The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-07
EElRT OF THB WORLD.
nv n. RIDER HAGaARD.
copvriOh, 1891, by H. Rider Baooard.
CT XIV.
TOMATOES OATH.


hands and feet were swollen.
"senora," said bowling before her. hum
bly congratulate you upon yopr courage ant
your escape from great dangers. Last night
,sid words TO you in my grief that should MOI
hive been spoken, for IL IL my fault that an
ant TO he unjust to women. Now crave your
parion. and will add that II In atonement fol
my past injustice can serve you in any way
now and aftcrward pray you to command me,
She listened. and answered.;
II thank you for your kind words Don Igna.
ito and forget other words that were not kind
which you have spoken 10 me from TO time. II
IN truth you wish to show yourself my friend II
Is In your power to do 90. You have guessed my
secret, therefore I am not ashamed 10 repeat
that the senior yonder has become everything u
me- though a. yet may be little to him. ask
you then TO swear upon the Heart that you will
do nothing 10 turn him from me or to separate
US should he ever learn to love me, but rather.
should this come about, that whatever our need
you will help us by all means in your reach"
You AJAX me 10 swear q largo oath, sefIora,
and one that deals with the future, of which We
have no knowledge" answered, hesitating.
II do, senior; but remember. wore IL not for me
ct this moment your friend who sleeps yonder
like child would be stiff In death. Remember,
also, that you have ends TO gain in the City of
the Heart whore IL will be we'll for you TO have
mo as friend should we ever live 70 reach It.
Still, do not swear unless you wish, only then
shall know that you are my secret enemy and I
shall be yours"
There 10 no need 10 threaten me, sefora," I
answered, NOR am to be moved thus; but
promise that will not stand between you and
the senior. Why should II His will 10 his own.
and, as you say. you saved his life. But see, he
awakes. and his soup is ready"
She took the pot of tho fire, skimmod IT. and
poured the contents into gourd.
Shall take II, or will you :" she asked.
II think that you had better take It."
answered.
Then she walked to tho hammock and said:
"Sehor. here 10 your soup"
He was but newly awakened, and looked at
her vacantly.
Tell me. Maya" he said. "what has hap
penedf"
Last evening"" she began, "in picking .
flower for me you were bitten by snake and
very nearly died"
know" he said. without doubt I should
have died had you not sucked the wound and
bed bandage round my wrist: for that gray
make is the deadliest In the country. Go on"
After the danger Of the poison was past you
became thirsty, so thirsty that you were dying
n II, and there was water to give you."
Yes. yes" he said: 1T was agony. pray
INT may never suffer so again. But drank
~atcr and lived. Who brought It TO me1"
My father started on TO the next camping
Hare. where there is pool" she answered.
Has he returned2"
No: not yet"
Then he cannot have brought the water,
Where did It come from ?"
1t came from the cueva, that place which
We examined before you were bitten"
Who went down the cueva to get it7 Tho
place Is unclimable."
Il went down."
You" he said, in smazement. "Youl II Is
not possible. DO not Jest. Tell me the truth.
Quick; am tired"
Il am not testing. Listen. sehor. You were
diving for want OF water. dying before our eyes;
II was horrible to see. could not bear II, and
knew that my father would not be back In time;
20 took the water skin and some torches and
went without saying anything to Ignatio. The
place was hard TO climb and the adventure
strange. will tell you OF II by and by: but as
II CHANGED, came through IL safely, to find Ig-
natio about TO start on the same errand."
The sehor heard and understood. but made no
answer. He only stretched out his arms toward
her AMI there in the wilderness did they plight
their troth.
Remember. am but an Indian girl" she
murmured presently. and you are one of the
should love me ?"
1T is WELL" he answered: for you are tho
noblest woman that have known. and you have
saved my life"
Iihalbay did not return until past midday,
when he appeared with the water. leading the
mule. which had set It's foot upon a sharp stone
in the desert and gone lame.
Does he still live ?" he asked Of Maya
Yes, father"
" He must be strong. then" he answered. IT
though, that tho want OF water would have
killed him ere now"
" lilo has had water. father. I descended the
cueva and fetched it." she added after . mo
mcnt's pause.
The old man looked at her. amazed
4" How came II that you found courage to go
down that place. dauRhterr" he ask cd ct length.
THE desire TO save a friend gave me
courage" she answered, letting her eyes fall
beneath his gaze. ~ knew that you could not
BE- back in time. 90 I went"
Iibalbay pondered awhile, then said:
- think that you would have done better 10
let him die, daughter. for believe that this
white man will bring trouble upon us. II has
pleased the gods to preserve you alive. Re-
member that your life belongs 10 them and that |
you must follow the path that they have chosen.
not that which you would choose for yourself. |
Remember, also. that one waits you In the city |
yonder who may have a word 10 say as TO your |
friendship with this wanderer." And he passed |
on with the mule; That same evening Maya |
told me ~ her fathers words, and said:
think that before all is done shall need the |
help that you have sworn to give me- senior for |
can see well that my father will be against me
unless my wish runs with his purpose or one
thing am sure. that my life is my own and not
the gods. for In such gods as my father worshIps
ana was brought up 10 serve, l have lost faith,
II indeed ever had any"
; = You spesk, rashIy,"I said, and II you arc
wise you will not let your father hear such
Lest by and by my life should be forfeit 70
the gods whom ! blaspheme," she broke in |
/, Say, then, do you believe in these gods Don
No, lady, l am a Christian and have no part
Will Idols and those who worship them"
understand; IL is only in their wealth that
you would have part. Well, and why should |
hnt become Christian alsoY have learned |
something OF your faith from the senior yOndeF
s9 s5s tina, u Is great and pure, and full OF
MSy grace be g.sea TO you 70 follow in that
ahll LAY, but Il Is not Christian To tAunt me
sn'ut The wealth that come 10 seek for the adj
SbbH g 81 our race seeing that YOU know ask
II Forgive me, she answered; my tongue IL
fuIsaIP a. yours has been at times, Don IEnatlo.
hEstA' lhe senior calls me-"