The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-23

NJ his comnanion that they had already ne
. come fixed in the unrelaxing grasp Of DEAN.
But nj thai instant, without speaking, the old
man lified his hand and pointed suddenly to
the Quarter OF the heavens in which he had
watched the star OF his friends nativity. The
eve OF Vasco Nunez insiinciisely followed the
direction At that moment, cloud, winch
he had no where seen before In The heavens,
passed over the rival siars---the good and The
evil aspect alike---and completely shrouded
them from his gaze. The hand OF the astro-
logger dropped almost lifelessly beside him;
and the strong man and fearless warrior, how
ever greatly his experience had moved him to
question the certainly OF the astrologer's pre-
diction, was yet moved with feeling OF reve-
rental awe, which he vainly stroye to dispel.
He would have spoken the language Of mirth,
or indifference, at least, but his voice failed
him---a husky whisper escaped his lips, and
no more. The tongue Glove to the roof OF the
mouth, and silence, like that among the
stars, hung over the two for the space of many
minutes.
The old man resumed the conversation.
g cannot mistake these signs, Nasco Nu-
nez. tell thee, danger awaits thee. The
fate which has so long hunted thee, still hangs
upon thy heels. II is for thee still, by diiigent
watch and calm wisdom, under Gods smile
and sanction, 10 elude il, as thou hast done
heretofore. Thou hast still to watch and
pray, my son watch for the foe, and pray for
the deliverance. But my soul is heavy inthy
behalf, yasco. Full fifteen years have we
sped together, and have loved thee as my
own son. Thou knowest how have loved
thee, with feeling no less strange to age
than TO youth Thou hast seemed 10 me from
the first, one commissioned 10 do wonders
and ] have yearned for thy greatness. as If it
had been greatness of my own. Would
had been called at the blessed hour when we
stood together on the peak of Darien and be-
held, for the first time, the silver waters OF the
strange sea below. | had been spared a con-
stant apprehension, which leaves me now, as
thou seest. faint, feeble and cast down, as
with a nameless affection Give me thy arm,
my son. need thy help even 10 the shelter
of yon tree, where watch, rather than sleep
the starry evening away"
''Shall | give thee help, senor?' demanded
voice at the side of the adeantado while he
assisted the aged man from the earth.
"Ha! thou there, Pedro 70
The astroloaer looked on the youth with
keen, piercing glance Of his light grey eye,
and then remarked
s'Surely have seen that face hut now--it
has passed strangely before me to night"
"True, my father" replied Vasco Nunez,
sit is Pedro-thou shouldst know-the secre-
tay."
"Ay, ay! that know, my son, continued
the old man sharply, "but methinks | have
seen him elsewhere Tonight have not be-
held him on the island"
A fear touched the mind Of Vasco Nunez
that the thoughts Of the old man wandered,
and saying nothing to provoke farther excite
ment, he assisted him to the shady palm, I'M
der which the sylvan couch had been pre-
pared.
"Hast thou heard this old mans prophecy
tonight, Pedro 7" demanded Vasco Nunez,
when they had left Nicer Codro to his re-
pose.
mo, my lord" answered the other hesitat-
ingly-and falsely. 81 drew nigh at the mo-
ment when he claimed the help Of thy arm
What is the prophecy, senor?"
"Nay, Pedro, if thou hast not heard, it will
be of little profit to thee now to hear. Away
to Francisco Companion, Pedro, and bid him
get the brigantines in readiness by dawn
The breeze will favor US at morning. and the
longest life were too short to see all the won
ders of this vast ocean. | would make the
most Of mine. Away"
"Ay I" exclaimed the youth, as he proceed
ed on his way TO the brigan,ines, where Com
panon commanded ":rhine will be shorter
than thou thinkest. Yet, is it not strange that
this old man, Nicer Codro, should hit so
rightly upon the danger Of Vasco Nunez =
True, as be would say, never seemed fortune
more favorable TO man than his at this hour to
him. Should there be, indeed, language in
the stars which one might read Yet why
should it be thus imperfectly written? Why
should Nicer Codro, if he beheld it, go no
farther! He spoke of scaffold and public
execution, yet Of this there is truly no danger.
There was something of smile and dagger
the dagger is surely in my hand, but Bless
ed Mary! / have not smiled this season, nor
do l think shall ever smile again. But here
are the brigantines."
Meanwhile Vasco Nuncz proceeded to the
pleasant grove which had" been assigned to
Garcia, and where, with fond but. usual inn
patience, she sleeplessly awaited him. A rude
tent formed the sleeping apartment, in the
front Of which, the free use of Ratchet and
axe had robbed the primitive wood Of another
chamber, scarcely less compact and close. A
narrow entrance through the dense shrubbery
was concealed by heavy dark Spanish cloak
suspended from the branches, and no eyes
but those Of the unsusplcions stars were able
to penetrate the thick enclosure.
"Ah, my lord, thou art slow to seek the
poor damsel Of Darien. When the great can
non of the big canoe made thunder TO tell Of
thy coming from the sea, looked for thee,
and thou earnest not"
"But am come now, Garcia"
"Ah, yes, my lord, and should be happy,