第1章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Legends and Tales",免费读到尾

  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。

点击下载App,搜索"Legends and Tales",免费读到尾