"Do not ask to share his fate," said Pepe; "that man"s days are numbered."
"Whatever his fate is to be, I wish to share it," cried Diaz, vainly trying to free himself. "I accept from you neither quarter nor mercy."
"Do not play with our anger!" said Pepe, whose pa.s.sions were roused; "I am not in the habit of offering mercy twice."
"I know how to make him accept it," said Fabian, picking up the fallen knife. "Let him go, Pepe; with a man like Diaz, one can always come to terms."
Fabian"s tone was so firm, that Pepe opened his arms and loosened the iron grasp in which the Mexican was bound.
"Here, Diaz," said Fabian, "take your weapon, and listen to me."
So saying, Fabian advanced and offered him his knife without any attempt at guarding himself. Diaz took the weapon, but his adversary had not presumed too far; at the heroic simplicity of Fabian his anger vanished on the instant.
"I listen," said he, flinging his knife to the ground.
"I knew it would be so," replied Fabian, with a smile. "You interposed unknowingly between crime and the just vengeance which pursued it. Do you know who is the man for whom you wish to expose your life? and who are those who have spared it? Do you know whether or not we have the right to demand from him, whom you doubtless know only as Don Estevan, a terrible account of the past? Reply honestly to the questions that I shall put to you, and then decide on which side justice lies."
Astonished at these words, Diaz listened in silence, and Fabian went on:
"If you had been born in a privileged cla.s.s, heir to a great fortune; if a man had taken from you your fortune and your name, and reduced you to the rank of those who have to work for their daily bread, should you be the friend of that man?"
"No, I should be his enemy."
"If that man, to destroy the last souvenir of your birth, had murdered your mother, what would he deserve from you?"
"Blow for blow--blood for blood."
"If, after a long and difficult pursuit, fate had at last delivered the spoiler into your hands, what would you do?"
"I should think myself guilty towards G.o.d and man if I spared him."
"Well, then, Diaz," cried Fabian, "there is a man who has taken from me my name, my fortune, and murdered my mother; I have pursued this murderer and spoiler--fate has delivered him into my hands, and there he lies!"
A cloud pa.s.sed over the eyes of Diaz at the sight of the chief whose doom was thus p.r.o.nounced, for the sentiment of inexorable justice that G.o.d has implanted in the heart of man told him that Don Estevan merited his fate, if Fabian spoke truly. He sighed, but offered no reply.
While these events were taking place in the midst of the plain, the actors of the scene might have observed Cuchillo raise with precaution the leaves which covered his head, cast an eager glance on the Golden Valley, and then glide out of the lake. Covered with mud, and his garments streaming with water, they might have mistaken him for one of the evil spirits whom the Indians believed to dwell in these solitudes.
But their attention was completely absorbed by what was taking place among themselves.
CHAPTER FORTY NINE.
THE TWO MEDIANAS FACE TO FACE.
Pedro Diaz speedily roused himself from the deep depression and astonishment which had for a moment overpowered him.
"According to the rules of war, I am your prisoner," said he, raising his head, "and I am anxious to know your decision concerning me."
"You are free, Diaz," replied Fabian, "free without conditions."
"Not so! not so!" said the Canadian, quickly interrupting him. "We must, on the contrary, impose a rigorous condition upon your liberty."
"What is it?" asked the adventurer.
"You have now, in common with us," replied Bois-Rose, "become possessed of a secret which we have long since known. I have my reasons for wishing that the knowledge of this secret should expire with those whose evil destiny makes them acquainted with it. You only," added the Canadian, "will be an exception to the rule, because a brave man like yourself should be a slave to his word. I demand, then, before restoring you your liberty, a promise upon your honour, never to reveal to human being, the existence of the Golden Valley."
"I never indulged any hope in acquiring this treasure," replied the n.o.ble adventurer, in a melancholy tone, "beyond that of the freedom and aggrandis.e.m.e.nt of my country. The sad fate which threatens the man, to whom I looked for the realisation of my hopes, proves to me that in both cases I have entertained a delusive dream. Even should all the riches of the Golden Valley remain forever buried in these deserts, what would it avail me now? I swear then, and you may rely upon my honour, that I shall never reveal its existence to a living soul. I shall try to forget that I have ever, for an instant, beheld it."
"It is well," said Bois-Rose, "you are now free to go."
"Not yet, with your permission," replied the prisoner. "In all that has taken place, there is a mystery which I do not seek to penetrate--but--"
"Carramba! it is very simple," answered Pepe. "This young man," said he, pointing to Fabian--
"Not yet, Pepe," replied the latter solemnly, making a sign to the hunter to postpone his explanations. "In the court of justice which is about to be convened--in the presence of the Supreme Judge (Fabian pointed to heaven), by the accusation as well as the defence, all will become clear to Diaz, if he will remain a short while with us. In the desert, time is precious; and we must prepare ourselves, by meditation and silence, for the terrible deed which we are now compelled to accomplish."
"I am most anxious to obtain permission to stay. I do not know if this man be innocent or guilty; but, I do know that he is the chief whom I have freely chosen; and I will remain with him to the last, ready to defend him against you at the cost of my own life, if he is innocent-- ready to bow before the sentence which condemns him, if he is guilty."
"Be it so," rejoined Fabian. "You shall hear and judge for yourself."
"This man is of n.o.ble birth," continued Diaz, sadly, "and he lies yonder in the dust, bound like the meanest criminal."
"Unloose him, Diaz!" replied Fabian, "but do not endeavour to shield him from the vengeance which a son must claim for his mother"s murderer.
Require from him a promise that he will not attempt to escape; we shall rely upon you in this matter."
"I pledge my honour that he will not do so," said the adventurer, "nor would I a.s.sist him in the attempt." And Diaz, as he said this, proceeded towards Don Estevan.
In the mean time Fabian, oppressed by sad and anxious thoughts, seated himself at some distance, and appeared to deplore his unfortunate victory.
Pepe turned away his head, and for a while stood as if attentively observing the mists as they floated above the crests of the mountains.
Bois-Rose reclined in his usual att.i.tude of repose, while his eyes, expressive of deep anxiety, were centred upon the young man, and his n.o.ble physiognomy seemed to reflect the clouds which gathered upon the brow of his beloved protege.
Meanwhile Diaz had rejoined the prostrate captive.
Who can guess how many conflicting thoughts crowded upon the mind of the Spanish n.o.bleman, as he lay upon the ground? His expression retained as much pride as when in his more prosperous days he had imagined the possibility of conquering, and bestowing, a throne upon the deposed heir of the Spanish monarchy. At the sight of Diaz, who, he believed had abandoned his cause, an expression of deep melancholy came over his countenance.
"Do you come as an enemy, or a friend, Diaz?" said he. "Are you one of those who take a secret pleasure in contemplating the humiliation of the man whom, in the days of his prosperity, you, like others, would have flattered?"
"I am one of those who flatter only the fallen," replied Diaz, "and who are not offended by the bitterness of speech which is dictated by great misfortune."
As he uttered these words, which were confirmed by the dejection of his manner, Diaz hastened to remove the cords with which the captive"s arms were bound.
"I have given my word that you will not endeavour to escape the fate, whatever it may be, which awaits you at the hands of these men, into whose power we have fallen by an unlucky chance. I believe you have not even thought of flight."
"And you are right, Diaz," replied Don Estevan; "but can you guess what fate these fellows have reserved for me?"
"They talk of a murder to be avenged, of an accusation, and a judgment."