as come from the great and good White Mother
that rules the rising sun, is growing angry with Ayatlan because he has
not told him that which his heart so desires to know."

"My Indian brother has received gifts and made promises; the promises
have not been kept. I do right to show anger," replied Drake sharply.
"The Spaniards would have flogged Ayatlan, and maybe have killed his
sons, for such bad faith and crooked dealing."

The chief bowed. "Spaniards are beasts and the children of beasts.
The Englishmen are sons of the Father of Heaven, and Ayatlan prays to
them as to his gods. Why has my brother grown soft-hearted to his
enemies and mine? The tongue of rumour tells how he has eaten up their
armies at a mouthful. Is my brother grown old and toothless?"

John Drake flushed. He had had more than one reminder that the
admiral, his brother, would have acted more energetically than he had
done. But the younger man was by nature more cautious and diplomatic.
He made answer: "My teeth are sound, Ayatlan, and the fire of manhood
is still in my heart. Do not foes sometimes make peace for a while?"

"True; but when one makes peace with them that hate him, he is guilty
of folly, for the enemy gathers strength whilst at rest, and waits to
strike at an advantage."

"What has all this to do with the thing I seek?"

"Ayatlan has been working for his white brother since the hour when his
ship came into the bay. He has thought night and day how he might help
him to the desires of his heart."

"Well?"

"Last night a youth from another tribe came into the village with one
of my messengers. He knows the great river, and hath journeyed many
days on its bosom. He will guide the children of the great White Queen
to the city of the 'Gilded One.'"

The quiet announcement thrilled the whole cabin. Here was the end of
uncertainty. Drake grasped the chieftain by the hand. "What bargain
doth Ayatlan wish to make?" he asked.

"I make no bargain," was the proud rejoinder. "Have I not given my
white brothers joy? They will not forget. The guide waits in my boat."

"Let us speak with him."

The chief spoke to one of his attendants, and the guide was brought in.
The adventurers looked at him with great curiosity; he was an object of
the intensest interest to them. The youth's appearance was not
prepossessing. To begin with, he was very dirty; the rags of a Spanish
doublet hung about his body; legs and feet were bare,