e come back to the world
for your sake. Before Semitzin first saw you, her heart was yours. And
I come to you, not poor, but with the riches and power of the princes of
Tenochtitlan. You shall see them: they are yours!--Kamaiakan, take down
the chest."

"What's that about Semitzin?" inquired Freeman. "I'm not aware that I
knew any such person."

"Kamaiakan!" repeated the other, raising her voice, and not hearing
Freeman's last words. Kamaiakan was nowhere to be seen. Both Freeman and
she had supposed that he was following on behind the mule; but he
had either dropped behind, or had withdrawn somewhere. "O Kamaiakan!"
shouted Freeman, as loud as he could.

A distant hail, from the direction of the desert, seemed to reply.

"That can't be he," said Freeman. "It was at least a quarter of a mile
off, and the wrong direction, too. He's in the gorge, if he's anywhere."

"Hark!" said Semitzin.

They listened, and detected a low murmur, this time from the gorge.

"He's fallen down and hurt himself," said Freeman. "Let's go after him."

In a few moments they stumbled upon the old Indian, reclining with his
shoulders against a rock, and gasping heavily.

"My princess," he whispered, as she bent over him, "I am dying. The
poisonous air in the cave was fatal to me, though the spell that is upon
the Golden Fleece protected you. I have done what the gods commanded. I
am absolved of my vow. The treasure is safe."

"Nonsense! you're all right!" exclaimed Freeman. "Here, take a pull at
this flask. It did me all the good in the world!"

But the old man put it aside, with a feeble gesture of the hand. "My
time is come,----" said he.--"Semitzin, I have been faithful."

"Semitzin, again!" muttered Freeman. "What does it mean?"

"But what is this?" cried the girl, suddenly starting to her feet. "I
feel the sleep coming on me again! I feel Miriam returning! Kamaiakan,
have you betrayed me at the last?"

"No, no, princess, I have done nothing," said he, in a voice scarcely
audible. "But, with death, the strength of my will goes from me, and I
can no longer keep you in this world. The spirit of Miriam claims her
rightful body, and you must struggle against her alone. The gods will
not be defied: it is the law!"

His voice sank away into nothing, and his beard drooped upon his breast.

"He's dying, sure enough, poor old chap," said Freeman. "But what is
all this about? I never heard anything like this language you two talk
tog