Randall Parrish - Prisoners of Chance

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"But how came they here?" I questioned.

"I was coming to that. It was some trouble with the French in
Bienville's day. Only a few escaped, and they were driven into these
hills; yet 't is said they saved a considerable amount of treasure
which had come to them from their fathers, together with some of the
mummified bodies of their kings. It is forty years since they
discovered this dell, and only the older men have any memory of the
discovery."

"What do they call themselves?"

"'Nalmas' was the word the Queen used, but they are that same people
whom we knew about in New Orleans as 'Natchez'; their old country was
called Tlapalan."

I sat silent, pondering upon his words, but before I thought out
further questioning, a warrior, bearing food, entered the hut. Setting
this down upon the ground before us, he drew back into the gathering
night shadows without uttering a word. That which I had just heard
caused me to gaze upon the fellow--a tall, stalwart savage--with newly
awakened interest, and I could not help observing again how widely the
type differed from those Indian tribes with whom my wandering border
life had rendered me familiar. Not only was this man of fairer,
clearer complexion, but his cheek-bones were not in the least
prominent, his nose was wide at the base and somewhat flattened, while
his forehead sloped sharply backward in such peculiar form as to
warrant the opinion that the deformity arose from a compression of the
frontal bone in infancy. The hair, although worn long and flowing down
the back, was decidedly wavy, and not coarse; the color was a ruddy
brown. The eyes of these Indians were bold, cruel, crafty, yet in many
instances the coloring was so light as to be startling; the average
stature was greater than that of those other Indians that I knew. In
short, they impressed me as being all that was claimed, a distinct
race, with characteristics more nearly allied to the Ethiopian and the
Mongolian than to the surrounding red races. As I figured this out
somewhat slowly, De Noyan busted himself with the meal, and, thus
engrossed, apparently forgot the topic of our conversation.

"And did this Queen Naladi claim to belong to this old race?" I
questioned, thinking thus to test his observation.

"Why not?" he asked in return, suspending operations, and glancing up
at me in surprise. "She referred to herself as the 'Daughter of the
Sun,' once saying that her ancestors ruled over this people for a
thousand years."

"She told you that?"

"At least so the black interpreted her words. Why question it?"

"Doubtless to your thought there exists small cause for questioning the
word of so fair a woman," I acknowledged dryly. "Yet to my vision, not
wholly blinded by her charms, she possesses more of the Caucasian in
face and manner than any other of the race. If she is not of European
birth I am a poor judge, Monsieur, and 't is my belief, if she told you
she was not, the woman lied."

I was scarcely prepared for the result of my words upon him; his face
flushed, a sudden glow of anger sweeping into his eyes.

"You are, indeed, of bold heart," he exclaimed scornfully, "to malign a
woman in her absence."

"There are women no words can malign," I retorted sharply, stung by his
tone, "I opine this Queen of savages belongs to that class. To my mind
it would be better were you to wax indignant over the wrongs of your
wife rather than over a just picturing of this harlot."

Before I could move to draw aside, he was upon his feet, and I felt the
stinging blow of his hand across my lips.

"_Sacre_!" he cried, transported by sudden rage, "Charles de Noyan
takes such affront from no man. I denounce you as a cowardly vilifier
of an absent woman."

I know not why I failed to strike the fellow down. My hand was hard on
the knife hilt within my doublet, yet I drew it not as we stood there
eye to eye. There was that between us--the dim, shadowy face of a
woman--which held me as by a chain. It seemed to me then as if my
knife point would have to pass through her before it touched his heart,
and, feeling thus, God gave me power to choke back the hot resentment,
and restrain my hand.

"Monsieur," I said sternly, "never has the hand of man touched me
before in anger without my making full return for the blow. Yet now I
strike you not. The time may come when I shall wipe out this insult,
but here and now you stand safe from my arm."

"Safe!" he sneered. "_Parbleu_! you are a cowardly hound to talk thus.
Safe! think you I have anything to fear at your hands?"

"I bid you restrain your tongue, Chevalier," I said, my voice unsteady.
"God being my witness, never before did you stand so close to death as
now. Look," and I held up the keen blade before his eyes. "This steel
thirsts for your blood; only one thought has intervened to save you."

"What was that?"

"The fact that you are the husband of one who was once Eloise
Lafreniere."

I know not how much of the truth he suspected, but for a moment we
stood thus, I half imagining he contemplated a leap at my throat. Then
his eyes fell, and he drew back with a short laugh.

"_Le Diable_! 'tis easy for some people to discover excuses at such a
time. Still, Monsieur, as you refuse to fight I may as well lie down;
having been early awake I am somewhat weary."

I watched him silently while he arranged his robes for the night.

"Before you sleep," I ventured, "it would please my curiosity to know
where this pure and peerless Queen of yours makes her abode."

"Ah! would you pay her a visit?" he asked suspiciously.

"Far from it; rather that I may avoid her. Yet we are not in specially
pleasant surroundings, and such information might not come amiss."

He sulked a moment over his answer, but finally relented.

"In that large hut upon the second mound."

"You spoke as if Madame de Noyan were beneath the same roof, yet you
saw her not. Does the hut differ from this in being divided into
rooms?"

"A partition runs through it from roof to floor. Naladi holds court in
the south room, which is decorated most lavishly with things of beauty."

"Then Madame occupies the northern portion?"

"So I understood," with a sleepy yawn. "I asked little in detail;
'twas enough for me to be assured she was well."

CHAPTER XXVII

A VENTURE IN THE DARK

It is occasion for deep regret that I was so blind to my opportunities
for learning much relative to this strange people. During those hours
of trial my thoughts were so occupied with our own dangers, it was
merely incidentally I considered anything else. No small temptation
now assails me to record many things I believe true, things I remember
vaguely; but I pass the temptation by, determined to write only what I
may vouch for as of my own observation.

I remained silent, leaning against the wall and making vigorous use of
my pipe, a long time after De Noyan fell peacefully asleep. While the
fast fading daylight clung dimly to the interior, my eyes were fastened
upon his upturned face, almost boyish in the unconsciousness of repose,
and I began to feel pity for his weakness, my anger against him fading
away. As the darkness became pronounced I remained there still, my
sleepless eyes paying small heed to night, the scenes I saw being of
the brain, memory awakening to paint with glowing colors across the
black screen. The evening was quiet,--within, no more was heard than
the regular breathing of my companion; without, an occasional savage
outcry, mingled with the low moaning of the night wind.

It became a lonely vigil, my thoughts unhappy. I had much to reflect
upon. The extreme difficulty of our present situation, encompassed and
separated as we were: De Noyan was bewitched by a siren who had already
bound him by silken cords to any nefarious scheme her unscrupulous
desires might compass; Cairnes was as helplessly entangled in her
power, although held to his fate by ropes of a different nature; while
Madame was scarcely less a prisoner, powerless to escape the ruthless
grasp of a false-hearted woman whose jealousy might at any instant lead
to measures of extremity. I alone of all our little company remained
somewhat my own master. My hands and heart at least were free from all
visible bonds. Yet what hideous mockery was such freedom! I realized
that I could venture no step beyond the door of the lodge without
becoming the focus of spying eyes; that all about was evidence of the
despotic power of this renegade white queen, who deigned to spare me
merely because she deemed I was utterly powerless to interfere with her
cruel purposes. Saint Andrew! it was an environment of evil to chill
the blood of any man, nor amid its gathering gloom could I distinguish
any gleam promising dawn. About us watched impatiently a horde of
ruthless savages, eager to make us victims of their torture, held back
temporarily only by the imperious will of this self-styled "Daughter of
the Sun," who ruled through appeal to their grossest superstitions.
She, I believed, in spite of fair face and evidences of culture, was as
vindictive, barbarous, and relentless as the wildest in that savage
band.

Over and over I turned such unhappy thoughts in my seething brain,
until the faintest sound from without had died away. I may have spent
hours thus, while De Noyan slept on peacefully as a tired child. At
last a wild desire for action overcame my lassitude, conquered all
lingering discretion. There arose before me, clearly as a painted
picture, the pleading face of her I loved. I knew that to no other was
she looking for aid in her despair. There might be little I could
accomplish for her succor, yet it would bring her new courage even to
exchange a brief word with some faithful friend, as proof that she was
not forgotten. Besides, I longed, as no expression can make clear, to
gaze again, if only for an instant, into her clear gray eyes, to listen
to the gentle murmur of her trustful voice. In brief, I was in the
mood for a desperate venture.

I crept to the open door, peering cautiously forth into the darkness.
It was a heavy night, the little basin was wrapped in shadow, and not
even a star peeped forth from the rifts of low-scudding clouds. In no
direction could I distinguish any twinkling of lights except a single
fitful flash from off the altar, where black-robed priests guarded the
sacred fire or worshipped before the Puritan. Encouraged by the
darkness I crept along the outer wall, unchallenged by the skulking
guard, and finally attained the upper corner. Here I observed a second
glimmer, which I instantly recognized as coming from the other great
house upon the summit of the mound--that house in which I understood
dwelt Queen Naladi, and where De Noyan said his wife remained prisoner.

I scarcely know what I hoped to accomplish by such a move, yet helpful
circumstances are apt to develop when one attempts boldly to do his own
part the best he may. It was in blind faith I crept forward through
the dry grass, drawing ever closer toward that beckoning light. It was
a long journey and a slow one, as the tribe would guard vigilantly the
dwelling-place of their Queen. At every rustle in the grass, every
flap of wing overhead, I paused, listening to the pounding of my heart.

I clasped closely in one hand the knife, my sole weapon of defence,
and, as my eyes became accustomed to the gloom and could distinguish
some things more clearly, I paused often, with uplifted head, to study
some indistinct object in the darkness. Thus advancing inch by inch,
avoiding with care the least rustling of dry grass, I wriggled
snake-like forward, until I began breasting the steeper incline of the
mound, its summit now outlined against the lighter space of overarching
sky.

All my rage deserted me when again in the open, actually attempting to
achieve a purpose. My brain cleared as by magic, every nerve steadying
itself to meet whatsoever peril might be lurking along the path.
Half-way up the mound I lay close to the earth, peering steadily
through the gloom. There was no cover to crouch behind, the slope
being totally bare of vegetation except for the short, dry grass, yet I
felt reasonably secure from observation unless I entered that bar of
light. Unable to do more than guess, I concluded that the single
flame, splitting the night like the shining blade of a sword, came from
the northern compartment, while the southern half remained wrapped in
silent darkness. Outwardly this Queen's residence was constructed much
like the building used by the priests as a temple. In the latter I
recalled two entrances opening respectively toward east and west. Were
a partition run between, as in this private dwelling, the eastern door
would open into the southern apartment. It was the west door through
which the light streamed, and, daring approach it no closer, my only
recourse lay in trying my fortune on the opposite side.

I began a winding advance along the sloping side of the hill, but sank
suddenly to earth as a spectral figure moved forth from the darkness,
stood a moment in the bright glare, and then strode past, vanishing
within the gloom like a shadow. It was an Indian, spear in hand, one
of the body-guard of the Queen. With renewed caution, my imminent
danger being manifest, I barely lifted my head from the level of the
grass, and began to work onward, reaching out until I got firm grasp on
a bunch of grass, then drawing my body forward the full extent of my
arms. The progress was slow, involving much labor, and it required a
full half-hour to attain the other side of the mound. I could now look
above, perceiving nothing except the black shadow of the house. If
Eloise was within, and if this door led to her prison, it was scarcely
possible that it was unguarded. Naladi had special reasons for looking
carefully after the safe keeping of this captive, and was not likely to
forget. I discovered no outward signs of life, but was too thoroughly
versed in wilderness ways to count upon that, knowing that each dark
shadow along the wall might conceal some crouching stealthy figure,
ready to pounce forth. With utmost care, anxiously scanning the silent
hillside, I drew myself forward, hardly venturing upon a full breath,
until I finally rested on my breast barely three paces from where I
believed the entrance must be.

I dreaded any attempt to advance into the unknown, yet I had no
intention of withdrawing until I had accomplished that end for which I
came. To retreat was foreign to my nature; indeed, I was now so close
to Eloise, it required an effort of will to restrain a desire to rush
blindly forward. But long training overcame this rash impulse. I
rested there, silent as a savage, seeking to trace each detail of what
was barely beyond my hand. It was little enough I could distinguish,
straining my eyes to the utmost; and finally, despairing of learning
more, I advanced my hands, silently groping for something to grasp,
when I was instantly frozen into a recumbent statue by a slight
movement of something directly in front. This was so faint that, had
not my every nerve been tense, I should scarcely have noted it at all.
Yet there could be no doubt--some one had given a slight shiver, as
though from the chill of the night air; whoever it might be, the person
was not three paces from my out-stretched hands, and, as near as I
could judge, must be sitting on the very threshold of the entrance.

I was in an awkward position. How I had succeeded in arriving there
without attracting attention was little short of miraculous. I durst
not venture on any retrograde movement; I even pressed my mouth against
the hard earth, the better to deaden the sound of breathing. I know
not how long I remained thus; it was until my strained muscles appeared
to cord themselves, and I could scarcely keep back a moan of pain. Yet
no other sound came from that mysterious presence. Intently as I
listened, not so much as the faint sound of breathing reached me.
Still I could not have been deceived; there assuredly had been
movement; I distinctly felt a consciousness of other presence, so that
every nerve tingled, and it required the utmost self-control to hold me
still. I fairly throbbed with insane impulses to leap forward and
solve the mystery.

Who could be lurking there in such silence? It must assuredly be an
enemy, a guard stationed to watch over the fair prisoner within;
doubtless, he would remain until relieved by some other. What hope for
successful advance held me in such agony of mind and body? I felt that
I must relieve my cramped limbs or else scream aloud in spite of every
effort at control. Slowly I drew back, my outspread hands searching
for some hummock of grass against which I might press, to force my body
silently downward, but discovered none. Then there sounded, slightly
to my left, the soft rustle of a moccasoned foot, and a low, guttural
voice muttered some indistinct sentences. The lurking form in my front
appeared to rise, and there was a brief grunt as if in response to
command. Then a huge warrior stalked past so close that his moccasoned
foot planted itself fairly between my outstretched arms. Instantly he
faded away within the enveloping gloom, and with hardly the hesitation
of a moment I was on hands and knees creeping toward my goal. With
groping fingers I touched the riven trunk that formed the threshold,
and, reaching upward, noted with a thrill of delight that merely a
heavy curtain of woven straw guarded the interior. There was no time
for hesitancy; at any instant the savage guard might return to his
deserted post. Pushing the slight barrier noiselessly aside, I gained
the interior, dropped the mat behind me, and, for the first time,
ventured to pause and survey my surroundings.

The single partition did not extend to the roof by a foot or more, so
sufficient light found passage through the narrow aperture to render
dimly visible the principal features of this apartment into which I had
ventured. It was evidently a sleeping-chamber, handsomely furnished in
barbaric fashion, the faint light gleaming on numerous burnished
ornaments, while a carpet of soft skins concealed the floor. To this I
gave brief attention, my anxious glance falling almost instantly upon
the draped figure of a woman, vaguely defined in the dimness, lying
outstretched on a slightly raised cushioned couch, her face concealed
by the denser shadows of the wall, sound asleep.

Cautiously I crept forward, hesitating to touch her lest so sudden an
awakening might cause alarm. It seemed safer to trust in speech, as
then she would recognize at once who was by her side.

"Madame," I whispered softly, my lips as close as possible to her tiny
ear, "I seek brief word with you to-night."

She must have slept lightly, for at my faint whisper I perceived that
her wide-opened eyes were scrutinizing my face.

"'Tis I, Madame, Geoffrey Benteen. I beg you make no noise."

"You need have no fear," returned a soft voice in purest Spanish. "You
do me honor by so unexpected a visit; I bid you welcome, Geoffrey
Benteen."

CHAPTER XXVIII

SPEECH WITH NALADI

If you were ever rudely aroused from pleasant dreams by a sudden dash
of cold water in your face, you may partially comprehend my emotions
upon hearing these words of greeting, and realizing that I was looking
into the beautiful, pitiless eyes of the Daughter of the Sun, now
sitting upright on the couch, happily smiling at my embarrassment.

"Nay, Geoffrey Benteen," she exclaimed, significantly waving her white
hand as she noted my swift glance backward, "retire not thus suddenly.
You must be a marvellous woodsman to have attained this place through
the watchful cordon of my guards, but 'tis not likely you would so
safely run the gantlet of return. You are not so fair of visage as
your gay companion the Chevalier, yet now you are here I will enjoy a
short time with you. Yet first let us understand each other. For what
purpose do you invade my apartment so boldly?"

"I came," I replied, believing frankness would prove my best play in
this crisis, "expecting to find not you, but your prisoner."

"Ah! you are honest, if not complimentary," a quick flash of
understanding in her bright eyes. "So it was another woman for whose
sake you came creeping recklessly through the night! God's mercy! I
even ventured to dream my charms had pierced the dull armor of your
cold English heart, yet here you merely stand and laugh at me,--would
even flee my presence as though pestilence were upon my breath. Why, I
wonder? am I not also fair? Why then flout me thus disdainfully?
Naladi has not been accustomed to such harsh treatment at the hands of
your sex."

"You are, indeed, beautiful both in form and face," I answered, seeking
to avoid quarrel, "but it is not for a mere adventurer of the woods to
utter words of love to such as you."

Her lips curled in sarcastic smile.

"Pish! you grow marvellously modest all at once. I bid you note that
the passion of love cares nothing for a registry of birth--it looks to
flesh and blood, not records. There is more hidden in your secret
heart to-night than finds utterance upon the lips. You have the soft
speech of a diplomat, full of guile and cunning. Come, I bid you tell
me the whole truth. Do you think me an untutored savage, that you deny
me in such disdain?"

"I know not how it may prove regarding your heart," I said boldly, not
hesitating to meet her questioning eyes, "but in manner and graces you
exhibit the gloss of courts."

She smiled mockingly, rising to her feet and saluting me with a low
curtsy.

"Ah! very prettily said, senor. I perceive your objection then: you
think me fairer without than within. I dare not contend you are
altogether wrong in such conjecture. Faith, why not, senor? It would
be strange otherwise. All lives do not flow gently amid prosaic
routine, and my ship has been often enough upon the rocks. I have
learned reasons of deceit and cruelty in the hard school of experience.
If, in years of trial, I have grown hard of judgment, reckless of
action, it is because others have been harsh with me. Power is
naturally tyrannical. But then what use for us to dwell upon the past?
So you came to-night to meet another? 'T is strange the risks a man
will run for so infinitesimal a reward. Yet, Mother of God, it gives
me a pleasant tale to pour into the ears of him you call De Noyan when
we meet again to-morrow. If I mistake not, the one you seek in secret
bears the name of that gay gallant. At least, she masquerades in this
wilderness under the title of Madame de Noyan. But 'tis you, not he,
her reputed husband, forsooth, who seeks her chamber in the midnight.
Truly 'tis a pretty tale of romance."

It flashed upon me, as she thus lightly spoke, what infernal use an
unscrupulous woman might easily make of this. The imputation lurking
in her words aroused me to defiant anger, yet before I could collect my
thought to make reply, she marked my hesitancy and continued with
bitter sarcasm.

"Madame possesses so sweetly innocent a face I should never have
suspected her of being an immodest wanton, were it not for the evidence
of my own eyes. 'T is a strange world, senor. Yet I have often heard
this is the way with these _grandes dames_ of France."

"It is only your own foulness of thought which places such construction
upon my coming here," I broke forth, determined I would face her down
at every hazard. "You know well my purpose; I came seeking to aid one
you held prisoner. It is all because of your sin, not ours. You have
robbed this Chevalier de Noyan of all his manhood by your cursed smiles
and honeyed speech. You have made him forget his sworn duty unto her
who is his wife."

"How interesting you grow," she interrupted, her lips curling, her eyes
hardening. "Senor, you grow almost handsome when your eyes flash. So
you felt called upon to devote yourself to this poor, misused,
neglected wife? I trust you have not found it an unpleasant service,
or entirely without reward?"

"I felt called upon to aid her in escaping from your grip."

"Ah, indeed? Would you kindly, senor, tell me how you proposed
performing such a miracle? It remains in my memory some such effort at
release has been made before," her eyes hardening like diamonds. "Down
yonder stands a blackened post which tells how Naladi deals with those
daring to mock her will."

"You may spare threats," I retorted, gathering courage from rising
anger, "as I care nothing for your good will, nor shall I swerve an
inch in the hope of escaping your savage vengeance. Madame de Noyan is
so far above you in every attribute of unsullied womanhood that no
words of yours can ever besmirch her reputation; while, as to myself, I
remain so certain of my own rectitude in the action of this night, I
challenge you to do your worst."

"No doubt the Chevalier will also feel confidence in all you say," she
added maliciously. "I understand it is the way with the French."

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