Part 24 (1/2)
”My white brother, who has co sun, is growing angry with Ayatlan because he has not told him that which his heart so desires to know”
”My Indian brother has received gifts and ht to show anger,” replied Drake sharply
”The Spaniards would have flogged Ayatlan, and maybe have killed his sons, for such bad faith and crooked dealing”
The chief bowed ”Spaniards are beasts and the children of beasts
The Englishmen are sons of the Father of Heaven, and Ayatlan prays to therown soft-hearted to his eneue of rumour tells how he has eaten up their arrown old and toothless?”
John Drake flushed He had had more than one reminder that the adetically than he had done But the younger man was by nature more cautious and diplomatic
He made answer: ”My teeth are sound, Ayatlan, and the fire of manhood is still in my heart Do not foes sometimes make peace for a while?”
”True; but when one uilty of folly, for the eneth whilst at rest, and waits to strike at an advantage”
”What has all this to do with the thing I seek?”
”Ayatlan has been working for his white brother since the hour when his shi+p caht help hiht a youth froers He knows the great river, and hath journeyed reat White Queen to the city of the 'Gilded One'”
The quiet announcement thrilled the whole cabin Here was the end of uncertainty Drake grasped the chieftain by the hand ”What bargain doth Ayatlan wish to ain,” was the proud rejoinder ”Have I not given uide waits in my boat”
”Let us speak with hiuide was brought in
The adventurers looked at hireat curiosity; he was an object of the intensest interest to thein with, he was very dirty; the rags of a Spanish doublet hung about his body; legs and feet were bare, but a battered hele, covered his head and ca eyes peeped from under the bent riathering The hearts of the adventurers sunk at the first sight of the ludicrous and souide to whom they were to submit their lives and fortunes! Not one present liked the prospect
There was a moment's silence ”Tell the zany to uncover,” exclaimed the captain Then he turned to Ayatlan ”Willman ant with him, and question him as to his fitness for the duties he offers to fulfil?”
”He will speak for himself He has been a servant of the Spaniards, and knows their tongue better than I do”
Master Jeffreys took the young Indian in hand, and questioned hih, with a ”Yes” to ales up the Orinoco
”How e had lasted fro moon until it was full
What did he know of the city of gold?
Apparently he knew everything The city lay on the headwaters of the river under the great hty lake lay at the foot of the city The sands of the lake were coners desired
Had he met any one who had visited the city?
Yes; an Indian trader He had once come into the camp of his Spanish reat river His masters had used hi white stone, and the roofs of plates of gold The people bathed in the lake on certain festival days, and afterwards sprinkled themselves so thickly with the precious yellow dust that they looked like golden iold, and sacrifices were offered on golden altars Sparkling stones, such as the signers loved, were found in the waters of the lake