CONTENTS
THELEGENDOFMONTEDELDIABLO
THEADVENTUREOFPADREVICENTIO
THELEGENDOFDEVIL’SPOINT
THEDEVILANDTHEBROKER
THEOGRESSOFSILVERLAND
THERUINSOFSANFRANCISCO
ANIGHTATWINGDAM
LEGENDSANDTALES。
THELEGENDOFMONTEDELDIABLO。
Thecautiousreaderwilldetectalackofauthenticityinthefollowingpages。Iamnotacautiousreadermyself,yetIconfesswithsomeconcerntotheabsenceofmuchdocumentaryevidenceinsupportofthesingularincidentIamabouttorelate。Disjointedmemoranda,theproceedingsofayuntamientosandearlydepartmentaljuntas,withotherrecordsofaprimitiveandsuperstitiouspeople,havebeenmyinadequateauthorities。Itisbutjusttostate,however,thatthoughthisparticularstorylackscorroboration,inransackingtheSpanisharchivesofUpperCaliforniaIhavemetwithmanymoresurprisingandincrediblestories,attestedandsupportedtoadegreethatwouldhaveplacedthislegendbeyondacavilordoubt。Ihave,also,neverlostfaithinthelegendmyself,andinsodoinghaveprofitedmuchfromtheexamplesofdiversgrant-
claimants,whohaveoftenjostledmeintheirmorepracticalresearches,andwhohavemysinceresympathyatthescepticismofamodernhard-headedandpracticalworld。
FormanyyearsafterFatherJuniperoSerrofirstranghisbellinthewildernessofUpperCalifornia,thespiritwhichanimatedthatadventurouspriestdidnotwane。TheconversionoftheheathenwentonrapidlyintheestablishmentofMissionsthroughouttheland。SosedulouslydidthegoodFatherssetabouttheirwork,thataroundtheirisolatedchapelstherepresentlyaroseadobehuts,whosemud-plasteredandsavagetenantspartookregularlyoftheprovisions,andoccasionallyoftheSacrament,oftheirpioushosts。Nay,sogreatwastheirprogress,thatonezealousPadreisreportedtohaveadministeredtheLord’sSupperoneSabbathmorningto\"overthreehundredheathenSalvages。\"ItwasnottobewonderedthattheEnemyofSouls,beinggreatlyincensedthereat,andalarmedathisdecreasingpopularity,shouldhavegrievouslytemptedandembarrassedtheseHolyFathers,asweshallpresentlysee。
Yettheywerehappy,peacefuldaysforCalifornia。ThevagrantkeelsofpryingCommercehadnotasyetruffledthelordlygravityofherbays。Notornandraggedgulchbetrayedthesuspicionofgoldentreasure。Thewildoatsdroopedidlyinthemorningheat,orwrestledwiththeafternoonbreezes。Deerandantelopedottedtheplain。Thewatercoursesbrawledintheirfamiliarchannels,nordreamedofevershiftingtheirregulartide。ThewondersoftheYosemiteandCalaveraswereasyetunrecorded。TheHolyFathersnotedlittleofthelandscapebeyondthebarbaricprodigalitywithwhichthequicksoilrepaidthesowing。Anewconversion,theadventofaSaint’sday,orthebaptismofanIndianbaby,wasatoncethechronicleandmarveloftheirday。
AtthisblissfulepochtherelivedattheMissionofSanPabloFatherJoseAntonioHaro,aworthybrotheroftheSocietyofJesus。
Hewasoftallandcadaverousaspect。Asomewhatromantichistoryhadgivenapoeticinteresttohislugubriousvisage。Whileayouth,pursuinghisstudiesatfamousSalamanca,hehadbecomeenamoredofthecharmsofDonaCarmendeTorrencevara,asthatladypassedtohermatutinaldevotions。Untowardcircumstances,hastened,perhaps,byawealthiersuitor,broughtthisamourtoadisastrousissue;andFatherJoseenteredamonastery,takinguponhimselfthevowsofcelibacy。Itwasherethathisnaturalfervorandpoeticenthusiasmconceivedexpressionasamissionary。A
longingtoconverttheuncivilizedheathensucceededhisfrivolousearthlypassion,andadesiretoexploreanddevelopunknownfastnessescontinuallypossessedhim。InhisflashingeyeandsombreexteriorwasdetectedasingularcomminglingofthediscreetLasCasasandtheimpetuousBalboa。
Firedbythispiouszeal,FatherJosewentforwardinthevanofChristianpioneers。OnreachingMexico,heobtainedauthoritytoestablishtheMissionofSanPablo。LikethegoodJunipero,accompaniedonlybyanacolyteandmuleteer,heunsaddledhismulesinaduskycanyon,andranghisbellinthewilderness。Thesavages——apeaceful,inoffensive,andinferiorrace——presentlyflockedaroundhim。Thenearestmilitarypostwasfaraway,whichcontributedmuchtothesecurityofthesepiouspilgrims,whofoundtheiropentrustfulnessandamiabilitybetterfittedtorepresshostilitythanthepresenceofanarmed,suspicious,andbrawlingsoldiery。SothegoodFatherJosesaidmatinsandprime,massandvespers,intheheartofSinandHeathenism,takingnoheedtohimself,butlookingonlytothewelfareoftheHolyChurch。
Conversionssoonfollowed,and,onthe7thofJuly,1760,thefirstIndianbabywasbaptized,——aneventwhich,asFatherJosepiouslyrecords,\"exceedstherichnesseofgoldorpreciousjewelsorthechancingupontheOphirofSolomon。\"IquotethisincidentasbestsuitedtoshowtheingeniousblendingofpoetryandpietywhichdistinguishedFatherJose’srecord。
TheMissionofSanPabloprogressedandprospereduntilthepiousfounderthereof,liketheinfidelAlexander,mighthaveweptthattherewerenomoreheathenworldstoconquer。Buthisardentandenthusiasticspiritcouldnotlongbrookanidlenessthatseemedbegottenofsin;andonepleasantAugustmorning,intheyearofgrace1770,FatherJoseissuedfromtheoutercourtoftheMissionbuilding,equippedtoexplorethefieldfornewmissionarylabors。
Nothingcouldexceedthequietgravityandunpretentiousnessofthelittlecavalcade。Firstrodeastoutmuleteer,leadingapack-muleladenwiththeprovisionsoftheparty,togetherwithafewcheapcrucifixesandhawks’bells。AfterhimcamethedevoutPadreJose,bearinghisbreviaryandcross,withablackserapathrownaroundhisshoulders;whileoneithersidetrottedaduskyconvert,anxioustoshowapropersenseoftheirregenerationbyactingasguidesintothewildsoftheirheathenbrethren。Theirnewconditionwasagreeablyshownbytheabsenceoftheusualmud-
plaster,whichintheirunconvertedstatetheyassumedtokeepawayverminandcold。Themorningwasbrightandpropitious。Beforetheirdeparture,masshadbeensaidinthechapel,andtheprotectionofSt。Ignatiusinvokedagainstallcontingentevils,butespeciallyagainstbears,which,likethefierydragonsofold,seemedtocherishunconquerablehostilitytotheHolyChurch。
Astheywoundthroughthecanyon,charmingbirdsdisporteduponboughsandsprays,andsoberquailspipedfromthealders;thewillowywater-coursesgaveamusicalutterance,andthelonggrasswhisperedonthehillside。Onenteringthedeeperdefiles,abovethemtowereddarkgreenmassesofpine,andoccasionallythemadronoshookitsbrightscarletberries。Astheytoiledupmanyasteepascent,FatherJosesometimespickedupfragmentsofscoria,whichspaketohisimaginationofdirefulvolcanoesandimpendingearthquakes。TothelessscientificmindofthemuleteerIgnaciotheyhadevenamoreterrifyingsignificance;andheonceortwicesnuffedtheairsuspiciously,anddeclaredthatitsmeltofsulphur。Sothefirstdayoftheirjourneyworeaway,andatnighttheyencampedwithouthavingmetasingleheathenface。
ItwasonthisnightthattheEnemyofSoulsappearedtoIgnacioinanappallingform。Hehadretiredtoasecludedpartofthecampandhadsunkuponhiskneesinprayerfulmeditation,whenhelookedupandperceivedtheArch-Fiendinthelikenessofamonstrousbear。TheEvilOnewasseatedonhishindlegsimmediatelybeforehim,withhisforepawsjoinedtogetherjustbelowhisblackmuzzle。Wiselyconceivingthisremarkableattitudetobeinmockeryandderisionofhisdevotions,theworthymuleteerwastransportedwithfury。Seizinganarquebuse,heinstantlyclosedhiseyesandfired。Whenhehadrecoveredfromtheeffectsoftheterrificdischarge,theapparitionhaddisappeared。FatherJose,awakenedbythereport,reachedthespotonlyintimetochidethemuleteerforwastingpowderandballinacontestwithonewhomasingleavewouldhavebeensufficienttoutterlydiscomfit。WhatfurtherrelianceheplacedonIgnacio’sstoryisnotknown;but,incommemorationofaworthyCaliforniancustom,theplacewascalledLaCanadadelaTentaciondelPioMuletero,or\"TheGlenoftheTemptationofthePiousMuleteer,\"anamewhichitretainstothisday。
Thenextmorningtheparty,issuingfromanarrowgorge,cameuponalongvalley,searandburntwiththeshadelessheat。Itslowerextremitywaslostinafadinglineoflowhills,which,gatheringmightandvolumetowardtheupperendofthevalley,upheavedastupendousbulwarkagainstthebreezyNorth。Thepeakofthisawfulspurwasjusttouchedbyafleecycloudthatshiftedtoandfrolikeabanneret。FatherJosegazedatitwithmingledaweandadmiration。Byasingularcoincidence,themuleteerIgnacioutteredthesimpleejaculation\"Diablo!\"
Astheypenetratedthevalley,theysoonbegantomisstheagreeablelifeandcompanionableechoesofthecanyontheyhadquitted。Hugefissuresintheparchedsoilseemedtogapeaswiththirstymouths。Afewsquirrelsdartedfromtheearth,anddisappearedasmysteriouslybeforethejinglingmules。Agraywolftrottedleisurelyalongjustahead。ButwhicheverwayFatherJoseturned,themountainalwaysasserteditselfandarrestedhiswanderingeye。Outofthedryandaridvalley,itseemedtospringintocoolerandbracinglife。Deepcavernousshadowsdweltalongitsbase;rockyfastnessesappearedmidwayofitselevation;andoneithersidehugeblackhillsdivergedlikemassyrootsfromacentraltrunk。Hislivelyfancypicturedthesehillspeopledwithamajesticandintelligentraceofsavages;andlookingintofuturity,healreadysawamonstrouscrosscrowningthedome-likesummit。Fardifferentwerethesensationsofthemuleteer,whosawinthoseawfulsolitudesonlyfierydragons,colossalbearsandbreak-necktrails。Theconverts,ConcepcionandIncarnacion,trottingmodestlybesidethePadre,recognized,perhaps,somemanifestationoftheirformerweirdmythology。
Atnightfalltheyreachedthebaseofthemountain。HereFatherJoseunpackedhismules,saidvespers,and,formallyringinghisbell,calledupontheGentileswithinhearingtocomeandaccepttheHolyFaith。Theechoesoftheblackfrowninghillsaroundhimcaughtupthepiousinvitation,andrepeateditatintervals;butnoGentilesappearedthatnight。Norwerethedevotionsofthemuleteeragaindisturbed,althoughheafterwardasserted,that,whentheFather’sexhortationwasended,amockingpealoflaughtercamefromthemountain。NothingdauntedbytheseintimationsofthenearhostilityoftheEvilOne,FatherJosedeclaredhisintentiontoascendthemountainatearlydawn;andbeforethesunrosethenextmorninghewasleadingtheway。
Theascentwasinmanyplacesdifficultanddangerous。Hugefragmentsofrockoftenlayacrossthetrail,andafterafewhours’climbingtheywereforcedtoleavetheirmulesinalittlegully,andcontinuetheascentafoot。Unaccustomedtosuchexertion,FatherJoseoftenstoppedtowipetheperspirationfromhisthincheeks。Asthedayworeon,astrangesilenceoppressedthem。Excepttheoccasionalpatteringofasquirrel,orarustlinginthechimisalbushes,therewerenosignsoflife。Thehalf-
humanprintofabear’sfootsometimesappearedbeforethem,atwhichIgnacioalwayscrossedhimselfpiously。Theeyewassometimescheatedbyadrippingfromtherocks,whichoncloserinspectionprovedtobearesinousoilyliquidwithanabominablesulphuroussmell。Whentheywerewithinashortdistanceofthesummit,thediscreetIgnacio,selectingashelterednookforthecamp,slippedasideandbusiedhimselfinpreparationsfortheevening,leavingtheHolyFathertocontinuetheascentalone。
Neverwasthereamorethoughtlessactofprudence,neveramoreimprudentpieceofcaution。Withoutnoticingthedesertion,buriedinpiousreflection,FatherJosepushedmechanicallyon,and,reachingthesummit,casthimselfdownandgazedupontheprospect。
Belowhimlayasuccessionofvalleysopeningintoeachotherlikegentlelakes,untiltheywerelosttothesouthward。WesterlythedistantrangehidtheboskycanadawhichshelteredthemissionofSanPablo。InthefartherdistancethePacificOceanstretchedaway,bearingacloudoffoguponitsbosom,whichcreptthroughtheentranceofthebay,androlledthicklybetweenhimandthenortheastward;thesamefoghidthebaseofmountainandtheviewbeyond。Still,fromtimetotimethefleecyveilparted,andtimidlydisclosedcharmingglimpsesofmightyrivers,mountaindefiles,androllingplains,searwithripenedoats,andbathedintheglowofthesettingsun。AsFatherJosegazed,hewaspenetratedwithapiouslonging。Alreadyhisimagination,filledwithenthusiasticconceptions,beheldallthatvastexpansegatheredunderthemildswayoftheHolyFaith,andpeopledwithzealousconverts。Eachlittleknollinfancybecamecrownedwithachapel;fromeachdarkcanyongleamedthewhitewallsofamissionbuilding。Growingbolderinhisenthusiasm,andlookingfartherintofuturity,hebeheldanewSpainrisingonthesesavageshores。
Healreadysawthespiresofstatelycathedrals,thedomesofpalaces,vineyards,gardens,andgroves。Convents,halfhidamongthehills,peepingfromplantationsofbranchinglimes;andlongprocessionsofchantingnunswoundthroughthedefiles。SocompletelywasthegoodFather’sconceptionofthefutureconfoundedwiththepast,thatevenintheirchoralstrainthewell-rememberedaccentsofCarmenstruckhisear。Hewasbusiedinthesefancifulimaginings,whensuddenlyoverthatextendedprospectthefaint,distanttollingofabellrangsadlyoutanddied。ItwastheAngelus。FatherJoselistenedwithsuperstitiousexaltation。ThemissionofSanPablowasfaraway,andthesoundmusthavebeensomemiraculousomen。Butneverbefore,tohisenthusiasticsense,didthesweetseriousnessofthisangelicsymbolcomewithsuchstrangesignificance。Withthelastfaintpeal,hisglowingfancyseemedtocool;thefogclosedinbelowhim,andthegoodFatherrememberedhehadnothadhissupper。Hehadrisenandwaswrappinghisserapaaroundhim,whenheperceivedforthefirsttimethathewasnotalone。
Nearlyopposite,andwhereshouldhavebeenthefaithlessIgnacio,agraveanddecorousfigurewasseated。Hisappearancewasthatofanelderlyhidalgo,dressedinmourning,withmustachesofiron-
graycarefullywaxedandtwistedaroundapairoflantern-jaws。
Themonstroushatandprodigiousfeather,theenormousruffandexaggeratedtrunk-hose,contrastedwithaframeshrivelledandwizened,allbelongedtoacenturyprevious。YetFatherJosewasnotastonished。Hisadventurouslifeandpoeticimagination,continuallyonthelookoutforthemarvellous,gavehimacertainadvantageoverthepracticalandmaterialminded。Heinstantlydetectedthediabolicalqualityofhisvisitant,andwasprepared。
Withequalcoolnessandcourtesyhemetthecavalier’sobeisance。
\"Iaskyourpardon,SirPriest,\"saidthestranger,\"fordisturbingyourmeditations。Pleasanttheymusthavebeen,andrightfanciful,Iimagine,whenoccasionedbysofairaprospect。\"
\"Worldly,perhaps,SirDevil,——forsuchItakeyoutobe,\"saidtheHolyFather,asthestrangerbowedhisblackplumestotheground;
\"worldly,perhaps;forithathpleasedHeaventoretaineveninourregeneratedstatemuchthatpertainethtotheflesh,yetstill,I
trust,notwithoutsomespeculationforthewelfareoftheHolyChurch。Indwellinguponyonfairexpanse,mineeyeshavebeengraciouslyopenedwithpropheticinspiration,andthepromiseoftheheathenasaninheritancehathmarvellouslyrecurredtome。
FortherecanbenonelacksuchdiligenceintheTrueFaith,butmayseethateventheconversionofthesepitifulsalvageshathameaning。AstheblessedSt。Ignatiusdiscreetlyobserves,\"
continuedFatherJose,clearinghisthroatandslightlyelevatinghisvoice,\"’theheathenisgiventothewarriorsofChrist,evenasthepearlsofrarediscoverywhichgladdentheheartsofshipmen。’Nay,Imightsay——\"
Butherethestranger,whohadbeenwrinklinghisbrowsandtwistinghismustacheswithwell-bredpatience,tookadvantageofanoratoricalpause:——
\"Itgrievesme,SirPriest,tointerruptthecurrentofyoureloquenceasdiscourteouslyasIhavealreadybrokenyourmeditations;butthedayalreadywanethtonight。Ihaveamatterofseriousimporttomakewithyou,couldIentreatyourcautiousconsiderationafewmoments。\"
FatherJosehesitated。Thetemptationwasgreat,andtheprospectofacquiringsomeknowledgeoftheGreatEnemy’splansnottheleasttriflingobject。Andifthetruthmustbetold,therewasacertaindecorumaboutthestrangerthatinterestedthePadre。
ThoughwellawareoftheProteanshapestheArch-Fiendcouldassume,andthoughfreefromtheweaknessesoftheflesh,FatherJosewasnotabovethetemptationsofthespirit。HadtheDevilappeared,asinthecaseofthepiousSt。Anthony,inthelikenessofacomelydamsel,thegoodFather,withhiscertainexperienceofthedeceitfulsex,wouldhavewhiskedherawayinthesayingofapaternoster。Buttherewas,addedtothesecurityofage,agravesadnessaboutthestranger,——athoughtfulconsciousnessasofbeingatagreatmoraldisadvantage,——whichatoncedecidedhimonamagnanimouscourseofconduct。
Thestrangerthenproceededtoinformhim,thathehadbeendiligentlyobservingtheHolyFather’striumphsinthevalley。
That,farfrombeinggreatlyexercisedthereat,hehadbeenonlygrievedtoseesoenthusiasticandchivalrousanantagonistwastinghiszealinahopelesswork。For,heobserved,theissueofthegreatbattleofGoodandEvilhadbeenotherwisesettled,ashewouldpresentlyshowhim。\"Itwantsbutafewmomentsofnight,\"
hecontinued,\"andoverthisintervaloftwilight,asyouknow,I
havebeengivencompletecontrol。LooktotheWest。\"
AsthePadreturned,thestrangertookhisenormoushatfromhishead,andwaveditthreetimesbeforehim。Ateachsweepoftheprodigiousfeather,thefoggrewthinner,untilitmeltedimpalpablyaway,andtheformerlandscapereturned,yetwarmwiththeglowingsun。AsFatherJosegazed,astrainofmartialmusicarosefromthevalley,andissuingfromadeepcanyon,thegoodFatherbeheldalongcavalcadeofgallantcavaliers,habitedlikehiscompanion。Astheysweptdowntheplain,theywerejoinedbylikeprocessions,thatslowlydefiledfromeveryravineandcanyonofthemysteriousmountain。Fromtimetotimethepealofatrumpetswelledfitfullyuponthebreeze;thecrossofSantiagoglittered,andtheroyalbannersofCastileandAragonwavedoverthemovingcolumn。Sotheymovedonsolemnlytowardthesea,where,inthedistance,FatherJosesawstatelycaravels,bearingthesamefamiliarbanner,awaitingthem。ThegoodPadregazedwithconflictingemotions,andtheseriousvoiceofthestrangerbrokethesilence。
\"Thouhastbeheld,SirPriest,thefadingfootprintsofadventurousCastile。ThouhastseenthedeclininggloryofoldSpain,——
decliningasyonderbrilliantsun。Thesceptreshehathwrestedfromtheheathenisfastdroppingfromherdecrepitandfleshlessgrasp。Thechildrenshehathfosteredshallknowhernolonger。
ThesoilshehathacquiredshallbelosttoherasirrevocablyassheherselfhaththrusttheMoorfromherownGranada。\"
Thestrangerpaused,andhisvoiceseemedbrokenbyemotion;atthesametime,FatherJose,whosesympathizingheartyearnedtowardthedepartingbanners,criedinpoignantaccents,——
\"Farewell,yegallantcavaliersandChristiansoldiers!Farewell,thou,NunesdeBalboa!thou,AlonzodeOjeda!andthou,mostvenerableLasCasas!Farewell,andmayHeavenprosperstilltheseedyeleftbehind!\"
Thenturningtothestranger,FatherJosebeheldhimgravelydrawhispocket-handkerchieffromthebasket-hiltofhisrapier,andapplyitdecorouslytohiseyes。
\"Pardonthisweakness,SirPriest,\"saidthecavalier,apologetically;\"buttheseworthygentlemenwereancientfriendsofmine,andhavedonememanyadelicateservice,——muchmore,perchance,thanthesepoorsablesmaysignify,\"headded,withagrimgesturetowardthemourningsuithewore。
FatherJosewastoomuchpreoccupiedinreflectiontonoticetheequivocalnatureofthistribute,and,afterafewmoments’
silence,said,asifcontinuinghisthought,——
\"Buttheseedtheyhaveplantedshallthriveandprosperonthisfruitfulsoil。\"
Asifansweringtheinterrogatory,thestrangerturnedtotheoppositedirection,and,againwavinghishat,said,inthesameserioustone,——
\"LooktotheEast!\"
TheFatherturned,and,asthefogbrokeawaybeforethewavingplume,hesawthatthesunwasrising。Issuingwithitsbrightbeamsthroughthepassesofthesnowymountainsbeyond,appearedastrangeandmotleycrew。Insteadofthedarkandromanticvisagesofhislastphantomtrain,theFatherbeheldwithstrangeconcerntheblueeyesandflaxenhairofaSaxonrace。Inplaceofmartialairsandmusicalutterance,thereroseupontheearastrangedinofharshgutturalsandsingularsibilation。Insteadofthedecoroustreadandstatelymienofthecavaliersoftheformervision,theycamepushing,bustling,panting,andswaggering。Andastheypassed,thegoodFathernoticedthatgianttreeswereprostratedaswiththebreathofatornado,andthebowelsoftheearthweretornandrentaswithaconvulsion。AndFatherJoselookedinvainforholycrossorChristiansymbol;therewasbutonethatseemedanensign,andhecrossedhimselfwithholyhorrorasheperceiveditboretheeffigyofabear。
\"WhoaretheseswaggeringIshmaelites?\"heasked,withsomethingofasperityinhistone。
Thestrangerwasgravelysilent。
\"Whatdotheyhere,withneithercrossnorholysymbol?\"heagaindemanded。
\"Haveyouthecouragetosee,SirPriest?\"respondedthestranger,quietly。
FatherJosefelthiscrucifix,asalonelytravellermighthisrapier,andassented。
\"Stepundertheshadowofmyplume,\"saidthestranger。
FatherJosesteppedbesidehim,andtheyinstantlysankthroughtheearth。
Whenheopenedhiseyes,whichhadremainedclosedinprayerfulmeditationduringhisrapiddescent,hefoundhimselfinavastvault,bespangledoverheadwithluminouspointslikethestarredfirmament。Itwasalsolightedbyayellowglowthatseemedtoproceedfromamightyseaorlakethatoccupiedthecentreofthechamber。Aroundthissubterraneanseaduskyfiguresflitted,bearingladlesfilledwiththeyellowfluid,whichtheyhadreplenishedfromitsdepths。Fromthislakedivergingstreamsofthesamemysteriousfloodpenetratedlikemightyriversthecavernousdistance。AstheywalkedbythebanksofthisglitteringStyx,FatherJoseperceivedhowtheliquidstreamatcertainplacesbecamesolid。Thegroundwasstrewnwithglitteringflakes。OneofthesethePadrepickedupandcuriouslyexamined。Itwasvirgingold。
AnexpressionofdiscomfitureovercastthegoodFather’sfaceatthisdiscovery;buttherewastraceneitherofmalicenorsatisfactioninthestranger’sair,whichwasstillofseriousandfatefulcontemplation。WhenFatherJoserecoveredhisequanimity,hesaid,bitterly,——
\"This,then,SirDevil,isyourwork!Thisisyourdeceitfullurefortheweaksoulsofsinfulnations!SowouldyoureplacetheChristiangraceofholySpain!\"
\"Thisiswhatmustbe,\"returnedthestranger,gloomily。\"Butlisten,SirPriest。Itlieswithyoutoaverttheissueforatime。Leavemehereinpeace。GobacktoCastile,andtakewithyouyourbells,yourimages,andyourmissions。Continuehere,andyouonlyprecipitateresults。Stay!promisemeyouwilldothis,andyoushallnotlackthatwhichwillrenderyouroldageanornamentandablessing\";andthestrangermotionedsignificantlytothelake。
Itwashere,thelegenddiscreetlyrelates,thattheDevilshowed——
ashealwaysshowssoonerorlater——hisclovenhoof。TheworthyPadre,sorelyperplexedbyhisthreefoldvision,and,ifthetruthmustbetold,alittlenettledatthiswrestingawayofthegloryofholySpanishdiscovery,hadshownsomehesitation。ButtheunluckybribeoftheEnemyofSoulstouchedhisCastilianspirit。
Startingbackindeepdisgust,hebrandishedhiscrucifixinthefaceoftheunmaskedFiend,andinavoicethatmadetheduskyvaultresound,cried,——
\"Avauntthee,Sathanas!Diabolus,Idefythee!What!wouldstthoubribeme,——me,abrotheroftheSacredSocietyoftheHolyJesus,LicentiateofCordovaandInquisitorofGuadalaxara?Thinkestthoutobuymewiththysordidtreasure?Avaunt!\"
Whatmighthavebeentheissueofthisrupture,andhowcompletemighthavebeenthetriumphoftheHolyFatherovertheArch-Fiend,whowasrecoilingaghastatthesesacredtitlesandtheflourishingsymbol,wecanneverknow,foratthatmomentthecrucifixslippedthroughhisfingers。
ScarcelyhadittouchedthegroundbeforeDevilandHolyFathersimultaneouslycastthemselvestowardit。Inthestruggletheyclinched,andthepiousJose,whowasasmuchthesuperiorofhisantagonistinbodilyasinspiritualstrength,wasabouttotreattheGreatAdversarytoabacksomersault,whenhesuddenlyfeltthelongnailsofthestrangerpiercinghisflesh。Anewfearseizedhisheart,anumbingchillnesscreptthroughhisbody,andhestruggledtofreehimself,butinvain。Astrangeroaringwasinhisears;thelakeandcaverndancedbeforehiseyesandvanished;
andwithaloudcryhesanksenselesstotheground。
Whenherecoveredhisconsciousnesshewasawareofagentleswayingmotionofhisbody。Heopenedhiseyes,andsawitwashighnoon,andthathewasbeingcarriedinalitterthroughthevalley。Hefeltstiff,and,lookingdown,perceivedthathisarmwastightlybandagedtohisside。
Heclosedhiseyesandafterafewwordsofthankfulprayer,thoughthowmiraculouslyhehadbeenpreserved,andmadeavowofcandlestickstotheblessedSaintJose。Hethencalledinafaintvoice,andpresentlythepenitentIgnaciostoodbesidehim。
Thejoythepoorfellowfeltathispatron’sreturningconsciousnessforsometimechokedhisutterance。Hecouldonlyejaculate,\"A
miracle!BlessedSaintJose,helives!\"andkissthePadre’sbandagedhand。FatherJose,moreintentonhislastnight’sexperience,waitedforhisemotiontosubside,andaskedwherehehadbeenfound。
\"Onthemountain,yourReverence,butafewvarasfromwhereheattackedyou。\"
\"How?——yousawhimthen?\"askedthePadre,inunfeignedastonishment。
\"Sawhim,yourReverence!MotherofGod,IshouldthinkIdid!
AndyourReverenceshallseehimtoo,ifheevercomesagainwithinrangeofIgnacio’sarquebuse。\"
\"Whatmeanyou,Ignacio?\"saidthePadre,sittingbolt-uprightinhislitter。
\"Why,thebear,yourReverence,——thebear,HolyFather,whoattackedyourworshipfulpersonwhileyouweremeditatingonthetopofyondermountain。\"
\"Ah!\"saidtheHolyFather,lyingdownagain。\"Chut,child!I
wouldbeatpeace。\"
WhenhereachedtheMission,hewastenderlycaredfor,andinafewweekswasenabledtoresumethosedutiesfromwhich,aswillbeseen,noteventhemachinationsoftheEvilOnecoulddiverthim。
Thenewsofhisphysicaldisasterspreadoverthecountry;andalettertotheBishopofGuadalaxaracontainedaconfidentialanddetailedaccountofthegoodFather’sspiritualtemptation。Butinsomewaythestoryleakedout;andlongafterJosewasgatheredtohisfathers,hismysteriousencounterformedthethemeofthrillingandwhisperednarrative。Themountainwasgenerallyshunned。ItistruethatSenorJoaquinPedrilloafterwardlocatedagrantnearthebaseofthemountain;butasSenoraPedrillowasknowntobeatermaganthalf-breed,theSenorwasnotsupposedtobeover-
fastidious。
SuchistheLegendofMontedelDiablo。AsIsaidbefore,itmayseemtolackessentialcorroboration。ThediscrepancybetweentheFather’snarrativeandtheactualclimaxhasgivenrisetosomescepticismonthepartofingeniousquibblers。AllsuchIwouldsimplyrefertothatpartofthereportofSenorJulioSerro,Sub-
PrefectofSanPablo,beforewhomattestoftheabovewasmade。
Touchingthismatter,theworthyPrefectobserves,\"ThatalthoughthebodyofFatherJosedothshowevidenceofgrievousconflictintheflesh,yetthatisnoproofthattheEnemyofSouls,whocouldassumethefigureofadecorouselderlycaballero,couldnotatthesametimetransformhimselfintoabearforhisownvilepurposes。\"
THEADVENTUREOFPADREVINCENTIO
ALEGENDOFSANFRANCISCO。
OnepleasantNewYear’sEve,aboutfortyyearsago,PadreVicentiowasslowlypickinghiswayacrossthesand-hillsfromtheMissionDolores。AsheclimbedthecrestoftheridgebesideMissionCreek,hisbroad,shiningfacemighthavebeeneasilymistakenforthebeneficentimageoftherisingmoon,soblandwasitssmileandsoindefiniteitsfeatures。ForthePadrewasamanofnotablereputationandcharacter;hisministrationatthemissionofSanJosehadbeenmarkedwithcordialityandunction;hewasadoredbythesimple-mindedsavages,andhadsucceededinimpressinghisindividualitysostronglyuponthemthattheverychildrenweresaidtohavemiraculouslyresembledhiminfeature。
Astheholymanreachedtheloneliestportionoftheroad,henaturallyputspurstohismuleasiftoquickenthatdecorouspacewhichtheobedientanimalhadacquiredthroughlongexperienceofitsmaster’shabits。Thelocalityhadanunfavorablereputation。
Sailors——desertersfromwhaleships——hadbeenseenlurkingabouttheoutskirtsofthetown,andlowscruboakswhicheverywherebesetthetrailmighthaveeasilyconcealedsomedesperaterunaway。
Besidesthesematerialobstructions,thedevil,whosehostilitytothechurchwaswellknown,wassaidtosometimeshauntthevicinityinthelikenessofaspectralwhaler,whohadmethisdeathinadrunkenbout,fromaharpooninthehandsofacompanion。Theghostofthisunfortunatemarinerwasfrequentlyobservedsittingonthehilltowardtheduskofevening,armedwithhisfavoriteweaponandatubcontainingacoilofline,lookingoutforsomebelatedtravelleronwhomtoexercisehisprofessionalskill。ItisrelatedthatthegoodFatherJoseMariaoftheMissionDoloreshadbeentwiceattackedbythisphantomsportsman;thatonce,onreturningfromSanFrancisco,andpantingwithexertionfromclimbingthehill,hewasstartledbyastentoriancryof\"Theresheblows!\"quicklyfollowedbyahurtlingharpoon,whichburieditselfinthesandbesidehim;thatonanotheroccasionhenarrowlyescapeddestruction,hisserapahavingbeentransfixedbythediabolicalharpoonanddraggedawayintriumph。Popularopinionseemstohavebeendividedastothereasonforthedevil’sparticularattentiontoFatherJose,someassertingthattheextremepietyofthePadreexcitedtheEvilOne’sanimosity,andothersthathisadiposetendencysimplyrenderedhim,fromaprofessionalview-point,aprofitablecapture。
HadFatherVicentiobeeninclinedtoscoffatthisapparitionasahereticalinnovation,therewasstillthestoryofConcepcion,theDemonVaquero,whoseterribleriatawasfullyaspotentasthewhaler’sharpoon。Concepcion,whenintheflesh,hadbeenacelebratedherderofcattleandwildhorses,andwasreportedtohavechasedthedevilintheshapeofafleetpintocoltallthewayfromSanLuisObispotoSanFrancisco,vowingnottogiveupthechaseuntilhehadovertakenthedisguisedArch-Enemy。Thisthedevilpreventedbyresuminghisownshape,butkepttheunfortunatevaquerotothefulfilmentofhisrashvow;andConcepcionstillscouredthecoastonaphantomsteed,beguilingthemonotonyofhiseternalpursuitbylassoingtravellers,draggingthemattheheelsofhisunbrokenmustanguntiltheywereeventuallypickedup,half-strangled,bytheroadside。ThePadrelistenedattentivelyforthetrampofthisterriblerider。Butnofootfallbrokethestillnessofthenight;eventhehoofsofhisownmulesanknoiselesslyintheshiftingsand。Nowandthenarabbitboundedlightlybyhim,oraquailranintothebushes。ThemelancholycallofploverfromtheadjoiningmarshesofMissionCreekcametohimsofaintlyandfitfullythatitseemedalmostarecollectionofthepastratherthanarealityofthepresent。
Toaddtohisdiscomposureoneofthoseheavysea-fogspeculiartothelocalitybegantodriftacrossthehillsandpresentlyencompassedhim。Whileendeavoringtoevadeitscoldembraces,PadreVicentioincautiouslydrovehisheavyspursintotheflanksofhismuleasthatpuzzledanimalwashesitatingonthebrinkofasteepdeclivity。Whetherthepoorbeastwasindignantatthisnoveloutrage,orhadbeenforsometimereflectingontheevilsofbeingpriest-ridden,hasnottranspired;enoughthathesuddenlythrewuphisheels,pitchingthereverendmanoverhishead,and,havingaccomplishedthisfeat,coollydroppedonhiskneesandtumbledafterhisrider。
OverandoverwentthePadre,closelyfollowedbyhisfaithlessmule。Luckilythelittlehollowwhichreceivedthepairwasofsandthatyieldedtothesuperincumbentweight,halfburyingthemwithoutfurtherinjury。Forsomemomentsthepoormanlaymotionless,vainlyendeavoringtocollecthisscatteredsenses。A
handirreverentlylaiduponhiscollar,andaroughshake,assistedtorecallhisconsciousness。AsthePadrestaggeredtohisfeethefoundhimselfconfrontedbyastranger。
Seendimlythroughthefog,andundercircumstancesthattosaytheleastwerenotprepossessing,thenew-comerhadaninexpressiblymysteriousandbrigand-likeaspect。Alongboat-cloakconcealedhisfigure,andaslouchedhathidhisfeatures,permittingonlyhiseyestoglisteninthedepths。WithadeepgroanthePadreslippedfromthestranger’sgraspandsubsidedintothesoftsandagain。
\"Gad’slife!\"saidthestranger,pettishly,\"hastnomorebonesinthyfatcarcassthanajellyfish?Lendahand,here!Yo,heaveho!\"andhedraggedthePadreintoanuprightposition。\"Now,then,whoandwhatartthou?\"
ThePadrecouldnothelpthinkingthatthequestionmighthavemoreproperlybeenaskedbyhimself;butwithanoddmixtureofdignityandtrepidationhebeganenumeratinghisdifferenttitles,whichwerebynomeansbrief,andwouldhavebeenalonesufficienttostrikeaweinthebosomofanordinaryadversary。Thestrangerirreverentlybrokeinuponhisformalphrases,andassuringhimthatapriestwastheverypersonhewaslookingfor,coollyreplacedtheoldman’shat,whichhadtumbledoff,andbadehimaccompanyhimatonceonanerrandofspiritualcounseltoonewhowaseventhenlyinginextremity。\"Tothink,\"saidthestranger,\"thatIshouldstumbleupontheverymanIwasseeking!BodyofBacchus!butthisislucky!Followmequickly,forthereisnotimetolose。\"
Likemosteasynaturesthepositiveassertionofthestranger,andwithalacertainauthoritativeairofcommand,overcamewhatslightobjectionsthePadremighthavefeeblynurturedduringthisremarkableinterview。Thespiritualinvitationwasone,also,thathedarednotrefuse;notonlythat;butittendedsomewhattoremovethesuperstitiousdreadwithwhichhehadbeguntoregardthemysteriousstranger。But,followingatarespectfuldistance,thePadrecouldnothelpobservingwithathrillofhorrorthatthestranger’sfootstepsmadenoimpressiononthesand,andhisfigureseemedattimestoblendandincorporateitselfwiththefog,untiltheholymanwasobligedtowaitforitsreappearance。Inoneoftheseintervalsofembarrassmentheheardtheringingofthefar-
offMissionbell,proclaimingthehourofmidnight。Scarcelyhadthelaststrokediedawaybeforetheannouncementwastakenupandrepeatedbyamultitudeofbellsofallsizes,andtheairwasfilledwiththesoundofstrikingclocksandthepealingofsteeplechimes。Theoldmanutteredacryofalarm。Thestrangersharplydemandedthecause。\"Thebells!didyounothearthem?\"gaspedPadreVicentio。\"Tush!tush!\"answeredthestranger,\"thyfallhathsettriplebob-majorsringinginthineears。Comeon!\"
ThePadrewasonlytoogladtoaccepttheexplanationconveyedinthisdiscourteousanswer。Buthewasdestinedforanothersingularexperience。WhentheyhadreachedthesummitoftheeminencenowknownasRussianHill,anexclamationagainburstfromthePadre。
Thestrangerturnedtohiscompanionwithanimpatientgesture;butthePadreheededhimnot。Theviewthatburstuponhissightwassuchasmightwellhaveengrossedtheattentionofamoreenthusiastictemperament。Thefoghadnotyetreachedthehill,andthelongvalleysandhillsidesoftheembarcaderobelowwereglitteringwiththelightofapopulouscity。\"Look!\"saidthePadre,stretchinghishandoverthespreadinglandscape。\"Look,dostthounotseethestatelysquaresandbrilliantlylightedavenuesofamightymetropolis。Dostthounotsee,asitwere,anotherfirmamentbelow?\"
\"Avastheaving,reverendman,andquitthisfolly,\"saidthestrange;draggingthebewilderedPadreafterhim。\"Beholdratherthestarsknockedoutofthyhollownoddlebythefallthouhasthad。Prithee,getoverthyvisionsandrhapsodies,forthetimeiswearingapace。\"
ThePadrehumblyfollowedwithoutanotherword。Descendingthehilltowardthenorth,thestrangerleadingtheway,inafewmomentsthePadredetectedthewashofwaves,andpresentlyhisfeetstruckthefirmersandofthebeach。Herethestrangerpaused,andthePadreperceivedaboatlyinginreadinesshardby。
Ashesteppedintothesternsheets,inobediencetothecommandofhiscompanion,henoticedthattherowersseemedtopartakeofthemistyincorporealtextureofhiscompanion,asimilaritythatbecamethemoredistressingwhenheperceivedalsothattheiroarsinpullingtogethermadenonoise。Thestranger,assumingthehelm,guidedtheboatonquietly,whilethefog,settlingoverthefaceofthewaterandclosingaroundthem,seemedtointerposeamuffledwallbetweenthemselvesandtherudejarringoftheouterworld。Astheypushedfurtherintothispenetralia,thePadrelistenedanxiouslyforthesoundofcreakingblocksandtherattlingofcordage,butnovibrationbroketheveiledstillnessordisturbedthewarmbreathofthefleecyfog。Onlyoneincidentoccurredtobreakthemonotonyoftheirmysteriousjourney。Aone-
eyedrower,whosatinfrontofthePadre,catchingthedevoutfather’seye,immediatelygrinnedsuchaghastlysmile,andwinkedhisremainingeyewithsuchdiabolicalintensityofmeaningthatthePadrewasconstrainedtoutterapiousejaculation,whichhadthedisastrouseffectofcausingthemarineCoclesto\"catchacrab,\"throwinghisheelsintheairandhisheadintothebottomoftheboat。Buteventhisaccidentdidnotdisturbthegravityoftherestoftheghastlyboat’screw。
When,asitseemedtothePadre,tenminuteshadelapsed,theoutlineofalargeshiploomedupdirectlyacrosstheirbow。
Beforehecouldutterthecryofwarningthatrosetohislips,orbracehimselfagainsttheexpectedshock,theboatpassedgentlyandnoiselesslythroughthesidesofthevessel,andtheholymanfoundhimselfstandingontheberthdeckofwhatseemedtobeanancientcaravel。Theboatandboat’screwhadvanished。Onlyhismysteriousfriend,thestranger,remained。BythelightofaswinginglampthePadrebeheldhimstandingbesideahammock,whereon,apparently,laythedyingmantowhomhehadbeensomysteriouslysummoned。AsthePadre,inobediencetoasignfromhiscompanion,steppedtothesideofthesufferer,hefeeblyopenedhiseyesandthusaddressedhim:——
\"Thouseestbeforethee,reverendfather,ahelplessmortal,strugglingnotonlywiththelastagoniesoftheflesh,butbeatendownandtossedwithsoreanguishofthespirit。ItmatterslittlewhenorhowIbecamewhatthounowseestme。Enoughthatmylifehasbeenungodlyandsinful,andthatmyonlyhopeofabsolutionliesinmyimpartingtotheeasecretwhichisofvastimportancetotheholyChurch,andaffectsgreatlyherpower,wealth,anddominionontheseshores。Butthetermsofthissecretandtheconditionsofmyabsolutionarepeculiar。Ihavebutfiveminutestolive。InthattimeImustreceivetheextremeunctionoftheChurch。\"
\"Andthysecret?\"saidtheholyfather。
\"Shallbetoldafterwards,\"answeredthedyingman。\"Come,mytimeisshort。Shrivemequickly。\"
ThePadrehesitated。\"Couldstthounottellthissecretfirst?\"
\"Impossible!\"saidthedyingman,withwhatseemedtothePadreamomentarygleamoftriumph。Then,ashisbreathgrewfeebler,hecalledimpatiently,\"Shriveme!shriveme!\"
\"Letmeknowatleastwhatthissecretconcerns?\"suggestedthePadre,insinuatingly。
\"Shrivemefirst,\"saidthedyingman。
Buttheprieststillhesitated,parleyingwiththesuffereruntiltheship’sbellstruck,when,withatriumphant,mockinglaughfromthestranger,thevesselsuddenlyfelltopieces,amidtherushingofwaterswhichatonceinvolvedthedyingman,thepriest,andthemysteriousstranger。
ThePadredidnotrecoverhisconsciousnessuntilhighnoonthenextday,whenhefoundhimselflyinginalittlehollowbetweentheMissionHills,andhisfaithfulmuleafewpacesfromhim,croppingthesparseherbage。ThePadremadethebestofhiswayhome,butwiselyabstainedfromnarratingthefactsmentionedabove,untilafterthediscoveryofgold,whenthewholeofthisveraciousincidentwasrelated,withtheassertionofthepadrethatthesecretwhichwasthusmysteriouslysnatchedfromhispossessionwasnothingmorethanthediscoveryofgold,yearssince,bytherunawaysailorsfromtheexpeditionofSirFrancisDrake。
THELEGENDOFDEVIL’SPOINT。
OnthenortherlyshoreofSanFranciscoBay,atapointwheretheGoldenGatebroadensintothePacificstandsabluffpromontory。
Itaffordsshelterfromtheprevailingwindstoasemicircularbayontheeast。Aroundthisbaythehillsideisbleakandbarren,buttherearetracesofformerhabitationinaweather-beatencabinanddesertedcorral。Itissaidthatthesewereoriginallybuiltbyanenterprisingsquatter,whoforsomeunaccountablereasonabandonedthemshortlyafter。The\"Jumper\"whosucceededhimdisappearedoneday,quiteasmysteriously。Thethirdtenant,whoseemedtobeamanofsanguine,hopefultemperament,dividedthepropertyintobuildinglots,stakedoffthehillside,andprojectedthemapofanewmetropolis。Failing,however,toconvincethecitizensofSanFranciscothattheyhadmistakenthesiteoftheircity,hepresentlyfellintodissipationanddespondency。Hewasfrequentlyobservedhauntingthenarrowstripofbeachatlowtide,orpercheduponthecliffathighwater。Inthelatterpositionasheep-
tenderonedayfoundhim,coldandpulseless,withamapofhispropertyinhishand,andhisfaceturnedtowardthedistantsea。
Perhapsthesecircumstancesgavethelocalityitsinfelicitousreputation。Vaguerumorswerebruitedofasupernaturalinfluencethathadbeenexercisedonthetenants。Strangestorieswerecirculatedoftheoriginofthediabolicaltitlebywhichthepromontorywasknown。BysomeitwasbelievedtobehauntedbythespiritofoneofSirFrancisDrake’ssailorswhohaddesertedhisshipinconsequenceofstoriestoldbytheIndiansofgolddiscoveries,butwhohadperishedbystarvationontherocks。A
vaquerowhohadoncepassedanightintheruinedcabin,relatedhowastrangelydressedandemaciatedfigurehadknockedatthedooratmidnightanddemandedfood。Otherstory-tellers,ofmorehistoricalaccuracy,roundlyassertedthatSirFrancishimselfhadbeenlittlebetterthanapirate,andhadchosenthisspottoconcealquantitiesofill-gottenbooty,takenfromneutralbottoms,andhadprotectedhishiding-placebytheorthodoxmeansofhellishincantationanddiabolicagencies。Onmoonlightnightsashadowyshipwassometimesseenstandingoff-and-on,orwhenfogsencompassedseaandshorethenoiseofoarsrisingandfallingintheirrow-lockscouldbeheardmuffledandindistinctlyduringthenight。Whateverfoundationtheremighthavebeenforthesestories,itwascertainthatamoreweirdanddesolate-lookingspotcouldnothavebeenselectedfortheirtheatre。Highhills,verdurelessandenfiladedwithdarkcanadas,casttheirgauntshadowsonthetide。Duringagreaterportionofthedaythewind,whichblewfuriouslyandincessantly,seemedpossessedwithaspiritoffiercedisquietandunrest。Towardnightfallthesea-fogcreptwithsoftstepthroughtheportalsoftheGoldenGate,orstoleinnoiselessmarchesdownthehillside,tenderlysoothingthewind-buffetedfaceofthecliff,untilseaandskywerehidtogether。Atsuchtimesthepopulouscitybeyondandthenearersettlementseemedremovedtoaninfinitedistance。Animmeasurablelonelinesssettleduponthecliff。Thecreakingofawindlass,orthemonotonouschantofsailorsonsomeunseen,outlyingship,camefaintandfar,andfullofmysticsuggestion。
Aboutayearagoawell-to-domiddle-agedbrokerofSanFranciscofoundhimselfatnightfallthesoleoccupantofa\"plunger,\"
encompassedinadensefog,anddriftingtowardtheGoldenGate。
Thisunexpectedterminationofanafternoon’ssailwaspartlyattributabletohiswantofnauticalskill,andpartlytotheeffectofhisusuallysanguinenature。Havinggivenuptheguidanceofhisboattothewindandtide,hehadtrustedtooimplicitlyforthatreactionwhichhisbusinessexperienceassuredhimwascertaintooccurinallaffairs,aquaticaswellasterrestrial。\"Thetidewillturnsoon,\"saidthebroker,confidently,\"orsomethingwillhappen。\"Hehadscarcelysettledhimselfbackagaininthestern-sheets,beforethebowoftheplunger,obeyingsomemysteriousimpulse,veeredslowlyaroundandadarkobjectloomedupbeforehim。Agentleeddycarriedtheboatfurtherinshore,untilatlastitwascompletelyembayedundertheleeofarockypointnowfaintlydiscerniblethroughthefog。Helookedaroundhiminthevainhopeofrecognizingsomefamiliarheadland。Thetopsofthehighhillswhichroseoneithersidewerehiddeninthefog。Astheboatswungaround,hesucceededinfasteningalinetotherocks,andsatdownagainwithafeelingofrenewedconfidenceandsecurity。
Itwasverycold。Theinsidiousfogpenetratedhistightlybuttonedcoat,andsethisteethtochatteringinspiteoftheaidhesometimesdrewfromapocket-flask。Hisclotheswerewetandthestern-sheetswerecoveredwithspray。Thecomfortsoffireandsheltercontinuallyrosebeforehisfancyashegazedwistfullyontherocks。Insheerdespairhefinallydrewtheboattowardthemostaccessiblepartofthecliffandessayedtoascend。Thiswaslessdifficultthanitappeared,andinafewmomentshehadgainedthehillabove。Adarkobjectatalittledistanceattractedhisattention,andonapproachingitprovedtobeadesertedcabin。
Thestorygoesontosay,thathavingbuiltaroaringfireofstakespulledfromtheadjoiningcorral,withtheaidofaflaskofexcellentbrandy,hemanagedtopasstheearlypartoftheeveningwithcomparativecomfort。