ng in
the crevices of the rock, and silently let myself down a few feet below
the table, whose overhanging rock I knew would protect me from
observation, and where I could have a full view of the rock by looking
through the shrubs, by whose friendly aid I had descended to my
retreat.

"I had scarcely secreted myself when, to my astonishment, the old man
advanced slowly up the path, his labored breathing showing how painful
to him was the exertion. Fearing no harm I was soon by his side,
begging him to lean on me and to allow me to assist him. He looked down
on me with a peculiar expression, akin to that I should express should
Benny here insist on going out buffalo hunting, and which annoyed me
exceedingly, of which he, however, took no notice.

"After standing with folded arms, looking intently over the water
towards the far south, he turned to me and said:

"'It shall be even so. Come hither, son of a degenerate race, and learn
the secrets of the past. Long before your race knew this continent
existed, my people were in the vigor and glory of national prosperity.
From the extreme north, where the icebergs never yield to the sun,
through the variations of temperature to the barren rocks in the
farthest south, were ours, all, from ocean to ocean!'

"He paused for a moment, as if endeavoring to recall some
half-forgotten facts, then proceeded in a sorrowful tone.

"'But troubles came. Our kings had fostered two different races on
their soil, who were at first but a handful, and who had at two
different periods been driven by winds on our shore. The first that
were thus cast on our hospitality were partially civilized in their
ways, and though far removed above the brute, were not like us; so wide
was the difference that an intermarriage with them would have been
punished with death. They were human, and therefore protected, their
insignificance being their greatest friend; for my ancestors no more
thought of laying tribute on them, even when they came to number
themselves by thousands, than you would on an inferior race. The other
race were savages of the worst character; more savage than beasts of
prey, and so they multiplied and became strong, and even preyed upon
themselves. Thus our forests became filled with beasts in the shape of
man, and our districts with an imbecile race. Centuries rolled onward,
and the savages multiplied and grew audacious. They even penetrated our
cities and preyed upon us, while we, pa