FORTUNE TURNS HER WHEEL.
Frown, Fortune, frown,
For I am much cast down,
And tears do melancholy make my face;
In sable gown,
With sad yew-wreath as crown,
I rail at you,
Oh, Fortune, most untrue,
For that to me, you show not any grace;
Oh, la! fa! la! la!
My Lady Fortune, hear my sigh,
Be kinder to my love and I.
Smile, Fortune, smile,
For I am gay awhile,
And laughter lurks about these lips again;
Now I beguile
My days with cheerful wile,
For from the throng,
Of shepherds gay and strong,
My love hath chosen me to be her swain;
Oh, la! fa! la! la!
My Lady Fortune hear my cry,
How happy are my love and I.
"Baron Munchausen!" said Philip, addressing Jack, with mock solemnity,
"this story of thine passeth the comprehension of man. 'Tis a most rare
history, and, were I the Commander of the Faithful, I would have it
written in letters of gold on purple parchment."
It was some hours after their rescue by Philip, and _The Bohemian_
was just entering the harbour of Tlatonac. Dolores was sound asleep in
Peter's cabin; and Jack, now transformed to a civilised being, by
washing and clothing, was seated in the state-room, narrating his
adventures to an attentive audience of three. As for Cocom, he was
squatting on the floor with a cigarette in his mouth, grunting approval
of Jack's story--which he told in Spanish, for the benefit of Rafael,
and modestly receiving the encomiums lavished on him by the listeners.
Philip and Don Rafael frequently interrupted him with exclamations of
surprise; but Peter, less skilful in understanding the Castilian
tongue, had to keep his attention fixed on every word that fell from
Jack's lips. Under the tutorship of Doña Serafina, the little doctor
had made wonderful progress, and now understood the Spanish language
fairly well. It was at the conclusion of this most extraordinary story
that Philip addressed Jack as "Baron Munchausen."
"Por todos Santos!" exclaimed Rafael, admiringly, following Philip's
example, "it is wonderful. Mi amigo! I can never thank you sufficiently
for all you have done for my cousin. But, perchance," added the young
captain, with a twinkle in his eye, "Dolores has already thanked you
herself."
"Dolores will thank me when we arrive at Tlatonac," retorted Jack,
sipping his wine. "Our circumstances were too perilous, Rafael, to
admit of fine compliments."
"Don Miguel will be pleased!" remarked Peter, in fair Spanish.
"He will be more than pleased, Don Pedro," cried Rafael, seizing Jack's
hand. "My friend, for this you have done, I feel sure my father will
grant you the desire of your heart."
"Santissima! Let Dolores marry an Americano?"
"And why not, Señor? You have saved her life."
"Assuredly! But Cocom saved mine, Rafael!"
"For that Cocom shall pass the rest of his days in peace and comfort,"
said Philip, looking gratefully at the Indian.
Cocom shook his head with mournful composure.
"The days of Cocom are numbered, Señores. The Doña Dolores showed the
opal to the hounds of Ixtlilxochitli. By that they knew that the victim
of the cycle, that the guardian of the Chalchuih Tlatonac still live,
and have stolen the sacred stone. Cocom aided them to discover the
secret way, and Ixtlilxochitli will never forgive that betrayal. I am
lost, Señores. I shall die."
"Es verdad!" exclaimed Rafael, earnestly, "doubtless the Indians of
Totatzine will try and kill you, Cocom. But in Tlatonac, under the
protection of the opal flag, you are safe!"
"No, Señor Maraquando! I shall die," repeated Cocom, stolidly.
"Not you!" interposed Jack, patting the old man on the head. "I shall
look after you, my friend. You saved my life; I shall save yours. A
fair exchange! Hark! a gun!"
"It is from the fort," said Philip, hastily rising, "we are now in the
harbour. Come on deck, Jack. We shall be on shore in another twenty
minutes."
They at once went up, and Jack took off his hat with a reverential
expression, when he saw the silvery walls of Tlatonac once more glisten
over the blue waters.
"Thank God, who has preserved us through many perils!"
"Amen!" said Philip's deep voice, behind him "Oh, Jack," he added,
placing his hand on his friend's shoulder, with deep emotion, "if you
only knew what agonies we have undergone, thinking of your fate. When
we found you were missing, I wished to go back, at any risk, and headed
the yacht for the harbour of Acauhtzin. But that cursed Xuarez turned
his guns on us, and, as _The Bohemian_ would have been smashed to
pieces, we were forced to retreat. What a cur I felt then."
"You could not help it," said Jack, patting Philip's back, kindly. "In
an attempt to rescue me, you would only have lost your own lives."
"I did what I could, Jack. At once I came back to Tlatonac, and
implored Don Francisco to send an army to Acauhtzin to your rescue. But
it was impossible--the torpederas had not arrived, and there were only
some merchant-ships to take men north-ward. Defended, as Acauhtzin was,
by the war-ships, such an attempt would have been foolhardy. We were
forced to remain inactive at Tlatonac, not knowing if you were dead or
alive."
"And then the war broke out?"
"As I told you; Don Hypolito, with his war-ship, is now besieging
Janjalla. Tim, Garibay, General Gigedo, and half the army, are there
defending it. Tim wanted to remain and search for you; but I insisted
on his going, and told him I would take _The Bohemian_ up to Acauhtzin,
under the Union Jack, to make inquiries."
"It was lucky you did that," said Jack, with a grim smile, "or those
Indians would have killed or recaptured us for sure."
"We did not know it was you," interposed Peter, who had been
listening,--they were conversing in English. "I saw you first, and
thought it was only a canoe of Indians being chased by others. Philip
thought he would help the supposed Indians, and fired those guns."
"Peter nearly fainted when we saw who the Indians were," laughed
Philip, slipping his arm within that of Jack's. "However, 'all's well
that ends well;' and here you are, safe and sound with Dolores."
"And with the opal!"
"Good! I never thought you would have got that stone, Jack. Your luck
holds, old fellow. The possession of the opal will give confidence to
Tlatonac. Will it not, Rafael?"
"What say you, Señor Felipe?"
"The opal! Its possession will inspire confidence."
"Of a certainty, mi amigo. Our men will fight like devils, now they
know the fortune of the Chalchuih Tlatonac is on the side of the Junta.
In the same way, Don Hypolito's soldiers will lose heart."
"If they lose the war, that is all I care about. I would like to see
that fiend of a Xuarez punished," said Jack, savagely. "By the way,
Philip, I suppose you got no satisfaction at Acauhtzin this trip?"
"No; the forts opened fire, and would not let me enter the harbour.
Luckily, the war-ships were all south, as I knew, or we would have been
smashed up."
"The war-ships are bombarding Janjalla, you told me."
"Yes; we hope, however, that it will hold out till the torpederas go
south."
"Have they arrived?"
"Yonder."
Philip pointed to the left, and there, under the walls of the fort, lay
two long black objects, with stumpy black funnels. More than this, a
large ship of some two thousand five hundred tons was anchored close at
hand. Jack was astonished to see the change in the port since he had
last beheld Tlatonac. Then it was quiet and peaceful-looking, now, what
with ships and the two torpedo-boats, black wasps of the ocean, as they
were, lying under the walls, the walls themselves spotted with the
muzzles of heavy guns, the glitter of arms and uniforms outside the
sea-gate, and the blaring of distant trumpets, the roll of drums, the
aspect was of the most warlike character. He glanced at the
spiteful-looking torpedo-boats, and turning towards Philip, mutely
demanded an explanation.
"You see Cholacaca is in the thick of it," said the baronet, gaily.
"You have been away close on three weeks, and during that time neither
Don Hypolito nor the Junta have been idle. The former has sent his
troops and war-ships to Janjalla, and the latter is busy fixing up the
torpederas to have a fight with _The Pizarro_ and her consorts down
south."
"But that ship?"
"_The Iturbide_. She is a Cuban mail steamer requisitioned by the
Junta, and turned into an armed cruiser for this war. With her and the
torpederas, Don Hypolito's fleet won't have such a pleasant time as
they think."
"Does Don Rafael command _The Iturbide?_"
"I, mi amigo!" cried Rafael, overhearing this question. "Not I. Yonder
torpedo-boat is under my charge, and in that, Don Juan, you must come
with me."
"When do you go south?"
"The day after to-morrow. At the same time regiments march by land to
Gigedo, at Janjalla. Oh, the game has begun, Juan, and the opal burns
red!"
"It will now burn whatever colour we like," retorted Jack, shrugging
his shoulders. "I saw the way those priests managed the trick. It
was----"
"Tim can tell us all that in the patio of Casa Maraquando," interrupted
Philip, hastily. "See, the anchor is down, so we had better go ashore
at once, and relieve the minds of Don Miguel and the ladies."
"Cocom is already over the side," said Peter, pointing to a small canoe
skimming the waves. "You will receive an ovation on your way through
the city."
"Greatness is thrust upon me," laughed Jack, who was wonderfully
lighthearted now that they were safe, "Where is Doña Dolores?"
"Just coming on deck."
The girl still wore her Indian dress, as Philip, being a bachelor, had
no feminine gear on board. She had, however, washed the paint from her
face, and looked wonderfully bright and charming in her savage
toilette.
"Pocahontas!" said Philip, in Jack's ear, as she approached. "Lucky
man. I would I were Captain John Smith."
"What about Eulalia?"
"Oh, I can tell you about Eulalia," murmured Dr. Grench, a trifle
maliciously.
"You'll do nothing of the sort, Peter," said Philip, sharply. "I will
tell Jack all about it myself. You stick to your beetles and Doña
Serafina."
"Doña Serafina!" cried Dolores, overhearing the name. "Oh, Señor
Felipe, how I do wish to see my dear aunt."
"In a few minutes, Señorita. See, the boat is waiting. We will all go
on shore at once."
"There seems to be a row on shore," remarked Jack, as they climbed down
the side of the yacht.
"Dios!" exclaimed Rafael, laughing. "Cocom has told them all. The news
is passing from mouth to mouth. Soon it will be all over the city.
Harken to the cries, mis amigos."
"Vive el Americano! El opalo! Dios lo pague, Doña Dolores!"
"A shout for one, a shout for all," observed Jack, philosophically.
"They should also shout, 'God reward Cocom!' for without Him we would
not be here."
They were welcomed on shore by a frantic crowd. The Cholacacans have
all the vivacity and impulsiveness of southern nature. Nothing do they
love so much as a public demonstration; therefore, on this occasion
they gave full rein to their enthusiasm. In their eyes, Jack was a
hero, Dolores a heroine, and, accordingly, they were almost stunned
with vociferous applause. The fact that the opal, that sacred gem, so
inextricably interwoven with the traditions of the Republic, was now in
the city itself, wrought them up to a pitch of frenzy. With the
Chalchuih Tlatonac in their midst, they could not fail to conquer the
rebels; it was the palladium of the Republic, the genius of Tlatonac,
and by it would they be enabled to overwhelm their enemies. The
superstitious belief they had in the jewel was almost terrible. It
glittered on the banners of Cholacaca, it coloured the whole patriotic
feelings of the inhabitants. The opal meant victory to its possessors,
and, lo! they held it safely in the capital.
Up to the sea-gate the lovers passed, surrounded by their friends. On
either side the vast crowd heaved like a great sea. Constant cries
saluted Jack, Dolores, the opal; and to show the public that Cocom had
spoken truly, Duval whispered a few words to his companion. In a moment
she had drawn forth the gem from her breast, and held it up in full
sight of the populace. The tumult sank to a dead stillness, as if by
magic, and everyone drew a deep breath of awe and admiration as the
splendid jewel flashed its lightnings in the sun. A crimson beam flared
forth, owing to the position in which it was held by Dolores. It burned
in her fingers like a red-hot coal. The crowd, in their superstition,
took it as a sign from heaven, and burst out into frenzied cries.
"Guerra! Guerra! El opalo! Guerra! Abajo los rebeledes!"
Then some excited person began chanting the national song of the opal.
In a moment the mob caught at the idea, and the great body of sound
thundered to the sky.
Kneel at the shrine while the future discerning,
See how the crimson ray strengthens and glows;
Red as the sunset the opal is burning,
Red is prophetic of death to our foes.
"I feel like a victorious general," said Jack, smiling at all this
enthusiasm.
"What a pity Tim isn't here," remarked Peter, whose usually meek eyes
were flashing like stars behind his spectacles; "he does so like a
row."
"He'll be having plenty where he is," said Philip, grimly; "but look at
that fellow going to do the Raleigh business with his zarape."
By this time they had passed into the Calle Otumba, and a frantic young
Spaniard, rushing forward, flung his cloak on the ground for Dolores to
walk across. The idea pleased the people, and in a few moments the
whole way up to the Casa Maraquando was spread with zarapes. Then
flowers were flung before them in profusion.
"The primrose path of dalliance," quoth Philip, laughing. "I hope these
excited people won't throw their bodies next for us to walk over. Don't
be afraid, Doña Dolores. You have your guard of honour to protect you."
Indeed, this frenzied demonstration rather scared the girl. All the
colour faded out of her face, and slipping the opal into her bosom, she
shrank terrified against her lover. Jack took her arm within his own
and his touch gave her more confidence; but what with the singing,
shouting, cloak-flinging, flower throwing, and what not, they both felt
quite worn out, and were not at all sorry to at length arrive at the
door of the Casa Maraquando.
The news of their arrival had preceded them, as a matter of course, and
Don Miguel, with outstretched arms, was waiting in the gateway to
receive them. Dolores, with a cry of delight, flung herself on the
breast of her uncle, who at once carried her into the patio. Then the
rest of the party followed, and the doors were shut against the mob,
which still remained in the street, terribly excited. After a time, the
tumult quietened down like a sea after a storm, and the throng streamed
into the Plaza de los Hombres Ilustres to organise a demonstration to
the honour and glory of the Chalchuih Tlatonac and its guardian.
In the patio, Dolores was received with noisy demonstrations by Doña
Serafina, and with joyful tears by Eulalia. It was some time, however,
before Don Miguel could part from his niece, for he held her to his
breast, calling upon all the saints to shower blessings on her head.
Never had the stately Spaniard been so moved, and when he delivered his
niece over to the tender embraces of Serafina and Eulalia, he turned
towards Jack, with tears in his eyes.
"Señor Juan," he said, in a voice of emotion, grasping the young man's
hand, "I can never repay you for what you have done. From this moment
you may command the services, and the lives of myself and those dear to
me."
He could say no more, but, with a wave of his hand, walked to the other
end of the court to conceal his emotion. Jack was scarcely less moved,
and as for Dolores, she was being overwhelmed by her cousin and aunt.
"Dear one," chattered the old lady, noisily; "now that thou art safe, I
vow twenty candles to the Virgin, who has thus watched over thee, and
to San Juan, who is the patron saint of your preserver."
"I, also!" cried Eulalia, who had in some mysterious way become
possessed of the history. "I vow a jewel to San Felipe, for it was his
namesake who preserved them from the Indians."
Jack and Philip were much gratified by these marks of attention; but
Peter, being left out in the cold, was inclined to be cross.
"They might vow a candle or so to San Pedro," he grumbled, "seeing the
whole Church of Rome is under his care."
"Offer him some beetles, Peter," said Jack, in the little doctor's ear;
but the suggestion was not received favourably by the entomologist.
Having wept and cried over Dolores to their hearts' content, the ladies
proceeded to lead her away to resume her own dress; but before doing
so, both aunt and niece flung themselves on Jack's neck, and embraced
him with fervour. Duval did not mind a kiss from Eulalia, but he
objected to the aunt. Nevertheless, as he had to take the bitter with
the sweet, he passively submitted to be made much of.
"Caro, Señor! You are an angel from heaven," cried Serafina, with
fervour.
"As valiant as the Cid," said Eulalia, kissing Jack's bronzed cheek.
"We will pray for you to the saints."
"Your face shall be in my soul!"
This last remark came from Eulalia, whereat Philip winced. Seeing this,
Jack brought the duet to a speedy end.
"I am your servant, Señoritas! What I have done is nothing, and thanks
are rather due to Cocom than to me."
"But without you, Don Juan, Cocom could not have saved Dolores."
"And without the boat of Señor Felipe," added Eulalia, glancing at the
baronet, "none of the three would be here."
Philip made a polite gesture of dissent, though in his heart he was
glad that Eulalia inclined so kindly towards him. Then Jack kissed the
hands of the ladies in a most gallant fashion, and they, after removing
Dolores once more from the arms of Don Miguel, whither she had flown,
led her out of the patio. This being done, while waiting for the
evening meal, Don Miguel demanded from Jack an account of his
adventures, a request which was at once seconded by Philip, Rafael, and
Peter, who protested that they could listen to a dozen repetitions of
his hairbreadth escapes. Thus adjured, Jack, with as much suppression
of himself as possible, narrated the events which had taken place from
the earliest period of his capture by Xuarez down to the present time
when he was rescued by Philip. Frequently the story was interrupted by
ejaculations from his auditors, and by the time the story was finished
they were all furious with Don Hypolito, particularly Señor Maraquando.
"To think, Señor," he cried, indignantly, "that I have touched the hand
of that man. Carambo! To give up a white man to the cursed altar of
Huitzilopochtli. It is infamous! It is unheard of!"
"But you forget, Señor, he is a pure-blooded Indian."
"I ever thought so," said Rafael, sagely. "There were many ways about
Xuarez, my father, that were not those of a Spaniard."
"Indian or no Indian," growled Philip, clenching his fist, "if I get
within striking distance of the scoundrel, I won't leave a whole bone
in his body."
"Nor will I," said the meek Peter, fiercely, "fancy him wanting to lay
Jack out on a jasper stone like a corpse on a dissecting-table."
"Be quiet, you Chamber of Horrors," said the baronet, angrily, "don't
mention such a thing."
"There is one great good gained out of much evil," observed Don Miguel,
reflectively; "the possession of the opal strengthens us greatly
against Xuarez."
"How so?" asked Philip, curiously.
"Because this priest, Ixtlilxochitli, will not be able to manage the
Indians for him without the stone."
"I am afraid, Señor, the mischief is done," said Jack, gravely, "the
opal declared war, and now the Indians will join Don Hypolito."
"It's a pity we can't get up a counter prophecy, and make the opal
declare peace," remarked Philip, quietly; "then the Indians would take
no part in the war."
"I fancy that is impossible," said Miguel, shaking his head. "I would
it could be so. If the Indians would only keep quiet, Xuarez would find
great difficulty in accomplishing his plans. Should Janjalla fall, and
Xuarez concentrate his own men and the Indians before Tlatonac, it will
be hard to beat them back."
"Janjalla will not fall," cried Rafael, in a fiery tone; "there are
brave men defending it. They will hold out till reinforced. The
regiments march southward to-morrow, the torpederas and _The Iturbide_
go the next day; and between the two we shall conquer these rebels."
"We will try, at all events, my son," said Maraquando, smiling at the
young man's enthusiasm; "but, meanwhile, it is best to look on both
sides of the question."
"With the opal stone in Tlatonac, we cannot fail," declared Jack. "You
have seen it, Señor Maraquando?"
"Not yet. Dolores was too agitated to show it to me."
"Here is my cousin," said Rafael, rising to his feet. "She brings the
opal with her."
Before he finished the sentence, Dolores, now arrayed in her European
dress, entered the patio, followed by Doña Serafina and Eulalia
uttering cries of admiration. In her hand she carried the Harlequin
Opal, which glittered faintly in the dim light.
"See, uncle!" cried Dolores, placing the gem in Maraquando's hand, "I
give you the luck of Tlatonac."
"So this is the famous stone?" said Miguel, gazing at the wonderful
play of colours, "I do not wonder it is held sacred. So beautiful a
jewel I have never yet beheld."
"There, Señor Maraquando, I disagree with you," observed Jack, in a
nervous voice; "there is a jewel still more beautiful in my
eyes--Dolores!"
Don Miguel started and stared in amazement at the young couple, who
were now standing hand in hand before him. He could not understand the
meaning of either the attitude or speech.
"My brother," whispered Serafina, seizing the situation with feminine
quickness, "it is love!"
"Yes," said Jack, firmly, "it is love. I have worshipped your niece
these many months, Señor Maraquando, but I dared not to tell you of
that love, seeing I was an Englishman, a heretic. Now, however, if I
have done anything to deserve your gratitude, I ask you, in the
presence of my friends, to give your consent to the marriage of Dolores
and myself."
Don Miguel was silent for a few moments, and then turned slowly towards
his niece.
"Do you love Don Juan, Dolores?"
She raised her head and looked not at her questioner, but at Jack.
"Yes," she replied simply, "I have loved him this long time."
"Señor," said Maraquando, with great dignity, "it is true you are not
of our race; but during the time I have known you I have seen nothing
in you but what I admire and respect. In rescuing my niece from the
Shrine of the Opal at Totatzine, you have acted like a chivalrous
gentleman. To your marriage I gladly give my consent. Take Dolores as
your wife, Señor, and with her this."
He held out for Jack's acceptance the Harlequin Opal.