastened upon that distant wall of rock. Suddenly a strange cry arose,each throat giving utterance to the same sound as if in trainedobedience to some recognized signal, and immediately every Indian layprostrate, his face in the dust. Gazing toward the spot they hadwatched so intently, I could perceive how the rose tints of the earlysun flecked the upper extremity of the precipitous rock with spots ofcolor, checkers of red and gold, while just below its lofty crest,seemingly touching the deep blue of the morning sky, hardly more thandim specks against the dull background of gray rock, appeared severalmoving black figures, and I could distinguish a series of flashes as ifthey waved blazing torches in welcome to the King of Day.

  "_Sacre_! 'tis an uncanny sight," muttered my companion uneasily."Have yonder foul priests been given wings whereby they mount the veryrock in their devil worship?"

  "Hardly that," I returned tersely. "There will be a footpath leadingto the spot either from above or below."

  "True, perchance; yet 'tis not from above. Of that I am certain, asthe crest of the rock overhangs; you may perceive the deep shadow of iteven from here."

  Before I could distinguish clearly the peculiarity pointed out, thewoman chief came forth through the open entrance, appearing more fairand white of skin than ever in the clear light of the dawn. Scarcelyglancing toward either the prostrate tribesmen or those distantsignalling priests, she advanced directly toward where we lay helplessin our bonds. There was a flush upon her cheeks, a light of animationin her eyes, yet she stood looking down upon me much as she might haveviewed an insensate stone.

  "Senor," she said coldly, still speaking the Spanish tongue, "it didplease my humor but now to play a small trick upon these innocentchildren of nature, knowing their faith and tribal customs. For thetime being I won, and it is you who benefit. You, and these others,are for the present delivered from that torture to which you werecondemned: the rising of yonder Sun has saved you; 'tis the law of theNatchez. Nay, thank me not," as I sought to express my words ofgratitude. "I told you before it was not from any desire to showmercy, but for a purpose of my own. Yet if you would continue toprofit through my strange whim--and surely I have seldom been thusswayed to action--then it will be well to give heed unto my words. Ibid you proceed at once to that second hut yonder, nor dare ventureforth again until I send. The children of the Sun bow now to thecommands of their ancient faith, yet are of temper hard to control."

  "You fear they may yet demand us in sacrifice?"

  "Not to-day, unless you do that which shall arouse their passionsbeyond my power of restraint. While the sun dominates the sky yourlives are preserved from violence, but if you would live longer it mustbe through careful guarding of speech and action. I promise nothingbeyond the present day. But now," she bent over, severing my bondswith a flint blade, "go; do exactly as I bade you, and no longer bandywords with me."

  "But the lady within the lodge?" I ventured anxiously, as I struggledto my feet, standing erect before her.

  "She bides elsewhere."

  "It will be hard for her alone--"

  "What is all that to you, sirrah?" she interrupted haughtily."According to the tale told, you are not her husband. He who mighthave right to question separation has made no complaint."

  "He does not comprehend your speech. For that reason he remains dumb."

  "Mean you it is he who inspires your objection?" she asked scornfully.

  "No; yet I doubt not 'tis in his heart even as upon my lips."

  She turned aside, an incredulous smile curling her lips, lookingcuriously down upon him, and their eyes met. She stooped swiftly,severing the thongs of grass binding his arms, and with her own handsassisted him to rise.

  "A fair and noble gallant," she said softly, reluctantly turning backfrom him to me. "Not of hard, stern visage like yours, but with thebearing of a gentleman, the smile of a courtier. Pish! he will notmiss her over-much, or else I read not rightly the challenge of hiseyes. But come, hunter, I bade you go in haste, nor is it well for anyone to wait my bidding twice."

  "'T is no more than just we should be told the destiny of ourcompanions," I persisted, determined not to desert them thus. "May notboth the Puritan and the woman abide with us?"

  Her eyes flashed in uncontrolled anger, her lips giving vent to a low,cruel laugh.

  "I tell you no, and understand once for all my word is law. You arenot standing before a French court to haggle over trifles, and disputeabout your rights. Bah! you have no rights; you live from day to daymerely by my whim. The red-headed man tarries where he is as long asit remains my pleasure; while as to yon dainty creature, she shall meetno harm. Forsooth, it will not greatly hurt her to be beyond yoursight for a space."

  "Does she bide with you?"

  "If I so will it, yes; if not, no. Who are you, hunter, to darequestion Naladi after she bids you cease?" she exclaimed, her cheekscrimsoning. "Now go; go ere I am tempted to show you I possess powerto enforce my will. Another word, and you will long regret it."

  She was a tigress now, her eyes burning into mine with the fiercenessof a wild animal scenting blood. It would have been sheer madness toattempt more, with those scowling, savage faces lowering at us fromevery side, their possessors only too eager to spring forward in cruelobedience to a gesture of their Queen. A single word from her red lipswould, in spite of all superstition, cause them to rend us limb fromlimb, so I bade De Noyan follow me, feeling relief when once beyond hersight in the cool depths of the sheltering hut.

  "Well, Master Benteen," remarked my comrade easily, finding a softbearskin upon which to rest his aching limbs, "this is an odd companyamong whom you have piloted us; one not altogether appealing to mytaste in its masculine elements. Yet, damme, but you possess rareadvantage over the rest of us in holding converse with these people,while I must remain dumb as an oyster, save for a glance of the eye.Perhaps, now that we have time for it, you will kindly explain themeaning of all this mummery with which we passed the night, for, by allthe gods of Rome, it was weird enough to turn my hair gray, yet Iunderstood neither word nor deed. How came that grim preacher toattain such honor, taking position beside their peerless Queen?"

  His idiotic lightness of speech and manner jarred unpleasantly upon myhumor. I was heavy-hearted from what had passed, retaining littleconfidence in the future, yet I told him the story as best I could,trusting the recital might serve to sober him, so we could counseltogether regarding our plans.

  "_Pardieu_! 'twas rather a pretty trick of the lady," he exclaimedlaughingly, as I ended the tale. "She would do honor to a morepretentious court with her wit as well as beauty. What did you callthe title she bore?"

  "'Daughter of the Sun' was the name given in the altar-house yonder;later she made use of the word Naladi."

  "Ay! that was it. 'T is a name fitting her well to my taste, and Iboast of some experience with the sex. _Sacre_! I trust not to haveseen the last of so fair a vision as this Queen Naladi."

  He was twirling his moustache, such a look of complacency upon hisfeatures I could only stare at him in bewildered surprise.

  "You appear reconciled to our situation with marvellous good grace," Imanaged to say at last, in a tone which made no attempt to conceal mydisgust at his coxcombry. "For myself I can see very little to hopefor."

  "Tut, tut, man," stretching himself negligently into a posture ofgreater ease, "an old soldier learns to take things as they come,without complaint; to extract sweets from every flower. Surely here isa rare rose we have uncovered blooming in the wilderness; nor am Iblind to its beauty, or unmindful of my privileges. Besides, lad, whatis there greatly to worry about? We are preserved, you tell me, fromtorture; food will undoubtedly be supplied in plenty, while the lady issurely fair enough to promise pleasant companionship in exile--providedI ever
learn to have private speech with her. What was the tongue?"

  "We conversed in Spanish."

  "I thought as much; there were certain familiar words. But, as I said,why complain of fate, with all these blessings showered upon us._Pardieu_! it would prove us ungrateful wretches. Surely 'tis betterthan the tender mercy of O'Reilly, ay, or the hardship and starvationof the trail."

  "You have forgotten your wife."

  "Forgotten? _Sacre_! I should say not, Master Benteen; nor is thatlikely to occur. Yet what cause have I to worry regarding her presentcomfort. Did you not say that the Queen pledged her safety and goodcare? What more could I accomplish for her than that, even were weback in New Orleans, beneath French protection? Saint Denis! you areof a complaining breed, inclined to act as conscience for your betters.True, there are some few things I greatly miss, that would minister tocomfort. I was ever careful in my toilet, and choice as to my wines intown; still, if these savages have not lost my soaps and brushes, Iwill strive to exist even here, and be content until a way opens towardthat which is better."

  "I greatly admire your patience."

  "Pah! 'tis but the long practice of a soldier. Yet I am somewhat wearyfrom the night, and, if you have talked enough, will seek rest to dreamof Naladi, trusting she may send for me ere long. Did you note thebeauty of her eyes?"

  "I marked their cruelty."

  "_Le Diable_! I ever admired spirit in a woman; 'tis the greaterpleasure to watch them take on softer light. In such orbs love shinesthe clearer, once awakened."

  I sat there some time in silence until he fell asleep. Then, realizinghow useless it was for me, wearily as my eyelids drooped, to strivelonger in thought, I sought another robe to rest upon, and was soonhappily unconscious also.

  I presume some unusual noise aroused me, for as I awoke and staredabout, unable at the moment to comprehend my situation, I noticed, byevidence of the sun shining through the entrance of the hut, it wasalready past the noon hour. Consciousness becoming more acute, Iperceived, standing barely within the shadows of the interior, thedusky figure of a warrior, unarmed, and motionless except for a gestureof the hand which seemed to command my following him. Retainingconcealed within my doublet the sharp knife intrusted to me by Madame,I felt little trepidation at the fellow's presence, nor was thereanything about his countenance to foster alarm, he appearing the leastferocious of aspect of all I had observed among the tribe. A moment Ihesitated, then believing him a messenger from the Queen, I followedhis retreating figure out into the sunlight.

  The village reposed in loneliness and silence, nor did I see even childor dog playing before the square huts as we passed them. As we mountedhigher along the slope and began climbing the strangely rounded hill onthe summit of which perched the altar-house, I glanced back curiouslyover the plain outspread below. Little clusters of dark figures werescattered here and there throughout the pleasant valley, many of themcongregated along the greener banks of the circling water-course,others scattered more widely afield, yet all earnestly engaged incultivation of the ground. This quiet, pastoral scene was so foreignto all my previous conception of Indian nature that for the moment Ipaused amazed, gazing upon this picture of peaceful agriculture in theheart of the wilderness. Surely, cruel, revengeful savages though theywere, yet here was a people retaining traditions of a higher life thanthat of the wild chase and desert war. I could perceive no guardsstationed anywhere, yet felt no doubt that every entrance leading intothis hidden paradise, this rock-barricaded basin amid the hills, wouldbe amply protected by armed and vigilant warriors, confining us assecurely within its narrow limits as if a dozen savages followed ourevery footfall. My silent guide, after one glance across his nakedshoulder, to assure himself that I followed, led straight forward upthe hill on a dog-trot, soon placing him far in advance. At theentrance of the altar-house he paused, showing disinclination to enter.In obedience to a gesture I passed within, leaving him standing there,as if awaiting my return, a silent statue in light bronze, the glow ofthe sunshine upon him.

  Wondering what my mission might be, I remained a moment motionlessslightly within the entrance, my eyes almost totally blinded by thesudden transition from the garish day to that dull interior. Slowlythe scene within resolved itself into clearer detail. I began toperceive the crawling red flames licking with hungry tongues along thesides of the huge log resting upon the altar block, and laterdistinguished the black figure of a priest moving silently from pointto point amid the shadows, engaged upon the grewsome functions of hisoffice, his presence ever manifested by the dismal crooning with whichhe worked his magic spells. Beyond these vague suggestions oflife--for they seemed scarcely more--it was like endeavoring to soundthe depths of a cavern, so black, still, and void was all within andabout. Yet, even as I stood thus, peering uneasily into the gloom, Iwas thoroughly startled at the sudden booming forth of a voice,apparently issuing from the darkest corner.

  "May the Lord God forgive ye, Master Benteen, and be merciful unto ye,for thus placing His minister in such stress. 'T is I, EzekielCairnes, who hath become an abomination unto Israel."

  There was a tone of such utter depression in the great roaring voice, Ifeared some serious mishap had befallen him, and hastened to cross theroom, heading toward the corner whence the sound came. As I attainedthe outer edge of the platform, groping my passage through the densegloom, I was halted in the midst of a dozen or more savages, lyingprone upon the hard floor, evidently in adoration of that grotesquefigure perched above, and now clearly revealed by a blazing up of thecharred log. Not one among them stirred from his prostrate position atmy approach. Forgetting them instantly, my whole attention becameriveted upon the marvellous transformation presented by my old Puritancomrade. Odds! what a sight! He sat bolt upright, as though bound inthat stiff posture, occupying a low dais, almost at the edge of theplatform. This latter had been covered with a glaring crimson cloth,roughly woven, presumably of native manufacture, peculiarly brilliantin its coloring, and hence of rare beauty to Indian eyes. At myapproach he began straining at the cords which held him helpless, and Isoon saw that his entire body was wrapped about with ropes of grass insuch a manner as to render vain any hope of escape. His oddly shapenfigure, with the wide, square shoulders and short legs, waslikewise-draped in red, above which flared his fiery shock ofdishevelled hair, while a face fairly distorted with rage, gray fromloss of sleep, and rendered ludicrous by its little snapping eyes,glared down upon me.

  "Memory of Beelzebub! It would be no matter of laughter for ye, MasterBenteen," he snorted savagely, straining at his cords, "could I burstthese accursed strings, and lay my hands to your throat. Ay! nor wouldyonder idolatrous swine lie there long if I once got free among them.Imagine not, vain and presumptuous unbeliever that the Lord GodAlmighty--He who rideth in the chariot of the whirlwind--will longpermit the heathen to profane His holy places, or triumph in the miseryof one of the elect. There cometh the Day of Judgment, when the wickedshall be scattered as chaff."

  "You are in a most unpleasant condition, friend," I replied,endeavoring to speak so as to calm his temper. "It is in sorrow, notpleasure, I behold you thus."

  "I am entangled in the snare of the Evil One, Master Benteen. But Icontinue manfully to war against the adversary even as becomes my highstation."

  "Have you been long in so pitiful a state? I dreamed not it would evercome to this."

  "It may be true you were ignorant of the wiles of that emissary ofSatan who doth encompass us," he acknowledged, a trifle mollified by mysympathy. "I would not be guilty of evil thought even toward anunregenerated heretic. Yet I have sat thus, wrapped like a mummy ofthe Egyptians, since early dawn. Ay, verily have I been sore oppressedboth of body and spirit. Nor has there been any surcease, when theheathen have not lain thus at my feet. What means such action?"

  "They mistake you for a god, and prostrate themselves in worship. Youare unto them a mysterious visitant from the Sun--so the Queen namedyou, inspired by the
color of your hair."

  He groaned aloud, his chin dropping dejectedly upon his breast.

  "I feared as much, and the thought greatly oppressed me. 'T is as if Iwere a golden calf set aloft in the wilderness to mock the true God.It resteth heavy on my spirit to abide as a vain idol in the tents ofthese idolaters. When first they draped me with this foul livery ofSatan," he touched the scarlet robe gingerly with his chin, "I made sovigorous a protest two of the black imps went down before me, but theothers overpowered my struggles, binding me fast, as you see. But,verily, I have delivered unto them the whole truth as revealed unto thesaints; have struck and spared not--ay! the very language of thescriptures have I poured forth unstinted upon them, and drawn beforetheir eyes that fiery hell over which they dangle in their sins. Itmust be their understandings are darkened, for they hearken not unto myexhortations, only lie thus, or dance before me by the hour in unholyworship, snapping their fingers and shouting strange words, while twiceyonder black emissary of false religion held his smoking torch soclosely to my face the flame scorched the skin. Nor have my mostfervent prayers availed to drive them hence, or ease the prickings ofthe spirit. 'T is as if the ear of the Lord had been turned aside fromthe supplications of His servant; yea, verily, as if the vials of Hiswrath were being poured forth upon my head, because, in a moment ofweakness, I yielded to the machinations of that scarlet woman."

  "Have you again seen her?" I questioned anxiously, as he paused forbreath.

  "Seen her!--the accursed of God, the moral leper who rules this foulnest? Ay; I have, and may the Lord forgive my ever casting eyes uponsuch a shameless creature. 'T was she who brought me this disgrace.She stood by with mocking smile, bidding her savage minions bind mefast. She is the chief imp of Satan in spite of her fair face, andshall yet be stricken low by the avenging arm of the Almighty. 'Tis nogleam of mercy cometh to me from her taunts, nor in the harlot bloodflowing through her veins. I tell you, Master Benteen, she is theworst devil, for all her softness, in all this heathen crew; and if shespared our lives from the torture, it was done through some darkproject born of the demon within her soul. Nothing good can come forthfrom such as she. Marked you the eyes she cast on De Noyan?"

  "I paid no heed," I answered, wondering he had observed so much. "Haveyou supposed we may owe our escape unto him?"

  "Ay! she has marked him victim to her snare, nor do I doubt the fullsuccess of her venture. 'T is small stock of virtue which bedecksitself in such Punchinello dress as that gay gallant wears. Amalekiteis written upon his raiment, and he is ever attired as becomes abridegroom to the shameless harlot ruling this devils' den. Marry, hemay be good enough wielding a sword, yet will prove the undoing of allwho company with him in this adventure."

  "You are unjustly angry," I insisted, striving to make light of hiswords. "I value not the mercy of the woman, yet she used the onlymeans she had for restraining her savage followers. It was sternnecessity driving her to reliance on the magic of your red hair withwhich to save us all. No doubt she intends giving you early releasefrom so painful a situation."

  "You also are bewitched by her vain fleshly beauty," he bellowedstoutly. "'Tis a carnal generation. I tell you, Master Benteen, I aman old man, uplifted by communion of the Spirit above all fleshlylusts. I have faithfully preached the word of salvation to civilizedand savage more than forty years, and am not likely to be led astray bya glimpse of a fair face tempting me hellward. I speak you truth, asdelivered of God, so surely as were the tablets of the law deliveredunto Moses, when I say that she who, by some wile of the Devil, rulesthis tribe and holds our lives in her hands, is an incarnate fiend, whowill yet mock our agony whenever her own accursed lust shall besatisfied. 'T is not only that she jeered at me with cruel smiles, andaffronted a preacher of the Word by so ribald a covering; she did asclearly reveal the hideous sin of her heart unto that sweet lady wehave in our keeping."

  "Madame de Noyan?" I cried in awakened interest. "Mean you this womandared do wrong by her?"

  "I report only what my eyes beheld, for I can make nothing out of theirheathen gibberish. Yet she who journeyed with us, ever proving herselfa modest, high-bred lady in times of sore trial, begged upon her knees,with tears hot upon her cheeks, to be permitted to accompany you andher husband. What result? Why, this good Queen; this charmingcreature, stood there, like an insensate stone, gazing down upon her;and later, when the poor lady would not walk voluntarily, that paintedharlot ordered two lecherous warriors to drag her forth, and laughedlike a fiend at the scene."

  "Where did they take her?"

  "I know not; beyond the entrance she made no outcry that reached myears, while that red-draped witch came back smiling to work her will onme."

  This comprised all he knew, and, no matter what depth of sympathy I mayhave then felt for Master Cairnes in his unfortunate predicament, itwas equally clear I could do nothing to aid him. My heart was soheavily laden by the plight of Eloise, I retained no other desire thana longing to return at once to the hut and hold consultation with DeNoyan. That same silent spectre accompanied me along the briefjourney, leaving me unguarded at the entrance. I entered hastily onlyto find the room vacant, my comrade gone.