princess Eylla, who, riding in the chariot beside the missive slaves retired-and the princess was left alone emperor, had witnessed this scene. with her confidante. "They are my slaves, and 'tis in their blood that I float above their heads," was the stern reply of the tyrant. "Nay, father!” "Ophiël !" "Your highness," answered the lovely Peruvian slave, still kneeling at the feet of her mistress. "You have heard that several men were slain to day, "Let them die! saw you not that the serf rebelled." as we passed through the city towards the temple?" "Nay, he did but protect his life." "And wherefore should he dare save his life, when my officer of the guard was pleased to take it ?" "Nay-father! see how the poor people fall before the weapons of the fierce guards. And look! they press up to fill the gap, and with their hearts place a barrier between thy vengeance and its victim!" "Therefore should they die !" "Spare him-spare them-father, for my sake bid them hold! Shall Eylla plead in vain ?" "Azcala, call off your guards. Their insolence is enough punished." "Nay, your highness, I did not. But as scarce a day goes by without bloodshed, I doubt not this day has had its share," replied the slave, with a mixture of irony and sorrow in her manner. "Hist, minion. It is my father's unhappy disposition. Yet he loves me." "So does the lion of Peru; yes, the tiger of the Yucatan loves his whelp." "Have done, Ophiël," said the princess, with some sternness. She then added with kindness, "I have detained thee to serve me with thy ready wits and well tried faithfulness. Listen!" The slave bent her head reverently and gratefully upon her bosom, and silently awaited the communica The lovely princess fell upon his neck and gratefully kissed him, and with strange affection he returned it, and then sternly bade the procession move on. But Eyllation of the will of her mistress. for, curiosity to gaze on a man for whom so many had given their lives, had led her to seek him out in the crowd-did not pass on, ere she received from the dark eyes of the handsome youth a look of grateful homage and acknowledgment-for, the gentleness of the princess drew her as near to the hearts of her subjects as the sternness of her father removed him from them-so Montezuma felt it was no insult for his gaze, low as he was, to meet that of the princess, and to thank her for her interposition. But the mischief that glance did is incalculable. The princess rode on, but from that moment forgot the procession-her father-every thing but the face of the youth for whom she had interposed. Her bosom at first was filled with curiosity to know "There was some commotion to-day among the populace, caused by an attempt of the officer of the emperor's guard to seize a youth who inadvertently, and from too eager curiosity to witness the procession, thrust himself forward before the others. I heard him called Montezuma. Know you such a one by name in the city, and his degree?" who he could be for whom men cast away their lives; and then her thoughts ran upon his lofty aspect and noble bearing-dwelt upon his fine eyes and beautiful features. But the more she thought, the more bewil dered she grew, till at length recalled to herself by the approach of the procession at the temple, she hung her head in confusion, and concealed the blush of shame that crimsoned her cheek within the silken folds of her vesture. IV. That night the lovely princess Eylla sat in her gorgeous chamber. Her slaves, in rich dresses, kneeled at a distance with their folded hands laid across their bosoms, silently watching the least sign of her will or gesture of command. It was moonlight, and the silvery flood poured in at the open lattice by which she sat, and falling upon her fair forehead gave it the whiteness of Parian marble, with the soft lustre of the pearl. One snowy hand, half in the moonlight, half in shade, sustained her cheek. She was buried in deep thought, and ever and anon, her snowy bosom would heave and fall, and from her just parted lips a low sigh escape. All at once, she rose to her feet, and at the same instant her slaves flew and prostrated themselves around her. "Ophiël, remain with me; the rest of you retire to your couches. I need your attendance no longer, till the dawn." "Was he tall and kingly in his port, your highness?" "He looked majesty himself. Such, methinks, as a prince of the sun should appear!" "Was he youthful withal?" "Scarce the down had darkened his lip, and the scissors had never yet touched his flowing locks of jet.” "Did he smile like the sun in May; and was his eye like a diamond set in jet upon a ground of pearl, flashing fire and speaking intelligence?" "The same, Ophiël. Thou hast seen him, maiden !" "Was he haughty, yet his haughtiness blent with the modesty, lessening his degree, and while he looked, if he looked on thee, did his eyes, while they gazed, seem to plead thy forgiveness for the deed as they committed it ?" "Thou hast painted him to the very semblance, chit," said the princess, laughing and blushing, as she detected a smile lurking in the dimpled mouth of her confidante. After taking one or two turns through the apartment, she stopped and turned to the fair Peruvian, in whose cast down, yet knowing look, she detected the knowledge of what she had not yet dared to confess to herself. "Ophiel," said she, "be faithful and secret. Seek out this Montezuma. I would see a youth for whom men so freely cast away their lives, as I have this day seen them do." “Your highness, he is a net-maker's son.” "The better still. If he be not princely born, it were better he were at the other end of the degree. Go--I would see him. Use what other instruments thou wilt to aid thee. But be speedy, discreet, and both cunning and wise as the fabled Anaconda of thy own land!" The slave prostrated herself at the feet of her mistress; then rising, reverently kissed her hand and glided from Slowly, with their faces turned towards her, the sub- the chamber; while the lovely Eylla, her virgin bosom VI. tortured and bewildered by a thousand new and strange thoughts, yet all pleasing, reseated herself in the window and gazed vacantly upon a range of gardens, villas, fountains, towers and domes, all mingled in gorgeous confusion, and lying like a magic scene beneath the radiance of the moon, which flooded all with a light so mellow that the whole seemed to be seen through a sea of transparent silver. V. In the door of a lowly hut of reeds and mats, in a remote quarter of the capital, sat an aged man mending nets by the light of the moon; the beams of which rested like snow-flakes on his white head. Suddenly a shadow passed between him and his light, and he looked up. "Welcome, Montezuma, my child. I have beguiled the hours waiting thy coming, by putting a stitch, as well as my old eyes will let me, here and there in the net. You are pale." "I have need to be pale, sir;" said the youth, casting himself upon a settle beside the door. "He who carries the ruddy cheek of a careless heart, at this time, loves not his country, and has no manhood. We are a nation of slaves, father-but light has broke in upon us. The tyrant shall die, and man's blood shall no longer be counted water!" 46 The moon rode high towards midnight, scarce touching with its nearly vertical beams the outer verge of the window in the apartment of the princess, when the door opened, and the slave Ophiël softly entered and stole to the feet of her mistress. "Well, Ophiël !" "He is without." "Who went for him?" "Ical." "Thy lover." The slave blushed and hung her head. "That he would obey the emperor's commands, and spoke some other words of fearful import." "Tis well. I would that he, as well as the messenger, should think 'tis by my father's commands. Admit him." The princess arranged her robes in more graceful folds, and with an air of mingled majesty and condescension, prepared to receive the young man, as the slave ushered him into her presence. As he entered, his port was haughty, and his eye flashed round defiance, as he seemed to seek out the person of the emperor. But the lovely form of the princess meeting, instead, his glance, his whole bearing changed; the eye lost its fire, and assumed a softer light; the lip its curl; and the aspect and port of defiance was converted into one of 'Hush, boy," said the old man, lifting his shaking devotion and gentleness; and he kneeled reverently finger. “There has blood been spilled this day, and were it not that the tyrant was the father of the fair princess Eylla, I would slay the slayer with my own hand.” "Hist, son-my child, silence! Speak not such words! speak not so loud! Ere this thy words have been caught up, and swift wings are bearing them to the emperor's What aileth thee?" ears. "I have whispered rebellion," continued the young man, heedless of his father's words, "in the willing ears of thirty thousand of my fellow slaves-" "Son, son-see, we are not alone-He wears the emperor's livery. Thou art lost--lost-lost! Did I not bid thee keep silence ?" And the parent flung himself distractedly on the neck of his son. The young man rose quickly, as he saw a stranger approach the hovel, and placed his hand in his bosom. But without making further demonstrations of preparation for a hostile meeting, he proudly and calmly awaited him. "Is this the abode of Melef, the net-maker?" demanded the stranger, haughtily addressing the old man. before her, with his hands on his breast. The princess marked the instant change, and a blush of pleasure increased her loveliness. "Thou art called Montezuma, the son of Melef the net-maker?" "I am the low-born slave thou hast named, lovely princess," he answered, with as much of proud scorn as the presence of his royal mistress would permit him to assume. This expression of feeling did not escape her notice. "Methinks, thou wert the cause of a certain tumult in the streets to day?" "Noble princess, in as much as you judge me to have done wrong, I confess my error. But neither I, nor they who died to protect my poor life, have done wrong against the tyrant. Forgive me, lady-I had forgotten, looking on thy gentle face, thou wert his daughter. But if I offend, thou hast only to order me to the block-and death from thy hand were better than life, with thy father's foot upon my neck." "You are over-hasty, Montezuma. I would ask thee, how thou, so young, and of your degree, hast gained such influence over the souls of men? Who "It is; what would you with my father?" replied would die thus for the emperor? None." the young man. "Then thou art Montezuma, his son. I have an order to guide thee to the palace." "Lead on. I am ready to die--for my blood will turn to fire and kindle a flame that the tyrant's blood can alone extinguish !" "Ha, this is language!" "Plain enough for a courtier's ear. Farewell, father." "Nay, thou shalt not die-stay-stay-oh, my sonmy-my son !" "Farewell, old man !" he said feelingly as he laid the fainting form of his parent on the settle he had himself just occupied. "Now sir, lead on to the emperor !" "It is because I am a man." "Pardon. It should have been said to the sire." “Nay, speak not to me so gently-I cannot bear it;" and burying his face in his hands, he was for a moment overcome with emotion. The princess was affected and was also silent. "Forgive my weakness, your highness-but it is past now. Your gentleness to me, has saved your father's kingdom, and perhaps his life." "Speak, quickly--what mean you?" "I will confess all, and then die, knowing that I have not struck the blow that should make you wretched." He looked inquiringly at the slave, and then at the princess, and was silent. "Ophiel, wait in the ante-room." The princess and the young conspirator were left alone. He then unfolded to her the whole conspiracy, which has been hinted at, and explained minutely its past progress and present state, and its ultimate aim. She listened with mingled surprise, terror and admiration. The moon began to pour its fading light into the western window of the room, ere the princess called the wondering Ophiël, and bade her see that the young man was reconducted in safety and secresy to his abode. In this interview, the princess detected her love for the youth, and to her pleased surprise discovered his for herself. Cupid is a true democrat. He knows no rank. The youth encouraged by the princess, and ready to stake all upon a cast, at length did boldly confess his daring passion, and then prepared his mind for death. But to his surprise and joy, the gentle and lovely woman, not only listened to him, but in her turn confessed her love. Here was a singular and wonderful spectacle to human eyes! a princess and a peasant vowing to each other, love undying, love unchanging, love eternal. Here had Love fully established the axiom, that "two extremes meet." He had magically brought together two noble spirits that Nature and Fortune had sundered widely. Well hath Maria del Occidente sung, "Nature never formed a soul PART THE SECOND. 1. Three months passed away, and in the interim the lovers met frequently, and as the violets that grow in couples are sweetest scented, so sweeter and deeper grew their love by frequent mingling of their young hearts. In a politic female it would have been policy to have cherished the love of a handsome youth, whose word could arm fifty thousand men within the capital's walls; and in case of her coming to the throne, the most refined diplomacy, to have secured the safety of her empire by permitting so dangerous a person to share it. But Eylla was no politician, and knew nothing of diplomacy but that of the heart. At length a rumor reached the ears of the emperor, that at night the princess received stolen visits from a man in disguise, who seemed to have free ingress and egress from the palace at all hours between twilight and dawn. Montezuma was watched, and followed, and seen to enter the wing containing the apartments of the princess. Word was conveyed to the emperor, who soon after attended by his guards, unannounced, entered suddenly her room. The lovers were discovered-Montezuma, seated at the feet of his lovely mistress, attentively lis tening with upward gaze, while she was relating some interesting tale, her snowy fingers the while half hidden among his raven locks. "Seize the traitorous slave!" Eylla shrieked at the sound of his terrible voice, which gave the first intimation of his presence, and the next instant, true to her love and her womanhood' threw herself between the soldiers and her lover. "Back! Touch him not!" "Seize him!" shouted the monarch, with vehemence. “No-no-hold, I command!" "Spear the hound!" "Through my heart, then seek his." The guards hesitated. She caught this moment to address the enraged emperor. "Father! listen. Bid the guards wait without the door. He cannot escape then, and hear me one word!" The emperor gazed on her penetratingly a moment, and then waved his hand for the soldiers to withdraw. The three were left together. The monarch, restless as a caged tiger, pacing near the door-the young man standing silent, proud and calm before him. "Now, traitress!" "Nay, I am wanting nothing in my love or loyalty to my king and sire," she said, approaching and kneeling before him;-"Hear me, my father! You have once loved your Eylla! Have you forgotten how in infancy I sat upon your knee-and how, as I grew older, each morning I laid upon your pillow the sweetest flowers, nor left your couch until you had kissed me. And when I got to be a maiden grown, and thou wert sick, nigh unto death, how I watched thy couch and cooled thy brow, and did you not say I was a blessing to thee, and that you owed your life to my tender nursing?" “My child—Eylla!” "Thou art moved. I see returning love for thy only daughter in the gentler beaming of thy eye. Father, I know you love your own Eylla." As she spoke she softly rose, and like a child climbing its parent's knee, slid upwards into his arms, and laid her head confidingly upon his breast. "What would you, Eylla ?" and his voice was affectionate, and he looked tenderly down upon her, and for the moment forgot the presence of the object of his late wrath. "His life, father, and thy forgiveness!" Her words recalled the emperor to himself. He flung her from him, yet still she clung to him as he strode up to the young man. "Ha! methinks I have seen that face!" "Who art thou?" "Montezuma, the net-maker's son." "Eylla, is it so? This slave-this serf, thy paramour?" "My betrothed husband!" "Princess Eylla, thou liest with thy false tongue !" "I have spoken truth, father." "Then your fates are linked. The deepest dungeon of the prison shall be your abode, till you get the better of this madness. But, by the bright sun, if I had a doubt, (yet I see not why I should not) of thy honor, I would slay thee, with my own hand, ere thy bosom heaved twice more." "Father, for my life I care not-the dungeon does not terrify me. It is thy displeasure I feel. I am innocent!" "I believe thee, for mine own honor's sake; for after this thy word hath little weight with me. Yet thou shalt not go unpunished. Ho! without there. Soldiers, two of you guard this woman to the keeper of my palace prison. Entreat her gently, mind you, and bid the jailer on his life see that she suffer no roughness for, if she be a prisoner, she is no less the daughter of your emperor. For you, sir, for whose crime I cannot find a name-I will invent for thee a death that shall in some degree measure it. Bear him off to the farther. most dungeon beneath the river. If he escape, the lives of every soldier of my guard shall pay for his." Without a word, calmly and dignified, with only sorrow at the princess' fate shading his countenance, the young man was led from the apartment to become the occupant of the dungeon. II. The imprisonment of the princess lasted but a few hours. The emperor, after the first excitement was past, felt the father return to his bosom, and sent for her to his presence. The result of this interview-to judge from the expression of the face of the princess when she met Ophiel-did not leave her quite destitute of hope. "You are pardoned!" exclaimed the joyful slave, flying and throwing herself at her feet. "He has forgiven me. I have told him all-the conspiracy and all." "And what said he ?" "It made him more thoughtful than angry, and he asked many questions about him, then shook his head, walked the room and muttered. I could only hear by piece-meal, Of policy—no heir myself-the security of the empire—a noble bearing-better for my successor than a noble—I will think of it—she loves him too-his influence among the people-consolidate the empire.' I could hear nothing consecutively." "Mark me, my noble mistress-you will yet be happy!" "I cannot tell you, Ophiel. He kissed me-" "Who?" My father, minion-when I left him-but I trembled when I looked in his face and saw how dark his eyes were. He dares not slay him, for he knows he will slay his daughter with the same blow." "What do you think will be done with him-that is, provided the emperor does not give him to you for a husband?" "Silence, Ophiël, child! He shall not die." "And if they keep him in prison, woman's wits can get him out." "As I left him, my father bade me meet him in council early on the morrow." "I augur something from this." 'May it be of good," was the foreboding reply. Thus speaking, the unhappy princess, accompanied by her attendants, retired to her apartment for the night. III. The ensuing day, in the imperial hall of justice, sate the emperor, sole judge and arbiter of every cause brought before this fearful tribunal. His word was the law with him lay the power of life and death. He was enthroned in grandeur, commensurate with his high station, surrounded by his stately nobles and glittering court. A jewel of great size, of mingled hues, and dazzling as the sun, blazed on his crown. Before him, on a marble slab, elevated above the floor, stood his executioner, holding in his hand and resting upon it, a gigantic sword, gleaming in every beam. On the right of the emperor and a step below him, on a throne of pearl inlaid with gold, sat the princess Eylla, pale and drooping, yet observant of all that passed. She was attended by a brilliant galaxy of the ladies of her court. The emperor was stern and silent, and though from time to time his daughter cast a glance furtively upwards to read his face, its expression foiled her interpretation. It afforded neither hope nor despair. The emperor now waved his hand—a trumpet sounded— and, loaded to the earth with chains, the youthful prisoner was brought into the presence of his judge. Without trial-without even naming the offence with which he was charged-the emperor, after gazing on him a moment, gave a parchment to one who stood at the foot of the throne, and bade him read it aloud. Instantly the trumpets sounded thrice-thrice a herald cried "Long live the emperor, the brother of the sun and governor of the universe!"-and thrice again the trumpets resounded. "It is known to all the world that the present dazzling stone which adorns the imperial crown, was found more than one thousand years ago in the throat of a condor, which fell dead in the court of the palace. From the variety of its hues and its brilliancy, there remains no doubt that it was brought from the glittering peak of the Mountain of the Burning Stone. Every diamond having its mate, it has been the ambition of numerous emperors to obtain the mate to this; and it is estimated that more than a million of states' prisoners have perished in the course of ages, in endeavoring to purchase their forfeited lives, by reaching the summit. As yet no human foot has trod it, and the diamond is yet unobtained. "Now, inasmuch as Montezuma, son of Melef the net-maker, has been adjudged a traitor, he is hereby condemned to be conveyed from hence, closely guarded and in chains, to the foot of the Mountain of the Burning Stone, and there released. If he ascend the mountain and return with the mate to this stone or a stone of its like, he shall not only be pardoned for his treason, but shall receive in marriage the princess Eylla, and succeed the emperor in the empire. If he refuse to go up or fail in the attempt, he shall die an ignominous death, by the axe of the executioner. Long live the emperor, just and wise." Thrice the trumpets sounded, and amid the acclamations, murmurs of surprise and adulating shouts of the enslaved people, high above which rose the wild shriek of the princess, the emperor dissolved the assembled court and retired within the inner chambers of the palace. IV. Night had scarcely begun to veil the streets of the capital in gloom, ere the private postern that gave access to the quarter of the palace occupied by the princess Eylla was cautiously opened, and a female figure came forth with her mantilla closely drawn about her form and covering all her face, save one lively eye. But with all her care, each passer-by knew her to be Ophiel, the favorite slave of the princess. After surveying the ground about her, to see that she was unobserved, she hastily darted across the street into the shadow of a temple, and swiftly pursued her way through many windings and across many squares, until she came to a dilapitated building, which had formerly been the abode of a minister of state, who, with his whole family, had been beheaded within its chambers for treason. It was now the abode of a sorceress, who, to many other marvellous sciences, added the knowledge of the secret virtues of all herbs, so that by her art and skill she could both convey death through the eye and restore life by a breath. At the sunken portal of this dread abode, the female paused to look about her, and then with a hesitating, yet onward step, she entered beneath the arch, and crossed the deserted hall. At its extremity she came to a low door, at which, after hesitating an instant, she knocked. A stern voice bade her enter. Before her sat the woman she sought. In a few words Ophiel told her of the loves of the princess and of Montezuma, and of his sentence. was led to the foot of the mountain and divested of his chains. The captain of the guard then embraced him, for he had compassion on his youth and gentleness, and wishing him success, accompanied him a few paces on his way, and bade him farewell. For the first two miles the ascent was comparatively easy. But at length the young man, of whom the soldiers never lost sight, reached the region of eternal snow, against which his dark form was but just relieved, appearing like a speck, which, save that they had continued to keep it in their eye, could not have been detected. When the young Montezuma, after great hardship gained the region of eternal winter, the verge of which, far down the mountain, was artificially whitened with myriads of bleaching bones of those who had perished before him, but which made him no fainter hearted, he "Why do ye come hither, maiden ?" demanded the paused to survey the icy pyramid that pierced nearly a sorceress sternly, after the slave had ended. "For the aid of your art and wonderful knowledge. For, the princess Eylla, who has sent me hither, has heard that thou wert skilled in all the mysteries of creation, and that to thee are unfolded the hidden springs of life. She now asks the exercise of this power in her favor and that of the poor youth who will assuredly perish else. Canst thou do nothing for him, mother?" league higher into the skies, presenting to the eyes of those below one polished cone of glittering snow, crowned by the starry gem that had burned on its crest from the first day of creation. Notwithstanding the probable fatal end of the attempt, Montezuma, after gazing upward awhile and seeing many fissures in the sides of the glacier invisible to those below, resolved to make it. Lying down on the last spot of verdure to rest his weary limbs, he reposed for an hour, "The princess Eylla is gentle, fair, and virtuous. and then with a bold spirit and inspiring himself with She shall be obeyed. Wait my return." The sorceress left the room by a door hitherto unseen, and Ophiël remained with her heart throbbing between hope and fear. In a few minutes the woman returned and placed in her hand a small sealed package, with these words: "Place this in his hands, and leave the rest for his manhood and his lofty love to accomplish. Depart speedily as thou camest." the thought of Eylla he began to scale the icy steep. He had toiled two hours and won but a twentieth part of his way, when, as overcome by the cold and exertion, he was about to admit into his mind despairing doubts of success, a small package fell from his bosom, and after sliding down a hundred feet, lodged in a deep cleft of the glacier. It recalled to his recollection the mysterious visit of the preceding night, which, until now, had not entered his mind; and he rapidly de Ere Ophiel could thank her or question her of the scended to recover it. On opening it he found a transcontents of the package, she was gone. V. parent substance like gum, of a delightful fragrance, enclosed in parchment, on which was written these words: "The gum of the herb that containeth the principle of life. Eat sparingly at morning, noon and eve, and thy strength shall be as the sun, and neither the four elements nor the two great principles of heat and cold shall have power over thee. Child of the sun, run thy race, and rejoice in thy strength." The succeeding morning a band of a thousand soldiers marched out of the northern gate of the city; their numbers serving rather to add dignity to their mission, than as necessary to guard the chained prisoner, who moved with a proud step and unbroken bearing in their centre. The first night they encamped within a league of the mountain. The youth slept in his guarded tent, The weary young man, ready to sink under fatigue and his dreams were of love and ambition: for a stout and cold, and hitherto just about to give up the further heart like his and one that loved so truly did not des- ascent in despair, placed a small particle of the gum bepair of success, even where his path was over the foot-tween his lips. It instantly dissolved, and suddenly he steps of a million who had gone before him, and left felt a new principle of life. The stagnant blood warmtheir bones bleaching on the mountain side. At mid-ed and glowed in his stiffening veins; his heart leaped; night his dreams of Eylla were disturbed by a slight his sinews became strong; his spirits cheerful and full touch on his shoulder. He started, opened his eyes, of elasticity; and hope and anticipated victory once and beheld an indistinct figure gliding from the tent, without waking the tired and sleeping guards, who, doubtless, thought their prisoner's safety sufficiently secured by his heavy chains-he at the same moment discovered that something had been left in his hand. Instinctively he hastily concealed it in his bosom, and turning over with clanking chains, which roused his guardians, once more sank to slumber. With the rising sun the camp was in motion, and under a select guard of one hundred men, the prisoner more filled his soul. He was a new being. He felt the strength of an immortal, and the enduring power of the tireless sun. His first impulse was to spread his hands in gratitude to this visible dispenser of life and heat, who was at that moment descending the western horizon to light unknown realms beyond its verge. Then carefully placing the remainder of the gum in his vesture, he sprang up the icy cone with the strength and fleetness of a chamois. Upward and onward, and still upward, unwearied and unceasing, he kept his skyward way, |