th he seemed to be looking into a
dense mist, wherein he could at that moment discern nothing. And all
the time his sensation of drowsiness was becoming stronger and still
stronger, until he seemed to be in a state of semi-coma, very much like
that induced by the use of opium.

Then, quite suddenly, his lassitude left him, his senses became
preternaturally acute, and a sense of well-being and complete
satisfaction pervaded his whole being. The mist into which he was
gazing became faintly luminous, and strange shapes began to flit across
it; shapes the like of which he had never seen in his life before. Then
something approached him and rested its head upon his knee. He looked
down and saw that the "something" was a huge jaguar or South American
tiger; and it bore a striking resemblance to the woman, Mama Huello.
But, strange to say, Jim felt no sensation of fear; instead, his whole
being seemed to be quivering with eagerness to see what was to be
displayed upon the curtain of mist, still stretched before him.

The light became stronger and stronger, and the cloud more luminous,
until it seemed to be a mass of living flame; and presently, out of the
mist, pictures began to shape themselves one after another, in rapid
succession.

Jim saw his friend, Montt, as the central figure in many battles,
conducting himself with unexampled bravery, and covering himself with
glory. Scenes occurred which Douglas knew, instinctively, related to
the war at present in progress. He saw the lieutenant in command of a
small gunboat fighting an action against a whole Peruvian fleet, and
coming off victorious, though sorely wounded. Then many years seemed to
elapse, during which Montt had apparently attained to a high position in
the Chilian navy. The country was now divided against itself, was in
the throes of revolution, and Montt was the leading spirit among the
insurgents. He carried all before him by the magic of his consummate
genius, and out of anarchy created concord. Then the scene changed
again, and Jim beheld the representation of a broad _plaza_ in some city
which he had never visited but which some sixth sense told him was
Santiago de Chili. Montt, now supreme head of the Chilian navy, was
just issuing from a building fronting on the square. It was night-time,
and the man was clothed in a heavy black cloak which he had flung round
his shoulders. Montt descended the steps leading from the house, and
started to wal