Rainbows end

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Title:Rainbow'sEnd
Author:RexBeach
PostingDate:May2,2013[EBook#5086]ReleaseDate:February,2004First
Posted:April22,2002
Language:English
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ProducedbyCharlesFranksandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeam.


RAINBOW'SEND
ByREXBEACH
Authorof"THEAUCTIONBLOCK""THESPOILERS""THEIRONTRAIL"
Etc.
Illustrated


CONTENTS
I.THEVALLEYOFDELIGHT
II.SPANISHGOLD
III."THEO'REILLY"
IV.RETRIBUTION
V.ACRYFROMTHEWILDERNESS
VI.THEQUESTBEGINS

VII.THEMANWHOWOULDKNOWLIFE
VIII.THESPANISHDOUBLOON
IX.MARAUDERS
X.O'REILLYTALKSHOGLATIN
XI.THEHANDOFTHECAPTAIN-GENERAL
XII.WHENTHEWORLDRANBACKWARD
XIII.CAPITULATION
XIV.AWOMANWITHAMISSION
XV.FILIBUSTERS
XVI.THECITYAMONGTHELEAVES
XVII.THECITYOFBEGGARS


XVIII.SPEAKINGOFFOOD
XIX.THATSICKMANFROMSANANTONIO
XX.ELDEMONIO'SCHILD
XXI.TREASURE
XXII.THETROCHA
XXIII.INTOTHECITYOFDEATH
XXIV.ROSA
XXV.THEHAUNTEDGARDEN
XXVI.HOWCOBOSTOODONHISHEAD
XXVII.MORIN,THEFISHERMAN
XXVIII.THREETRAVELERSCOMEHOME
XXIX.WHATHAPPENEDATSUNDOWN
XXX.THEOWLANDTHEPUSSY-CAT


I
THEVALLEYOFDELIGHT

InallprobabilityyourfirstviewofthevalleyoftheYumuriwillbefromthe
HermitageofMontserrate,foritistherethatthecocherosdriveyou.Upthe
windingroadtheytakeyou,withthebayatyourbackandthegorgeatyour
right,tothecrestofanarrowridgewherethechapelstands.Oncethere,you
overlookthefairestsightinallChristendom—"theloveliestvalleyintheworld,"
asHumboldtcalledit—fortheYumurinestlesrightatyourfeet,avaleofpure
delight,aglimpseofParadisethatbewilderstheeyeandfillsthesoulwith
ecstasy.
Itislargerthanitseemsatfirstsight;throughitmeanderstheriver,coilingand
uncoiling,hiddenhereandtherebyjunglegrowths,andseekingfinaloutlet
throughacleftinthewallnotunlikeacrackinthesideofapaintedbowl.The
placeseemstohavebeenfashionedasadwellingfordryadsandhamadryads,
fornixiesandpixies,andallthefabledspiritsofforestandstream.Fairyhands
tinteditssteepslopesandcarpeteditslevelfloorwiththerichestofgreen
brocades.Nowhereisthereaclashofcolor;nowheredoesanakedhillsideor
monstrousjutofrockobtrudetomaritsplacidbeauty;nowherecanyouseea
crude,disfiguringmarkofman'shandiwork—thereareonlyfields,andbowers,
withanoccasionalthatchedrooffadedgraybythesun.
Royalpalms,mostperfectoftrees,arescatteredeverywhere.Theystandalone
orinstatelygroves,theirlushfrondsdroopinglikegiganticostrichplumes,their
slimtrunksassmoothandregularandwhiteasifturnedinagiantlatheandthen
rubbedwithpipe-clay.InallCuba,islandofbewitchingvistas,thereisnoother
Yumuri,andinallthewideworld,perhaps,thereisnovalleyofmoodsand
aspectssovarying.Youshouldseeitatevening,allwarmandslumberous,all
goldandgreenandpurple;oratearlydawn,whenthemistsarefadinglikepale
memoriesofdreamsandthetintsaredelicate;oragain,duringatempest,when


itisacaldronofwhirlingvaporsandwhenthepalm-treesbendlikecoryphees,

tossingtheirarmstothegallopinghurricane.Butwhateverthetimeofdayorthe
seasonoftheyearatwhichyouvisitit,theYumuriwillrenderyouwordless
withdelight,andyouwillvowthatitisthehappiestvalleymen'seyeshaveever
lookedupon.
StandingtherebesidetheshrineofOurLadyofMontserrate,youwillsee
beyondthecleftthroughwhichtheriveremergesanotherhill,LaCumbre,from
whichtheviewisalmostaswonderful,andyourdrivermaytellyouaboutthe
splendidhomesthatusedtograceitsslopesinthegoldendayswhenCubahad
anaristocracy.TheywereclassicRomanvillas,suchasoncelinedtheViaAppia
—littlepalaces,withmosaicsandmarblesandpreciouswoodsimportedfrom
Europe,andfurnishedwiththeraresttreasures—forinthosedaystheCuban
planterswererichandspenttheirmoneylavishly.Melancholyremindersofthis
splendorexistevennowintheshapeofacrumbledruinhereandthere,a
lichenedpillar,anoccasionalporcelainurninitsplaceatopavine-grownbitof
wall.Yourcocheromaypointoutacertaingroveoforange-trees,nowlittlemore
thanaranktangle,andtellyouaboutthequintaofDonEstebanVarona,andits
hiddentreasure;aboutlittleEstebanandRosa,thetwins;andaboutSebastian,
thegiantslave,whodiedinfury,takingwithhimthesecretofthewell.
TheSpanishMainisrichintalesoftreasure-trove,forwhentheAntilleswere
mostaffluenttheywereleastsecure,andmenwereputtostrangeshiftsto
protecttheirfortunes.Certainhoards,likejewelsoftragichistory,intime
assumedasortofevilpersonality,notinfrequentlyexercisingadireinfluence
overthelivesofthosewhochancedtofallundertheirspells.Itwasasifthe
moneywereaccursed,forcertainlytheseekersoftencametoevil.Ofsucha
characterwastheVaronatreasure.DonEstebanhimselfwasneitherbetternor
worsethanothermenofhistime,andalthoughpartofthemoneyhehidwas
wrungfromthetoilofslavesandthetrafficintheirbodies,muchofitwasclean
enough,andintimetheearthpurifieditall.Sincehisactsmadesodeepan
impress,andsincethetreasureheleftplayedsobigapartinthedestiniesof
thosewhocameafterhim,itiswellthatsomeaccountofthesemattersshouldbe

given.
Thestory,pleaseremember,isanoldone;ithasbeenoftentold,andinthe
tellingandretellingitisbutnaturalthatacertainglamour,acertaintropical
extravagance,shouldattachtoit,thereforeyoushouldmakeallowanceforsome
exaggeration,someaccretionsduetothelapseoftime.Inthemain,however,it


iswellauthenticatedandrunsparalleltofact.
DonaRosaVaronalivedbarelylongenoughtolearnthatshehadgivenbirthto
twins.DonEsteban,whompeopleknewasagrimman,tooktheblowofhis
suddenbereavementasbecameoneofhisstrongfiber.Leavingthepriestupon
hiskneesandthedoctorbusiedwiththebabies,hestrodethroughthehouseand
outintothesunset,followedbythewailsoftheslavewomen.Fromthenegro
quarterscamethesoundofotherandevenlouderlamentations,forDonaRosa
hadbeenwelllovedandthenewsofherpassinghadspreadquickly.
DonEstebanwasatheartaselfishman,andnow,therefore,hefeltasullen,
fierceresentmentmingledwithhisgrief.Whattrickwasthis?heaskedhimself.
Whathadhedonetomeritsuchmisfortune?Hadhenotmaderichgiftstothe
Church?HadhenotgoneonfoottotheshrineofOurLadyofMontserratewith
asplendidvotiveoffering—apairofeardrops,anecklace,andacrucifix,allof
diamondsthatquiveredinthesunlightlikedropsofpurestwater?Hadhenot
kneltandprayedforhiswife'ssafedeliveryandthenhunghisgiftsuponthe
sacredimage,asLoyolahadhunguphisweaponsbeforethatothercounterpart
ofOurLady?DonEstebanscowledatthememory,forthosegemswereofthe
finest,andcertainlyofavaluesufficienttorecompensetheVirginforany
ordinarymiracle.Theywereworthfivethousandpesosatleast,hetoldhimself;
theyrepresentedthepriceoffiveslaves—fiveofhisfinestgirls,schooledin
housekeepingandofanagesuitableforbreeding.Anextravagance,truly!Don
Estebanknewthevalueofmoneyaswellasanybody,andhesworenowthathe
wouldgivenomoretotheChurch.

Helookedupfromhisunhappymusingstofindagigantic,barefootednegro
standingbeforehim.Theslavewasmiddle-aged;hiskinkyhairwasgrowing
gray;buthewasofsuperbproportions,andthemuscleswhichshowedthrough
therentsinhiscottongarmentswereassmoothandsuppleasthoseofa
stripling.Hisblackfacewaspuckeredwithgrief,ashebegan:
"Master,isittruethatDonaRosa—"Thefellowchoked.
"Yes,"Estebannodded,wearily,"sheisdead,Sebastian."
TearscametoSebastian'seyesandoverflowedhischeeks;hestoodmotionless,
strivingtovoicehissympathy.Atlengthhesaid:
"Shewastoogoodforthisworld.Godwasjealousandtookherto


Paradise."
Thewidowedmancriedout,angrily:
"Paradise!Whatisthisbutparadise?"Hestaredwithresentfuleyesatthebeauty
roundabouthim."See!TheYumuri!"DonEstebanflungalongarmoutward.
"Doyouthinkthereisasightlikethatinheaven?Andyonder—"Heturnedto
theharborfarbelow,withitsfleetofsailing-shipsrestinglikeaflockofgulls
uponaseaofquicksilver.Beyondthebay,twentymilesdistant,arangeofhazy
mountainshidthehorizon.Facingtothesouth,Estebanlookedupthefulllength
ofthevalleyoftheSanJuan,cleartothemajesticPandeMatanzas,awonderful
sightindeed;thenhiseyesreturned,astheyalwaysdid,totheYumuri,Valleyof
Delight."Paradiseindeed!"hemuttered."Igavehereverything.Shegained
nothingbydying."
Withagravethoughtfulnesswhichprovedhimsuperiortotheordinaryslave,
Sebastianreplied:
"True!Shehadallthatanywoman'sheartcoulddesire,butinreturnforyour
goodnessshegaveyouchildren.Youhavelosther,butyouhavegainedanheir,
andabeautifulgirlbabywhowillgrowtobeanotherDonaRosa.Igrievedas
yougrieve,onceuponatime,formywomandiedinchildbirth,too.You

remember?Butmydaughterlives,andshehasbroughtsunshineintomyold
age.Thatisthepurposeofchildren."Hepausedandshiftedhisweight
uncertainly,digginghisstiffblacktoesintothedirt.Afteratimehesaid,slowly:
"Excellency!Now,aboutthe—well—?"
"Yes.Whataboutit?"Estebanliftedsmolderingeyes.
"DidtheDonaRosaconfidehershareofthesecrettoanyone?Thosepriestsand
thosedoctors,youknow—?"
"Shediedwithoutspeaking."
"Thenitrestsbetweenyouandme?"
"Itdoes,unlessyouhavebabbled."
"Master!"Sebastiandrewhimselfupandtherewasrealdignityinhisblackface.


"Understand,mywholefortuneisthere—everything,eventothedeedsofpatent
fortheplantations.IfIthoughttherewasdangerofyourbetrayingmeIwould
haveyourtonguepulledoutandyoureyestornfromtheirsockets."
Theblackmanspokewithasimplicitythatcarriedconviction."Youhaveseen
metested.YouknowIamfaithful.But,master,thissecretisagreatburdenfor
myoldshoulders,andIhavebeenthinking—Timesareunsettled,DonEsteban,
anddeathcomeswithoutwarning.Youareknowntobetherichestmaninthis
provinceandthesegovernmentofficialsarerobbers.Suppose—Ishouldbeleft
alone?Whatthen?"
Theplanterconsideredforamoment."Theyaremycountrymen,butacurseon
them,"hesaid,finally."Well,whenmychildrenareoldenoughtoholdtheir
tonguestheywillhavetobetold.IfI'mgone,youshallbetheonetotellthem.
Nowleaveme;thisisnotimetospeakofsuchthings."
Sebastianwentasnoiselesslyashehadcome.Onhiswaybacktohisquartershe
tookthepathtothewell—theplacewheremostofhistimewasordinarilyspent.
Sebastianhaddugthiswell,andwithhisownhandshehadbeautifiedits
surroundingsuntiltheyweretheloveliestontheVaronagrounds.Therockfor

thebuildingofthequintahadbeenquarriedhere,andinthecenterofthe
resultingdepression,grass-grownandfloweringnow,wasthewellitself.Its
watersseepedfromsubterraneancavernsandfiltered,pureandcool,throughthe
porouscountryrock.Plantain,palm,orange,andtamarindtreesborderedthe
hollow;overtherockywallsranariotofvinesandfernsandornamentalplants.
ItwasSebastian'stasktokeepthisplacegreen,andthitherhetookhisway,from
forceofhabit.
ThroughthetwilightcamePanchoCueto,themanager,ayoungishman,witha
narrowfaceandbold,close-seteyes.SpyingSebastian,hebegan:
"SoDonEstebanhasanheiratlast?"
Theslaverubbedhiseyeswiththeheelofhishugeyellowpalmandanswered,
respectfully:
"Yes,DonPancho.Twolittleangels,aboyandagirl."Hisgraybrowsdrew
togetherinapainfulfrown."DonaRosawasasaint.Nodoubtthereisgreat
rejoicinginheavenathercoming.Eh?Whatdoyouthink?"


"Um-m!Possibly.DonEstebanwillmissherforatimeandthen,Idaresay,he
willremarry."Atthenegro'sexclamationCuetocried:"So!Andwhynot?
Everybodyknowshowrichheis.FromOrientetoPinardelRiothewomenhave
heardabouthistreasure."
"Whattreasure?"askedSebastian,afteraninstant'spause.
Cueto'sdarkeyesgleamedresentfullyatthisshowofignorance,buthelaughed.
"Ho!There'sacarefulfellowforyou!Nowonderhetrustsyou.Butdoyouthink
Ihaveneithereyesnorears?MygoodSebastian,youknowallaboutthat
treasure;infact,youknowfarmoreaboutmanythingsthanDonEstebanwould
caretohaveyoutell.Comenow,don'tyou?"
Sebastian'sfacewaslikeamaskcarvedfromebony."Ofwhatdoesthistreasure
consist?"heinquired."Ihaveneverheardaboutit."
"Ofgold,ofjewels,ofsilverbarsandpreciousornaments."Cueto'sheadwas

thrustforward,hisnostrilsweredilated,histeethgleamed."Oh,itissomewhere
about,asyouverywellknow!Bah!Don'tdenyit.I'mnofool.Whatbecomesof
themoneyfromtheslavegirls,eh?Andthesugarcrops,too?Doesitgotobuy
armsandammunitionfortherebels?No.DonEstebanhidesit,andyouhelp
him.Come,"hecried,disregardingSebastian'smurmursofprotest,"didyou
everthinkhowfabulousthatfortunemustbebythistime?Didyoueverthink
thatonelittlegem,onebagofgold,wouldbuyyourfreedom?"
"DonEstebanhaspromisedtobuymyfreedomandthefreedomofmygirl."
"So?"Themanagerwasplainlysurprised."Ididn'tknowthat."Afteramoment
hebegantolaugh."Andyetyoupretendtoknownothingaboutthattreasure?
Ha!You'reagoodboy,Sebastian,andsoIam.Iadmireyou.We'rebothloyalto
ourmaster,eh?ButnowaboutEvangelina."Cueto'sfacetookonacraftier
expression."Sheisalikelygirl,andwhenshegrowsupshewillbeworthmore
thanyou,herfather.Don'tforgetthatDonEstebanisbeforeallelseabusiness
man.Becarefulthatsomeonedoesn'tmakehimsogoodanofferforyourgirl
thathewillforgethispromiseand—sellher."
Sebastianutteredahoarse,animalcryandthewhitesofhiseyesshowedthrough
thegloom."HewouldneversellEvangelina!"


Cuetolaughedaloudoncemore."Ofcourse!Hewouldnotdare,eh?Iamonly
teasingyou.Butsee!Youhavegivenyourselfaway.Everythingyoutellme
provesthatyouknowallaboutthattreasure."
"Iknowbutonething,"theslavedeclared,stiffeninghimselfslowly,"andthatis
tobefaithfultoDonEsteban."Heturnedanddeparted,leavingPanchoCueto
staringafterhimmeditatively.
Inthedaysfollowingthebirthofhischildrenandthedeathofhiswife,Don
EstebanVarona,ashadbeenhiscustom,steeredamiddlecourseinpolitics,in
thatwaymanagingtoavoidaclashwiththeSpanishofficialswhoruledthe
island,oranopenbreakwithhisCubanneighbors,whorebelledbeneaththeir

wrongs.Thiswasnoeasythingtodo,fortheagentsofthecrownwere
uniformlycorruptandquiteruthless,whilemostofthenative-bornwereeither
openlyorsecretlyinsympathywiththerevolutionintheOrient.ButEsteban
dealtdiplomaticallywithbothfactionsandwentonraisingslavesandsugarto
hisowngreatprofit.Owingtotheimpossibilityofimportingnegroes,themarket
steadilyimproved,andEstebanreapedahandsomeprofitfromthosehehadon
hand,especiallywhenhiscropofyounggirlsmatured.Hissugar-plantations
prospered,too,andPanchoCueto,whomanagedthem,continuedtowonder
wherethemoneywent.
Thetwins,EstebanandRosa,developedintohealthychildrenandbecamethe
prideofSebastianandhisdaughter,intowhosecaretheyhadbeengiven.Asfor
Evangelina,theyoungnegress,shegrewtallandstrongandhandsome,untilshe
wasthefinestslavegirlintheneighborhood.WheneverSebastianlookedather
hethankedGodforhishappycircumstances.
Then,oneday,DonEstebanVaronaremarried,andtheDonaIsabel,whohad
beenafamousHabanabeauty,cametoliveatthequinta.Thedaughterof
impoverishedparents,shehadheardandthoughtmuchaboutthemysterious
treasureofLaCumbre.
Therefollowedaperiodoffeastingandentertainment,ofmusicand
merrymaking.Spanishofficials,prominentciviliansofMatanzasandthe
countryside,droveupthehilltowelcomeDonEsteban'sbride.Butbeforethe
firstfervorofhishoneymooncooledthegroombegantofearthathehadmadea
seriousmistake.DonaIsabel,hediscovered,wasbothvainandselfish.Notonly
didshecraveluxuryanddisplay,butwithsingularpersistenceshedemandedto


knowallaboutherhusband'sfinancialaffairs.
NowDonEstebanwasnolongeryoung;agehadsouredhimwithsuspicion,and
whenoncehesawhimselfasthevictimofamercenarymarriageheturned
bitterlyagainsthiswife.Hercuriosityhesullenlyresented,andheunblushingly

deniedhispossessionofanyconsiderablewealth.Infact,hetriedwithmalicious
ingenuitytomakeherbelievehimapoorman.ButIsabelwasnotofthesortto
bereadilydeceived.Findingherartsandcoquetriesofnoavail,sheflewintoa
rage,andafuriousquarrelensued—thefirstofmany.Fortheladycouldnotrest
withoutknowingalltherewastoknowaboutthetreasure.Avaricioustoher
finger-tips,sheitchedtoweighthosebagsofpreciousmetalandyearnedtosee
thosejewelsburninguponherbosom.Hermercenarymindmagnifiedtheir
valuemanytimes,andherangeratDonEsteban'sobstinacydeepenedtoa
smolderinghatred.
Shesearchedthequinta,ofcourse,whenevershehadachance,butshe
discoverednothing—withtheresultthatthemysterybegantoengrossherwhole
thought.Shepriedintotheobscurestcorners,shequestionedtheslaves,shelay
awakeatnightlisteningtoEsteban'sbreathing,inthehopeofsurprisinghis
secretfromhisdreams.Naturallysuchalifewastryingtothehusband,butas
hiswife'sobsessiongrewhisdeterminationtofoilheronlystrengthened.
Outwardly,ofcourse,thepairmaintainedashowofharmony,fortheywere
proudandtheyoccupiedapositionofsomeconsequenceinthecommunity.But
theirprivaterelationswentfrombadtoworse.Atlengthatimecamewhenthey
livedinfrankenmity;whenIsabelneverspoketoEstebanexceptinreproachor
anger,andwhenEstebanunlockedhislipsonlytotaunthiswifewiththefact
thatshehadbeenthwarteddespitehercunning.
Inmostquarters,astimewenton,thestoryoftheVaronatreasurewasforgotten,
oratleastputdownaslegendary.OnlyIsabel,who,inspiteofherhusband's
secretiveness,learnedmuch,andPanchoCueto,whokepthisownaccountofthe
annualincomefromthebusiness,heldthematterinseriousremembrance.The
overseerwasapatientman;hewatchedwithinterestthegrowingdiscordatthe
quintaandplannedtoprofitbyit,shouldoccasionoffer.
ItwasonlynaturalundersuchconditionsthatDonaIsabelshouldlearntodislike
herstepchildren—Estebanhadtoldherfranklythattheywouldinheritwhatever
fortunehepossessed.Thethoughtthat,afterall,shemightnevershareinthe

treasureforwhichshehadsacrificedheryouthandbeautywasliketodrivethe


womanmad,and,asmaybeimagined,shefoundwaystoventherspiteuponthe
twins.ShewidenedherhatredsoastoincludeoldSebastianandhisdaughter,
andevenwentsofarastopersecuteEvangelina'ssweetheart,aslavenamed
Asensio.
IthadnottakenDonaIsabellongtoguessthereasonofSebastian'smany
privileges,andoneofherfirsteffortshadbeentowintheoldman'sconfidence.
Itwasinvain,however,thatsheflatteredandcajoled,orstormedandthreatened;
Sebastianwithstoodherasatoweringceibawithstandsthesummerheatandthe
winterhurricane.
Hisfirmnessmadehervindictive,andsointimeshelaidaschemetoestrange
himfromhismaster.
DonaIsabelwascrafty.ShebegantocomplainaboutEvangelina,butitwasonly
aftermanymonthsthatsheventuredtosuggesttoherhusbandthathesellthe
girl.Esteban,ofcourse,refusedpoint-blank;hewastoofondofSebastian's
daughter,hedeclared,tothinkofsuchathing.
"So,thatisit,"sneeredDonaIsabel."Well,sheisyoungandshapelyand
handsome,aswenchesgo.Irathersuspectedyouwerefondofher—"
WithdifficultyEstebanrestrainedanoath."Youmistakemymeaning,"hesaid,
stiffly."Sebastianhasservedmefaithfully,andEvangelinaplayswithmy
children.Sheisgoodtothem;sheismoreofamothertothemthanyouhave
everbeen."
"Isthatwhyyoudressherlikealady?Bah!Alikelystory!"Isabeltossedher
fine,darkhead."I'mnotblind;Iseewhatgoesonaboutme.Thiswillmakea
prettyscandalamongyourfriends—sheasblackasthepit,andyou—"
"WOMAN!"shoutedtheplanter,"youhaveastinglikeascorpion."
"Iwon'thavethatwenchinmyhouse,"Isabelflaredoutathim.
Goadedtofurybyhiswife'ssenselessaccusation,Estebancried:"YOURhouse?

Bywhatlicensedoyoucallityours?"
"AmInotmarriedtoyou?"


"Damnation!Yes—asaleechismarriedtoitsvictim.Yousuckmyblood."
"Yourblood!"Thewomanlaughedshrilly."Youhavenoblood;yourveinsrun
vinegar.Youareamiser."
"Miser!Miser!Igrowsickoftheword.Itisallyoufindtotauntmewith.
Confessthatyoumarriedmeformymoney,"heroared.
"OfcourseIdid!Doyouthinkawomanofmybeautywouldmarryyoufor
anythingelse?ButafinebargainImade!"
"Vampire!"
"Wifeorvampire,Iintendtorulethishouse,andIrefusetobeshamedbya
thick-lippedAfrican.Herairstellherstory.Sheisinsolenttome,but—Isha'n't
endureit.Shelaughsatme.Well,yourfriendsshalllaughatyou."
"Silence!"commandedEsteban.
"Sellher."
"No."
"Sellher,or—"
WithoutwaitingtohearherthreatEstebantossedhisarmsabovehisheadand
fledfromtheroom.Flinginghimselfintothesaddle,hespurreddownthehill
andthroughthetowntotheCasinodeEspanol,wherehespentthenightatcards
withtheSpanishofficials.ButhedidnotsellEvangelina.
Inthedaysthatfollowedmanysimilarscenesoccurred,andasEsteban'shome
lifegrewmoreunhappyhisdissipationsincreased.Hedrankandgambled
heavily;hebroughthisfriendstothequintawithhim,andstrovetoforget
domesticunpleasantnessinboisterousrevelry.
Hiswife,however,foundopportunitiesenoughtowearyandexasperatehim
withreproachesregardingtheslavegirl.

II
SPANISHGOLD

ThetwinsweresevenyearsoldwhenDonaIsabel'sschemesboretheirfirst
bitterfruit,andtheoccasionwasaparticularlyuproariousnightwhenDon
EstebanentertainedacrowdofhisCastilianfriends.LittleRosawasawakened
atalatehourbythelaughterandshoutsofherfather'sguests.Shewasafraid,for
therewassomethingstrangeaboutthevoices,somequalitytothemwhichwas
foreigntothechild'sexperience.Creepingintoherbrother'sroom,sheawoke
him,andtogethertheylistened.
DonMariodeCastanowassingingasong,thewordsofwhichwerelost,but
whichbroughtayellofapprovalfromhiscompanions.Thetwinsdistinguished
thevoiceofDonPabloPeza,too—DonPablo,whosemagnificentblackbeard
hadsooftenexcitedtheiradmiration.Yes,andtherewasCol.Mendozay
Linares,doubtlessinhissplendiduniform.Thesegentlemenwerewelland
favorablyknowntotheboyandgirl,yetRosabegantowhimper,andwhen
Estebantriedtoreassureherhisownvoicewasthinandreedyfromfright.
Inthemidstoftheiragitationtheyheardsomeoneweeping;therecamearushof
feetdownthehallway,andthenextinstantEvangelinaflungherselfintothe
room.Asummermoonfloodedthechamberwithradianceandenabledherto
seethetwosmallwhitefiguressittingupinthemiddleofthebed.
Evangelinafelluponherkneesbeforethem."Littlemaster!Littlemistress!"she
sobbed."Youwillsaveme,won'tyou?Weloveeachother,eh?Seethen,whata
crimethisis!Saythatyouwillsaveme!"Shewasbesideherself,andhervoice
washoarseandcrackedfromgrief.Shewrungherhands,sherockedherself
fromsidetoside,shekissedthetwins'nightgowns,tuggingatthem
convulsively.

Thechildrenwerefrightened,buttheymanagedtoquaver:"Whathashappened?
Whohasharmedyou?"
"DonPabloPeza,"weptthenegress."Yourfatherhassoldmetohim—lostmeat
cards.Oh,Ishalldie!Sebastianwon'tbelieveit.Heispraying.AndAsensio—O
God!Butwhatcantheydotohelpme?Youalonecansaveme.Youwon'tlet
DonPablotakemeaway?Itwouldkillme."
"Wait!"Estebanscrambledoutofbedandstoodbesidehisduskynurseand
playmate."Don'tcryanymore.I'lltellpapathatyoudon'tlikeDonPablo."
Rosafollowed."Yes,comealong,brother,"shecried,shrilly."We'lltellDon
PablotogohomeandleaveourEvangelina."
"Myblesseddoves!Butwilltheylistentoyou?"moanedtheslave.
"Papadoeswhateverweask,"theyassuredher,gravely."Ifheshouldgrowl
we'llcomebackandhideyouinthebigwardrobewherenobodywilleverfind
you."Thenhandinhand,withtheirlongnightgownsliftedtotheirknees,they
patteredoutintothehallanddowntowardtheliving-room,whencecamethe
shoutingandthelaughter.
DonMariodeCastano,whowasfacingthedoor,stoppedinthemidstofaribald
songtocry:"Godbepraised!What'sthisIsee?"
Theotherslookedandthenburstintomerriment,foracrossthelitterofcards
anddiceandemptyglassestheysawadimpledgirlandboy,aslikeastwopeas.
Theywerejustoutofbed;theywerepeeringthroughthesmoke,andblinking
liketwolittleowls.Theirevidentembarrassmentamusedtheguestshugely.
"So!Youawakenthehouseholdwithyoursongs,"someonechidedDon
Mario.
"Twocherubsfromheaven,"anotherexclaimed.
Andathirdcried,"AtoasttoEsteban'sbeautifulchildren."
Butthefatherlurchedforward,afrownuponhisface."Whatisthis,mydears?"
heinquired,thickly."Runbacktoyourbeds.Thisisnoplaceforyou."

"WeloveEvangelina,"pipedthetwins."YoumustnotletDonPablohaveher—
ifyouplease."
"Evangelina?"
Theynodded."Weloveher.…Sheplayswithuseveryday.…Wewantherto
stayhere.…Shebelongstous."
Accustomedastheyweretopromptcompliancewiththeirdemands,theyspoke
imperiously;buttheyhadneverseenafrownlikethisupontheirfather'sface,
andathisrefusaltheirvoicesgrewsqueakywithexcitementanduncertainty.
"Gotoyourrooms,mysweethearts,"DonEstebandirected,finally.
"WewantEvangelina.Shebelongstous,"theychorused,stubbornly.
DonPabloshookwithlaughter."So!Shebelongstoyou,eh?AndI'mtobe
robbedofmywinnings.Verywell,then,comeandgivemeakiss,bothofyou,
andI'llseewhatcanbedone."
ButthechildrensawthatDonPablo'sfacewasstrangelyflushed,thathiseyes
werewildandhismagnificentbeardwaswetwithwine;thereforetheyhung
back.
"Youwonyourbetfairly,"Estebangrowledathim."Paynoheedtothese
babies."
"Evangelinaisours,"thelittleonesbravelyrepeated.
Thentheirfatherexploded:"Thedevil!AmIdreaming?Wherehaveyoulearned
toopposeme?Backtoyourbeds,bothofyou."Seeingthemhesitate,heshouted
forhiswife."Ho,there!Isabel,mylove!Comeputtheseimpstorest.OrmustI
teachthemmannerswithmypalm?Afinething,truly!Aretheytobeallowedto
roamthehouseatwillandgetafever?"
Merementionoftheirstepmother'snamewasenoughforRosaandEsteban;they
scuttledawayasfastastheycouldgo,andwhenDonaIsabelcametotheir
rooms,afewmomentslater,shefoundthemintheirbeds,withtheireyes
deceitfullysqueezedshut.Evangelinawascoweringinacorner.Isabelhad
overheardthewager,andhersoulwasevillyalight;shejerkedtheslavegirlto

herfeetandwithablowofherpalmsenthertoherquarters.Thensheturnedher
attentiontothetwins.Whensheleftthemtheywereweepingsilently,bothfor
themselvesandforEvangelina,whomtheydearlyloved.
MeanwhileDonMariohadresumedhissinging.
DaywasbreakingwhenEstebanVaronabadehisguestsgood-byatthedoorof
hishouse.AshestoodthereSebastiancametohimoutofthemistsofthedawn.
Theoldmanhadbeenwaitingforhours.Hewashalfcrazedfromapprehension,
andnowcasthimselfpronebeforehismaster,beggingforEvangelina.
DonPablo,inwhomtheliquorwasdying,cursedimpatiently:"Caramba!
HaveIwonthetreasureofyourwholeestablishment?"heinquired.
"Perhapsyouvaluethiswenchatmorethanathousandpesos;ifso,you
willsaythatIcheatedyou."
"No!She'sonlyanordinarygirl.Mywifedoesn'tlikeher,andsoIdeterminedto
getridofher.Sheisyours,fairlyenough,"Varonatoldhim.
"Thensendhertomyhouse.I'llbreedhertoSalvador,mycochero.
He'sthestrongestmanIhave."
Sebastianutteredastrangledcryandrosetohisfeet."Master!Youmustnot—"
"Silence!"orderedEsteban.Wineneveragreedwithhim,andthismorningits
effects,combinedwithhislossesatgambling,hadputhiminanastytemper.
"Goaboutyourbusiness.Whatdoyoumeanbythis,anyhow?"heshouted.
ButSebastian,dazedofmindandsickofsoul,wenton,unheeding."Sheismy
girl.Youpromisedmeherfreedom.Iwarnyou—"
"Eh?"Theplanterswayedforwardandwithblazingeyessurveyedhisslave.
Estebanknewthathehaddoneafoulthinginriskingthegirlupontheturnofa
card,andaninnervoicewarnedhimthathewouldrepenthisactionwhenhe
becamesober,butinhispresentmoodthisveryknowledgeenragedhimthe
more."Youwarnme?Ofwhat?"hegrowled.
Atthismomentneithermasternormanknewexactlywhathesaidordid.
Sebastianraisedhishandonhigh.Inrealitythegesturewasmeanttocall

Heavenasawitnesstohisyearsoffaithfulservice,but,misconstruinghisintent,


PabloPezabroughthisriding-whipdownacrosstheoldman'sback,crying:
"Ho!Noneofthat."
AshudderranthroughSebastian'sframe.Whirling,heseizedDonPablo'swrist
andtorethewhipfromhisfingers.AlthoughtheSpaniardwasastrongman,he
utteredacryofpain.
AtthisindignitytoaguestEstebanflewintoafury."Pancho!"hecried."Ho!
Pancho!"Whenthemanagercamerunning,Estebanexplained:"Thisfoolis
dangerous.HeraisedhishandtomeandtoDonPablo."
Sebastian'sprotestsweredrownedbytheangryvoicesoftheothers.
"Tiehimtoyondergrating,"directedEsteban,whowasstillinthegripofa
senselessrage."Floghimwellandmakehasteaboutit."
Sebastian,whohadnotimeinwhichtorecoverhimself,madebutaweak
resistancewhenPanchoCuetolockedhiswristsintoapairofclumsy,oldfashionedmanacles,firstpassingthechainaroundoneofthebarsoftheiron
window-gratingwhichEstebanhadindicated.Sebastianfeltthathiswholeworld
wastumblingabouthisears.Hethoughthemustbedreaming.
Cuetoswungaheavylash;thesoundofhisblowsechoedthroughthequinta,
andtheysummoned,amongothers,DonaIsabel,whowatchedthescenefrom
behindhershutterwithmuchsatisfaction.Theguestslookedonapprovingly.
Sebastianmadenooutcry.Thefaceheturnedtohismaster,however,was
puckeredwithreproachandbewilderment.Thewhipbitdeep;itdrewbloodand
raisedweltsthethicknessofone'sthumb;nevertheless,forthefirstfewmoments
thevictimsufferedlessinbodythaninspirit.Hisbrainwassobenumbed,so
shockedwithotherexcitations,thathewaswell-nighinsensibletophysicalpain.
ThatEvangelina,fleshofhisflesh,hadbeensold,thathislifelongfaithfulness
hadbroughtsuchrewardasthis,thatEsteban,lightofhissoul,hadturned
againsthim—allthiswassimplyastounding.Morehissimplemindcouldnot
compassforthemoment.Gradually,however,hebegantoresenttheshrieking

injusticeofitall,andunsuspectedforcesgatheredinsideofhim.Theygrewuntil
hisframewasshakenbyprimitivesavageimpulses.
AfteratimeDonEstebancried:"Thatwilldo,Cueto!Leavehimnowforthe


fliestopunish.Theywillremindhimofhisinsolence."
Thentheguestsdeparted,andEstebanstaggeredintothehouseandwenttobed.
AllthatmorningSebastianstoodwithhishandschainedhighoverhishead.The
sungrewhotterandeverhotteruponhislaceratedback:theblooddriedand
clottedthere;acloudoffliesgathered,swarmingovertherawgashesleftby
Cueto'swhip.
BeforeleavingforDonPablo'squintaEvangelinacametobidherfatheran
agonizedfarewell,andforalongtimeaftershehadgonetheoldmanstood
motionless,senseless,scarcelybreathing.Nordidtheotherslavesventureto
approachhimtooffersympathyorsuccor.Theypassedwithheadsavertedand
withfearintheirhearts.
SinceDonEsteban'snerves,orperhapsitwashisconscience,didnotpermithim
tosleep,hearoseaboutnoon-timeanddressedhimself.Hewasstilldrunk,and
themadrageoftheearlymorningstillpossessedhim;therefore,whenhe
mountedhishorsehepretendednottoseethefigurechainedtothewindowgrating.Sebastian'saffectionforhismasterwasdoglikeandhehadtakenhis
punishmentasadogtakeshis,moreinsurprisethaninanger,butatthisproofof
callousindifferenceafirekindledintheoldfellow'sbreast,hotterbyfarthanthe
feverfromhisfly-blownscores.Hewasthirsty,too,butthatwastheleastofhis
sufferings.
Sometimeduringtheafternoonthenegroheardhimselfaddressedthroughthe
windowagainstthebarsofwhichheleaned.ThespeakerwasDonaIsabel.She
hadwaitedpatientlyuntilsheknewhemustbefaintfromexhaustionandthen
shehadletherselfintotheroombehindthegrating,whenceshecouldtalkto
himwithoutfearofobservation.
"Doyousuffer,Sebastian?"shebeganinatoneofgentlenessandpity.

"Yes,mistress."Thespeaker'stonguewasthickandswollen.
"La!La!Whatacrime!AndyouthemostfaithfulslaveinallCuba!"
"Yes,mistress."
"CanIhelpyou?"


Thenegroraisedhishead;heshookhisbodytoridhimselfoftheinsectswhich
weredevouringhim.
"Givemeadrinkofwater,"hesaid,hoarsely.
"Surely,agreatgourdful,allcoolanddrippingfromthewell.ButfirstIwant
youtotellmesomething.Comenow,letushaveanunderstandingwitheach
other."
"Adrink,fortheloveofChrist,"pantedtheoldman,andDonaIsabelsawhow
crackedanddrywerehisthicklips,hownearthetorturehadcometoprostrating
him.
"I'lldomore,"shepromised,andhervoicewaslikehoney."I'lltellPancho
Cuetotounlockyou,evenifIriskEsteban'sangerbysodoing.Youhave
sufferedtoomuch,mygoodfellow.Indeedyouhave.Well,Icanhelpyounow
andinthefuture,or—Icanmakeyourlifejustsuchamiseryasithasbeentoday.Willyoubemyfriend?Willyoutellmesomething?"Shewasclosetothe
window;herblackeyesweregleaming;herfacewasablazewithgreed.
"WhatcanItellyou?"
"Oh,youknowverywell!I'veaskeditoftenenough,butyouhavelied,justas
myhusbandhasliedtome.Heisamiser;hehasnoheart;hecaresfornobody,
asyoucansee.Youmusthatehimnow,evenasIhatehim."Therewasasilence
duringwhichDonaIsabeltriedtoreadtheexpressiononthattorturedfaceinthe
sunlight."Doyou?"
"Perhaps."
"Thentellme—istherereallyatreasure,or—?"Thewomangasped;shechoked;
shecouldscarcelyforcethequestionforfearofdisappointment."Tellmethere
is,Sebastian."Sheclutchedthebarsandshookthem."I'veheardsomanylies

thatIbegintodoubt."
Theoldmannodded."Ohyes,thereisatreasure,"saidhe.
"God!Youhaveseenit?"Isabelwastremblingasifwithanague."Whatisit
like?Howmuchisthere?GoodSebastian,I'llgiveyouwater;I'llhaveyouset
freeifyoutellme."


"Howmuch?Idon'tknow.Butthereismuch—piecesofSpanishgold,silver
coinsincasksandinlittleboxes—theboxesareboundwithironandhavehasps
andstaples;barsofpreciousmetalandlittlepaperpackagesofgems,alltiedup
andhiddeninleatherbags."Sebastiancouldhearhislistenerpanting;her
bloodlessfingerswerewrappedtightlyaroundthebarsabovehishead.—
"Yes!Goon."
"Thereareornaments,too.Godknowstheymusthavecomefromheaven,they
aresobeautiful;andpearlsfromtheCaribbeanaslargeasplums."
"Areyouspeakingthetruth?"
"Everypeso,everybar,everyknickknackIhavehandledwithmyownhands.
DidInotmakethehiding-placeallalone?Senora,everythingistherejustasI
tellyou—andmore.Thegrantsoftitlefromthecrownforthisquintaandthe
sugar-plantations,theyarethere,too.DonEstebanusedtofearthegovernment
officials,sohehidhispaperssecurely.Withoutthemthelandsbelongtonoone.
Youunderstand?"
"Ofcourse!Yes,yes!Butthejewels—God!wherearetheyhidden?"
"Youwouldneverguess!"Sebastian'svoicegatheredstrength."Tenthousand
menintenthousandyearswouldneverfindtheplace,andnobodyknowsthe
secretbutDonEstebanandme."
"Ibelieveyou.Iknewallthetimeitwashere.Well?Whereisit?"
Sebastianhesitatedandsaid,piteously,"Iamdying—"
Isabelcouldscarcelycontainherself."I'llgiveyouwater,butfirsttellmewhere
—where!Godinheaven!Can'tyouseethatI,too,amperishing?"

"Imusthaveadrink."
"Tellmefirst."
Sebastianliftedhisheadand,meetingthespeaker'seyes,laughedhoarsely.
AtthesoundofhisunnaturalmerrimentIsabelrecoiledasifstung.Shestaredat


theslave'sfaceinamazementandtheninfury.Shestammered,incoherently,
"You—youhavebeen—lying!"
"Ohno!Thetreasureisthere,thegreatesttreasureinallCuba,butyoushall
neverknowwhereitis.I'llseetothat.Itwasyouwhosoldmygirl;itwasyou
whobroughtmetothis;itwasyourhandthatwhippedme.Well,I'lltellDon
Estebanhowyoutriedtobribehissecretfromme!Whatdoyouthinkhe'lldo
then?Eh?You'llfeelthelashonyourwhiteback—"
"YouFOOL!"DonaIsabellookedmurder."I'llpunishyouforthis;I'llmakeyou
speakifIhavetorubyourwoundswithsalt."
ButSebastianclosedhiseyeswearily."Youcan'tmakemesuffermorethanI
havesuffered,"hesaid."Andnow—Icurseyou.Maythattreasurebethedeath
ofyou.Mayyouliveintorturelikeminetherestofyourdays;mayyourbeauty
turntouglinesssuchthatmenwillspitatyou;mayyouneverknowpeaceagain
untilyoudieinpovertyandwant—"
ButDonaIsabel,beingsuperstitious,fledwithherfingersinherears;nordid
sheundertaketomakegoodherbarbarousthreat,realizingopportunelythatit
wouldonlyservetobetrayherdesperateintentionsandputherhusbandfurther
onhisguard.Insteadsheshutherselfintoherroom,whereshepacedthefloor,
rackingherbraintoguesswherethehiding-placecouldbeortodevisesome
meansofsilencingSebastian'stongue.Tofeelthatshehadbeenovermatched,to
knowthattherewasindeedatreasure,tothinkthatthetwowhoknewwhereit
washadbeenlaughingatherallthistime,filledthewomanwithanagony
approachingthatwhichSebastiansufferedfromhisflies.
AsthesunwassinkingbeyondthefartherrimoftheYumuriandthevalleywas

beginningtofillwithshadows.EstebanVaronarodeupthehill.Histemperwas
moreevilthanever,ifthatwerepossible,forhehaddrunkagaininaneffortto
drownthememoryofhisearlieractions.Withhimrodehalfadozenormoreof
hisfriends,comingtodineandputinanothernightathisexpense.Therewere
PabloPeza,andMariodeCastano,oncemore;Col.MendozayLinares,old
PedroMiron,theadvocate,andothersoflessconsequence,whomEstebanhad
gatheredfromtheSpanishClub.Thehostdismountedandlurchedacrossthe
courtyardtoSebastian.
"So,myfinefellow,"hebegan."Haveyouhadenoughofrebellionbythis


time?"
"Whydidyouhavehimflogged?"theadvocateinquired.
Estebanexplained,briefly,"Hedaredtoraisehishandinangeragainstoneof
myguests."
Sebastian'sfacewasworkingasheturneduponhismastertosay:"Iwouldbe
lyingifItoldyouthatIamsorryforwhatIdid.Itisyouhavedonewrong.Your
soulisblackwiththiscrime.Whereismygirl?"
"Thedevil!Tohearyoutalkonewouldthinkyouwereafreeman."The
planter'seyeswereblearedandhebrandishedhisriding-whipthreateningly."I
doasIpleasewithmyslaves.Itoleratenoinsolence.Yourgirl?Well,she'sin
thehouseofSalvador,DonPablo'scochero,whereshebelongs.I'vewarnedhim
thathewillhavetotameherunrulyspirit,asIhavetamedyours."
Sebastianhadhungsickandlimpagainstthegrating,butatthesewordshe
suddenlyroused.Itwasasifacurrentofelectricityhadgalvanizedhim.He
strainedathismanaclesandthebarsgroanedunderhisweight.Hiseyesbegan
toroll,hislipsdrewbackoverhisbluegums.Notinghisexpressionofferocity,
Estebancutathisnakedbackwiththeriding-whip,crying:
"Ho!Notsubduedyet,eh?Youneedanotherflogging."
"Curseyouandallthatisyours,"roaredthemaddenedslave."Mayyouknow

themiseryyouhaveputuponme.Mayyourotforamillionyearsinhell."The
whipwasrisingandfallingnow,forEstebanhadlostwhatlittleself-controlthe
liquorhadlefttohim."Mayyourchildren'sbodiesgrowfilthywithdisease;may
theystarve;maythey—"
Sebastianwasyelling,thoughhisvoicewashoarsewithpain.Thelashdrew
bloodwitheveryblow.Meanwhile,hewrenchedandtuggedathisbondswith
thefuryofamaniac.
"Pablo!Yourmachete,quick!"pantedtheslave-owner."God'sblood!
I'llmakeanendofthisblackfiend,onceforall."
EstebanVarona'sguestshadlookedonatthescenewiththesamemildinterest
theywoulddisplayatthewhippingofabalkyhorse:and,nowthattheanimal