“And Raphe as your king” interrupted Zulmiera, in hurried accents. “You promised that, or I would never have agreed to what I have; and had I known Cuanaboa as much as I do to-night, even that scheme of grandeur would not have tempted me to turn traitor, to promise, as I have, to open the doors, where I have lived so long, to give entrance to the enemy, and to lull their fears, while the worse than blood-hounds were upon their steps. Oh, Cuanaboa! I might have been so very happy, had I only waited in patience for a little time—happier as plain Mistress de Merefield, than I shall be, perhaps, as queen of the Caribbees; but it is no use repining now; I have given my word, and, right or wrong, Zulmiera will stand by it.”
The long eyelashes fell over her burning eyes, and the beating of her heart sounded audibly, and shook her very frame; but recovering herself, she continued—“There is another subject to be discussed, Cuanaboa; the daughter of the governor is my dearest friend, and therefore she must be preserved unharmed throughout the fray, guarded with the most scrupulous care, and I look to you to place her in safety. Dost thou comprehend what I say?”
“Yes, lady; and I was going to remark, when you interrupted me, that as you wish certain of the enemy saved alive, particularly the fair youth you mentioned just now, it would be well for you to give your orders to Guacanagari; and for that purpose I would advise you to visit the cave to-morrow evening, when we intend holding a serious assembly and dance, previous to commencing the attack. Guacanagari will be rejoiced to meet you, and he will be as fond of the maiden and the youth as I am;” and a very sinister expression, but unobserved by Zulmiera, passed over the face of the Carib chief. “Besides, lady, it is but right that Guacanagari should know his queen—never Carib had one before.”
“I will attend,” replied Zulmiera. “And now, as it is past midnight, ’tis time we parted;” so saying, she bowed to the Carib, and drawing her mantle around her, walked away with all the dignity of a sovereign.
Keeping his dark eye fixed upon her as long as she continued in sight, no sooner had the intervening shrubs screened her from his view, than, throwing himself upon the ground, the Carib broke into a shrill laugh. “And so the haughty beauty thinks that a people who have scarcely known control, will bend their shoulders to the dominion of a girl and a white-faced boy!—ha! ha! If the wild kites chose a king, would it be a colibri?[[96]] No! Should the Caribs follow the custom of the strangers who have come among us, and torn away our most fruitful countries, and own a king, who should it be but Cuanaboa? for who has slain so many enemies and drunk their blood as I have? or who can shew a longer string of teeth than I have here?” and he played with the one which ornamented his neck. “If Zulmiera will be queen, it must be as my wife; and truly she would serve to swell a richer triumph than I even expect to have. But as for the youth, his race is almost run; before this time to-morrow, I think he will give me but little further trouble. ’Tis well I came so soon to-night, and thus was witness of the meeting. I wish I could have understood what he said; but these pale-faced people speak so vilely, that it is hard to know what they mean. However, it matters not, I saw enough; and as I intend Zulmiera to be my prize, I will very shortly get rid of the youngster; he’ll make a capital sacrifice to Old Mayboya. White men eat better than red people, it can’t be denied;” and as he finished his soliloquy, he arose from the ground, and springing over the brush-wood, was lost to sight in the impending copse.
[[92]] A kind of small guitar, in use about the 16th and 17th centuries.
[[93]] A priest, or magician, among the Caribs.
[[94]] Now called Bat’s Cave.
[[95]] Supreme deity among the Caribs.