The Arkansas banner., 1849-03-13
THE GOI-D DEVIL: Or. California Now. and Il uuHsIFeti Years i go.
nY GEORGE tirrtep

FART RIRsr-A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
 One handred years ago an adventurer, who had penetrated into tie heart of Mexico, was sitting in his hacienda near the city of the MoRtezumas, with the last rays of the setting upon his moody brow. His cheek rested on his hand, his eyes were upon the floor, and his lip, compressed between his cienched teeth, indicated mind absorbed in the nazes of a trembling hope, troublous memory. The view from the easement was beautiful--the lake and the city of Mexico, bathed in the sunset rays; with roeaBic mountain rising in the blue heaven, lone pyramid of snow and fire in a canopy Of cloudiess azure.
 But the thoughts of the adyenturer were not upon sublime scenery or bewitching landscapes. He was from the land of old Cas,ile; he had wandered to the land of Mexico in search of Fl Dorado: he was now thirty years of age, with d muscular form clad in dingy velvet bold foFehegI darkencd by anxiety and pocket excuse the anti-climax x-teEanted by a solitary doubioon. Therefore, Juan Gonzas sat at sunset in hls lonely hacienda, near the city of Montezu'na, with his cheek on his hand and his eye fixed upon the floor.
 "Ine2!' he sighed, '' Fl Dorado.'
 lnez was dark eyed; voluptuous lady. whom he had often seen in the cty-ai the Cathedral on the Alameda, at her fathers palace, smiling from the talcony-and without an Fl Dorado il was in,pos- siblc 10 win her hand That was the meaning of inc words coupled with sigh. There was also the thought Of hai-wiid peasant girl. who oitentime went singing, under burden of fruits and flowers along The road 10 the great city. She was brown checked, dark eyed maiden, with the mingled blood oi Castie and Mexico tlrohbug in her veins. Her name, Cayotla, was ofteDtime the lips Of the poor aGTenturer, and once or twice ho had spoken 10 her-she was, in zooth rude wild flower of a beauty; but the lady lncz was beautiful, and rich, and noble-aLas, for poor Cayotla
 Juan sat alone for long time, until the shadows of evening gathered the city and the lake, while Popacatepetl famed like a funeral pyre through the night. Suddenly our adventurer became aware of the presence of an intruder, who had entered unob- served and seated himself at the opposite side of the table. The stranger remarkable for his height and vigorous form, aud also for a singular hood which relieved his boldly marked features. His eyes were very bright; they sparkled like fire flies in the gloom. Who the stranger was, what was the nature of his mission with inc poor Castilian cannot tell but il is recorded that his interview Issted until the daylight rushed through ,he case ment when Juan WAS discovered with his eyes Iixcd upon the table, while te stranger sat opposite re- garding him with quiet look and sne.
 Fl Dorado" sand the stranger I4sa tiant roicc. " there is the map Of 1.-the Jesuis call II CaiiiOr- nla' he pointed 10 the parchment which spread upon ihe table Ii is yours, friend Juan. for mere song Come, we mnsl be going"
 BntJ Jnau pressed his hand against his trog, which was damp with sweat and fixed his glaring eyes upon the map, murmuring in an impassioned tone ;
 '' This room tuil of gold; gold in the Ty-r sands gold in hars gold in TaCksaDd ali in this country sa1ch yoG say you will discover to me--ior what ' He gazed upward into the face ol the stranger with out changiug the position ef his head, and awaited his reply a bSeaihless suspehse. '' am 10 sign De parchment, mark ye, harering away rnY immortal aoni. No devils woFa now-~Tou understand "
 The stranger rested his chin upon his hands, and threw one leg over the of inc chair.
 :" fafchmenis" he echoed. '' fig fer such non sense will discover the gold 10 you for The sake oi doing you pleasure ain an eccentric eharac- ter, teiosed hy eVeryhey and respected aike by ihs msfehaat, the priest, and the king Just coD,~ with me get this gold, and marry the Lady ines; and, with yonr two hundred and thirty billions of mil Hons af bright dnuboons. you may become the iuai monarch Of a world. Bah what need Of parch. Eaeuts in snch q case ''
 He smiled pleasantly, while Juan. absorbed in contemplation oi the map iel, soft hand stealing around his neck, under his dark earjs and heard hii *H4e@ whisrrr IT tone that startled him.
 The mah who sacrifices ail hts hopes hts home lNs days and nights for gol3. has no need cf pateh.